Sorry we have been MIA!

Sorry my friends! Amber and I have been super busy lately and have ignored our blog. We are terrible; I know. I am in the process of moving to a new place and Amber has had a sick baby and lots of traveling. We also fit in an awesome week at the lake. Wasn't the sunset incredible! I promise we are back now!

After my juice cleanse, I decided to completely switch gears and try a high-fat, low-carb diet, otherwise known as Ketogenic or Keto. I'm completely obsessed with perfecting recipes for this to drop some weight. So far I have had great success. I will probably be posting about that. I've also been working on budgeting with lots of new financial changes that came with the new year. Dave Ramsey-influenced budgeting of course. I have not really been crafty lately since I am living in between two houses right now. I have been making some new therapy materials, however. Some that I purchased online. That will be my next post!

Maybe Amber can update us on what she has been up to lately.

Summary: We are back and ready to blog!

Lacey

Juicing

I've recently starting juicing fruits and vegetable to help improve my health and boost my immune system. This winter I just cringe as I look around at all of the sick people coughing, sneezing, and hacking in public places. It seems like they are everywhere and I am just bound to get the flu!

Getting the Most out of Your Money at a Football Game

Since it's football season and I am a season ticket holder I thought I would let you in on a few of the tricks to saving money we have discovered over the last year of going to games.  My husband and I stop and eat brunch before the game so that we don't have to eat at the game because the food is over priced and the food at the game tends to lack in quality.  Or even better tailgate and enjoy some BBQ before entering the game!

Recipe: Easy & Delicious Chili

Well, guys I am finally back from my winter hiatus. Sickness, Christmas visits, a fun vacation to Buffalo, NY and NYC, and then recovery and packing to move have kept me away. Sorry I was gone so long! Now, I have a recipe for you guys.

I love this chili recipe so much that I even make it once or twice in the summer. This is my go-to-under $10 meal that will feed my family and any company that is coming over. It reheats really well and you just can't mess it up.

Melt In Your Mouth Steak

Do you want to make the perfect steak? It's been something I have aspired to do ever since I went to a fancy steakhouse with my husband.  If you make your steak the way I suggest below you will have  a perfectly cooked, melt in your mouth, begging for more, delicious steak.

If you are Cajun, you likely have a lovely cast iron skillet.  It is key to this recipe.  I have tried cooking steak on the grill like you always see in movies, but this always tends to leave steaks a little drier than I prefer. I discovered that if you cook a steak in the oven it makes the perfect steak. Yum.

First, take your ribeye steaks out of the fridge, sprinkle meat tenderizer and pepper (I also added a little garlic powder for pizazz) on them, and allow them to get to room temperature. Next, preheat your oven to 500 degrees with your 12 inch (or whatever size) iron skillet inside to make it nice and hot. 

Change How You Change a Diaper to Reduce Fussiness

A friend's infant's chiropractor recommended this video. Apparently we've all been changing babies ages 0-6 months incorrectly.  Rather than lifting their legs, we should roll them from side to side because 80% of their learning (I am assuming he means neurologically) is through their "gut."  He says that this technique reduces colic significantly. It' amazing that such a simple change (once you get used to it) can change you from having an extremely fussy baby to a happy baby. I will definitely try this with my next little skittle!

If you have a baby that's not yet crawling please take a moment to watch this video and you will make your life a lot easier!

DIY: "Idea" Gift

Today I am on the way to Houston to celebrate a great woman's life and to welcome a new little one into the world. I am car crafting on the way. I have a couple writers in my life that I am making this gift for but it can be a fun gift for anyone who likes ideas of fun things to do or date ideas. Here is how to make your idea gift.

DIY: Dog Bed Tutorial/Re-purposed Dog-Destroyed Throw Blanket

Here is an easy tutorial for creating a no-sew pet bed from a throw blanket. Anyone can do those- even your kiddos. It is also a great way to re-purpose your pet's favorite blanket....or your favorite blanket that your dog may have damaged. This tutorial is also unique because you can make the dog bed have its own attached blanket easily.

Advent Calendar Activities

1. Help decorate by putting your favorite ornaments on the tree.
2. Take a picture wrapped in Christmas lights
3. Write a letter to Santa and mail it
4. Make edible snow (it only takes 5 minutes) 

Advent Calendar

I have a friend that I swear should be an interior decorator.  This was her craft so I don't have many pictures, but she gave me permission to share her idea with you.

First, she went to Hobby Lobby and bought a frame that did not come with glass.  She was planning to paint a frame, but this rustic look was perfect for her vision.  Then she chose a variety of different designs, such as miniature clothes pins, stockings, large cute gift tags, and she added some kid socks for character.  Next, she cut chicken wire and stapled it on the back of the frame.  Finally, she hung up the various Christmas stockings and tags after writing an activity for her children to complete each day.  Such a simple, but cute idea.  Thank you Natalie for allowing me to share your creation! I can't wait to make one for my house!

Stay tuned for Advent Calendar activity ideas....

DIY: Leaf Flower Tutorial

I don't know about you but I always end up with lots of extra leaves when I am crafting. I always think, "What a waste." Well today I decided to put those extra scraps to good use. Here is my tutorial on how to make flowers from your extra floral scraps. 

Take all of your leaves and push them off the ends of the wires. 

Now you have so many "petals" to work with. 

Gather your supplies. I used beading wire and a piece of rhinestone ribbon to make my center embellishment. You could use string and you could hot glue anything into the center of your flower.

Simply bead your first leaf on. Take the rest of the green plastic stem pieces off so that the petals can lay flat.

 Once you have all the leaves you want for your flower strung, twist the wire to the back and knot it. Re-fluff your leaves and add something to the center and you are done! If you want to use rhinestone ribbon or bead something into your center follow the next step.

Move your wire knot back to the front. String the beading wire through the ends of the ribbon. When you tie it tight it will form a loop in the center. Snip the ends of the wire you are finished.

You can use these flowers on anything. I chose to use mine on a wreath that I am making. You could also spray paint them another color. I hope this inspires you in your crafting!

This Link was Shared Kindly at:

Tutorial: DIY Cheap Christmas Berry Ornaments

I have really been in the Christmas spirit lately! My husband and I put up our beautiful new frosted tree  up but there was one problem. All of our ornaments were still in storage in Texas. I decided to give myself a very tiny budget for new ornaments this year and that meant making my money stretch. I hit the dollar store and ended up creating some beautiful, natural ornaments for my new tree! Here is how you can make them too. 

DIY Personalized Dry Erase Memo Board

I told you I know a lot of people with birthdays this season. I made this gift for under $3.00!

I like to give my gifts like this with a wet erase marker instead of a dry erase marker so that when you add to your list you don't smudge off what you wrote before.

So here is how I made it:  I picked up a frame from the dollar store. I used the stock picture in the frame as a guide to cut a piece of scrapbook paper to size for the frame. To make my personalized "K loves E" I chose a leftover paint swatch from my previous project and twisted aluminum wire with my $8 Walmart jewelry tools. I secured my shapes onto the swatch with pieces of a glue dot and rounded the corners with a punch. I glued my self made embellishment to the paper and set it inside the frame. To make my cute little clothespin for reminders and my decorated pen I simply wrapped them both in washi tape bought from Michael's.  (Michael's finalllly has an aisle for washi tape! I wish Hobby Lobby did too!) I secured it to the top of the frame and voila! A completely personalized gift was made for under $3.

DIY Tutorial: Framed Embroidery Art Pieces

My extended Thanksgiving weekend was filled with lots of fun times with family. I ended up seeing two movies, playing two new board games, watching too much football, eating too much, watching two puppies play continuously, and making too many crafts with my mom. If anyone was wondering, my husband's grandmother did like her fancy dry erase calendar and the colors I chose matched her decor perfectly! I hope it will help her stay oriented as well. Whew! 

My mom rents a booth at Peddlers Market Place (1601 Sampson St. Westlake,  LA  70669-4013) so we decided to make some things for her to sell at her booth. I'm hoping she will make an Etsy store soon because she is so talented. We broke in her new embroidery machine and broke out the hot glue gun.So, together we made little art pieces! Keep reading to see how you can make cute art or DIY gifts too!

My Favorite Free Toddler Apps

Recipe: Chocoalate Mousse Pie

My husband isn't a fan of birthday cake, so instead of a cake I made him chocolate mousse pie.  This is a rich recipe.  It's delicious and decadent, but a small slice will curve your chocolate craving.

Tutorital: DIY Fancy Dry Erase Calendar

In my family we have tons of birthdays to celebrate in the fall and winter seasons. Those along with Christmas means that there are lots of presents that need to be purchased or made. This year I am trying to make as many as possible. I plan to share some with you as they are completed.

Top 15 Reasons to Use Cash

Top 15 Reasons to Use Cash

If you have ever considered taking a serious look at your finances, and searched the internet for tips on how to spend your money effectively, I imagine you have heard the advice that cash is better than credit or debit cards.  If you've ever wondered if there is scientific proof or if this is just a theory please read the short excerpt below and even click on the link if you would like further information on the topic. 

Budget Friendly iPhone Protective Case

This phone case is $2.28 and I received free shipping thanks to Amazon Prime. 

It seems like everyone has an iPhone these days (I even caved and got one for Mother's Day).  Since I have a 2 year old and I drop phones numerous times a day I put an Otter Box on my phone.  Within 4 months I destroyed the rubber on the outside (I told you I am hard on phones) and I realized they don't sell the rubber casing alone.  When I went to Amazon to by another case I was appalled at how much the cases cost.  So I started reading reviews of knockoffs and since have bought one plus a spare for all of my phones.  For less than $3 I have a case that is comparable to the protective ability of an Otter Box! I must warn you they require a little more work than the Otter Box.

Blog to Book

Oh how I love to blog.  Every time I hear a friend is pregnant (especially if it's their first baby) I always encourage them to make a blog. The greatest benefit of making a blog about your pregnancy and the life of your child is that all of your family members have the same access to the story of you and your baby's development.  I love when a family member calls me and tells me I read your blog and I can't believe (and describes the event).