Friday Feature {RAIN GUTTER BOOKSHELF} and Link Party

Do you have a lot of books??? I homeschool..... I have a TON of books! I have run out of book shelves and many times our books are all shoved in there that I forget what we have.

This is a great idea!! Rain Gutter Bookshelves!!

Kimberly at Meet the Olives has a really good tutorial on how to make the

 RAIN GUTTER BOOKSHELF

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no giveaways or etsy stores
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

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Friday Feature {LIGHTED BED CANOPY} and Link Party

Oh to have girls....

Katie at Project:Possible made this really cute canopy for her girls. One who is terrified of the dark, and one who likes to wake up way to early to read. Both girls are happy now {and now so is mom}

Go on over and see the easy tutorial to make this cute canopy! Lighted Bed Canopy.

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no giveaways or etsy stores
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

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Easy Bread Recipe

I love making bread, I love the smell and the warmth of fresh bread, but I like having an easy recipe that is quick to make. And it's pretty versatile as far as what type of flour that you use.

2 Cups warm water {100 degrees F}
2/3 Cup sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 Cup vegetable oil
6 Cups bread flour

In a large bowl dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to poof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. {For me it takes about 10 minutes}

Mix salt and oil into the poofy yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time until dough pulls away from the bowl and is smooth. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface. Leave on counter and put a big bowl over the top and let rest for about 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 170 degrees F.

Grease loaf pan {I can usually get 2 loaves of of it} roll bread and put into loaf pan. Put into the bread into the oven and turn the oven OFF for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes turn the oven on to 350 degrees *keep the bread in the oven while the oven preheats* cook for another 30 minutes.

When it is done take the bread out of the bread pan and butter the top.


Here is the fun part.... you can use half whole-wheat and half bread flour. You can do all 6 cups of whole-wheat. The other day I even used bean flour. I ground my own bean and used that. I did have to add a little bit of gluten when I used the bean flour. It turned out really good.

Curry Pumpkin Soup

This is one of my favorite soups to make. It's so easy and SO good!!!

Pumpkin Curry Soup

2 Tablespoons Butter
3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons Curry
1/2 Onion chopped
4 Cups Vegetable Broth
1{29 ounce} can of Pumpkin {or fresh pumpkin if you have one}
1 1/2 Cup Cream
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in flour and curry powder until smooth. Add onion and continue to stir until mixture begins to bubble.Gradually whisk in broth and cook until thickened. pour soup into a blender {in batches if you need too} and blend onion mixture until smooth. In a double boiler heat up the cream until warm. Stir in pumpkin and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Top with grated parmesan cheese.

This soup is really warm and it's quick and easy to make. It goes great with some crusty bread.

Enjoy!

Friday Feature {Organized!!} and Link Party

Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to get organized??? Mine always is!! I feel like the chaos in my brain spills out to all over my house!

My focus this year is on getting a menu plan for a year. It seems extreme, but McKensie over at Bold Turquoise makes it look really easy. {she even has calenders you can print out to make it look pretty!}

I think it is a great idea, and I am a quarter of the way done with my menu plans! {go me}

Head on over to Bold Turquoise to see how she puts it all together.

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no giveaways or etsy stores
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

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Socks & Shoes NOT Required {Giveaway}

We are so excited to introduce all of you to Leah's new and improved Homeschooling blog...

Socks & Shoes NOT Required

Leah is currently holding three different giveaways.  Yep, you read that right...3 different giveaways.  Here are some of the fun things you can enter to win.

Giveaway #1-

Giveaway #2-

Giveaway #3-

Each of these giveaways will close Sunday the 15th at Midnight (EST for Leah).  So, head on over to Socks & Shoes NOT Required and check out her new blog and enter win some fun loot for you kiddies.

About Leah and her blog

Well, I'm Leah, I have 4 boys, a dog... that's a boy, and a wonderful husband who has taken me on many great adventures. Not adventures to foreign lands but just life in general. Currently we are in Florida while he goes to Chiropractic school, but it was a long road getting here.

I've decided to resurrect this blog and do something different.

I've decided that I am going to review things that I am using, things I have used, and things that I have looked at and decided not to use and why. I am skeptical sometimes of "testimonial" on the websites, I mean really who are these people? But I know that I am more likely to buy something or even look that way if someone I know says something about it, or recommends it.

This won't be just curriculum and products but magazines, books, and internet sites as well and why I like them or.... don't like them.

I will also share some things that work for us and tricks that I have learned along the way.

I will also be posting a "Question of the Week" I would love it if you would email me your answer. I know I have so much to learn from others and I know that your knowledge will help others as well. I will post all the answers the following week so you can see what others have done or what works for them.

I don't consider myself an expert at all, and I have only been doing homeschooling for 3 years but I feel like I have something to offer and new ideas are always good.... right??

I'll post as often as I can, and I look forward to meeting and learning from all of you.

Friday Feature {Candy Tray}

Do you ever wish you had a cute tray or dish to go with your cute little treats? I do... We don't have a lot of storage space right now for a lot of the extra holiday dishes.


I found this over at Tutto Bella and I thought it was a great idea! She even goes on and makes different designs.

It's a Candy Serving Tray

Don't those Hersey Kisses look great on that tray?? I think so, and that tray is MINTS!!!

Head on over to Tutto Bellas and take a peek at how to do this!

Friday Feature {RACK} and Link Party

We have entered into a great time of year!! The Christmas season!  I love this time of year as I am sure you do too.

Unfortunately, we live in such a busy society that it's a lot of work sometimes to really focus on the Christmas spirit. Between the shopping and domestic stuff and still needing to run kids to their things it gets busy. {please tell me I am not the only one that struggles with this}.

Traci over at tsj Photography found a really cute idea for serving every day.

RACK = Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

Everyday in December Traci and her girls do a different random act. {What a cute way to display it all.}

Go see Traci at tsjPhotography to see all the great things that they did to get ideas for your wall of RACK!

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no giveaways or etsy stores
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

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Friday Feature {Apron in a Jar} and Link Party

I know there are many that are away from family during Thanksgiving. There is not enough time given off from work and school to travel really far. When my husband was in the military we often went to different houses for this holiday or had people come to our house. One year someone brought me a gift because I was the host. {honestly at that point I thought hostess gifts were something they only did on TV....} So now, when I go somewhere I try to bring a gift.

Here is a really easy gift idea from PLEASANT HOME. It's so easy and so thoughtful. {and it can double as a great Christmas gift}

You can make or buy an apron and roll it up and put it in a canning jar, and then put a favorite recipe with it.

Quick.... Easy....Thoughtful!

Head on over to PLEASANT HOME to see the recipe that she put with her jar.

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no giveaways or etsy stores
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

<br /><center><a href="http://cookienut.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww91/pleasantsunday/Cookie%20Nut%20Creations/LinkParty.jpg" /></a><center><br /><br /></center></center>

Friday's Feature {Dog Tie} and Link Party

Yes, you read that right. Some times our four legged friends get left behind in the crafting department, so I found this tutorial on making a tie for your four legged bestie.

Really??? Could this be any cuter? {and with Halloween coming up what a perfect time you dress your dog up... or your cat I suppose, but they tend to be a bit more temperamental}

Head on over to Dog Under My Desk for this tutorial, and you can see what other things she has for dogs!

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no giveaways or etsy stores
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

<br /><center><a href="http://cookienut.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww91/pleasantsunday/Cookie%20Nut%20Creations/LinkParty.jpg" /></a><center><br /><br /></center></center>

Friday Feature {Halloween Wreaths} and link party

I love wreaths!! And they are not just for Christmas any more! There are wreaths popping up for every occasion!

Halloween is in only a month away, but you still have plenty of time to make an easy wreath. I know I am only suppose to pick one thing to feature for our Friday feature, but I couldn't decided which one was the best, so luck you.... you get 3!

Easy -easy. Head on over to Something to Do with Jamie on how to make this wreath with only 3 things!

This one I think is by far my favorite and most "Halloween-y". Meg with a love for all things Halloween shows you how to make this at MEGA-SPOOKY!

Here is another easy wreath that can be done in about an hour.... as long as you are quick with catching snakes..... maybe I'm kidding. Amber at The McIllece Spot tells you how she made this one.

Now "witch" one are you going to pick???

Friday Feature {Tank Top Bags}

Extra tank tops laying around??

I'm not a big tank wearer, but I do have some that I wear layered under other shirts. But I might just buy some just so I can make these and have extra purses.

Cute huh!!

Head on over to Craft Nest to take a peek at the easy tutorial.

Glue and Dye

Benji, turned one. I really like the cute onesies that have the cute "Happy Birthday - I'm ONE" but they are expensive{like $9} and really... can I put it on him when he is 18 months.... no.

So I made one.

I drew what I wanted on some freezer paper and I drew it in black so I could see it through the onesie.

Then I used the CLEAR Tacky Glue. I haven't tried the white glue but have read that it doesn't work with white glue, and that it has to be clear. {I'm not sure if that is right but it's what I read}

I don't know if you can see it really clear, but then I traced my design with the glue onto my oneis.I used a onesie that I already had. I let mine dry over night. I wanted to make sure it was completely dry, and I did this part at 11:00pm, and I wasn't going to wait.

Then I used a fabric dye and followed the directions on the package.

The color is going to come out a lot darker when it's in the dye.

Then start rinsing. And as you rinse rub your fingers across where the glue was and it will start coming off.

All the glue should just come right off, keep rubbing and rinsing until it does.

 Then wash and dry according to the dye directions to set the color.

Happy Birthday my Benji!! {and at a total cost of $4.75}

Friday Feature {Ruler Clips}

I saw this idea and loved it!!! Those with kids know all the art work and papers that start coming from school. I homeschool my boys but still like to showcase their work. This is so cute!!

Ana White over at Ana White HomeMaker shows you how to do this.

Have fun hanging all the art work that comes home this year!!

Friday Feature {Lunch Bag}

If you are anything like me you seem to work well under pressure. Well... have you looked at the calender?? School is right around the corner... Before you jump out to buy a new lunch box with the favorite character {at the time} on it. You have a couple weeks left, so here is a tutorial to make a lunch sack instead

Christie at A Lemon Squeezy Home has a great tutorial along with a pattern that you can download.

How cute would it be to sew up a bunch of these and send your kid to school with a new lunch sack every day!!

Easy Flip-Flops!

Do you remember this post?

Well the looked easy enough so I pulled out my stash of supplies and put together a pair.

 I bought this pair of flip at the dollar store. {I love the dollar store!!!!}

Cut the straps off....

And find some cute fabric {I actually had bought this at JoAnn's from their pre-cut squares}

Ok... and here is where I forgot to take some pictures so I'll do my best to explain.

Cut the fabric into 2 - 18"x 2.5" {ish} PER SHOE - I didn't have a ruler to measure, so I just eyeballed it. Take the 2 strips together and put them through the toe hole.

Tie a knot

And then pull it back down and cut the little extra off. If you want you can use some hot glue and glue it down.

Ok... here I forgot again to take some pictures {sorry}

After you tie the first knot on the bottom of the shoe put it on and gauge where you want to tie another knot. You'll put them together and tie one knot.... and then another {see the picture at the bottom}

While you still have it on push one strip on each side, and tie another knot.

 It's ok pull them a little tight because the fabric will stretch a bit.

And tie more knots, again you can hot glue these if you want.

I think they turned out really cute. And they were seriously so easy!! I did this while I had 6 kids running around my house.

So go and make a couple pairs... this would be fun for mom's and daughters to do and have matching flip-flops.

More Frozen Treats

Ooooo I am so excited to share these with you! I couldn't decided which one to do so I thought I would post them both! {Lucky you!}

Raspberry Sorbet
1 bag frozen raspberries
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar

Dissolve the sugar into the water and set aside. Pour the bag of frozen raspberries into a food processor, and pulse in the food processor until the berries start to break down. Then turn on and processes, and pour in the sugar water. Process until the mixture is smooth. Put into a tupperwear container and put in the freezer. It doesn't take long to set so while it's doing its thing grab some heavy whipping cream and whip some up. Top you sorbet with some.

{be sure to save some to share!}

Are you ready for the next one....

Banana Ice Cream

I seriously was shocked how easy and good this was!
What you need is one bunch of bananas. That's it.

Peel the bananas and slice them into a casserole dish. Cover with some plastic wrap and put in the freezer. Freeze for a couple hours. Put the frozen bananas in a food processor and process. Process until creamy{Be careful not to over process or you'll end up with soup}are serve. Any left overs just pop in the freezer.

Treat your kids to ice cream tomorrow morning... they will think you are the coolest... you will know that it's just bananas.

Easy Ice Cream!

Holy smokes... you will not believe how easy this is!! I'm serious- you will be amazed!

I am all about the frozen treat in the summer time! I currently live in Florida and the humidity is oppressing, so to over come that I keep a well stocked freezer of yummy things!

Ok enough talk, on with it...

What you will need...
1 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream
1 can Sweeten condensed milk

{Yup... that's it!}

Put the whipping cream in your mixer and beat it until stiff peaks form. You want them really stiff. Once you have that open a can of sweeten condensed milk and fold it in. Put it in a container that you can freeze.

Here is the hard part. You have to wait... It has to be totally frozen... a good 6 hours.

Want some different flavors?? Mix in some chocolate sauce... Toss in some chocolate chips....{add some mint flavoring with that}... fold in some raspberries.... After you put it in your container swirl in some caramel sauce.... really the possibilities are endless!!



{psst.... you really do have to wait the whole time... so no peeking!}

Bean & Rice Burritos

We are trying to eat more vegetables in our family and to cut back on our meat consumption. Don't get me wrong, we still like to grill and stuff, but meat tends to be a bit heavy. So here is a spin on burritos that are a bit lighter.

2 cups cooked brown rice
1 med. green pepper
1/2c. diced onion
1T minced garlic
3-4T cilantro
1T chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained.
8 flour tortillas
salsa
cheese
sour cream

Cook rice according to directions on bag. In a skillet heat oil and saute green peppers, onion, cilantro, and garlic. Add beans. Slowly stir in cooked rice. Add seasonings, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes. Cook until warm.

You can serve it now with a little cheese salsa and sour cream and it's good. However I like to fry mine just a little, so I build my burrito putting some cheese in first and then the rice and bean mix. I fold it up and fry it in a pan with about 3 Tablespoons of oil.It cooks really fast so keep an eye on it. It will cook for about 1.5-2 minutes on each side.

Being that it's summer break out the fresh salsa that you have made and some fresh pineapple cut up.

Pita Pockets

During the summer months sandwiches are popular at our house. But bread becomes boring, and well... we are a family of 6 so we go through bread really fast.

We like pita bread. It's pretty light and the kids get a kick out of eating a pocket.

Here are some ideas to put in your pita bread....

Meat... any kind. -shredded chicken, lunch meat, tuna
Cheese
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Sprouts
Avacado
Peppers - all colors
Spinach
Chickpeas
Broccoli
Olives

The possibilities are endless! So next time before you grab for the loaf of bread, try pitas instead.... And you may be able to get away with sneaking in the veggies down in the bottom of the pita were the kids can't see them :)