Here is a quick tip just in time for stocking stuffers. I love to wrap every little thing in our kids' Christmas stockings...partially because it makes each item seem a little more special. The other main reason is that we just don't put much in the stockings. This year, in lieu of wrap, I decided to make little origami boxes.
The inspiration: My mother in law. She is awesome at gift giving, and a couple of days ago we had one more taste of her gifting. In the mail was a sweet, intricate origami star ornament she had purchased complete with origami box. "Hmmm...maybe I could do that..." The rest is history.
Where did I go for instruction? VideoJug, of course. Click here to get started.
Because I have beaucoups of sheets of scrapbooking paper, this was a cheap project. And this way I could personalize each child's gifts using their favorite colors. A little time, a little effort, and a big bang for our Christmas buck!
Once you've made my gluten free flour mix, you NEED to make the following cookie recipe.
GF Toll House Cookies (adapted fromverybestbaking.com)
2 1/4 cups Julia’s all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon gf vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) gf chocolate chips
Directions: PREHEAT oven to 375° F.
COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
*By the way, I always just dump all of the ingredients and mix them. I can't stand recipes with too many steps. If they don't work when I dump it, I usually won't keep the recipe!
*This makes a great cookie cake. Just spread it in a round pizza pan. Bake 18 minutes.
In light of many real problems in the world today, head lice is a minor issue. But, if your family has ever fallen victim to this nasty ailment, you'll know what chaos can ensue when you say the word "louse."
As I type, my head feels itchy. Last school year, my little family experienced lice infestation. My poor husband knows I am great with many difficult situations, but this is a whole other animal. Seriously.
So, you just heard the report at school. Head lice is going around. Oh my word! Oh my goodness! Ahhhhhh! So what should you do?
Not panic. It's hard to have a gentle and quiet spirit, but your demeanor can make the difference. It could be a CRISIS or an inconvenience.
Next, if you found it, let's remember: this is doable. Having lice is somewhat of a rite of passage that most families will go through. And yes, my family survived lice. And we will survive if it should be in our home again. I do want to tell you that I'm sorry that this has happened to your family, and it is not fun.
I did the wrong thing first, and then tried some methods that worked. Here are some quick do's and don'ts.
DON'T freak out.
DO realize this will be a process, not a five minute fix.
DON'T stay up until 2 a.m. cleaning just to wake up at 6 a.m. to nit pick.
DO realize lice like heads, not houses.
DON'T use "lice home sprays" that are not made with natural ingredients.
DO vacuum your home and use your dryer on high for 1 hour on stuffed animals and toss pillows. Then put them in garbage bags in the attic so you can keep them out of the way until this is over.
DON'T use permethrin or pyrethrum based lice treatments. (I did and regretted it later after seeing some research on side effects.)Do not use lindane, either!
DO use natural products. These are very easy to find, and I have found them to be much more effective. I will list my favorites at the end of this article.
Now, let's watch one of the best videos I've seen on what to do in the first 24 hours of discovering a lice infestation:
As mentioned in this video, olive oil treatment for 8 hours is viable (along with nit picking), and a good first step. But it was not enough to ease my mind. Nit picking is difficult and impossible on your own head, so these other products are VERY helpful.
My favorite tools for getting rid of lice: I love this Terminator Comb: Terminator comb Treatment Mousse- This treatment mousse or this mousse or this mousse (I think they are all similar.) I just ordered Happy Heads treatment/ prevention shampoo for prevention and possible future treatment. It is a once a week precautionary shampoo. I love this prevention spray from Neonnits.com (It also helps eliminate with enzymes!) We use California Baby Tea Tree and Lavender Shampoo as an everyday shampoo from Target for the kiddos. And this Neon Nits Lice Egg Locator Spray in pink was actually FUN for my daughter. She felt like it was a party when I pulled out the pink spray! Plus: put tea tree oil on a lavender scented dryer sheet when you dry backpacks and coats. Lice don't like either of these scents.
My closest friends will get info overload if they come to me for lice advice. I am an overachiever when it comes to hitting lice with all I have, but all of these products are things you can use without fear of damage to the health of your loved ones. **Do be aware that tea tree oil may cause respiratory difficulty in some kids (much like any other scented oil.) So use sparingly and not on teeny babies.
I have decided to give away my gluten free flour recipe.
I've tried TONS of gluten free products available today. Many of them are gross, and many of them are fine. None of the gluten free flours did everything I desired. What I wanted was a gf flour that could serve my baking needs. I wanted something that behaved like real four and tasted decent. What I came up with is a flour that tastes and behaves similarly to whole wheat. It's not an "all purpose" white flour. It's a "many purpose" flour.
My flour is a bit dense and more complicated than some recipes. The different ingredients have different characteristics. Some are starchy and light. Some are earthy and full-flavored. Some have a bit of elasticity. Together they form "Julia's Gluten Free Flour."
I will be posting recipes for cookies, bread, and pancakes now that I am giving you the groundwork. Bon appetit!
Julia's Gluten Free Flour 4 1/4 cups white rice flour 2 cups teff flour 2 1/4 cups brown rice flour 1 3/4 cups cornstarch* 1 cup potato starch flour 3/4 cup tapioca flour 3 1/2 cups sweet white sorghum flour 14 teaspoons xanthan gum
Quick tip: use finely ground flours. Bob's Red Mill does a great job of grinding their flours. White rice and brown rice flours need to be of a fine consistency. I can't stand grainy particles in my finished products. Be picky and pay for good quality.
*If corn is an issue, you may try replacing the cornstarch with another starch flour. Perhaps more potato starch would work?
I had a friend tell me that her husband grew up in a family of little means. Her husband has not-so-fond memories as he remembers dining out as a family. Dad would get a soda and he and the other kids would get water. And I must admit, that more than a few handfuls of times, I have done this. Not that my kids need overloads of caffeine and sugar, but neither do I! Also, I want to be an example to my children of putting others first, not selfishly hoarding.
So today, with my Starbucks gift card in hand (from my sister), my kids and I hit the drive thru. But this time was different. I did get my caramel macchiato, but my kids got their little treat, too. I ordered a tall hot chocolate and asked them to split it three ways into espresso cups. So CUTE! Three tiny little to-go cups for my three oldest with their mini kid-sized lids! Still frugal, but they felt like it was a very special outing. Riding in the cart at Walmart has never been so exciting!
Like I've stated before, I am an all or nothing person. Half-hearted is just not how I want to be described. But really, if I had to have a bachelors degree in every activity I tried, I wouldn't do much.
Here enters the quote at the top of this entry. For context: Linda Dollar was a role model in my community when I was in high school. Her simple statement meant a lot to me then and still does now. It motivates me to give something a shot and not fear failure. If it's worth my time, then even doing some of it will have merit.
Personal application #1: recycling. I used to think that recycling was for the truly dedicated. If I couldn't do it like the real green people, then I shouldn't try. But then one day I realized that even doing it a little was better than nothing.
Personal application #2: sewing. My mom is a professional seamstress. She can whip up a wedding dress faster than I can cook dinner. And believe me, it's art. My version is not so much. This used to be where I stopped. My sewing machine would gather dust and rust in my closet. But, I have decided that a sundress here or there for my little girl is better than nothing. (And I can call Mom for advice when the thread bunches up on the back of my project!)
I love the idea of redeeming objects. When I see something with potential, I grab it. That tossed out chair by the dumpster. That dresser someone is selling for pennies at a yard sale. That yardage of fabric grandma doesn't want.
My home is decorated with re-purposed or renovated items. It's cheap and it's rewarding, but it has a dark side.
For every warm feeling that comes from finishing a piece of reclaimed furniture, there is the ever-looming guilt of what is yet to be finished. There's not much that stresses me out more than unfinished projects. The do-it-yourself becomes do-it-or-else. The undone do not go unnoticed.
So enough! Just because it can be done, doesn't mean I should do it! There is a time for seizing and redeeming, and there is a time for releasing and relaxing. Today, toss one of the burdens. Evaluate your awaiting project and ask yourself if it will be worth the time. Also, is it worth the daily weight it puts on you before you can finish it. If it's not, send it to the charity store or put it by the curb for the next ambitious project manager. Who knows? It may be exactly what someone else needs right now.
1. Prep the walls. You wouldn't put make-up on a muddy face, would you? Stripping wallpaper, filling holes, sanding rough spots, and wiping down with a tack cloth will insure a better finish every time. Preparation is the most tedious part of the whole project, but this is what separates the sloppy from the sleek.
2. Use primer when color is drastically different. A good primer is almost always worth the money and time. I recommend Kilz brand. One coat of primer and one coat of paint often are better than two coats of paint.
3. Buy the right paint for the job. If it's a kitchen or bath, buy kitchen and bath paint. Research, ask professionals, and ask the person assisting you at the paint counter. In my humble opinion, for walls, I love eggshell finish in most brands. It is usually able to be wiped clean. Eggshell reflects some light, but still does not highlight every imperfection like semi-gloss or gloss. It also does not absorb oils and stains like a flat finish.
4. Get a good quality angled brush for cutting in. I learned this lesson the hard way. After cutting in (painting the edges of) five spaces with cheap, straight-edged brushes, I felt I was just bad at the whole painting thing. My mom recommended a Purdy brand angled brush. Wallah! I felt like a pro! I've since discovered that other brands are wonderful as well. I like the 1 1/2 inch angled brush best. For me, a proper brush eliminated the need for taping off. If you are new to painting, I would still recommend painters tape, but the right brushes make a much cleaner edge.
5. Buy two shades lighter than what you think you want. Have you ever gone into a home and thought to yourself, "Good grief! Did the owner color match their paint to a box of magic markers?" More often than not, the intentions were a subtler hue. When you paint four walls in one shade, the result is more intensity. I have never heard a homeowner say, "I thought this would turn out brighter, but I'll have to settle for this washed-out look, I guess." In this realm,"Less is more." Thanks for the quote again, Robert Browning.
Most of us just received a plethora of wonderful gifts in the past month. Now we suffer from affluenza. Affluenza is an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction amidst bountiful provision. While we desire to "count our blessings," we dread the upkeep of our possessions. Being thankful becomes difficult because we have too much. Let's be honest, all of this accumulation just doesn't bring affirmation.
While taking a huge pile to the local Goodwill may not nip the bud of American consumerism, it may be a great start to the new year. Why not? We have so much to gain by losing some of the stuff.
Read the book. It's fun and motivating. When you finish, pass the book on to someone else who wants it.
I'm always looking for more value for my money. Cheap groceries, clothes at deep discount, or ways to cut back on the costs of family entertainment. But some things are always more valuable than others. People always matter more than things. With that in mind, I point you to this video. Today was the launch of a campaign called 5 Dollars In 5 Days.
Safe Harbor is a local organization in the Upstate that cares for victims of domestic violence. Please watch this video and consider joining the cause.
Decorate minimally. A few lights and ornaments go a long way. We limit our holiday decorations to one large Rubbermaid bin. (Aside from the tree itself, of course.)
Be selective about holiday activities. Discuss what events are meaningful to each member of your family. Then say "no" to the extra invites.
Turn off the TV. The glow of the Christmas lights are great ambiance for cuddling up to read a great story.
Cook easy recipes. Now is the time for a pot of soup and popcorn.
Buy less. This year we let our children pick a gift from Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog. We bought less for them and are giving a gift in their honor to a child that needs basic essentials.
Have you ever noticed the back of a Christmas tree?
The rear of the tree is where all the ugly ornaments go to die. Well, not really die, just hide. All of us have them: the tacky dough ornament that was an unwanted gift even the day it was opened, the souvenir ornament from Aunt Gertrude’s stop in Dolly Wood 12 years ago, the handmade pipe cleaner and clothespin reindeer from your third grade Sunday school Christmas party (yours never looked like the teacher’s example.)
There is a guilty feeling that washes over each person as they bring out the Christmas trimmings. Those ornaments we all wish didn’t exist, but we are stuck staring at year after year. Why can’t we just throw them away? Or donate them? There’s just a twinge in one’s gut that says, “You must hold on to this. It is a Christmas treasure. If you toss it, you will lose the Spirit of Christmas Past.”
And so it goes, we find the least visible branch. We unwrap that bane and place it gingerly on the unnoticed bough. “Well, I paid homage this year,” you say to yourself as you wish you had not been so gentile with that horrid memento.
“Next year I’ll let the two year old help me with the back of the tree decorations…First I’ll load her with sugar, then I’ll dance with her until she’s dizzy in the living room, then I’ll moisturize her hands, then ask her to put it as high as she can reach… All of this I’ll watch with loving, careful supervision…in hopes that the dough ornament will find a crumbly end.”
How is it that the accidental breaking of an unwanted ornament is easier on the psyche than the passing on of such items? It just seems more honorable to bear this burden until the burden no longer exists.
Next time you go to a friend’s house, take the time to inspect the wall-facing portion of the largest Christmas decoration. (Then secretly gift your unaware buddy with one of your own back bough beauties!)
You may not feel you have time for a book, but everyone has time for an article. Here are five links to quick reads on decluttering. If your interest is piqued, you may be surprised at what you can find at the library on this topic.
How quickly the fall goes by! We are on the cusp of Thanksgiving, and the holiday pace will snowball from there. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, no one wants to replace celebration with chaos. But, how do we keep that from happening? It takes conscious effort. Forethought is helpful.
In the Fall of 2001, I went on a women's retreat where I received a helpful list of stress tips from speaker Lynn Fagerstrom. I have included many of her best tips here.
Be realistic about your expectations. Don’t set unrealistic goals for yourself. Start early to plan for the holiday rush and keep your levels of activities attainable. Know when to say “no.”
Get ready at night. Take a few minutes to prepare your clothes, organize your purse, fill the coffee pot or whatever you can do to make “tomorrow” easier.
Fill it up! Make it a personal rule to never let your gas tank get below a quarter tank. You’ll never have to stress out about running out of gas again.
Wake up 15 minutes earlier. If mornings are always a hectic time of chaos, make this small change that will reap huge results!
Save one spot for your keys and purse. Never again frantically search for missing keys! Just remember to put them all in one spot as soon as you get home.
Eat right! Cut down on sweets. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Easier said than done- especially with all the yummy holiday treats- but what a difference it makes when we eat well!
If you have any helpful stress tips to add, please feel free to comment! Your advice just might change someone's holiday!
We have friends that are light years ahead of my husband and me when it comes to financial know-how. And in sync with the previous quote, my hubby and I went to them for fiscal advice. When they recommended The Total Money Makeover, we listened. And we are glad we did.
Dave Ramsey, the writer of said book, has been mentioned on this blog before. I know he will be mentioned again later. That's the type of impact his work has had on our family.
My children don't know much about money yet, but they are learning. As a matter of fact, I still have tons to learn about finances. But, in our limited knowledge,we are teaching our kids what we can. We lead them through the simple steps of handling resources responsibly.
In teaching our children, we follow the give, save, spend method. When our child's piggy bank gets fairly full, we dump it on the kitchen table. We count their change together. Then we calculate ten percent for giving, ten percent for saving, and eighty percent for spending. We place the "give" money in an envelope labeled accordingly for charitable donations. Then we seal it. Likewise, we seal up the save envelope for a trip to the bank. The remaining goes into their little wallets for our trips to the Toys-r-everywhere-store or garage sales. I know, it's not rocket science. But these are skills to be expanded on as they mature.
Take it from me: this book is worth the read. Even though you may not become a money guru because you read this book, you may feel a tad more on the savvy side.
I am practical. Some say overly practical at times. But even in my practicality, beauty is something I desire. I prefer pink rubber gloves to yellow. I prefer a pretty writing pen to a regular ball-point. I prefer stationery to plain paper.
And today, I prefer the simply gorgeous hues of the beautiful eggs on my kitchen table to the plain white ones I buy on any given grocery day. I have never made Easter eggs that rivaled them.
I bought them from a sweet friend of mine that raises her own chickens. They are more than just decorations. They taste incredible. They have a pure, rich flavor that doesn't call for seasonings or salt. No nasty pesticides, no nasty antibiotics, no nasty nothin'. Just amazing, bright-orange-yolked decadence from chickens that have a great life.
In my blog, I hope to mention things I love. Oprah has her "favorite things," Martha has her "good things, " and I have simple pleasures.
For Halloween, my children and I crafted some gifts for local nursing home friends. Generosity is an attribute I want to help them develop. This was also something I remember doing as I child. So any creative kudos you may wish to give, can be passed along to my mom.
It's easy, cheap, and also uses up those spare writing utensils we all have stashed around our homes.
Supplies needed:
fuzzy faux fur (Look for a bright color and long fibers.)
all purpose glue
googly eyes
clothespins
pencils galore!
Directions: Cut the fur in 1x2 inch pieces. Make sure you "part" the hair away from where you are cutting so the hair stays as long as possible. Put glue on the back of the fur and it wrap tightly around each pencil. Clip a clothespin on the end of each pencil to hold the fur in place while it dries. After the glue dries, remove the clothespins and glue on googly eyes.
My little family lives on a budget. We live within our means. But, with that in mind, we also are foodies. My hubby and I LOVE a great steak. We munch seasonal fresh fruit and veggies. Trying new recipes is a joy! But we all need those staple meals that keep our funds in check. Our recipe repertoire needs to contain as Dave Ramsey says, "beans and rice, rice and beans."
I can eat plain rice and beans, but it that would not satisfy my crew. This take on red beans and rice is a flavorful, slightly meatier version. We make this at least twice a month. Darlene's Red Beans and Rice Slice and saute in 3 T olive oil: 1 medium white or yellow onion 1 polish sausage (Hillshire Farms is GF)
Blend or food process 2 cans red beans (Usually, I use dark red kidney beans or occasionally black beans.)
Add beans and 1 can of water to onions and sausage. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Season with garlic powder, red pepper, chili powder, salt, pepper, and basil to taste.
Prepare rice according to package directions. Pour beans over rice.
I always wear pink sunglasses. These are my reasons:
Pink is one of my favorite colors.
If I leave my glasses somewhere (which I often do), they are easy to describe.
I like how I look in cheap plastic pink sunglasses.
Looking at the world through pink plastic makes me feel better.
It's really true that pink is a feel-good color. Your sense of well-being seems hightened when everything looks rosy. I also must clarify here that red or lavender do not evoke the same feelings. So sorry, no red for me.
5. And last but certainly not least, fall is just so much more vibrant through pink lenses! So go get yourself some cheap pink sunglasses!
Posts
