To Smart or not to Smart...

    It is all we have heard about for months now! It is on the top of the Christmas wishlist! What is "IT"? The item most teens (including my own) are hoping for is a smartphone! How we would love to make dreams come true! But how? How as a parent can you feel good about the decision to introduce the responsibility of such a device? What will they be exposed to with access to the internet? Will they follow the guidelines you have set for texting, homework, and bedtime? Zact mobile was created for this exact purpose! A no contract nationwide mobile service dedicated to giving parents peace of mind! With an average monthly bill of only $22 and a seal of approval from the National Parenting Center how can you go wrong! Visit Zact mobile to see how their features can provide a quality smartphone experience for teens and parents alike!



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How to freeze spaghetti squash in 4 simple steps!

      No joke! I am sitting here at the counter with the local Christmas station softly playing Silver Bells in the background! Where on earth did 2013 go? As the year end approaches I have found myself experiencing the usual emotions. Anticipation of the season. Excitement for the new and wonderful possibilities. Dread for the weeks of hard work ahead. Elation at the thought of Christmas morning with the family I hold so dear. Hope for positive outcomes with the challenges we face.

    This time of year is certainly full of emotion. Last night as I listened to my ten year old baby rehearse for her solo debut in the school Christmas program, warm tears found their way to my eyes. The First Noel never sounded so sweet, so innocent.

    There is more than enough work to do! Winter preparations must take place before the fun can begin! Last weekend we worked our fingers to the bone getting the yard and house winterized. Next order of business? The garden produce. My grandfather has a large orchard and the Fall months are full of fresh goodies! I was sent home with not one, or two.... but eight spaghetti squash! It breaks my heart to think hard work will go to waste! I thought back to when we prepared fresh freezer corn! It is delicious! So why couldn't you do the same with squash? You can! It is so very easy!

    While your squash is cooling treat yourself to a bowlful of Fall goodness!

    

    Spoon into freezer bags. Lay flat to freeze. Admire your work! On a frosty winter night a warm buttery bowl of squash will warm you to your toes! 

    As the holidays approach I hope you find peace and merriment in every detail! Remember it won't last forever! Savor the moments loved ones are near! Relish in the laughter of children! Take deep breaths and survive! 

Enjoy this season because it is the only 2013 season you will have!

WHOOO WHOOO is ready for Halloween!

    With Halloween right around the corner I had been dragging my feet some! Knowing I would need to come up with something fantastic for my little one! Whilst the older kiddos were still busy pondering the correct look for their Halloween debut I started gathering items from around the house to get the creative juices flowing! 

HMMM?!

    In my search around the house I found a couple of old dresses and an idea began forming!

     I first covered the bodice in strips of brown felt. Once the felt is in place, carefully snip the ends to create a feather like look! Next grab a few cups out of the cupboard and create the eyes! So far fairly simple and my cost $0.00!

    I did have to purchase tulle, but found Hobby Lobby just happened to have theirs on sale! Saving half at the register! With the dress on the wiggly intendee, use a ribbon to measure the circumference of the skirt! I used three layers for extra fluff! Remove from wiggly body and carefully pin the layers into place. Then glue or sew onto the dress!

    With a long sleeve brown under shirt, fuzzy brown tights, and....

    We have a winner! Paint an old pair of shoes and use scraps of felt to create one of a kind Halloween goodies! Total cost for this "Hoot" of a costume: $6.00

Simple Halloween decor!

    October is finally here! Hooray!! Time to get real crazy! If you are on a budget, finding funds to create can be frustrating! I am big at looking around the house to see what I can use that we already have! Kids always have construction paper! Cut out some fun characters! Cost $.00

    Dig out those old vacant frames! I need to find some fun round ones! Cost $0.00

    Get creative and have fun! Use chalkboard paint for a unique spin! 

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A Jutorial and Burlap Spiders!

    As the Fall season begins and the chilly air moves in I have found myself a little busy! Busy creating! Here is a fun, fast, low cost, and unique Halloween decorating tutorial! 

   

    For the jute spider web it is easiest to find a semi heavy blanket you can lay out on the floor! This was my second web! The first one was held down on my kitchen counter with coffee mugs! It worked, but this is much easier!

1. Cut jute to desired lengths.

2. Pin strands of jute to the blanket to secure it while you work!

3. Fire up the glue gun.

    Working in between strands create your web! It is easier to cut the inner stands as you go! I tried one continuous piece and the look was not the same! Cut and glue as you work around the web. Once you have the look you like, remove the pins and hang it in an awesome location! 

Does your web look empty....

   

     These cute burlap spiders are the perfect occupant for your new jute web!

1. Fold a 5x7 strip of burlap in half and cut the head and body shape.

2. Glue or sew the inner edges of the burlap, leaving about a 1/2 inch border from glue to edge, and leave a small hole near the shoulder of your spider.

3. Stuff stuffing through the small hole. Fill it up full! Glue or sew access hole shut.

4. Use a piece of tulle to separate the head from the body, and for a cute bow!

5. Cut eight pieces of wire to the same desired length.

6. Carefully use hot glue to secure and wrap jute around each wire. If the ends are fraying add a small drop of hot glue. When the glue is cool enough to handle, but not set... roll it between your fingers until the fray is gone!

7. Fold up the sides where the 1/2 inch border is on the body. Hopefully your burlap is frayed and will create a "fur" up against the body. Use glue to secure.

8. Sew or glue the legs into place! Once in place you can bend them however you choose!

Happy Haunting!

Fall Fun!

    There are so many wonderful decorating ideas floating around! Plenty of inspiration! Talented Bloggers and Pinners abound sharing their creativity!  Easing into the end of the year craft season with a few quick and simple projects can be just the thing you need to get your creative juices flowing! Look around and gather ideas, then make them your own! I fell in love with a tutorial for vintage signs and decided to give it a go!

    It was really quite simple and quick! Cut the wood to the desired length! (I also thought this would be cute on a wide variety of surfaces! Old doors, walls, old windows, just about anything!) Paint colorful stripes! This is where I got nervous! It looked rather weird! I found that I was happier with a straight lined stripe in the finished product... Use masking tape to create letters! Paint over the top with a festive color! Remove tape and allow to dry. Finish with a distressing method of your choice, mine is the old reliable stain distress!

I was having so much fun...

That everybody's getting one!

Of Monkeys and bread...

    
Can you believe that the end of Summer is upon us?

    Where exactly has this year gone?! This morning as I sat down at the computer to download our vacation pictures I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. Our precious vacation now is down in the memory banks! Each year we take a week long break from the ordinary. Escape the routines and enjoy spending time together as a family! I remember the anticipation I felt as we prepared to live out of our trailer for nine days! Nine Days! How on earth would we survive such close quarters for such an amount of time! How would I keep the kids from killing each other? Would the baby sleep? Or would we have a weeks worth of all nighters! The anxiety almost unbearable as we pulled out of the drive way and onto our adventure!

    What happened within those nine days in paradise was nothing short of a miracle! We grew closer than we already were, and learned so much from one another! We shared laughter and knew in our hearts this was indeed a special time! In fact the time went by so fast we were sad to see it end! We visited places we had never seen! Experienced new and exciting adventures! Jumped into rivers! Bathed in streams! Ate like wild little animals...

 Speaking of food!

    We tried many new and different camp style dinners on our trip! Campfire Mac and Cheese, camp quesadillas, chicken and sausage foil packets... Our favorite however had us searching for a grocery store so we had supplies to make it again!

    Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread

I found this recipe on the Rhodes rolls website! With a few tweaks of our own it is now a camp favorite!

You will need:

24 Rhodes frozen rolls

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup Parmesan

1 package thick cut bacon

1/2 cup jalapenos (optional)

1 dutch oven liner

Directions:

    Cut the bacon into bite size chunks and brown. We used a liner for this process. Once bacon is browned remove from dutch oven. Remove about half of the bacon grease and discard. Layers the rolls in the bottom of the liner on top of the remaining bacon grease. There should be no gaps. Once the rolls are covering the bottom, top the rolls with cheeses and bacon, making sure to get in the nooks and cranny's! Your dutch oven is warm from browning the bacon, so put the lid on and allow the rolls to rise until double in size! Once doubled place your coals, or begin baking on your camp stove. Bake for approximately 30 minutes checking often that the bottom is not burning. We use our camp Chef so this was more of an issue than if you are using coals top and bottom! Once cooked, using the liner in the dutch oven remove rolls and devour!

    I hope yours was a summer to remember! Children are only children for so long! Cherish the road trips! Embrace the bickering! Enjoy the laughter! Hug and kiss their sweet little faces...

Fall Feelings!

    I am antsy to get my Fall fingers busy! Unfortunately life has been a little too crazy lately! My patience will have to remain intact until next week! My final race of the season is Saturday! It is bittersweet! I have had a triumphant year, but I am ready for a break! My hometown beckons with its annual celebration, and family will join together on Saturday to pay tribute to our amazing legacy!

Next week its so on!

   Until then enjoy this post from the archives!

    After a weekend of sight seeing I had to get home and create! I was feeling a little burned out and not looking forward to the tasks at hand! A trip to the city set me straight! I received so many curious emails and a comment or two asking about the original picture I posted showing the Fall leaf mobile I had created. I am flattered and feel sort of silly because it was so very easy and cost me nada...

Anthropology! 

One word for love! I immediately fell in love with their display! How clever! I came home from our trip craving a new project! My husband, who is a geologist was not as enthused as I hoped he might be about hanging a rock mobile from our ceiling?! Men! 

So many things I would love to tackle!

While it is not rocks...

The leaves add just the right touch!

    I found some old white string and dismantled an old garland I had stashed, the challenge was trying to figure out how to hang the leaves above the stairs to create the cascading look....Last year for my Coke can Snow flakes.. 

    I used handfuls of thumbtacks to hold them to the ceiling....

  Facing that prospect again, and possibly sudden death as I leaned out over the banister?! I looked around until I found this old wire basket we used for Baby K's socks! It was perfect! I think this would look amazing with real leaves...I was just to antsy to go get some:) I also love the look of the string! It creates a great contrast! So there it is ladies!

Easy Peasy! I want to see your creations!

Fall makes me Crafty Crazy!

    With two big room remodels coming up my little brain is on overload! There are a few things I am sure of.... mustaches and  chevron stripes are on the wish list!

    A orange chevron headboard is marinating in my mind! Lets get the small things done first! 

    While in Jackson Hole the girls and I fell in love with the mustache craze! We found a mustache board, turned it over and saw the price tag! Yipes! Hobby  Lobby has these burlap boards! Wait till they are on sale and save up to 50%

    The board comes pre painted! So all you need to do is sketch out your staches and paint them black!  So easy! So cute! My total cost for this project was $7.00! The price tag in Jackson? $40.00!

    If you have an amazing mom like I do! All of the things I know I learned from my crafty mother! An original mind! Pre Pinterest! 

Anyway! 

    I borrowed my moms scroll saw and cut out a few cute mustaches! Oh man! I can't sleep at night! The Fall season is upon us and I have a saw at my house! So many great projects coming up! 

    Have something great you are working on? Share it!

Abs Moose Mint Buttercream!

    The Birthday girl is getting so big! I love her to the moon! As my baby has grown so has her taste.... Lol! A "baby" cake was out of the question! She loves my from scratch chocolate mayo cake, and mint ice cream! Hmmmm! 

    We spent a little time experimenting! Here is the Ab approved.... mint buttercream frosting we finally settled on! Be careful! I now have orders for Moose mint chocolate cuppies! It's that tasty! Fresh ganache for extra chocolate goodness! I tried polka dots for the first time in the interior of the cake! Turned out cute, but now I know what to do better next time!

Moose Mint Buttercream

1/3 cup unsalted butter softened (not melted)

1/3 cup salted butter softened

3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (add more as needed)

3-4 cups powdered sugar (add more as needed)

2 tsp pure mint extract

green food coloring

2 cups Ghirardelli's semi sweet mini chips

    Cream butter, mint, food coloring and heavy cream together. Gradually add the powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved. With a wooden spoon gently fold in mini chocolate chips!  Pipe onto cooled cupcakes or cake! 

Enjoy! 

What can you do with $2.50?

    So far we have had a rather industrious summer! Chasing a toddler, training for a half marathon (Gulp! Three weeks to go!) cupcake stands, camping, yard work, school shopping for my best girl, Mia Maids, swimming pools....

Sigh!        

    Somewhere in between I have managed to squeeze in some DIY therapy! Much needed DIY therapy!

    My child is convinced that she would like her bedroom reprinted for her upcoming birthday! JOY! As I got looking around at the well loved hand me downs, it was decided that no bedroom remodel would be complete without sending a little love to the furniture!

    Shopping mistints can save you hard earned $ at the check out counter! After parousing paint samples for near an hour we found a Valspar mistint that we immediately fell in love with! I used a stain distressing method,and can't stop gazing upon the new found beauty of some old beloved pieces! 

    To go with the "new" furniture she has chosen a charcoal gray and lavender to don the walls! Can't wait to see it all together!

Feeling Blessed!

Care for a spot of tea?

    Curious Wisdom was recently selected to host a Cadbury Ice Cream Bars 'High Tea' party! "Hmmm?!" I thought to myself! With a house full of girls, this kind of party should be right up my alley! Partnering with MomSelect we received a party package fit for a afternoon filled with giggles! Party hats and headbands that were actually quite beautiful, I am trying to figure out where I could wear mine! A tea set complete with milk and sugar pitchers! Tea cups and saucers! We were set! The guests arrived and the fun began! We served ice cold lemonade, with butter scones and cucumber sandwiches! The orange cream cupcakes were also delicious, however the treat everyone had their eye on, were the Cadbury ice cream bars! We had received several varieties to sample! Chocolate and vanilla, english toffee, royal dark, and caramello! One word: Heaven!

 
    On a hot July afternoon who could blame them! Creamy vanilla Blue Bunny ice cream, covered in delicious Cadbury goodness! The bears enjoyed themselves as well! Giggles were abound as the girls tried their best to abide by proper 'tea etiquette' no elbows on the table, pinkies up....  I heard a few accents throughout the party as well! It was definitely a fun and creative way to spend some time together! The girls all loved their hats! With the exception of Baby K! She was fairly certain that her hat was a form of baby torture! Once the ice cream came out she was fine again! The tea set is adorable and I can see my girls using it for years!

 Children grow too fast! Having the opportunity to have a few hours to let them just be kids, and to hear their imaginations at work was simply precious! I often wonder what I would have done with boys instead of girls? Nah! I am a pro at raising princesses! What a wonderful time pretending to be little ladies, giggling and just enjoying! I was happy to host this party! I think the girls liked it too!

Disclosure: I received supplies to facilitate this post. The opinions expressed are 100% those of Curious Wisdom. 

Sweet Summer Time!

Summer is here! Time to drag out the survival tools! Over the last few summers my middle child has found solace in bake sales! Although it often means a day of work for me, the pay off is typically pretty sweet;) We have committed to dedicating our Fridays to scrumptious goodies! Last weeks mayo chocolate and peanut butter cream cuppies were a hit! Alongside Tang cookies.... Wait! What! Yup! Who knew you could bake cookies with the delicious tang..... Of Tang! This weeks menu includes vanilla cakes with honey buttercream! How are you keeping your kiddos busy?

Raspberry Cream Cheese Pin Wheels...

    Behind the scenes I have been working on perfecting my pastry skills! Yesterday, wanting a delightful treat! Yet not wanting to commit to the time frame a fluffy pastry dough takes, I decided it was time to experiment!

    There has been some debate on whether or not a cream cheese dough can be laminated properly. The fundamental basics of a puff pastry dough depend on a high fat content. This binds your ingredients, and high fat content allows you to create wonderful, flaky layers of goodness by creating air pockets in the dough while baking! A typical puff pastry recipe calls for 24 tablespoons of butter, and can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days to prepare. By omitting more than half the butter and substituting with cream cheese you lose fat content.

  But! Determined am I! 

     My husband has a real sweet tooth! Not the candy and chocolate sweet tooth that I have, but rather a danish, cinnamon roll, monkey bread kinda hankering! I am happy to oblige! I love to have treats ready after school and work! Again, not wanting a treat that took days of anticipation... (all though croissant dough is resting in the fridge as we speak) here is what I came up with! Just a little quicker, different textured version of a great! 

8 T softened unsalted sweet cream butter
4 ounces softened cream cheese cut into cubes
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 T sugar

splash of vanilla

(I wondered about orange zest)

    This can be mixed with a food processor or by hand! I used my food processor. Mix butter, cream cheese, and whipping cream until smooth. Add the flour, salt, sugar, and vanilla and blend/knead until a smooth ball is formed. If dough is too sticky add additional flour a Tablespoon at a time. Let dough rest covered with plastic in the fridge for an hour.

    On a floured surface roll the dough out into a thin rectangle. Then fold into thirds, like a letter... cover with plastic and refrigerate for thirty minutes. After thirty minutes remove and with the open flap towards you roll out again. Fold into thirds, refrigerate. Repeat this step two more times. I turned my dough three times. If dough becomes to sticky to work with pop back into the refrigerator!

These are the layers I achieved with three turns, you could add a few more if you are so inclined!

 Pre heat oven to 350 After the final turn, roll out once more shaping an even rectangle. Cut off the uneven edges. With a pizza cutter or knife divide dough in half lengthwise. Then make 8-10 squares. For a pinwheel shape cut two inches into the corners of your square and fold in on top of your favorite fruit topping! Sprinkle Coarse granulated sugar on top! If you would like that golden brown appearance use an egg wash. I did not do this. Bake until the tops of your pinwheels are browned, mine took about 12 minutes!

    Cream Cheese topping:

At our house we prefer to taste the cream cheese, so this recipe is not the typical sweetened frosting recipe!

4 ounces softened cream cheese

3 T salted sweet cream butter

1 T milk

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Mix it all together until light and fluffy! Top and enjoy!

Sunday.... What's not to love!

Life's Simple Measures: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars

    I just grabbed my favorite blanket and am preparing to snuggle with my husband and catch the end of the race! Roast has been simmering for awhile! Honey wheat cloverleafs are rising! Chocolate chip cookie dough bars are chillin! Kids are playing in the sunshine! Feeling very blessed! Wonderfullest day of the week;)

Boston.... My personal pledge

   

    Early Monday afternoon found me hammering out the miles on the treadmill. Most days this is where I train while my baby naps. I get outside whenever I can to build my endurance on the road and in the conditions, but this was clearly going to be an indoor day! Monday I was struggling! Really digging to get the last three miles in. Finding it easier to focus without the distraction of the T.V. I rarely turn it on. Monday I did, and just as I was about to talk myself out of completing my days work the tragic news began to unfold. Anyone with a heart for humanity and the pride of an American feels the way I do...

Devastated! Angry! Heartbroken! 

    This simply cannot go on, yet sadly it will! Monday as I did my best to shield my children from the continuous coverage I could not help but feel an overwhelming sadness when I looked into the faces of my young daughters. This is the world they will grow up in. The world in which they will raise their families...

 So how can we help?

    The unfortunate fact is that this is not going to stop. We have to protect each other! Be aware, and most importantly do our best to live unafraid. As the title of this post indicates I have my own way of honoring Boston. By the time the race season concludes this year I will have run the miles needed to complete my own marathon. In each of these races I will run with pride. I will remember. I pledge to not live in fear and to honor the innocent.

    The web is alive with kind hearts wishing to contribute to the healing. How are you healing? Below are a few links that will guide you to The One Fund, Boston Inc  formed to help the persons, and families most affected by Mondays tragedy. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army If nothing else, prayers for healing are always needed. Hold your loved ones a little closer and remember each and every day is a precious gift!

Bread and Better....

What are you feeding your kids? There is an amazing web article in Parents that has some sandwich ideas that will give you confidence and your kiddo's proper nutrition! 

Traditions....

Did everyone have a wonderful Holiday? We sure did! Did you keep old traditions or try out some new ones? Our family did a little bit of both!

Easter morning usually smells heavenly with the fresh aroma of German pancakes! This year we tried morning buns! Oh my! These flaky gems of goodness will be a year round staple in our home! Made with a faux puff pastry dough and crammed with citrus and cinnamon, these are a delicious way to start any day!

I love Test Kitchen! Late one night while flipping through channels, the hubs and I stumbled upon the morning buns episode! You have to try! You can find the recipe by visiting Cooks Country!

Enjoy! Happy Lirpa Sloof!

Another's Treasure....

    What does one do with an old broken window frame? Upcycle of course! With a little love, wood filler, sandpaper and imagination... this once eight pane window frame, became a four square modern door decoration! I am a winter girl, everyone knows this, but I am ready for suntans and flip flops! Chasin sweet baby K through the sweet green grass! I needed something fun for the front door! Now let's just bring on the Spring!

Avocado dressing

  A few days ago as I ran numerous errands I passed Cafe Rio and was instantly hit with a sweet pork salad craving! Of course my hard earned money had other places to go....

   So I picked up a side of pork ribs while at the store, but forgot tomatillos for dressing! Yesterday as my mouth watered over the aroma wafting from the crock pot I was scratching my head! I pan fried corn tortilla's to top yummy pork salads but still just needed that unique taste!

    Not in a big rush to head out to the store I looked around the kitchen. Avocado's! Surely you must be able to create something with these green gems! I did a little searching...

    This is the Paula Dean version with of course a few of my own tweaks!

1 large peeled and pitted avocado
2 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup light mayo
1/2 cup light miracle whip
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
1/2 Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup minced onion
2 cloves pressed garlic
1 t salt
1 T taco seasoning mix

    I used my Magic bullet which is perfect for ventures such as these, but a food processor works too! Puree avocado and lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth!

    Enjoy!

I have been a bad blogger....

Promote your mixtape at ReverbNation.com

 

 

My sincere apologies! If you are a new follower please leave a comment so I can return the favor! I am a bit behind!

    The blogger community has always been kind to me! I assume I am just like every other mom blogger out there! Sometimes real life takes control and before you know it your side hobby takes a backseat! Thankfully my sweet little sister is gracious enough to post once a week for me! This year has in its short time already been a whirlwind! 2013 started with four funerals, a car accident, health scares and more! Adjustments and new responsibilities are abundant! We have taken it all in stride and learned once again that each day is a gift....

    At the beginning of the year I received a leadership calling. A calling that I was not prepared for, but non the less a calling that was needed and I am once again humbled by the power of blessings! Friends, true friends and family that have faith and unconditional love for our little family.... Now lessons need to be planned and activities carried out..... This morning as I contemplate the order of the many tasks that must be accomplished I can't help but smile and bask in the inner peace that after 33 hard years, has finally found me! Amongst the chaos is love, a true love and a deep devotion....

    A turkey dinner for a new family needs preparation, which I am happy to provide. A five mile run to keep in time with my training, which I am lucky to do! A two year old with the beginnings of fierce Independence to battle, which thanks to the hard work of my husband I get to do! A mountain of laundry, piles of dishes, dirty spring floors, potty training, middle child syndrome, pre teen angst, swim, gym, a three day getaway with my husband to prepare for, that I am fortunate to experience! 

    I will get on top of things again soon, for now I am reveling in my own little world, and loving every minute! Learning from new opportunities. Growing from each day that I am granted! Alex sings it best! I am on top of the world!

   

You will Have good luck....In the tub!

  
  I am not spoiled just loved! My Kindle Fire HD is amazing! I love it so much! I have done everything but read on it! We have added so many movies, games and MP3's to our family account! While I was happy to hand down my old Kindle Fire, I still have a soft spot for my paper white 3G Kindle! It comes in handy all the time! So if you are not yet convinced E readers are for you....you gottta try one! I love to use it in the kitchen! Anyway.....

   Fortune cookies! 

This really is the good idea of our kids I am just the baker! Fortune cookie Valentines! I had to do a test bake so that on February 13th I sorta knew what I was doing with over sixty cookies! I found a great recipe and tutorial Fortune Cookies I had to of course add my own twist.. With a recipe that uses what you already have around the house it is a truly great, inexpensive idea!

With food coloring, sprinkles and a toothpick I was able to create a more Valentine looking cookie! I used two sided paper to write love notes....Then my creative juices were really going!

    There are so many awesome ways to give these cute little Valentines! Both these glass pieces were only a dollar! Perfect for teachers, grandparents, friends!