It's Friday

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Even a 2 Year Old Can Help Make Play Dough

Need a Great activity to do with a toddler?

How about making some play dough.

The recipe is easy and you probably have all of the ingredients in your house already.

So we got started by getting our aprons on and pulling our sleeves up.

I put Zoie on a stool so she could help.

 (She takes her socks off every chance she gets)

Then we got out all of our ingredients and a mixing bowl.

Here is what you need:

1 C. Salt

1 1/2 C. Flour

1/2 C. Water

2 Tbsp. Oil

A few drops of food coloring.

Mix all ingredients well.

 (Don't add food coloring yet.)

I had to add some more water so that it wasn't so dry so I just added a little bit at a time until it was perfect play dough consistency.

She was having so much fun that she didn't want mom to help.

We added a bit of Vanilla extract to make it smell good.

When it is mixed well enough that there is a dough formed you can break off sections and add food coloring.  

With this recipe we got 5 colors.

She played while I mixed in the food coloring.

Now she has play dough to use on another day.

Showing off her new creation!

Here are a few other recipes for Edible play dough:

1.  Peanut Butter Playdough

18 oz Peanut Butter

6 Tbsp. Honey

Nonfat Dry Milk

Mix all ingredients with enough dry milk to form into a workable dough.

2.  Homemade Playdough

1 1/4 C. Confectioners Sugar

1 1/4 C. Powdered Milk

1 C. Corn Syrup

1 C. Peanut Butter

Mix until dough reaches proper consistency for  sculpting and molding. 

When we were all done she even helped me clean up!

 We had to sweep because there was play dough crumbs she had dropped all over the floor.

It was a wonderful morning activity and she just loved every minute of it.

~Brandy

Project 52: Dating My Spouse--1

What an AWESOME idea.....Date your spouse one night a week for a year.

Purposing to build your relationship with your spouse.

My husband and I have decided to take on this project.  Tiffany over at Simply Modern Mom has put this project together and is getting others to join her. 

 There are some simple rules to follow:

• Choose one day a week and schedule a certain time.

• Majority of the time the dates will be at home so we don’t need babysitters.

• We rotate being in charge of date nights on a monthly basis but you could do weekly or bi-weekly.
• Can’t do the same thing twice in one month.
• Dates need to be free most of the time. If not free, then under a budget of $30. Cheaper than if we went out.
• No children allowed.
• Must create a date-like atmosphere. No frumpy clothes or pajamas. Make it a special event. Mind the details. But most of all, keep it simple.

We have decided that Thursday nights work best for us after our daughter goes to bed.

So....we had our first date night last Thursday.

It was fantastic.  We set the mood with some candles.  We discussed and signed the pledge that is provided by Simply Modern Mom.

We had some white chocolate fondue with strawberries.

   We went around the house and gathered supplies for a Romance Kit.  The Romance Kit is a box of supplies to make dates a little easier....mainly for my husband.  In the kit we put candles, matches, rose petals, massage oils or lotions, string of white Christmas lights, deck of cards, and a cd of romantic music.  Other items you could include would be two wine glasses, a bottle of wine, and anything else that might make a date night more special.  

One plan that I have is to add a box of index cards with date ideas on them.  Sometimes you just can't think of what to plan.  This will be a great reference when we are stuck for ideas.

After that we played some card games.  We played Go Fish, Kings Around the Corner, and Speed.  We realized that we need to learn some more two player card games.

One more thing we decided to do was to take a photo of the both of us every week for the year.  It will be interesting to see how we change.

Tool Belt, Salon Apron, Be Creative

We have been doing construction on our house for over 2 years now.   We moved into our house over Labor day weekend of 2009.

Since living here....there is almost always a hammer banging, a saw cutting, or a drill running.  My daughter always, always wants to help.

So.....we got her a set of her own tools and I made this tool belt for her.

 I used a chocolate brown canvas for the back and the ties and I used a flannel for the pockets.

I followed a tutorial over at One-Hip-Mom.  The instructions were very easy to follow and she has great photos.

 

Here is Zoie working hard on my furniture.  She definitely makes a lot of noise when she works.  She usually comes and tells me, "Mom, I am going to make a lot of noise, k?"

We have discovered other uses for this handy tool belt.  It also doubles as a salon apron.

Now she is ready to do some hair.  Brushes, combs, clippies, and her cell phone fit perfectly into the pockets.

 

  I could see many other uses for this little belt...a waitress apron, artist tool kit, etc.

Got any other great ideas on how we could use it?  Please share...I would love to hear your ideas.

~Brandy

 

Yummy Valentines Dessert

Do you want an easy Valentine dessert for Two?

You don't have to be an awesome cook and it isn't rocket science.  It also only takes about 5 minutes. 

I made this super easy dessert for my husband and I and It tastes great!

 

Ingredients:

2 Twinkies

Some strawberries, washed and dried (I probably used about 5-6)

Some sugar (probably about 1 Tbsp. but really its up to you)

Whip Cream

What to do:

First take out 2 Strawberries for a garnish.  Cut up the remaining strawberries and put in a bowl.  Add sugar and mix.  Let is sit for about 2 minutes.

Take your Twinkies and cut them in half diagonally, starting about 1 inch down from the top left to 1 inch from the bottom of the opposite side.  Then use the two halves to create a heart.  Do this with both Twinkies.

Spoon the chopped strawberries mix over and around the hearts.

Garnish with a dollop or two of whip cream and your two extra strawberries.

That's It!  You are done!  Now go and enjoy your delicious creation with someone special.

If strawberries aren't your favorite then maybe try raspberries, blueberries, or cinnamon apples.

~Brandy

Follow Me Fridays

Time to make some new friends! Stop by these blogs, sign up and meet some new peeps!

Stop by Trendy Treehouse for Follow Me Fridays!

Here is how it works....

• Add your blog link to the MckLinky  ~ Remember to leave your blog name under Your name.
• Follow Trendy Treehouse ~ They will follow you back
• Grab the Follow Me Friday Button for your blog ~ so more people can share in this FUN!
• Follow other Blogs that have linked up ~ Don't forget to comment saying that you are now following them and visiting from Follow Me Friday!
• If someone follows you make sure you follow back ~ It's only fair.

Book of Daniel Bible Study

I am currently leading the Daniel Bible Study by Beth Moore at our church.  

We just watched the Session 5 video last night.  I am truly enjoying her study. It is very inspirational, though provoking, and applicable to life.
The ladies that were with me wished that the prayer that Beth says at the end was written down for them.  I couldn't find it anywhere online so I listened again and wrote it down for you. (I apologize in advance if the punctuation isn't correct.)

I, (insert your name), belong to God.

I am a holy vessel because I house the Holy Spirit of the Living God.

The Lord of heaven and earth has said over me

"I declare you holy."

Today I commit to start believing what He says.

I am holy. 

Empower me daily Spirit of the Living God to treat myself as holy.

Open my eyes to every scheme of the enemy to treat me as if I am not.

You God, Our God.  Your word is truth.

This day Father, I choose to believe you.

In Jesus name, Amen.

-Beth Moore

If you get the opportunity to do one of Beth's studies...take it.  You won't regret the investment.

 ~Brandy

"We have been set apart, made sacred, made uncommon, extraordinary." -Beth Moore

Great Gift from the Greatest Friend

For Christmas from my best friend...I got this Wonderful nursing cover.  

(My favorite color is green!)

She did such an awesome job and I am so blessed to have such an amazing friend.

  

She even put some terry cloth in the corners to wipe the baby's mouth.  

I have thought about making one and I have seen tutorials and patterns but now I don't have to make one for myself...I can just make them as gifts. 

I am expecting in April and her gift was just perfect. 

~Brandy

Check it Out! {CLOSED}

You have to head over to Make it and Love It for a new sponser and giveaway that she has going on.  It only lasts until February 10,  2010...so get your entries in now.


~Brandy

Getting Organized and Hopefully Saving Money

Yay! Finished Meal Planning for the rest of the month.

I am trying to get more organized...so the other day I started a meal plan for the month.  After I got the month done I posted it on the inside of my cupboard where I keep my recipe books.

It will help us to use what is in our freezer and pantry instead of trying to figure out whats for dinner at the last minute.  Here is a website that I used to print monthly menu planner pages:  Organizedhome.com  
The awesome thing is...they are free!
I also got freezer inventory sheets and pantry inventory sheets from this website.  These help me to know what food I have in the house.  It definitely makes shopping cheaper and easier.   
Here is another great resource for meal planning:  Keeper of the Home  
If you check out her post...it discusses favorite recipe lists and meal planning.  


~Brandy

Easy, Adorable, and Affordable Table Runner!

Check out this table runner...

 

 (oops...mine looks like it needs to be ironed)

This table runner is so affordable because it is made out of burlap and it is super easy to create.  It can also be used year-round...it is so versatile.

Check out the instructions on Living with Lindsay 

 I wasn't sure how to sew burlap at first...I would call myself a beginner when it comes to sewing.  I used a zig-zag stitch all around the edge and it turned out great!  If you don't sew...there are also posted instructions for a no sew and a semi-sew version.  

~Brandy 

Messes therefore Bibs

Zoie, my daugter, is just over 2 years old.  She can make some big messes.  None of the bibs that I have would cover enough to keep her clothes clean.

  I found a great tutorial on Make It and Love It for a Catch-All Laminated Bib. 

 Here is my first bib creation

(obviously a carrot isn't the messiest thing she could eat...

but she looks cute right?)

I just love how the bottom folds up and snaps to create a pocket to catch drips, spills, and crumbs.   It also wipes clean...I don't ever have to throw it in the laundry.  Less Laundry=Happier Mom. 

It took a bit of time to create but was totally worth it in the end.  
I already have plans to make more...if I could just find the time.

~Brandy 

I am participating in the i made it! blog party over at Everything Etsy.