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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Household Helper: Freeze chopped green onions in plastic drink bottles



Found this idea on Pinterest a while back, and just love this idea!

"...When freezing chopped green onions, put them into an old water bottle that you’ve washed, and use a permanent marker to label the bottle cap with the contents. Freeze. To use, simply remove the cap, shake out just as much as you need, replace the cap and return to the freezer. The clear bottle allows you to quickly see what’s inside, and shaking things out of a bottle is faster than spooning them out of a freezer container..."


Household Helper: Freeze chopped green onions in plastic drink bottles


"Remember that moisture is your enemy in freezing, so be sure to dry the green onions thoroughly before chopping to prevent freezer burn. I used a large funnel to get the chopped scallions into the bottle, but you could also cut another plastic bottle in half around the middle and turn it over on top of the larger bottle, creating a do-it-yourself funnel. Green onions do become a bit soft in freezing, so they’re best used in cooked dishes as opposed to salads. Use within three weeks of freezing for best quality."



Doesn't this just save a whole lot of hassle and time!?

Awesome Helper :)
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Blueberry Banana Bread [Tried & True-ly Yummy]

Blueberry Banana Bread [Tried & True-ly Yummy]

Made this a couple weeks ago! Was originally planning to make this for my husband for Valentines Day, But he ended up having a very exciting 'event' (I will call it) occur the week before. So...I made it early and gave it to him when he got home...with the same printable Valentine I was planning on (You are a 'Stud Muffin').

Anyway...Turned out wonderful and moist!. Love the kick of the tart/ripe flavor of the blueberries :)
Tastes best after fully cooled.


BLUEBERRY BANANA BREAD

IMG_5811-3
  • YIELD: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla and mashed bananas until smooth. Add in flour mixture and stir until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Fold in blueberries with a spoon or spatula, then pour batter into prepared pan.
  4. Bake for about 55-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.
  5. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.






Recipe found on: http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/04/blueberry-banana-bread/

Let me know how your slice is!
Or...should I say Slices?
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Fresh Spinach Tomato and Garlic Tortellini Soup [Tried & True-ly Yummy]

Fresh Spinach Tomato and Garlic Tortellini Soup [Tried & True-ly Yummy]

So I made this a few weeks ago...and it was super refreshing and delicious!  Very easy to  make! If you know me by now, I wouldn't have tried it if it was too complicated. Not EVERY meal can be done in the crock pot ha ha ;)






Just FYI--When I make this again I will most likely be adding some of the following 
to this already YUM pot of soup:

Mushrooms
Corn (sweet or reg.)
Carrots
Green Cabbage
Green Peas
Browned Turkey Sausage (for the meat lovers)


AND Just so you know, I never post any recipe that I didn't absolutely love myself, or that my family didn't love... I did eat all the left overs of this...ha ha (I would say it tastes really good, if not better the next day(s) as it soaks in all the ingredients for longer!)  But, I am a lover of foods and more of any of the things listed above would just only make this soup even more wonderful!
 (adding in some more vitamins & nutrients, also ;)--so why not!?


**As usual, I substituted any onion or garlic for the powder or flake form...and used frozen spinach that worked just fine! (just remember that if you are using two non-fresh forms of the onion and garlic to not saute in the oil...just stir in quickly and add the broth right away to avoid burning the garlic powder and/or onion flake)

* Suggestion: Generous Parmesan Cheese on top!



Fresh Spinach Tomato and Garlic Tortellini Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: About 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 3/4 lb Roma tomatoes (about 9 medium)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion finely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (more or less to taste)
  • 2 quarts (8 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated three cheese tortellini
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 6 - 9 oz fresh spinach, chopped
  • 3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving
Directions
  • Heat a pot of water to a boil and fill a medium mixing bowl with ice water. Once water in pot boils, carefully drop tomatoes into water and boil until skins burst, about 3 - 4 minutes (if a few of them are having trouble bursting, you can remove them from the water and cut an "X" in the bottom of the tomato then return to water for about another minute until skins slightly pull away). Remove from boiling water and transfer to ice bath, cool slightly then peel, seed and dice into bite size pieces, set aside.
  • In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat, add onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer. Pour in chicken broth and water, then increase temp to moderately high heat and bring to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, add tortellini, season with salt and pepper to tastes and boil 7 minutes (or longer if directed on tortellini package).
  • Stir in sugar, tomatoes, spinach and basil and cook until heated through and spinach wilts. Serve warm topped with Parmesan cheese.
  • *If it's winter and you're having a hard time finding good Roma tomatoes, you could sub 2 cans regular/petite diced tomatoes, but during the summer when tomatoes are in their prime I highly highly recommend fresh. They make such a difference.



Enjoy!
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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Keep Calm & Hop On Free Easter Printable! (8x10...)




Keep Calm & Hop On!  Free Easter Printable! (8x10...)


(Should work for 5x7, 4x6 & 3x5 too)


Looking forward to Easter pretty soon!

Saw this cute 'Keep Calm' Print a while back and just loved the Easter themed Ending! So I decided to make one of my own. I love how it turned out simple but super cute (if you ask me!;)

If you think so too, Print one for yourself!
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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

St. Patty's Day Scavenger Hunt (Free Printable!)


St. Patty's Day Scavenger Hunt!

After having my thoughts overflowing for this activity...I remembered the lucky charms cereal! ;) AND wanted to see if I could find the specifics of the charms and meanings. 

Here is the neat chart I came across, and incorporated into the scavenger hunt.





My Finished product!

What do ya think?!

St. Patty's Day Scavenger Hunt (Free Printable!)

--Some examples of what to look for on the list--
Irish River dancing: Water--Puddle, sprinkler, pool/hot tub, cup of water, bath tub with water, rain, etc.  Music-- cd or case, radio/cd player, ipod, hearing music, making your own music, actual music note on an object, etc.

Power to Fly:--Something that flies: Bird, plane, bug, Frisbee...

Power of Invisibility:--Something Clear-- A cup, glass or plastic on the ground, window (car or house one), glasses (lens)

Power of Speed:--Something fast-- A car, Bunny, dog or other fast animal,train, etc.

LEPRECHAUN FOOT PRINTS, HAT, RAINBOW, LEPRECHAUN HIMSELF, AND POT OF GOLD SHOULD BE PRINTED OUT FOR THIS HUNT. Either make a craft of those things OR cut & color (DAY BEFORE ST PATTY'S DAY) and then you (the parent/adult) hide them around the house or outside as a part of this activity for st. Patty's day.. 

The idea for this hunt is that the LAST 4 things to find on this list are more for KEEPS! So the leprechaun hat could be wearable (child can make the craft the day before), the rainbow will be a colored rainbow cut out attached to some skittles (or other rainbow colored candy), the leprechaun is a play figuring (child can make the craft day before), and the gold will have the colored pot of gold attached to some chocolate gold coins ;) ( child can color the day before). You can choose whether you want to cut out and color the shamrock to do the same thing, or just find something green.

Scroll down for the prints...





Can cut out and color...then attach!




Leprechaun Hat




Leprechaun Figurine

Print your own leprechaun, color and attach to a toilet paper roll to stand him up!

OR MAKE ONE LIKE THIS...






After the Scavenger Hunt...Activities :)







Hand print Shamrocks



Hope your little ones enjoy this!

 Would love to know how it goes :D
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Free LEGO magazines for LEGO fans ages 4-12 years! (click to see SIMPLE details)


Free LEGO magazines for LEGO fans ages 4-12 years! (click to see SIMPLE details)

Go here and Click on Register in the top right corner!


WHAT IS LEGO CLUB?

The LEGO Club is an entirely FREE-to-join club for LEGO fans ages 4-12 years. When your child wishes to join LEGO Club, you can allow them to subscribe to the free LEGO Club Magazine and access the safe & secure LEGO Club website. You can also receive the LEGO Club email newsletter, with the most up to date LEGO news and features. 

Being a LEGO Club member lets a young LEGO fan become part of a world-wide community of talented, creative and incredibly imaginative fellow builders, all in a completely safe and secure way.


HOW TO SIGN-UP YOUR CHILD FOR LEGO CLUB...

The process is quite simple but has a few steps that require your attention and a couple of things to watch for.

1) If your child has a LEGO ID already: 
  • If your child has a LEGO ID already, from using the galleries or webgames elsewhere on LEGO.com, they can log-in using that one by clicking on "ENTER" on the Club site home page.
  • Please note: this should be their LEGO ID, rather than one they share with a relative or the LEGO ID that you use for the online shop.
2) If your child does not have a LEGO ID, you will be asked to register for a LEGO ID on their behalf.
  • If you are signed in with your LEGO ID please log out first. 
  • Go to the Club site home page and click "Enter" and you will be prompted to create a LEGO ID for your child.
  • When you input your email address, try to use the same email details attached to any existing LEGO Club Subscription.
3) Give permission for your child to have a LEGO ID and to participate on the LEGO Club website.
  • When you or your child signs-up for their LEGO ID, you will be sent an email with a link to click to show you have given your consent. 
4) Give permission for your child to subscribe to LEGO Club Magazine.
  • After you have signed in with LEGO ID and entered the LEGO Club site for the first time, you will receive an email from LEGO Club with a link to LEGO Club Magazine subscription. 


HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A LEGO CLUB MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

If your child already has a LEGO ID, please use that to log in and enter the Club site.  From there, you can create a subscription in the PROFILE section of the BACKPACK. 

If your child does not have a LEGO ID, please create one on behalf of your child by entering the Club site.  You will be automatically prompted to create a LEGO ID and then you will receive an email guiding you through the magazine subscription process.

IF YOUR CHILD IS ALREADY A LEGO CLUB MEMBER...

  • You can merge your existing LEGO Club membership with LEGO ID 
  • To do this just follow the link in the email you’ll receive from us when you start the sign-up process. You can also trigger this email in the BACKPACK navigation on the right hand side.
  • Please note that if the email address attached to your child’s original membership is different from that given for their LEGO ID, we will not be able to connect the two memberships in this way for legal and online safety reasons. In this case you can contact Customer Services at 800-453-4652. 


Going to do this when my oldest turns 4 

for sure!

A great thing to share with your nephews

 /nieces, or kids you nanny or babysit!
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Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut on February 24th! (click for the details)

Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut on February 24th! (click for the details)

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are opening their 1,000 shop on February 24th! In celebration of their grand opening, Krispy Kreme shops around the world will be giving out 1 FREE Original Glazed doughnut to every one who comes in on February 24th! This sounds like the perfect excuse to grab one while you’re out and about that day.
**Offer valid at participating Krispy Kreme locations. Limit one offer per guest.
Share this FREEBIE with your friends and Family so they 
can enjoy a free doughnut too!!





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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Free St. Patty's Day Home decor Printable's! (8x10)



Free St. Patty's Day Home decor Printable's! (8x10)
Add caption

So my family growing up was never all too into St. Patrick's Day. Not sure why honestly...well, we aren't Irish--maybe that's why??  But I would kind of like to now because I have kids and all the green wearing, rainbow leprechaun and gold stories, cabbage cooking ideas ---could be fun around our house if we wanted it to be...so why not!?

So for starters here I have made a couple of fun Printable's to put up in the home...in lieu of this holiday's spirit lacking in our house! ;D




Free St. Patty's Day Home decor Printable's! (8x10)




Hope these bring some Holiday fun to your home too!
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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Your 'Mummy' & Daddy Love you FREE Printable Valentine! (single mom version also!)

Your 'Mummy' & Daddy Love you FREE Printable Valentine!

So I got the idea for this fun printable because...long story short...As I just recently mentioned in my last Free Valentine Printable's post...I stash things away! To use at a later date (from hand-me- downs, to fast food toys, etc)

 This printable is inspired by the Wendy's toy I hid from my kids back in December! ;) (From the Night at the museum toys collection)

I love that this is an activity based valentine. Adds a bit of adventure to the day ;)


Scroll to the bottom for the 'Mummy Loves you' version

Your 'Mummy' & Daddy Love you FREE Printable Valentine!

If you are unable to find your own mummy toy or activity, here are a few printable ideas you could put in your kids vday basket:



















Provide masking tape, paper, and glue to make an EASY mummy craft!





 Here is what I call the 'Single Mom' Version below ;)
Sorry this doesn't exactly work for a single daddy...

Your 'Mummy' Love's you FREE Printable Valentine!


Click here to get you own (just Mummy) Free Printable! (3x5)

Any youngsters you know who 
would LOVE this on Valentine's Day?!
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Free 'Valentine Printable's! (3x5 & 4x6)



Free Valentine Printable's! (3x5 & 4x6) Valentine,You are a Star!

So here are some Adorable & inexpensive Valentine Ideas! 

Thought of these fun ideas when looking through my stash of kid stuff (fast food toys, free things, hand me downs, etc.) that I save for Different 'Goody Basket'-Holidays, such as, Valentines Day & Easter (in our home).
And pair those toys with some sweet FREE Printable Valentines and how can you go wrong!???

Both Prints are also, what I would consider being, unisex :D YAY! So whether it be for a boy or a girl, you can make it work (for the cars...just pick a pink purple or red one and you'd be safe).


All Prints are good for printing in either 3x5 (wallet size) or 4x6 size :)

Free Valentine Printable's! (3x5 & 4x6)
I like to print my things at Costco, but at home works just as good ;)
(only .74 for these 2 sheets of 4 wallets!)

What I love about these prints is that you can really pair these with anything Star or Car Related...
Not sure exactly what I mean? 

Here are some Examples: Cupcakes/whole cake (themed or shaped like a star or car), candy (starburst), toy, activity, a balloon.

What I had was a dollar bin Glow in the dark Plastic Stars. (Toys 'R Us--kids b-day 3$ off $3 or more coupon in the mail--so mine was actually free!) Ya know, the ones you stick on your bedroom wall and they glow in the dark. Thought this would be a great Valentine for my 3 year old, but hey, this really doesn't get 'too young' for a kid until maybe teenage years!
 So this Valentine can work for a wide age range ;)

Free Valentine Printables! (3x5 & 4x6)


Free Valentine Printables! (3x5 & 4x6)
*could easily just tape the back of the valentine to the package & write To: & From: on the plastic with a Sharpy :) Otherwise, write on the back of the valentine print with a marker.

But I chose to use some small cellophane bags to tie up with some curling ribbon.
Free Valentine Printables! (3x5 & 4x6)




Free Recognition Printable! (3x5 & 4x6) You are a Star!
This one I thought could be good for anytime child recognition!  
(teachers to students, or parents to children...etc.)

Parent Ideas: Parents could use as a 'Finally Potty Trained' Gift/Reward
OR For any goals that have been reached...such as...Did their chores without being asked for a whole week (or month! whichever...)

Teacher Ideas:
Student kindness, helpfulness, a school/program/Church accomplishment...whatever nice attribute's you are trying to encourage...or the finishing of a project.





And for the Car Valentine, you can easily get dollar tree, or dollar bin (target, toys R' Us....lots of places have them) Cars. Super inexpensive! I hat a couple packs of hot wheels stashed away that were on sale in a grocery store, but I had a gift card, so got those free also. But there are always sales on toys, so if you just watch you can get some steals on things and save them for times like these!

Free Valentine Printables! (3x5 & 4x6) You CAR a Great Friend, Valentine!


This one also works as 3x5 or a 4x6 print :)

Who will you be sharing one of these Valentine's with?   <3
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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The best 'unique' National Holidays (some interesting ones!)


The best 'unique' National Holidays



This is a compilation of what I would consider to be the better of the UNIQUE national or international holidays out there (In case you didn't know...there are a ton others. My goodness!--but lots that are just ridiculous) 



This list is made up of some fun ones, lots of food ones, some funny ones...but ultimately, the better ones of the bunch ;)               
      
Take a look for yourself :)  

Keep an eye out for which ones would be fun or interesting to you!



15 National Hat Day
15 Humanitarian Day
16 Appreciate a Dragon Day  (watch How to Train your Dragon!)
18 Winnie the Pooh Day -The Birthday of Winnie's author A.A. Milne
20 Penguin Awareness Day
20 National Bill Cosby Sweater Day (My husband will get a kick out of this, being on his bday!)
26 Spouse's Day
26 Australia Day (Always wanted to go there!)
26 Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (fun for kids!)

February
1 Dump your significant jerk Day (this is pretty great...ha)
Thank a Mailman Day
4 USO Day (United Service Organization--"Until Everyone Comes Home")
4 National Girls & Women in Sports Day (first wednesday in Feb.)
7  Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day - first Saturday of month
Send a Card to a Friend Day - obviously created by a card company
Boy Scout Day - celebrates the birthday of scouting
8 World Marriage Day (second Sunday in Feb.)

Clean out Your Computer Day - second Monday of Month

March

21 National Quilting Day - third Saturday of month




10 Golfer's Day (also Golf Lovers Day on Oct. 4th)

16 National High Five Day third Thursday
23 National Zucchini Bread Day - they hold this at a time when you are not sick of all that zucchini.
23 Take a Chance Day
23 National Picnic Day
23 Take our daughters & Sons to work day (always the 4th thursday in april)
28 Kiss Your Mate Day - guys, do not forget this one. Kiss her, then read her some poetry.
28 http://www.giftypedia.com/National_Blueberry_Pie_DayNational Blueberry Pie Day

May
Space Day - first Friday in May
2 Free Comic Book Day
National Hoagie Day
5 National Teachers Day (First Tues. on the first full week in May)
Beverage Day
School Nurses Day the Wednesday during Nurse's Week
Military Spouses Day the Friday before Mother's Day 
16 Wear Purple for Peace Day
16  Armed Forces Day (third Sat. In May)

June
National Doughnut Day always the first Friday in June
National Trails Day  First Saturday in June

18 National Splurge Day - Oh yeah!!
19 Juneteenth (end of slavery in the U.S. :)
21 Finally Summer Day- Summer Solstice
27 Sun Glasses Day
28 National Tapioca Day
28 National Caps Lock Day  (Always on June 28th and Oct 22nd)
30 Social Media Day

July
Sidewalk Egg Frying Day- Hmmmm, I wonder why!?!
14 National Nude Day  ha ha ha!
19 National Ice Cream Day (third Sunday of the month)
26 Parents day Parents’ Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday each year. 
26 FBI Day

August
2 American Family Day (Always the First Sunday in August)--kinda neat!

15 Relaxation Day - now this one's for me!


September
12 National Video Games Day - also see Video Games Day in July
13 Grandparent's Day - first Sunday after Labor Day

19 Wife Appreciation Day (third Saturday in September)
25 National Comic Book Day
28 Love Note Day
28 National Eat Dinner with your family Day (interesting how this day came about!)


Name Your Car Day
3 Internatiopnal Frugal Fun Day  [ Doing something for under $5 as a family!]
(First Saturday in October)
National Golf Lovers Day (also Golfer's Day on April 10th)
4 National Taco Day
Mad Hatter Day (About Silliness, not hats!)

14 National Dessert Day - take an extra helping, or two
14 Be Free & Bald Day
16 National Mammography Day ( Always the third Friday in Oct.)
31 Carve a Pumpkin Day - no surprise here

November
Cook Something Bold Day
10 USMC Day (U.S. Marine Corps)
17 Electronic Greeting Card Day - now who do you think created this day!?
17 Take A Hike Day
17 National UnFriend Day
18 Mickey Mouse's Birthday
19 National Men's Day (To promote positive male role models; not just movie stars and sports men but...)

21 National Adoption Day - Saturday before Thanksgiving
27 Black Friday - Friday after Thanksgiving
27 Buy Nothing Day - always the day after Thanksgiving...does anyone abide by it!?!



December
Santas' List Day - we hope you are on the "Nice" list
4 National Dice Day
5 Day of the Ninja
21 Look on the Bright Side Day
22 National Haiku Day (on the Winter Solstice)

Now that you have read all of the very best ones that are out there to find...Shout out your favorites!

Which ones would you love to celebrate with your co-workers, friends, family or kids?
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