Diaper Box Makeover - Pinterest Project of the Week

Although I use cloth diapers when we are at home...I have chosen to use disposables when we are out and about, especially when we travel! Therefore, I have several diaper boxes.  I also am trying to organize my daughter's closet in a cute and inexpensive way.  Therefore, I saw a great idea on Pinterest about covering diaper boxes. The idea that I read mentioned using contact paper or sticky shelf paper.  When I went shopping the cheapest I could find was approximately $6 + tax, and, it was partially see-through.  So, as I was walking through the store, I found a large display of very cute duck tape!  Voila!  I actually bought 2 rolls ($3 each) because I had other projects that needed duck tape!

This project used less than one roll of duck tape (I probably could cover 2 boxes with just one roll).  I was beyond excited about how my project turned out!!  Check out the pictures below and let me know what you think!


I began with one diaper box...

Use scissors or a box cutter to remove the top flaps (I think using a box cutter is much easier!)...

I then began placing the duck tape (I alternated my two designs just for fun!)

The finished product is now in my daughter's closet holding all kinds of wonderful things!!  Seriously! This was so much cheaper than purchasing storage cubes!  I could easily have done 2 boxes from one roll of duck tape and possibly had a little left over!!  Yay for super Pinterest project!!

Let me know what method you try and how it worked out for you!

DIY Laundry Stain Remover

So, my beautiful little distraction tends to create stains on her cute little pink clothes!  And since little girls look much cuter in clean clothes, I had to find a great stain remover!  My Mom told me about a home made stain remover that she had found and tried and how wonderfully it worked!  It got out a stain that had been in a sweater for years!  So, I decided to try it, and I love it!  This is my second batch...

You will need:

Dish Detergent (I used Dawn)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking Soda
Small Container (I use a small canning jar)

Mix all ingredients in container and you are done!  How easy was that?  As the mixture sits the baking soda does seem to settle to the bottom.  I use a small spatula to stir the mixture before each use and then to apply it to the stained clothes.  I just keep the stain remover and the spatula right beside the washer!  I hope this works as well for you as it has for me!

DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent

So, I had hoped to post this much sooner! However, I currently have a very cute distraction:

So, I am finally getting around to re-posting this with more details and pictures!  I have been using homemade laundry detergent for a couple years now and I absolutely love it!!  This recipe will make 10 gallons (the 5-gallon bucket is double concentrate that you will mix with water as you use it).  I could not even tell you the money we have saved by using this as opposed to purchasing detergent!

You will need:
          - 5 gallon bucket (with lid)
          - 1 bar of soap (Fels Naptha, Ivory, Castille...)
          - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
          - Borax

You will need about 2 cups of water in a medium sauce pan, on medium heat.  

Grate your bar of soap into the saucepan of water.

Stir until the soap is completely melted.

I usually place my 5 gallon bucket in the bathtub.  I also measure my Washing Powder and Borax ahead of time and place them in a small container.  After the soap is dissolved in the water, pour the soap mixture into your 5 gallon bucket. Add your Washing Powder and Borax.  Stir until the dry mixture is completely dissolved.

Fill the bucket with water and let sit overnight.

It's consistency will turn to a gelatin like consistency, with some liquid around the edges.  When you are ready to use it, simply fill a laundry detergent container half way with the homemade mixture and then finish filling the container with water. Shake well and use just like you would your regular detergent!

**If you want, you can add some essential oils for a nice scent**

I hope that this has been helpful!!! Please feel free to comment below!

Taco Bites

Sunday night was a devotion followed by a fellowship meal at our church.  My sweetheart wanted to take something including deer meat (since he recently got a beautiful 9-pointer with his bow).  I had seen Taco Bites on Pinterest, but I had not (and still haven't) taken the time to read the recipe...So, I made my own as I went.  Apparently they were good because my dish came home empty!

I started my fresh deer meat.  I love to begin with some olive oil and fresh garlic before I add the ground meat.  After the meat was completely cooked (browned) I added my home-made taco seasoning!  After I add the seasoning I let the meat continue to cook on low for a few minutes.  While the meat is cooking I prepared some refried beans. In the interest of time, I opened a can and added 2T water, and heated them for about 1 minute.

Lightly spray your pans.  Line with tortilla shell.  I have made these myself...and oh my - so delicious! However, as I mentioned earlier - in the interest of time, I chose to use store bought.  I purchased the small size and cut them into quarters.

 Next, I added a small spoonful of refried beans.

On top of the refried beans I added a small spoon of the seasoned meat, and sprinkled with a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.  

I then repeated the first three steps.  This makes two layers of tortilla shell, beans, meat, and cheese.

Bake at 325 for about 15-20 minutes and....

They smelled so delicious!  Everyone seemed to enjoy them.  I would serve them with a bowl of salsa and a bowl of sour cream.  That way people can customize them for their own preferences!  

Enjoy!

Let's Try This Again...

So, in my last post, I stated that I would be blogging again....which I truly had every intention of doing.  However, my computer had other intentions! :)  Don't you just love technology some days?  Anyhow, the computer is once again in a cooperative mood and this time, I am back! :)  I have several things lined up to blog about over the next week or so including a recipe or two, some home remodeling, and of course something crafty! So, please, don't give up on me! 

I look forward to sharing with you soon!!

~

I'm Back!!

Well friends, I have taken some time off from blogging, but I have certainly missed it! So, I'm back!!  I have a plethora of ideas to blog about and can't wait to get started!  First things first...I have some exciting news to share!!

 

There will be another pair of boots beside the back door in January!!

 

Although Cooper isn't showing his excitement...he truly is excited! He has loved 'sniffing' all the new things are making their way into the house!

Therefore, you can probably expect my blog to begin containing baby things also...this could get crazy - crazy fun!!

Thanks for reading!

Spinach and PepperJack stuffed Chicken

So, we all know that I absolutely love to cook!  Sometimes I wonder why I chose to get a degree in education?  Then, I remember how much I love my little angels in my classroom also!  So, I teach for a job and I cook for fun! :)  I have been working during the past year to grow my small cake/baking business and I have had so much fun with cake decorating!  I will try to post some pics of the cakes later.  For tonight, we'll talk about what I just ate for dinner!  Ohhhh my!  It was delicious!  This is another recipe that has been put into the 'rotation' by my sweet Mountain Man.  I found this recipe via Pinterest, and the actual recipe can be found here. 

The first time I made this...it looked horrendous!  However, it did taste very good!  So, I decided to make it again.  Of course, it seems nothing I make ever goes exactly as planned!  I thought that I had pepperjack cheese in the fridge - well, not so much!  So, I combined some cheddar and mozzarella with some red pepper flakes to use instead of the pepperjack cheese.  I also chose to cook my own spinach because it was cheaper than buying the frozen. 

So, the recipe with my modifications is:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded (you can use up to 6 oz)
• (Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes)
• 1c cooked and drained spinach (I did not use exact measures here)
•  olive oil
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs (I use my own - see below)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lots of toothpicks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Flatten the chicken

In a medium bowl, combine the pepper jack cheese, spinach, salt and pepper.

Combine the Cajun seasoning and breadcrumbs together in a small bowl.

Spoon about 1/4 c of the spinach mixture onto each chicken breast. Roll each chicken breast tightly and fasten the seams with several toothpicks. This part requires a tiny bit of skill and I typically use about 8 toothpicks in each roll to ensure none of the filling seeps out. Be sure to count how many total toothpicks were used!

Brush each chicken breast with the olive oil. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning mixture evenly over all. Sprinkle any remaining spinach and cheese on top of chicken (optional).

Place the chicken seam-side up onto a tin foil-lined baking sheet (for easy cleanup). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Remove the toothpicks before serving. Count to make sure you have removed every last toothpick. Serve whole or slice into medallions.

I left her directs the same because I really didn't do any of that differently.  I noted that I did not use exact measures on the spinach - I have a difficult knowing how much to put into the pot for it to cook down the exact amount, so I fill up my littlest pot and just hope for the best - so far this has worked wonderfully!  As far as bread crumbs - I learned from my wonderful Mother that there was no sense buying something I already had!  Whenever I make biscuits or bread there usually ends up one lonely piece or one lonely biscuit.  So, I crumble up that leftover bread.  I keep a Ziploc bag in my freezer and as I have leftover bread I add it to the bag.  I also have a bag for the little cheese cracker crumbs!  They are great for breading chicken fingers - but that is a different blog! 

Here is what my chicken looked like the 2nd time:

 

And the inside...

 

 

I promise you this was delicious!  And, my Mom had the wonderful idea of substituting broccoli for the spinach...may have to try that!!!

 

Let me know how this works for you!