April Fools Day

I figured since April Fools day's tomorrow, today would be a good time to get everyone's pranks in order. These ideas came curtsy of Martha Stewart!

Morning Surprise
Put blue food coloring in the milk.

A Seuss of a Shocker
Green eggs and bacon is a twist on Dr. Seuss.

Wet Suprise
Wrap a rubber band around the kitchen sink sprayer so whoever turns on the faucet gets a big, wet surprise.

Bugging Out
Place a big ol' fake roach in a family member's slipper.

Mean Money
Tape a dollar or a quarter to the floor in a high-traffic area, and watch the parade of clowns bend down and unsuccessfully try to pick it up.

Alarming Alarm Clock
Set someone's alarm clock an hour early. Or set a bunch of clocks to go off at the same time, and hide them around the room for a noisy wake-up call.

Puzzling Message
Confuse callers by leaving the following outgoing message on your answering machine: "Hello? [pause] Hello? [pause] Is anyone there? [pause] April Fools'!"

Uninviting Bed
This old classic never gets old: Short-sheet a bed by tucking in both ends of the top sheet at the head of the bed. When the fool crawls in, her feet will stop short.

Unidentifiable Object
Insert a raisin into a tube of toothpaste. The unsuspecting person who squeezes it will be dismayed by what comes out onto his toothbrush.

A Salty Surprise
Salt in the sugar bowl is a classic switcheroo.

Infested Ice Cubes
Pop some plastic ice cubes (the ones with toy flies or ants inside) into your guests' drinks, and watch their expressions go from thirst to horror.

Afternoon Shock
A mashed-potatoes-and-gravy "sundae" is a good gag for the afternoon, when everyone thinks the jokes are over.

No shame!

You couldn't pay me enough to do Joe's job...

This man seriously has NO shame! HaHa!

New PT Uniforms

So my husband got issued his new PT uniform today... And with it comes a MarAdmin: "1. ALL MARINES, (ACTIVE DUTY OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MARINES AND SMCR/AR/IMA OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MARINES) WILL BE INITIALLY ISSUED ONE RUNNING SUIT AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDUAL... 3. RUNNING SUITS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN THE MARINE CORPS EXCHANGE UNTIL INITIAL DISTRIBUTION IS COMPLETED. AFTER RECEIVING THE INITIAL ISSUE IT WILL BE THE MARINE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN THE UNIFORM."

Ok, so he gets one uniform free... Big woop. You pretty much need 2 or 3 sets of each uniform... Especially if it's something like a freakin PT uniform that you're wearing EVERY SINGLE DAY! So how much is this uniform you ask? $113!!! OMG, I almost kealed over!

You know, this actually makes me really really mad! We used to only have to pay $24 for the prior PT unifrom (Green t-shirt and green shorts)... Well this is a HUGE jump to $113! Or hey, what about the sweats? I don't understand if they're not going to be issuing the sweats any more. We never minded them. I mean they wern't anything special... But i'm not going to complaign about $20 sweats! This just irritates me because it's just another thing we're going to be expected to pay for. And ofcourse the higher ups have no reguard for money and how are these Lcpls, Cpls, and Sgts who are trying to put dinner on the table for their family doing to do so after being forced to fork out $113, God only knows how many times a year for new PT uniforms!

The "R" Word

John C. McGinley is so awesome!
Lets all get together and spread the word!

Rascal Flatts

I loved Rascal Flatts before... But I love them even more now! It's so rare for country artists to specifically reach out to and embrace their gay fans, but that's what Rascal Flatts is doing!

Vet

So I take my pug to the vet about a year ago... Pay $230 and am told that he has a yeast infection in one and a bacteral infection in the other. Then about 8 months ago, we take him BACK to the vet since his ears haven't gotten any better. I am then told that he has a bacterial infection in both ears, and fork out another $200 for a short list of tests and meds.

So we try a new vet, go to this vet 3 weeks ago who does an ear scrape, swab and what not and determines that the dog STILL has a bacterial infection.

Now the thing that irritates me, is he's really showing no signs. No scratching or whimpering like he's in pain. But none the less this vet decides that we need to pay $45 for meds... So here we sit 3 weeks later and I have to take the dig back for some follow up shots (just random vaccines) and to get micro chipped. I drop him off cuz I just can't stand how busy and how long the wait is at this place...

So I'm told someone will call me when it's time to pick him up. Four hours after I drop him off, I guess my cell phone lost service or something, because it never rang, but I happined to glance at it only to find that I had 12 missed calls and 2 messages. The first meggage was a secratary calling just telling me that they had a few questions about Mo and asked that I give them a call back. The 2nd message was from a nurse informing me that there had an emergency and I needed to call back emediantly. SERIOUSLY?!? I mean you get that message, what would you think. So I call them back, am put on hold for 10 minutes and finally a nurse comes on saying that the doctor was trying to get a hold of me. I asked what the emergency was and all she said was "i'm not at libraty to say" Ok, I started freaking out in my head, all she asked for what my phone number so the doctor could call me back. I gave it to her and asked when I should be expecting a call. She said she didn't know as the doctor was in surgury. SURGURY?!? I franticly asked "With my dog?" all she said was "No, I don't think so". Okay, so I spent the next hour freaking out wondering what happined to my dog.

So the doc calls back... I kid you not, he says "What's up Ms. _____?" I said "Uhh nothing, is everything alright". He replies with "Oh yea, everythings cool, I just had a couple things I wanted to run by you". Seriously? Seriously? First, you're a "doctor" and you talk on the phone like i'm one of your drinking buddies... Second you allow your nurses to lead me to believe that my dog is on his death bed when all you have is a couple questions?

UGH! Ok, so then I get kinda irritated because he wants to ask me about the dog's ears and why we were perscribed

Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Do-si-dos

Homemade Do-si-dos

Cookies
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant or regular)

Filling
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter, room temperature
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 350F.
Start with the cookies. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and peanut butter. Beat in the sugars until fluffy, then add in the eggs one at a time, waiting until each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
Working at a low speed, mix in the flour, followed by the oats (if you don’t have quick-cooking, pulse whole rolled oats in the food processor to chop them up a bit).
On a parchment-lined baking sheet, drop teaspoonfuls of batter (roughly 3/4-in. sized balls), leaving about 2 inches between each to allow for spread.
Bake for about 10 minutes, until cookies are a light golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, making small holes in 1/2 of the cookies (for the tops of the sandwiches) before they set up. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cookies have cooled, make the filling.
In a large bowl, cream together smooth peanut butter, butter and confectioners’ sugar until very smooth. Spread 2-3 tsp onto half of the finished cookies and sandwich with the remaining halves. If you chose to make yours with GS-lookalike holes in some of the cookies, use these as the tops of the sandwiches.
Store in an airtight container.

Makes about 48 sandwich cookies.

Free Italian Ice!!!

Mark the First Day of Spring with FREE Italian Ice!

For the past 16 years, Rita's has been giving away a free, regular size Italian Ice to each and every guest to mark the first day of spring! This is a sweet date for Italian Ice lovers, as each year, hundreds of thousands of our guests visit Rita's in search of the first taste of spring.

A Philadelphia-born springtime tradition, the 17th annual Rita's giveaway will be held on Friday, March 20, 2009 from noon to 10 p.m. at participating Rita's locations. Click here to find your closest Rita's. We would like to extend a special thank you to all of our guests who were able to enjoy a free Italian Ice during our 2008 First Day of Spring Celebration and we look forward to seeing you again in 2009! Be sure to mark you calendars to celebrate the first day of spring with Rita's! This is surely a tasty tradition that you won't want to miss!

1st Day of Spring!

Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Tagalongs

Homemade Tagalongs

Cookies
1 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt at a low speed, followed by the vanilla and milk. The dough should come together into a soft ball.
Take a tablespoon full of dough and flatten it into a disc about 1/4-inch thick. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough. Cookies will not spread too much, so you can squeeze them in more than you would for chocolate chip cookies. (Alternatively, you can use a cookie cutter, as described in the post above).
Bake cookies for 11-13 minutes, until bottoms and the edges are lightly browned and cookies are set.
Immediately after removing cookies from the oven, use your thumb or a small spoon to make a depression in the center of each cookie
Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Filling
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (natural or regular)
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar*
generous pinch salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
about 8-oz semisweet chocolate

In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, salt and vanilla. When the mixture has come together, heat it in the microwave (again in short intervals, stirring frequently), until it is very, very soft. Working carefully with the hot filling, transfer it to a pastry bag (or plastic bag with the tip cut off) and pipe a generous dome of the filling into each cookie’s “thumbprint”.
Chill cookies with filling for 20-30 minutes, or until the peanut butter is firm.
Melt the chocolate in a small, heat-resistant bowl. This can be done in a microwave (with frequent stirring) or on a double boiler, but the bowl of melted chocolate should ultimately be placed above a pan of hot, but not boiling, water to keep it fluid while you work.
Dip chilled cookies into chocolate, let excess drip off, and place on a sheet of parchment paper to let the cookies set up. The setting process can be accelerated by putting the cookies into the refrigerator once they have been coated.

Makes about 3-dozen

Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Thin Mints

Homemade Thin Mints

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/3 cup milk (any kind)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp peppermint extract

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. With the mixer on low speed, add in the milk and the extracts. Mixture will look curdled. Gradually, add in the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
Shape dough into two logs, about 1 1/2 inches (or about 4 cm) in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, until dough is very firm.

Preheat oven to 375F.

Slice dough into rounds not more than 1/4 inch thick - if they are too thick, they will not be as crisp - and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cookies will not spread very much, so you can put them quite close together.
Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cookies are firm at the edges. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate.

Dark Chocolate Coating
10-oz dark or semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter, room temperature

In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Melt on high power in the microwave, stirring every 45-60 seconds, until chocolate is smooth. Chocolate should have a consistency somewhere between chocolate syrup and fudge for a thin coating.
Dip each cookie in melted chocolate, turn with a fork to coat, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to set up for at least 30 minutes, or until chocolate is cool and firm.
Reheat chocolate as needed to keep it smooth and easy to dip into.

Makes 3 1/2-4 dozen cookies.

A very vegitarian St. Patrick's Day

Are you looking for something interesting to make for dinner tonight? Well i wanted to find something different than the standard corned beef and cabbage that I've had a million time. Well, finding something different to make for St. Patrick's Day isn't easy when you've never been to Ireland and have no idea how authentic any of the dishes that we Americans think of as Irish actually are. I kept seeing this Dublin Coddle recipe everywhere... So, there ya go... This recipe (and pic) is curtsy of Fat Free Vegan. I'm also planning making Irish Soda Bread and Bread and Butter Pudding

Dublin Coddle with Vegan Sausages
4 Irish Fauxsages (see below) or about 12 ounces of other vegan sausage, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes (about 4 medium), cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 large onion, sliced 2 tablespoons parsley, minced salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or prepared bouillon
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
3/4 cup dark beer (optional) Brown the "sausages" in a non-stick skillet.

In a large Dutch oven with a heavy lid, layer the ingredients in this order:
* Half of the potatoes
* Salt and pepper
* Half of the onions
* Half of the parsley
* All of the Fauxsages
* Remaining Potatoes
* Salt and pepper
* Remaining Onions
* Remaining Parsley

Mix the Liquid Smoke into the broth and pour it over all. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to the lowest setting and cover tightly. Cook for about an hour, or until potatoes are very tender. Add the beer if you're using it, and simmer for about 15 minutes more. Ladle into bowls and serve with Irish Soda Bread. Note: This could easily be cooked in a slow cooker; for best results, double the recipe for large crockpots and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Irish Soda Bread (White Version)

* 4 cups flour
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1-3/4 teaspoons baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1-1/2 cups water
* 2 teaspoons cider vinegar

Stir; it very quickly becomes dough. Form a round loaf. Place on greased baking sheet. Cut slits in top. Bake 40 minutes at 400° F.

Bread and Butter Pudding

* 1/2 cup raisins
* 1/2 cup Irish whiskey
* 5 large eggs
* 2 cups heavy (whipping) cream
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 vanilla bean (see note) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 8 ounces (8 to 9 slices) firm white bread, crust left on
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
* Custard Sauce or Irish Whiskey Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the raisins and whiskey and let soak for 1 hour. Butter a 9-inch-square glass baking dish.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the vanilla extract or split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds and drop them into the custard.

Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Cut the slices in half diagonally and arrange half the bread, overlapping the slices, in the bottom of the baking dish. Drain the raisins and sprinkle half over the bread. Repeat with remaining bread and raisins. Pour the custard over the bread and let soak for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400° F. Place the baking dish in a large baking pan. Add enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is golden. Remove the baking dish from the water and let cool on a wire rack. Serve warm with a chilled sauce, if desired.

Custard Sauce

* 3/4 cup milk
* 3/4 cup heavy (whipping) cream
* 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
* 5 large egg yolks
* 1/2 cup sugar

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, cream and vanilla. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat to simmer. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Stir into the cream mixture and cook, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Strain into a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until chilled. Can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Green, Green, Green

Not like it's anything fancy... Just pancake mix with green food coloring... But my little pancake puffs sure did impress my 3 year old... Not like I'd really take much.

I ♥ my Pancake Puff pan. If anyone doubted that this little "as seen on TV" purchase actually did what it claims. It most certainly does! And honestly, I think this is a total must have if you've got small children. My daughter LOVES it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A decent sugar cookie recipe

I never never never make sugar cookies... BUT... I needed to make some kind of cookie for my daughter's bake sale... And since you can usually decorate sugar cookies to make them somewhat appealing to kids... I figured why not... Plus I had all the ingredients on hand... So if anyone needs a urber easy sugar cookie recipe... Here ya go... Courtesy Alton Brown.

Ingredients:

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 tablespoon milk
* Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

Directions:

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color.
Add egg and milk and beat to combine.
Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl.
Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar.
Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick.
Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking.
If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill.
Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time.
Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack.
Serve as is or ice as desired.
Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Samoas

Homemade Samoas

Cookies
1 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
up to 2 tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt at a low speed, followed by the vanilla and milk, adding in the milk as needed to make the dough come together without being sticky (it’s possible you might not need to add milk at all). The dough should come together into a soft, not-too-sticky ball. Add in a bit of extra flour if your dough is very sticky.
Roll the dough (working in two or three batches) out between pieces of wax paper to about 1/4-inch thickness (or slightly less) and use a 1 1/2-inch cookie cutter to make rounds. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and use a knife, or the end of a wide straw, to cut a smaller center hole. Repeat with remaining dough. Alternatively, use scant tablespoons of dough and press into an even layer in a mini donut pan to form the rounds.
Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, until bottoms are lightly browned and cookies are set. If using a mini donut pan, bake for only about 10 minutes, until edges are light gold.
Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Topping
3 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
8 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)

Preheat oven to 300. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula.
Using the spatula or a small offset spatula, spread topping on cooled cookies, using about 2-3 tsp per cookie. Reheat caramel for a few seconds in the microwave if it gets too firm to work with.

While topping sets up, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each cookie into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle finished cookies with chocolate.
Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.

Makes about 3 1/2-4 dozen cookies.

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Homemade Samoas Bars
Cookie Base:
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

First, make the crust.
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly, like wet sand. The dough does not need to come together. Pour crumbly dough into prepapred pan and press into an even layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until base is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack before topping.

Topping
3 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
10 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)

Preheat oven to 300. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula.
Put dollops of the topping all over the shortbread base. Using the spatula, spread topping into an even layer. Let topping set until cooled.

When cooled, cut into 30 bars with a large knife or a pizza cutter (it’s easy to get it through the topping).
Once bars are cut, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each bar into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment or wax paper. Transfer all remaining chocolate (or melt a bit of additional chocolate, if necessary) into a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle bars with chocolate to finish.
Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.

Makes 30 bar cookies.

Bake Sales

So I get suckered into baking for a bake sale... I say suckered because I saw the sign-up sheet tacked to a bulletin board at my kids school 3 weeks ago and really just didn't feel like baking... So I get a sob story about how the schools in need last week and how no one was signing up for fundraisers... So I figured, hey, I can bake a few pies, maybe a dozen cookies... So the sign up sheet says the bake sale's Sunday, and we can go ahead and bring in the baked goods Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. I figured I'd go ahead and bring the stuff in Friday afternoon since pies just get nasty if they sit too long. So I obviously did no baking over the weekend, I figured I could make my pie crusts Wednesday night and to the rest of the baking Thursday.

So this obviously irritates me... I just got an email asking if people can bring in the baked goods Monday (tomorrow) or Tuesday. Uhh... Why? No explanation or anything, I tried returning the email, but I'm sure it will be days before someone replies. But why in the world would you NEED or even want baked stuff 5 or 6 days early? I can't do cupcakes, they'll just be NASTY. If the stuff really needs to be there 6 days before the bake sale, I can't do pies... I mean who in the world would want a 6 day old pie?

Update:
So I got an email asking that people limit the amount of food they BAKE and just buy pre-packaged goods. HOW IN THE WORLD DOES THAT EVEN CONSTITUTE A BAKE SALE? If you can't tell... I really really really don't like last minute change of plans. Oh and FYI, I am sooooo not going out and waisting money buying pre-packaged crap.

March-of-Dimes

The March of Dimes has changed the name of its biggest event to March for Babies. It's a great change because it makes it very clear exactly who I am walking for -- all babies. I am very excited to be a part of the “first” March for Babies; please support my participation. Although the name of this signature event changed, the mission did not. The March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will support lifesaving research, services, education and advocacy that help babies get a healthy start. Please help by donating today! The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Frugal Friday: Cleaners

Ever wondered how to make all natural cleaners? Well I've got the recipe's here...

Glass Cleaner

1 cup distilled white vinegar

2 cups water

1/2 tsp dish soap

10-15 drops essential oil

Spray Bottle

All Purpose Cleaner

1/2 tsp washing soda

1/2 tsp liquid Castille soap

2 cups hot water

10-15 drops essential oil

Spray Bottle

Disinfectant

Hydrogen Peroxide

10-15 drops essential oil

Spray Bottle

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

4-5 Tbsp Murphy's Oil Soap

2 Cups WaterSpray Bottle

Furniture Polish

2 cups oil (vegetable or olive)

1 squeezed lemon

15 drops of lemon essential oil

Air Deodorizer

1 tsp baking soda

1tsp vinegar

2 cups water

10 drops essential oil

Spray Bottle

Coconut Custard

5 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups milk
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup shredded, sweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large mixing bowl, beat eggs well, then add the sugar, milk, half-and-half, and vanilla. Stir in coconut. Pour custard into a two-quart glass casserole dish and bake for 35-45 minutes until center is set. If the top looks like it's getting too dark, cover the dish with aluminum foil. Serve warm.

Mmmm... I ♥ Coconut... And I ♥ Custard... I could eat this all day!

Laid off & loving it

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this headline? "Laid off and Loving it"?

Spring Forward

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead an hour when you head to bed tonight...

...Day light savings...

The hunt for a Piggly Wiggly

I don't really understand my mother's obsession with Piggly Wiggly... But... I remember last year, when we were PCSing from Arizona to Virginia she was very adamant that she NEEDED a picture of the Piggly Wiggly. Well we never came across one, and she never got her picture. So when she called me yesterday after seeing a message on Facebook that I was goin down to South Carolina for the week... She she flipped out, "FIND A PIGGLY WIGGLY!" UGH! So last night we went out... With the sole purpose of finding her a piggly wiggly... Which we did... And I photographed... Maybe now she'll get off my back every time she hears that we're driving through the Carolina's... Maybe... Oh yeah... And I did one better... I bought her a Piggly Wiggly T-Shirt (I hope she's not reading this) and I'm shipping it to her in the plastic Piggly Wiggly grocery bag...

Cardinals

So supposedly the Cardinal is the state bird of Virginia... I find that really weird considering I've lived there for a year and a half and NEVER seen one... But I come down here to South Carolina and there are seriously EVERYWHERE!

Myrtle Beach

Vacation!

I had to escape for the 10 degree weather and snow in Hampton Roads... I've tagged along with the hubby to a conferance in Myrtle Beach SC for a little mini-Vacation...

We'll see how bored I get tomorrow morning while the hubby's off speaking at this conferance ... I may post more pics...

Some Folks just don't get it

I saw this news blurb the other day... This woman was pulled over for breastfeeding her two year while talking on her cell phone AND DRIVING! Of corse she went off on the cop, accusing him of targeting her for breastfeeding in public... But she just didn't get it, that wasn't the point... YOU CAN'T DRIVE WITH A KID IN THE FRONT SEET!

And by the looks of this interview... She STILL doesn't get it.

Snow

Poor Moe, had to put on his jogging suit just to go pee.