Thursday, August 1, 2013

Freezer Meal--from Most any Meal

As Back-to-School time begins to encroach on our Summer fun, its time to start finding ways to make those School days a little less hectic.  One idea: Freezer Meals.  We've all made freezer meals before the arrival of a new baby in the name of saving time and effort, now its time to make and use them again.



Freezer meals are quite easy.  I just double a meal and place half of it in a freezer bag and cook the other half for dinner.  Doubling a recipe takes very little effort and thus saves a lot of time.  Soups, Pasta dishes, and Casseroles all work great as Freezer Meals.

I write the meal instructions on the freezer bag.  Pull it out to thaw at lunch time, thaw in the microwave, or set a meal in the Refridgerator before you head out in the morning. Then just before dinner time place in a dish and bake.

Enjoy!



Saturday, July 6, 2013

DIY Burlap Wreath


I've been wanting a wreath for the door and saw this one on pinterest.  I thought the burlap was cute and that it was great because it just used a wire hanger and not a wreath form.  I did mine a little different because I liked the look more (it seemed fuller/more structured).

Here is what you need:
A wire hanger
1 1/2 yards burlap cut into 3" wide strips
any other decorations

1- Bend your hanger out into a circle
2- untwist the hanger where it comes together
you can use pliers to help if needed
3- thread your burlap onto the hanger
(put it on, fold it over, and twist 180deg - hopefully the picture helps!)
4- keep going until it is as full as you want it
5- twist the top of the hanger back together
6- add any other decorations you want

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

How to cut a watermelon - Aunty style


The other day Mommy showed you how she cuts a watermelon.  I thought I would share how I cut a watermelon.  I learned this way from my sister-in-law.  I like it because you don't have to cut the rind off of each ring/slice.

1- cut your watermelon in half and lay the cut side down
2- cut the rind off of the sides
3- cut the rind off of the top part
4- the rind is all cut off!
5- slice it one direction
6- lay your slices down and slice again
7- turn your pile and slice one more time so you have cubes
8- all ready to eat!!!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Chili Mac

Chili Mac is something that I learned in college.  It is a great way to stretch a box of Macaroni and Cheese and adds some protein too.

1 box macaroni and cheese
1 can chili

Prepare the macaroni and cheese per box directions.  Put it back in the pan and add the can of chili.  Warm until heated through and enjoy!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

How to Cut a Watermelon

Summer and Watermelon just go together.

But sometimes Watermelon cutting can seem daunting.
I try to keep it simple and quick,  and easy to eat for my little ones.


Push knife lengthwise, straight into melon...
Then around like the hands of a clock, turning melon half way through.


Now that you have melon rings...
Cut rind off, around the ring, then remove rind.
Cut slices in a checker board pattern and place in bowl.

Repeat with other slices, either as needed, or all at once.
To get the fruit out of the melon's end cap 'bowls', use a melon baller or spoon and dig out 'balls' of melon.

Enjoy Summer!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Father's Day Handprint Craft

It might go without saying, but DIY Daddy is pretty handy around the house.
He also needs a few work shirts to get dirty in as he works.

Thus, our Father's Day Gift: a personalized Handy-Daddy t-shirt.


How to: Use craft paint and stamps to write out the saying.  (Clean paint off stamps quickly after use.) Then paint the children's hands and carefully place down on shirt, pressing each finger and palm down firmly, then lift straight up.  

Other possible sayings..."Zoe's Handyman", "Our Handyman", "Daddy's our Handyman", "Tyler and Emma's Handy-Daddy".

Top row: back of t-shirt.
Bottom row: front of t-shirt

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Summer Mohawk

Last summer I thought it would be fun to take, now 3 year old Tommie's long locks and instead of going straight for a summer butch give him a mohawk for a bit first.  
He loved it.  His siblings loved it.  

So, fast forward to this summer, where Tommie has been asking for his mohawk back.
Alrighty kiddo, here comes your mohawk!



Summer Mohawk How-to
(For regular haircuts skip to step 2.)


1. Using a comb to make straight line parts, gather the hair in the middle of the head into a couple of ponytails--gathering and lifting the mohawk-to-be out of the way.  I don't go all the way to the neck with the mohawk, but stop a few inches up instead...that bottom hair doesn't mohawk well.


2. Cut all hair that is not in a ponytail using clippers.  In this case I used a #3 clipper attachment.  Work carefully around the ponytails, trying not to catch any hair you don't mean to.  Go over the hair with the clippers a couple of times to insure you don't have any long hairred straglers.

3. Using the ear attachment, clip/clean-up right around ears.

4. Clean-up and create a straight line at the neck, by using the clippers--no attachment--on lowest setting. Holding clippers upside down, start by placing clippers at desired hairline and 'shaving' down the neck towards shoulders, going down as far as there are stray hairs.  Make sense? ;)


5. When your finished cutting it should look something like this.  Ponytails down the middle an. a clean cut all around.

6. Take the ponytails out.

7. Style using mousse, fiber gum, hairspray, gel--whatever you've got--and a little hairdryer action to hold in place.



Note:  The above how-to can be used for regular hair cuts too, just cut all the hair instead of leaving a mohawk.





It's HOT! Time for a Milkshake!

We've been playing outside this morning, and it's hot.  Now I think we need something cold and yummy.


Banana Milk Shake

1 C. Milk
1 Banana
2 C. Vanilla Ice Cream

Blend it all in the blender until smooth.  Make more by doubling your ingredients.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Clearance plants


When I was at Lowes today I happened upon a couple of racks of clearance plants. A lot of them were $0.10 and the bigger perennials that I got were $0.50.  My grand total: $1.60. Not too shabby!
Check it out and see if there are any flowers/plants on clearance where you are.

Crepes with Strawberry Jam

Now that we have fresh jam in house we need something to eat with.
Time for some Crepes!
Crepes

2 Beaten Eggs
1 1/2 C. Milk
1 C. Flour
1 T. Oil
Dash of Salt

Combine all ingredients, stirring just until combined.
In a warmed, greased, round-skillet pour about 1/4 C. batter, then lift skillet and tilt it around in a circle to spread the batter thinly, thus forming a crepe.

Crepe making takes some time, so I will warm the oven to about 200 deg., turn it off and then place finished crepes on a cookie sheet in the oven to stay warm until I have finished cooking all of the batter.

To eat: place a small amount of jam down the center of a crepe.  Roll crepe up and watch them all disappear.