Thursday, September 26, 2013

Candy Corn Jars

Fall is officially here!  I turned my heat on this morning.  I was really hoping to wait until October, but I was freezing and I caved.  Once the weather gets cooler I start getting in the mood for Halloween.  The boys and I got our Halloween decorations out the other day.  I saw these cute candy corn jars on Pinterest and thought they would be a fun and easy Halloween project.  Plus, I had everything I needed already, so it made it even easier.  Keeping a stockpile of jars pays off sometimes.

Candy Corn Jars


What you'll need:

  • Small Jars or Vases
  • Orange, Yellow and White Balloons
  • Scissors
  • Battery Operated Candles or tea lights (optional)



Directions:
  1. Cut the skinny tops off each balloon and cut the bottoms off your top two colors.  I used orange on the bottom, but after buying candy corn, I see orange is in the middle.  Oops!
  2. Start with the white balloon at the top and pull it over the jar. Then work your way down with the yellow and orange, overlapping the balloons slightly.  I went to the top of the jar, but you could start below the lip of the jar.  The bottom balloon, in my case the orange balloon, covers the entire bottom of the jar.  
  3. Add a battery operated candle for some Halloween ambiance or you can use real tea lights if you didn't cover the top of the jar with balloons.  

If you are having a Halloween party, these would be really cute as utensil holders.




Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Fresh Salsa!

We have an abundance of grape tomatoes growing in our garden.  We have one tomato plant and it is out of control.  It's huge and it is taller than me.  It's growing over and around our fence (thankfully we don't have neighbors on that side of the fence yet).  In past years my tomato plants haven't done very well, so this year I decided I would only plant one and not waste precious garden space.  Little did I know it would take over a huge portion of one of my raised garden beds.  Last Friday we had about 4 bowls full of tomatoes so Chris and I made salsa after the boys went to bed.  Neither of us had made salsa before so we were kind of winging it with the recipe.  I do have to say it turned out pretty tasty!  Plus it was something fun to do together.  A good at home date night idea!

Fresh Salsa

Out of control tomato plant



Salsa Recipe

6 Cups Tomatoes - We used grape tomatoes, because that's what we have growing in our garden, but any tomato will do.
3/4 of a Medium White Onion
1 Green Pepper
3 Teaspoons Garlic
1/4 - 1/2 Cup Cilantro - This was two handfuls chopped up finely.
2 Jalapenos with seeds
1 Tablespoon Sea Salt
3 Teaspoons Sugar

Dice tomatoes, white onion and green pepper put in large bowl.  Chop jalapenos and cilantro finely and add to bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and mix together.

We used the seeds from both jalapenos and I would say the salsa is medium-hot.  If you want a medium salsa add seeds from 1 jalapeno and no seeds for a mild salsa.  If you are concerned about the heat, set aside all the seeds from the beginning and then slowly add them in after combining all other ingredients.

We diced all our ingredients pretty small, so it isn't too chunky.  If you prefer a smoother consistency you could put all the ingredients in a food processor.





I will definitely be making salsa again!  These pictures make me want chips, salsa and a corona.



Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

DIY Manicure Kits

Looking for a fun present for a friends birthday?  A teacher?  Mom, Sister, Aunt?  A just because gift? Put together a fun manicure or pedicure kit.  You can include a lot of items and keep it fairly inexpensive.  Make sure to include some of your favorite items.





Ideas for Manicure/Pedicure Kit

  • Nail Polish
  • Base Coat/Top Coat
  • Nail Polish Remover
  • Nail File
  • Nail Brush
  • Nail Care Sticks
  • Nail Clippers
  • Cuticle Oil
  • Cotton Pads/Balls
  • Hand/Foot Lotion
  • Toe Separator
  • Foot File

Put all your items in a jar or basket and you are set!





Speaking of manicures, I am in desperate need of one.  Maybe after the boys go to bed tonight.  What's your favorite nail color or style right now?


Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Grandparents Day!

Grandparents day is this Sunday, September 8th!  We like to send the grandmas and grandpas in our life pictures for their special day.  

This year, like last year, I used Instagram pictures and created a 5x7 collage using Google Picasa.  Then I had them printed at Costco.  The boys wrote, colored and added stickers to cardstock paper that I attached to the back of the picture.  Here is the card from this year.

2013 Grandparents Day Card

I didn't get any pictures of Parker working on this project, but he worked really hard signing everyone's names.  




Ryder worked hard on the cards too.  This kid refuses to color with crayons, only markers.  He likes to keep me on my toes. 




*Apologies to any of our grandparents seeing this here first instead of getting it in the mail

Here's to Grandmas, Grandpas and Great-Grandparents!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Cheers!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Accessorizing the Laundry Room

Last week, I showed you my new happy laundry room.  After painting the room yellow, I couldn't stop and thought it needed a few fun accessories.  I decided red would be a fun color to accessorize with.  I grabbed my Rust-Oleum Apple Red Spray Paint in a glossy finish and got to work.  I sprayed a fun mirror, a wooden crate and a pickle jar lid.  I sprayed each item with a few light coats of spray paint.  Rust-Oleum spray paint is my favorite, it goes on the easiest, coats the best and doesn't get clogged.



I got the mirror at an estate sale I helped my mom with, over a year ago.  The wooden crate came from a Melissa & Doug wooden fruit set, for the boys kitchen.  I'm using the crate to corral my laundry detergent, stain remover, etc.  The lid came from a Costco size jar of pickles.  I'm using the jar to hold the laundry detergent pods/packs.  The detergent pods make a life a little easier and I love that.  It's nice to have a slightly more organized laundry room.




It's so hard to photograph this closet, with no natural light.  The most accurate picture of the walls is the one at the top of this post.  




I love the detail on this mirror
Every room deserves a little accessorizing!

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!
 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

First Day of Pre-K

Fall is unofficially here, with the beginning of another school year.  Parker had his first day of Pre-K today!  He was so excited to go back and see all his friends, even though he had a hard time getting out of bed this morning.  We had to wake him up at 7:45 this morning.  I don't think he slept that late all Summer.  Parker will be going to school three mornings a week.  He is in a new building this year, but still with all his friends from last year.  This is the last year before he starts going all day, Monday-Friday.

I can't believe how much he has grown since last year.  He looks so much older!  Below is a short questioner that he answered and surprisingly a lot of the answers are the same as last years. 








'First day of School' posts from the past couple of years

Here's to a great school year!

Cheers!