Scrap Simple

We've had a great week of vacation. Crystal Hot Springs (umm...public bathing with strangers, priceless) followed by breakfast in the canyon with some amazing parents, Trafalga and the local Arts Festival has made for one incredibly fun week. I have pictures and they overwhelm me. Every time I take one I think "do I scrapbook this one of (insert child's name here)?" And if I have a darling shot of one kid, don't I need to have something darling (or at least in existence) for each one? If I don't take a picture--which is proof we do productive, fun, family bonding things with our kids, did it happen? So scrapbooking has become a chore--see if I make one kid a book, they all need books, and then I need a book so when I'm old, grey and forgetful (yesterday) I can remember I had some great parenting moments.

This summer I've run across two things to help me out with this chore and reduce guilt and the time I spend pasting pictures. so I can have more time playing.


1- A #10 Tin Can--This is simply a large coffee can (or if you're from Utah, any of the large food storage cans). These are big enough to hold pictures, tickets, programs or other stuff to scrap later. It also comes with a plastic lid so all your memories are secure. I add notes of what we liked or best memories of what our trip was about and then later when I have time (I am guessing that will be about the 12th of Never) I can go back and try to retrieve our memories. Better yet, I can give the kids their own cans and make them scrap it themselves. In either case, and because I am a craftoholic--I take said can (see pic below) and cover it with fun colored paper, add a title to the can like --Crystal Hot Springs Vacation June 2013--and maybe some stickers. As I collect my memories--notes about funny things that happened or funny things the kids said, pamphlets, pictures, tickets, etc. I have everything in one place. And it's reusing something that would have gone in a landfill--so yeah for doing something to help the environment!

See how cute this one is below? I have a cute place to store everything so when we have a free minute or two I can scrap it and be done--times six books.

















2- Flash drive- I got one of these for Christmas and didn't know what to do with it. I transfer my pics from my camera to the drive and they are safe if the computer dies, I can put them in a fire safe in case someone lights my illustrious kitchen on fire, I have them easily accessible and organized and most importantly in one place.  I have gotten some great online deals on flash drives at Best Buy, Amazon and Target--most under $8.

As a spin off to the tin can idea you can make some great gifts from these cans. A time capsule of "baby's first year"--cuz not too many new mom's have time to scrapbook with a newborn--it makes a great gift if you create the can, add pictures of family or family stories so the baby can have a sense of their family. You can also cut the bottom of a can with a pop top off and clean the can, then fill it with goodies and glue the base back on. These are fun ways to package teacher treats, or Mother's or Father's Day treats.

Click HERE for some fun ways to reuse metal cans of all sizes. Click HERE for a tutorial on how to make the tin can treat gifts.

I really want my kids to remember--especially as they catapult into the teen years, that our family has fun, and their mom had it all together at one point in time. I want them to see that beyond all the chores, lectures, yelling and hair pulling, that our family is unique and amazing and lucky to be us. Hopefully collecting memories and doing something with them will help them realize how much I love them next time I have to "parent" them, or they are bored or mad I won't let them do something that "everyone else is doing." Hopefully....the memories will speak for themselves.

Spare Change can Change a Life

You might remember my "Loose Change Challenge" from a few months ago. Recently I figured out a fun way to spend it and spread a little joy and a lot of fun.

We have saved about $8 and here's a plan.

 1. Buy Otter Pops, or other Popsicles that aren't frozen.
They sell these and other varieties at many dollar stores (10 for $1). Otter Pops are about $3-$4 at Walmart for the 100 count box. Either way, you don't have to worry about them melting in the middle of the plan, and they are cheap so $8 can stretch a looonngg way.

2. Obviously since this is a money math problem, I can handle it. Other kinds of math not so much, but money math I am a Genius! So I get 2 boxes of 100 Otter Pops at my Walmart for $8.24. Then I divide them up into groups of 10--I have 20 "packages of fun."

3. Make a tag saying "Have a Fun Summer" or "You're so Cool" or "It's time to Chill Out." Something fun, simple, but the receiver has to know it 's not a joke or prank so make the tag sincere and maybe put your name. Tie the tag and pops together and you're on your way to changing someone's life (Ok- that's dramatic. You won't change their life completely, but you could make someone's day--and that's great!)

4. Over the next few days you can do a few things: 1- pick random houses and deliver them; 2- take them to the park and hand them out--obviously they need to be frozen first; 3- take them to someone who's made an extra effort to your life, your family or the community--with a Thank You card. People who do a lot often don't want recognition, but I know that a THANK YOU goes a long way.

4- Welcome the new families moving into the neighborhood with a quick "Hello."

Really the possibilities are endless. You are creating positive change using spare change--at the very least it will make a happy day just chillin' out.

Greek Yogurt Chicken

Most of you know I work for Bzzagent as a product tester and reviewer. Recently I received some free FAGE yogurt to try and we LOVE it. I am not just saying this, part of my job as an agent is to tell the truth.

Here's a recipe I recreated to use FAGE with an old recipe and make it more delicious and healthful!

Baked Chicken

4-6 Chicken Breasts
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs
1 c. FAGE yogurt

Preheat oven to 350 deg.

Pound the chicken out flat.
Place the eggs, yogurt and bread crumbs in individual bags or bowls.
Dip chicken in the egg, then FAGE yogurt and finally in bread crumbs--you want to coat both sides of the chicken with each of the three ingredients in order (egg, yogurt, bread crumbs).

Put in greased 9 x 13 pan, or on a baking tray with a lip, and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. It's done when the middle isn't pink and the internal temperature is 165 deg.

This tastes like fried chicken, but baked. The FAGE yogurt keeps the chicken moist.

Delish!

Summer Freebies

It's almost here...3 months-no school. Just fun, water parks, picnics, vacations and relaxation. (See I'm hoping if I put positive thinking out there...it may become reality.)

I am really excited to spend some time outside of a school building, since I got to spend so much time inside one this year. I am now completing my year long service as the local PTO president, and I had an amazing year. It was fun to see the students grow, and get new opportunities. It was fun to see my kids a lot in their environment. It was awesome to renew my own personal friendships, and make new ones. All in all--an Extraordinary year!

So now we've got summer... and I needed a few ideas to keep my crew busy.

Reading is still important even if we're not in school. Barnes & Noble has a great summer reading program where kids can earn a free book. Click Here for the form and details.

Check out the local library for weekly reading times, shows and other special events. If you live in my locale go Here for the latest and greatest info.

June 5th is free fishing day. Check out this link for more info. If you like the outdoors there are hundreds of National Parks (click on link) or State Parks (click on link). At the SL County Libraries you can get a free 1 week pass to the State Parks--you have to have a card and check it out from the library, but a great money saving idea for a family vacation.

Don't miss the Kids Bowl Free program. Or the Kids Skate Free program. Info can be found by clicking the highlighted link above. Also many movie theaters have a kids summer program. Click Here for Details. You could also make your own movie, or take video clips along the way of each adventure you have and make it into a video journal of your awesome summer adventures.

If you live in Utah here's another link of Free Days at local attractions funded by our ZAP (Zoo, Arts and Park) tax. As a part of this grant, these locations have to sponsor free days to the public. More info. can be found Here.

Happy Adventures!

Redesign on less than a Dime!

I told you I was getting busy repainting and re-purposing our interior decor. I am working on a new design for the dining room table, but until I figure that out (I hate math--and it takes math to figure out what I need) I worked on these...

 These cute dressers were my mom's and have been well loved by many little girls.

 They are in great shape and really solid. After some prep work and some inspiration from a girl in my Garden Club I had some ideas.

Their walls in my little girls' room are this fun Raspberry pink (above). Since I had some paint left over...I repainted the dressers and a matching desk. And below is the final result. I used what I had, and recreated this lovely dresser. Now when they put away the clothes they know white drawer-socks; pink drawer shirts & pants; Raspberry drawer pj's and seasonal gear. Thanks to my left handed husband for the color design on the dual tone drawers--both the idea and labor were all him.

Amdro Pest and Weed Control

I recently had the opportunity to try out Amdro Weed and Pest Control. I am a Bzzagent and have opportunities to review many products and give my opinion--I know right, perfect job!

I have weeds...lots of weeds...and sometimes spiders and ants and I have to say so far I am impressed with the Amdro system.

Here's what I am hoping actually dies in my yard.

 The system consists of a one gallon bottle with attached sprayer and Weed & Lawn Killer, Grass Killer, Indoor Pest Control and Outdoor Pest Control. Fill the bottle with water, attach the sprayer and in the bottom of the sprayer you attach whichever control solution needed. Super easy to use, and so far looks like there's promise that this is on it's way out of my yard!

I have coupons to share--let me know if you want to try it out!

Triumphant Return...or Something Like That

College Finals over-check
PTO Fundraiser successful- check
Kids Homework winding down- check
15 loads of laundry cleaned & put away- check
Garden planted- check
Sanity restored-----Wishful thinking :)

Summer is almost here! What am I going to do with all this new found time? I am going to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts; hang out with my kids at the splash pad; and read a good book poolside on our vacations. I think I've earned it ...so have you.

As a celebration treat the hubs bought me my favorite Mousse Dome from our favorite local bakery,  Kneaders. If you haven't tried them --the dome or the bakery, it is a MUST. He tried their Raspberry Bread Pudding--and Oh My Gosh! Good stuff--and I am not a Bread Pudding person. So of course I have to try it. Here's one version of the recipe that I like--it uses less cream and sugar. I also have the luxury of going to my garden to get the raspberries so this may be the hit of the summer. I am also going to try making the Chocolate Mousse Domes, one recipe version is found here.

Since we will have lots of free time I found this handy link of 75 Free (or nearly free) Summer Fun Ideas. Thanks Melea for putting this together so I didn't have to!

With the time that's left for the summer I am going to finish "remodeling" and "refinishing" our house and the crap that fills it. They'll be some room re-purposing, repainting and redistribution of worldly wealth house wide this summer. And I will be magically figuring out how and when to get us on a vacation for Christmas--skipping presents and opting for making memories.....it will be an experiment on many levels--I'll keep ya posted.

Enjoy Summer!