What is a Zen Hug?

God Morning dear readers,  It's another nice overcast day in California, which means I can go outside with out getting a headache.  Any ways I digress here, several people have asked me What is a Zen Hug? I put this in my signature line when responding to people and people have been curious.  I am a big fan of Anne McCaffrey and in her brain ship novels one of the characters came up with zen hugs-a hug you would give in person if you were able to give it.  I think everyone needs a hug because they are such a release of emotion. Did you know their was an article a long time ago of a club in Seattle that meets just to give its members hugs.  Recently in the news there's a company that will come to  your house and hug you for half an hour.  I thought this was very interesting.  People realize the power of hugs.  If  you had enough people give you a hug you wouldn't need therapy.  You would feel  loved.  So give your family members hugs today and if you have people in your life who live faraway send a ZEN HUG.

                                                      Frankie giving his toy a hug

Frankie's Corner-Mom Pleeease Get that Camera Away

Good Morning dear readers,  Frankie's not happy with me his other pics didn't turn out.  So I had to take some more and here's his reaction.

                                            Mom Get IT AWAY NOW.

                                                      Crazy Humans and their camera.

                                                      I'm going back to sleep.

                                                    Can you please turn off that light.

Frankies Aires Above the Ground

Good Morning dear readers,  Here's some cute ones of Frankie happy that Conor's home.  Looks like he's doing the tricks of the Lippanzana Stallions.

Art and Mental Health

Good Morning dear readers,  This was supposed to be posted yesterday but the boys gave me some kind of bug.  I'm better now just a headache.  I'm loving my new hobby-art journaling. But I realized something the other day, its not really new to me.  I've been jouraling off and on for years now.  I never thought to put art components into it until recently. The Internet is a wonderful source to learn a lot about art journaling. If you've ever considered art journaling check out YouTube tutorials, so very interesting and informative.  I'm not very good at drawing but in this form you don't have to be good.  You can use other components to get your message across.  You can use paint, stencils, crayons, stickers anything you want will do it.  There's even a tutorial on turning a comp book into an art journal.  I will be doing this soon and sharing on the blog.  Another reason I love art journaling it helps me with my depression/anxiety and stress.  If you read my blog you know I have MS and stress is not good for me.   I'm able to keep it under control through expressing what's going on in my mind. This is a wonderful release.  Especially when you've got a lot going on in your life.  I did my first page and I wanted to share it with you.  It has a little bit of everything paints, stenciling, scrap booking bits.  Enjoy and check it art journaling on YouTube.

                                           For easy pinning http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207470059928/

Linking to this party
http://tatertotsandjello.com/2014/03/link-party-palooza-daybreak-utahs-lulu-lemon-giveaway.html

Breakfast Hashbrown Muffin Bake

Good Morning dear readers,  I finally got a chance to create this recipe that's been in my head for awhile.  It combines potatoes, eggs and bacon. A really good combination.  This will really come in handy for Easter break. It doesn't take long in the oven-about 15 minutes even the kids can cook this recipe.  If you've got teens tell them your cooking during break and here's the recipe.  I basically took leftover items in the fridge and put them together.

Bag of frozen cubed hash browns-used enough to fill six muffin cups

2 large eggs

pouch of  precooked bacon bits-used about 1/4 cup

cooking spray

muffin pan

Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Fill muffin cups half way with hash browns.  Pour egg mixture over hash browns.  Put in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Remove and let sit for a couple of minutes. Ready to eat and boy are they yummy.  P.S.  you can add cheese or anything to make it your own.  My kids are not big fans of cheese.

linking to this party
http://tatertotsandjello.com/2014/03/link-party-palooza-daybreak-utahs-lulu-lemon-giveaway.html

It smells like spring must be a cake

Good Morning dear readers, Sorry been a little lax with the recipes been dealing with the ms.  So I decided the boys are out of town and I have peace and quiet, which gives me time to bake.  We are returning to the scene of the crime so to speak.  Like I said when we made the orange dreamsicle cake their are a lot more cake recipes in "Death Takes The Cake" by Melinda Wells.  This one is called a Lemon Funeral Cake because it was served at Funerals.  I think it should be called a spring cake because it smells like spring  I started mixing the batter and the smell was to die for so yummy. This recipe was altered to fit my families needs.

So here's what you'll need to make this cake:

1 package lemon supreme cake mix
2 eggs go for the large
3/4 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cups water
1 package instant lemon pudding
 cooking spray

turn oven on to 350 degrees
mix cake batter with pudding add water and oil and blend well.  Add your eggs one at time between eggs beat your batter until blended.

I used a bundt pan for my cake you can use an angel food cake pan.  First time I get to use my pan I bought it at a yard sale.  I love to get things to use in the kitchen.  Coat pan with cooking spray and pour batter in it.
Bake for 55-60 minutes or until done oven temps vary. After you take it out let it cool in the pan 10 minutes.
This is a poke cake so poke some holes in it and pour glaze over the top. Letting it soak in and absorb

Here's the glaze
1 1/2 orange juice (I used aloha morning citrus blend reminds me of elementary school punch )
4 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups confectioners sugar

Blend all ingredients into mixing bowl and pour over cake. Put has much as it will take.  I ended up only using half didn't want it to get soggy.  Tastes so orangy and lemony like spring.

                                              For easy pinning  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207470000985/

CVS Haul-Whole lotta Purex 98% Savings

Good Afternoon dear readers,  I got to go to CVS this week especially after finding out down to two bottles of  laundry soap.  You know what that means time to stock up.  CVS only had the regular kind not the no sort, which I know we all want it to be the no sort kind with the $1.50/1 coupons available. So just hold on to them.  You can still print the one for $1.50/2 on coupons.com which is what I used.  Here's the breakdown on what I got.  Hope this helps with your shopping.

1st Transaction

3-General Mills Cereals used $1/2 coupon

3-7up brand 12 pk sodas

before coupons/sales   $33.74                 O.O.P after coupons/sales/ecbs  $20.80     Savings of 38%

This also got me $7 in ecb's

2nd Transaction

3-bottles purex laundry soap  which was on sale for b1g2f  used the $1.50/2 coupon

4-cans friskies wet food (Frankie's buddy going out of town this is to keep him from driving me nuts)

before sales/coupons/ecbs  $22.27                      O.O.P    $1.19        Savings of  98%

                                                       Both transactions together.

Decorated Chalk Board Picture Frame

Good Evening, dear readers,  I'm still learning about the art journaling all the different techniques.  So I don't have any of that yet to post.  But to keep me busy love the crafts,  I've found something to work on and share with you.  It's a lovely chalk board picture frame good for leaving messages to your kids.

So here's what you'll need to create this lovely piece of work:

Chalk board picture frame (found at wal-mart)

paint acrylic in pure pink

Sharpie's CHECK THESE OUT  (found a package of these called the 80's glam so cool-their is a coupon available for $1.50)

Flower Beads

Ceramic Ice Cream Cone (found at thrift store in craft area)

paint brushes 

letter stencils

adhesive glue

                                               Paint with your acrylic paint.

                          Here's those wonderful sharpie's use your stencils to fill in your choice of words.

                         Glue on your elements like flower beads and ice cream cone ceramic piece.
                         For easy pinning http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207469978154/

                                                   Let dry and your done.

Linking to this great party check it out
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2014/03/flaunt-it-friday-198.html

Easter Decorations Thrifting Haul

Good Morning dear readers,  I went to the lovely little church thrift shop just around the corner and found some really cute stuff.  Be sure and check your local thrift shops they definitely started putting out Easter Decorations and they are so cute.  I found all this for $4 so no need to break the bank.

Happy Thrifting and enjoy your day.

Wordless Wednesday-What I can't go to Tahoe

Good Morning dear readers, Frankie discovered Conor getting ready to go to Tahoe.  This was just to cute to pass up and not take pics.  So here they are and enjoy.

Tips on How to get Mommy Alone Time

Good Morning dear readers, before I forget Happy St. Patricks Day.  Yes, we are cooking Conor's recipe for St. Patricks Day. An altered Joanne Fluke recipe--Irish Roast Beast.  He wont let me share sorry but if you want the original recipe it's in the Sugar Cookie Murder Mystery book.  Now with all this running around with holidays, school events and life in general do you get overwhelmed.  I think most of us do but especially single parents who don't have any help in life.  Maybe relatives and the ex are not close by to help out to give you the time you need.  Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns and find ways to get that time and don't be afraid to ask for help.  If you have neighbors who are in similar circumstances offer to take each others children out for a few hours.  So you get some time.  Other alternatives are Church groups are great for this idea.  In fact I love the boys youth group.  They are going to Lake Tahoe for the weekend so I get a break.  If you have a Boys/Girls Club in your area kids up to 17 can go for awhile each day.  This is also not very expensive to do and the kids get to hang out with kids their own age.  Boys and Girl Scouts go on outings and are supervised and they learn a lot.  The added benefit is you also get that break you may need. So check it out and breathe.  Here's a sweet treat to enjoy with or without the kids.

Get out the bullet blender(love it)

2 scoops chocolate ice cream

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

dash chocolate syrup

dash milk 

Blend for a minute and you have instant milk shake

CVS Trip- Free Toilet Paper

Good Morning dear readers.  I did a run to CVS yesterday to take advantage of some of the candy deals and get some free toilet paper.  So here's what I got hope this inspires and helps you plan your shopping trips.

2-v8 drinks
3-gold fish crackers-ended up going back and getting another bag to make the get $3 back when you spend $10
2-Hershey pastel candies- 2/$5 get a $1 ecb
2-star burst jelly beans 2/$5 get a $1 ecb
1-fudge brownie milano cookies check when doing a deal to make sure part of the deal
3-packages of Easter peeps candies
2-cases of 12 pk diet coke--be sure and check coke rewards for a $3 off coupon on these havent' gotten mine but if cvs keeps having these prices a really good deal at $2.88 each
Used a $2/12 in candy CRT
Used $1/3 peeps CRT peeps coupon

Total before coupons/sales/ecbs  $49.26                 After O.O.P  $29.92  Saving 39%

that extra gold fish   paid $1.67   which got me the $3 ecb

2nd Transaction  

Angel soft 12 Big Roll Bag  on sale $4.99

Before sales/coupons/ecbs  $13.98                       O.O.P.  Paid tax  $.40

Frankies KISS ME I'M IRISH

Good Morning dear readers,  Conor snapped this cute one of frankie.

                                                            KISS ME I'M IRISH
                                                             

                                                                lazing around on top of the fridge

Easy Recipe For Teens To Make-Shrimp Newburg

Good Morning Dear Readers,  this recipe was an add on to an earlier post with no pictures.  I decided to redo it because its really good and easy to teach teens how to do it. It makes a complete meal when you add salad and bread to it.  So here's what you'll need. Originally found this recipe in taste of home magazine and adapted to fit my family.

1 lb bag of precooked frozen shrimp--defrosted

1 can cream of mushroom or shrimp soup-I've used both and they are good.

1/4 cup water

seafood seasoning originally called for teaspoon I just put enough to taste

hot cooked rice

Mix soup and water and seasoning together in sauce pan.  Heat until boiling then add shrimp until heated through.

Note: this can be heated in the microwave just add all ingredients together and cook for 5 minutes in microwave.

Serve over hot cooked rice-can use brown rice for a healthier version.  Enjoy your meal.

Thrifting Haul-Napoleonic Couple Figurine

Good Evening Dear Readers,  I went looking for more craft supplies and anything that struck my fancy.  I found some really lovely pieces.  Here they are for your enjoyment.

                                             Lovely piece but because of a little chip only $1
                                                       

                                                       Little tiles only $.10 each good for crafts
                                                         

                                                a thrifting murder mystery should be interesting

                                                   

                                                      A fabric remnant of felt for only $.50

You never know what you'll find happy thrifting everyone.

new craft steam punk/mixed media birdhouse

Good Morning dear readers,  I'm finally finished with the birdhouse and it turned out great.  I love it.  It was a fun project.  I painted it and put all kinds of media on it from jewelry pieces to washers and finds.  If you want to make one like it here's what you'll need.

paint various colors (found at walmart)

brushes 

tacky glue

seed beads

steam punk finds (ordered from beadalicious at amazon)

washers

owl came from a yard sale

big box of wood beads (walmart)

almost forgot birdhouse (found at walmart)

                                               before it was painted

                                                  Found this at a yard sale
                                           

                                            put tacky glue around the base and poured seed beads around it.

                                                 Glued washers above the seed beads                                              
     

                                                   
                                                     can't see in this pic clock faces beneath windows

                         Finished product with wood flower beads to make a daisy chain and pearl beads as leaves
                                               For easy pinning http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207469875215/

Meat Shopping Trip at Savemart with Tips

Good Morning dear readers,  I meant to post this earlier this week been crazy busy.  Save mart has extended their meat sale this week. They are focusing on lent so alot of fish and shrimp will be on sale.  I got a eleven packages of various meats.

6 packages were on the 5/$25 deal you can get more than 5 (note when shopping the pick 5 go for the larger packages like chicken and the 2 lb ground turkey more bang for your buck)

3 packages were reduced for quick sale which will have coupons on them (these are good meats just check them for color and freeze immediately will keep)

2 packages of chicken breast that were B1G1F

2 packages chips ahoy on sale $1.99

You don't necessarily have to have meat coupons(sacrilegious) because they are rare to save money.  If your printer is working check the printable coupon sites especially bricks.com.  They are the ones that will have the meat coupons when available.  Also if you have a save mart or affiliate 10 lb bags leg quarters are   

 $.69 lb

Total before sales/discounts/coupons  $85.07       O.O.P.  $50.05     Saved 41%