Getting Ahead on the Christmas Crafties

This year, I am going to do my best to make most of the gifts I am giving for Christmas. Partly because I be the poor, but also because I want the people in my life to have something that was made by me, for just them. You can't buy those kinds of memories.

Here is the kicker though, I can't knit or crochet because of my arthritis, I suck at drawing, and my sewing machine is broken. So what did I do?

You guessed it, I turned to the all powerful Pinterest.

At first I was mostly finding things that were more geared towards decorating. Pinterest has 8 million tutorials on how to cover everything in your house with glitter. In case you were wondering how to make your world a glittery, sparkley mess by January 1st. Not my style. Also, not what I was looking for.
Eventually though, I did come across a few boards and users that had things that were more giftable. A lot of the things that I liked the most were super easy too but I had to pare down where to start. The very beginning.

Sorry, this isn't included.

The most logical place to start was the bath kits that I want to make for all of my girlfriends but of course I am sort of dumb a glutton for punishment and decided to start over on those and make some cold and flu season type baskets to give people. Weird? Maybe. Seriously though, who wouldn't love to have some homemade goodies sitting around when it hits you like a brick in a glass house? Practicality here people.

So, I gathered a couple of baskets from the dollar store and whipped up a batch of sore throat suckers, whiskey rose cough syrup, and (knock off) Vicks shower disks. To that, I added some tissues and a can of chicken noodle soup. Add a pretty bow and voila!

After I got done with those, I took to making a very special something for my sister but I can't tell you about that until after Christmas. Lets just say though, its a labor of love.

For the boys, I am going to take the letters I have written them for their birthdays and start a binder. Not something they will appreciate right now really but it will be something for them to keep and for me to add to every year.

My mother is going to be a little trickier. I am thinking I will try to make her some jewelry but haven't come across anything particularly her yet. I may just have to hit up Joanne's and see what happens.

Have you gotten started on your Christmas list this yet? Do you prefer to make gifts or buys them?

Mama's Style Gets A Pinterest Makeover (Part One)

I have mentioned several times that my fashion sense leaves a lot to be desired. Occasionally I can pull together and outfit that isn't horrible for a special event or party but it better be really special or I am coming in blue jeans and a tee shirt. Heck, I even suck at jeans and tee shirt half the time. Being tall and not model thin presents way more challenges than its worth. Trust me.

In fact, I tend to start looking for blue jeans that will fit in about August to prepare for the fall and winter weather which doesn't appear here until at least November. Now, I am a little bit over six feet tall, something that some people say they would love to be. I say nay-nay my friends. Long legs + long torso + long arms = no clothing that actually fits. None. Not even the "tall" stuff usually. Mostly because the "tall" selection of clothing varies wildly. Take Old Navy's jeans for example. The "tall" they carry in the store is an inch and a half shorter than the "tall" they carry online. Seriously? Seriously. Now, what kind of sense that makes evades me but its one of those things you have to learn.

So, anyway, finding clothes that fit me is a struggle. Add that to the lack of fashion sense and you end up with outfits like this:

Yes, I wore this to work.

Now, while this isn't my worst outfit, its not flattering at all. What I am looking for is clothes that are still as comfortable as my jeans and tees but don't make me look like a middle school reject. So what did I do? I turned to Pinterest! *cue heavenly music*

The Pinterest style boards are full of pretty things. From $10k dresses to DIY Tee shirt makeovers. I opted to aim for the DIY and the "I can find something that looks like this for cheap" options. I am a master bargain hunter and innately cheap so those are my driving forces.

A few of my favorites so far:

 

 

Starting simple, no? I figure thats the best place to start. Then I can work my way up to the scary office life wardrobe that I dread so very much. I will update in a few weeks with my progress and hopefully I will have made some headway. Send me your good lucks and cheap clothes vibe! Goodness know I need it.

Drinkable Fall Potpourri and Other Fall Scents

Tomorrow brings the Autumn Equinox! The official start of Fall for those of us who don't see a change in the weather like some lucky people. I got excited about the fall season about a month ago and it has just built and built and now I am ready to explode Fall all over everything. That sounded less weird in my head.

Anyway, since Fall is here, its time to start bringing my favorite fall scents and treats come to life. I wrote about the Pumpkin Butter yesterday but these are more the sumptuous scents. I just adore the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin. Its sweet and crisp and screams my favorite season. The first one is of course my favorite. Drinkable Potpourri, Call is Spiced Cider if you must but it serve a wonderful double duty as both yummy treat and making your house smell like a Fall wonderland.

Drinkable Potpourri
Enough apple cider to fill a big pot (a crock pot works too!)
One organic apple, cut into about 1/2-inch thick slices (organic apples actually do give the best flavor).
One orange, rind and all, cut into slices about 1/2-inch thick
3-4 whole cinnamon sticks
6-8 whole cloves
6-7 whole allspice berries (you should be able to get these anywhere but I had trouble this year).

Place all ingredients in your pot and heat. For best taste, bring to a simmer uncovered and let it reduce a little to your taste preference.  As it reduces, you can also add more apple cider to keep the smell alive and to keep the supply coming. I like to drinking with a cinnamon stick in the mug for that extra cinnamon kick but its totally optional.

Now of course I already mentioned that I love the taste and smell of cinnamon so this next one is a total no brainer. If you are like me and like the spicy sweet smell and taste of those little round cinnamon candies, this one is for you. Of course it also makes your house smell like one of those cinnamon brooms you see outside the grocery store about this time every year. Win, win.

Cinnamon Apple Cider
Enough apple cider to fill a big pot
About a 1/4 cup crushed Cinnamon Candies

Put everything into your pot and simmer while stirring until all of the candies are melted. Turn off the heat and serve it warm! You can also totally do this by the mug in the microwave but you don't get the whole house smell.

The last one smells like heaven but it is not edible. I mean I guess you could but its not going to taste good. Fair warning. It does smell more like a typical Fall candle or store bought potpurri to me. Its a good, quick one though and its stuff you most likely already have in your pantry.

Orange Cinnamon Simmer (Don't eat this one!)
Orange Peels

Cinnamon Sticks (or ground)
Whole Cloves (or ground)
Dash of Vanilla Extract
Water

Put all those things in a pot and simmer, adding watter as needed to keep it going. Don't let it boil dry.

Ginger Sesame Salmon

This is one of those recipes that you read and think "meh" but in all reality this is one of the most addictive sauces I have ever had. Its sweet but has that unmistakable ginger spice finish that I just can't seem to get enough of in general.  I am not going to lie, its all about the glaze here. I tend to like it best on salmon but it can also be used on pork or chicken just as easily. Its also really good just drizzled over some steamed rice with veggies if you prefer a meat free dinner.

I do usually make the sauce and marinate the meat during nap time and then cook it right before we eat it. If you are using salmon, be sure you don't let it dry out. Fully cooked salmon should be pink and opaque all the way through and should easily flake with a fork. There is a very fine line though between done salmon and dry salmon so I tend to remove it from the oven just before it gets pink all the way through, cover it with foil and let it finish cooking on the pan.

Sesame Ginger Salmon
1 1/2 lbs salmon
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp soy sauce (I have also used Dale's with good results)
2 garlic cloves (I use the jarred kind)
2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
1-2 tbsp sesame seeds

Combine all of the above ingredients in a ziploc bag and gently roll to coat the salmon really well all over. Put the bag in the refrigerator to marinate the salmon. I tend to go in and roll the bag a few times if I get the chance just to make sure everything stays mixed. While this is marinating, mix the glaze (below).

You can choose to grill this or broil it in your oven. Grilling fish is tricky because it falls apart but broiling is hard because it dries out the fish quicker. Pick your poison. I usually broil it because it really ticks me off when I lose a salmon fillet in the grill grates. If you do grill, I suggest you invest in a grill topper to keep that from happening. If you choose to broil, use a broiling pan or wire rack on a cookie sheet for the best result.


Sweet Sesame Ginger Glaze
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1-2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Whisk together and drizzle over cooked salmon/ rice/ veggies/ whatever you want.

Fall is Coming!

Its coming! My most favorite time of the year! The time for festivals, cooler weather, and best of all Halloween! This is also the time of year, every year, that I start craving pumpkin flavored things. Pumkin pie, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin cheesecake. Its an absurd obsession that only comes around about August and is always over by the time the brunt of Fall comes around.

This year, fall has snuck up on me hardcore. Usually by this time of year I have started planning the boys birthday party and started to freak out about everything involved in that. This year, I have not done a single thing towards their party. I think its mostly denial.

Still, soon it will be here and it is set to be a glorious fall here in Georgia. We have had oddly cool weather this summer which should lead to some gorgeous fall foliage. Up in the mountains at least. Or at least I really hope so. Our foliage tends to just turn brown and fall off. Some years, it doesn't even bother falling off. It just dies and hangs there, which is just so attractive.

I am really llooking foward to trying out some of the fall things from my pinterest board too this year. I have fallen slack on decorating and keeping up with my promise to my self to try and be more seasonally festive but come fall, I intend to at least make a wreath (Damn it.). I am particularly in love with this fall bucket list from Loves of Life.

Sweet, right? I think we can manage all that. Stay tuned to see what all we get accomplished!

What are your favorite fall traditions?

Making Your Own Playdough

When I was a kid, my most favorite thing to play with was playdough. I would sit and play as long as I could stand the smell but eventually I would get awful migraines and I wasn't allowed to play with it any more. You know the smell I'm talking about. Playdough, of all brands, has that smell. Its distinct and strong.

As I started working in childcare when I got older, that smell followed me every where I went and it still gave me a headache like no other. Still, it wasn't until D started getting to the age where he was more interested in playing with it that I started looking into what was actually in it that made me ill. I knew that its labelled non-toxic but that smell was just too much.

Apparently I am the only person on the internet that it does that to. Great. Add it to the list.

I did however find out that regular playdough contains petroleum distillates which is part of the smell (think kerosene odor) and is also not recommended for skin contact or the inevitable toddler taste test. If fact, the CDC recommends immediate medical attention with the ingestion of any amount of petroleum distillates and avoiding any kind of skin contact. It also attacks the respiratory system and the central nervous system so that explains my headaches.

So, yeah. Needless to say, I went looking for a more natural solution. Over the years I have tested and deleted or changed tons of playdough recipes. From the edible kinds to the good smelling to the completely useless. These are some of my favorites. Of course, I wouldn't make all of them at once. Try one and see how you like it. Next time, try a different one. The best thing is that they are all so cheap, they are easy to toss when they get gross or start to dry out.

Regular Homemade Playdough- This is the closest in consistency and moldability to the store bought kind. Kind of a pain to make though.

1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1/2 tablespoon oil
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
a few drops of food coloring

Mix all but the last ingredient in a small saucepan. Cook over a very low heat until it turns into a dough (it’ll take just a few minutes). Knead the dough on a floured surface until cool enough for kids to touch. Separate the dough into as many colors as you want to make. Put just a few drops of coloring in each ball and knead until evenly mixed.

Peanut Butter Playdough- This is one that people always seem to make fun of me for. I always get the "you're crazy" or "no thanks" when I talk about this one but not with the others. I have never figured out why exactly but I do. Its a huge hit with the boys because they can play with it and snack on it at the same time and it tastes amazingly good!

1 cup peanut butter (Don't use the natural kind with the oil on top. Just trust me.)
1/2 cup honey
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix peanut butter and honey in a bowl and add powdered sugar until you get the right consistency. Let it sit for a few minutes to settle before playing. You can add more honey or powdered sugar as needed to make the consistency just right. Of course, if have a peanut allergy in the house sunflower butter works just as well. Store in an airtight container or plastic baggie with air sucked out of the bag.

Salt Dough- This is not going to taste good. Technically I guess its edible but seriously? Gross. This actually dries out pretty quick too so its more a one day dough. You can keep adding water to it to make it last a little longer though. You can also make ornaments and decorations out of this dough by cooking it.

1/4 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Mix the flour and salt in a bowl then add water. Knead and squeeze the dough to make a clay consistency. You may need to add more water.

Sand Dough- This is kind of like the Moon Sand stuff thats so hot right now. Not my favorite because its messy.

1/2 cup sand
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup boiling water

Mix ingredients together and knead. Carefully. You just put boiling water on it.


Gingerbread Play Dough- This one smells and tastes great. We use it most around the holidays but its nice all year. It makes a really cute class gift too.

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tbsp. ground ginger
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water

Mix together and knead until smooth.

For almost all of these (except the edible ones) you can divide into sections, then knead in food coloring (liquid or paste). Kids love making the white play dough change colors. Use unsweetened Kool-Aid for color and scent. Add glitter for sparkly play dough. Get creative with and have fun!

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DIY Milk Jug Lunch Container

Okay, lets be honest, we all know that sandwich baggies are bad for the environment. That much plastic headed to the landfills is no good. No good for anybody. Are they convenient? Yes. Are they healthy? Not really. Are they sometimes unavoidable? Yeah, okay, I'll admit they are. If you had the chance to make a sandwich container out of something that almost all of you have in your homes right now in less than five minutes, would you?

I came across this idea on Pinterest* a few weeks ago and thought it sounded too easy to be true. Making a reusable, washable sandwich container out of a milk jug? I'm game. Here is how I did it:


1. Take an ordinary milk jug. One with out milk in it is best. Less messy. If it has milk in it, chug it until its gone. Then rinse it out. No need for a deep clean, thats easier to accomplish later.

2. This marker isn't wholly necessary but it is for this tutorial because otherwise I couldn't explain it well. You are going to want to leave one of the full, flat sides intact. and cut the handle bit off.  Cut down the spout and around the handle as close as you can and throw that part away. Now is the time to clean out the bottom of the jug with soap and hot water.

3. Now, look at the bit of jug that is left. There are seams that hold the sides of the jug together and a weird seam that goes around the bottom of the jug holding the bottom bit to the top bit. Usually the part under this seam is textured so look for that. You are going to cut straight down the side seams to the top of the bottom- attaching seam and stop. Do all four sides. Then, just round off the edges to make them easier to fold in on each other, remembering to leave one of the full, flat sides in tact.

4. Fold the four flaps in on themselves to crate your sandwich box! Tada! Told you it was going to be easy. You can use really anything to keep the lid of your box closed. Tape, velcro, or if you are lucky enough to have a snap press, that would work well too. You can always decorate your box if you want to also.

The box is big enough to hold a sandwich and a few other things. Maybe a cheese stick or snack of some sort. Its not air tight though, so you can't freeze sandwiches and I wouldn't suggest taking them camping or anything but I am a fast fan of these little upcycled boxes!


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*You can view the original post that was pinned here

Food in a Cup

So, a while back, I mentioned that I was going to slowly start working my way through my Pinterest board. You know, actually trying some of the amazing ideas that I had pinned in my must try that frenzy that is so easy to slip into when faced with the wonders of Pinterest.

I bet you thought I had forgotten about saying that didn't you?

Well, I did. Thing that matters is, I eventually remembered like I usually do when I forget things and went straight to see what I could try first. At the time, it was early and the boys needed breakfast, so I decided to check out my food board. The first thing I noticed is that I have a lot of junk food pinned there. I also have a t-shirt tutorial pinned there and I'm not sure why but I never went back to move it (Who wants to take bets on how long it will take for me to remember to do that?). I did notice a trend that piqued my interest though: Food made in coffee cups.

Now, I didn't used to be a big coffee drinker but since having my second son, hulk baby K, I have ever so needed that morning cup of coffee. My kids even occasionally get coffee. Not real coffee, but they think it is. I have not, however, ever looked at my coffee cups as anything but coffee vessels. Turns out, you can make some tasty foods in them too.

(I am so not a food blogger.)

The first one to catch my eye was the scrambled eggs in a coffee cup. We eat a lot of eggs in this house. Scrambled, frittatas, hard boiled, quiches. You name it. We are the Benjamin Buford Blue of eggs around here. What can I say, they are easy, healthy and cheap.

The idea is super easy. Crack two eggs into a greased (I used butter but spray works too) coffee cup with a teeny bit of milk and whatever else you like in your eggs. I took it easy and just added some shredded pepper jack cheese. Scramble it all together with a fork and stuff it in the microwave for a minute on high, stirring once in the middle. Perfect. Although I have to admit it kind of skeeved me out at first how they kind of bubbled up even though they go back to normal when you stir them. They tasted great though so no foul.

After that, I have three mug cakes pinned. Those are a little more complicated but actually quite similar. There is a chocolate cake, a coffee cake, and a chocolate chip cookie dough cake. I did actually try all three and I will say that they are all fairly tasty. The chocolate cake though was by far the best. Think gooey brownie or chocolate lava cake. Its that good. I did make one small tweak to the recipe though by adding a tablespoon or so of chocolate syrup. Maybe that was the difference between a more cakey cup and a gooey cup?

At any rate, now I am itching to try out more of the things on my boards. They are calling to me from the computer. All I have to do is remember to take a list of things I need to get when I go to the craft store. That way at least I won't be standing there trying to remember what it was I was looking for while the boys put one of everything they can reach in the cart. That is a slight plus I suppose.