We be grillin’!!

So far this summer we have really been putting our grill to use. Last year we didn’t grill nearly enough so we vowed to grill as much as possible this year along with spending more time with family and friends. That’s always a good mixture! What’s been really fun about it is the hubbin’ has really been getting adventurous with what he grills and how he marinates or prepares the food. It’s been super fun watching him get excited about trying something new and even better being able to eat his amazing creations! So far our favorite thing has

been the pizzas on the grill! It’s pretty unbelievable how amazing they turned out! A close second has definitely been the asparagus on the grill! The hubbin put olive oil and lemon juice

on them before grilling them then with a little bit of sea salt it was like heaven! Also he made ranch burgers with cheese that were so tasty I felt like I couldn’t control how quickly I was eating! The boys basically ate their arms to a nub! Needless to say grilling has been super fun and very filling. I look forward to another half of the summer of more grilling!!

Tweet Tweet!

This is actually pretty funny since in general, I don’t really like birds! But we have a great little back corner in our yard that was screaming for a bird bath so I figured why not! I had seen a really cute bird bath idea on Pinterest and thought I would make that “someday”…well this past weekend and today was that day! I had to tweak a few things to make it more to my liking because the pinner made albeit really cute, was just too fru-fru and dainty for my taste.

I wanted something a bit more rustic and low key so the flowers would pop more than the bath itself. Picking just the right color (as always) is hard for me because in my head I always have a specific thought in mind…and it’s always hard to achieve for

some reason! Luckily this wasn’t as difficult as it could have been. Plus I was able to find the color I wanted at Walmart for much less expensive than a hardware store. Once I found the color I found some really great water proof sealant as well and went to work. I was able to paint it all and get it sealed in about 45 minutes! I wanted mine to be more uniform so I bought all clay pots but a PLASTIC saucer for the bath itself. The clay saucer would have been too heavy for the fixture (that’s probably why the original pinner used the glass bowl). Plus we needed to drill a hole in the saucer for it to fit on the bar (for stability) and the clay saucer would have just cracked. With everything spray painted and sealed the hubbin’ and I went to work assembling it! This project was so easy I couldn’t believe it! We finished putting it together last weekend but still needed to buy the flowers which we did today. My oldest and I chose purple, pink and white Impatiens because they are easy to plant. We planted them, watered them, filled the bath and here it is!!

We also hung up a humming bird feeder in the tree that stands right by the bird bath so bring on the birds!!

Psh…Biore who?

I have stumbled upon certain pins on Pinterest that have literally made me say, “WOW” repeatedly in awe… this was one of them! I love (LOVE) trying new face masks, mostly because I’ve always had trouble with my skin. I’ve tried pretty much every over the counter facial mask, pore strips or cleanser you can buy and as many of you know they aren’t cheap. Nothing really made a difference and I always felt disappointed as well as frustrated about the amount of money I had just wasted. But this face mask wins the award!

I found it here on Pinterest. It’s incredibly inexpensive and you get plenty for your money. I bought the exact same gelatin needed from Walmart for less than $3 and already had the milk in my fridge, that’s ALL you need! You get 4 packs of gelatin in the box and I found that you don’t even need to use the full amount she says for a full mask! I’m not going to lie- it’s not very attractive to have on your face, but I left mine on for about 25 minutes so it was completely dry and my family was mocking my inability to move my face and speak clearly. When it came time to peel off the mask I wasn’t sure what to expect but it peeled off with ease and every piece I pulled off I saw what had been sitting on my face…I can’t even tell you how much disgusting dirt and how many black heads (after the preliminary face wash!) were removed from my face when I peeled this mask off! I was in shock by how well the mask worked and how SMOOTH my skin was after the mask came off! My face feels like a layer of time/stress has been taken off and I feel 100% clean and refreshed! I highly recommend trying this mask!

Green Thumb?

So I finally have taken the plunge into gardening… it’s taken a few years of going back and forth with the idea. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take on the project and would I be able to maintain the same amount of excitement and momentum…but now that we’ve started it and all of our plants are in the ground I guess I’m in it now! Actually I realized I wanted to start the garden months ago as we began our compost pile. As we tilled our dirt and compost it was quite…fragrant…but hopefully all of those nutrients will help! We had been saving all egg shells as well and I’ve reading up on many ideas from good old Pinterest! Truth be told I really am enjoying it- being in the dirt, one with the earth, nurturing something (that can’t talk back or irritate me!) and so far I really like the idea of growing things I can EAT and COOk with!! This year to start off easy we are only growing tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, oregano, cilantro, garlic and strawberries. We picked a small part of the yard to try things out with this year but if it goes well and I really like it we will expand because we definitely have the space to grow (no pun intended!). I just can’t wait to be gardening in the sunshine and warm weather- we were planting in winter hats and jackets!

So here’s to day 1 of my FIRST EVER garden! Stay tuned!

Grab bag!

It’s been awhile since I’ve written anything…there has been a lot going on in our den! Lots of good…lots of not so good…but ultimately we’ve still been busy with projects!

I/We have tried many new ideas from Pinterest!

Happy Pills – This was a fun little something to have for the boys. When they’re having a bad day or just need a fun little pick me up these are great! 

Apple Cider/Epsom salt foot soak-This one I’ve done over and over and over and really like it!

Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies – These were not that great! The cookie was basically a flat muffin, it wasn’t as much blueberry cheesecake as much as boring jiffy muffin…thumbs down!

Blackhead Mixture -This was pretty good actually because I have major issues with black heads and pores! For some reason my nose and the area around it is just a haven for this and the mixture really felt like it helped more than anything I’ve bought in the store! It felt stronger and more concentrated.

Baking Soda/Vinegar Tub Scrub – This without a doubt is my most favorite thing I have tried from Pinterest! As we all know getting your tub to sparkle can be almost impossible…but I kid you not this actually works! Using the baking soda as a cleanser paste is amazing! Plus I like it being all natural as Jax is still playing in the tub, drinking the water and chewing on bath toys!

5 Minute Drape Vest -This was just a fun little project for me. It literally took five minutes and turned out super cute!

Fruit Pops – This was a fun little treat! We used strawberries, Cantaloupe and Kiwi for ours and they were TASTY! I didn’t care how many were eaten because it was 100% real fruit! We have already come up with other variations for the next round!

Work for Hire Board – This was a really fun way to get the boys motivated to do other chores. They don’t get an allowance nor do they get paid for the chores that they ‘own’. But with this idea they can chose to do more and get paid for it! It’s already been great because I hate folding towels and that is one of the things they can pick!

Plate Drawings – Easton really had fun with this one! He likes to draw and personalize things especially when he can use it over and over again! One recommendation: be sure to use actual Sharpie markers. We bought the Bic brand permanent markers and they weren’t as permanent as we’d hoped! But this is something you can do over and over again!

 

 

 

Over all- we’ve had a really good time implementing new ideas and fun things to do. I love the idea of new crafts and household items. I’m beyond excited for summer to arrive as I have TONS of gardening/DIY outdoor household things to try out as well as some summer snacks/food, crafts and outdoor fun ideas lined up for the boys!

No mo yellin’ – Day 15

It’s been 15 days since I decided to not yell at the boys anymore. To say it’s been easy would be a lie…but to say it’s been rewarding would be an understatement! I have had to really step back and think about what’s coming out of my mouth which for those who know me is an accomplishment in itself. I’ve listened more and heard more. I understand what they are trying to say more and I can interpret what they aren’t able to say clearly much better. I find myself saying please with every request and I find that I’m much less angry about things. I still get angry there’s no doubt, but having to step back and pause before reacting takes the edge off. Counting to 10 is more helpful than I think people give credit! Most of the time I only have to count to about four…but there have been times where I’ve counted to 11 or even 12!

It’s made a difference in how I parent and in how I communicate with the boys…that makes me feel good!

How about you- will you take on the challenge?

52 Week Money Challenge!

So yesterday I started week one of the 52 Week Money Challenge based on a Pinterest post I saw. It looked simple enough: save a dollar for every corresponding week! I’m always trying to save money here and there…but it can be difficult. I have the usual savings account and for those

who watched the show 7th Heaven we have a “coffee can” that I put small amounts of cash in every pay day. What’s nice about this technique is it’s structured and it came with a chart to follow (I use it as a check list and keep it in my jar with a pen!) and by the end of the

52 weeks I will have saved $1,378.00! That may not sound like much but for a person that has a hard time saving money that’ll be nice! It feels good to save money, like most people we don’t have a ton of income so this will be an easy way to save a little at a time and see the progress! A fellow face booker is doing the challenge with me…it’s always more fun when you have a team mate!!

CHING CHING!!!

 

 

 

No mo yellin’- Day 1

Let’s start by saying that I grew up in house with a lot of yelling and I always told myself that I never wanted to be that way. Like many others I thought I was this perfect parent…until I had kids! The boys aren’t bad by any means…but they can be a challenge! Especially all at once. I realized I have become a yeller, mainly because I need to be heard above the “bustle” that is our house…but also because I lose my temper rather fast it seems.

I came across a blog called 10 Things I learned When I Stopped Yelling at my Kids that a friend posted on FB…and it really got me thinking about how I parent my boys. I don’t want to be a the mom that yells. As I read the blog I realized what I might be not hearing while I’m trying to be heard. Not to mention I might not feel like life is happening to me instead of me enjoying it. I can be heard without talking above them and I’m determined to do it. When I decided to take on this challenge I realized it wasn’t something I could just…do. I gave myself a date I was going to start and I needed time to rethink various approaches. Well today is the day I decided to start. It’s funny that it’s April fools day…I told the hubbin’ that maybe I was the fool for thinking I could do it!

But for my boys, my family and myself- nothing is too big of a challenge. Granted it’s only been the first day and amazingly,it’s not been as much of a struggle as I had anticipated.I found out I could control my tone, my actions and the volume of my voice. In doing so I also realized that not everything is necessary to be angry about. I truly am thinking that it’s about choosing the battles…even the little ones.Here’s moving forward- day 1 is done and I look hopeful and prayerful towards the rest of the days…who knows-maybe I’ll kick this bad habit for good!

Out with the old…in with the fabulous!

We have lived in our house for almost 3 years and I had yet to find any kind of window treatment that I really liked AND could afford! For the longest time we had

those really ugly, plastic, cheap blinds. That is until a friend of mine made her own roman shades and told me how easy it was! Low and behold every easy and step by step direction could be found on Pinterest! Once I read through the instructions and saw how easy it was I was hooked! The idea of having exactly what I want for a fraction of the cost was great! After the hunt for the right fabric (shower curtain from Target!) was complete I started gathering my supplies! I found everything I needed at Walmart!  Fabric glue, heat n bond…everything else I already had! I was worried that it would take awhile to do them…or at least that’s the excuse I gave myself trying to get out of the task…needless to say it took me roughly an hour and fifteen minutes to complete all three of them! Aside from drying over night-this project was completed during a nap time! The first one took a bit longer because it was the first attempt…but the next two were a snap! I prepped my blinds, cut and bonded the curtains, glued it all together (using heavy books to help them dry) and voila-roman shades! After putting them up and seeing that something so fabulous could be so easy and inexpensive on top of being exactly what I wanted was astounding! We have MANY windows in our house so I can’t wait to find just the right fabric for each room and embark on this project over and over again!

Chalkboard Walls!

I had heard about this chalkboard paint awhile ago and thought how fun it would be for the boys to have walls they could actually write on! Then as always time went on and I forgot about it it…but the boys hadn’t! So we went to good ‘ol Home Depot to find our paint and supplies.This was on a Sunday afternoon, and I intended to start painting that night

and probably finish the next day… that was until the boys wanted to help out! Their help sped up the process quite a bit! We finished their walls (taping and all) in 4 hours! First we did Rayden’s wall…that turned out really well for him because he is a list maker…and he loves math and doodling so now he has a large place of his

own to do these things over and over! Then we did Easton’s wall. He loves to play Tic Tac Toe, hangman and the dot game…so now he has a BIG place to write and draw and scribble! They have really

enjoyed drawing and playing on their walls and it’s a great way to also keep them occupied in their own space! Now we’re looking into getting 3D chalk as well as glow in the dark chalk to take it to a new level!! I’m a little jealous I have to say… I wonder how the hubbin’ would feel about a chalkboard wall in our room…