Art Journaling-Keys to the Future

Good Afternoon dear readers, I finished this page celebrating my son Kyle's Graduation.  I used a mix of acrylic paints on the background and then went over it with an oil pastel crayon.  I used several graduation themed rubber stamps and I wrote in oil pastel Class of 2014.  Luckily hospice thrift shop had these cute little keys that I glued onto the page. I had fun making it and Kyle really loved it.

I Broke My No.1 Rule

Good Morning dear readers,  I did a bad thing a week ago and I'm still paying the price.  Your probably wondering what evil thing did she do.  Others might not consider it a bad thing but when you have a heat sensitive illness it can be bad.  I went outside and walked to the store after 12 noon in the hottest part of the day.  Your like what's the big deal.  I'm so sensitive I broke out in a rash just for a 15 minute trip to the store and back.  Then later in the week I attempted to attend my son's graduation in the high heat.  Well worse case scenario I almost passed out and had to leave early. I was more upset then my son who graduated.  After scolding the vice-principal for no overhangs and available water supply.  I suggested they have the ceremonies in future in the mornings because their are a lot of parents who are disabled and have heat sensitive diseases like my neighbor who's son graduates next year.  I learned a few things on how to take care of skin that's been overexposed to sun.  When you are taking medication drink extra water before going outside.  When I was on the shots I would drink 3-5 liters of water around shot days, since taking the pills I cut down not good still need to drink a good amount.  For those of you who don't take medication on a daily basis 3 liters would be good on really hot days.  Even keep a bottle of Gatorade around to make sure you keep your electrolytes up.  The best ways to treat the skin I've found are the following household items and everyone has them.

1.  Oatmeal-crush it up and put about a cup in a warm bath and sit in it for about 15-20 minutes.  It feels wonderful.  I forgot I had Aveeno oatmeal bath and boy did that feel good.

2.  Baking soda-put a fair amount in your tub (1/4 cup) of warm water let dissolve.  Sit in your tub for about 15-20 minutes.  Let the skin air dry it will feel a lot better.

3.  Oddly enough Ice Cubes applied directly to the heat rash will reduce swelling.

My favourite standby once the skin starts to dry out is Noxzema will keep it moist and a good antibiotic cream to help it heal further.

I plan on picking up this tool that my neighbor doused me with when she picked me up from my son's graduation Wal-mart has a motorized water bottle fan sprayer that is a great idea.  

Hope this helps, keep cool and don't do what I did. 

linking to this party:
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2014/06/flaunt-it-friday-209.html

graduation thrifting haul

Good Morning dear readers,  I hit some yard sales and the thrift store last weekend and it was like it was a god send.  I found items pertaining to my son Kyles graduation i.e.  rubber stamps and stickers to make a journal page celebrating his graduation.  The best find was a small bird cage been looking for ages for a craft.  I was thinking about putting croton house plants inside to keep Frankie away from them.  I've also been seeing fairy garden especially one I saw inside a birdcage.  Then found this cute little tea pot.  Overall spent about $3 for the lot.  Well keep reading will have these projects post soon.

Art Journal Page-Pure Inspiration

Finally I was able to play in my journal today.  Don't you just feel the need to put brush to paper? Some days its a driving force in my brain.  It also helps me focus on my goals and dreams. It's great to get them on paper and to share them with everyone hope you enjoy it.  I used acrylic paint, scrap booking paper and greeting card with stencils and washi tape and bits from magazines.

Happy Memorial Day

Good Morning dear readers,  I just wanted to Wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day.  Please take the time out to honor our veterans and their families(the unseen heroes) who make our lives possible in this country.  Have a great day and get your grill on.

Sorry couldn't get the flag to stay open without flower being in front of it.

Memorial Day and Fourth of July Baked Beans

(contains affiliated amazon links see disclosure in footer)
Good Afternoon dear readers,  I found this lovely recipe just in time for Memorial Day and basically good for any barbecue like fourth of july with a little altering it fit my family perfectly.  I found it at my favorite site Taste of Home.  You can cook this in a foil pan on your grill or on your stove top if you don't have a grill. It only takes 15-20 minutes to warm up. This originally called for a can of great northern beans and the boys are not big fans of those kind of beans.  So here's what I did and they are so delicious and yummy enjoy.

1-27 oz. can of kidney beans drained and washed

1-15 oz. can of pork and beans

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons prepared mustard

1 tablespoon minced onions

Drain and wash your kidney beans and add to pan.  Then pour in pork and beans and stir it up.  Then add all of your other ingredients stir place on stove and heat until done.  Voila done and enjoy.

                                  For easy pinning http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207470608304/

linking up here:

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2014/05/29/thrifty-thursday-week-62/

check out the deals that help make this recipe possible

Weekend Cookie Recipe-Sugar Cookies

Good Evening dear readers,  I originally planned on a different recipe from the recent art book I bought.  But over did it this morning looking for art supplies at yard sales.  So I found this recipe from my old standby All recipes.  This was easy to do not a lot of standing, beating dough up or chilling time involved.  The kids will have fun making this with you. So here's what you'll need to make these wonderful cookies. Adapted this recipe to fit my families needs.

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter softened (I melted in a sauce pan)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 egg (used large sized egg)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Set your oven to 375 degrees.  Add flour, baking soda and baking powder together in mixing bowl.  Then set aside for later.  In another bowl beat together egg and sugar until blended.  Then take your hand mixer and blend in vanilla extract and egg.  Then you will add your dry ingredients until all mixed up.  I made these bigger by using a tablespoon to round the dough into balls.  Then place on cookie sheet.  I use bakers joy to make sure they didn't stick.  You can use a smaller spoon and make more.  Using the larger one you get 2 dozen cookies.  Place in oven 8-10 minutes or longer until browned.  First batch took 5 minutes longer.  Bon appetite and enjoy

                                     For easy pinning http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207470613555/

linking up here:
http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/our-sunday-best-showcase-and-features-525/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MomnivoresDilemma+(Momnivore%27s+Dilemma)

Rite Aid Shopping Trip 42% Savings on Toiletries and Snacks

Good Morning dear readers,  We are changing up the shopping trips.  I will be doing more at Rite Aid and Dollar Tree.  CVS is just a little to far for my knee to handle.  I might occasionally hit them up but not every week.  So the boys have been killing my shampoo stockpile and I took advantage of the Tresemme sale and found some B1G1F.  So here's the deals I got from Rite Aid.

2-7 up 2 liter bottles on sale for .99
3-Tresemme Shampoo 32oz size on sale for $4 had the buy 2 get $3 up reward (can't find my add but believe you can do this more then once).  I also used the $2/1 coupons
2-Garnier Fructis 13 oz size on sale for $2.99 had the $2/1 coupons
2-Lays Potato Chips B1G1F at $4.29 each
2-Campfire Marshmallows 2/$2 get a $1 up reward

total before coupons/sales   $44.31       Saved $25.84       O.O.P.  $17.89

Frankie's Corner-Frugal Cat Toys

Good Evening dear readers,  I've been running around a lot and trying to get back on schedule.  So here's Frankie's post for this week.  Cat's can get bored very easily and they need activity.  Basically I was reading where they need about 20 minutes of exercise.  If they're indoors how do they get their exercise? You can be frugal and keep your cat entertained.  I know all you pinterest crafters have been keeping your empty toilet/paper towel holders give some to your cat.  They love to play with them.  Frankie does the kangaroo feet on his roll.  Of course, we all know cats love bags next time your at the grocery store bring a couple of bags home for your cat.  Kids have old toys they don't want like a stuff animal see if the cat will play with it--Frankie stoled one of my beanie babies its now his favourite toy. But you still need to get some real cat toys use your reward programs to get them some fun stuff.  The best toys I've found are the ball that lights up when the cats bat it around.  The feather on the stick is another favourite and the tunnel. Frankie will play for hours.  Frankie does like to walk on his leash that's where he gets a lot  of his exercise.  It's very easy to train a cat but best if their young.  I started Frankie when he was a baby.  It takes some work but give it a try. Your cat might surprise you.  Here he is walking on his leash today.  Hope these toys help keep your furbabies active.

P.S.  One of my readers reminded me to let you know paper bags with handles cut off are the right type of bags for them to play in and around.

Just Ask?

Good Morning dear readers,  I've noticed people are afraid to ask questions.  You should never be afraid to ask questions. You can find out a lot of things just by asking questions.  I will give you an example.  I called the MS Society to get my Ice Vest-- can't handle this heat.  I jokingly told the lady you need a grant to help me move to Washington.  She's like oh my sorry we don't have one.  Well 2 hours later I get a call and their is a grant to help with relocation.  She's sending me the paperwork.  I also explained to my doctor the delay in getting my disability and she's willing to send a letter to the VA to expedite my papers.  This is all because I asked questions and got answers.  You might not get the answers you want but you never know.  When you do ask it helps cut down on stress and worry.  So give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

                                                 I got a question?

Art Journal-Comfort and Beauty Collage

Good Evening dear readers, I finished a new art journal page.  I had fun creating this page using a variety of different mediums.  I used the vanilla ice cream acrylic paint for the main background.  Then I used stencils with some paint pens I found at walmart.  I went over that with oil pastel in blue.  Then I used a green pencil to shade some of the white areas.  I found my pictures in various magazines representing comfort, beauty, time and erasing time.  Enjoy and thanks for letting me share.  I'm still finding books to learn all about this wonderful hobby.  

Birthday Drink and my Favourite Food to go with it

Good Morning dear readers.  It's the sixteenth of may and my birthday.  I can't believe fifty years have come and gone.  Where did it all go?  The boys and I are having a quiet day at home just enjoying our favourite recipes and  watching movies.  What does your family do for birthday's?  I changed up the watermelon slushie recipe where it has a different taste to it and its yummy. We had a little issue with the lemon juice. So here it is for your enjoyment.

2 cups seedless watermelon

1/3 cup agave nectar

1/4 cup pineapple juice or you can use lemon

2 cups fresh strawberries

3-4 cups ice cubes

Adding your fruits and your juices to your blender then pulse until blended.  Once this is pulsed add one cup ice and then pulse and keep adding cup of ice until desired slushie consistency.  Serve with your favourite food.

If you like homemade Chinese food this recipe goes really good for private birthday parties.
http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2013/08/family-fun-recipe-homemade-mongolian.html

If you like a tuna salad your gonna love this recipe.
http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2014/01/very-veggie-mix-tuna-salad.html

Have a great day dear readers.  When I think about turning fifty I'm reminded of the movie Calender Girls. Women are like Sunflowers we go through stages and the last stage is the Most Glorious.  Glory in your life zen hugs all around.

Frankie's Corner-Where do your cat's Sleep?

Good Morning dear readers, It's been a very busy week.  So I'm trying to get back on schedule after all the appointments. When it comes to napping, Frankie will plop down anywhere but he seems to love the computer the most. When it's bedtime he seems to love to lay across my legs at night.  We sleep in a big bed but he's right up under me all night. Do your cats and dogs sleep with you?  Are they all over you all night long?  I wonder what brings on this behavior?  

Kids and Books

Good Morning dear readers,  Today is a lovely day in sunny California.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  The boys and Frankie made me my coffee and breakfast.  The boys helped clean the house and Frankie kinda behaved himself.  Summer is just around the corner and the kids will be outta school before you know it.  I read an article that says when their on summer break they lose some of the skills they learned through out the year at school.  Especially when it comes to reading.  So to help the kids, many local libraries have reading programs.  They can win prizes for how many books they read.  But sometimes its not just the prizes they need for encouragement, its just finding the right book or an authors series of books.  My favourite author is Mercedes Lackey.  I bet you thought I was going to say Joanne Fluke.  She's more for adults.  Any ways Ms. Lackey as a series of books set in the magical world of Valdemar.  It's medieval with a touch of magic.  What kid doesn't like magic.  It also has horses or horse like beings that can talk to their riders.  Filled with adventure, excitement and mystery.  Kids will relate in some way to the teen heroes and heroines in the stories. If they can relate they will enjoy it.  What better way to encourage reading.  I recommend getting her first series Arrows of the Queen, which you can find on Amazon or any bookstore.  I'm currently reading her collegium series and I'm lovin it.  Much like the Harry Potter series adults love her books too.

Frankie's Notes on Mother's Day

Meowy Mother's Day dear readers,  I'm taking over today to give mom a break.  Mom is not happy with me right now I keep stealing her chair.  She gets up to go check on something and I go sit in the puter chair.  It's a nice soft warm puter chair.  Who can blame me?  How do you take care of your human moms on this day? Do you give them lot's of  cat kisses and meowy hugs?  I wanted to give a note to all my feline peeps out there the weather is getting hotter so make sure you drink more water.  Don't want to get sick?  If your like me, you don't like bowls of any kind.  I prefer the sink.  Unless you can recommend a pet fountain that a company will let me review.  Would love to have a fountain so mom's not always changing the sink water plmk.  Also if you love can's Wal-mart has can's for $.25 (friskies not the cheap generic).  So that's my meow's for the day wow this writing thing is tough on the paws don't know how mom does it.

Hoisin Pork Stew with Snow Peas

Good Evening dear readers,  It's been a very busy day and has promised here's the new recipe.  I was looking for bits and pieces to put in my art journal when I came across this recipe in All Me magazine.  When I saw that it had hoisin in it, I knew I would be making this recipe soon.  I love the taste of hoisin and a lot of my family recipes have hoisin in them.  Conor can be heard to say another Asian recipe can't we have German food.  Yes, my son is really into his German heritage and gets on me because I love cooking Asian food.  Your gonna love this recipe--it cooks in  the crock pot can you say bonus?  Let's get down to it and this recipe was adapted to fit my families needs and budget.

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

3 lbs boneless short ribs--originally called for 5 lbs of bone in beef ribs

salt

1 7oz jar hoisin sauce

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 Tbsp ginger spice

4 oz snow peas cut slant wise

3 green onions sliced

Warm oil in frying pan.  Sprinkle salt on ribs and put in pan.  Brown all sides of meat takes about 6 minutes. When done place in slow cooker.

Mix hoisin, 1/2 cup water, garlic and ginger together.  Then pour over ribs in crock pot set for 4 hours on high cook.  Meat will be falling apart good.

During the last 10 minutes of cooking add snow peas. Also you can add other veggies i.e. water chestnuts and baby corn.  We added water chestnuts.  When they are done warming pour sliced green onions on top.

You can serve this over white or brown rice.  Enjoy and Happy Mothers Day.  The teens can even cook this for mom on Mother's Day.