Riding the Mental Health Waves Art Page

Good Afternoon dear readers, I finished my surfer riding the mental health waves art page.  This was fun trying to draw the waves of  health issues using oil pastels.  Then I drew my surfer also using oil pastels and paint marker.  I rubber stamped fish in the waves using my Le plume rubber stamp ink pens in blue and purple.  I also put butter flys in the top portion of the page using black ink pads. Overall a fun project life is like riding waves when you have bouts of depression, anxiety and stress.  You just have to learn how to surf them.  Quick question readers can't find the aqua net at dollar tree. They have some non descript brand over there can you use a different hair spray has sealer plmk.  We love comments what are you working on now.

Frankies Corner-Frankie and the Pizza Box

Good Morning dear readers, its my turn at this writing thing.  Mother is at again,  denying me my right to a box.  She left it on the table(she says this is her make shift desk).  I say finders keepers and the feline law of the land if it fits I sits.  It's the shoe box all over again.  She took my shoe box and turned into a sparkly holder(jewelry).  Now she says the pizza box will become a mixed media creation.  Humans and their art can't they leave us cats things alone.  Well she says I can sit on it for one more day but after that its gone.  Alas my poor poor box never to sleep on you again.

What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday

Good Afternoon dear readers,  I'm joining in "What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday.  I actually don't have an actual work desk-that's a dream I hope to fulfill in the coming year.  I have this large library table that doubles has my desk and dining room table.  My apartment is not very big for 3 people so this table works out fine.  Here's some of the projects that are in the works

1.  Unfinished art journal pages in varying stages will be sharing the finished product later

2.  I'm attempting to carve my own stamps using an extacta knife. I think I need the speedballer knife I'm seeing on YouTube.  But has they say practice makes perfect in this case lots of practice.

3.  Pizza Box-Yes, a pizza box not sure whether it will be heart cutout to go with my wreath or end up being used as a canvass(as a little spot on the inside so not sure if I can use a sealer to fix that problem).

4.  Keeping up with my clipping for my collage pieces and for my happy mail friends.

So what's on your desk or table or what have you would love to know.

I don't have Bees Knees

Good Morning dear readers,  I almost forgot to continue the post where Frankie talks about my exercising.  Well I have bad knees and to coin the phrase they are not the Bees Knees. I'm not sure what that means but I thought it was cute.  When they swelled to the size of watermelons, I was sent to physical therapy to help strengthen them.  I needed to do exercises at home and Frankie did not like me using his leash to support my legs.  My therapist gave me these wonderful exercise bands with loops on them to do my exercises and they work really well.  Here's some of the exercises you can do to keep your knees strong.

1.  First exercise lay on the floor and lift your leg as high as you can.  Do this 10 times for each leg and do 3 sets of these I try to do this twice a day especially when my knees are bothering me.

2.  Sit up position- while sitting on the floor with your legs out in front of you, put loop on band around foot and bring your knee to your chest holding the other ends of the bands to support your leg. Do this ten times for each leg doing 3 sets.

3.  Range of motion- lay on floor with loop around foot and bring your knee to your chest and then stretch out leg do this 10 times for each leg doing 3 sets.  When I first did this I got weird looks from Frankie especially using his leash.

4.  I call this the torture move lay on your stomach with loop around foot and pull the foot over your back and hold for 15-20 seconds.  Only do 2 sets.

What all this does is flush out fluids and strengthens muscle tissue.  Be careful when trying this at home especially if borrowing leash from pet they might bite you.  I got nipped because he wanted his leash back.

Here's Frankie's post
http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2015/01/frankies-corner-exercising-your-human.html

Lemony Spring and Valentines Cookies

Good Evening dear readers,  here is another lovely recipe in time for spring.  This is another cake mix cookie and its so easy.  The one thing I loved about this recipe is you can get any flavor you want with it.  I went with the original lemon cake mix.  I had intended to make two batches with a Strawberry Cake mix,  which can be made for Valentines Day.  But I ran out of whipped cream.  So here's the original altered to fit my families needs.  This came from a Mr. Food email feed.  Here's what you'll need:

1 Box Cake Mix i.e.  lemon, strawberry and chocolate

1 Large Egg

1 tub Whipped Cream (8 oz)

1 cup Powdered Sugar 

Set Oven to 350 degrees

Mix first 3 ingredients in mixing bowl.  Chill batter in freezer for 20 minutes to keep from sticking on your hands. Using teaspoon  roll dough into balls and dip in powdered sugar.  Place on greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.  Cook for 8-10 minutes or until edges are browned.  Let cool in pan and then transfer to plate to cool.

Thrifty Finds-Victorian House and Craft Supplies

  Good Morning dear readers,  I haven't shared my finds in awhile and I thought I would share them today.  I found the perfect vocal point for me to work on getting my dream  house.  It's a little Victorian House that can sit on your bedside table.  It was just adorable.  My thrift store is finally back to having craft supplies, which makes me very happy.  I found clear stamp sets in letters and Christmas images.  I found a cat stencil so cute always look for cats.  Found word stamp that says Youth is not a time of life...it's a state of mind.  So if your looking for gifts.  Always check your thrift stores.  If you need to boost your craft supplies always check your thrift stores.  You will be surprised at what you will find.  All of this was less then $5.  What did you find this week would love to know?

                                               http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207473147436/

Chinese New Year Art Page

Good Morning dear readers, I finally was able to get back to doing some collage art pages.  Here's the first one called Chinese New Year.  I've had the dragon in my collage stash for awhile and what better time then now  to make the page.  I used Cranberry and Apricot acrylic paint on the back ground and smeared it around with my fingers love the freedom this gives me with the colors.  Then glued the a picture of quasars thought it gave a unique effect and then put the dragon over it.  I was able to use all my Chinese Zodiac rubber stamps on the page gave it a New Year's feel.  I used black ink pad for the rubber stamps.  I used letter stamps to write Chinese and hand wrote New Year in oil pastel.  I lined the collage elements in black oil pastel.  I just needed to create and this fit the bill especially when your feeling the art itch in your fingers.   Enjoy and Happy Creating in the New Year.

                                                         

                                            http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207473147373/

Murder Mystery Food-Kisses in the Moonlight Cupcakes

Good Afternoon dear readers,  we have another to die for murder mystery food recipe to share with you. This recipe also comes at a good time its perfect for Valentines Day.  This recipe comes from Butter Cream Bump Off by Jenn McKinley. This murder mystery is set in all places a Cup Cake Bakery.  The heroines are the owners of the bakery and  of course solve murders, much to the horror of their families.  Good story about money. love and betrayal and not so easy to figure out.  You know I like that about a book. The characters are likable and quirky and the recipes are oh so yummy.  So check out the book and make some cupcakes.  This recipe was altered to fit my families needs.  Here's what you'll need:

                                             Kisses in the  Moonlight Cup Cakes

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

2 eggs, room temperature let sit out an hour before mixing

1 cup milk

3 tablespoons oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup warm water

1 bag shredded coconut

1 bag Hershey kisses

While mixing up your batter heat your oven to 350 degrees.  Your going to whisk your dry ingredients together first i.e.  flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Then add your wet ingredients: eggs, milk, vanilla extract and water.  Mix well with your hand mixer on medium and making sure to get the sides of the bowl.  Line your cupcake pans with liners.  I scooped batter into measuring cup and poured into each liner.  Only fill halfway or you will have hug tops to the cupcakes(Conor filled them a little full).  Bake for 20 minutes.  They are done when fork inserted comes out clean.  Let them cool before frosting.

If you have a hard time like me making homemade frosting you can use store bought. I lucked out I actually got the frosting to thicken up this time.  Here's the ingredients:

1 cup butter melted 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups confectioners sugar

2-3 tablespoons milk

Cream butter and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Slowly add sugar one cup at a time using hand mixer on high (mine would not thicken unless on high).  After all sugar has been added put in the milk and blend on medium speed until frosting is thick.  You can keep the frosting for up to two weeks in the fridge.   Take your cupcakes dip them in your frosting and then roll in coconut.  Then put Hershey's kiss on top (you can unwrapped them or leave them on).  I found the cutest storage container for cupcakes at dollar tree.  You can see it in the pictures comes with cover and handle.

                                                        Kisses in the Moonlight Cupcakes   

                                           http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207473135859/

                                                          cupcake ingredients

                                                                 Frosting Ingredients

                                                                Frosting not bad this time

CVS Trip-77% Savings on Toiletries

Good Morning dear readers,  sorry for this late shopping trip.  It got a little crazy around here.  I still had some ecb's left over from last time so I wanted to try and stock up.  They had some good deals on hand and laundry soap.  I even got extra good coupons from the red coupon machine.  So make sure you check the machine every time you go in the store.  So here's the breakdown on what I got for last week's sale:

2-3 pk on Irish Spring Soap @ $2 each used coupon machine $2/$10 body wash/hand and bar soap

3-Soft Soap Liquid Hand Soap @ $2 each

2-Friskies Rise and Shine Canned Cat Food @ $.69 each

1-Extra Laundry Soap @ $2.49 used coupon machine $1 off

1-4 pk CVS Toilet Paper

Total Before Coupons/Sales/ECB    $25.35                 After Sales/Coupons/ECB  O.O.P  $6.60

Savings of  77%

Frankies Corner-You Can't Make Me, You Can't Make Me

Good Morning dear readers, Frankie and I are having a battle over the bed being made up.  

                                                No you can't make the bed I'm not moving

                                                           But Mom It's my Chilaxin Day

No not even my Pillow.

Frugal Beefy Tomato Soup

Good Morning dear readers, I found a quick and easy recipe that I altered and it tastes so yummy.  It's one of those 5 ingredients or less type recipes.  Those are my favorite type to cook no fuss no muss.  It's also one you can change up and get a little different flavor i.e. change from original Ragu to one with chopped veggies in it. This is also one you can freeze for later.  So here's the break down and what you'll need.

2 lbs Ground Beef

1 can Tomato Soup

5 cups water

1 jar Ragu (24 oz)

1 Tbs, Italian Seasoning

1 cup Cheddar Cheese

After browning the meat in a dutch oven you can add everything except the cheese.  Let boil stirring frequently.  Turn down to simmer and stir in Cheddar Cheese and let cook for 15 minutes.  Serve and you can add cheese to garnish.  Bon appetite.

                                           For easy pinning http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207473072116/

Linking up here:
http://www.hunwhatsfordinner.com/2015/01/simple-supper-tuesday-95.html

Small Trip to CVS

Good Morning dear readers,  I was also able to make a small trip to CVS yesterday.  This was mostly a snack run and to get some more ecb's.  Oh make sure you check for your quarterly rewards.  Sometimes they don't send the reminder email.  Here's the breakdown on what I got.

3-Cases of  Soda did the 7up deal  @ 3/$10 deal

3-General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch @ 3/$8  used $1/3 coupon

3-Hershey Candy Bags @  3/$9  used  $1/3

2-Lays Chips @ 2/$5

1-Lays Dip @ 2/$5 

1-Best Foods May  @ $3

Total before coupons/sales/discounts $63.57                   After coupons/sales O.O.P.  $38.97

                                                       Savings of   39%    earned $5 in ecb's

January Meat and Breakfast Sale at Savemart

Good Morning dear readers,  its finally winding down after the holidays and Conor is back in school.  My older son Kyle and I hit the meat sale at Save mart yesterday(sorry didn't post last night).  They were also having a sale on Breakfast items so we pick up some good deals on cereal, poptarts and waffles.  Save mart still is one of the few stores that carry the saucesensations Friskies cat food, so Frankie got his favorite food.  So here's the break down:

13 Packages of the $5 meat packages:

2-Foster Foster Prepared Chicken strips and Popcorn Chicken

1-Package of Shrimp (1lb)

2-Foster Farms Fresh Chicken Packages

2-Packages of Ground Beef

4-Packages of Various Pork Cuts

1-Foster Farms Oven Roasted Turkey Lunch Meat (2 lb)

1-Package Ribeye Steak Boneless

2-Packages of Totino Pizza Rolls @ 2/$5

Kellogg's Breakfast deal @ 5/$10:

3-cereals and 2 poptarts (12 count)

2-Banquet Sausage Links @ $1 each

2-Kellogg's Waffles @ $2 each

3-Friskies Canned Cat Food @ $.55 each

1-Package Simplot Hash browns @ $2.49

Total before coupons/discounts/sales    $139.60                After Savings O.O.P.  $90.27

                                                   Total Savings   35%

new art page create, enjoy and explore

Good Evening dear readers,  finally finished a new page in my art journal.  I'm trying new techniques for me.  I actually did a doodled background using colored pencils.  I had a lot of fun coloring it in and would you believe this helps cut down on stress.  The level of concentration needed to create this takes your mind off of things.  You should give it a try.  What would one of my pages be without paw prints representing Frankie my Siamese.  I rubber stamped roses in the corners using those filled ink pens for stamps in red and green ink. Then colored the roses with red oil pastels crayon.  Then wrote the words in black acrylic paint marker.  This one was a lot of fun.  I think I will try zen tangles and see how those go any suggestions.  

One way to repurpose a coke bottle

Good Afternoon dear readers,  we are taking part in a challenge to re-purpose our coke bottles.  I've been wanting to do another re-purposing project for a while and this one was perfect.  I actually saw this idea on one of those not well known channels on TV called the Live Well Network.  You will take a small coke bottle and poke a hole toward the top of the bottle beneath the label.  Then cut all the way around the bottle.  Separate top from bottom and remove label.  Take a bag of rice, chocolate chips or anything that comes in a bag. Twist open bag end and pull through bottle top and fold down. Then place lid on your bottle.  This keeps mess to a minimum in pouring these items.  Your being green reusing your coke bottle.  What are you re-purposing today?

                                   For easy pinning  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/362610207472971931/

It's still the all time Favorite-Perfect Fall Chili Recipe

Good Afternoon dear readers, well according to the stats everyone still loves this recipe. It's still the top post two years running. It's actually perfect for winter and it tastes so yummy.  It's also versatile so here's the link to mine and yours favorite perfect fall chili.

http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2013/09/perfect-fall-chili-recipe.html