What a week

Today I found out that Miss Ellie has croup, an ear infection and a viral infection. I feel so bad for my sweet little girl. She's had such a bad runny nose and weepy eyes. You just look at her and want to hold her. Thankfully she's got some prescriptions that she's taking now, but I gave her the pain medicine before the amoxicillan and now it's torture trying to get her to take it. I finally figured out that if I take the top of her bottle and put the medicine in while she's sucking on it. And BOY did it WORK! So that is why I haven't been posting this week. I haven't been able to craft between a sick little girl, baby sitting and taxes, my week has been packed! Hopefully yours has been better.

Menu Monday

Monday: Philly cheesesteak sandwiches

Tuesday: Mandarin Chicken, brown rice and broccoli

Wednesday: Shredded beef tacos

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Turkey burgers

Saturday:leftovers or To Be Decided on Saturday!

Sunday: Roast, Mashed potatoes and veggies

As always if you want a recipe just let me know and I'll post it!

Daily Task Tin Tutorial( otherwise known as chore tin)

I've been crafting off and on the past few weeks, but I've been crazy busy. Between watching some extra kids and trying to finish my taxes, blogging has not been a priority. I finished a project last week and decided that I would do a tutorial on it. First, I love Shanty2Chic, I really wanted the recipe holder, but I didn't want to just hold recipes. I changed my holder by painting the metal with red acrylic paint and then rolling a plastic bag over it to give it a crinkled effect.


Then I took this hot cocoa container and covered it with paper using modge podge.I covered the lid as well. I then hot glued ribbon around the sides of the tin and the lid. I used a very small amount, just enough to hold it.

I added some paper with the word chores that I inked around the sides with red ink before I modge podged it. I didn't want to risk getting it wet and having to make a new one. I then hot glued it where the ribbon edges met to cover it up.




I then made these dividers by cutting the paper down to size and then folding a piece of the red paper to the top which was stapled and embellished with ribbon. I just cut off the extra paper at the top so that it would be more like a divider.


I made chore cards so that my husband couldn't say that he didn't know what needs to be done and so that I could keep better track of my cleaning and try to get it down to 15 minutes for each task.Then I put the dividers in and put the chore cards in according to the day I want it done. Of course, certain chores like dishes get moved around daily, but it's nice to have something that I can easily access and no longer make lists when it's time to clean. The next thing I want to do is laminate the cards so that I can take a dry erase marker to the card when I'm done with a task like wiping down the mirror- I just like to cross things off, it makes me happy to see what I've accomplished! Happy Crafting!

Homemade Laundry Soap

Today I thought I would post about making your own laundry soap. I found this recipe last april and I am just now finishing up the last of the soap. I decided that I wanted to try this version when I saw it over at Rainy Day Farm. I love her frugal tips. I have to say, making laundry soap has saved my little family quite a bit this last year since it costs about $13 or so to make it. It just depends on where you get your supplies- I get the everything but the washing soda at Walmart. The Washing soda I get at my local bashas. I haven't seen it anywhere else. Also I like to add in some purex color safe bleach for that extra bit of stain fighting since my kids seem to get covered in stains.

Recipe:

3 bars Fels Naptha Bar Soap - each bar is 5 1/2 oz.

(I LOVE TO USE PINK ZOTE THE BEST! USE 1~1/3 bars)

4 lbs. Borax

4 lbs. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

4 lbs. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

Mix and store in airtight container.

1 to 2 tablespoons per load.

**HE front loader machines, dissolve 1 to 2 tbs. of detergent to hot water to make a liquid, then add to machine.

I haven't tried putting it in water, but it should work. Check out Beehive Cottage if you need more info.

Sausage and Spinach Penne pasta Bake

Ingredients:

1 package mild sweet italian sausage- I usually use johnsonville

1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce

1 package of shredded Mozzarella cheese

penne pasta

spinach leaves

Cook desired amount of pasta until pasta is almost tender. Cook sausage in a frying pan or grill until it is fully cooked. Cut the sausage into pieces and place into baking dish( I use a 9x13'' casserole dish). Add a handful or two of spinach leaves then add pasta and sauce. Mix well. Sprinkle cheese on top and then put the dish in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted.

Menu Monday

Monday: Meatloaf Ring, baked potatoes, and green beans

Tuesday: Sausage and Spinach penne pasta bake

Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: Mandarin chicken, brown rice, and broccoli

Friday: Chicken Fried Rice

Saturday: leftovers

Sunday: Spaghetti and meatballs with veggies

If anyone wants a recipe, just leave a me a comment and I'll put up a post!

Happy Valentine's Day

Just wishing everyone a wonderful day of LOVE on this Valentine's day! I celebrated a day early and went to the movies to see Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Lightening Thief. We had a great time and enjoyed our alone time. Thanks Holly for watching the kids, we really appreciated it!

Bacon Fried Rice

This is one of those dump it and season it to taste recipes. I grew up with my mom making it all the time and it is one of the staple dinners in our house.

Bacon Fried Rice

Rice- I use white, but you can use brown

Bacon

Eggs- I usually use 6-8 depending on how much I'm making

Frozen peas

Soy Sauce

Yoshida's Teriyaki Sauce

Cook desired amount of rice- approximately 2 cups

Cut 1 package of bacon into pieces and fry, drain grease and then add eggs. Cook eggs until done, add frozen peas, rice, soy sauce and yoshida's sauce. Mix well.

Menu Monday

Monday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches and veggies

Tuesday: Beef Tacos with Homemade Pico

Wednesday: Mom's Bacon Fried Rice

Thursday: Meat loaf, potatoes and broccoli

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Roast Beef, mashed potatoes and roast carrots

Pico de Gallo:

Tomatoes- desired amount diced up

Onion-desired amount diced up

Cilantro- chop it with onion to cut it easier

Salt, garlic and a dash of lemon juice

Mix it all together and enjoy!