Cookies to take to the exchange

The winner cookies I am baking to share at the Cookie Exchange are the.......hot cocoa cookies.  I test made them last week.  They were a hit!!  Even better they go with the holiday season.  My other favorites were the lemon sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting, rolo cookies (so easy) and cherry pecan icebox cookies.  Oh there are too many to list!!!  My least favorite tested cookie was the chocolate gooey butter cookies.  The cream cheese in the recipe just did not do it for us.  All we tasted was chocolate and cream cheese.  It was not very gooey or buttery.  Do not get me wrong I love ooey gooey butter cake but this was not the same.  Not to worry though my dog snuck into the kitchen overnight to secretly devour the leftovers.  He was sick the next morning.  *smh*

The Cookie Exchange was a delightful evening.  The committee had several women from the Church speak about Christmas Traditions.  They had a wonderful but fattening dinner served.  The conversations and new people I met were inspiring.  Since there were so many people we only made 12 cookies & recipes to exchange.  We displayed our goodies a table.  At the end of the evening we grabbed a take-home box.  We filled them with 12 cookies.  I saw several from pinterest, some oldies but goodies, some too cute like one had a mouse made out of kisses on top.  There were also a couple store bought; my favorite of this variety was the one with instructions to get in car, drive to Collin Street Bakery and ask for that cookie!

I forgot to snap a picture of my plated cookies but here is a picture of my Grandmother and I before the dinner.

 

 Cookie Exchange Ideas

 

 

Advent calendars

With a dog in the house, who eats all the chocolate he can find, the traditional candy advent calendar we buy is not a good idea.  I wanted to do something different this year so I logged onto Pinterest..  I found several ideas to help me out.  I printed out a scripture chain (below) then added surprise tickets on various days for fun activities.  I did a Christmas express ticket to view Christmas lights, special candy or juice boxes, Christmas crafts, picking out the tree, setting up the nativity set, recreating the nativity with dollies, and so on.

 

 

 

She has ideas to create advent calendars like the one in the picture.  As well as activity ideas. 

 

 

I printed this one out onto green and red paper to form a chain. 

 

 

 

Too cute but requires a good bit of effort, time and materials.  Maybe next year. 

 

 

This one you can choose from pre-selected activities or create your own. 

 

 

 

 

 

Cookie Exchange

The Women's Ministry at my Church is hosting its first Cookie Exchange this year.  I am very excited.  I have participated in these before with friends but it was always small not a large affair.  Lucky us we only have to supply our table, 12 women, with cookies and recipes.  I love baking and trying new recipes. I started a Pin Board solely dedicated to this event.  For the Cookie Exchange   Check out my favorite ideas to take.

  

In case you have never participated or have no idea what a cookie exchange is let me explain.  A group of people set a date.  On that date each person brings cookies for everyone to taste plus recipes for everyone to take home.  The host normally supplies the area to set the cookies, plates, napkins, forks (for bar cookies), drinks, cups and decor.  As a host gift to these affairs I usually gift an interesting cookie cutter or vanilla. 

 

update to the laundry detergent

A half batch lasted my girls and I a little over 9 months. I gifted two mason jars to family from the batch as well.  It does work well.   The first test was a pair of my youngest jeans with poop on it that my Dad placed in a bag and forgot about for over a day.  The detergent got them clean in one wash.

 I still use Shout as a pre-wash like I did before. $20 for 9 months of laundry is a really good deal.

 

 

when all you want to eat is ice cream and popiscles

The Magic Mouthwash ingredients sound disgusting and not likely to help a sore throat.  After reading the Sprittibee's blog post about it I gave in.  I was hurting.  I had tons of nasty looking phlegm, a killer sore throat, slight fever, aches, etc.  I had been to the doctor.   He assured me it was not strep or bacterial.  Yeah, but still in pain.  I looked online for home remedies.  I found  two I used other than the salt water gargle for my throat.  The salt water gargle had done nothing for my throat in terms of relief.

 

The ingredients are simple: 1 part children's benadryl (I used cherry flavored) and 1 part milk of magnesia or similar (cherry flavor again).  It numbed my throat!!  It truly works.  I have not tried it with my children since no one has had a sore throat yet.

The other online remedy I used was in the evenings and it is a pretty old school remedy but it does work.  It is not for young children. Wild turkey heated up, a teaspoon honey and a splash of lemon. I bought a small thing of Wild Turkey 101 with the thought "that'll kill anything in my throat".  All the other ingredients I had on hand.  I always suggested using local honey.  I buy mine at the farmers market.

I hope this finds everyone in great health and it's just a post to read :) 

 

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor or nurse.  Before using any of these remedies make sure you check with your MD, DO, NP or PA.

 

And Everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

pop...pop...pop

Tightening up on my budget I love finding awesome ways to save on Pinterest, from friends or family.  A box of microwaveable butter popcorn can run $3.78 on up.  If you purchase paper lunch bags, popcorn and/or popcorn oil you have the ingredients to make your own microwaveable popcorn.  The first purchase is more than a box and requires effort beyond unwrapping but is beyond belief beneficial.  One bottle has gotten us 15 bags so far; we are not done with the bottle yet.  There are not as many preservatives as in the prepackaged bags.  Plus, if you need a little more you do not have to pop a complete bag.  

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/170573904606348626/

 

 

 

Pray for it

It has been a rough week in my household.  My youngest returned from Daddy's with a rash and fever that turned out to be hand, foot and mouth disease.  So we were home stricken for most of the week.  I did take her to see Sesame Street Live; which was already planned.  We skipped the playzone area as to not infect other kiddos.  I also found out 5 hours before pick up that Daddy will not be coming to pick up for spring break :(.  I'm taking a break from revamping plans to post.  Doing this gets my mind off of that stressor.  Since I'm very big on prayer this week I'm posting pics/links to different prayer ideas.  Take what you want and leave the rest :)

I'm at 1415 Pins.  Everyone have a great spring break.

I workout

Update on my goal to lose weight and drop at least 4 sizes.  I've dropped one size jeans to a 12.  While working out and eating better I still have a sense of humor.  I found these posters on pinterest....of course.

LMAO.....these are so true!

I keep individual muscle milks in the house but figure that much protein drinks I needed a bulk supply.  I choose Greens & Whey in chocolate.  It tastes as bad as it sounds. 

I prefer muscle milk in chocolate. 

I also purchased more fruit.  I bought bananas, grapes, blackberries, strawberries, oranges, pears and some pineapple.   Day one of the flush I weighed in at the gym at 187 pounds.  Boo!  Day one was the hardest day of the detox.  I was starving that evening but did not let myself cheat. 

Day Two & Three I did not weigh myself.  I did eat the fruit every two hours as suggested.  Because of my hunger I started each morning with a banana.  I did cheat each day with my coffee and creamer. Saturday I weighed in at 182.8 pounds.  I am impressed and I do feel a bit lighter.  So I give this fruit flush two thumbs up!

 

I've pinned 1288 Pins.

I normally do a detox after New Years each year.  I have yet do one this year.  Tomorrow I'm going to try this fruit flush out.  My normally detox I buy in a box from the Vitamin Shoppe.  It has a fiber pills & vitamins.  I also cut out junk foods and drink water.  This one sounds interesting because instead of fiber pills I'll be ingesting fresh fiber.  The fruit flush claims 4-8 pounds so I'm logging today at 185.2 pounds.

Easy Dinner

Tonight we had a yummy dinner via Pinterest. I made some delicious and easy shrimp, Cheddar Bay Biscuits, rice and steam veggies.   The shrimp only calls for butter, lemons, shrimp and italian seasoning.  Bake or grill until done.  Since I have a couple picky eaters I did not add the italian seasoning. 

I bought a big bag of shrimp and divided it up to freeze the other half.  I think my next batch I'm going to have grits with the shrimp.

I'm at 1189 Pins!

Post Valentines Day

The girls and I had lots of fun.  We got a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's, homemade sonic cherry limeades and rented Treasure Buddies.  It's one of those talking dog movies....smh.  It was low-key but just as much fun as going out.  My oldest daughters favorite candy bar is almond joy.  I made almond joy cupcakes

and heart cookies for dessert. 

The almond joy cupcakes were simple and semi-homemade.  I made chocolate cupcakes.  I took a tub of butter cream frosting added a 1/4 teaspoon coconut flavoring & half a bag of shredded coconut to it.  I piped that on the cupcakes then pressed slivered almonds on top.  I placed them in the freezer.  After an hour I took them out and coated them with chocolate magic shell.

The heart cookies were just drop sugar cookies with a candy heart pressed into them.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

I'm at 1189 Pins!  Is there a point where I max out?!

Valentines Ideas

I am not a fan of Valentine's Day.  For me the holiday is too commercialized and forced.  It has ridiculous expectations as well.  Even though I'm not a fan I do make the day special for my daughters.  We do go out to eat.  I pick fun options for that day though.  Chik-fil-a or Peter Piper's are the options this year.  A good thing about these places is they will not be packed like if I chose Samurai Steakhouse or Roadhouse.  Through Pinterest I have found some very cute decor ideas as well as Valentine ideas. 

I made this garland for $3.00 from a pinterest inspiration.  It was that cheap because the hearts were a 3 pack of Christmas decorations that I found 50% off after Christmas (50 cents each pack).  The ribbon was a dollar at Dollar Tree. 

I spent less than $1 each on these Valentine gifts for my girls.  No this is not the ones I made.

Four pack drinks are $1.  I bought a snack size bag of kisses for less than a $1.  Then leftover ribbon, baggies and paper. 

I have yet to do these projects but I have the supplies.  

 Too cute!  All the supplies I already have so it will only cost me time.  I'll post an update picture when we do it. 

I will leave you guys on this note.

I'm at 1001 Pins.

taking my finances back

Online banking and debit cards have made me lazy in the financial responsibility department.  I stopped using a ledger more than a year ago.  The only check I write is for MDO each month.  During the summer I realized I waste a lot of money  so I started keeping a written ledger of all money and expenses.  I update it each week.  Then check it against my online account.  I really like the ideas on this blog about using envelopes.  The blog also encourages you to go a week without using your debit card to raise awareness of the extras you purchase. 

My biggest dumb expense is stops to Bush's for a sweet tea or Sonic during happy hour.  To help with my unplanned spending I allot myself so much in quick stops by placing a $5 each week in my glove compartment.  When that is spent I cannot make any extra stops.  Any money left the next Monday goes into my piggy bank or is given to my daughters for theirs.  I do not add it to the next week.

 

I also save money by meal planning and shopping alone.  It seems minor but it truly saves a bundle when you know exactly what to get, have a cash budget to remain within and no kids or hubby's begging for this or that.  Our breakfast, lunch and dinners are planned for a two to three week period.  Then I normally have two extra meals that are super easy like hot dogs or spaghetti.  And of course I keep back-up breakfasts like cereal on hand.  I have started doing freezer meals. 

 These help me cut cost because some recipes are for 6-8 portions.  By making ahead and freezing I don't have the waste of leftovers that never get eaten.  I love that. 

I'm at 1015 Pins.  I wonder if you can max out on Pins?!!

Mardi Gras

I found a Mardi Gras wreath on pinterest and decided to duplicate it. I spent only $5 at dollar tree for all the supplies. I found some extra beads in my craft box and used those to dangle. I went lazier than the tutorial. I used a hot glue gun instead of wire. 

I'm at 926 Pins.

zombies

 I'm one of those people who are intrigued and convinced that one day zombies will no longer be a myth. 

I have read several Zombie books but the other day found this Zombie haiku book the other day.  I cannot wait to snag it to read.

This is my favorite LOL Christmas book. 

I so want these for the yard but I think my neighbors would flip out.

I'm at 828 Pins.

workout ideas

These are some great at home workout ideas I found on pinterest.  I have a gym membership but these are good for the days I cannot find time or the kids are too sick for child-watch.  I also use my xbox 360 for several other workouts.  It is tough but I like the UFC trainer kinect "game".   I  really like some of the Pilate's and yoga workouts on the Netflix app as well.

I've pinned 792 pins.