Thursday, October 27, 2011

For C :)

Ok I have tried for days, and it won't let me comment on my blog for some odd reason. Anyways, for the butter, I just used the hill country fair brand cream. I live in a small town and that is all that I have available to me here. When I go to Dallas soon, I do plan to stock up on some organic kind :)

Crochet Anyone?!?!?

How is everyone today! Its cold and rainy here, but I love it!!!!!!! As all of you know, I crochet, and make patterns. But I am out of unique ideas for the moment!! So I thought I would reach out to all of you and see what you would like to see!!!!

What would you like to see in my shop. Any crochet patterns you would like?!?!?!??!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Easy Homemade butter!

ok well, the other day I decided to make some butter. There are two methods to doing this. One seemed a little easier other like less work than the other. I will include them both here, as this week I will be trying the second version!

Last week: Easier
Get heavy whipping cream. Using a hand mixer, beat until the whipping cream starts to separate. (this is buttermilk :)). strain out the liquid, and use or drink. Put butter in a container, and using a spoon, press down to get the extra liquid out. drain, and put a lid on it.

It took all of about 10 minutes probably to do this.

This week: Harder
Start again with the whipping cream. But in a jar with a lid and shake til separates (see what I mean, but hey I've got a two year old, so I am gonna let her doing the shaking haha). Again it will start to separate! Follow the same directions as above!!!!

So there you have it! This butter was so much better than anything you can find in the store. I think when I go to Central Market next time, I am going to try and get organic cream, since I just used regular!!!!

One plus side to making so much of my own foods. Not only do I know what is going in them (and its NOT high fructose corn syrup which is in everything that you buy pretty much.....I won't start on that topic), but making it is so much cheaper, I can afford to buy more organics!!!!

Tomorrow I will share how to make yogurt, then homemade carmel apple pie :)..

To bed for now though, night all

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Welcome

I know I have not been around much lately. I am trying to get used to my new habit of cooking, and it seems to take all my free time, but I will make a point to get on this week so I can share some of my new recipes with you!!! I have learned all kinds of new things, such as making butter, yogurt, greek yogurt, sandwhich bread, french bread, bagels, grahm crackers, applesauce, carmel apple pie, umm yeah, thats just a few, so I will definately be back over the next couple weeks to share these with you, as they have been SO much fun to make :).

Also, welcome to all of my new followers from the hop :). I am so glad to have you join me, and I am on my way right now to follow you all in return :).
Have a great day everyone!

Monday, October 17, 2011

New Blog Hop --- Thursdays Get Together

My Mom and I are hosting a brand new blog hop for both Facebook Fan Pages and Blogs.  It is called Thursdays Get Together, although it will be open from Tuesdays, 6pm CST until Fridays, midnight.  The hop has only a few requirements:
 1.  Only family friendly sites will be allowed and
 2.  You are required to follow both hostesses on their blogs through GFC and on their Facebook Fan Pages by liking their sites.  We would also really appreciate you putting our blog hop button on your blog so that it can advertise and we can get more people to link up and everyone can have more pages to check out.   The button looks like this:

Chatter From Texas


Have a great day and we hope to see you at the hop!!

Friday, October 7, 2011

CONTEST!!!

I have a referral contest going on over at my facebook page!!!  Head over to www.facebook.com/thisandthatcreations and like my page!

Then send over all your friends! Have them comment that you sent them!!

Person with the most referrals will win one of my love beads necklaces!!!!

Good luck

Sunday, October 2, 2011

I Need a Button for This Blog

My Mom is working on making a button for my blog and we need a place to publish it on the web; so, I am going to put it here.  This will give a url for the image and then I can set it up.  Please tell me if you like the way it looks!!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

More baby legwarmers!

Ok, I've gone and gotten out all of my baby legwarmers.  It will be a few weeks before they are all on etsy, but I have them all up on facebook!!!  $13 including shipping in the US.  Out of the US will be a little more, so if you are interested and live elsewhere, contact me and I will call the post office to figure out shipping!!!

www.facebook.com/thisandthatcreations

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

My Facebook Page

I am trying to expand a little bit, and have set up a facebook page.  Slowly but surely, I am getting many items listed on it.  Please stop in and "like" my page.  I also take orders through facebook :).

Here is the link
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thisandthatcreations
Hope you are all having a wonderful day :)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Baby Legwarmers

Hey everyone! Sorry, I've been gone a few days, I got so busy I literally had no time to sit down :).

Just wanted to share that I am starting to put my baby legwarmers back in my shop again :). They are really cute, and are great for a large age range of children, from babies, to crawlers, to toddlers and even beyond! Here are the two pairs I have listed right now, and I will add a couple more over a short time period!!!! Thanks for looking.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61237762/shoelace-rockstar-legwarmers

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58554258/camo-baby-legwarmers


And here is my shop.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879
Have a great day

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Blog Hops

So I have been meaning to do this for ages, but today I joined my first blog hop :).  Two of them actually!!! Here are the buttons if you would like to join as well, and if you are just joining my page from the hop, please leave me a comment and let me know, and I will definately follow back :). 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend



Amazing burn remedy

The other day I was at my moms house, and making some flowers for my sisters hair for a wedding she is going to attend.  (check out my shop soon, and they will be in there :)).  I was using my moms hot glue gun, and accidentially burned my finger.  It hurt was excruciating.  Oh my burns are the worst pain!!! I desperately went online in search of something to ease the pain.  I tried everything I saw.  Aloe, HA, I dunno who that REALLY works for.  Toothpaste, did nothing.  Vinegar, well it worked as long as there was ice in it! The only thing helping was keeping my hand in cold water.  And since I was fixing to have to drive home for 2 hrs, that wasn't going to be an option much longer.  Then, I read on some site that the burn center at parkland hospital in Dallas uses onions.  Hmmm, couldn't hurt to try.  I mean seriously, what was in going to do, make it hurt worse?  So I went and chopped up an onion and put it on there.  Seriously, instant relief!!!! It really worked.  Now my problem was if I took it off, the pain came back, but it did take a few minutes before it really was back to excruciating.  So, for the next 30 minutes, I held an onion on the burn.  As long as it was on there, I was fine.  Anyways, long story short, by the time I was about 30 minutes from my house (I burned myself at about 11, and it was now about 3), I could take off the onion, and there was no pain.  NONE! It was totally gone.  I could even bump my finger on things, and there was no pain! I am totally amazed.

So, next time you burn yourself, put a piece of onion on it, it really works!!!!!!!!!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Featured Artist: Note Cards and Photos by Theresa


Today I would like to feature my Mom’s online shop: Note Cards and Photos by Theresa.  Mom started taking pictures of things like flowers, birds, landscapes, etc. about two years ago.  Before that, she exclusively took pictures of family members, especially her grandchildren.  But as the kids started getting older, they don’t really want to stay still long enough to have their pictures taken- at least not as often as Mom would like to do so.  Since my Dad’s hobby is gardening, my Mom naturally began taking pictures of the lovely wildflowers that my Dad grows.  Then she branched out to taking pictures of the bees, butterflies and hummingbird moths that like to hang around their flowers.





Dad and Mom also love watching the birds in their backyard.  They put out hummingbird feeders in the summer and other bird feeders the rest of the year.  This year, because of the drought, they put out two bird baths.  The water has brought many new birds to the yard, which became the subject of many photos.


There is also a lake two or three blocks from my parent’s house.  This also gives my Mom a wonderful place to take pictures.  She has been taking pictures of the summer residents of the lake.  However, she is really looking forward to the Fall when many migrating birds arrive.


Mom and Dad also like to travel to different cities in Texas and other states.  Last year they flew to California and drove my sister’s car back to Texas.  On the way, they stopped at Yosemite, Mariposa Grove, Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon.  If you would like to read the whole story, you can go to my Mom’s blog where she has written a three post story about the trip home.  It is located at chatterfromtexas.blogspot.com



Most of Mom’s pictures and note cards are located on her website: Note Cards and Photos by Theresa .  However, a few are in my Etsy shop:  This and That Creations . Mom sells photos and also makes note cards from any of the photos that she takes.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Super fast and yummy snack

Ever want something to snack on, but just can't figure out what. Here is one of my favorites. Its really fast and you can just throw it together. And its so good!

Cream cheese, salsa.

Thats it. pour the salsa on the cream cheese. Eat with either crackers or chips. Its so good. And you can choose how spicy you would like it to be :).

Have a good one!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Yummy fall dessert recipe

This is another recipe from kraft.  The cutting the apples was kinda a pain, but omgoodness this was so good and totally worth it! So here it is!

Nilla Apple Crisp

8 cup granny smith apples (I actually used the pinkish colored ones since my store didn't have granny smiths, and it was really good)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar (divided)
2 tsp cinnamon (divided)
1/3 cup quick cooking or old fashioned oats
1/4 softened butter (they call for margarine, but I don't use margarine, so I just softened up some butter)
25 vanilla wafers
cool whip (or vanilla ice cream would be amazing as well)

preheat oven to 350
cut apples into thin slices.  put in bowl, and toss with 1/4 c brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
combine oats, rest of brown sugar, rest of cinnamin.  mix well til makes crumbles.  I threw the vanilla wafers in this mixture, and used a potato masher, and then mashed in all together at this point.
our over apples and cook 30-35 minutes until apples are soft.
serve warm or cold and top with cool whip (or my suggestion of vanilla ice cream)

oh, this dessert was amazing.  Perfect for fall/winter.  Almost like an apple pie :)

try it, you won't be dissappointed with this one

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Why

Ok, maybe its just me, and I am easily offended, but why do a lot (not all) doctors think they need to be pushy, and that their opinion is how I should raise my child.  I was with my step daughter at a dr appt for her, and I happened to mention how I am trying to night wean my 2 yr old.  And its difficult.  Shes persistant, but thats ok, I am working at it. 

This dr asks me if shes in my bed, and I said yes.  I believe in co-sleeping.  To me, babys can't defend or do anything for themselves, they can't even talk.  Why would I want to put her in a totally different room from me? What if something happens and she can't cry? I wouldn't know anything is wrong.  Thats just how I feel.  I like her in my bed, and I am not forcing her out yet.  Shes my baby. 

Anyways, this dr gets all cranky at me and says "your never going to get her weaned if she is in your bed".  I just got quiet, and kinda shot her a dirty look.  Did I ask your opinion? NO.  I have had a lot of bad experiences with doctors in regards to my daughter.  I don't even like to talk about it.  I am really picky about who I want her to see.  I am picky about vaccinations, and there are some I don't think that she needs to be given.  And doctors, and some other people criticize me for that.  Isn't that my right as a parent to make these decisions?  Why do I get odd looks from people when they find out I still nurse my 2 yr old? What is wrong with that? Its good for me, and good for her.  I don't judge other people, and don't push my opinions on them how I think they should raise their kids, and don't criticize them for what they do and don't do.  I don't feel that is my right to do that. 

To me, I feel people have been brain washed.  They think that drs are really smart, and they are doing what is right.  They don't look into facts, or info on what medicines or vaccines they are getting, they just do it because the dr says its best.  But its not always best.  There are a lot of times it actually hurts worse.  They just say to do it, because they make money from the drug companies.  At least thats my guess.

Ahhh I just don't get it all.  I will quit griping so much, and will post a yummy recipe tomorrow, because I am more than sure you all are sick of hearing so much of my opinions and whinyness!!!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Yesterday, when I was writing my September 11 post, I had my music playing on a random playlist from pandora.  This song came on, and it really made me think.  The lyrics just kinda fit with what I was saying yesterday. 

Glorious Day (living He Loved Me) lyricsSongwriters: John Mark Hall;Michael Jr Bleecker

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a Virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

'Cause living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him from rising again

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day, oh, glorious day
This is a song that we also sing at our church.  I don't know why it hit me so hard yesterday, but it did.  I felt I should share the lyrics. Jesus loves us all so much, and he went through so much suffering for all of us.  Its amazing.  I can not even imagine.  The pain, suffering, humiliation he had to endure.  And for me? (and you and everyone) But Why me? I am a sinner.  I am not a good person.  I made this happen to him.  I  feel so ashamed.  I feel terrible. I don't even know how to put all my thoughts into words. I guess now, I should just repay him as best as I can by being the best, most loving, caring, and kind hearted person I can be. To show everyone love as he showed for me. 

Just my thoughts, sorry, I don't know what made me post these lyrics, or my thoughts, but I felt I should, so there they are.  Hope I am not offending anyone and their beliefs, that is not at all what I am trying to, and I am open and resepectful to whatever it is you choose to believe.

Hope you all have a good day

Sunday, September 11, 2011

September 11

Well, as I am sure everyone knows, today is September 11. 10 years ago today (wow, I can not believe it has been that long) America was forever changed. I remember being in school, and was walking back from the bathroom. I heard someone in the hall talking about the attacks on the north east and thought they were talking about another country. I got back to my geometry class, and they came on the speaker, and told everyone what happened. It seemed unreal. It was scary. I didn't know what to think. I don't think we did much else in any of my classes the rest of the day but watch the tv.

So many people were affected by the attacks. A lot of great lives were lost. Its sad, and I just do not see how someone can hurt innocent people that they do not even know. Don't people think of other peoples children, and how hard it is going to be for those children to grow up without a parent/parents. And the people that love them. I mean these people did nothing wrong. Most of them probably did not even know about how serious the conflicts our country had with these people were. Yet they, and their familys are the ones who had to suffer. I just don't get people. Why can't everyone just get along, and leave other people alone.  I mean, really.  I am sure those people that were in on the attacks thought "Americans hate us", or whatever they thought.  But how can they be so general.  I don't even know them.  How can I hate them.  And how can they hate me?  Just because I live in a certain place?  They hate me?  They don't know me. I don't hate them.... I can't hate someone I don't know.  I wish I could understand peoples ways of thinking, even if just for a moment.

Lets all say some a quick prayer for those lost, but definately never forgotten. For those who gave so much time, strength and effort to help. For the familys of people lost. For the children who lost their parents. For the husbands/wives that lost their other half.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Water!

Ok so does anyone else hate water as much as I do? I've been trying really hard to keep up with drinking a lot of water, but its just so BLAH, and I can't stand it.  Lately, I've been adding some cold fruit to my water, and it gives it just enough of a flavor to make it tollerable! Some of my favorites are frozen raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, some cold orange, lemon or lime slices.  Thats just a few things though! Then possabilites are endless, and I know that little bit of added flavor helps me drink a lot more, plus, when my water is gone, I eat the fruit as well, which is an added benifit!

Try it out, its awesome!

Friday, September 9, 2011

New and Different Spegetti

Yup, another kraft recipe. This is a great alernative to the "traditional speghetti", yet it is still spegetti, which most kids love. It is also a good recipe to sneak in some vegis for those picky eaters! (which luckily for me is something I do not have to deal with, as my 2 yr old LOVES vegis, and will eat anything green on her plate before anything else....heck she even calls broccoli "brocci-awesome!). Ok sorr to get off track!! Haha. Here is the recipe. Hope you enjoy and are all having a great day!
If you decide to try it, tell me what you think also!
Tomato and Spinach Pasta Toss
penne pasta
1 lb italian sausage out of casing (I used all natural breakfast sausage with some fennel seeds and italian seasoning)
1 pack spinach leaves
1 cans italian diced tomatoes
mozzarella cheese
parmesan cheese
italian dressing
cook pasta.
while cooking pasta, brown sausage
add tomatoes, dressing and spinach to meat and cool until the spinach wilts. Add mozzarella cheese and cook til cheese melts.
drain pasta and pour sauce over pasta. add parmesan cheese on top
Another great thing to this recipe was how quick it took. Literally about 20 minutes max, maybe 15 minutes, and dinner was on the table. This is a great one for those super busy nights with sports and dance after school!!!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Some new recipes

First off, I would like to say hi to all of my newest followers over the last week.  I am so excited to be growing, and am almost half way to my 100 point of holding a giveaway.  Please continue to spread the word about my blog,and I know we will be there soon!

A few months ago, mom gave me a stack of kraft magazines she had sitting around.  I tore out all the recipes, which was a TON, and each week as I make my grocery list, I have been making different recipes from the magazines.  Some have been a huge hit, some a major flop!! I am only keeping the ones we like, and figured I would share them with you all as well.  Over the next week, I will give a new recipe each day.  They are all kraft recipes, but some have been changed very slightly by me!! Also, all my recipes are pretty inexpensive to make, and usually make enough for more than one meal. 

Todays recipe is Steak and Potato Stir Fry.  This was kinda like a really hearty stew! We all, even my two year old really enjoyed it, and it was very easy!

Ingredients:
serlion steak cut into thin strips
1 TBSP oil
2 cup potatoes cubed
2 cup carrots chopped
1/4 cup water
2 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cup onions
1/4 balsalmic vinaugarette

cook meat in oil until brown..  set aside and add potatoes and carrots to water in skillet and boil and then  Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
stir in onions and mushrooms dressing and meat. 
cook for about 5 more minutes or until everything is warm and consistent temp.

This was definately very loved, and can't wait to make it again! Hope you enjoy it as well

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

I love these products, and her system!

I don't know if anyone has heard about a website called flylady.net.  A friend showed it to me about a year ago now.  I kinda tried but not really, and figured I'd never be able to keep up with everything she says to do.  Well, I finally hit a point, where I was like just forget it, I'm going to try it.  She sends out "testimonials" from people if you sign up for the e-mails, and I must admit they are really encouraging.  So I tried, and things got better, but not perfect.  After reading a lot of the testimonials, I have to say I was interested in trying her cleaning products.  Yeah, they are kinda expensive, but if they work, and last, well I guess its worth it.  So I tried a few.  And I LOVE them.  Been using her water bottle (that does not leak or sweat, and really does keep your drinks cold, even if you leave them in the hot car all day), and her purple rags (omg they are seriously amazing, nothing else cleans like them, especially on glass with just water), and her dish brushes (wow they actually last). 

I must admit also, lately I've tried so much harder to keep up with all her "routines".  And everyone in my house has noticed how much nicer our house always looks.  It even helps me get up earlier.  I know my 2 yr old enjoyed that we actually got up early today, and went to the park.  She even told me as we got out the car "mom i am so excited".  That alone is worth it all!!!! But as an extra reward for myself, I bought a bunch more of her cleaning products.  I have close to everything she sells now to clean, and have really loved them all.  I thought it was great when I got all excited when they came in, and my 14 yr old step daughter told me I was a "nerd because I was excited to get cleaning stuff".  HA.  Soon after looking at all of it, she wanted to "try them"....so I told her to.  Now how often do you see a 14 yr old running around ASKING me and LOOKING for things to clean........ guess mom isn't so much of a nerd huh!!!!!

If you get a chance, look through her shop and get some stuff, you won't be dissappointed!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Labor Day

I hope everyone had a great labor day weekend! I know I was pretty productive, and got quite a bit of stuff done around the house that needed to get done, so that extra day of having everyone home to get out was definately nice!!!  But, at the same time I am happy everyone is back to normal today, and I can continue on with the "normal" life of everyone being at work/school, and me getting my housework done!!!!

Anyways, I am out for today, but I am going to ask a huge favor.  Down near austin there are some MASSIVE fires burning really bad.  I know one family who is pretty sure they lost there house.  And unfortunately this is something that 100s of people down there are having to deal with. So please say a little prayer for them that it calms down, and for them.  I know it will be so hard having totally lost so much. 

Friday, September 2, 2011

A favorite item from my shop

Well, I thought I would share what seems to be many peoples favorite item from my etsy shop.  I personally love this necklace. Its super simple, and goes with every outfit!  These beads are made to be worn either as a super long strand, doubled, or even tripled.  And I definately know I get comments on them every time I wear a pair!
Here is a link to my shop if anyone is interested in stopping in to get some for yourself :)
www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879

Also, I am thinking once I get 100 followers, I will host a giveaway and give away one of these necklaces to one of my followers. So if you can pass this along to everyone you know, hopefully we can get a giveaway very soon :).  Thanks for the help.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Hello September!!!!!!

Well, as I am sure everyone knows the Texas heat this year has been pretty brutal! Its just way to hot out there! But I am hoping that now that September is here, that the temperatures will start to drop, at least a little :) Forecast is saying that by the beginning of next week, it should be in the lower 90s, which is a big relief compared to the 107-110 degree days we have been having.

I am also excited because well, Fall is my FAVORITE season.  I love the cooler air that is not to cold, the changing leaves, halloween, thanksgiving, and the yummy foods and treats I love to cook.  Oh, and my favorite part, spending the day with the windows open :).  I LOVE the way the fresh air in the house feels.  Ahh I can't wait!!!!

Next week, if the temperatures do start to drop, and it is not 100 degrees, I am going to start my fall decorating in the house!  ***That is after I declutter at least a little more, because well, its SO cluttered and bad right now***.  But I will try and update every step of the way!!! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Monday, August 29, 2011

New hair accessories!

Well, I am a couple days late on this post! But please stop by and check out my newest item in my shop! I have added some really cute little spongebob clips.  My teen daughter had to have a spongebob bow, and my toddler wanted one as well, even though she only knows spongebob through pictures as she has never even seen it haha.  But I made her some of these, and then decided to add the last couple I had left to my shop!!!! Please stop over and pay me a visit if you get a chance!
www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879

Have a great day

Sunday, August 28, 2011

so excited!

I dropped off some of my grandfathers suits today at a local consignment store.  I got to talking to them, and they asked me to bring in some crocheted and fabric bows and headbands.  I am so excited!! I feel like this is such a good way to get some more of my creations out there and seen!!!So this weekend I will be busy crocheting up about 20 flowers, and also making about 10 fabric flower headbands, as well as a few ribbon ones!!!

I also got the idea to talk to a college book store here in my town.  Seeing as I live in a college town, I figured I could probably sell quite a few hats, scarves and bows to college students this coming up winter!! Hmmm, now if I had a place I could set up shop for the high school as well :).  Heres to hoping my business really takes off!!!!

Hope everyone is having a good day

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Another awesome dessert recipe

Yesterday when I was writing my fudge recipe, I remembered this one, and could not leave it out.  My grandma used to make this when I was little.  Its SO good. 

What you need is:
Can of condensed milk
big red

mix together.  I dont remember the exact ratio, but I would say like 1 can condensed milk to 1 litre of big red.  Mix well, pour in ice cube trays and freeze.  Then the hardest part.....waiting :D

Have a great day!!!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Amazing and easy fudge recipe

This recipe has always been a favorite of mine.  Its super fast and easy, and tastes amazing!

You will need:
1 bag chocolate chips
1 can condensed milk

optional: add in nuts or cherries!

Dump chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and add can of condensed milk.  Microwave for 45 seconds, then stir.  Microwave at 30 second incriments and stir until all of the chocolate is melted.  Add in some cherries or nuts if you would like, put in a baking dish and put in the fridge until it sets.  Cut into squares.

This fudge is super easy, and absolutely amazing! Try it out :)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle Release

While I was on vacation in Corpus, I got to do something really cool, that few people will ever get to witness.  Kemp Ridley turtles are on the verge of extiction, and are only found on the coast of texas and mexico.  I think the guy told us that in the 80's they were down to like 70 nests or something, although I could be wrong on that number.  ANyways at our favorite beach, maliquite beach, we noticed a sign when we were leaving for a sea turtle release.  I was super excited to go, even though it meant getting up at 530 am to get there. They let the turtles go at sunrise, as they instictively go toward the sun.  There were a total of 67 baby turtles, that were really cute.  Here they are taking them out of the box, so they can start their little journey of about 5 yards to the water!
Here they brought one of the babys around so everyone could see them upclose!
It took a while, but here the first one is almost to the water! Hes the tiny little speck of black :)
And hes in!! Hes right next to the farther guy in the yellow life vest, again a tiny speck of black haha
And hes in, I could see his head when I was there, but you can't really see it on the pic.
ANother one almost there :)

Overall this was such a cool experience.  I feel so lucky to have been there, as it was absolutely amazing.  Its really sad to think though, they released 67, and said only 2 or 3 of them would probably return next year to lay more eggs....thats not very many

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Footprints in the Sand

Growing up, this was always my most favorite poem ever.  It always had so much meaning to me.  While we were at the beach, I looked back, and saw my footprints in the sand.  I immediately thought of that poem, and took a couple pictures.  This pictures are mine, the poem is not, I just thought they were pretty together!!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I'm back

Sorry I've been away for the last week.  We went on a much needed family vacation to Corpus Christi, and while we had a ton of fun, it was so busy, and I am still trying to wind down from it all!!!! I am going to include a few of my favorite pictures I got at my favorite beach, and then tomorrow I will add some pictures of some of the fun things that we did and saw!!!!
These are of the sunrise at Malaquite beach!!!!

and lastly a crab!!

I'll add some more tomorrow!! Have a great day everyone


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Renovation in my etsy shop

So as much as I love crocheting, and making patterns, I have decided to branch out a little as well.  I am finding myself with less and less time to 'enjoy' crocheting, and it is turning more and more into 'work'.  Yes, it is my work, and yes I do love it, but it its also time consuming.  So while I will continue to offer many crocheted creations and patterns, I am also branching out and trying something else new! I have noticed that feathers are all the rage now.  So, starting next week, I will be adding some beatiful feather headbands and accessories for all ages!! Please stop by and check them out, and also tell your friends about them! They are really pretty and fun. 

Here is a link to my shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879

Monday, August 15, 2011

Zenni Optical

So I mentioned my eye problems, and thought I would share a great website that I use.  Its http://www.zennioptical.com/.  They have hundreds of different perscription glasses for 6.95, 9.95, 12.95 and 15.95.  I got my last pairs there, and have really loved them.  You can even add tint for sunglasses to any frame for like $5 or something to that effect.

I love them, and I am sure you would to.  There is definately glasses for everyone there. They are exteremely affordable, and mine have lasted me over a year now with no problems.  So check it out next time you are looking for new perscription glasses/sunglasses

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Most amazing dairy free ice cream recipe

Its hard to find ice cream for someone who can't eat dairy.  Its hard to find a lot of things they can eat!  I have a refreshing home made ice cream recipe that is SO good.  Its coconut milk ice cream.  Its extremely easy, and really good.  Apparently this is a very common Thai treat, and I can't help but think it is absolutely amazing.  Its not very sweet, but if you serve it with a banana, it gives it the absolute perfect taste!

MIx 1/2 cup sugar with 3/4 cup water.  Bring to a boil, and stir til sugar dissolves.  Let cool, mix with 3 cups coconut milk, and put in ice cream maker. 

Thats all there is to it.  You can add a bit of vanilla for a little extra added flavor.  It doesn't have a strong coconut taste at all either.  My mom can't stand coconut, and still really liked it!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Asking for a little help

As many of you know, I live in Texas.  Pretty much the entire state is in desperate need of rain.  It is so hot I barely even take my daughter outside to play.  I mean it is seriously bad.  The daily temp is usually around 110 degrees.  So I am calling out to everyone I can.  Its bad where I am, and even worse in MANY other parts of the state.  We need rain.  Desperately.  So bad that many people would probably jump for joy at the thought of getting a hurricane.  So please, could you take a minute, and pray for some rain for us!  I know many people would be so greatful, and I know God will hear the pleas and send some soon!! So please, say a prayer, and ask all of your friends, family, and/or church members if you attend a church to do the same!! Thanks

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Feel like I am falling apart over here

So I guess I would have l always consider myself in good health.  And I am lucky that I have been given that gift.  Here lately though I feel like I am falling apart, although really, I should not complain.  I am not old by any means, just 25.  After having my daughter, I would sometimes feel like I had a really hard time breathing.  Being the over reactor I am ok I am a hypochondriac  I thought I was having a heart attack.  It bothered me, but ended up going away eventually.  One night it was so bad, I could not breathe at all. I went to the er.  They said it was nothing basically, but gave me a breathing treatment and an inhaler and sent me home.  About a month later, I found out I have pretty bad asthema......but it didn't develop until a year ago.  Annoying, and yes it does send me into panic attacks when I can't breathe, but well I will handle it, carry on and its not the end of the world :).  Now, I had to go to the eye dr the other day.  My daughter had scratched my eye back in December,and it still really bothered me most mornings when I wake up. They told me what it is called, and now I can't remember what it is.  But basically my eyes get dry at night, I open them, and basically it opens the wound back up.  O_M_G SOOO freaking gross.  Then I found out I have a BAD terrible astigmatism in that eye.  Like I'm pretty much blind...I cant even read the F at the top of the chart *yeah normally its an E, but they used an F, and yes I am being serious when I say I couldn't even make that out*.  So, here in a few months I may be having laser surgery to correct my left eye, cuz well, the right one is fine.....

Oh the joys!!! Oh, well, I have had a little bit of time to whine and complain, and now I will get on and get over it, because that is VERY minor compared to what others have had to go through. 

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A new Book I read

So I will admit, I hate strongly dislike reading.  I guess I just don't really have a lot of free time, and with a toddler running around, it is really hard to find time to actually sit down, have silence, and be able to concentrate on what I am trying to read.  But a few months ago I was in Walmart, and saw a display that was full of brightly colored yellow books.  I was interested, and went over to see what it was.  The book was called "Heaven is for real".  Being a christian, I was definately interested in the title, but reality quickly snapped in, and my crazy very hyper toddler was running in the other direction, and it was time to catch her. I thought about getting the book several times, but quickly would tell myself "you don't have time to read it, why bother.".  Well, I was visiting my mom, and she had it.  I sat down while she was playing with my girl and started reading.  "OMG how horrible what these people had to go through".  I felt so sorry for them, and instantly was glued to the book and could not put it down.  Every word I read was so amazing to me.  This little boy REALLY did get to see what heaven was like.  His discription of Heaven was even more than I could ever imagine, but at the same time, was exactly what I always hoped it was like.  I finished the book today, *I just started it yesterday by the way*.  It was such an interesting book, and I am so glad I was able to read it.  I really also think it helped to strengthen my faith in God even more.  I really do not see how anyone could read that book, and not believe.  I know God has done some VERY wonderful things in my life, and this book helped prove to me exactly how loving of a Father he really is.  Even when it may feel like He is not there, or not listening.  He is.  He ALWAYS is.  I know I have struggled with that, but also am trying to just "give everything up to Him and trust His plan"...although I know that is much easier to say than it is to always do!!!

In all, I would DEFINATELY reccommend this book to any person I would ever meet.  It is such an amazing story, and people really should read it.  My prayers go out to this family for all they have had to go through, and I am pretty sure their story has not only changed their lives, but also thousands of others who took the time to read their story.  It is absolutely amazing, and I know it will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Update on Potty Training!!!

Well, I was asked for an update on our potty training, and have been so busy lately I seriously have had NO time to get on the computer!!!  WEll, our update is.........SHE HATES THE POTTY NOW haha.  She decided she wanted nothing to do with it, after she did so well for a few days.  There was one day that she tried to get to the potty to poop, and didnt get there quite in time.  She pooped all over the floor and on the side on the potty yeah, she gave a whole new meaning to pooping ON the potty and ever since then she has HATED it.  So I gave in and put her back in diapers, and I am going to give her a little more time.  Its frustrating, because well, I HATE with a passion washing cloth diapers, but what else should I do? It even got to the point where she would CRY and SCREAM when she was pooping. Then she would hold it in, and for days because she just didn't want to go.  So, well try again in about 2 months I am figuring.  But until that time, I am going to work on a new task with her....ending breastfeeding.  I swore I would go until she was two, and the time is quickly approaching in just a few short days :(.  So, we have slowly been working on cutting out one session at a time, even though some days she just wants to nurse like crazy.  I am to the point where we started working on night time first, because for a few nights all she seemed to do was nurse at night.  Thank God the last two nights she has slept through the night with NO nursing!!!!!!!!  Man was it good to get a full nights sleep.

So there is my update.  I will try and keep up with updating, and keeping up with this, now that life seems to maybe be settling even for just a few days!!!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Potty Training

Last week, I decided I was gonna get my 22 month *almost 23* month old daughter potty trained.  She shows all the readiness signs, and even stays dry all night and when shes napping.  I got some books, and decided I was gonna try the "potty train your child in one day" method.  I was so excited, got everything together, and was ready to start.  I woke her up this morning, all excited. 

Well, that was a failure!!!! I could see how it would work on a 2 1/2 - 3 yr old, but not a child under 2.  She just doesnt have the understanding.  I was frustrated, and she was just not interested at all in everything I had set up for her.  BUT, there is some success to my story.  She has had 2 pee pees since she woke up this morning, and they were both in the potty :).  So, even though that method was a failure for us, I still think shes ready, just not interested in quite as intense training!!!!! I could really see how it would work well for a little older child though.

Anyone have any potty training tips I should know about?  Or any funny stories?????

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Really cool website I found

Do you hate grocery shopping? Do you always have a hard time coming up with new things to cook? I know I do.  I found a really cool website, and its free! Its called tastyplanner.com.  It has tons of recipies, and you can add them to your "weekly planner".  Then when you are done, click get grocery list, and boom, it creates a grocery list from your recipes that you chose! Its really cool, and I've been using it for about 2 weeks now, and my entire family, including my toddler has LOVED all the new things I have been cooking. 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Amazing Shop that a friend of mine owns

Hi!!! I know I have been MIA for a while, and Im sorry, seems life has once again taken over and before I know it its been weeks since I have been on here! I did want to share a link with you though.  I have an amazing and very talented friend named Diamond who has a shop on artfire! She has some really cool jewelry and also some adorable crocheted items! Please, if you get a few minutes, please stop in and check it out.  I know you will not be disappointed :)

http://www.artfire.com/users/PinkMoon

Hope everyone is having a great week. I will be back tomorrow with some really good recipes I have found recently!!!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Fun New Blog to Follow

My mom has entered the world of blogging as well!!! Her blog is chatterfromtexas.blogspot.com.  She has a lot of really great recipes, and also does a lot of promoting for our etsy shop as well!!!  Please take a minute, stop by and check it out, and follow her as well if you get a minute :). 

Hope everyone has a wonderful evening, I will add some new stuff soon! *after I quit procrastinating haha*

Monday, May 23, 2011

Got a minute?

I have been featured in a really cool treasury on etsy today.  Could everyone please stop in, take a look around, and let them know that thisandthat879 sent you!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dda8db77d546d9153be2a7e/open-my-new-favorite-bns-team-round-3-by?index=0&page=4#comments

Saturday, May 14, 2011

fun new picture for sale in my etsy shop

I have another item I am very excited to offer in my etsy shop.  :).  My dog LOVES to ride our motorcycle, so we captured some shots of her pre-ride!!! They are so cute!!! Currently for sale as a notecard, or a picture.  Stop by and check it out and tell me what ya think.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74080323/dog-on-hog-5x7

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Get Healthy Challenge

After watching a show on TV the other day, *I honestly can not remember the name*, I realized how terrible the food people in America are eating really is.  I can not even really go to the grocery store any more without feeling sick to my stomach.  I have decided that even though it means more work for me, I am cutting out as much processed food as I possibly can.  I mean really, have you gone to the store and seen how many items have hugh fructose corn syrup in them?? Next time you are there, try it.  See if you can find something that DOESN'T have it.  Yeah yeah yeah, they say its fine "in moderation", and maybe in moderation it is.  But people don't realize that there is no "moderation" when it comes to high fructose corn syrup because it is in almost everything we buy.  No wonder so many people have cancer and diabetes.  We are all being lied to and fed crap. 

So I am going to start making all of our snacks for myself, my children, and my husband.  I plan on each week after going to the store on sunday evening, preparing 6 different snacks for the week.  I am really bad about having easy to grab foods in the house, and being a breastfeeding mom of a almost 2 yr old, its REALLY hard to keep weight on, because well, I forget to eat.  Ive even gotten to where I am 5-10 lbs less than I was before I was pregnant. And being 5'2", being barely over 100 lbs is not necessarily a good thing.

ALso, all of my recipes will be budget friendly.  We do not have a high grocery budget, so that is going to be a huge consideration for me.  I am also going to start using everything I have stocked up in my pantry, and have had for ages, and then I will spend a few weeks basically starting fresh with all new items!!!!!

My first snack, even though its not necessarily the cheapest, but is very very heart healthy is to always have walnuts, and grapes on hand.  Grapes are pretty cheap right now, at less than 2$ a lb. Walnuts on the other hand are about $6 a lb.  So, for about 8$ a week, maybe a little less, we always have that to nibble on between meals.  Not to mention grapes and walnuts both help with elasticity with the artery walls in your heart.  So, for one snack, I guess I will splurge!!!!!!

Also, on top of my list, is drinking more water.  I have always had a problem with drinking enough water.  A lot of days I don't drink any at all.  I have a couple of reuable water bottles I am rotating in the fridge so its always cold.  My goal is to drink between 64-80 oz of water each day.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Quick and easy rice krispy treats

My oldest daughter had a friend over tonight, and so I had them make themselves some rice krispys treats.  This is super quick and easy and fun to make :) I remember making these with my grandmother when I was a kid

First get about 1-2 tbsp of butter.  Put in about 1 bag of marshmellows and microwave for 25-30 seconds at a time until they are all soft and melted.

Pour in cereal, and stir until it is the consistency you are wanting.  Put in a pan and and flatten them down, and then put them in the fridge to set for a little while!!

Thats all there is to it.  These are so good, and they always disappear very quickly, especially with teens in the house.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Green Pool

Ever walk outside and see your pool has turned green?  Happened to us the other day.  We walked outside, and much to my disgust my above ground pool was GREEN.  VERY VERY green.  So, I automatically came inside to see what I could do about it.  In just a short time, I read that you have to actually scrub it to get it off, as the green stuff has grown on the walls and floors, and then use shock treatment on it.

So, back outside I went.  I hunted down the shop broom, and washed it off with the hose.  I got it and scrubbed the bottom of the pool the best I could, and then we went through with the leaf skimmer and got all the stuff we could out of the water.  I took apart the pump, and hosed off the filter really good as well.  Put it all back together, and turned it on.  Let it run for about 20 minutes.  It was so bad you could not even see through the water at all.  I got some shock, and put about 1.5x as much in as I should have.  Then we got out the pool cover, and covered it up. 

I figured I would have to repeat this a couple times at least.  BUT much to my surpise the next day I went outside, and took off the cover and found completely seethrough BLUE clear water!!!!!! 

All in all it only took me about 20 minutes to take care of the problem.  Very simple, and quick, and I am glad I did it when I did and did not let it get worse.  The main thing to remember is you have to scrub it off, and let the filter run, not just put in the chemicals. 

So I learned my lesson.  My pool stays covered now :)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Best Ever Chicken and Dumplin Recipe

This is the best chicken and dumplin recipe that I have come across yet.  My mother in law gave it to me, and its so simple and easy, and also cheap!!!!  It does take some time for the chicken to cook, but actual work time is less than 30 minutes.

Recipe:
1 whole chicken or chicken breasts
cheap bisquits *in the refridgerated section....DO NOT use the buttered kind, just the plain ol cheap ones!!!*

Cook the chicken.  Tear meat off bones, and PUT BACK IN THE WATER you used to cook the chicken.  Tear up the bisquits, and put them in the water.  Let cook for about 20-30 minutes. 

There ya have it.  SO easy and so good :)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

New Offer In my Etsy shop!

I am so excited to offer a new product in our etsy shop.  I don't usually have time to introduce each new item, but I am so excited about there I had to share!!  SO, introducing, our customizable notecards!!!!!

These are so cool, because you can use your own pictures.  All you do is send us up to 6 digital pictures of your choice, and we will do all the work.  You can order any amount of these cards, from 1, to 6 or we can even do a custom order for even more!!

I personally use the notecards in our shop whenever I  need to send a birthday card, thank you card, or any other occasion card. They are absolutely beautiful and everyone loves receiving them.  And of course shipping on all of our notecards is free!!!!

Here is the link to the customizable notecards. http://www.etsy.com/listing/73312763/set-of-note-cards-made-from-your

You can also see some of the other beautiful notecards we have to offer here
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879?section_id=7840115

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter

I have been SO busy lately, I just have not had the time to sit down at the computer for even a few minutes!! Life is hopefully going to return to normal soon, but I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Easter.   I will be back here and there this week.  And hopefully the following week will settle even more. 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Hummingbirds

Well, its definately spring, and feels like summer. Like many others I have been working hard to get my yard in order! The other day when we were outside playing, I saw my first hummingbird of the season.  We had not even filled our feeder yet, and the poor little guy must have been starving, because he was trying to eat out of it.  So I filled our feeder, and decided it would be a good idea to share this easy recipe.

First, please do not add red food coloring.  I know it attracts them, but it is really bad for the poor little guys!!!

ok so the recipe, its VERY simple.  1/4 cup of sugar, dissolved in 1 cup of water. 

 I heat the water to boiling and dump in the sugar, stirring until it dissolves.  Then set it aside and let it cool. 

Be sure and change out this food fairly often.  I change mine once a week.  Its sugar water, so it does attact ants yeah ive seen them crawl up the post on my porch and get up there

Enjoy, and have a wonderful day all.

Friday, April 15, 2011

100s of Sugar cookies

Yup, the title says it all. Thats how many sugar cookies I have to make over the next couple days!! I am hosting a motorcycle ride/car ride for my church Relay for Life ride.  So I figure I better give the possibly 100-200+ bikers and hot rod loves something to snack on and drink while we walk around and look at each others rides and until its til to ride out.   I am going to try out 3 or 4 different recipes, and I will come back to yall with the best 2!!!! Wish me luck.

Do you have a favorite recipe I should try?? Let me know!!!!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Easy and Fun Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Do you feel like you run out of things to do with your toddler? I know I do.  She still has a pretty short attention span, unless you put on the TV, which I really do not like doing even though sometimes it comes down to it. So I have decided each week to find a simple craft to do with her, and we will share it here with all of yall.  Todays craft was an Easter craft.  Very easy and simple, and we already had all the things around the house to do it, so it did not cost anything, which makes it even better!!! Our craft was glueing cotton balls and colored pompoms on a bunny picture.  She had a blast, and loved putting the cotton balls or clouds as we call them) onto the bunny.  Keep in mind my daughter is 20 months old, but this would be a suitable craft about 12 months to about 4-5 years. Of course I helped a lot, but a 2 or 3 year old could probably do most of it themselves. 

First, we gathered all of our supplies.   
For this project we used this website to get and print out our bunny outline. 
http://www.shininghours.com/creating/bunny_outline.htm.  Then we gathered cottonballs and pompoms, construction paper, school glue, and sissors. 
Start out by spreading the glue on the bunny.  I did this part for her, because last time I let her use glue, we were both covered with it.
Then I showed her how to put the first pompom on, and gave her the next one.  At first she just kinda threw them on there :)

Before I knew it, there were GLOBS of cotton balls on the bunny :)
Finally, she finished ran out of cotton balls.  So we took off all the extra and set the picture outside for the glue to dry
Finally, after it dryed for a white we cut out the bunny
and glued it on some construction paper so it would have a pretty background :)

And here is our finished product!! She wanted to give it to her daddy so we wrote happy easter, her name, and date :)
This is a really great craft for small children, and we had a lot of fun doing it.  Hope you and your child can have fun with it as well

Monday, April 11, 2011

Spiders

Do they make you freak out as much as they do to me?!?  So you could image how freaked out I was when I saw a good size spider in my kitchen window today, where it had set up a web.  I totally freaked out, got a knife, and stabbed it a couple times, then washed it down the sink.  OMG I actually KILLED one.  Normally, I run, and hide!!!

So I went to the internet, and searched natural ways to kill spiders, because harsh chemicals are banned in my house.  I found they hate citrus, baking soda, vinegar, and some other stuff.  SO tomorrow I am on a mission :).  I have actually used a mixture of vinegar, water, and lemon essential oil before, with pretty good success.  First off is to totally clean my house.  Cuz, well lets face it, theres a lot of clutter for the stinkin things to hide in.  Ok seriously, just talking about them is making me itch...... Another great product is diatomaceous earth, or DE for short. Its GREAT for killing ants, spiders, fleas, and other creepy crawly things.  Just make sure you get the food grade kind, and not the pool kind.  The food grade kind is also effective for worming your animals, and some people even eat it, so it is totally safe around kids and animals. And its really cheap too.  It does take a few days to work though, because it "cuts" up the insect, and dehydrates it.  We even dust it straight on our dog to keep off fleas.  Just make sure that if you put it in your yard and it rains to reapply it!!! 

Anyways, anyone have any great tips for organizing the endless amounts of clutter in your house?? I am at a loss there, but it really needs to be done!!! Lets all share some great tips with each other!!!!!!!!!! Oh and if you have any other natural spider killing tips, I am all ears.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Strawberries!!!

Don't you just love spring/summer time???  I know I do.  We spent last weekend getting out garden started, planting seeds, pepper plants, tomatoes, and potatoes in addition to the onions we had already started.  Yesterday, we went to out local flea market, where we get our plants, and got some strawberry plants.
My daughter LOVES strawberries, so I figured they would be a very welcome addition to our garden. So we picked out 7 plants. 


So there they were!! Ready to put into the ground.  We I (thats right, I am taking all the credit, because my he didn't really help me much) took out an area of grass, tilled it up, and got them in the ground!

So there they are!!! In the ground.  In all fairness I will give my husband some credit (he did hand me the plants so I could put them in the ground).  So, now came the fun part.  There were already several strawberries that were ready to pick.  So we got out a bowl, and got my daughter all hyped up about picking the strawberries. 
Thats them!!! Small, but not bad for the fact that we had literally just put them in the ground! Then it was in the house to wash them, and thanks to my daughter they were gone in literally 3 minutes!! Although I do thank her for at least giving me ONE!!!!!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Got A Few?

Ok, first off, I am gonna nag, and ask for a few minutes of your time, to look at my shop!!!! All items are created by me and my totally awesome mom!!!!!  Thanks for taking a minute to check it out!!!!!

www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879

Welcome

Hi!! Thanks for taking some time to stop!! Im Rebecca.  I am a SAHM, who is trying to balance life as a mom, christian, wife, housekeeper, and etsy shop owner!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE doing crafts, and baking, as well as working in my garden, and recently photography!!!!

Anyways, here is my blog.  I hope to be able to share lots of crafts, recipes, and tips as I work through the fun things that I run across while wasting time on the internet searching online!!! :)