Terrific Tip Tuesday - When Wires Go Awry

If you are anything like our family, you have lots of electrical items plugged in an electrical strip or surge protector.  I always have to follow the cord back to make sure I unplug the right one.  Plus, with all the cell phones, iPods and so on, there are always little cords that these need to be plugged into.  I found 2 simple tips that should alleviate the problems.

Photo from Re-Nest

I found this fantastic idea here from Re-Nest.  Simply by using binder clips, you can have an easy "holder" for your cell phone and iPod cords.

Photo from Unplggd

I found another great idea here at Unplggd.  You can easily see what cords go where when you use these bread clips to keep the cords organized.

Before and After - Curbside Finds

I was able to get a couple of things done this weekend outside, before the rain came.  We got water in the basement and all the carpeting needs to be torn up, so our weekend plans have changed.  Anyhoo...I was a bit productive.  I love spray paint...instant makeover!

Before

After

Before

After

This chair was an easy no sew project.

Fold over and staple so raw edge is inside.

Skirt is created, this will be folded up.

Neatly tucked and stapled.

Voila'...cute right?!

I'm partying over at:

Digging In - KinderGARDENS Week 4

Photo origin unknown.

In season 9 of Arthur, there was an episode entitled Buster's Green Thumb.  I happened to be watching it with the kids just after we planted our garden.  They were so excited.  I have to admit...joining KinderGARDENS this year has me quite excited also.  I'm seeing gardening from a new perspective, a much lower perspective.  I get down on my hands and knees like the kids and stare at these cools sprouts coming from the ground.  What a feeling of accomplishment and it's only the beginning of the season.  I didn't get a chance to check in last week as I was out of town, but the kids were so excited to show me the first strawberry.  I cut it 3 ways :)  They agreed it was the BEST strawberry ever.

I'm worried about some of the peas I planted.  We had a lot of rain and I can see the dirt has washed away and some seeds are exposed...makes me wonder if the carrot seeds stayed in place :(  Good new though, the peppers and tomatoes are still looking good despite our crazy weather that bounces from 40º to 87º and back to 56º.  Carter is pleased to see his bean seeds growing and ready for the bean tunnel...sorry, bud, it will be a while still.  

With a nice looking weekend ahead, we are looking forward to planting the sunflower seeds and maybe a butterfly garden!  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Fresh Herb & Lemon Roasted Chicken

I whipped together a delicious roasted chicken and wanted to share.  This recipe served 2 adults and 3 kids with leftovers.  Here we go...

Ingredients
-4lb roasting chicken
-1 lemon
-fresh Rosemary
-fresh Greek Oregano
-2 cloves of garlic
-pepper
-Lawry's season salt
-Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 375º.  Separate skin from breast(just slide your hand in-between, it should loosen quickly).  Slice 2 thin slices of lemon and cut each of those in half.  Slide them under the skin on the breast.  Mix 2Tbls of olive oil with rosemary and oregano.  Rub over outside of chicken.  Season with some pepper and Lawry's season salt.  Peel 2 cloves of garlic and crush using the flat side of a knife and the heel of your hand.  Pop these in the cavity(make sure innards are removed).  Tie legs together using some thread or cooking string.  Cook for about 1 1/2 hours or until dark meat registers 180º and white meat 170º.  I basted the chicken every 20 minutes.  I made this up as I went, but it turned out awesome...I got thumbs up all around!

Linking to Around My Family Table.

Terrific Tip Tuesday - Two for the Price of One

This weeks tips comes from my mother-in-law.  I just spent the last 4 days with her in sunny Florida and celebrated my birthday.  A couple of things caught my eye.  

Hope you will find these tips helpful.

1.  Store baking soda in an empty parmesan cheese bottle.  This is great to keep in the laundry room! My mom uses the baking soda to get out stains...sometimes she adds vinegar to it as well.

2.  Store your dish soap in a spray bottle.  Love this!!!  No tipping a bottle and waiting for the soap to drip down or getting too much on your rag or sponge.

Coldon enjoying warm weather with Gramma!

Our Journey by Julie Herman

This Monday for Moms in May, I would like to introduce a dear friend of mine, Julie Herman. She is my guest blogger today and has heart for children with special needs. Last year her son was diagnosed with dyslexia. I asked her to share some of her insight...I hope you enjoy and are encouraged by her story. - Kindra

Life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs since my son Ethan was diagnosed with dyslexia last summer at the age of 9. The journey he and I have been on has been a tough one but a blessing. I have learned more about myself and my son in the process of learning what dyslexia is, as well as how to live with it.
One thing I discovered is dyslexia is hereditary. Ethan inherited it from either my husband, Mike or me, yep, it was me. Dyslexia doesn't fall into place like other characteristics or traits that are inherited, such as, eye color, hair color etc. It's like this, if one parent has dyslexia 50% of the children will have it. If both parents have it 100% of the children will have dyslexia.
At the start of the third grade last fall, Ethan switched from a Christian school to a public school that was able to give him the support he needed. The support he received was the Soar and Wilson reading programs. Ethan has also been meeting with a tutor outside of school where he learns Orton-Gillingham program for Dyslexics. (see attached links for more information)
There were times when Ethan would misbehave and it was often hard for me to determine if he was behaving poorly and not obeying or was he not able to understand what I was asking of him. Often it was a little of both especially if he was tired or hungry. These moments were part of that roller coaster we were on which neither of us enjoyed.
As I researched more about dyslexia I learned that consistency and rules are one of the keys to keep life running smoothly. Dyslexics feel safe and are happier with boundaries, consistency and rules. Which is a parent’s dream, right? Another key in raising a dyslexic child is not to give him or her too many tasks or instructions at one time. Depending on the child’s age and ability will determine how many tasks to give the child at one time. Often, the fewer the better.
Therefore, Ethan and I sat down and created a schedule and made a calendar for him. My job is to be consistent with snacks, meals, homework assistance, bedtime, discipline, consequences etc. It is Ethan’s job to do his tasks, homework, etc and obey his parents the first time they make a request (ideally with a kind heart). It has made a huge difference in his behavior, he knows what to expect and that makes him feel secure and in the end he is much happier.
The school year is almost over and my husband and I met with Ethan's team of teachers. We were elated by his progress; his class work and testing has shown remarkable growth and success. He ranks at class level and in some subjects he is above average. We are still working with him and treading cautiously but are excited and blessed that he is adapting and overcoming his personal challenge.
Earlier I mentioned it was a blessing to be on this road with Ethan, I say this for various reasons. The biggest one being the Lord has been with us every step of the way leading us. With the Lord, anything is possible; we were able to overcome an obstacle that last summer seemed impossible.
Another blessing is that Ethan and I are bonded closer together. We seem to know each other better and how to connect better, especially on the bad, tired and hungry days. Last summer I would have said I wasn’t up for the challenge but the Lord has given me a heart for children that need an extra measure of love, grace, patience and support.
Lastly, through the Lord's grace I have met and connected with other women in similar situations with their children. This sharing of our trials and success with other christian women has been a saving grace. It made me feel like there was hope when I thought there was none, it made me stronger when I was weak, it made me feel like I wasn't alone and it gave me valuable resources that I could try. That is why I wanted to start a blog, to bring people together to share their stories and resources in one place for anyone who is seeking them in hopes of helping each other and our children.
Find me at Joy Love Pray

Flea Market Find Part Deux

Several weeks ago, I got to go to the first flea market of the summer.  I found some great skeleton keys and watch parts that I have been working with.  Earlier, I showed you the necklace I made from a vintage wristwatch case here.  Here is another quick necklace that cost me less than $7.  All I needed was:
-a chain, $1.25 from Hobby Lobby
-skeleton key, .50¢ at flea market
-watch movement, $4 at flea market
-glue, I had E-6000 Industrial Adhesive on had (also bought from Hobby Lobby)
-split ring or jump ring, bought a pack of 40 for $1 from Hobby Lobby
-bail(I just used a charm that had a hole in it) .14¢ from Hobby Lobby

My Lovely Flea Market Goodies

The watch movement still had the face on it...that is the side I glued the charm to, leaving the hole on the charm just above the top of the watch movement so that I could attach the jump ring.  After I attached the jump ring to the charm, I attached it to the necklace and then slid the skeleton key on the chain.  Simple as that!  Unique, easy, inexpensive and ALL MINE :)

Portillo's Chocolate Cake Knockoff

If you have not eaten at Portillo's restaurant...you are missing out.  If you have never eaten their chocolate cake, consider yourself not-yet-alive!  There are more than 30 locations in Illinois, 1 in Indiana and 2 in California.  Here is the Chicagoland, we are LUCKY!  But have no fear, a knockoff cake recipe is near!  I have made this cake twice in the last week.  It is a no-fail recipe.  And compared to the $17.49 you will pay for the Portillo's cake...this is a steal!  The secret is the mayonnaise.

1. 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Chocolate Butter Recipe or Milk Chocolate cake mix
2. 3 large eggs
3. 1 cup water
4. 1 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise

Frost with 2 cans Betty Crocker chocolate frosting.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 round cake pans with vegetable shortening.  I use 1 springform pan and cook 1 cake at a time.
Beat all ingredients for 4 minutes. Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Cool cakes slightly before removing from pan.  Take one cake and make it level.  To do this, use a knife and slice horizontally around the outside edge of the cake.  Then take a large strand of dental floss (non-mint) and slip it under the edge of cake where you cut using your knife.  Then with a horizontal sawing motion, move back and forth moving the floss towards you.  Remove the top dome piece of cake and toss (or save for cake balls).

Heat 1/2 a can of frosting in microwave for 30 seconds, stirring once.  Then pour chocolate over the first layer.  Smooth and chill for 20 minutes.
Remove cake and add more frosting.  Can you have too much?!  Set 2nd layer of cake on top.  Frost entire cake, top and sides and enjoy with a cold glass of milk!

Linking up at This Chick Cooks!

Terrific Tip Tuesday - Tea Tree Oil

I've been using Tea Tree Oil both in a homemade household cleaner and also in my wash water when I'm cleaning my cloth diapers.  Since it has anti-microbial properties I wondered what other wonderful ways it could be used.  I found 20 here.  I've left you with a few below.  NOW GO BUY SOME!

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
5. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
6. Treating sinus infection.

For Cleaning

7.   A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
8.   Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.
9.   Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray.
10. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
11. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.

Mondays for Mom(or non-moms) in May Continues...

I have truly enjoyed the new visitors I have had over the last few weeks.  Having a variety of topics can really bring more people together.  I have especially enjoyed new friends that I have made out here in the Blog-o-sphere.  So often as women though, we get caught up in the daily grind and forget to take a minute (or 30) to rest and recharge.  Resting is not a bad thing...even Jesus took rests. So this June I'm inviting you to take a break from the crafts and cooking and car-pooling and wiping of dirty little faces and hands and hoping you take 30-60minutes each week to do some reading and reflecting.

In the summer of 2008, I read a book called Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  Weekly, throughout the summer, I got together with several other women to discuss the book...it is a fantastic, biblically sound book.  Starting in mid-June I would love you to follow along as we read the book together, ask questions, share stories and gain insight in how we should be living for Christ.  We will read 1 chapter a week and I will include some questions.  We can converse through the "comments".  Would you consider joining me?  Looking forward to June!

KinderGARDENS Week 2

Ethan and Carter excited for Strawberries!

 Wow, super excited I stuck to the plan today...sure made it easier since Blogger was down.  It's week 2 of KinderGARDENS and it sure is keeping me motivated since I'm "checking in" weekly.  I haven't been this far along in my garden for years.  The 

kids totally got into it too.  So happy to have them 

involved in the process.

A few days ago I was thinking it would be great to donate extra food from the garden to a local pantry or organization in need of fresh food and low and behold...this week we were challenged to find someone to give some garden goodies to.  I already had my call in to WINGS, and organization that helps battered women.  They have a safe home not far from us and thought they would be perfect recipients of garden goodness.  They were thrilled to hear we wanted to share our bounty (once it gets growing of course) and the kids love the idea of sharing what is ours...well, it's not really ours.  Every good and perfect gift is from above!

So here is what we got planted so far:

Golden Peppers

California Wonder Peppers

Ariane Orange Peppers

Brandywine Tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes

Carrots

Italian Zucchini

Cucumbers

Corn

Peas

String Beans

Strawberries

Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Oregano & Mint

We still have 2 different Sunflowers, Watermelon, 

Cantaloupe and Pumpkins to plant, but I'll save that 

for another day...I'm pooped! :)

Carter is my tamper helper.

Hole digger helper.

Carrot Seeds

Else planting the carrot seeds.

Ugh, the BEFORE!

The AFTER...still more weeds to be pulled!

Happy Gardening!

Terrific Tip Tuesday - New Family Traditions

I challenge you to start a new tradition, a new heirloom to pass to the next generation...GARDEN FLOWERS!  

When my husband and I bought our first house, my grandma gave me some flowers from her garden.  In fact she was given these flowers from her mother.  My great-grandmother kept such a beautiful garden that she was featured several years in the Chicago Tribune.  My garden now contains tulips, hyacinths, phlox and peonies to name a few.  My daughter will be the recipient of some of these flowers one day too...and how cool it will be for her to say they came from her great-great-great grandmothers garden!