My crafty friends strike again!

I have so many creative and crafty friends. I wonder why that is? I think I'm just attracted to these kind of people. They are so warm and kind and just overall happy people. I think all of us have some craftiness in there somewhere.

My good friend Christine Pirtle is making these ADORABLE necklaces and selling them for $25 that includes 3 charms with whatever saying you want stamped on there. The charms are oversized so it's a very chunky and cool piece. Like my Sonnie charm is 2" wide and the "love" charm is 2" long. Love it!! Email her at ctuzz2002@yahoo.com if you want one for yourself. Great mother's day gift huh?

My VERY favorite kitchen appliance EVER!!!

I can't remember where I got this little gadget. I think my dad got it for me at a garage sale or maybe I got it at a garage sale? I can't remember. Anyway, thought it would be good for the camper until I discovered it's awesomeness!

It's a crockpot like thing but the top is removable from the warmer base so you can brown your meet in the non-stick pan directly on the stove (see picture) and then transfer over to the warmer so no dirtying up another pan! The base also happens to be a little griddle if you wanted to make a couple of eggs on it or a pancake or two. Never done that but it would work great.

You can buy a new one w/ a handy case from Target. Here's the link: West Bend Slow Cooker

Worth every penny!!

I don't always have time to make dinner right at 5 but I always have time to make it at like 2ish so like today for example I browned my ground turkey with taco seasoning and then put it on the warmer at the low setting and added some RoTel so the meat would stay moist and then when we get home from our activities it will be so much easier to throw together the taco salad. I think this is the coolest little gadget that I never even knew existed before. It's like the perfect little size too that can be cleaned so much easier than my traditional crockpot. Can I say enough about this? Sorry to go on and on!!

Beyond PB&J - Tulsa World

I posted this earlier and thought I'd repost today as some of us are back to trying to get inspired as we pack lunches again. Enjoy!

I clipped this article out of my very favorite newspaper, The Tulsa World, a couple years ago and hung it inside my pantry for those times when both me and the girls are bored with their lunch boxes. It has some great ideas for lunches.

Big sis has recently started packing her own lunch which was sort of a punishment for complaining about what I packed for her but turns out she really loves packing her own lunch and prefers to pack it herself. Next stop...she does her own laundry!!!

http://www.tulsaworld.com/twpdfs/2007/FINAL/W_072907_D_3.PDF

Food Find!

I broke up with bagels over 3 years ago when I joined Weight Watchers. I lost 46 pounds 3 years ago and have only had one bagel since I joined WW. It's just one of those weakness foods for me and I have to stay away. Did you know some bagels can be 9 Weight Watcher points!!! I only get 21 points a day so that just wasn't going to fly. They just aren't worth it to me any more. I found these new bagel thins at Wal Mart the other day and they are only........wait......this is exciting......1 WW point each!!!! And it comes in Everything flavor which is my FAV!!! Can you tell I'm excited? They basically took a bagel and gutted it and made it really flat. You still get the flavor just not the gigantic bread blob of a bagel. That actually still sounds really good to me, a gigantic bread blog. Yum! If you pair this little bagel thin with a laughing cow cheese wedge it's only 2 WW points total. That's just what I had for lunch and it was GOOD!!

Laundry Confession

I have a confession. I don't do Mike's laundry. I know, isn't it terrible? I have just never done it, his clothes take forever to sort, wash and dry and I find that it just makes me happier when he does his own laundry. I do all the other laundry in the house and I really don't despise doing laundry like some people and I think it's because I don't do Mike's laundry. I only have to do laundry about once every two weeks between me and the girls. If I had to do Mike's laundry I would have to do it like every other day or so just to keep ahead of it. Now, I have been known to do his laundry when I feel sorry for him like when he's worked a whole bunch and hadn't had time to do it or if he's sick. Or like when his dad had a heart attack and I was so nervous at home with the girls while they were all at the hospital all I could think to do to help was do Mike's laundry. Every once in a while (very rarely actually) I feel kind of guilty for not doing his laundry, more now that I don't work, but then I hear someone complaining about doing laundry and I think to myself the guilt is worth the satisfaction I get out of not doing his stinky laundry.

For all mamas out there

Inside Recess Game

The oldest has the most amazing first grade teacher. She's just AMAZING and we all really love her. I'm always trying to find ways to thank her for all she does. She mentioned the other day that she needed more inside recess stuff for the girls to do. I have been saving our Folgers coffee containers for a while because they seem so useful for something???I put together this little stamp kit for girls for inside recess days for her classroom. I used scrapbook paper and Modge Podge to cover the sides that said Folgers coffee and the top I had to use E6000 glue because the Modge Podge wouldn't stick. I used my 40% coupon at Hobby Lobby and got a stamp set for around $5 that I put inside. Good thing I finished it just in time for no more inside recess. : )