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2.29.2012

Dots and Dashes Crochet Throw - Pinterest Pass or Fail



I just learned to crochet a few months ago and was hot to try to make something BIG (sick of those dinky scarves and granny squares)! I wanted to make this warm lap blanket (originating at Red Heart website) for snuggling.

"Come hither, I might not be wearing underpants..."

**A little aside...I have lots of "theories" and one of them is that the world is divided into two groups - those who like to snuggle under blankies every time they sit on a couch and those who don't. I'm a blankie girl.

Anyhoo, I Pinned this crocheted blanket tutorial to my Crochet Board (I'm really good at coming up with super original names like that) that seemed cute in a non-grandma way and was determined to try it.

Pinterest Pass! These instructions (I think crochet pros would call it a "pattern") were easy to follow, even for a novice like me. I learned the new stitch in no time and was on my way.

Here is my completed blanket (having trouble pulling off the "come hither" look with a blankie):


"Come hither, I am dressed for the gym and wearing no make up...I may or may not be stinky..."

Now, I have to be honest here about something...I do love to snuggle and I do love to try new things, and I do get distracted easily (look, a squirrel!) so I wasn't very good at keeping track of all those stitches.

So, let's take another, more objective look at my finished blanket:



Oops. Totally user error, people. Don't blame the Pin! So Pass for the Pin and Fail for me.

Mandy tried Crockpot Buffalo Chicken, what Pins did YOU try?

Drop me a link and I will check it out.

2.27.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Wow, I saw some amazing things this week! It's hard to narrow it down, but here are a few stand outs:

Thin Mint Cookie Balls:



Safety Pin Watch:



How to Recover a Lamp Shade:



Dusting Mitts:



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

#1 What Not To Buy At The Dollar Store

#2 The Best Iced Coffee

#3 Bookshelf Curtains

Now it's YOUR turn!

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





Simple Washer Bracelets



My Soul Sisters had a lunch and craft session last week: Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup and Simple Washer Bracelets ... Want to join us?

Simple Washer Bracelets

Supplies:

Flat Washers (I think we used 1/2 inch)
12 mm O Rings
Needle Nosed Pliers
Silver Colored Jewelry Clasps


Instructions:

Connect the washers with O rings, we used two O rings between each washer, beginning and ending with O rings.



Use one ring at the end to attach the clasp. Easy Peasy!



2.26.2012

Freckle Face



My friend Lori has a linky party every week and I've never been able to participate. Now I have my new camera and I'm starting to love macro too!

Freckle Face

studio waterstone

2.24.2012

Definition of a Disability: Feedback Friday



I swear, I find Feedback Friday topics every place I turn! Last week we vacationed in Florida and took the kids to Disney for several days. While standing in line for several rides I began to notice a similar theme in the wheelchair lines, and many people discussing it.

About 80% of the people in the the shortened wheelchair access lines happened to be morbidly obese. I heard many families express frustration as they stood in line waiting patiently with their children for rides, only to see an obese adult in a wheelchair speed right to the front of the line, jump right up, and board the ride.

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines "disability" as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of [an] individual." It should be noted that many physical disabilities result from obesity that may require a wheelchair. Also the NCDDR released a study indicating, often, people with disabilities are more vulnerable to obesity.

The conversations I overheard all began to take on the same tone.

It's Feedback Friday...

Is obesity a disability that requires a trip to the front of a line?

Can a person in a wheelchair wait like the rest of the people in line?

2.23.2012

AAARGGHHH!

I got a new computer yesterday and I can't figure out how to load photos or really anything else on it yet...soooo...bear with me while I attempt to learn for the rest of today and I will be back tomorrow with a hot Feedback Friday topic for sure!

Okay, I'm stumped. Anyone with a Mac who can offer some help on how to upload photos to Blogger would help me out tremendously! I'm ready to throw my brand new shiny computer out the window!

**UPDATE**

I was able to upload a photo! Baby steps, people.



You know how I love our crazy family photos from amusement park rides!

2.20.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

A Year of Dates:



How to Dye Your Jeans:



The Truth About Couponing:


I just returned from Disney! While I get situated, why don't you go ahead and link up your tutorials for this week!

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 your name and a 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






2.17.2012

What Is Your Worth? Feedback Friday



My friend from The Constant Complainer
sent me an interesting article about the worth of a homemaker a few weeks ago.

The article listed each household duty and estimated how much someone would charge for that service:

Personal Chef
- $1,005 per five-day workweek x 52 weeks = $52,260 per year.

House Cleaner
- $118 per week X 52 weeks = $6,136 per year

Child Care - $600 a week plus perks/benefits x 52 weeks = $31,200 per year

Driver - $1,000 per year + [(estimated miles driven 8,000 miles / 50 mph) x 60 minutes/hour x 33 cents per minute] = $4,168 total per year

Lawn Maintenance - $30 per week x 52 weeks = $1,560 total per year.

All these services added up to a grand total of $96,261 per year.

It's Feedback Friday...

Do you agree with the estimate of how much a homemaker is worth?

What else would you add to the list?

2.13.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Lollipop Valentines:



Rustic Wood Wreath:



Removable Bedskirt:



Snickers Cupcakes:



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

#1 The Perfect Clutch

#2 Love it or Hate it

#3 Ruffled Scarf

Now it's YOUR turn:

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 your name and a 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





Pulled Pork Sliders - Two Ways!



When we are skiing for the weekend, I love to plan for slow cooker meals. In the past month, I've tried two totally different recipes for Pulled Pork Sandwiches...and I'm a sucker for a slider, so I serve them on tiny dinner rolls. Want to make your own Buttery Dinner Rolls? Check out my favorite recipe!

The first recipe I found in my Good Housekeeping magazine last month. It is more of a traditional, tomato-based recipe, that would work with beef or pork roast.

Slow Cooked Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup(s) ketchup
1/3 cup(s) cider vinegar
1/4 cup(s) packed brown sugar
1/4 cup(s) tomato paste
2 tablespoon(s) sweet paprika
2 tablespoon(s) Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoon(s) yellow mustard
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
4 pound(s) boneless pork shoulder blade roast
(fresh pork butt), cut into 4 pieces

Directions:

Combine the first 10 ingredients in your slow cooker then add your pork, turning until well coated.

Cook on low 8-10 hours until very tender.

I like to shred the pork with two forks right in the bowl of the slow cooker, then stir to coat with the sauce.

I found the second recipe for Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork on Pinterest, originating at C & C Marriage Factory.

Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork

Ingredients:

1 (2 pound) boneless pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 cup water



Glaze
:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons soy sauce


Directions:

Combine sage, salt, pepper and garlic. Rub over roast.

Place in slow cooker with 1/2 cup water. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

About 1 hour before roast is done, combine ingredients for glaze in small sauce pan. Heat and stir until mixture thickens.

The instructions tell you to baste the roast during the last hour of cooking then serve the rest of the sauce on the side, but I poured all the glaze in the slow cooker and then shredded the pork at the end of an hour and served on tiny buns.

A second batch of sauce would have been good as a condiment, but the pork had plenty of flavor without it.

This is a vinegary recipe reminiscent of North Carolina style pulled pork. Yummy with a pickle on top!

2.10.2012

Snickers, Coke, Morning After Pill? Feedback Friday



My local news covered a story this week about a Pennsylvania college, Shippensburg University, that recently made Plan B (the "morning after pill") available to students through vending machines on campus.

The Vice President of Student Affairs for the university said the decision was made after discussions with the student body. He said the intent was to take some of the discomfort and embarrassment out of purchasing this emergency contraceptive.

The morning after pill is available without a prescription. The university purchases and sells the pill for $25, forgoing a profit.

It's Feedback Friday...

What do you think of Plan B being offered through convenient vending machines on college campuses?

Is this university forward thinking or irresponsible?

2.09.2012

Mini Corn Dogs - Pinterest Pass or Fail?



I Pinned a recipe for Mini Corn Dog Muffins, originating at the Iowa Girl Eats blog. I pinned it on my Par-Tay Food Board and planned to try it out for the Superbowl.

The recipe was so simple:



1 Tablespoon of corn muffin batter + 1 inch piece of hotdog. Bake.

Could they really taste like corn dogs?

YES!!! Pinterest Pass!!! Whoo hoo, I have to go the the gym 3 more times this week because I ate so many of them!!!

You could make it super simple and use a "just add water and egg" boxed mix, but cornbread is so simple to make I thought I would share my go-to cornbread recipe.

Quick Cornbread

1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cups corn meal (yellow corn meal looks more like a corn dog)
1/3 cup sugar (I like sweeter for the salty/sweet combo)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten

Combine ingredients just until dry ingredients are moistened. Don't over beat.

Spoon 1 Tbsp. batter into a greased mini-muffin pan.

Press a 1 inch piece of hotdog into the batter (1 hotdog should yield 6 pieces) and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until light golden.

Let the muffins sit in the pan for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Eat until you feel like you might burst or turn into a walking corn dog.

Mamamadeitlookeasy tried a bandana quilt that is darling:



What Pins have YOU tried? Drop me a link and I'll check it out!

2.08.2012

Disney or Bust!



We are heading for Disney in a few days and I thought I'd let you in on our preparations so far. My kids are BIG on traditions and repeating the same things from year to year, so we will be making

Disney Window Clings:



Eating Morning-Before-Disney-Breakfast:



Planning Airplane Entertainment:



Reviewing our Disney Planning Tips.

And remembering with our...




Want to make one?

1. Collect all your favorite Disney memories and print them out on slips of paper.

2. Place happy memories in a jar.

3. Pull a few each day to read out loud.



4. Get really excited!

Have you ever been to Disney?

Joining Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday Party

How to Avoid Stress At Work