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May 23, 2013

What to do with all those empty K-cups....



I personally don't use k-cups, but that's because I'm pretty stuck in my ways about grinding my coffee, and having a full pot going at all times.

However, after a reader asked me about how to reuse these, so at least they were getting a second life, instead of going into the trash, I came up with some ideas that I think you'll like....

1.) For the Holidays:
*Slip those little cups over your outdoor Christmas lights to create little lamp shades. I tried this out, and they look adorable, and since the outdoor lights don't get very warm, there's no fear of melting.

*Use them to make a wreath. Grab some floral wire, and a wreath base. Wrap the wreath base in pretty ribbon, then attach the K-cups with the wire. They look like little bells. You can also paint the cups to add a little more "Flare".

*Garland for your tree. You an use pretty ribbon, or even yarn. If your little ones decorate the cups, this will give you a special decoration for your tree, stairway, or above a window.

2.) Crafts.
*There are a variety of colors of K-cups. I recently saw a picture of someone that created a 3D wall hanging from them. The great thing about Art is that it doesn't need to be perfect. Abstract has always been hot!

*Little people. Have your child glue the two bottoms together, and add a large pom-pom as a head. You can decorate these little people with clothes, google eyes, whatever you'd like. This is not only cute, but the kids love playing with their new "Toy".

*Doll Purse. If your child has a Barbie, this can be turned into a cute little tote bag for her. Poke two holes, for the handles. Use a piece of yarn to thread through. Tie a knot, and decorate the cup. Cute little purse.

*Mini flower pots. Fill with top soil, and add a few seeds for your favorite flower. (This is great to do with kids) Within a few days, the seedlings will start to sprout. When the plant outgrows the little planter (this is great for a starter), just transfer them to your garden or a large planter.

3.) For the home:
*Popsicle drip catchers. Make a slit on the bottom(Make sire it's big enough for the stick). Slide it about 3/4 of the way up the Popsicle stick, and all those drips from the bottom, will be caught in the cup.

*Curtain Tie Backs. Paint the cup to match your colors. thread the loop of a tassel, through the hole on the bottom. This adds that little "extra" to that once boring tie back.

*Treat baskets for parties. Decorate the little k-cups, add a cut little handle (Or not) with ribbon, and fill with treats (Nuts, candies, dried fruit).

May 6, 2013

Black Forrest Pie

It looks way more difficult then it really is.

What you Need:
4 bars unsweetened baking chocolate
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp almond extract
1 1/2 cups whipping cream, whipped
1 9" baked pie crust (Homemade or store bought)
1 20 ounce can of cherry pie filling, chilled

Melt chocolate and condensed milk in a sauce pan, over medium heat. Mix well! Remove from heat and add almond extract. Let cool. When mixture is at room temp, pour chocolate into whipped cream and fold gently until both are combined.Pour into pie crust. Chill for 1 hour.

To serve, spoon a heaping spoonful of cherry filling over each slice.

May 2, 2013

30 days, Day 19

Master Bedroom

Cleaning List:
-Dust
-Vacuum
-Dressers
-Clothes
-Fix bed (Swap Sheets)
-Windows
-Walls
-Bedside tables


Photo: This is my alternate bedspread.  :) Photo: Tonight is day 19 of the 30 Days Series.  After the kiddos are in bed, I will post.  Until then, here is my bedroom... Excuse my silly dog... Lol

(Changing a bedspread can change the entire look of the room)


TIPS:Try to keep those bedside tables, free of too much clutter. I  actually keep a little basket, to place my book, journal or whatever else I may be reading. Having a place to put those loose items, make them easier to find, and appear more organized.

Don't have a headboard? Use decorative sconces to give the area at the head of the bed, some height.

Being able to see dirty laundry, always makes the room appear messy. Find a laundry basket with a lid. This makes the room look finished and tidy.

Do you keep your perfume on top of a vanity or dresser?  I do, but those bottles sometimes leak, so I went down and found this cute little wall mirror (Roughly 6x9), for $1.99 and placed it mirror side up on top of my dresser. It was a cute way to display my perfume bottles as well as protect my dresser...and it looks organized.

Use blank space for storage. I have a 12 inch gap under my bed and my dresser. I have those large sweater bags with zippers (Super cheap...I got mine at the $ Store,and I've had them for 4 years). I wash all of my outgoing seasonal clothes and pack them nicely in those bags, and tuck them under my bed. I also have a bag that holds a spare bedspread, and set of sheets so I can just pull it out when it's time to put fresh bedding on. I highly recommend having two sets of sheets that you love. By rotating them, they will both last much longer. Extra towels for the Master bath can also be hidden in those spots.
Find cheap bookshelves, and slip them in your closet, to make the most of that closet space. This gives you several shelves for storage AND looks organized when you open the doors.

My actual Cleaning Schedule...Straight from my chart!

Monday:
*Bathrooms
-Sweep
-Mop
-Counters
-Clothes/towels
-Tub/Showers
-Mirrors
-Trash
-Sinks
-Toilets
-Clutter
-Drawers
-Shelves
-Dust
-Rugs
-Walls
-Fixtures

*Weekend Laundry
*Poop Scoop Yard
*Food Prep for week

 Tuesday:
*Livingroom
-Vacuum
-Dust
-Windows
-Tables
-Couch/Loveseat
-Clutter
-Walls
-E. Center

*Our Bedroom
-Dust
-Vacuum
-Dressers
-Clothes
-Fix bed (Swap Sheets)
-Windows
-Walls
-Bedside tables

*Dining Room
-Vacuum
-Dust
-Table
-Chairs
-Bar area
-Windows
-Curtains

*One load laundry
*Wash all bedding
*Vaccum all of house


Wednesday:
*Kitchen
-Counters
-Dishes
-Sweep
-Mop
-Windows
-Table
-Island
-Walls
-Fridge
-Freezer
-Pantry
-Trash
-Sink
-Coffee Pot
-Microwave
-Rug
-Chairs

*One load of laundry
*Scoop/Swap Litter box
*Collect all trash and bring to curb

Thursday:
*Office
-Vacuum
-Dust
-Shelves
-Trash
-Recycling
-Clean up desk
-Windows
-Gaming area org.
-Sliding glass door
-Shoe rack
-File papers

*Tidy Bathroom
-Wipe down
*Scoop Poop
*One Load of laundry
*Tidy Garage
-Sweep
-Trash
-Organize

Friday:
*Whole house once over
-Vacuum
-Put things away
-Wipe down
-Trash

*Load of laundry
*Guest Room
-Cat box
-Vacuum
-Dust
-Check sheets
-Tidy up

Saturday:
*Yard Work
-Mow
-Weed
-Weedeat
-Scoop Poop
-Trash
-Beautify
*Wash car

Sunday:
BUM DAY!!

*Laundry

30 Days, Day 17

Small Spaces...


Photo: This is currently the main area for our homeschooling area, but could be used as a "Homework" or "office" space, if desired.  On each clipboard is out weekly spelling lists.  The dryer erase calendar is currently blank, since it is the start of the month, but it will be full by this evening.  The bookshelf hold all of our binders, journals, practice workbooks, etc...

This is currently the main area for our homeschooling area, but could be used as a "Homework" or "office" space, if desired. On each clipboard is out weekly spelling lists. The dryer erase calendar is currently blank, since it is the start of the month, but it will be full by this evening. The bookshelf hold all of our binders, journals, practice workbooks, etc...
 
 
Photo: Chore corner... 

This little space in my kitchen is where our responsibility charts, are kept.  The two hooks on the bottom, hold daily chore/responsibility cards for each child.  The top two clipboards hold my weekly cleaning/household chart, and a notepad for jotting things down (grocery lists,  phone calls, things I need to transfer to my planner).  I love having a notepad when I need one.
 
 
Chore corner...

This little space in my kitchen is where our responsibility charts, are kept. The two hooks on the bottom, hold daily chore/responsibility cards for each child. The top two clipboards hold my weekly cleaning/household chart, and a notepad for jotting things down (grocery lists, phone calls, things I need to transfer to my planner). I love having a notepad when I need one.
 
 
Photo: The laundry room.. 

I'm am so thrilled to finally have an actual laundry room, but the few problems I had, we're that since I am only 4'11,  I can't reach that shelf above the washer and dryer.  So instead, I found a bookshelf to use for all of my laundry stuff on top of the dryer, I spread out a towel and use the top for my folding.  My homemade laundry soap and fabric softener are on the right of the wash machine, in mini plastic trash cans, with lids. I store my laundry basket above the washer and dryer, because is sticks out and I can reach it, but it's also off of the floor... Behind the door, I have my mops and brooms on hooks.
 
 
The laundry room..

I'm am so thrilled to finally have an actual laundry room, but the few problems I had, we're that since I am only 4'11, I can't reach that shelf above the washer and dryer. So instead, I found a bookshelf to use for a...ll of my laundry stuff on top of the dryer, I spread out a towel and use the top for my folding. My homemade laundry soap and fabric softener are on the right of the wash machine, in mini plastic trash cans, with lids. I store my laundry basket above the washer and dryer, because is sticks out and I can reach it, but it's also off of the floor... Behind the door, I have my mops and brooms on hooks.