Super Bowl Party!! 🏈🏈

Having a Super Bowl Party! This is a fun year, since San Jose is hosting the actual game right here in our city! 

I decided to bake & make it all from scratch!! Nothing store bought this year! Plus helps me use what I already have in my cabinets.. How many of you write your list, shop to come home to look in the cabinets to find the same items you just bought? I am guilty!! Now I have a different way of thinking and saving! 

Rolled sugar cookie footballs 

3 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 sticks of room temp butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla 

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, baking powder)- set aside

Mix egg, vanilla & butter together and add flour slowly to your mix..

Once it is 1 big clump, take it out and put into a ziplock storage bag. You can do either of 2 things: refrigerate dough for 2 hours, or do as I did and put in freezer for 30 min.

I put parchment paper down first and lightly dusted flour on it, took half of the dough mixture out of fridge while leaving the other half in. 

I put the dough down and added another price of wax/parchment paper on top.. Rolled with a rolling pin. I rolled and rolled, I worked most of the dough but it gets tiring so I would do half and cut my shapes and do it all over. You roll until you get to the thickness you want. I didn't have a football cookie cutter nor did I want to go out & buy one, so I had to think outside the box. I got a disposable cup and bent it and taped it to hold its sides! 

Impressed with myself just a little! 

Makes like 30 cookies: Bake @ 350 for 8-10 min

Now for the Royal Icing:

3 egg whites room temp

1 tsp fresh lemon juice 

1# powder sugar

-again I went with what I had, I use to always have meringue powder but I guess I used it all up.

3 egg whites room temp

-beat until they get fluffy firm like and make a peak

- add powder sugar on top of the meringue, then the lemon juice

Using a paddle with your mixer, mix it slowly then after 3 min or so speed it up!

You're done!! It should look glossy and a tad liquidy. I took a spoonful out or two so I can still have some white left.

I then added my brown coloring to the big batch and all done! 

I iced the cookies with a small spatula and then put the white icing in a decorating bag and piped the lines on! 

I let them sit out overnight before packaging it up.

Saving on my energy Bill

I feel like I am getting a tad "weider" than others! I got engaged! We are thriving to buy a house in the bayarea! Yes, we are a little crazy but we have kids and they have other parents in the area so we can not just up and move.
I am being more aware of how PG&E charges us and so I am keeping a journal of when I use the most electricity. I need to see if it is matching up on my bill or more so what am I using that costs moer & at what time.
I made these little reminders, so that I can print them up and laminate them. I am either going to add a magent and add it to the fridge on the days I need to rememebr. Or I might just leave it and tuck it in a drawer and then lay it on the counter so it reminds me!

For PG&E charges from 8am-8pm higher pricing. Of course certain times within those hours also like 2-6 pm, when most others are home from school & such.

Download here 

You can look here for using Your Energy wisely!
Free Printable to add to your fridge or door knob.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ceo2pgshiu3jhn3/SmartRate_WelcomeKit.pdf?dl=0

What is to come....

Hello there!
My next posts will be about saving money to buy a house!
Making my own detergent, foaming soap & deoderizer for the bathroom !
I am also looking at my daughters 10th bday party and need to look at things that will not cost me that much.. That being said, I am making my own pinata! I have boxes, cardboards and all the newspapers I want for FREE!
annnd Let's not forget Superbowl and Valentines are right around the corner!

Spelling Test Practice

I like to keep things neat and organized, so when my daughter has 1 sheet of paper and we need to practice spelling words & wanted to make sure it was easy to read and write. So I went to word and just made something really quick, you can use it to and change the name or just delete it.

Download by touching the jpg

What size planner is best for you?

I found this online and I LOVE IT!! I forgot where I found it, but I bought a new planner because all digital is not for me for certain things! I cann not see it in my face all day long and look in the future at the same time, so planner it is!

Spring Break Scrapbook Page

I like to have the girls remember what they do when they are on a week vacation- Especially if they have a week of all kinds of activities. When I was a kid, there are not many pictures of us or the family. Please excuse the fact that this is not the completed version and it is 2014!
I do it every year for them!  I Just do word doc, I fill in the background. I then add shapes; rectangles and write what I need to in there.. I love it, it is easy and quick. Print and go and put it in her scrapbook!

Bag Toppers for Bday Goodies

It has been a long time since I have been doing my blog- But I am set up and orgainzed now!
So I am going through all my older notes and going to post all my stuff now and then set it up my scheduled posts!

My youngest is getting older and with the schools now, they do not really like you to bring anything in to class. Why be a kid if you can not enjoy the little things?
I just packed a goodie bag with candies and lip whistles, etc.. I also brought in mini cupckaes.
Kept it short and sweet ;)

This is how I did the bag toppers-- My favorite thing to do now!

Directions:
1. Go to avery.com. Sign in or set up an online account.
2. Go to the Design & Print Online Option under Templates and Software.
3. Click on the Marketing Solutions Category.
4. In the menu on the left side, you will see "Bag Toppers". Click that.
5. Now you will see a menu brought up of themes for Bag Toppers. Use any theme you like, or click on "Blank" to create your own. If you choose to create your own, you can play with fonts and images. 
6. When you have finished the design, save it.
7. Print the design on white cardstock {white paper will also be fine.}
8. Trim the design into 4 bag toppers with a paper trimmer.
9. Fold bag topper and staple on treat bags.

Download Here

DIY wall calendar

So I looked this up a year ago, mainly just about calendars and I found one about using paint chip samples.. I liked it but this time I wanted something bigger so the whole family can read it. I'll put everyone's schedule on it, so we all know! I really like my first month I've done!! I want to add 2 months at a time on the wall, but we will see what it looks like. Keep in mind this only cost me about $2!!! 1 poster board makes 2 months, dollar store!! I have a huge container of stickers so saved money there & then of course, the paint samples!! Every month will be a different color theme.. Stay tuned for more pictures.. 

I had to mark it on my white board first! I cut the peices to all fit correctly. I used a glue stick so I can move anything I had to and it only needs to last a month! If you want to be real frugal, you can turn it around and use the other side as another month! 😉

Poster Board from dollar store, the thick one, $0.50 per month.. SCORE! 

Hardware store paint samples, $0 COST!! Big Score!! I LOVE it!! 

Making taffy! Any flavor

What do you do on hot days? Well my girls and I hear the stove up and make candy! 😉 I know not the best idea, but it was fun! 

I ran out of corn syrup so I used regular syrup for pancakes- I don't have maple flavor so that worked out great!! This does get tiring so everyone work together! I buy these drink packs at the dollar store so I always have them! We used pink lemonade & fruit punch! They are sugargree, you can never tell by the taste! Loved it

4th of July treats

Red, white & blue chocolate stars!! 

I used chocolate morales.. I divided it up in 3 parts. Melted in a glass bowl, 30 second intervals.. If the choc needs help melting, add crisco to smooth it out. Don't get crazy with it and it won't change the flavor.. Just add coloring to 2 parts of the 3 and add to a pipping bag and put in a star chocolate mold.. 

Camping tricks

We eat eggs like crazy, for breakfast but carrying all those eggs in the cooler.. They break or you buy the case and you only can carry 6-12. I had an idea, like a light bulb floating over my head.. 

Use shakers, protein shakers! Easy to pack, no shells, easy to scramble!! Awesome! 

Party games for 9th birthday

First year I decided to do a slumber party.. $ave money! Every year I spend about $600-$1000 for her birthday.. I thought to myself, that it's ok if it's not a huge bash- when I was a kid, I had maybe 2 big bashes my whole childhood.. It wasn't anything that was thought of, but I do admit I love people at my house and I love to put together a theme and watch it unfold and everyone have fun!! 

Here are the great games we played:

🎈1. Balloon stomp

Tie a half blown up balloon to each guests ankle with an arm length string

💅2. Nail Polish song

It's similar to Hot Potatoe, play music and when it stops you paint a nail.. The one with the both hands painted loses.. Honestly, this one went on to long and got boring! 

💄3. Blind Trust Makeover Game

...this was my favorite and the most hilarious game!!  I went to the dollar store to get all of it.. Blind folds, lipstick, eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara & blush! It was 6 girls, so I bought 3 sets.. 

One girl puts a blind fold on and puts make up on the girl in front of her! I did this with the girls because 2 girl went home, but this was so fun!! We cried and laughed, of course took blackmail pictures for later in life! 

For the goodie bags, I also bought at the dollar store and I made it for something they can do or make and then take home.. I bought a pack of solid colors handle bags the skinnier ones.. I added names to the bags.. I also got draw your own coffee tumblers and they used stickers and markets.. Turned out cool.. And added candies.. Overall didn't spend much, made dinner, new hamburgers and had chips and made homemade fries😉

-Getting organized

I like to have things digital and all but then at the end of the day, is it all in one spot? Do I need to pull it up on my laptop? I'll just wait until tomorrow and 3 weeks later I'm behind on what I needed to write down or was thinking! At work I have so many things going from point A to point Z that I need to be more organized and have it in front of my face! I made a small 1" mini binder for coupons and budget so now I took things out of there and added to my new disc notebook!! I 💜 it!! I've had planners over the years but I added work and personal together! 

No spend budget- I found this a couple of times when searching for planners! I love this idea!! Helps save money and focus on buying issues! 

Inspirational financial advise! I printed 2 calendars- 1. Regiment: this is what I mark down for "scheduled" things for beauty or cleaning the fish bowl! I'm trying to be better with a facial snd hair regiment!! 

Dollar store had dividers and the below ones I got from my really good friend for my birthday ...

Monthly budget: write down "actuals" vs "budgeted amount" good to know!! I also downloaded an app called wallet and it gives me charts and I can add categories that I wanted reported and I can print it up and add it to my planner. This was I can watch monthly on where my money really goes!! 

Since its summer time, wanted to keep notes on things to do with the girls! I like taking vacation days to hang out with them! 

I have a weekly dinner chart in my wall, but this way I can think ahead! 

Project tab lets me hit down "craft ideas" I saw and want to do🌸

Then work ran!! Very helpful and makes me feel good!😉 Accomplished in a way, you might say! 

2015 Time to be FRUGAL!!

I have been trying for the last couple of years to be more frugal. To save more and spend less.. This year, I am even making more of an attempt.  I wish I had the time, space and the know how to do Extreme Couponing- but I do NOT have any of that!

I have set myself up for the way I like and the way that will work for me, I got a 1" mini binder to be my budget binder! I have actually made up all my own paperwork that I have used in my binder.
It is about being organized and taking time to search and look for ads, coupons, etc..

Steps to being frugal, saving money-- 😏 stop trying to pick up the tab! So late night run to grab food for my man after I fixed dinner, make him pay! I'm not going to do it.. And beer runs, not pulling money out when I am not drinking!!
I saved myself about $40 tonight by not doing the norm .. Feeling proud

Jolly Rancher Lollypops

These are the girls favorite thing to do of all time! They taste yummy, they look cool and they are really easy to do!!

3 Jolly Ranchers all lined up on parchment paper on a cookie tray..

250 degrees for like 5 min (this does depend on your oven) 

Sometimes I had to go a little bit longer, just make sure all the Jolly Ranchers are melted and you can put a stick in them and let them cool down and then bag them!

Recipe Binders

I made one for my mother in law, since we were talking about it and all the crockpot recipes I was making, So I threw this together for her. At the same time, I was making one for my cousins' wife- which I have not sent her hers yet.. SHHhh!! She lives in Arizona and they were her for the Summer time and It is now New Years Eve and I am writing about not having it completed yet.
I guess those are one of many projects I need to finish in January!

Printed out some nice cook book covers that I liked..

Added some embellishments!

Walking Tacos

Found this on Pintrest..
Thought it would be fun for the kids.
We had small bags of Fritos leftover from the lunch snacks, of course those are the last to go.
I had regular ones and Chili ones- which are amazing with this idea..
Make all the fixings as if you were making tacos. I used ground turkey, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, and salsa.. Open the bag of chips and start adding in your ingredients. And that is your plate as well as your dish. My daughter actually ended up taking some chips out. I added mine to a bowl, it was hard to try and get all I wanted into the bag.
Something different and nice for the kids!
They really liked the idea.

Crock Pot Lava Cake

I do not like chocolate, but ohhhh myyy!!
This was so darn good, that no one said "No Thank You!"

 Ingredients

Cake

1

box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ triple chocolate fudge cake mix

1 1/4

cups milk

1/2

cup vegetable oil

3

eggs

Topping

1

box (4-serving size) instant chocolate pudding and pie filling mix

2

cups milk

1

bag (12 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups)

Directions

• 1Spray 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat Cake ingredients with electric mixer as directed on cake mix box. Pour into slow cooker.
• 2In medium bowl, beat pudding mix and 2 cups milk with whisk as directed on box. Pour into slow cooker over cake batter. Do not mix. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top.
• 3Cover; cook on Low heat setting 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours or until cake is set and pudding is beginning to bubble out of cake.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-chocolate-lava-cake/4f08a6d7-da83-4aff-b2ee-611d19024f04

Camping Ideas- Recipe for snacks

One camping trip, I decided to change it up a little. We were bringing one of our girls and her friend so we needed more snacks. So I actually went on to Pintrest and searched for camping recipes or something along those lines..

I found this great little idea- Pretty much can put anything on a kaboob stick and it will be good!
Of course, you soak the sticks in water for an hour. Then I bought pop chicken pieces, and then put 4-5 pieces on the stick. Pack it up and you are ready to go..

I have a flat skillet like thing that goes over the campfire or stove.. So that is what I did with turning and some turning and they were a hit!!
My boyfriend who is a stickler for keeping things the same was excited and probably ate more than anyone!
We always have BBQ sauce but you really did not need it at all!!

Monthly Project Ideas Printable

I like to make crafts with the girls, and I look things up or they get sent to my inbox.
So I thought I need to organize myself on what & when I want to do these projects.
So I made up a sheet to add my projects in. I wanted to start a goal up for me. I try and take too much on sometimes and some projects are bigger than others. So I made this template up and have it in my control binder, so that it is on hand. I also make a list for a month or two- try not to fill it up all in one month. This way, I know I need to buy supplies and for what month I need it for.
I also made a list of who I want to make them for. Feel free to pull them off for yourself and edit and make your own.

This is one I started and I just hand write it in, since I put it in my binder. It is in word doc so you can change yours up, if you like.

Printable Available Here

Printable 2 Available Here