Friday, July 29, 2011

Just HAD to share!

http://www.make-it-do.com/clean-it/spring-clean-your-mattress/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MakeItDo+%28Make+It+Do%29

Spring cleaning mattresses is a simple process for me.  I start by removing all the bedding, including bed skirts and mattress covers… and putting it all into the wash.
Next I lift the mattress and box springs off the bed and thoroughly vacuum and dust.  I also love to wipe down the wall and floorboards behind the bed.
I lay the mattress back into place and make my own special concoction.  You could just use straight baking soda, but I love to pour about 1 cup of baking soda into a mason jar and drop in 4 drops of lavender essential oil.  Put on the lid and shake up the jar.

Using a kitchen strainer sprinkle the baking soda mixture all over the mattress and let it sit.  I leave it for an hour or more, usually the time it takes for me to finish washing all the bedding and press the bed skirt.
Using the hose end of your vacuum and an upholstery attachment, thoroughly vacuum the mattress.  Bye, bye dust mites and other nasty things.  The baking soda helps draw up any moisture and deep dirtiness.  It deodorizes and leaves the mattress smelling fresh and clean.  I also love the faint scent of lavender left by the essential oil.
The word lavender is derived from the Latin “lavare” meaning to wash…. I guess I’m in good company with the Ancient Romans in thinking it smells nice and clean.
When I get in bed after a deep clean like this, I wonder how I ever slept a wink in my dusty bed.  I am pretty much guaranteed to sleep like a baby tonight!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Ooh This is what I'll be making saturday!

http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/2011/06/mini-snickers-caramel-cheesecakes.html






2 c. chopped Snickers Bars
2 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbl. granulated sugar
5 Tbl. melted butter
2 8oz packages softened cream cheese
1 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbl. pure vanilla
3 Tbl. caramel sauce



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place chopped Snickers Bars into a bowl, set aside for now. Place graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter into a mixing bowl to combine. Spoon a couple spoonfuls of crumbs into each section of the muffin pan and press down and up the sides. Bake for 5-6 minutes or just until browned. Remove from oven.
In a stand or electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in eggs and vanilla until well combined, scraping sides of bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in caramel sauce until well combined. Pour about 1/4 c. of cheesecake mixture over each baked crust then top evenly with chopped Snickers. Bake for 23-26 minutes or until cheesecake edges are just starting to brown and centers are nearly set. Remove and let cool completely. While still warm, loosen all edges with a plastic knife to make for easier removal from pan. Refrigerate once cooled then top with caramel sauce and whipped cream to serve!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Oh Dear Sweet Potatos

Baked Potatoes with Bacon Slices - All you do is peel whole potatoes, cut them all across, not too thin, and not all the way through, sprinkle with some salt, but not too much, the bacon is salty. Then fill with small bacon slices in between. Bake in a pan with some oil until potatoes are fully cooked, and serve!

http://pinterest.com/pin/65404031/

MMMM, MMMM Good!

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/avocado-fries-10000001886172/

Lookey what I found!

















So silly but before i had JoJo I was pretty allergic to avocado. My throat wouldnt swell up, nor would I get hives but I would itch and scratch to the point of bruising myself!
Miraculously during pregnancy I found that my reaction to these beloved fruits (yes its a fruit) had subsided. Now I'm a avocado nut.....sans scratching!

Ingredients
  • Canola oil for frying
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • About 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs, beaten to blend
  • 1 1/4 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
  • 2 firm-ripe medium avocados, pitted, peeled, and sliced into 1/2-in. wedges
  • 1. Preheat oven to 200°. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 1/2 in. oil until it registers 375° on a deep-fry thermometer.
  • 2. Meanwhile, mix flour with 1/4 tsp. salt in a shallow plate. Put eggs and panko in separate shallow plates. Dip avocado in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, then panko to coat. Set on 2 plates in a single layer.
  • 3. Fry a quarter of avocado slices at a time until deep golden, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer slices to a plate lined with paper towels. Keep warm in oven while cooking remaining avocados. Sprinkle with salt to taste.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

JoJo and his best friend

The dog parks nowadays helps wear out not only the dog....but JoJo as well, LOL! They never fail to make me laugh!
Trying to look so
cool and casual, LOL
















































Peek-A-Boo!!!!




















I See You!!!!

















Indy had to get in on the action!


































My Whole World!




















A day at the dog park

Today was one of those days that I was so thankful I brought my camera to the dog park! Indy is such a clown and we are blessed to have such well behaved dogs that frequent our dog park so I thought I'd share some fun pics!

 Indy and a mini aussie that I fell in love with, he was the perfect size and SO sweet!













Aaah, he called for
reinforcements!






















Indy just stands out to me....
maybe cause he's my dog, LOL!

















But it was no big surprise to me that Indy's favorite friend of the day was a larger dog, he plays well with large dogs.
In this case it was a BEAUTIFUL Viszla!
They were hilarious, I had to make these pictures bigger!




Tuesday, July 12, 2011

So many summer contests, coupons, and contests!

Wow it seems like the coupon craze is really in full force! I'm not one to spend HOURS searching for coupons, however i never pass up a good deal or a chance to enter a contest. I used to think contests were bogus but last year I won a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag (still in the wrapper, waiting incase I have another baby), LOL, a free necklace, concert tickets and a free breakfast! If you have the time, why not?

Anyhoo some of my favorites are.......

A great place to check for daily deals....
Seattle Mom's Deal Finder

101 Days of Giveaways by Parenting magazine...
click each day for a new prize!

Join Petunia Pickle Bottom's Facebook  page for a new contest each month, listed under "Contest" on the left side of the page
You gotta 'like" their page

Chilli's Restaurant often times offer a free kids entree with the price of a paying adult if you join their email club. YThey don't send out spam and offered this deal 3 times last month!
Also free Queso & Chips

I've also bought several pairs of New Balance shoes from this website....for all members of teh family. I dont know how they offer such cheap prices but I'll keep coming back!
http://www.joesnewbalanceoutlet.com/


And of course I have to give big UPS to my favorite sample sale websites. I can't get enough of them. Listed first is Totsy and if you sign up for Plum District you can get a voucher for !5 but worth $30! How cool is that?
Totsy

The much loved Zulilly, I got JoJo some Croc's for $15
http://www.zulily.com/invite/cloftus677

Monday, July 4, 2011

Summer in Full Swing!

Finally June Gloom is over and our summer fun has officially started!
This past weekend we took JoJo to Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, Ca. and were lucky enough to be able to bring our beloved pooch, Indy!
Daddy and JoJo ready for departure!





















We wound up through the redwoods, steam
blowing and train whistling!














JoJo was happy to have his dog on the train and I was so proud of my boys for behaving so well!



















I think this is one of my new favorite pictures!