Have Gift Card, Will Shop!

It’s been awhile since I went on a shopping spree. I think it was actually 09’ when I last went. Well a very dear friend of mine had sent me a few gift cards to some fun places, for my birthday and I had yet to use them. PLUS, my most excellent Mom and Dad had sent me some birthday money as well and I’m pretty sure it was burning a hole in my pocket. So before it got absorbed into the grocery money, I figured I better make hast and spend it on me. LOL!

So without further ado, Kim’s Shopping Trip 11’.

Who better to go with me then my very best friend on the planet, Kathy. We started off at Steinmart. I usually don’t like Steinmart because they are so crazy expensive but I had a 50% off Red Dot Clearance coupon so I felt the need to at least give it a shot. I did end up getting a very nice shirt for $10.00. But I can’t show it to you right now because I’m washing it. What I can show you is the fun Kathy and I had in the hat department.

They had some really crazy headbands. These are just a couple of them.

 

Kathy looks like she’s getting ready to go to Paris. LOL!

We calmly and quietly left Steinmart before security threw us out for having too much fun and was on our way to The Avenue in Viera. It’s just a place where there are a whole bunch of stores close by.

One of my gift cards was for Ross, where I picked up these adorable bowls and a straw holder, because we like straws and they had no holder.

While there we decided that we would each pick out a pair of shoes for the other to try on and of course my BFF picks the highest shoes she can find. So then I followed suit by picking up some seriously insane high heels for her.I didn’t dare move because I was afraid I’d twist my ankle and fall, because I’m that graceful.

After our little run way show at Ross’s we ventured over to Pier One Imports.

Here we found some really cook masks to try on. Masquerade Ball anyone?

No we didn’t buy them. I’ve never been invited to a masquerade ball but if I ever do I know where to go for a mask.

I left there with a candle and a present for my daughter. Yes, I used part of my gift card for my daughter. What can I say? I’m good like that.

By now we were starting to get a little hungry so we went to the Pita Stop and had lunch. We walked around Charming Charlies and Bed Bath and Beyond. In the middle of Bed Bath and Beyond we both started to get a little tired and our backs were starting to hurt. We’ve been standing and walking for about 4 hours at this point. Yes, people, we’re getting old.

I had a Starbuck’s gift card so we decided we’d get a coffee and head to our last stop, Wal-Mart.

Since I wanted to sit and give my back a rest and finish my coffee, we headed straight to the chair section in Wal-mart. We found us a couple of folding chairs and sat right in the middle of the aisle and finished drinking our coffee. What?

These are our tired faces!

We finished our coffee, put the chairs back, got a cart and finished our shopping.

I bought a lot of spray paint, so I’ll be spray painting something today.

Well there you have it. Kim’s Shopping Trip 11’.

I’ll take me another 2 years to recoup from this one. OY!

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY MY FRIENDS!

A Mystery Dinner!

We’ve been going to a new church for about 4 months now and we are slowly getting to meet new people. But when I heard that they were going to be doing a Mystery Dinner there, I knew I had to be a part of it.

I’ve never participated in one before but I figured I’d just jump in with both feet and actually volunteer for a part. What a better way to meet people than to pretend your someone you’re not. LOL! The mystery is based back in the 50’s when they had the girls baseball teams. My character’s name is Peachy Cream. “She is a reluctant player and not a particularly good one as a result. She is very proud of her long beautiful nails. Her father is very rich so she doesn't have to work.”  I think it’s going to be fun playing this part because it’s so not me. It’ll be true acting. Ha! Ha!

The idea is for people to be eating dinner while we, the suspects walk around and answer any questions that they have about the mystery.

I’m pretty excited about it but then I realized I needed to memorize actual lines and I haven’t memorized actual lines since I did the skits 8 years ago for VBS.  I’m getting old and my brain has a hard time concentrating on such things. But I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’ll be fun.

Have you ever done a mystery dinner before and can you offer me any tips? Like where do I find an old baseball uniform? LOL! Preferable pink. Ha! Ha!

Have a fabulous day my friends!

Kitchen Cabinet Love!

Ever since we moved into our new home I haven’t really showed you any pictures of what we’ve accomplished so far. Which believe me has been a lot.

And actually you’re not going to get a full glimpse today. Only because I’m not completely done yet. BUT I did do a little something that I can show you that I thought came out cute.

Lately I’ve been having issues with the cabinet that I have my spices in. This particular cabinet has a big ol’ honkin’ door on it. A door that swings wide to the left and gets all in my face every time I reach for my spices. It’s irritating and I’ve had enough. Oh yeah, girlfriend is getting serious. HA!

With that said, I decided I would move my spices over to where my dishes are (on the left side of the stove) and put my dishes where the spices are. AND THEN I got the idea to just take those big ol’ honkin’ doors off completely and let my oh so impressive Corelle dishes make their grand appearance into the world.

I had already gotten started before I took pictures. But here are the doors in question with the spices already taken out of it and strewed all over the counter.

 

Here’s a peek inside but remember I had already started transferring dishes over so it’s not a complete “before” picture.

My spices used to take up the bottom two shelves on the left side. Just picture everything on the countertop above, shoved “neatly” into the cabinet. Got it? Okay, let’s move on.

 

This is the cabinet I took the dishes out of that will now house my spices. Are you with me so far?

 

Now my spices fit neatly into this cabinet and I don’t have such a big door in the way when I access them. Yes, I left the doors on this cabinet because, well, this just ain’t pretty to look at.

 

Now here is the after of the other cabinets.  I think it look so cute.

 

 

I came up with the idea of putting some of my favorite cookbooks in the cabinet all on my own. In fact I was on the phone with my BFF Kathy when I thought of it, so she can vouch for me. I was so excited and I think it’s not only practical but looks cute too!

 

 

So once again. The before and after, side by side.

Eventually I’ll do a whole kitchen reveal. I just have a few more things to do to call it “done”.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

Friday Funnies!

 

Happy Friday Everyone!

Sorry about the delay. I completely forgot it was Friday. LOL! It’s the homeschool mom in me. Ha! Ha!  But if you’d like to join in and spread some funny today, please feel free to link up your family friendly video, picture, joke etc. down below.

ANYWAY, I’m was scrambling for a funny when I remembered this comic strip that my  BFF Kathy had cut out of the paper for me because she said it reminded her of my hubby and I. And it is soooo us. Enjoy!

I do this to my poor hubby all the time. He calls me his walking radio station because I blurt out one liners from songs or I’ll be humming something from WAY back in the day and then about 5 minutes later I hear him singing or humming it. LOL!  I try to use my powers for good and not evil. LOL!

HAVE A HAPPY FRIDAY!

You Wanna See a Real Life Record?

I don’t even know if I’ve posted about this before but after 867 posts I may have forgotten and hopefully you would have too. But I was rummaging around my craft room the other day and happened across my old LP Records from when I was a kid.

You want to see them right? And you might want to show your kids too because I showed them to my youngest and they didn’t have any clue what it was or how it worked. (I’m on the hunt for a used record player now.)

I’m going to be getting a little nostalgic here so stick with me.

The first two were what they called Read Along Books.

They had word for word the whole movie inside the book and you just read along and looked at the pictures. Probably sounds pretty dull now but I used to listen to and read these all the time!!!

The scene on the right is from the Fox and the Hound when she drops Todd off in the woods. It still makes me cry to this day. Poor Todd.

The next two records are the Urban Chipmunk and the recorded single, We are the World. Do you remember that? All the different people singing in one song? And to this day the Urban Chipmunk will crack me up. It takes old country songs and juices em’ up Chipmunk style. So funny!

This next one is my second favorite out of all of them. It is a big selection of  Disney songs from the movies, all on one record.  24 Original sound track recordings. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Chim Chim Cheree, I’ve Got No Strings, Whistle While You Work and so many more that you would remember. I used to sit by the speaker and just sing away!

Now last, but certainly not least is my favorite most favorite record of all.

The Country Bear Jamboree!

I knew this by heart. I would go into the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney and could quote it word for word because the album was the EXACT same thing as what they performed on stage.

Looking inside you’ll see all your favorite Country Bears.

Remember Bunny ,Bubbles and Beulah? LOL!

How about Teddi Barra and Big Albert? LOL! Remember how she’d come out of the ceiling, swinging on her swing? I loved that. And poor Big Albert couldn’t play a lick on his guitar.  Ha! Ha!

Well look what I found? The whole Country Bear Jamboree on youtube. If you’ve never been to Disney want to experience the love I had for these silly bears then please watch! I was watching it and I STILL know most of the lines by heart. LOL!

 

I have very fond memories of my records. They were well used and loved. I was looking at them today and they are still in great shape. No scratches for what I can see!

Well thanks for sticking with me through my trip down memory lane.

Do you still have any old records?

Have a FABULOUS day my friends!

Homemade Hand Soap!

What you are about to see will truly amaze you. It’ll change you’re life. You’ll drop 10lbs just…..(insert needle being dragged across a record here). Okay it’s not all that but I did get your attention right? So since you’re here and already intrigued, read on.

I’m always on the lookout for a way to do things, not only cheaper, but that are better for you too. So today I share with you my latest find.

We go through some hand soap in our home and I usually buy the stuff that isn’t antibacterial because we have a septic tank, but it is still loaded with things I can’t even pronounce. So when I came across this recipe to make your own, I knew I had to try it. Not only that, I had to kick it up a notch. Because I can.

Here is the original recipe.

1 cup soap flakes

10 cups of water

1 TBS Glycerin

 

I decided to add:

16-20 drops of grapefruit seed extract

10-20 drops of Essential Oil of choice. (It depends on how strong a smell you want.)

Here are my ingredients.

Remember the purer the soap the purer the hand soap.

I loved what this bar of soap said in its list of things it helps clean. Ha! Ha!

This is soooo incredibly easy to do. Basically what you’re going to do is grate your soap and reserve the extra for your next batch. Cause you’ll have extra.

I think I was to busy playing with the soap shavings to take a picture, but I’m pretty sure you can figure out how to do that all on your own because I have smart readers.

Once you have it grated, put your ingredients in a big pot minus the essential oil and grapefruit seed extract.

Turn the heat to medium low and heat until the soap melts, which isn’t very long.

Remove your soap mixture and if you choose, add your essential oil and grapefruit seed extract. Now you just let it sit and cool completely. It will thicken up as it cools and should have the texture of hand soap. Remember it needs to COMPLETELY cool. Like no warmness at all. You’ll thank me for that information when you’re looking at it and it still seems runny. LOL!

I put mine in an old empty hand soap bottle and will fill the others as they empty of the old stuff. I also put some in an old shampoo bottle and have been using it as a body wash.  I have that nice fancy spa glow every time I get out of the shower. Okay maybe not but I feel clean. 

The extra you can just store in whatever you have handy.

This is a VERY cost efficient recipe. Not only do you know what’s in it but you’re saving money too. I’d say it’s a win win situation.

Do you think you’ll try this? Let me know how it comes out if you do!

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY MY FRIENDS!

I’m linking up to:

The Winner of the 101 Hearty Recipes Cookbook is......

.......Comment #64   lynn1959 said...
This would be my very first Gooseberry Patch Cookbook!

Congratulations! Please contact me as soon as you can with your mailing information! My thanks to all who participated. 

Have a fabulous day! 

Friday Funnies!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Are you ready to end the week with some giggles? I’d love for you to join in. You can link up a family friendly joke, video, picture etc.

Now let’s spread some funny!

 

We seriously need more of these signs on the highways. LOL!  Anyone second that? Click it to make it larger if you can’t read it all.

Wanna Hear Some Stuff?

How’s that for a title? Did it lure you in? Were you attracted like a bug to a light? Well I’ll try to make it worth your time.

• First off I want to tell you about my new Facebook page I created for Homesteader’s Heart.

My reason for doing so is to bring you some helpful tips and easy homemaking remedies and stuff like that each day. AND to allow you the opportunity to interact with your own great ideas. I’m still learning to you know! I’d love for you to join me there if you have a FB account.

On a side note. If you were my friend on FB on my main account you might have noticed that I deleted 95% of my friends. It was nothing personal, I just wasn’t going to be using that account any more so I made it as obsolete as I could without permanently deleting it. Don’t take it personal. I still love ya and hope you stop by my new page.

 

• My daughter, who is an up and coming photographer, is having her first ever giveaway. If you like to take pictures yourself you might want to check it out. She has some great prizes. Just head on over to the Flip Flop Farm Girl for all the details.

 

• Speaking of giveaways, have you entered mine yet? Go here to check it out. It’s for the latest and greatest Gooseberry Patch Cookbook.

 

• And last but not least. Don’t forget about Friday Funnies this Friday. Not sure where you all were last week but I missed ya. I figured it was because school was starting and such, so I hope to see you this week.

 

Well there you have it, some stuff! LOL!

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY MY FRIENDS!

Gooseberry’s “101 Hearty Recipes” Cookbook Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for all who participated!
Winner announced on a different post.

I had the pleasure of reviewing yet another wonderful cookbook from Gooseberry Patch. Oh, it was mouth watering to just look at the gorgeous pictures on each and every page.

It’s always hard to choose which recipes to try first, so I ended up trying a few.

The recipes I’m going to share with you today were a big hit with the family.

Brown Sugar Barbeque Sandwiches and the Cajun Oven Fries.

Both of them were oh so good. I’ve also made the Chocolate Chip Macaroon Bars but forgot to take a picture. But take my word for it, they were DELICIOUS!!

Once again this cookbook is chock full of simple and easy recipes. Like Deep Dish Sausage Pizza, Easy French Dip Sandwiches, Sweet Salsa, Peanut Buttery Chocolatey Cups and so much more. You’re tummy will be very happy. Trust me!

Just look at the Contents:

Fun & Filling

Speedy & Satisfying

Casual & Comforting

Baked & Buttery

I bet by now YOUR mouth is watering and you want to know how you can win a copy of this great cookbook for yourself. Am I right? Well here’s what you have to do.

Entry #1- Tell me if you are already a Gooseberry Patch fan or if this would be your first book.

Entry #2- Comment and tell me what you made for dinner last night.

Entry #3- If you are a follower of my blog, that will earn you an extra entry as well. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Fine Print: Gooseberry Patch provided me with a book to review and one to giveaway. This giveaway is only open to U.S and Canada residents. It will end August 20th, 2011 @ 12:00 pm. EST.

HAVE A GOOSEBERRY KIND OF DAY!

Friday Funnies! Delivery a Baby!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Welcome to another edition of Friday Funnies. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I had a stressful day yesterday so I hope you have some funnies to link up today.

You can link up a silly picture, joke, video etc. Just make sure that they are family friendly.

Now let’s spread some funny!

Delivering a baby

A country doctor went way out to the boondocks to deliver a baby.
It was so far out, there was no electricity. When the doctor arrived, no one was home except for the laboring mother and her 5-year-old child. The doctor instructed the child to hold a lantern high so he could see, while he helped the woman deliver the baby.
The child did so, the mother pushed and after a little while, the doctor lifted the newborn baby by the feet and spanked him on the bottom to get him to take his first breath.
The doctor then asked the 5-year-old what he thought of the baby.
"Hit him again," the 5-year-old said. "He shouldn't have crawled up there in the first place!

Have a FANTASTIC Friday!

Now Serving Wild Grape Jelly, Part 2

Let’s see, we left off yesterday with that glorious purple concoction.

The next thing we needed to do is add the magic ingredients. One box of Sure*Jell and the sugar.

 

 

You bring that to a boil.

Doesn’t that just look gorgeous?

Remember, I’m using Sandy’s method I talked about yesterday.

 

 

Voila! Super yummy Wild Fox Grape Jelly!

 

Here is the link to the recipe! I hope you give it a try and enjoy!

Wild Grape Jelly!

Have a FABULOUS day my friends!