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1.31.2013

Cozy





The Treat Girl surprised all of us at our Soul Sister's Christmas Party this year with coffee cup cozies!

I have to admit, I use this particular gift almost every single day.  Look at all of us hamming it up with our new cups that night:


Do you knit?  I don't, but I learned how to crochet last year.  I might make some for next year. Check it out:  Crochet Coffee Cup Sleeve Pattern

Don't knit or crochet?  Check out this felt version I saved on my Soul Sister's Board on Pinterest:


1.29.2013

Tutorial Tuesday!

Low Budget Bathroom:


Story Stones:


Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake:


CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1   Coffee Sleeves

#2   Simplify Your Family's Clothing

#3   Chocolate Covered Paper Strawberries


 Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.28.2013

Simple Charging Station


Since Christmas, I have been collecting boxes, making plans, googling ideas, saving things on Pinterest...all to come up with a fancy charging station for the 6+ gadgets in our home.  There were routinely cords everywhere and it was a giant mess the way it was.

I finally took a step back and settled for a more simple version that gets the job done.

Rather than monkeying with building something, I looked around to make use of things I already had in my house.  What did I end up with?  Sharpies and a multi-socket plug adapter!

We each chose a color for our chargers and used the Sharpies to color the cube and the ends of the plugs.  Then I picked an out of the way spot on the counter to devote to our charging station.  6 adapters plug into one outlet and I can pull the whole adapter out and stash it in a drawer in the morning.

Phones and ipods are all in one place, everyone can identify their own charger, easy to move, simple.

Easy peasy.

What solution have you come up with for charging phones and gadgets?

1.25.2013

Cutting Weight

(My 11 year old wrestling this week)


So, I'm a wrestling mom.  I love it. I really, really love it.  A lot.

My 10 year old has an opportunity to wrestle for a state qualifier, for our region, next month at 65 pounds. He weighs 66.0.

It's Feedback Friday...

Would you let / help your 10 year old wrestler cut a pound for a tournament? 

(Mommy bragging moment) Here is his 41 second pin during the championship bout of his last tournament:

1.24.2013

Taco Mac



My kids are on the picky side and there are certain meals that go over better than others.  Mac and cheese? Always a winner.

Here's the thing...I get so sick of mac and cheese!  Sometimes I try to spice it up to make it seem like a different meal.  Here's one of the ways - I turn it into Taco Mac!

Take your favorite mac and cheese recipe (I like Cook's Illustrated Mac and Cheese) then make the following additions:

1 pound cooked ground beef
1 Tbsp. taco seasoning
a few dashes of Frank's Red Hot

Bake as usual, then serve topped with salsa for the adults (or adventurous kiddos).


1.22.2013

Tutorial Tuesday!

Koolade Playdoh:
 

Gallery Wall:




 Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.18.2013

Only Children



In a controversial blog post, The Stir writer Andrew Kardon claims that "parents who chose to have only one child are just being selfish" (source)

He claims that children without siblings lack a playmate, a confidant, and someone to experience life alongside.

Finally, he gets to his real point, which is that only children tend to be "obnoxious and selfish." And that  they also "don't seem to know how to play well with other kids. Yes, they can get along, but there's always something a bit off with them. They tend to relate to adults better than kids at times, which just causes some odd interactions on playdates." (source)

290 comments later, this particular controversy is going strong.

It's Feedback Friday....

Do you agree with these observations about only children?

Are  you happy with your decision to have 1, 2, 3, etc... kids?

Are you an only child - do you take offense to this characterization?


1.17.2013

Guest Room Comforts


Remember hot pots from your days in college?  I stayed in a hotel room this summer that provided a little "comfort station" for guests with a hot pot, mugs, and various beverages like teas, hot chocolate, and instant coffees.

How simple!  I made a little spot under the night stand in my guest room to do the same.  I could add some cookies or muffins before guests arrive.  This allows them to take their time before getting up in the morning or lets them wind down before bed.


It would be just as simple to make up a basket if you don't have a shelf.

What kinds of special things do you do for your overnight guests?

1.15.2013

Tutorial Tuesday!

Resolution Reminder Bracelet:


Monster Push Pop Valentines:



Conversation Heart Wreath:


Zen Spiral Bracelet:


CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1   My worst ideas of 2012

#2   Homemade Non-Dairy Creamer

#3   Amazing Homemade Lotion

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.11.2013

Writer's Block



I'm plum out of ideas for this week's Feedback Friday...

What should we discuss???

** Okay, we have a suggestion to discuss Kate Middleton's portrait that was unveiled this week:



This portrait has received a lot of criticism...what do you think?

 



1.10.2013

Funnel Cakes!



How about funnel cakes for a fun weekend breakfast?

The ingredients are a variation on pancake batter and it can liven up a cold, snowy morning!

I found a recipe for Funnel Cakes at Taste of Home online and tried it out a while ago and thought I'd share:

 Country Fair Funnel Cake Recipe 
(Taste of Home Magazine)

 Ingredients

  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1-1/2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Oil for deep-fat frying
  • Confectioners' sugar

Directions


    In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk and brown sugar. 
    Combine flour, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture until smooth. 
     In a skillet, heat oil to 375°(I don't have a thermometer, so I just heated until a drop of batter bubbled when dropped into the oil) 
    Cover the bottom of a funnel spout with your finger; ladle 1/2 cup batter into funnel. Holding the funnel several inches above the skillet, release finger and move the funnel in a spiral motion until all of the batter is released (scraping funnel with a rubber spatula if needed).
    Fry for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter.Yield:6 servings.


    Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy. Ahhh...feels like summer!

     

1.08.2013

Tutorial Tuesday!

Okay, we're back on track with our regular Tutorial Tuesday this week!  I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

After all the Christmas abundance, I'm feeling like I need to pinch some pennies.  Can you spot a trend in this week's featured tutorials?

$1 iPhone Case:


$.33 Dress Refashion:


CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1  To Die For Scallops

#2   Christmas Tree Earrings

#3  Apron From a Dress


Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!




Hope Studios



1.07.2013

Handmade Christmas Ornament Exchange

Here are the Soul Sister's Annual Ornament Exchange ornaments revealed!

Joy made a flattened out pom pom from t-shirt strips and embellished with glitter edged felt stars:


Megan made a disassembled clothes pin star that she spray painted and glittered and embellished with our "SS" (soul sisters) logo:


Marzipan sewed this darling felt owl that she tucked into a tiny jeans pocket:


Treat Girl knitted a tiny candy cane cozy embellished with a button!


Mine is so hard to see, but I saved little "wishes" from dandelions and other plants this Autumn and pushed them into a glass ball using a chopstick - then stenciled the word "wish" on the outside with silver acrylic paint.


And those are our handmade ornaments from this year!

1.04.2013

My Favorite Gift...Feedback Friday


So, the first thing everyone asks after Christmas is...

What was your favorite Christmas present this year?


1.03.2013

Soul Sisters' Christmas Party!

ALL of the Soul Sisters finally got together for our annual Christmas party and handmade ornament exchange last night and it was as fun as ever! 

Sick kids, sick Soul Sisters, and lots of holiday conflicts kept us from getting together in December and I think we all agreed that we liked postponing until January. It took the pressure off and we really enjoyed ourselves!


We shared some drinks, had some good food, played our "name the waiter" game (thanks for being a good sport, Jeff!), and laughed until we cried.  We chased away all nearby tables with our hoots, laughter, and flashbulbs.


We exchanged ornaments and gifts and took lots and lots of pictures! I'll share all the ornaments next week.


We told stories...


And there was some good-natured teasing about phone sizes.  But in the end we had a great time and hated to say goodbye when the night ended too soon.

Friends are food for the soul...

1.01.2013

Fizzy Fun!



Today is a simple project that doesn't require many supplies and can provide lots of entertainment. I found this on Pinterest and knew it was a great idea.

Gather up some supplies:

Baking soda 
Vinegar 
Eye dropper 
Cookie sheet 

Spread baking soda evenly over the cookie sheet.

Mix several colors of food coloring into a few tablespoons of vinegar in little cups.

 Now, using your eye dropper (or small spoon, or medicine syringe) , let a drop at a time fall onto the baking soda and watch the colorful reaction that produces colorful bubbles! It's mesmerizing...

Pretty soon they will want to dump all the colors together and soon after that will want to begin pouring the colorful vinegar all over the cookie sheet!

Happy New Year!

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