What a crazy few days

I have had the most crazy hectic few days.

It started with my youngest getting sick in the car from dropping my husband off at the airport. Let me say that this is no fun! It was so early I could not stop to help him or even clean him up. My poor baby.
1 day later he is back to his normal loving self ;)

Not one day later my second son is sick with the same nasty bug and working his way to getting better. I hope tomorrow he will be back to his normal loving self.

then to hope that no one else gets this nasty germ. I just cannot afford to get sick and I am worn out from 2 sick kids.

Grateful

It has been ages since I have updated my blog. I just didn;t have the drive or the time to do so.

I think with this entry I am going to make it simple.

What I am grateful for:

My kids
My husband
My house
Having a wonderful hobby that I can do each day and get paid for
The sun
The pool
Lounge Pants
Hard Wood floors
Great friends
Great family

Homemade Sugar Cookies

Anytime I can bake something from scratch I do. I think making something at home tastes so much better and saves you a ton.

The best part about doing this is the reward of seeing someone eat your food and love it. Great memories.

I called my mom up and asked her to send me over a recipe from one of her old recipe books. I find these to be so much better then the fancy new recipes out there. Old fashion is really the best way to go.

I made these same cookies with my mom as a kid so I knew they would be yummy.

Traditional Sugar Cookies:

3/4 cup shortening (part butter or margarine for taste)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 Tsp vanilla extract or 1/2 lemon extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 Tsp Baking powder

1 Tsp salt

Mix thoroughly shortening, sugar, eggs, and flavoring. Blend in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover: chill at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough 1/8 inch think on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 6-8 minutes or until light brown.

Makes about 4 dozen 3 inch cookies

Line drying

The weather is getting a little warmer and the sun is shining bright. So this is the best time to get the line hung up so I can start hanging the laundry out to dry.

I love fresh clean clothes that have been hung up on the line outside all day. Basking in the light, with the cool breeze drying them. The sun is great for getting your whites even whiter.

This is the best time to use my batch of Homemade Laundry Detergent. I hope that it keeps the clothes smelling good while hanging out in the air outside. Sometimes, living near a house that runs a nasty old water fountain makes your clothes smell like old water. But if the breeze is right my clothes are just fine.

Laundry detergent

I decided to start making my own Laundry Detergent. This way I know what's going in the detergent I am using on my clothes. No harsh chemicals, cheaper and a lot more.

This took very little time and ingredients to make.

Here is how I made it:

Homemade Laundry Detergent

2 cups Hot tap water
1/2 Fels-Napthat soap bar (grated)
1/2 cup Washing Soda (not baking soda)
1/2 cup Borax

Add grated Fels-Naptha bar soap to saucepan with 2 cups pf hot water. Stir over medium heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half way with hot water. Add melted soap, washing soda and borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with hot water. Stir and cover. let it sit overnight to thicken.

This is how it should look when you are you uncover it the next day.

Just be sure to stir this every time you go to use it.

For top loading machines us 5/8 cup per load

For front loading machines use 1/4 cup per load

Project to finish up

I have 2 orders to fulfill and then working on another for a customer who is looking for a apron to be made with a embroidery design to match a tattoo she put on a customer. Very interesting and I love a challenge.
I hope to get both projects done, one is simple, a handkerchief with initials embroidered on and then a mother daughter set with a superwoman fabric print, really cute.
Today is very chilly, so working outside on the backyard or playing with the boys, most likely will not happen. I am still getting over with having a sinus infection and possibly strep, so no getting sick again for me.

Sorry for being MIA

I promise to come back to my blog and try and post daily.
I started my business a few months back and all of the sudden it took off. So I have been quite busy with that, remodeling my home and just being a mom. All of those take quite a bit of time up.
I will hopefully have a new post up tomorrow about the remodelind we did the past few weeks.

Christmas Decorations

I love to make decorations. I feel they represent my taste and gives my home a warm feeling.

I have learned to make quite a few things over the years and have come up with many ideas. This is the best time of the year to try something new. My head is swarming with ideas and now it's just finding the time to make them.

Here is a simple and inexpensive centerpiece for your table or counter.

Just take a big glass bowl, any shape and size is fine.

Then fill it up with different size ornaments. Any color and shape. I chose different shades of red and green in different sizes.

I use mine in the middle of the dinning room table. Great little centerpiece to add some color to the room.

Christmas Decorations and House Cleaning

I love Christmas. I love the atmosphere, the feeling, the decorations, food, family, you name it I love it.

I normally get started on pulling out the Christmas Decorations and slowly put them up. A little here and there and I have most of it done by the 1st or 2nd of December. I hope to get a real tree this year, never have had a real one. We will see. If we do I want the biggest we could fit on top of our van and get through the door. I have vaulted ceilings so a huge one would look so nice.

Here are some decorations I have made in the past. I prefer handmade over bought. I feel it adds more of a personal touch and so much fun to make.

I have decided to tackle the master bathroom. I had it really nice and clean and no clutter but I swear one thing gets left out and it multiplies like crazy. I really need to clean under the sink and get things out of there that are not needed or old and organize what I have so it is easier to find and use.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish all my friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving.


This year like many of the other years we will spend Thanksgiving without Chris. As much as we would love him here with us, this makes it possible for him to be home Christmas. So if I had to choose I rather it be this way and him be home to celebrate Christmas as a family.


I have the Brown Sugar Glazed Sweet Potatoes cooking as I write this, this is my contribution to the family dinner we have every year at my parents home. (We do Christmas here) So as soon as I am done with that we will be on our way there to spend this day with family.


Stay safe and enjoy this special day with the people who mean the most to you.

Husband gone, got to keep busy

I tend to hold off on all the cleaning (major stuff) while husband is home. I want to spend every minute with him while he is home, seeing that he is gone 1 month at a time.

So since my husband left today :( I got busy with the major cleaning that needed to be done.

My list of things to do included 2 of the 3 bathrooms and doing some laundry. I know not a lot but small steps works better with me since I have 3 kids and a few other things planned today.

I took about a hour of my day to walk up to the school to watch the Veteran's Day program they have each year. I enjoyed it and the weather was great. To top it off, Nic was awesome there so that helped.

After I got home from getting the kids at school I started baking some Peanut Butter cookies for the kids and myself :)

Football and Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings

Chris watching the game

Today was Football day in the Young's' House. I thought since this was Chris' last day at home I would make him something special to eat during football. I have never made Chicken Wings before so I searched for a recipe. I did not find any that I liked, so I made one myself.

I must say it turned out real good. served these with some waffle fries.

Ingredients:

2lbs chicken wings (assorted)

1 stick of unsalted butter

3 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup hot sauce

2 tbsp White Vinegar

1/2 cayenne pepper

Directions:

Heat deep fryer to 375 degrees F

Season wings with salt and pepper

Fry for 10-12 minutes, be sure to do them in 1-2 batches

In a large saucepan, heat butter, lemon juice, hot sauce, cayenne pepper and white vinegar.

When wings are done, pour over cooked wings and serve hot.

Spooktacular at the Zoo

We took the boys to the Spooktacular at the zoo. This is the 3rd time we have gone and every year it gets better. This time was great since I had Chris there to help me, much easier with 4 hands then 2 when you have 3 kids.

We got there pretty early so the parking was easy. We went right on in and had to wait about 10 minutes for the gates to open.

The town was called Pumpkinville. They had over 300 carved pumpkins if not more. Very pretty at night.

We got our pictures taken half way through with a choice of background. I do not have it scanned yet to show but it was really cute. Too bad Andrew looked at his silly brother when the picture was taken.

We went through a abandoned Mine field, saw Trolls fighting, fairies, tree monsters, jesters and even frog royalty.

Then at the end we went through Pirates Cove where the kids got gold coins, pirate tattoo's and lots of candy.

Busch Gardens Trip

Chris and I took a opportunity to go on a early vacation for our Anniversary coming up. It was a month early but with his job time never works out for us. With my mom graciously offering to watch all 3 boys so we could go alone, we went for 2 days and without the kids (gasp).

We had a awesome time. Going on a weekday really worked out well. No lines, no crowds, almost empty.

We started off the trip with riding a roller coaster. Let me say that I HATE roller coasters! And I mean HATE them. The one we rode looked nice from the outside until we got in the line. It looked worse as soon as we started up the ramp to get going. The roller coaster was wooden and long as heck. I think it took a total of 4 minutes from start to finish. I almost lost my glasses as soon as we took off lol and the whole ride was shaky and bumpy. I yelled "I hate you Chris" the whole ride... He made me get on. Curse that man.

When then got on the train and took it around half the park. That was relaxing and fun.

Our next stop was at the Congo river rapids. I remember going on this in High School when our school band took a trip there. Always seemed longer to me when we rode it back then but this time it was fast but just as fun. I got soaked! I almost made it through but right at the end the tube turned and under a waterfall I went.

While walking the park we happened to stop by a booth offering Safari Tours. It was a great price and since we didnt have the kids we decided to jump on the oppurtunity. I didn't really know what we would do or see but let me say that it was so worth it and tons of fun.
As soon as we got onto the open land we were greeted with about 8 giraffes. We were able to feed them and take pictures. They were so huge and in our faces the whole time. One licked my face lol It was a great experience.

The next day we had about 3 hours before we had to make the 4 hour drive home. So we watched a show on oldies music and dance. Then we walked the park and check out the monkey exhibit and took the sky rail to the end of the park so we could ride the log ride.

It was a great trip and we enjoyed the time alone. We have not been alone like that in a long time. being with the kids has always been important to us and we love going on trips with them to gain great memories as a family. I still cherish the ones I had with my family as a kid. But this was great and we really savored the moments we had with each other on this trip.

Next time we go, it will be with the kids :)

Halloween Crafts

I love making things during Halloween time.

I decided to make the pumpkin witches that I have made for the boys to give to their teachers. I have been doing this for the past 4 years and love making them. Its easy and cheap to make.

This is what you will need:

* 2qt plastic container (round)

* Bag of assorted candy

* Gummy Body Parts

* Black Liquorice

* Pin needles (used to sew or quilt, small)

* Small pumpkin

Put the eyes, mouth and I put some ears on there :)
Then put one peice of liqurice at a time around the top of the head to make hair.

Then put the finished pumpkin on top of the jar filled with candy.

Loving the free stuff!

I got ALL of this for free and then some!

Here is what I got and how I did it:

* 3 Ziploc bags (50ct each)

Used $1.00/2 and a $.40 coupon

Paid $4.54

But I have a rebate form here for $5.00 when I buy 3 Ziploc products

So I make a total of $.46, not bad for 3 free bozes of ziploc bags

* 2 Glade Fragrance Collection Candles

$ 2.99/2

Used 2 coupons for free candles

After coupons FREE

* 1 Palmolive Pure + Clear dish liquid

$ 2.99

Used $.75 coupon

After coupon $ 2.24

Used Try Me Free coupon in 9-27 insert

After coupon and try me free rebate I made $.75

Dont forget to check out my new Store Custom Aprons and More

www.customapronsandmore.com

Publix Shop 10-02-09

I had a great shopping trip at Publix. Walked away with some great deals.

Here is what I got:

* 2 General Mills Lucky Charms

2/$3.99

Used $1.00/2 coupon

After coupons $ 2.99/2

* 2 Ragu Sauces

2/$ 3.49

Used $1.00/2 coupon

After coupons $ 2.59/2

* 2 Toll House Cookies

2/$ 3.59
Used 2/$1.00 coupons

After coupons $ 1.59/2

* 2 Lysol Disinfectant Sprays

2/$ 3.19

Used 2/$ .75 coupons

After coupons $ 1.69

After sales and coupons I walked away with only spending $8.66

Love FREE Coffee

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE coffee. Starbucks is my preferred choice :)

But when I saw that I got get 3 boxes of coffee that you choose and a Stainless Steel coffee mug for $3.00 shipped, I was all over it.



Go here and sign up, choose your coffees and the mug and that's it.



I do recommend canceling your account after you get it if you are not interested in buying more from them. You will get monthly shipments if you do not.



I just got mine today and as soon as I did, I called their customer service and canceled my account. It was easy and fast and I have 3 boxes of coffee and a mug for $3.00 :)

CVS Shop 9-29-09

I had a great time at CVS today. I knew I would be getting some good deals.

I found a $5 off $25 coupon here and clipped coupons for the rest. There were a few things I grabbed without coupons, but they were having such a great deal on them that it was worth it.

Here is what I got:

* 10 Back To School items (highlighters, pens, pencils, sticky pads)
$12.00
All items were 90% off!
After sell $ .99 , not even a dollar!

Here I bought $25 worth of PG products and get $10 ECB

* 2 Tide Liquid Detergents
$12.00
Used 2 $1.00 coupons
After coupons $10.00

* 2 Dawn Dish Liquid
$2.00
Used 2 $.25 coupons
After coupons $1.50

* 2 Tide Stain Releasers
$ 8.00
Used 2 $1.00 coupons I found right at the shelf
After coupons $6.00

*1 6pk of Bounty Paper Towels
$ 6.00
Used $.25 coupon
After coupon $5.75

Bought $28 worth of PG Products for $23.25
After ECB $13.25 (Not bad for all that)

* 1 Xtra Liquid Detergent
$1.99

* 1 Cascade Dishwasher Liquid
$ 4.49
Used $.75 coupon
After coupon $ 3.74

* 1 Swiffer Duster Spray
$ 3.99
Used $.50 coupon
After coupon $ 3.49

* 1 Scope Mouthwash
$ 3.49
Used $1.50 coupon
After ECB and Coupon $ .49

* 1 Reach 2pk Toothbrushes
$3.99
Used$ 2.00 coupon
After ECB and coupon .99

* 1 Vaseline Sheer lotion
$7.99
Used $1.00 coupon
After ECB and coupons $.01 profit!

After all my ECB and coupons

$21.77

Be sure to check ouy my site

Custom Aprons and More

www.customthreadandneedles.com

101 post and busy as a bee

I cannot believe this is my 101 post. I would have had more by now if I had not been so busy.

I am keeping busy with apron orders and making things for myself. I also had the task of making 3 costumes for Halloween and now have mine and my husband's to make. They came out really good and the boys love them.

I had a website being designed for me professionally, but that did not work out and I was disappointed. I am trying a different route but will not be upset if I am stuff with the one I did myself.

My oldest has been sick for well over a week. That was no fun. I hate seeing my child suffer and to top it off the dr not doing anything about it when I asked him to. Knowing something was wrong with my son. A mother knows best! But the good thing is he is doing much better.

Only a week or so before my husband comes home. I miss him so much. The good thing is he will be home for Halloween. This will be the first in almost 5 years! So we are super excited about that.