Tip of the day

Save yourself cleanup by  using a can opener to punch holes in the top cover of sticky ingredients such as molasses, honey, or corn syrup. It will pour easily without drips and messy lids!

Buckets

The next time you're in the grocery store, swing by the bakery and pick up a few icing buckets. They will usually give them to you for free since they usually throw them away. Most icing buckets come with snap-on lids. They are made of sturdy, food grade plastic with handles and they come in all sizes. I keep a small stash of them on hand for convenience. You can also feel good about recycling them when you are finished since they cost you nothing! Here's a list of handy uses for them:

• transport a potted plant or other item that may leak
• store produce from your garden such as potatoes, carrots, etc.
• use as a mop bucket
• brine your turkey in one - remember, they are food grade!
• use to transport food if you're cooking for a large crowd
• plant a tree sapling in one to give away
• store dog/cat food
• fill with car wash supplies and give as a gift
• store bulk food (oats, wheat, flour, etc)
• mix up a giant batch of bubbles for outdoor fun
• use as a compost bucket

Tomato Ties

For those of you who don't know me, there is a small fact about me that you should know: I hate panty hose! I do not own a pair, nor do I ever wish to. I don't know if it's the feeling of my waist and legs being constricted or if it's the wrong color choice that turns legs into a garish orange hue, but I have always despised panty hose. Thanks, I had to get that out! (I feel much better, by the way.) Anyway, the point of this post is that there actually is a use for panty hose. Cut up those old nylons into strips and use to tie your tomatoes to their stakes. The nylon is soft, so it doesn't damage young stems and it also stretches, unlike traditional twine ties that cut into the plants.

Birthdays

Another contribution from my dear sis...enjoy!

I was refreshed to hear a friend explain that she was changing the way their family celebrated birthdays. They would now forego the decorations, crafts, favors, friends, exhausted mom etc. Instead the children now choose where they would like to go out for dinner. Following dinner, the family returns home for cake, ice cream, gifts and family time. While grand parties are certainly fun, why not consider spending less money and investing in family time instead? Some ideas we have tried:

§  The child gets to choose a piñata and then helps dad make it out of newspaper, flour and water
§  The child is awakened to breakfast in bed on their birthday
§  The dinner menu is chosen by the birthday girl or boy
§  Grandmama makes a cake and the honored one gives the instructions! We’ve had a farm cake, a dinosaur, a mermaid, a whale etc.
§  The family looks through scrapbooks of past birthdays together or the baby scrapbook of the birthday child
§  A few friends are invited over for cupcakes and playtime minus an all out party

Last year's dinosaur pinata!

Baby Shower Idea

These were attached to a gift at a baby shower and I couldn't resist sharing them with you! My brilliant friend (You know who you are, Alix!) made these clever little lollipops from baby washcloths and spoons. I adore them!
*The cloths and spoons are held together by scotch tape, if you are wondering.

Snack attack

Since just about everyone in my house loves to eat, I'm always scrambling to pack snacks before we head out. Last week, I filled baggies with small portions of different snacks and kept them in a snack basket near the door. Now, we just grab a snack and go! The best part is that our 4 year old can get her own with no assistance required. I have to say that the snack basket has kept me from eating quick and unhealthy snacks and since the portions are small, it has also kept me from over eating!

*Some healthy snack ideas include: nuts, trail mix, popcorn, whole grain cereal, fruit leather, apples, bananas, dried fruit, muffins, and granola.

Fun Gift Idea

Gift Idea for Kids or Couples – The I Like Books
If you have not heard of these books, they make a great gift for children and couples! My kids have really loved using their “I Like” books. These fun books are structured similarly to a journal with places for parents or spouses to write in what they “like” about their children or spouse. The books are an effective way to communicate your love to the special people in your life. My children have asked grandparents, aunts and uncles to write in their books as well leaving a written record of love.

* For more info go to www.theilikebook.com