tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35815876048371075632024-02-07T23:31:46.653-06:00Cheerful Heart MomStressing out to make life more natural, healthy, simple, efficient, and frugal.tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-80156690930593372002011-08-31T22:48:00.008-05:002011-08-31T22:48:00.664-05:00Scrapbook Paper Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aIfxw78y6-Lh1kTgjSJuNKxSYMdfMVRnP0ytzdgfSd0LH-zuOqpxgwLnF3SKEp7J7Va6B-CjsdtsIDxATgxPJRLz2O0DptCJq8WIt26ddMp39uCbuv3Huoka3LWCOCS7Kjm6wMU7tmw/s320/34970593_mvVOY7p2_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aIfxw78y6-Lh1kTgjSJuNKxSYMdfMVRnP0ytzdgfSd0LH-zuOqpxgwLnF3SKEp7J7Va6B-CjsdtsIDxATgxPJRLz2O0DptCJq8WIt26ddMp39uCbuv3Huoka3LWCOCS7Kjm6wMU7tmw/s320/34970593_mvVOY7p2_c.jpg" /></a></div>Oh m'gosh, of <i>course</i>! This makes so much sense! <br />
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Trying to fit the paper into a neat folder or slot is a pain. It's also frustrating trying to locate papers, but this system from <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aIfxw78y6-Lh1kTgjSJuNKxSYMdfMVRnP0ytzdgfSd0LH-zuOqpxgwLnF3SKEp7J7Va6B-CjsdtsIDxATgxPJRLz2O0DptCJq8WIt26ddMp39uCbuv3Huoka3LWCOCS7Kjm6wMU7tmw/s320/34970593_mvVOY7p2_c.jpg">Scrap Recylage</a> looks easy to make, use, and keep organized. tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-3136546617703856562011-08-29T07:30:00.000-05:002011-08-29T07:30:01.156-05:00Outdoor Twister for a Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--d8exl_Y6Ms/TfePQcd2cDI/AAAAAAAAEOE/mXzOdQeDiVA/s1600/DSC00243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--d8exl_Y6Ms/TfePQcd2cDI/AAAAAAAAEOE/mXzOdQeDiVA/s400/DSC00243.JPG" width="287" /> </a> </div>Twister on your lawn! You can make it really big for a large group, but you'll either have to make your own spinner or do like Tausha at <a href="http://sassystyleredesign.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-outdoor-twister-game.html">Sassy Style</a> and just draw slips of paper out of a jar.<br />
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I'm thinking this would keep my kids busy outside quite a bit for the 2-3 weeks it would take for it to grow out and get mowed.tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-87375966442802590252011-08-28T19:38:00.000-05:002011-08-28T19:38:08.107-05:00Bandana Shirt or Dress for Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://daisyjanie.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/30/howto_bandana.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://daisyjanie.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/30/howto_bandana.gif" width="98" /></a></div>Ok, I don't sew much, but this thing is <i>adorable</i> and looks pretty easy. And cheap. And did I mention adorable? <br />
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Complete instructions at <a href="http://daisyjanie.typepad.com/daisyjanie/2007/12/how-to-bandana.html">Daisy Janie</a>. tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-1672348567465958272011-08-11T10:23:00.001-05:002011-08-11T10:23:00.457-05:00Eat Organic When You Can-- The Dirty Dozen and Clean FifteenOn our budget I just can't buy everything organic; it's too expensive! Even the Farmer's Markets in our area are not too cheap, so I use the Environmental Working Group's list of foods that are musts when it comes to buying organic. The reason: these foods don't have enough protective layering to prevent pesticide contamination.<br />
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You can go to <a href="http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/">their site</a> for a list of the Dirty Dozen, foods that should either be bought organic (pesticide-free) or else avoided. They also have a list of produce that is fine to buy non-organic, the Clean Fifteen. I love having both lists so that I know when I can get cheaper produce without worrying about the pesticides.<br />
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Keep in mind, this list only refers to the pesticide content; it is not a guide for genetically-modified organisms. I can't currently handle the stress <em>that</em> all entails, so I'm just sticking to the pesticide issue for now. <br />
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Here's the lists typed out, in case you want to just copy, paste, and print for your binder to keep the list handy:<br />
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<u>Dirty Dozen</u> Buy Organic!<br />
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apples<br />
celery<br />
strawberries<br />
peaches<br />
spinach<br />
imported nectarines<br />
imported grapes<br />
sweet bell peppers<br />
potatoes<br />
domestic blueberries<br />
lettuce<br />
kale/collard greens<br />
<br />
<u>Clean Fifteen</u> Non-Organic ok!<br />
<br />
onions<br />
sweet corn<br />
pineapples<br />
avocado<br />
asparagus<br />
sweet peas<br />
mangoes<br />
eggplant<br />
domestic cantaloupe<br />
kiwi<br />
cabbage<br />
watermelon<br />
sweet potatoes<br />
grapefruit<br />
mushrooms<br />
<br />
<br />
And as always, produce that is in season is cheaper and better-tasting. If you eat following the seasons, you'll provide your body with a good variety of vitamins and minerals; the way God made it to work for us!tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-3129997044375360092011-08-09T07:03:00.001-05:002011-08-09T07:03:00.917-05:00Quick Tip Tuesday:When moving clothes from the washer to the dryer, don't heave out large wads of clothing. Take a fraction of a second to un-clump each item; simply shake out those jeans/towels/shirts as you pass them between machines. <br />
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It doesn't take much time, but your clothes will dry faster. Because your dryer doesn't have to separate hunks of clothing lumped together, it can get started drying them right away. <br />
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Less time of dryer running = less money spent in the long run.tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-66701678086040436312011-06-21T07:00:00.001-05:002011-06-21T07:00:05.885-05:00Keep Track of Gifts-- Quick Tip TuesdayI use a binder to keep track of <em>everything</em>, so that I don't have to keep it in my head. <br />
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One of the sections in my binder is labeled GIFTS. I write down what gifts we gave to whom (just the major ones-- kids, grandparents, cousins) for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's/Father's Day.<br />
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This helps to:<br />
*make sure we don't give the same thing twice;<br />
<br />
*give along the same level from holiday-to-holiday (ex: It is bad to give the mother-in-law a mediocre "our-life-was-too-busy-to-really-think-on-this" gift for Mother's Day, and then give the father-in-law an amazing whopper of a gift a month later;)<br />
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*remember ages we gave a "biggie" gift to our kids, to give it at the same age for the other kids;<br />
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*remember the "traditional" gifts that we give every year (I would forget if it wasn't written down!)<br />
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I also have a page in this section for gift ideas. If someone mentions something they like/need/want, I am reminded to keep a look out for that item.<br />
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What tips do you have for keeping track of gifts?tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-50663949066345461872011-03-23T08:00:00.002-05:002011-04-01T14:40:14.659-05:00DIY Magazine Holder or Kitchen Wraps Organizer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISFWSf0QBSPT9T1PBaX9cm0Y6mciJyky1fGd3JGU9iT8K6H5HjqZRHfIbwt7LQ3WOfv0ZhzYHjBKGoibrqH0d9J75CamUvnBLwUxUgjE_5oC_31mqpezC90kT6IVb1tw_OvjnT12chcbi/s1600/DSCF2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISFWSf0QBSPT9T1PBaX9cm0Y6mciJyky1fGd3JGU9iT8K6H5HjqZRHfIbwt7LQ3WOfv0ZhzYHjBKGoibrqH0d9J75CamUvnBLwUxUgjE_5oC_31mqpezC90kT6IVb1tw_OvjnT12chcbi/s320/DSCF2969.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I needed a container for my kitchen wraps (aluminum foil, plastic wrap) because on the shelf they kept getting knocked over every time I reached for the olive oil. Or the sugar. Or a coffee cup. In other words, a lot.<br />
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So I decided to make an organizer, which as it turns out could also double as a magazine holder, only WAY cheaper than buying one. And I got to choose paper that coordinated with my kitchen and is just <em>cute.</em><br />
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All you need is an empty cereal box, paper of your choice (scrapbooking or wrapping paper,) and Mod Podge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeJ-FZUOfXaUjinZNJBFaDSEnDKODRKy2OMZ5i_iQrdLqRZBF3TRkcp3R9Uzf5p4cbMnYxmq8F-ssiMXAMu7zOYA_NbYr1YZdJi8wVgOr86_zyuVB7XCMhgnGSlW37YPTVycOanoCSGRX/s1600/DSCF2962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeJ-FZUOfXaUjinZNJBFaDSEnDKODRKy2OMZ5i_iQrdLqRZBF3TRkcp3R9Uzf5p4cbMnYxmq8F-ssiMXAMu7zOYA_NbYr1YZdJi8wVgOr86_zyuVB7XCMhgnGSlW37YPTVycOanoCSGRX/s320/DSCF2962.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheap-o cereal box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I cut out a section on one side in case I want to use it as a magazine holder later.<br />
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Mod Podge not only acts as a glue to adhere the paper to the box, it strengthens the thin cardboard into a sturdier container. Paint the Mod Podge on top of the paper also, to make it even stronger and as a protective layer if you're using it in the kitchen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGCCk7DWUlvZHulp-KqqIHTW6VWYdYQfRWP5LfmGjQQA-j_vUbu8DiBnIqsXbblpiRJ9YD-9Xj3FCSUUQ5iiTfUqeO-aZzBTFthfXd-hBqRJqxWIf7b6vSumlCqH21WbLw6IcMxdRwfOi/s1600/DSCF2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGCCk7DWUlvZHulp-KqqIHTW6VWYdYQfRWP5LfmGjQQA-j_vUbu8DiBnIqsXbblpiRJ9YD-9Xj3FCSUUQ5iiTfUqeO-aZzBTFthfXd-hBqRJqxWIf7b6vSumlCqH21WbLw6IcMxdRwfOi/s320/DSCF2967.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I linked to </div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/”http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2011/03/full-of-great-ideas-0-budget-party.html”" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/”http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i418/fullofgreatideas/0budgetparty2jpeg.jpg”" /></a><a href="http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2011/03/full-of-great-ideas-0-budget-party.html#comments">http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2011/03/full-of-great-ideas-0-budget-party.html#comments</a>tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581587604837107563.post-68459187178750866642011-03-21T14:55:00.001-05:002011-03-21T15:14:52.097-05:00Potluck Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDFd_eNsguOGXRy1zdS1Wt2PlFSAGY-AuHrzvaqeWhehznvSFVoxHwO8tP8vtSEnzNQpMTm-NJMfu9whdfcuNSh6ZrWTl_iq0S4ikIr9m272kEYF8oV0xm19SkVvb4tq5G35R5aP-qd32/s1600/DSCF2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDFd_eNsguOGXRy1zdS1Wt2PlFSAGY-AuHrzvaqeWhehznvSFVoxHwO8tP8vtSEnzNQpMTm-NJMfu9whdfcuNSh6ZrWTl_iq0S4ikIr9m272kEYF8oV0xm19SkVvb4tq5G35R5aP-qd32/s320/DSCF2995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This dish is the perfect thing for me to take to potlucks or when I need a side dish to take to someone's house. It's the epitome of my kind of cooking: <strong>easy</strong> and <strong>quick</strong> and everybody likes it. I only had to open cans and sprinkle ingredients from my kitchen. And use my scissors a bit... but I digress.<br />
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I found the recipe <a href="http://www.scissorsandspatulas.com/2011/02/fancy-beans.html">here</a>. It calls for cooking bacon and using onion and garlic, but I used dried minced onions and garlic powder, and just put it all in my crockpot, so it was even easier! <br />
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I realized too late that I was out of bacon, so I dropped in a package of little smokies... hence the scissors. Once I dumped it all together it was obvious the little smokies weren't so little compared to the beans, so I grabbed my kitchen scissors and cut the meat down to a more bite-able size.<br />
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It still tasted GREAT and actually looked pretty tasty too. <br />
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Here's my version. I doubled it to make enough for a potluck, and since the original was a bit too sweet I decreased the sugar quite a bit. The <a href="http://www.scissorsandspatulas.com/2011/02/fancy-beans.html">original</a> recipe is really good, though, and she has a lot of good pictures of the process.<br />
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<u>Potluck Beans</u><br />
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1 lb. bacon or little smokies <br />
2 Tbsp. dried minced onion (or 2 tsp. onion powder)<br />
1/2 tsp. garlic powder<br />
2 tsp. mustard powder (or regular mustard is fine too)<br />
3/4 cup vinegar<br />
3/4 c. brown sugar <br />
2 cans butterbeans, drained<br />
2 cans green beans, drained<br />
2 cans kidney beans, drained<br />
2 cans pork and beans, UNdrained<br />
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If you use bacon, cook it first, drain grease and crumble. Dump all ingredients into crockpot, and mix together. That's it! Allow it to cook until heated through; a couple of hours should be plenty since the meat is already cooked.tammy khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01089893660547208772noreply@blogger.com1