Easy Apricot Butter

This 5 Minute recipe is the easiest way you could ever make apricot butter!!

I went to Costco some time a go and they have a big bag of apricots. 

Handful of apricots 

Cinnamon to taste 

Melted butter

Blender/magic bullet

Handful of apricots with cinnamon on top of them. 

Melt your butter and poor it in.

Blend.

 Yum! Super easy! -place in fridge to keep for 2-3 weeks.

Ikea Play Rug

Some of you may be saying "why is she blogging about a Play Rug from ikea?!" Well, because it's awesome! My son is 5 and he keeps getting bored with his Legos & cars. I have been searching for a rug like this for a while and we stopped off at ikea and found one (and a few other things)

The bet part about this rug is that It is only $12.99

buy it here!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20176809/

My Top 10 NetFlix Finds

 

Once Upon a Time

If you like the fairy tales while you were growing up these show is definitely for you. It has all of our favorite characters; jiminy cricket, the Evil Queen, Snow White & The Seven Dwarves, Prince Charming, Little Red Ridding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, The Blue Fairy, Granny, Pongo, Cinderella, Pinocchio, The Mad Hatter, Belle, Peter Pan, Wendy and her brothers, (a very handsome) Captian Hook all with a twist! There is a lot of "magic" in the show. This show is safe for kids as long as they know it's not real. Top of my list!
Dexter

Dexter is a crime scene investigater specializing in blood slatter. Adopted, his father was a Miami detective and his sister Deb is working her way up to that. Dexter lives two lives, one as a normal person who has to pretend to care & like people and a murderer, then he feels "normal." He starts to have a normal life and soon has to choose. This is a great series for both you and your hubby! 

Call of the Midwife
Set back in the 1950's in London. This English series shows the lives of several midwives and the struggles they went through. It does have some screaming but okay for the kids to watch, although they will not be interested. Definitely for Mom. NY Daily News Review

Idiot Abroad
Idiot Abroad is a consistently hilarious practical joke on their friend Karl. Karl is a man who just doesn't "Get it" So Ricky Gervais and friend Stephan Merchant send him all over the world for a HD travelogue. They send him to the 7 wonders of the world but still he just doesn't "get it" This is also a MUST SEE! I wouldn't let kids under 12 see this there is some language and certain episodes nudity. He is truly an Idiot Abroad.

Cake Boss

Buddy Vilastro and his Italian family own a bakery in Hoboken, NJ. His father started the business, after his death buddy took over as the head baker. This show is great to watch with your kids. It is also funny, they pull pranks and it is filled with love & laugher & agervation (Mary...). It is great to see not only the business grow but the family grow as well. Wonderful show! 

New Girl
Starring Zooey Deschanel, In the first season she works through her quirks. It makes me laugh out loud no matter how many times I have seen the episodes. This show is a MUST SEE!

                           
Drop Dead Diva

Drama show, About a girl named Deb. She is a fun, carefree, airhead, blonde super model living her dream until one day she died & ended up in Janes body. Jane is an over weight straight laced, by the book lawyer. Deb(or Jane) gets a guardian angle and the only person who knows is Deb's old friend Stacy. This her her life as Jane. Not only is it funny but it is a romantic drama. Great for the kids, hubby not so much, this shows is for the ladies!

Burn Notice

Burn Notice is great for you and your hubby to watch together. Action Packed, It is about a Spy, Michael, who gets burned and is living a life trying to get back into the CIA, helping people who have been wronged along the way. Ladies you get your love story between Michael & Fiona and Men, you get all the action! 



Mad Men
Another Show for the adults. Placed in the 1960's in New York about prestigious men & their work in Advertising. It is a great show. Definitely need to watch!

Sons Of Anarchy
This is one for the Adults. This show is about a Biker Club who goes through trials, deaths and all out war fighting for their family & source of income. It does show a great sense of loyalty through out family but is Violent. If you are okay with Fights, Guns & Biker Clubs, You wont be disappointed. 

 

Every Woman Needs {iPhone apps}

I recently discovered the amazing thing called an iPhone! I have done some searching and I'm loving these apps!

Every women needs: {iPhone apps}

These are the Apps I have on my phone!

App #1 Facebook
Because it is great to see what's going on in the world of FACEBOOK
 

App #2 Pandora
My favorite station is Michael Buble and 80's Dance
 

App #3 Bible.is
I love this app, This actually has a feature that will read the bible to you! I put this on when I am in the car. Its a great app.

App #4 Dave Ramsey Budget
Amazing APP! Many people Like the app Mint but Dave Ramsey has a great system to keep you aware of what your spending!

App #5 Zoodles
This is for the moms who have young kids! Zoodles Is not only for IPhone but for Androids as well. It locks your phone and gives them Games, Videos and Actives. Amazing App! 

App #6 Ovia
I think this is a great App for moms who are and aren't trying to have more kids. Its simple to use. Has a lot of information that will educate you on what's going with your body and what to watch out for through out the month. Keeping track helps you stay on top of what, where or when you may need certain things.
 

App #7 My fitness pal
Every women needs this if they are trying to lose weight or trying to stay healthy!
 

App #8 Pinterest
Well, its Pinterest! Great to keep occupied when waiting at the doctors office.

App #9 Instagram
Keep in touch with your friends through pictures!

App #10 Tunein
Tune in, is for local radio stations all over the US and i believe UK as well, You can find any station you want on TuneIn. Favorite station is NGEN

App #11 Meijer or Kroger
Local Grocery store with all of its coupons!

App #12 YouTube
Honestly, this one is for my son... He loves watching reviews on Hot Wheels and Thomas the Train

  

Every Women Needs {stationary}

Recently, I have realized I am not reaching out to my friends and family as much as I should be. My grandmothers always send me letters of love, hope and encouragement. This always makes me smile. I know that I am loved. While I was at Michaels I went to their clearance section where they had bins and bins of stationary!!! I loved it!! I believe I spent about $8.00 on packages of cute blank cards. My plan is to send out love and encouragement to my friends and family. 

Every women & needs their own stationary set!

 

 

If you check out Brainy Quotes you could find some amazing things to write in these cards to your friends and family.

I've always been - you know, my personality is motivating and encouraging. And so I'm just being who God made me to be.

Joel Osteen

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/encouraging.html#jvSG3OYdEryBXu6r.99

 

Valentines Day: Teachers Presents

Christopher is now in PRE-K and I suppose now that the kid is in school I need to bless the teachers with gifts! Many parents spent some money to get them Christmas presents and I did make them cookies in the jar but that was several months ago. So, for this Valentines Day I decided while I was at the mall to stop off at Bath & Body Works! Here is what I got them!

  

A small bag of chocolates from Meijer And Hand soap, Hand sanitizer & hand lotion (bath and body works)  Total about $20.00 each. I don't know the teachers well but I tried to pick out smells they definitely would like, if not them, their kids!

Every Teacher needs to be appreciated

I hope they enjoyed  

Easy Playdough

I saw this recipe on http://discoverexplorelearn.com/worlds-easiest-play-dough/, This site is amazing! The things they come up with! Well we decided to try it!

Ours did not turn out exactly like theirs, i believe i added to much conditioner and not enough or startch, Any whooo... it was fun! smelt good and SUPER easy!

Here is our journey in making EASY PLAYDOUGH


Recipe:
1/2 Cup Hair conditioner
1 1/2 cups Corn Starch
food coloring/kool-aid

This was very easy, Very fun and my son enjoyed it soo much! Some of you may know that when adding corn startch to a liquid it can become "Alien Goo" or A solid & Liquid at the same time. This is sort of what happend to me, IT was solid but very very pliable. My son had fun trying to cut it in 1/2 (which was hard to do) grabbing peices out of it, which was also hard, but it was very easy to smoosh and move around the table. It looked liquid untill you touch it. SUPER FUN!

 

 

 

 

 

.:HAPPY MAKING:.

Toddler SunCatchers/ No-Mess Finger Paint!

This is a great idea for kids walking age to age 5+. Of course the younger kids will be more excited by this but it is for everyone and a great piece of art. 

Grab some 1 Gal zip lock bags. I made three.. (You cant just make one)

using washable crayola paints Place some globs in the bag. 

Pic Your Colors. Add Globbs of paint on the inside of the bag

I am using Crayola's Washable Finger Paint - $4.39 at Meijer for 6 colors

Seal the bag... let your kids start to move it around.

HANDS ALL CLEAN!

SEE!!

"MOMMA THIS IS SOO MUCH FUN!"
Tape them to the window or sliding glass door. High enough so the smallest child can reach without falling over.

This is a great project for ALL ages. My cousin (21) thinks its awesome and sat for 20 mins making different designs in it as well as I.
A fun and Creative way to spend some time with your kids. Draw out some numbers or letters. ABC's & 123's. There is nothing wrong with learning while having fun!!


*Update: These lasted about 2-3 weeks! Super fun and we had a blast moving it around from window to window and catching the sun different ways. My son LOVES this and asks for it all the time! so its not just a spring, time thing. Great for ALL YEAR ROUND!

Shopping with Kids

Shopping with kids is a difficult task especially if you have more than one! I started this new FUN thing with Christopher. A day before we go when I have made my list, I make one for Christopher as well. Since my son is 4 and can not read yet, I grabbed pictures of what we are buying off google.I then put it in Word and if we are getting 3 or 4 of an item. Putting the number by it so he knows these are the items he is responsible for getting with mommy when we go shopping. It will keep him entertained and focused, "What isle is the Gramhcackers in?" Isle 6? "What do we need on the way to isle 6?"
Doing things like this will keep your kids from freaking out and having a temper tantrum in the middle of the store, making you yell and embarrassing, you as well as them. I have tested this on my VERY HYPER but VERY AMAZING little man, at night, when he was tired (but not hungry!) and it WORKS!  He LOVED helping mommy and loved being apart of something bigger, helping the family.

I created a regular list for my family.
Eggs
Bread x2
Milk
Smart Balance Milk
Star Bucks k cups x2
Blocked Cheese x4
Banana x7
Potato's
spinach
lettuce
Orange Juice
apple x4
pear x4
Yeast
Flour
Sugar
Pasta
Honey
V8 Splash x3
Peach Mango Welchs x3
Hamburger 3lbs
Chicken  5lbs
Eggo Waffles C.Chip x2

Now that you have created your list. Take a few items off of yours and put it on theirs. This is what your Child's list will look like:

Print it off and your good to go to the store!!! These are the items your child are responsible for and as you get them, cross them off. This will make them feel very accomplished and its taking pressure off of you, Making your shopping trip fun, exciting and a Character building experience.

Don't forget to make sure your kids get in on the couponing, I ALWAYS hand my coupons to my son and remind him though out the store "Hold on to the coupons!" at the check out, he is the one to hand the cashier the coupons, its a fun for him. Might be for your kids as well.

.: Happy Making:.

Stuffed Peppers with Rice

I love stuffed peppers and TODAY is Valentines day! Not the most Romantic dinner in the world but my husband loves it. So its a win-win dinner right here! This is a simple, easy and Delicious meal! I first learned about Stuffed Peppers back in 2009 when my mother in law Sandy was living with us. She tought me how to make this and i have since changed the recipe a bit but its basically the same.

Start cooking your rice- I have a rice cooker so i put 2 scoops of rice, water and press cook. Cook 2 servings of rice.

Grab a big pot of water, put it on the stove. Bring it to a boil

You are going to need 3-4 Green/Red/Orange/Yellow peppers. Either is okay

cut the tops off and take the seeds out.

Save the peppers from the top of them. Leave peppers whole and place in boiling water.

I chose to use one green, one red, and one yellow pepper. Each have a simmilar but different falvor. Its great to mix it up every once and  a while.

1 Lb of Hamburger. Start to cook on stove top!

While cooking, Add your spices
 Thyme, Black Pepper, Pepricka, oregino, basil (or Mrs. Dash) And Garlic, Minced Garlic, Garlic Salt or Garlic Powder. Just needs Garlic! 

By now your rice should be done! Add your rice to your hamburger after draining out grease!

Add your Tomato paste.

Once that is all mixed in. BE CAREFUL and take out your peppers from the Boiling water.

You dont HAVE to do this. I just dont like crunchy raw stuffed peppers.

Place your meat, rice, tomato paste, mixture together add 1 1/2 cans (tomato can) full and place in your slowcooker or 9x13 pan and stuff your peppers.

Place the remaining mixture around your peppers.

LOAD IT UP WITH CHEESE! Mozerella & Parmasan Cheese! no limit but 1/2-1lb is best :)

If going in oven Cover with foil

bake at 350 for 30-40 mins

If you have time: place in your slow cooker for 1-2 hours. Keep adding a mixing cheese as you go :)
 
 

.:Happy Making:.

Tips from Cherry Doll Face

I really have been looking for a new way to "be me" and have a different look. I have always loved the 50's styles and now! Thanks to The Cherry Doll Face, i am going to start transform myself using her tips and videos. 

I have a wedding coming up this weekend and i went to Kohl's got this beautiful "Vintage Dream" dress by Lauren Conrad. I want to do my hair like this! 

This is a great tutorial on how to do your hair!

I will not be doing my make up EXACTLY this way. but this is the general idea i am going to be going for! I want to have more of a Vintage Glam, and less of a Pin up.

Okay soo i forgot to take a picture! Stinks... once i find one or do it again i will be sure to update it!!!

22 Rainy Day Activities :Updated!

ITS RAINING TODAY and I love rainy days. Not only does it water my yard and garden but I love the way it sounds, smells and how it seems to clean everything. Love it! The only thing I don't like about rainy days is that now that I have my son, who is now 3 1/2 years old seems the TV gets turned on. we have some pop corn and just have a lazy day... Well NOT TODAY! I feel like I need to turn off that TV - Turn off that computer and make a fort. Play, dance and be silly with my little man. He has so much at his fingertips and the TV isn't going to let him grow, learn and eventually not just reach for the stars but be a STAR!

- I threw this Blog together in about 45 mins. in between playing with my son and cleaning up the house, don't make excuses on why things cant get done. They will get done if you want them to. there's always options!!-- 

So if you haven't showered mom, do it now... or wait, BUT Get yourself ready to have some fun. 

Activity #1 : Singing in the Rain 
- Since it is already raining. go get your boots on... or take them off and go play in the puddles and mud with your kids! The temp. needs to be no cooler than 38 degrees F outside, So they don't freeze!!! Puddles and mud every kid likes. Don't let them not be silly and themselves just because you don't want them to get dirty. Join in the FUN! Sing, Dance, and play in the rain!

Activity #2: FORT
Its time to get your dinning room tables, pillows and blankets out for an amazing tent! Boys love it, Girls love it, moms and dads love it... so make it! Leave it up the entire day... clean it up when its dinner or bed time. FUN FUN. Do I really need to go into a tutorial?

Activity #3: Make a play city!
Grab some tape and tape roads and places onto the floor. Use your Cars and Blocks to build a city. Have a cool car rack you could pretend play. Super fun, Easy Clean up!

our Blocks :)

Activity #4: BLOCKS! 
Grab your kids blocks and build! This little "Game" catches my sons eye for about 45 mins. Longer if i play along. You can even make A play city with the blocks and put your match box cars in. It is fun and time consuming either way!

Activity #5 : Finger Painting
Finger painting on Paper Plates!

Activity #6: Coloring
Grab a coloring book and go to town, make one for every one you know and place it in a folder. When you see them, give it to them. Make your 3 year old very proud of his work.

Activity #7: Baking 
Make your own packages (recipe here) and Mix up some cookies with your kiddo. They love seeing and tasting the results (so does daddy). Again, this will  make your child very proud of his/her work that he has accomplished!

Activity #8: Cloud Dough
Cloud dough is so much fun! there are so many cool things about cloud dough, it feels cool. Smells cool. And if you keep it in a Gallon Zip lock baggie it lasts you a long time to use over and over! This will keep my son busy for about 30 minutes. Click this link here to get recipe. 

Activity #9:Play Dough
Making play dough is not only cheaper but it is a lot more fun to do at home! Making play dough is something your kids will love! they get to make the coolest thing in the world right in their kitchen! Click this link to get recipe. 

Activity #10: Cleaning games & fun
Okay. Fun cleaning games are not hard to find. Its all about mamma or baby sitters attitude towards the game. Grab a kitchen timer. set it for 3 minutes. Grab some cookies or some candy. Less that 10 more than 5. When the timer goes off and the floor is picked up give them all of the candies! If not subtract the candy to the amount of toys left on the floor. This will help motivate them to get their toys picked up and their room cleaned. My son really loves this game. 

Activity #11: Make Stamps!

Making stamps is really easy. All you need are some bottle tops, Foam sticky figures and shapes, stick them on the top of the bottle top and dip in paint. Super easy, super fun! Here for tutorial.

Activity #12: Dance PARTY!
Go to www.aol.com or www.klove.com and click the radio on the top right corner. Turn on some awesome free music! Turn off TV's put your hair all crazy and get them dancing! Moms always say "no running in the house" but in this case, chase each other and tickle. Even do a tango dance with your kiddo in your hands. 

Activity #13: Rice Play
Rice is a great sensory play for kids. It is okay to eat, not always suggested but its obviously non toxic. Poor your rice into a cake pan with measuring cups and spoons. Make sure the kiddos know the rules but it is a cool fun game and it will really get their attention! 

Activity #14: Mommy gets a make over 
Since i have a boy, i don't always like it when he puts make up on. He LOVES my make up so... today I'm letting him put make up on me! Its a fun thing for him and a cool bonding experience for us and Maybe ill let him put some on too!  ... MAYBE

Activity #15: STORY TIME
Grab your books, get in your fort and start reading! 

Activity #16: Grocery Store
Make a trip the the dollar or grocery store. Make a short list. Make sure you have your deals from. www.couponmom.com and your coupons from www.coupons.com and go! But SAVE YOUR MONEY! don't just go and spend $50 on junk you don't need! Be smart moms!

Activity #17: Zip lock Painting
Fill a Gallon Zip lock bag with finger paint, let them go to town! Just no scratching the bag, it will break. Tape it to a sliding door or window. Let them play! Mess FREE! Tutorial Here

Activity #18: Car ride 
If the sun does or does not come out. GO FOR A DRIVE! These are fun to do. go down dirt roads, ways you have never taken before. Doesn't have to be long but just make a fun time!

Activity #19: Make a book!
Make up a story, write it down. have your kid draw pictures or scribble. Have them tell you what to put in the story.  Bind it together or staple it, give it to daddy and for others to see! 

Activity #20: Movie and Nap Time
 If all else fails, or you have done a few games/ projects on here, Cuddle up, pop in a movie, and take a NAP! 

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! Rainy Days ROCK! SO EXCITED!

My son is now 4 years old. Its the rainy season again and I have a few NEW ideas!!!

Activity #21: Memory cards and puzzles! I have deifnately noticed as my son has gotten older i am not longer trying to push games on him that he is unable to do. He is chalk full of energy and everyone knows it! We need to chanel the energy into something positive. When your child is ready, start doing puzzles and memory cards with them! Sit down, set the timer for 5 mins see how many matchs you can get in that amount of time. Try to let your child be more independent as hes learning how to memorize. Just make life fun for them! No sence of them growing up when they are preschoolers and toddlers!

Activity #22: Let them make lunch!  Teach them how to make popcorn in the microwave and put peanut butter and jelly on their bread! They may not do it perfect but independence comes with responsibility and makng sure their momma eats is definately somewhere to start!