ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOYS

Good morning everyone! How are you this “OMG-I-have-to-endure-100-minutes-of-cartoon-terror” day? Congratulations on making it to the end of another crazy work week! Maybe you should sit back, host a luau, and drink you some suds over this supposed to be beautiful weekend LOL! You have plenty of recipes LOL! Oh and to Melissa- I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you that the fish markets I go to are in Kemah on the other side of the Boardwalk, but I know you are in Houston. There is a great fish market in same area as Canino's Farmers Market... its right across the street really. Canino's is at Link and Airline Rd (the addy is 2520 Airline Dr, Houston)... you can't miss it! LOL... you, hubby, and the new baby should go check it out. Make a day of it on the weekend (that's when all the little vendors are out back) and get you some great produce, go to the bakery, the spice house, and the fish market. You will have a blast! And take pictures cause I want to see! LOL!



Well, it’s THAT day… the day that I get to go to the theater and listen to tons of screaming children go gaga for toys! LMAO… yes today is the opening day of the Toy Story 3 movie! The first show time is at 10am, but I think we will be making the 11:15 instead. I haven’t fully shook out the cobwebs yet LOL! Oh and get this ok, the first showing of this movie was at 12:04am… WHAT THE HECK?? Are you serious? WHY on earth would you have young children awake at such an ungodly hour? Needless to say, Alex isn’t that lucky LOL! It should definitely be an interesting day least LOL! Oh the things we do for our children!

Ok, so yesterday I brought you some frugal tips to save money and ya’ll added some great ones that weren’t listed. Thanks for your input! Now one of the tips was to use homemade cleaning products. Well last night I got to thinking that for those of you new to the whole frugal way of life, you probably don’t have any ideas on homemade cleaning methods or products right? Well you can find recipes for lots of cleaners online, but I was skimming the yahoo news and low and behold there was a featured article about baking soda! And that got me to read it, and then they had other articles related to it… ways to use common things you probably have in your house… like vinegar and lemons too! So instead of posting the big long lists here, I am linking you to the 3 great articles about cleaning “au natural”! LOL!

40 Fantastic uses for baking Soda by Melissa Breyer

Lovely Lemons: 14 Uses in the Home by Annie Bond

23 Ingenious Uses for White Vinegar by Mel

Now… are you ready to get your groove on? Your craft groove that is?? Today I am bringing you the cutest idea that can be tailored to just about anyone or any theme. They are little “survival kits” and they are the cutest thing! You can make them sentimental, serious, or funny. It’s a great craft to do and I think you would have fun. These are just ideas of items to use… feel free to change them up and make your kits unique!



Craft Idea of the Day: Survival Kits

Everyday Life Survival Kit
Tea Bag - Relax and think of your list of life's blessings
Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.
Mint - You are worth a mint to your family and friends
Glue - So you can stick with it and accomplish anything.
Sunny smile - To remind you its not always raining.
Guardian Angel - Because everyone needs one.
Pencil - To write down your days blessings.
Eraser - Everyone makes mistakes
Umbrella - For those rainy days when it just seems to pour down.
String -To tie up loose ends.
Ball - So you can bounce back quickly.
Glitter - To put the sparkle back in your life.
Velcro dot - So you can keep things together.

Friendship Survival Kit
Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.
Gum - A reminder that friends stick together
Life Savers - A reminder that sometimes our friends need our help.
Cotton Ball - To cushion the bumpy roads ahead.
Eraser - To remind you always start each day with a clean slate.
Happy Face - Smiling is contagious.
Candle - Remember to share the light with others.
Sticky Tape - To tape your lips when you have nothing good to say.
Rock - To remind you of the stability of your friendship.
Rubber Band - So you can be flexible when dealing with friends.

Grandparents Survival Kit
Safety pin - To remind you to keep safe.
Lifesavers - Because grandparents can be "lifesavers".
Marble - For the ones your about to loose.
Pencil - To write down your memories to share with the grandkids
Tissue - For cleaning up little messes
Candle - To remind you that you’re the light in your grandkids eyes.
Mint - Always remember you are worth a mint.
Sugar Cube - For that extra burst of energy.
Sandpaper - For when the grandkids get a little rough.
Peg - A must for changing nappies.
Nappy Bag - This will always come in handy.
Panadol - You're going to need it.
Extra money - Spoiling kids can be expensive.
Sunglasses- For discreet nanny naps.
Extra eyes - You will need eyes in the back of your head.

Growing Old Survival Kit
Bran -To keep you regular.
Whistle -For when you fall down and can't get up.
Glasses - For when your eyesight goes.
Sugar -For extra energy.
Extra Hair -In case yours drops out.
Tooth Pick -To prop your eyes open so you don't fall a sleep.
Rubber Band -To give you your flexibility back.
Panadol -For those extra aches and pains.
Teeth -For when yours all fall out.
Matchstick -To put the fire back into your life.
Doll's Chair -To remind you to sit and take it easy.

Guardian Angel Survival Kit
Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.
Gum - Think before you "Chew" others out.
Smiley Face - Because smiling is contagious
Guardian Angel - Because everyone needs one.
Pencil - To write down your days blessings.
Eraser - To remind you always start each day with a clean slate.
Sticky Tape - To tape your lips when you have nothing good to say.
Star - To reflect what you can be.
Sand paper - To smooth out the rough edges.
Glitter - To make things sparkle.
Velcro dot - Help you get a grip on things.
Rubber Band - To stretch you beyond your limits.
Paper clip - To keep things together.
Candle - To light up your path.

Menopause Survival Kit
Place M&M's into a jar or bag and add this saying/poem.
To temporarily calm your craving for chocolate, eat the BROWN one.
At the first sign of hot flashes eat the RED one.
Eat the ORANGE one to minimize depression.
The GREEN one calms your frustrations, when you want to be left alone.
If you feel a headache coming on eat the YELLOW one.
The BLUE one reduces bloating.
If all symptoms occur at the same time, eat the WHOLE bag.

Parent’s Survival Kit
Cotton Ball - for times when you can't hear yourself think
Rope - in case you get to the end of yours
Rubber Band - to remind you to stretch and grow with your children
Sweet & Sour Candy - to remind you that every child is different
Eraser - to erase what happened yesterday to start a new today.
Puzzle Piece - to remind you that you are an important piece in the journey of your child
Marbles - to replace the ones you've lost
Band-Aid - to fix hurt feelings
Nuts - to remind you to laugh at yourself and go nuts before the children send you nuts.
Tootsie Roll - to remind you to roll with the punches
Candle - so you never feel in the dark about parenting
Do Not Disturb Sign - to remind you that you need time to yourself
Aspirin - for when all else fails...take two
A piece of velcro - for when you need to get a grip

Retirement Survival Kit
Tea Bag - So you can take a well deserved tea break.
Crayon - To colour your day's bright and sunny.
Marble - For when you loose yours.
Jar - For your retirement fund jar.
Mint - For a fresh look at Retire"mint"
Heart - Now you can follow your heart.
Smiley face - So you will have a happy retirement.
Pack of seeds - May all your dreams grow like a garden.
Watch - Time is finally your own.
Marker - Your retirement "marks" the beginning of a special journey.
Chair - Because you earned your rest.

Helping Hand Survival Kit
Lollipop - To help you lick your problems
Toothpick - So you will not be too picky.
Paper clip - To hold things together.
Mint - You are worth a mint to your family and friends
Money - So you will "cents" to realise your own worth.
Bran - To help you loosen up.
Smiley Face - To bring some sunshine into your life.
Band Aid- To help heal the hurt and pain.
Guardian Angel - Because everyone needs one.
Tissues - To wipe away the tears.
Hand - Everyone needs a helping hand.
Sand paper - To smooth things over.
Cork - To keep your head above water.
Ball - So you can bounce back quickly.
Glitter - To brighten your day.
Rubber Band - Be flexible, things may not always go your way.
Sugar - To sweeten up your day.
Safety Pin - So you can pin point the problem.
Heart - In case yours is broken.
String - So you can tie up loose ends.
Band aid - To help heal the pain and hurt.

Aren’t those pretty cute? Like I said, mix them up, put other things in there, make them specific for the recipient, the choice(s) is yours! I am thinking about a couple of people right now who need a survival kit LOL! Yep, told ya’ll I was a smarty pants LMAO! Even my MOM told you yesterday in her comment LMAO! So are you watching that Christmas Countdown real closely? Remember I am going to start my gift crafting when we have 150 days left!!! Time is running out QUICK! Only a little over a month left! I think you should take the challenge with me! Start at 150 and see how many Christmas gifts you can make and how fast you can get done… I would be interested in seeing all of your creations and ideas! So who’s with me??

Now its time to eat. Luau week is drawing to a close rather quickly and I must say I have had some fun bringing you some fresh crazy flavors! Now tell me what Luau would be complete without the fresh and famous Mahi Mahi fish? This recipe is a palate pleaser for me in more than one way. I like fish and I like Macadamias… yum! So you can imagine the combo of craziness we got here! Try it out… eat & Enjoy!



Seared Toasted Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi

This Hawaiian favorite white, sweet, moderately dense fish is most often served at luaus either baked or sauted.

Ingredients:

4 (6 ounce) mahi mahi fillets
salt and pepper
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, toasted, ground fine
1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

Salt and pepper each fillet as desired.

Combine the toasted macadamia nuts with softened but not melted butter. Add in panko breadcrumbs as well as a light amount of salt and pepper.

Lightly press breadcrumb mixture onto the top of fish and place fish into a pan with the olive oil. Saute fish on both sides until it bounces back slightly when pressed - about 5 minutes per side.

Well kids, that’s about all for me today. I hope you learned something new and had a grand old time. I am gonna get off here and go get ready for our Toy Story 3 day out! Remember, it’s Alex’s big day! We should have a blast, so I will see you tomorrow with a ton of great pictures and surely at least 1 interesting story LOL! See you then… HUGS!

WANT A GOOD LAUGH?

Good morning boys and girls! How are you doing this sunny Sunday morn? I am alright... stiff, tired, and yet cranially stimulated LOL! Mom is in her owm room now YAY! I stayed with her for about 8 hours yesterday. She was laughing and being more like my mom... even griping at me for not eating and such! YAY! I know, doesn't that sound weird that I WANT her to gripe at me? LOL hey she scared the crap outta me this past week, so this is a welcome improvement! I'm gonna TRY not to roll my eyes when she does it after she is home... notice I said TRY! LOL... I want to thank Hazel and Jean for their comments yesterday. I got to read them late last night and I couldn't help but smile. I've always said, I have the best readers in the world, and you guys and girls just keep proving that each day. THANK you so much!

Ok, so I left the hospital yesterday and was going out to her house to do some chores... I stopped by Home Depot on the way to her house and used my coupon for Buy 1 Get 1 Free Tree before it expires on the 26th... oh crap! That's tomorrow and I forgot to grab hers so I can get 2 more trees... FUDGE! Dad if you read this before you leave... stop reading and grab that coupon... put it in your wallet and bring that coupon up to the hospital to me today! Then come back and finish reading LOL... Ok sorry... jello brained. Anyways, you should have seen me trying to fit these 6-8 ft. trees in my little car LMAO! But I did it... so she has 2 pecan trees like she wanted waiting for her when she gets home. Think I will get the lemon trees she wants with her coupon. See, she lost all her trees because of the storm and this Garden Club Coupon was the best thing... so she could replace them. And you guys know me... I HATE letting good coupons expire! LOL!

Ok, so I get to Mom & Dad's house and unload the trees. Then I check the garden if it needs watering, but it doesn't, then I clean the water bowl for the outside cats. I go inside the house and start some laundry. Go in the garage and see a brother has graciously left HIS laundry on the outside washer. Go in the attic and get a few things out of one of my boxes. Then take the laundry in the house. Go in the RV and love on the kitties, clean the cat box, brought in the mail, washed the dishes, and checked how much food Dad has to make sure he is eating properly. Ok... done in the RV so I go back in the house. Change the laundry over and start making mom another bag of ice. I get the ziploc filled and tried to seal it. Ok good... looks sealed. Turn it upside down to "make sure" and WHOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHH! Ice ALL over the dang floor!! Oh did I scream like a banchee and cussed bad enough to make a sailor blush and run the opposite direction!! OK take a deep breath, scream again, and clean up the ice. Now... lets try this again... filled up the bag and snap the seal... walk over to the sink to check (Just in case LOL) and turn it upside down. Ahhh sealed! Finally! Turn around to walk over and put the bag of ice in the freezer and BAMPLOP! Fall on my butt on a stray piece of flippin ice!!!! I'm surprised the cops weren't called cause the neighbors thought someone was being killed cause I was screaming and cussing so loud! Oh this is some good insulation- they can't HEAR me outside LOL! Ok ya know what... I think its time to go home and not touch anything and go to sleep lol!

I get home and DH asks if I would like a glass of tea. Yes please that would be very nice. "Do you want ice?" he said... Oh I started screaming about ice and he looked at me like I was insane LOL! So I had to tell him about the ice and he laughed at me... butthead! Needless to say I stretched out on the floor and that was the last thing I remember. DH woke me up around 10 telling me to go to bed LOL.

So I'm up this morning looking out the window and notice I have sticks where my squash once was! Something has eaten all my blossoms and leaves! My garden is suffering but family comes first. So it looks like Mother nature and I need to have a talk so she will help take care of it in my absense LOL. Anyone know if opposums like squash blossoms?

Ok, I am chomping at the bit to get back to crafting (and don't say anything to mom DAD! Yea I know you are there LOL) but my family comes first... so I am gathering all these ideas for "my big comeback LOL". I am thinking of making my mom a Dammit Doll for while she is up there actually LOL. Can you see the nurses faces when she tells them what it is? LMAO! So until I can slow down below the speed of sound and light, I am stuffing these neat ideas in a box and will eventually pay them a visit. And I am gonna share another one with you today.



Craft Idea of the Day: Survival Guardian Angel Kit

Make this creative gift for a friend. (I've been inspired with this whole ordeal with my mother and I saw this and just nodded my head like yep uh huh... I should do that LOL)

Purchase a small gift bag and fill with the items below, along with a label explaining each token.

Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.
Gum - Think before you "Chew" others out.
Smiley Face - Because smiling is contagious
Guardian Angel - Because everyone needs one.
Pencil - To write down your days blessings.
Eraser - To remind you always start each day with a clean slate.
Sticky Tape - To tape your lips when you have nothing good to say.
Star - To reflect what you can be.
Sand paper - To smooth out the rough edges.
Glitter - To make things sparkle.
Velcro dot - Help you get a grip on things.
Rubber Band - To stretch you beyond your limits.
Paper clip - To keep things together.
Candle - To light up your path.

I think that would be a neat gesture for someone when you don't know what else to do. You could also make other kits similar to this... I have seen Mother's/Father's survival kits, friendship kits, etc.

Ok, now my head says I'm not hungry but my stomach begs to differ. Its growling and making my feel queezy, but who's got time to eat right? Exactly... well maybe to cook actually. So what does the frugal mom do? You got it... Set it and forget it! CROCKPOT TIME! YUMMMMM



Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients
1 pound cubed beef stew meat
2 (10.75 ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water
4 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon granualted garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 beef boullion cube
1/2 packet of dry onion soup mix
1 container of fresh sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

In a slow cooker, combine the meat, soup, onion, Worcestershire sauce and water.

Cook on Low setting for 5 hours. Saute mushrooms in butter and add about 30 minutes before meal is done. Stir in cream cheese and sour cream just before serving.

Ok gang, time for me to get dressed and start another day of sheer chaos LOL. I will see you here again tomorrow for another day of "let my friends laugh at my idiocy" storytime! Big HUGS!