tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25705628338353408932024-02-19T21:51:23.537-07:00striving for eleganceEmily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-48107366648560112932013-05-01T14:31:00.000-07:002013-05-01T14:31:06.123-07:00The Dreaded Fridge...So far we've given tips and tricks on organizing recipes, grocery lists, and closets. Today I'm going to tackle my fridge. For some reason the organizing fairy sprinkled some pixie dust on me and I was motivated to reorganize all my kitchen cabinets. Let me tell you....YIKES!!!!! I will spare you the gory details, but suffice it to say, I have pretty cabinets now and a good start to a garage sale.<br />
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I'm not going to go into how I organized each cabinet, I mainly want to focus on my fridge. I didn't realize how much junk had gotten piled up on top of and on front of my fridge. Many pictures the girls had painted covered the doors of my fridge, mounds and mounds of art supplies in a basket much to small for them was sitting on top along with my juicer and old Valentine's day candy. Like I told you- YIKES! Here is what I did to make my fridge look cleaner.<br />
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1. I took down all the old pictures my girls had colored for me and put them in a folder to save for their keepsakes.<br />
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2. Chose a few select pictures to adorn the outside of the fridge.<br />
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3. Put my juicer and other kitchen item in a cabinet.<br />
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4. Sorted through the art supplies and got rid of broken crayons and supplies and put the rest away in a sliding art cart I got for my girls. <br />
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Here the before and after pics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_G2Ae6_-RUm2KTxZgKDm6DEqvksffIQgbgpMfM-p-_k2uXZhLI7h7YSabqgO8-gJJjUvMQx7nkI9IkJQCT5uxAeR1GgTwm1vcJhn3QyCYX5M0MDU9alQgmA4SxhuoxLqeV-s59coiZk/s1600/DSC04615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_G2Ae6_-RUm2KTxZgKDm6DEqvksffIQgbgpMfM-p-_k2uXZhLI7h7YSabqgO8-gJJjUvMQx7nkI9IkJQCT5uxAeR1GgTwm1vcJhn3QyCYX5M0MDU9alQgmA4SxhuoxLqeV-s59coiZk/s320/DSC04615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewww...gross!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawZJjP1Ch2Y8fPhVQqIb_lADodWPgbBdxIRWu82DLjXlsGG9KlbfVfFM22EQ_0OjO1db5RpXImb3sGX6O6AWidg0AwirR4nPKZn7qS923h8ue5ufe_5oEv0u5L0pP7iLKwEYSog1RBVs/s1600/DSC04616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawZJjP1Ch2Y8fPhVQqIb_lADodWPgbBdxIRWu82DLjXlsGG9KlbfVfFM22EQ_0OjO1db5RpXImb3sGX6O6AWidg0AwirR4nPKZn7qS923h8ue5ufe_5oEv0u5L0pP7iLKwEYSog1RBVs/s320/DSC04616.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe there were a few other things on top of my fridge I forgot to mention.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4dCGNamOHD51bhHdY55_R68tiNiqwlfFtXCsfjIbQ5g6j05ROt0NwBJSjmQn5zQA5stc9qtaiMtnK7gwLFrPyYuZW_o0hHOFAFvyHrSQamLOWFcaovCn7XI7rOLQPO494MWe1kdeyF8/s1600/DSC04619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4dCGNamOHD51bhHdY55_R68tiNiqwlfFtXCsfjIbQ5g6j05ROt0NwBJSjmQn5zQA5stc9qtaiMtnK7gwLFrPyYuZW_o0hHOFAFvyHrSQamLOWFcaovCn7XI7rOLQPO494MWe1kdeyF8/s320/DSC04619.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The after picture. So much better! <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
This is a great 15-20 minute organizing project that can make a big impact on your kitchen!</div>
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~Emily</div>
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Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-70753734742661763492013-04-29T11:04:00.000-07:002013-04-29T11:04:11.976-07:00Closets and ToysWhen you have children, keeping closets and toys organized can seem very overwhelming. I thought I would share with you today a few pictures of my children's closets and what works for our family. I know I definitely have room for improvement and would love to hear your feedback.<div>
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First, let me say that I'm hesitant to post pictures of my daughter's closet, for fear that I will be accused of frivolity when it comes to the amount of clothes she has. Her closet looks ridiculous, I admit. BUT, I want to inform you that most of the clothes in her closet have been handed down to us from cousins and close family friends. While I do occasionally buy clothes for her, I usually get them at consignment shops or end-of-season sales. It's rare that I splurge on an outfit for my daughter, although I did enjoy buying a fancy party outfit for her to wear to my sister's wedding shower a month ago.</div>
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Ok, with that said, I give you the PINK closet. Ha!</div>
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Because my kids have large walk-in closets, we hang most everything. I only fold pajamas, socks, underwear, lounge pants/shorts, and leggings. </div>
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On the left of my daughter's closet, I hang all the clothes that are still too big: Dresses for next season, seasonal/holiday tops that I've gotten really good deals on at after-holiday sales, hand-me-down dresses that are too big, etc.</div>
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In the middle section of the closet, on the top, I hang dresses and skirts that are in season and are the correct size. On the bottom rack, I hang shorts, capris, tops, and light jackets. My daughter is allowed to choose an outfit from this rack to wear each morning, and knows that she may not change clothes whenever she wishes. Occasionally I have an opinion about what she's going to wear, but most of the time I let her choose. What can I say? The girl has style. ;)</div>
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For shoe organization, I got really thrifty and cut an old shoe organizer in half. It's the perfect length to hang on this bottom rack, making it easy for my daughter to organize her shoes herself. This has been a huge improvement to her closet. </div>
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Also, you can see that in the corner she has a basket for stuffed animals. Do you get overwhelmed with stuffed animals? She has a few that stay on her bed because she sleeps with them, but the rest stay tidy in this basket. Next to the basket is a plastic container housing all of the puzzles she likes to play with.</div>
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On the right side of the closet, we have a pink organizing shelf that came from Target. This holds books, magnet dolls in ziplock bags, and green pull-out bins for random toys.</div>
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This closet set-up is manageable for my 3 year old and helps to keep things off of the floor.</div>
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I also wanted to share with you the hair-bow organizer that I made for her. I completely stole this idea from a friend on Facebook. I already had a cork-board that I was not using, so this was perfect. I bought fabric that coordinated with the room decor. Using a staple gun, I covered the cork-board with the fabric, then added rows of ribbon to clip the hair-bows to. This project took less than 10 minutes and has been the perfect solution to organizing the hair-bows. I have this hanging on the wall next to the bathroom sink.</div>
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Below are a few pictures of my son's closet. I hang his dress-pants and shirts on the top rack and his school/play clothes on the bottom rack. On the right side of the closet are the clothes that I've bought at end-of-season sales that are still too big. We don't get a-lot of hand-me-downs for him, since he's the oldest boy cousin, so his closet is not nearly as full.<br />
He keeps his shoes in the bottom drawer of the built-ins inside the closet.<br />
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In one corner of his closet we keep 2 large plastic buckets for dress-up clothes, swords, shields, weapons, etc.<br />
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On the other side of the closet he has this toy organizer we bought at Target. Oddly enough, the toys aren't EXACTLY organized, but he's able to see all of the toys and can find what he needs quickly. The rest of my children's toys belong in the game closet in our basement.</div>
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I really like the fact that my children are able to reach most of their clothes. When doing laundry, I fold or hang the clothes, then leave them in the laundry room for my kids to put away (with the exception of their dress clothes, which I hang on the top racks myself). They both know exactly where their clothes belong, whether it be hanging their play clothes or placing their pajamas, socks, underwear, etc. in the proper drawers. This is a chore that they are capable of doing and one that doesn't take too long. </div>
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I hope this post has been helpful to you in some way. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment here on the blog or on our FB page.</div>
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~ Jennifer</div>
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Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-36504186359037500822013-04-25T18:17:00.000-07:002013-04-25T18:17:13.382-07:00Organization: Grouping Like-itemsHi Friends!<br />
Do ya'll have organized linen closets by now? What about your recipes, are they categorized and filed into neat binders? Have you made your monthly grocery shopping list? No? Well, not to fret. It takes time to get organized, it certainly doesn't happen over night, or with the snap of your fingers. Hopefully you HAVE been inspired to do some organizing, as it sure does help the home to run more smoothly.<br />
Tonight I want to share a simple idea. If you haven't already done so, go through your kitchen and organize like-items together. Your measuring spoons and cups, mixing bowls, spices, etc. should all be located near your mixer, if possible. I realize that not everyone has room in their kitchen to organize these items together, but it sure does make working in the kitchen easier when the tools you need are close by.<br />
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I want to share a few pictures of the "coffee corner" in our kitchen. We have a dedicated cabinet for coffee mugs, cappuccino cups, coffee, sugar/creamer bowls, stir sticks, sweetener packets, coffee filters, etc. All the items we use when preparing coffee for ourselves or for company, we keep in this cabinet. Want to know what's even more helpful? The coffee cabinet is located directly above our coffee maker, grinder, and espresso machine. Yes, we planned it this way. It makes coffee prep in the morning so much easier, and let's be honest, before I've had my cup o'joe, I really need things to be easy.<br />
If you have the room to move things around in your kitchen, try this technique. It's not rocket-science, it's just working the lay-out of your kitchen to your advantage.<br />
~Jennifer<br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-80387423725470121762013-04-23T13:18:00.002-07:002013-04-23T13:19:56.129-07:00The Linen Closet<br />
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This is one of the first posts I ever wrote on this blog, so I thought I would re-publish it since we've been talking about organization. It's a repeat, but it's still worth the read. Jen and I are working on your suggestions for other areas of the home you need help organizing. Stay tuned for those posts!</div>
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I thought I would start with part of my house that I look in almost every single day. Maybe I'm a crazy, but if things are out of order it makes my blood pressure rise a little bit. Here's a great idea for reorganizing your everyday items in order to bring you a little more elegance.</div>
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This project is free- that's the best news of all! I began by taking things out of the closet. Why is it that you have to make an even bigger mess to make it clean again??? Anyway, I took inventory of what I could get rid of and what I need to keep and where it would be stored best. I decided to put my stock purchases (toilet paper, tissues, hand sanitizer, etc..) On the top shelf where they could be plainly seen. Okay, plainly seen by me. All you shorter people out there may want to put it on a lower shelf. If you take stock of what you have it saves you $$$$$. You won't end up buying things you don't need.</div>
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Then I proceeded to refold (crazy I know) my washcloths and towels to make them look neater when they were stacked. And amazingly, it looks good! I have a large basket on the very bottom to hold extra pillows instead of them just sitting out looking bulky.</div>
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Scroll down to see the before and after photos!</div>
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BEFORE</div>
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Embarrassing I know!</div>
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My beautiful mismatched towels</div>
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Ahhhhh.....AFTER</div>
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Still mismatched, but what did you expect?</div>
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My stockpile</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Here are some other tips you may want to try....</span></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Use smaller baskets labeled to hold stock purchases or even odds and ends items</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Stash dryer sheets between towels to give a fresh scent to your linen closet</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Put your prettier towels on the top shelves to give a more uniform appearance, because let's face it, we're not Martha Stewart and we don't have perfectly white fluffy towels that comprise our entire towel collection.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Store sheets, blankets, and larger linens on bigger shelves. I realized I had my big items on the tiny shelves and that's why they were falling off.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Add command hooks on the inside of the door to store any hanging items.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Cover shelves with pretty contact paper, or put on a fresh coat of paint.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If any of you are brave enough to tackle your linen closet, let me know how it goes. It's free, it's quick and it will bring a little elegance to your life! </span></div>
Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-39291890561831880972013-04-18T12:58:00.000-07:002013-04-18T12:58:16.553-07:00Organization: Grocery ShoppingThis afternoon I thought I would discuss how I make my monthly grocery list. For several years now, I've been an "almost once-a-month-shopper". What that means is that I do one BIG grocery shopping trip per month, and fill in the gaps with a couple of smaller trips when needed. I'm not sure how anyone gets by with ONLY going to the grocery store once a month, somehow I always need something that wasn't on my list, and I have to make another trip. However, in January of this year, I revamped my grocery list method, and I have had even fewer last-minute trips to the grocery store.<div>
Here's what I did: I began by making a list of everything in my pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. I then categorized items by likeness.</div>
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These are the categories on my list:</div>
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Canned (Veggies)</div>
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Baking</div>
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Breakfast/Beverages</div>
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Pasta/Rice</div>
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Frozen</div>
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Canned (Tomatoes/Mexican)</div>
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Produce</div>
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Dairy/Refrigerator</div>
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Condiments</div>
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Paper, Cleaning, Laundry</div>
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Bread/Tortillas</div>
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Chips, Snacks</div>
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Personal</div>
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Other</div>
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After sorting all of the items into the following categories, I walked the aisles of Walmart (in my mind) and listed the items under each category in the order that they would appear in the store. Yes, I'm crazy. But, this totally works for me and makes my Walmart experiences SO MUCH BETTER. </div>
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I saved my new grocery list on my computer and have printed out several copies. I keep a fresh copy available on my kitchen counter, so that as I discover I need an item, I can circle it on my list. At the beginning of each month, instead of having to write out a long list of groceries, I simply look at my pre-made list, circle the items I need and cross out the items I don't need. This has been such a time-saver and has helped to keep me from forgetting more obscure items that I don't think about as often. I usually buy my produce at a local grocery store here, rather than Walmart, and I make a separate list for Sam's, where I purchase meat and poultry.</div>
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Here's what my list looks like.</div>
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It certainly took me a while to get this list put together, but I'm so glad I took the time to do it. Like I said, I've been using this list since the beginning of January, and it has been great. </div>
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I would love to hear your ideas on making grocery lists/shopping easier. And, feel free to ask any questions. We'd love your feedback.</div>
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~Jennifer</div>
Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-1132087636713921672013-04-16T09:04:00.000-07:002013-04-16T09:04:36.427-07:00Organization: Starting in the KitchenHello Readers!<br />
It's been over a month since I've posted, yet it feels like much longer. In that time, I've been to Colorado and back, Florida and back, my hometown and back, hosted a birthday party for my son, and hosted a visiting preacher and his family for the weekend. Whew! God is good. I am humbled and thankful that I've had these opportunities over the past 4 weeks. I'm grateful for the health that I've been provided and the home I have, in which to entertain. I'm hoping to get back into my "routine" this week, and thought it was about time I posted on the blog.<br />
This week I'm going to write a few posts about organization, mainly being organized in the kitchen and pantry. I've found that keeping my kitchen and pantry organized really helps save time and energy when I'm cooking and when I'm making my grocery lists.<br />
Recipe organization is a must for me. I'm an avid recipe collector; I think that comes with the territory of being an avid cook. I am always trying to new recipes, improving on old "stand-bys", and collecting recipes. I have quite the collection of cookbooks, cooking magazines, recipes on my Pinterest page, and binders filled with recipes I've printed, copied down, collected from friends, torn from magazines, etc. I have an addiction that my husband is totally fine with. He has no problem with the fact that I like to buy cookbooks, for he knows the benefit reaches far beyond the cost.<br />
Although I've always been an avid recipe collector, I haven't always been so good at keeping my recipes organized. However, a couple of years ago I decided it was time for a change and I've been very happy with the results.<br />
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This is the section in my pantry where I keep my recipe binders and cooking magazines. I bought cardboard magazine files in the Target dollar section, SCORE!, and have my magazines organized by type. </div>
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If my house were to catch on fire, I would have a very tough decision to make: Save the kids or save my "Favorite Recipes" binder. Haha, I kid. But, my "Favorites" is one of my most valued possessions. It contains over 100 recipes, all of which have been made in my kitchen, loved by friends and family, and I've hand-written notes on each one. Below are just a few examples of the recipes I have in my binder and the notes I write on them. I've found it's very helpful to write notes on recipes because I have multiple recipes for the same dish, and I want to remember which one I fixed and if I liked it or not. Plus, dating the recipe and including a note about who it was served to, helps to serve as a type of recipe "scrapbook". I love looking thru my recipes and reading the dates and being reminded of when I served the various dishes. </div>
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I have 3 main recipe binders that I put together and use. Obviously one of those is my "Favorites". It includes only recipes that I've actually made or have eaten, and would like to make again. If I've tried a recipe that I've pinned on Pinterest, and it's a "keeper", I print it out and add it to the "Favorites" as well. I have 2 other binders that include recipes I've collected that I would like to try, but haven't gotten around to yet. You can see the categories for those binders in one of the pictures above. After I make a recipe from one of those binders, I either move it to my "Favorites" or I throw it away.<br />
The tabs on my "Favorites" binder are in this order:<br />
Appetizers<br />
Breads<br />
Breakfast<br />
Beverages<br />
Soup/Salad/Sandwiches<br />
Pizza/Pasta<br />
Sides<br />
Beef<br />
Pork<br />
Chicken<br />
Mexican<br />
Cake/Frosting<br />
Desserts<br />
Cookies<br />
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This is my cookbook display in the island of my kitchen. I keep the books I use most often stacked on top of each other. I also make notes in my cookbooks. Someday I will pass these books on to my children and I hope they will enjoy reading my notes and remember how much joy I found in cooking and baking for them and for others.</div>
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So, if you're recipes are in a jumbled mess, like mine were a few years ago....I challenge you to buy some 3-ring binders and get busy organizing. Buy a package of tabbed dividers and label them however will work best for your collection. If you don't have room to keep all of your cooking magazines (and I don't keep all of mine), go through the magazines and tear out only the recipes you would like to make one day. Add those recipes to your binder and throw the rest away. De-clutter. Keep a "favorites" binder so that you can easily find that trusted recipe you want to make again.</div>
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I hope this has been helpful.</div>
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~Jennifer</div>
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-91353841397530919402013-03-11T13:14:00.001-07:002013-03-11T13:14:08.356-07:00A Few More Favorite ThingsHappy Monday and Happy Spring Break!<br />
Today is the first day of my son's spring break, and we've been having a good time. We started off by sleeping in a bit, pancakes for breakfast, Star Wars Angry Birds on the iPad, coloring on a huge piece of butcher paper, backyard fun, lunch, chocolate chip cookies, bath-time, and now nap-time! Whew! I thought I'd use this little break and write about a few of my favorite things.<br />
As I mentioned in my last post, chocolate and butter make the top of my list, so it seems only right that I share with you my very favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and a few of the supplies I love to use when baking cookies.<br />
1. I LOVE having large cookie sheets to bake on. I have 4 of these baking sheets and I bought them at Sam's Club. They are perfect for cookies and can also be used for sheet cakes because they have a 1 inch lip all the way around.<br />
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2. Parchment Paper is a must-have in my kitchen! Have you tried it? There are a couple of different brands available here and I like them equally. Parchment paper helps cookies to brown evenly, but what I love most about it is that it keeps me from having to clean my cookie sheets!<br />
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3. Cookie scoops are my BFF. I use both of the scoops shown in the picture below on a frequent basis. The larger is perfect for big, fat chocolate chip cookies. The smaller is just right for, well, smaller cookies. Rocket science, right? Anyway, these scoops are from Pampered Chef, and they are great. Scooping your cookie dough helps the cookies to be uniform in size and to bake evenly.<br />
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4. I really like having a cooling rack for my cookies and cakes. This cooling rack, also from Pampered Chef, is a great kitchen tool. After allowing the cookies to set for a minute or two, I remove them to the cooling rack, then I'm ready to scoop more dough onto my parchment paper-lined cookie sheets.<br />
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And, last but certainly not least, is my very favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!!!<br />
INGREDIENTS:<br />
2 c. all-purpose flour<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
3/4 cup butter, melted<br />
1 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup white sugar<br />
1 Tablespoon vanilla (I used homemade vanilla extract, another one of my favorite things!)<br />
1 egg<br />
1 egg yolk<br />
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips<br />
1 cup milk chocolate chips<br />
1/3 cup 60 % dark chocolate chips<br />
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a metal mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of your mixer, cream together both sugars and melted butter. Add the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk and beat to combine. Mix in the dry ingredients until just blended. Add in the chocolate chips until just combined. Using your cookie scoop, drop even scoops of dough onto your cookie sheets and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies. When I use my larger scoop, it takes every bit of 15 minutes for my cookies to bake. Remove from oven and let cookies set for 1 minute, then remove to a cooling rack. Eat and Enjoy!<br />
~Jennifer<br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-7060891706459490522013-03-07T09:46:00.001-07:002013-03-07T09:50:12.945-07:00Favorite Thing #2So Jen blogged about her love of her Kitchen Aid mixer and I couldn't agree more. I love my mixer too! Today, I will be sharing some of my favorite cleaning supplies. BORING....right??? WRONG!!!! I don't think anyone always loves the process of cleaning (I admit, I do sometimes), but no one will argue that having a sparkling clean bathroom, or an organized closet doesn't make them feel more at peace. <br />
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This isn't a knock off Pinterest post. I 'm not going to be teaching you how to make your own laundry detergent and carpet cleaner. Instead, I'm sharing some of my favorite - GASP- store bought supplies.<br />
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Here they are....<br />
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1. Favorite all purpose cleaner is Watkins Lemon Cleaner. You can find it at Target. It does a great job of getting rid of grime, but the best part is the smell! I'm a sucker for anything lemon. It reminds me of spring and summer. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">2. Favorite carpet cleaner is Basic H from Shaklee. It's not advertised as a carpet cleaner, but as a great all purpose cleaner. It is both! Shaklee is sold through independent distributors (if you need a name, I've got one). I've used it on carpets, upholstery, sinks, counters, and mirrors. It's non-toxic and it's WONDERFUL!!!! And you can't beat the price! It's $16 per bottle, but it's super concentrated. Mine will last me about a year, and like I said, I use it for everything!</span><br />
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<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=mr+clean+magic+eraser&source=images&cd=&docid=D9ALuAhD9Ej5YM&tbnid=s_rEMe9Hhq0fIM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrclean.com%2Fen_US%2Fmagic-eraser.do&ei=3sM4Ud71JqiMyAH02YHIBw&bvm=bv.43287494,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGK9l0g0I86QNTvxx7mk6BB7rqMtQ&ust=1362761050157679" id="irc_mil" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="234" id="irc_mi" src="http://media.mrclean.com/en_US/products/images/products_original232x234.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.648438) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.648438) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 80px;" width="232" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">3. Favorite scrubber is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It really is magic! It shines up bath tubs, gets rid of soap scum and marks on walls. It cleans tennis shoes great, and even your oven. Try them! You can buy them in bulk at Costco. </span><br />
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Happy Cleaning!!!!</div>
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~Emily</div>
Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-89136523965253210152013-03-04T20:57:00.002-07:002013-03-04T20:57:40.328-07:00A few of my favorite things: Baking NecessitiesHello Readers! Tonight I want to share with you a few of my favorite baking items:<br />
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1. CHOCOLATE<br />
2. HEAVY CREAM<br />
3. SUGAR<br />
4. BUTTER<br />
5. MY TREADMILL<br />
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Ok, I guess most registries do not include treadmills, chocolate and butter, but maybe they should.<br />
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First and foremost, I LOVE my Kitchen-aid Mixer. I have the 5 quart artisan mixer, with the standard paddle attachment, dough hook, beater, and I have an extra mixing bowl. Not only is this mixer good looking, but it gets used on a regular basis in my kitchen. I have been mixing up decadent cakes and chewy cookies, whipping cream to top chocolate pies, and kneading pizza and cinnamon roll dough with this bad boy for nearly 10 years now....and it's still going strong. That, my friends, is a good investment. Should you put it on your registry? You bet! You might just have a group of hostesses go in together on the mixer, an adoring grandma, great aunt, rich uncle, etc. who wants to spend the big bucks on you and your fiance, or....you may be able to get it at a discount because it was on your registry. In my case, my husband and I received enough Dillard's gift-cards that we were able to purchase the mixer after our wedding. Woohoo! A few years later, I received a second mixing bowl from my sweet mother-in-law, and it has been awesome! I highly recommend having a second bowl, it makes things so much easier when baking, as you will often need to switch back and forth between bowls of ingredients. Definitely check out the various Kitchen-aid mixers that are on the market, as they come in a wide array of colors and there are several design options, as well.<br />
**This has not been a paid advertisement, although I welcome the thought.<br />
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I would also highly recommend registering for several glass mixing bowls, cookie sheets, a cooling rack or two, nice spatulas and wooden spoons. All of the above can be found at most retail kitchen stores and at lower price points. Add in a selection of potholders, kitchen towels, and various utensils, and you're sure to receive a well-appointed kitchen gift-basket. You'll be baking up some love in the kitchen in no-time flat.<br />
~Jennifer<br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-31727388001830305342013-02-27T13:42:00.002-07:002013-02-27T13:42:47.273-07:00A Few of Our Favorite Things Series: Part 1Is everyone having a good Wednesday? I know I am! I finally have some energy after that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, stomach bug. The sun is shining (even though it's 30 degrees outside) and my kids are all resting at the same time! <br />
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So, last week I put a teaser on our blog that Jen and I are starting a new series called "Our Favorite Things." I know what you're thinking, and yes, Oprah did steal that from us. This June my little sister and Jen's little sister are marrying identical twins. I guess that sort of makes Jen and I related, which is what we've always wanted, and aside from her son marrying one of my daughters, this is how it's going to have to happen :) Moving on......<br />
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Kerri (my sister) had asked me for some tips on registering for her wedding. And here they are in no particular order, my 5 rules for brides and grooms registering.<br />
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1. <b>Register at a variety of stores.</b> Stores that have the option of ordering online and shipping. This is so convenient for out of town family and guests who may not be able to make it to a shower or the wedding. And pick at least one store like Target, Walmart, or Bed Bath and Beyond that are easily found in most cities and towns.<br />
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2. <b>Register for items in a variety of price points.</b> If all you register for is deluxe china, and crystal, you won't be getting a lot of items from your college roomies. It's important to be respectful of people's budgets. Giving them the option of buying you a $15 can opener instead of a $75 place setting of china, will make your gift giver feel like they've gotten you something you really wanted because it came from your registry.<br />
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3. <b>Register for things that you really want.</b> You may not get everything off your registry, but you might as well put it on there. A lot of stores give you the option of purchasing the remaining items off your registry at a discounted price after the wedding. <br />
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4. <b>Ask the department stores what perks they have for you</b>, if you register with them. For example, Macy's does free makeovers for everyone in your bridal party the day of the wedding. Keep in mind I'm not a spokesperson for Macy's, so if they've changed their policy- sorry :)<br />
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5. <b>Quality matters!!! </b>With some items, it may not matter if they're top of the line, but with some it does matter. You might not need that 50,000 count Egyptian silk sheet set for $200, but you WILL need a vacuum that can do it's job well. You may not need that $25 Ralph Lauren bath towel, but you WILL need a blender that works for years to come. Keep in mind when to splurge on quality and when a less expensive version might do.<br />
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Hopefully, this helps some of our brides to be, sisters of the brides, mothers of the brides, grooms of the brides, dads of the brides, dogs of the brides. You get the idea. <br />
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Stay tuned for Jen posting about one of her favorite things next!!!<br />
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~EmilyEmily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-59950666292173492402013-02-14T07:40:00.000-07:002013-02-14T07:42:38.192-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Day 14- The Greatest Love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would feel remiss, if in these 14 days of valentine posts, I didn't post about TRUE LOVE. I'm not talking about the mushy, gushy feelings you have towards your significant other, or your kids, I'm talking about perfect love. The kind of love that is unconditional, unwavering, and comes from above. God's love. He loves us in the deepest way possible. A way in which we can not comprehend. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are some wonderful reminders of God's great love for His children and the love He expects us to show to others.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 John 3:3- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">See what great love</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30581A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30581B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">And that is what we are!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">1 John 3:16-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-3-16" id="en-NIV-30596">This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30596AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></sup> And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30596AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-3-17" id="en-NIV-30597"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">17 </sup>If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30597AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)"></sup> how can the love of God be in that person?<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30597AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-3-18" id="en-NIV-30598"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">18 </sup>Dear children,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30598AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)"></sup> let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">1 John 4:10-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-4-10" id="en-NIV-30614">This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30614V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30614W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-4-11" id="en-NIV-30615"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">11 </sup>Dear friends,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30615X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> since God so loved us,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30615Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> we also ought to love one another.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30615Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-NIV-30616"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup>No one has ever seen God;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30616AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup></span> but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-NIV-30616"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-NIV-30616"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-NIV-30616"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And of course we are given a wonderful definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-NIV-30616"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LOVE.....</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patient</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kind</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not envious</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not boastful</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not proud</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not selfish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does not hold grudges</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not easily provoked</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rejoices with the truth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trusts</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e06666; color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Endures</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We can make the cutest crafts, whip up the tastiest desserts, decorate the most creative valentines cards, but if we haven't love, it profits us nothing. Let us practice this perfect love on Valentine's Day and all the days thereafter. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~ Emily</span><br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-9869528181385239812013-02-13T16:12:00.000-07:002013-02-13T16:12:01.049-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Day 13- Fun with a dictionaryA few days ago I was at my friend, Beth's house, and she had some darling decorations up in her home that I wanted to share on our blog. Her husband is a teacher and he had brought home an old dictionary that he didn't need anymore, and thus her valentine decor was born.<br />
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Of course, I'm having technical difficulties, and I can't upload the pictures to our blog page, so if you visit my facebook page (Emily Alex Velez) you can see pictures of her adorable decor. <br />
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She cut out strips and shaped them into hearts and strung them onto rope to create a garland. She also cut out hearts and modpodged them onto mason jars. And if you know me, you know my love of mason jars. <br />
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Despite defacing a book (just kidding, Beth), she is a great example of how to use unexpected resources to create inexpensive holiday decorations. Good work Beth, thanks for inspiring our readers!<br />
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~EmilyEmily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-44096147803913134352013-02-12T15:28:00.003-07:002013-02-12T15:28:29.988-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Day 12- Guilt free Valentine DessertHere is a SUPER easy way to please your Valentines! <br />
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1. Mix one box of any type of chocolate cake mix and one 15 oz can of pumpkin puree. <br />
2. Mix until there are no more lumps.<br />
3. Fill your muffin tin and bake for about 20 minutes at 325. Makes 12 muffins.<br />
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Seriously! That's it! They are moist, and (from a non-pumpkin lover's perspective) they don't taste like pumpkin at all. Shhhhhh......I will feed these to my kids for breakfast. Make a bunch and freeze them, or give them away. Can't get any easier than that! Happy baking!<br />
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~EmilyEmily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-92117582584633178092013-02-07T16:39:00.002-07:002013-02-11T14:38:33.550-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Day 11- Fleece Heart PillowsBetween Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day, my kids have had more than their fair share of sugar. I wanted to make them something for Valentine's Day that did not involve sugar in way, shape, or form. So, I decided to make them fleece pillows. These are a great size that they can use to snuggle with while watching TV, or they can take them in the car for road trips. They are super simple and easy to make!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglDVNdab7EJ9HBnlZvGgSL5CEaCcDO7P_ZWZJJMDn5FkvPEaZYyizm_EPhUsjXPt3VQgr7cQdEtBLnkx3uP3E-kQcbGaqVeF5aPGjNdbwWLn1-C5zLdK9ewmaXBXyaZoflfJGKy2bGoY/s1600/DSC04388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglDVNdab7EJ9HBnlZvGgSL5CEaCcDO7P_ZWZJJMDn5FkvPEaZYyizm_EPhUsjXPt3VQgr7cQdEtBLnkx3uP3E-kQcbGaqVeF5aPGjNdbwWLn1-C5zLdK9ewmaXBXyaZoflfJGKy2bGoY/s320/DSC04388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/2 yard each of coordinating fleece fabrics. Make sure to get them on sale, as they are a little pricey. These were 40% off.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcj_AeUMShI9NGJgNAH5wgNsQBct3C4IkMevG_ns9UsemRTSY3eDkPHE8ZEdrNd1FKNVwEZohJAVz9pbTP5DHiFAaachLlm-Qvdtq-XRRf76GDDeIzfIcBYrYP7S9l8JmiNQEBwqOwNA/s1600/DSC04389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcj_AeUMShI9NGJgNAH5wgNsQBct3C4IkMevG_ns9UsemRTSY3eDkPHE8ZEdrNd1FKNVwEZohJAVz9pbTP5DHiFAaachLlm-Qvdtq-XRRf76GDDeIzfIcBYrYP7S9l8JmiNQEBwqOwNA/s320/DSC04389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut a semicircle on the edge so when you unfold it becomes a heart. Cut as big as you can! Once you snip and start tying, it will get drastically smaller in shape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGglgWbLaOXInxvw_n383_I53jCiqtzD9KyTggFEReZl0naNU84m187n_34N35WFCfXujKxkhgaE8l-1sn1FidPXCk6fvi3W1z4pQaK9qGacyfNjlBmPcsTU6SMItNCqvzj_lE93JjquU/s1600/DSC04390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGglgWbLaOXInxvw_n383_I53jCiqtzD9KyTggFEReZl0naNU84m187n_34N35WFCfXujKxkhgaE8l-1sn1FidPXCk6fvi3W1z4pQaK9qGacyfNjlBmPcsTU6SMItNCqvzj_lE93JjquU/s320/DSC04390.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is unfolded.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHONen3gctKB7CPOgplZ80cVNunuB0DWAxytWQaWi5YqeY9RXX_aW0eBoksnd9XsLmy8lIfuBOH4EEE4kFO1yAn0ItrHKXZ4ImJ-Ig7O2VJqV1GtAG9rr4oiKU7m8dH_C5YHo6d2j3rOw/s1600/DSC04391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHONen3gctKB7CPOgplZ80cVNunuB0DWAxytWQaWi5YqeY9RXX_aW0eBoksnd9XsLmy8lIfuBOH4EEE4kFO1yAn0ItrHKXZ4ImJ-Ig7O2VJqV1GtAG9rr4oiKU7m8dH_C5YHo6d2j3rOw/s320/DSC04391.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lay the first heart on the edge of the other fabric, so that you get the same shape heart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6QJBHwNt9_cp-FLTFUP9hrlDywbqWLsRwqrkTSsF8cjYY0r0AYoc0bjGw7lTG6tWNz8waVjhL_L8aHbaw8OjKBMS2YwcKHjrCvoDOrHryyPPGZeyIwTPmZ-TNkBUAZxarBHVitsacCk/s1600/DSC04393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6QJBHwNt9_cp-FLTFUP9hrlDywbqWLsRwqrkTSsF8cjYY0r0AYoc0bjGw7lTG6tWNz8waVjhL_L8aHbaw8OjKBMS2YwcKHjrCvoDOrHryyPPGZeyIwTPmZ-TNkBUAZxarBHVitsacCk/s320/DSC04393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lay one fabric on top of the other and with SUPER sharp scissors, snip 2 inch strips all the way around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsSZuGovj1cQToNoSxECILL4fnUfNdMQjV6xCJkLDOddy5z1axMHviwfDLbKqK0RgR38Kdo7TXaGU044tPgJZFKPfZDW13HR8-xQo53P189DGbhcQONHW8tojbFE7z8JXEdf36FIqAA8/s1600/DSC04392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsSZuGovj1cQToNoSxECILL4fnUfNdMQjV6xCJkLDOddy5z1axMHviwfDLbKqK0RgR38Kdo7TXaGU044tPgJZFKPfZDW13HR8-xQo53P189DGbhcQONHW8tojbFE7z8JXEdf36FIqAA8/s320/DSC04392.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the coordinating fabric underneath. You will need to snip in about 2 1/2 inches to have enough length to tie knots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq8PEwOwqxW8W4wrKYt5Z2jJu1aTpJZ-k1xoa2dujV5w9sC9acCaEHLcYJrsNsIoU6Z86nQcxyjE6GTrroougrgmXDhk7_TGT-0li3VOPW1LGciacrV2qvXPHqNi5t2bSJamSCAQHWLo/s1600/DSC04394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq8PEwOwqxW8W4wrKYt5Z2jJu1aTpJZ-k1xoa2dujV5w9sC9acCaEHLcYJrsNsIoU6Z86nQcxyjE6GTrroougrgmXDhk7_TGT-0li3VOPW1LGciacrV2qvXPHqNi5t2bSJamSCAQHWLo/s320/DSC04394.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take the fabric and start tying them together in knots. All the way around. Once you get to a point where there's a space only big enough to fit it, start filling it with fiber fill. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-mWgwpaCRn9MRy7ycEeQeBDCYDAAeJaBCPMeKf0u4JyvRF5byk9vuGjJ0pbxs3DLl_T4ahv8aSwg9qXnZyIfdw4G46NarvUU2_sKj6KSzFZHCldA915fxMfMcsTM5Oo9464UUGJvFns/s1600/DSC04395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-mWgwpaCRn9MRy7ycEeQeBDCYDAAeJaBCPMeKf0u4JyvRF5byk9vuGjJ0pbxs3DLl_T4ahv8aSwg9qXnZyIfdw4G46NarvUU2_sKj6KSzFZHCldA915fxMfMcsTM5Oo9464UUGJvFns/s320/DSC04395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish tying it off, and you have a heart shaped pillow perfect for a Valentines present that won't rot their teeth :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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~Emily<br /><br />
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Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-16854716169570410402013-02-07T16:25:00.000-07:002013-02-10T07:45:53.399-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Day 10- Chocolate PretzelsI think one of my favorite snacks is chocolate covered pretzels. Here is a super simple and quick way to whip up a Valentine's treat that's sure to please your sweet and salty tastebuds! Get the kiddos in on the action and have fun!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuTPHDC-B3DBpZy7PoAKSR6A_eB6rK6ZVDSbRljklChJUPs0jqsPAOWf3Z5Q6VqwtfeO-7LP9OoPOpR2XCELqLAkpbAzzp_mbMaG7TKrMb2-AG4VOeevpLFPdxQ6ZEMgyJ46eVio1v6M/s1600/DSC04396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuTPHDC-B3DBpZy7PoAKSR6A_eB6rK6ZVDSbRljklChJUPs0jqsPAOWf3Z5Q6VqwtfeO-7LP9OoPOpR2XCELqLAkpbAzzp_mbMaG7TKrMb2-AG4VOeevpLFPdxQ6ZEMgyJ46eVio1v6M/s320/DSC04396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All you need is bakers chocolate (I chose white so I could add food coloring), pretzels, sprinkles and food coloring.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN2Wqv79jeqe0Vcf7CT2Wg-hpnZs-DC8inLKEOAroWEyuP9e_tcrkvXj3c-t6bwKtDIY_iF7UmL2PuocZveCXrGaxKs6eNoiry3KnDamsTFoWXj2iJtLPQuVQVU7fYPD1hX4NnGyv2VQ/s1600/DSC04397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN2Wqv79jeqe0Vcf7CT2Wg-hpnZs-DC8inLKEOAroWEyuP9e_tcrkvXj3c-t6bwKtDIY_iF7UmL2PuocZveCXrGaxKs6eNoiry3KnDamsTFoWXj2iJtLPQuVQVU7fYPD1hX4NnGyv2VQ/s320/DSC04397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melt the chocolate according to directions and dip the pretzels in. Let the kiddos sprinkle the decorations on.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLFgdor-wQDrVUmpLSKiIhyphenhyphen2Y5MLP9G0akWCbQ128AJITfjjJNq65FCs2KAR274frjbC1hJhTTqNyz5a5ggkOY4Ly8_mlhkklHiA8dyUebzUdlcCeMbQQoDC9XakrEAxPV82TP6abhT0/s1600/DSC04398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLFgdor-wQDrVUmpLSKiIhyphenhyphen2Y5MLP9G0akWCbQ128AJITfjjJNq65FCs2KAR274frjbC1hJhTTqNyz5a5ggkOY4Ly8_mlhkklHiA8dyUebzUdlcCeMbQQoDC9XakrEAxPV82TP6abhT0/s320/DSC04398.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My big helper!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2tZgaNVMbCoggmHMMsnujP4U6_UhVb-0w0DIv3PefdlADfG2RMI-EwEokoL0qT0-JuqYHzOkxAYuEk9FlV2N-tL4og3dH6V1sOVNr-FwUGaXCCb0bu0qjoJSGo-Slf6b4ypIU53QY4Q/s1600/DSC04399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2tZgaNVMbCoggmHMMsnujP4U6_UhVb-0w0DIv3PefdlADfG2RMI-EwEokoL0qT0-JuqYHzOkxAYuEk9FlV2N-tL4og3dH6V1sOVNr-FwUGaXCCb0bu0qjoJSGo-Slf6b4ypIU53QY4Q/s320/DSC04399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasAfq9L-_JE-Xw2KYD5zLNlUNd7gpo5cEyAyi2Ftxr14OKDOEtfjB-PmFdCHF3hRofWLtAY3WVi9Hezit3MC1RSy8A-4e-ShekbyUvyXiVcXzxlcemyeJ1Imb2PHASatps6QgR9lPwhg/s1600/DSC04400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasAfq9L-_JE-Xw2KYD5zLNlUNd7gpo5cEyAyi2Ftxr14OKDOEtfjB-PmFdCHF3hRofWLtAY3WVi9Hezit3MC1RSy8A-4e-ShekbyUvyXiVcXzxlcemyeJ1Imb2PHASatps6QgR9lPwhg/s320/DSC04400.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I put mine in a mason jar for a sweet gift for a friend. </td></tr>
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This is not an earth shattering idea, but it's a classic snack with a Valentine twist! Enjoy!<div>
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~Emily<br /><br /></div>
Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-13547616856719824952013-02-07T16:17:00.002-07:002013-02-10T07:45:53.398-07:0014 Days of Valentines : Day 9- Special mailboxOk, so if you're a red-blooded American, you will have to agree with me that the dollar spot at Target is THE BOMB!!!!! Today, while I was shopping for some groceries and picking up 20 other things I didn't really need, I came across these darling mailboxes for $1.00!!!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM5kN3NHr8aDK2LjQjpwCZlvvDUBY1HAdZ2LkQUhh0r1Z0F5XrKBXlfHKapdW3FniGHYc79UjIHSq0YRF89VNXIEN8Z6FgSwevCxla9Plefbl1_yuQUaA9VWnOGPWLMf94A64UgreAIk/s1600/DSC04402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM5kN3NHr8aDK2LjQjpwCZlvvDUBY1HAdZ2LkQUhh0r1Z0F5XrKBXlfHKapdW3FniGHYc79UjIHSq0YRF89VNXIEN8Z6FgSwevCxla9Plefbl1_yuQUaA9VWnOGPWLMf94A64UgreAIk/s320/DSC04402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wrote my kiddos names on their mailboxes in sharpie.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxr0EYVZscFSuKKCQLiZYQ3ZF5tw-DEbfEGaQxNXzOToXOpx_UEMQadsjzWSx4p-n2liK96oejwC6iJO0thaRr6rffppyCNe9NuZr2jZsRWDqElyshYuzclGuAmZWV0NzG0wi90FnXFI/s1600/DSC04404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxr0EYVZscFSuKKCQLiZYQ3ZF5tw-DEbfEGaQxNXzOToXOpx_UEMQadsjzWSx4p-n2liK96oejwC6iJO0thaRr6rffppyCNe9NuZr2jZsRWDqElyshYuzclGuAmZWV0NzG0wi90FnXFI/s320/DSC04404.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I set them at their places at the dinner table. My plan is to put in little treats first thing in the morning, so they have something to run downstairs to. You could put in candies, notes, stickers, coupons for special privileges, etc...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlmu5ZSX-JfXOCvnJxCA8PjpJ3l56beFJuZy_t7YNFJD0R0T21Fn7xV2Il9tsAo35f-1FiLSdT-r2zbjKP9t-MhHvTVaa7zC4aYcCJ55-8WhyphenhyphenP28NMH-0-YZ6fD27ZjpO7ScdLL_0oEo/s1600/DSC04403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlmu5ZSX-JfXOCvnJxCA8PjpJ3l56beFJuZy_t7YNFJD0R0T21Fn7xV2Il9tsAo35f-1FiLSdT-r2zbjKP9t-MhHvTVaa7zC4aYcCJ55-8WhyphenhyphenP28NMH-0-YZ6fD27ZjpO7ScdLL_0oEo/s320/DSC04403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are wonderful for Valentine's Day, but I may use them for birthdays, or other special occasions.</td></tr>
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You may not find these exact mailboxes at a Target near you, but if you can, check for them. You can always make your kiddos, or your significant other, a mailbox out of a milk carton, or a shoebox. I have also seen people sew little pouches out of felt and hang them on the backs of the kids chairs. The possibilities are endless! <br />
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The point is, to shower your Valentines with a little extra attention and love during this time of year. However you choose to do that, make it special for them and for you! <br />
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~EmilyEmily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-19321355410249906112013-02-07T16:06:00.000-07:002013-02-08T07:06:47.104-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Day 8 - 10 minute table runnerI hope you were inspired by Jen's posts for the past 7 days. I know I was! For the next 7 days, you're with me! I hope to show you some fun, creative ways to bring more love to your Valentines....<br />
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Today we are making 10 minute table runners. No, I'm serious! They really take 10 minutes to make. If I can do it in 10 minutes, YOU can do it too! Here is what you will need....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXfWz6yOQ-a_0ylB0AnI63h54pMWg1guH5WvTJ5_Bv4A7_NnQi4X_8tnoiqVaKX97qKYRJ7Aah1JohqEHdh9f9fPEuahCSN20MycUHTZS4JAiGui0GRV8N5e3OcOtiQtEZdZYvINkVwA/s1600/DSC04361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXfWz6yOQ-a_0ylB0AnI63h54pMWg1guH5WvTJ5_Bv4A7_NnQi4X_8tnoiqVaKX97qKYRJ7Aah1JohqEHdh9f9fPEuahCSN20MycUHTZS4JAiGui0GRV8N5e3OcOtiQtEZdZYvINkVwA/s320/DSC04361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/2 yard of one cut of fabric and 1/3 yard of another cut of fabric. Coordinating thread and either buttons, or ribbons in coordinating colors.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKO1EfM_6HSQ4XZK9PP8MLuByCDgERnLUmAnYflxqae7NClF2iOmycijgk_LeCVlEXvGH6aQTZ5ZIbKwwOHa-PCEnVCo7s2Ko-GsVjDRfvKkv_EEjfCfJLjyes1UyjUS9csLy184tBuA/s1600/DSC04362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKO1EfM_6HSQ4XZK9PP8MLuByCDgERnLUmAnYflxqae7NClF2iOmycijgk_LeCVlEXvGH6aQTZ5ZIbKwwOHa-PCEnVCo7s2Ko-GsVjDRfvKkv_EEjfCfJLjyes1UyjUS9csLy184tBuA/s320/DSC04362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sew the two fabric pieces, right sides together, to create a long tube.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtZNntC5i3n02obMhlUbwdBttU6AtJjJwdg8R6Np23FvlEOLTzZBcrCLJeAUahZD7Q6-YbSZ14Ru_mtB46J9CXdsIk2VhY3i69e7YRunLiNpCt3tQrQzRqFw6PDd29lil1UJmNJBOrTc/s1600/DSC04363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtZNntC5i3n02obMhlUbwdBttU6AtJjJwdg8R6Np23FvlEOLTzZBcrCLJeAUahZD7Q6-YbSZ14Ru_mtB46J9CXdsIk2VhY3i69e7YRunLiNpCt3tQrQzRqFw6PDd29lil1UJmNJBOrTc/s320/DSC04363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is your tube. Once you've done that, turn it right side out.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafLOtga8GO3QdDJazLIsyO4jKxQu3qpRQEYc2Jv5AWqAHelbYIMpOjM24hfqE5zMw-em2ZYVfKdhBerCKSDF0RNoV07S7RsqO-ywMBhMwX0gbTcUl3ouqf2Btz8Zy9KKgNJFpvmT1r0o/s1600/DSC04364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafLOtga8GO3QdDJazLIsyO4jKxQu3qpRQEYc2Jv5AWqAHelbYIMpOjM24hfqE5zMw-em2ZYVfKdhBerCKSDF0RNoV07S7RsqO-ywMBhMwX0gbTcUl3ouqf2Btz8Zy9KKgNJFpvmT1r0o/s320/DSC04364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is turned right side out. Then center your tube, so that equal parts of the coordinating fabric is showing on either side, and then iron flat.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP2Gi5cs2jF-ChY9xpIaFzKIrKaCYbqxQ4UOSbptFTMpguSsCd5wXwGOZBV8YiQdv_qjRQlIKQUSmgDqOtSzrUD-Xl4-lVIq4U7q7eld0WmQ7aTjOyrlW2zgJtjVtShuxU0oPQ49xLVU/s1600/DSC04365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP2Gi5cs2jF-ChY9xpIaFzKIrKaCYbqxQ4UOSbptFTMpguSsCd5wXwGOZBV8YiQdv_qjRQlIKQUSmgDqOtSzrUD-Xl4-lVIq4U7q7eld0WmQ7aTjOyrlW2zgJtjVtShuxU0oPQ49xLVU/s320/DSC04365.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fold your tube in half with the two fabrics showing on the outside.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYho4pw8eAHShTUP2F0COL00_0gYDDg9GjQzSwwPL02LtFiYUH2HCexCzzqYouE3Q1AudhcGwkLzEolT7GG7EuuN5x-eXzN3YJFKDYFHo9XSivo4Ia4sIzegd6elOgC-9AJixOBFGlsw/s1600/DSC04367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYho4pw8eAHShTUP2F0COL00_0gYDDg9GjQzSwwPL02LtFiYUH2HCexCzzqYouE3Q1AudhcGwkLzEolT7GG7EuuN5x-eXzN3YJFKDYFHo9XSivo4Ia4sIzegd6elOgC-9AJixOBFGlsw/s320/DSC04367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sew along the edge leaving about 1/4 to 1/2 seam allowance.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ_ayqs4QkDbc01V8PCWV0PU2TRX63gh4cFqURGwZ6z-0AmaGATfADxCqxhNiEvFMp7XdkJuFGEt7WqnfkZlCvRoXb6NZJhQEdCNpk52Xb0n4yp6Y6DEgQlDV2XZracM4mf_fy2TJlXk/s1600/DSC04368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ_ayqs4QkDbc01V8PCWV0PU2TRX63gh4cFqURGwZ6z-0AmaGATfADxCqxhNiEvFMp7XdkJuFGEt7WqnfkZlCvRoXb6NZJhQEdCNpk52Xb0n4yp6Y6DEgQlDV2XZracM4mf_fy2TJlXk/s320/DSC04368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then stick your hand in the corner of that seam and pull the corner out. This will create a triangle end piece.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJboc8lfLU93iVrzqzXSqQ_Tz8GR88CWRMp9i9xkOAKMtsKRzetPQQHuMaZYUsj5yZuFRW3Rez9BmImw8L-EMchegJGgKqTnxol6Sau-0J-W8Ssn04eR083tvyXxGjm_1W1AE3dz-3xeE/s1600/DSC04369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJboc8lfLU93iVrzqzXSqQ_Tz8GR88CWRMp9i9xkOAKMtsKRzetPQQHuMaZYUsj5yZuFRW3Rez9BmImw8L-EMchegJGgKqTnxol6Sau-0J-W8Ssn04eR083tvyXxGjm_1W1AE3dz-3xeE/s320/DSC04369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is is, once the corner has been pulled.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HoGsKyV4aklU9bymiBwo7JGmn5ctu3LpsmOZm-OqSY9vKhRLvCGG9rzKKuQuh-4tVUEsOs5U4Bv5yX7njxv5x3WGM22wz_UsANOL9Ba87qhjr8SydATosiEa5na6ldNZxnDclvdWgmI/s1600/DSC04372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HoGsKyV4aklU9bymiBwo7JGmn5ctu3LpsmOZm-OqSY9vKhRLvCGG9rzKKuQuh-4tVUEsOs5U4Bv5yX7njxv5x3WGM22wz_UsANOL9Ba87qhjr8SydATosiEa5na6ldNZxnDclvdWgmI/s320/DSC04372.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sew buttons, or ribbons on where the corner meets the edge and.....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqH_tA-o9FyJUW2nrFL1T4mbl5tbzDxtBTy6ecE16runYmi_nfhwVBEkuAc3Fv22H-yZKdbyRChNYhW36mkTo8u56LXTnuDECen_QVz2lLl9YnKK8l0OWW0ZLwduyPxBCvBBvf9jCDUA/s1600/DSC04373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqH_tA-o9FyJUW2nrFL1T4mbl5tbzDxtBTy6ecE16runYmi_nfhwVBEkuAc3Fv22H-yZKdbyRChNYhW36mkTo8u56LXTnuDECen_QVz2lLl9YnKK8l0OWW0ZLwduyPxBCvBBvf9jCDUA/s320/DSC04373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VOILA!!! You've created a darling table runner for not much money at all!!! I sewed buttons on one and ribbon on the other.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXhfR6knfubDLYhYfxaUgqPCkGjhwtmGSM6p8vZDOl2GBm31gVZLE5CNtq7HJ2qSVEkRDCfwhATtWCaUiVuNu5HnPJi_PLxDLqivf83ZbAETah4-zp8pQRcmHeX-JFYVH79Bkb6Y0cY0/s1600/DSC04377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXhfR6knfubDLYhYfxaUgqPCkGjhwtmGSM6p8vZDOl2GBm31gVZLE5CNtq7HJ2qSVEkRDCfwhATtWCaUiVuNu5HnPJi_PLxDLqivf83ZbAETah4-zp8pQRcmHeX-JFYVH79Bkb6Y0cY0/s320/DSC04377.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is is gracing my table and making it look oh-so-festive.<br /><br /><br />Hopefully, you could follow my instructions. If not, click on the link here <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfg8BMUakOc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfg8BMUakOc</a> and it should help you better understand.<br /><br /><br />Think about the possibilities for all the holidays!!! These also make impressive hostess gifts!!! The total cost for one will be about $5.00! I would love to see pictures if you make some. Happy sewing!<br />~Emily</td></tr>
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-60840286628798119742013-02-07T15:05:00.003-07:002013-02-07T15:05:53.895-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Elegant Decor<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Day 7: Elegant Decor, Little Cost</span></div>
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Today I'm going to share with you a few Valentine's decorating ideas that you can use in your own home for very little cost.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chalkboards</span></div>
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Chalkboards seem to be all the rage on Pinterest, design magazines, home decor catalogues, etc. A couple of years ago I discovered the beauty of chalkboard spray paint! It's amazing and I love it. The number one way I like to use chalkboard spray paint is by turning a picture frame into a chalkboard. I simply spray paint the glass, return it to the frame, and Voila! I have a chalkboard! I have done this with a picture frame by my kitchen sink, and I like to write different Bible verses, motivational thoughts, or holiday greetings on it. I also have a picture frame - turned chalkboard on display in our guest bedroom. Most recently, I was browsing the local Goodwill and ran across an unfinished wooden heart. It was $3.00. No way was I going to pass it up. So, I brought it home and turned it into a chalkboard, too! Lovin the spray paint, people! You can buy it at Hobby Lobby and Walmart. One can will last a very long time. Be sure to follow the directions on the back of the can and keep away from children. Also, I highly recommend purchasing chalkboard markers. They are worlds better than regular chalk. They are a bit pricey, so use a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heart-shaped Garland</span></div>
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I had seen similar ideas on Pinterest, and thought how easy it would be to make my own heart garland to hang from my mantel. Here's how I did it:</div>
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I bought several sheets of stiff, red felt at Hobby Lobby. I then found a large heart-shaped cookie cutter amongst my collection to use as a stencil. After stenciling the hearts with a sharpie marker, I cut them all out and headed to my sewing machine. I found some red ribbon that I already had on hand, and began sewing the hearts onto the ribbon, in a straight line. I'm sure you should probably pin all of the hearts onto the ribbon before you begin sewing, but I'm just being honest...I did not do that. I just started sewing. Once I had a pretty long heart garland and thought it would be long enough for my mantel, I quit sewing. BUT, I did not cut the ribbon. I held the garland up at my mantel, determined that yes, it was long enough, so I then cut the ribbon. I have it hung on my mantel with a couple of pieces of tape. This craft cost me about $4.00 and 20 minutes of my time. Easy, inexpensive, and elegant!</div>
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Note: This picture was taken before we made our Valentine Love Sacks, so that's why you don't see them on my red sled. But, they are currently perched on the sled and getting fuller every day. My kiddos, husband, and I have all enjoyed writing valentines to each other.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Table Decor</span></div>
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On Saturday, I will be hosting a Valentine Luncheon here at my house for the ladies of our congregation. I have 9 other wonderful hostesses helping me out, and I'm so grateful. We are going to have a delicious lunch followed by a Valentine gift exchange. This afternoon, I went ahead and decorated my dining room table for the luncheon. When Jamie and I got married, the main color I used for decorating was red. Not much has changed in my life. I love red. I gravitate to all things red. It's a sickness, but I don't want a cure. Anyway, we had artificial rose petals on all of the reception tables along with floating red rose candles. After almost 10 years, I still have all that stuff. I have used it for multiple Valentine parties and I'm glad to be recycling it year after year.</div>
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So, I used the rose petals to make a runner down the middle of my dining table. I then added 6 little glass bowls (picked up recently for $1 each) to use for floating the rose candles. A few weeks ago, I got the idea to head over to one of the big antique stores in town and look for vintage valentines. Jackpot!!! I found a bunch of cute valentines to decorate with, for .50 - $1. I added those to the table, along with some scrabble tiles. I love how the table turned out. </div>
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I have really enjoyed sharing some Valentine ideas with you over the past 7 days. I hope they have inspired you like they have me. Emily will be taking over from here by bringing the next 7 posts in our 14 Days of Valentines Series, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us! </div>
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~ Jennifer</div>
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-37997330437074853582013-02-06T13:05:00.003-07:002013-02-06T13:09:43.012-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Little Gifts and Simple Sweets<span style="font-size: large;">Day 6: Little Gifts and Simple Sweets</span><br />
Clearly I'm losing it, as I just posted this as Day 5. Oops. Well, it's changed now. Sorry 'bout that. :)<br />
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Jamie and I started dating the first week of February, our freshman year in college. I knew that traditionally, couples gave each other some type of Valentine gift, but I wasn't sure what to get him. We had only been on a couple of dates, we weren't "official" yet, and buying a Valentine gift seemed appropriate, yet awkward. What to do, what to do? One of our dates had been to Starbucks, where he ordered a Caramel Macchiato and I ordered a hot chocolate. Don't judge. I was not a coffee-drinker back then. Little did I know, I would marry this coffee-drinking man who would freshly grind OUR coffee each morning and serve me cappuccino "just because". Aww, coffee....<br />
I digress...<br />
Ok, so I knew Jamie liked coffee. While browsing the aisles of the dreaded K-Mart in Temple Terrace, no doubt Emily was with me, I came across a 4-pack of bottled Starbucks' Frappuccino. Score! I also grabbed some Hershey's Hugs (not kisses, that would be too forward) and red tissue paper. Back in my dorm room, I stuffed the Hershey's Hugs into the space around the Frappuccinos, layered on some red tissue paper, and Voila! Valentine gift was complete. It was inexpensive, thoughtful, and Jamie loved it.<br />
For old time's sake, I gave him the same Valentine gift last year, minus the candy and tissue paper.<br />
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Now that I'm a momma, I like to make Valentine's special for my kiddos. Last year we made dessert pizzas together for Valentine's Day, and they were a big hit! When I first told Parker we were going to make dessert pizza, he was VERY skeptical. He even told me it sounded disgusting and he wasn't going to eat it. Obviously, he didn't "get" what dessert pizza was going to be. Here's what we did: I made a simple sugar cookie recipe, like the one found<a href="http://strivingforelegance.blogspot.com/2013/01/sugar-saucers-yum.html" target="_blank"> here</a>. I whipped together 1 block of cream cheese and 1 jar of marshmallow cream. Lastly, I sliced up some fresh strawberries.<br />
I gave the kiddos a sugar cookie (pizza crust), let them cover the cookie with the cream cheese/marshmallow cream mixture (pizza sauce), and then top with strawberries! This was a fun activity and absolutely delicious!<br />
~ Jennifer<br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-47317556499771695932013-02-05T13:34:00.000-07:002013-02-05T13:34:23.408-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Cherry Limeade<span style="font-size: large;">Day 5: Homemade Cherry Limeade</span><br />
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For as long as I can remember, cherry limeade has been my all-time favorite drink. Growing up in a small town, we were blessed with a local burger joint that not only made the best burgers and homestyle onion rings, but they made the very best cherry limeade on Earth! Sometimes during the summer months my mom would take my siblings and I and drive thru Mr. Burger to get lunch. I remember the very taste of the crispy onion rings, the tang of the mustard on my burger, and oh, how I remember the cherry limeades. Lucky for me, this burger joint is still in business, and every time I go home to visit my parents, my sweet husband drives thru The Burger (the name has changed, the food has not!) to get me a cherry limeade as soon as we roll in to town. There is no other drink quite like it. Cherry Limeades are nostalgic for me. I have tried cherry limeades at countless other places, all over the country, Sonic included, and none of them compare to the "real thing" found in my little home town. One time my sister made the 3 hour drive from my hometown to where we live now, and brought me a cherry limeade from The Burger. She had them make it without ice, so that it wouldn't be watered down. Oh, it was so good!!!<br />
Since I can't make a 3 hour trip every afternoon for my favorite drink, I've learned to make cherry limeades at home. Of course, this recipe is not like they make at The Burger, but it's a pretty good substitution. I made this the first time for Natalie's 1st Birthday, which was a cupcakes and cherries theme, and every last drop was gone in a flash. I've served this at multiple parties and it always gets rave reviews. If you're looking for a special drink to serve to your Valentines, then this dreamy and pink refreshing drink is sure to hit the spot! Enjoy!<br />
~Jennifer<br />
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Cherry Limeade<br />
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2 cans frozen limeade concentrate, thawed<br />
3 liter Sprite<br />
6 oz. maraschino cherry juice (or use Cherry Grenadine)<br />
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I make this in a 3 gallon drink dispenser. First, dump in the limeade concentrate. Begin by adding approximately 2 liters of Sprite and the cherry juice. Taste and add more Sprite as needed. Some people like their drinks more tart than others, so you will have to adjust according to your preference. You can always add more cherry juice as well. This recipe is just a jumping-off point, perfect the amounts to your own liking.<br />
Serve over ice and top with a cherry! Perfect for a Valentine's Party or drinking on the porch on a hot Summer day.Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-13869205700956788032013-02-04T08:07:00.001-07:002013-02-04T08:07:12.619-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Hosting a Children's Party<span style="font-size: large;">Day 4: Hosting a Children's Party</span><br />
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Two years ago, I hosted a children's Valentine party at our home. The age of children ranged from about 16 months up to 3 years old. All of the children brought decorated Valentine boxes and little valentines to share. The moms all pitched in and brought finger foods for lunch. I provided a few activities for the kids to do and they also spent a lot of time playing. It was nice, as moms, to be able to visit with other adults while the kids played. Parker still remembers this party and has been asking me to host one this year. He is going to get to have a Valentine party at school, so I'm skipping the kiddie party this year and hosting a Ladies' Valentine Luncheon on Saturday. I will be sure to share more about that later. For now, here is the info. on the children's party from two years ago. I hope this will inspire you to have some fun with your children. If you don't have small children, host a party with the kids from your Bible class, neighborhood kids, etc. My granmomma loves to have the little children from her Bible class over to make pizzas, decorate cookies, play games, etc. I know the children always appreciate her thoughtfulness and love for them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Party Prep</span><br />
I made a "Be Mine" banner with my Cricut di-cutting machine, tissue paper pom poms to hang from the ceiling, and I covered my dining table with brown craft paper. Parker and I decorated his Valentine box to look like a "love boat" and Natalie's was just a cute, girly box. I also bagged up animal crackers and little candies for the party favors.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cookies</span><br />
The day before the party, I made sugar cookies with my kids to serve to all of their little friends. Parker had a lot of fun dumping sprinkles on to the cookies! I've found that it's easier to put various toppings into muffin tins, then let the kids use tiny spoons to sprinkle with. When we made these 2 years ago, Natalie was more interested in trying to turn the cookie cutters into bracelets! ha! Now, she is my cookie making QUEEN!<br />
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These pictures bring back such precious memories. At this time, Parker was absolutely infatuated with King Arthur and all things knight. For Halloween he had been King Arthur, and by February he was still sporting his cape and crown, daily. Sweet boy.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Activities</span><br />
I printed off some Valentine coloring sheets that I found free on the internet, and we also glued marshmallows onto construction paper, in the shape of a heart. Most of the kids loved doing this, however one boy just loved eating his marshmallows, glue and all! ha! The kids also enjoyed passing out their valentines and putting them in their friends' boxes.<br />
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I hope you will find some ideas here that you can use and turn into your own fun little party!<br />
~ Jennifer<br />
<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-60596200822624161352013-02-02T16:33:00.001-07:002013-02-02T16:33:21.189-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Do What You Love<span style="font-size: large;">Day 3: Do Something You Love, with those you love.</span><br />
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It's late afternoon, and I'm just now sitting down to blog. We have had a wonderful day. We spent the morning preparing for company, and then had 7 high school/college age kids over for lunch and PIE making. Such fun!!! My stomach is so full I may explode any moment now. Fried apricot pies, pecan pie, and apple pie a la mode were all prepared, baked, and devoured in my kitchen this afternoon. What a blessing. I cannot think of a better way to spend my time than helping to develop cooking skills with young people, while providing a godly atmosphere, and fun, fun times! And food. I always provide food. It's what makes me happy; I love feeding people.<br />
I hope you've found a little niche in this world that makes you happy, and that you spend your time with the ones you love. While Valentine's Day is a special day set aside to show love to those who are significant to us, may we truly display our love daily. It's fun to write Valentines to each other, to prepare and decorate cookies, to have your husband bring home flowers and chocolates for February 14th. But, if that's the only time we spend depositing "warm fuzzies" into the emotional bank accounts of our loved ones, then we are really missing the mark, and our emotional bank accounts will be very empty. We need to make positive deposits every day. Do something you love, with those you love on a daily basis and let them know how much they mean to you. Make a difference in the lives of others and create a legacy by which you will be remembered.<br />
~ Jennifer<br />
Have you tried the molten lava cakes or pizza dough? Let me know what you think.Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-21275744210527959312013-02-01T07:53:00.000-07:002013-02-01T07:53:36.427-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Molten Lava Cakes<span style="font-size: large;">Day 2: Molten Lava Cakes</span><br />
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Good-morning! If you're looking for a fabulous dessert to "Wow" your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, children, friends, etc. for Valentine's Day, then look no further. <span style="font-size: large;">Molten Lava Cakes</span> are what dreams are made of. They are not only simple to prepare, but they have a short baking time, so you will be delighting your tastebuds with very little effort and very little wait. That could be a dangerous thing, people. I have no idea what the caloric intake is on these babies, nor do I want to know. All I need to know is that chocolate is involved, and I'm SOLD. Add in molten lava-like chocolate, and I'm <span style="font-size: large;">OVER THE MOON</span>. Everyone who has had a <span style="font-size: large;">Molten Lava Cake</span> at my house has requested the recipe. I promise, they are <span style="font-size: large;">DREAM-LIKE!</span> I made these a few years ago when Emily and her mom were here visiting me, and they loved 'em. They went home with the recipe, and I have heard back from Emily's mom that she has made them several times. I know you will enjoy them, too.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Molten Lava Cakes</span><br />
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1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips<br />
1/2 cup butter<br />
1 cup powdered sugar<br />
2 whole eggs<br />
2 egg yolks<br />
6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour<br />
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees. For baking, I use greased ramekins (custard cups) that are 3 1/2 inches wide by 2 inches deep, and the recipe fills 5 of those. (I bought my ramekins several years ago at Pier 1 for $2). So, grease your ramekins and set on a cookie sheet. In a medium bowl, microwave chocolate and butter on high for about 1 minute, until butter is melted. Once the butter is melted, remove from microwave and whisk until the chocolate is also melted. Stir in powdered sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour.<br />
Divide between cups.<br />
Bake 15 minutes (baking time will vary depending on your oven) until sides are firm and center is soft. Very important: LET STAND 1 MINUTE. Invert onto a plate, top with vanilla ice-cream or fresh whipped cream and serve immediately. Enjoy!<br />
~ Jennifer<br />
And, may all your dreams be of chocolate.<br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-51179398059033003872013-01-31T13:55:00.000-07:002013-01-31T13:55:37.618-07:0014 Days of Valentines: Valentine Love SacksI'm so glad you've decided to join us today for the kick-off to our <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">14 Days of Valentines!!!</span><br />
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I know today is January 31st, and technically there are 15 days until Valentine's Day. But, I thought we would get started a bit early. Plus, asking me to blog on Sunday is just not going to happen. I will be spending my time at Worship, preparing lunch for my family, a Super Bowl Party Sunday night after Worship, etc. Blogging does not fit in. So, here's to starting the 14 Days of Valentine's on January 31st! Enjoy!!!<br />
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I would like to begin with a disclaimer: If you're looking for the perfect craft or recipe to make you look like Martha Stewart in front of all your friends/family, then you're at the wrong place. You can just go ahead and click back over to Pinterest for those Martha Stewart-like crafts and eat your heart out, because that's not what we will be presenting you with for the next 2 weeks. No sir. However, if you're looking for a fun activity, a little Valentine inspiration, and a few tried and true recipes, then you've come to the right place. Let's get started!<br />
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On Monday night I gathered all the supplies needed to create <span style="font-size: large;">Valentine Love Sacks</span> with my children, and we had a great time. This project took about 10 minutes, tops. When you're working with small children, it's best to plan projects that are not too involved or time consuming. My kids love to craft, but they also love to play. A time-out from playing in order to craft is not always their first priority. So, choose your project and time slot wisely. Also, I've learned that it's best to gather all of your supplies and have everything ready BEFORE you even tell them you're plan. This helps to avoid the never ending question of "are you ready yet, Mom"? It also helps to avoid a loss of interest.<br />
So, like I was saying, I gathered all of my supplies, then asked my kiddos to come to the kitchen table. I told them we would be making <span style="font-size: large;">Valentine Love Sacks</span>, so that we could add little notes, pictures, candies, etc. each day leading up to Valentine's Day. Like their Christmas stockings, we will open our sacks on Valentine's Day and have little surprises to make us smile.<br />
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Supplies:<br />
white or brown paper lunch sacks<br />
sticky-back Velcro (this is totally optional)<br />
scissors<br />
paper cutter<br />
stickers<br />
Conversation hearts (These were the biggest hit at my house!)<br />
heart-shaped doilies<br />
glue sticks and Elmer's glue<br />
Valentine craft paper<br />
ribbon<br />
magic markers, colored pencils, crayons<br />
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I folded down the top of the lunch sacks, then unfolded and snipped away the inside layer to make just one flap. I then attached sticky-back Velcro, so that the sacks would stay closed. Who doesn't love Velcro? This step is totally optional, I just happened to have the Velcro on-hand and thought it would be fun.<br />
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My kiddos wrote their own names and they also made all of their own decorating choices. Do these sacks look like Martha Stewart? No way. That was not the point of the craft. I wanted my kids to have fun creating something all on their own. And they did. They each created their own sacks, then Parker created his Daddy's sack and I created my own. Like I said, this took about 10 minutes, then we let the sacks dry overnight. Tuesday morning, Parker was so eager to check on his <span style="font-size: large;">Valentine Love Sack</span>. Yes, all of the Conversation Hearts had firmly stuck to the sack. Victory!<br />
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I displayed them in front of our fireplace on top of the beautiful red wooden sled my husband gave me for Christmas (I love it and cannot stand the thought of putting it away with the other christmas decorations yet. Don't judge.)<br />
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As soon as Parker came home from school Tuesday, he wanted to know if he had received any notes in his <span style="font-size: large;">Valentine Love Sack</span> yet? Umm.....no. Well, we had to remedy that quickly. We all began to create love notes and pictures. He was so cute, working in his room on a note, then coming to the kitchen to ask me how to spell certain words. I also found some free printable love notes <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2013/01/printable-valentine-love-notes/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
I decided to leave a basket of love note supplies on the kitchen table so that the kids (or my husband!) could write little notes whenever they wanted.<br />
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After dinner last night, while I was getting ready for Bible study, I could hear my husband and kids talking about notes they were working on. I have to tell ya, I'm a bit tempted to open my <span style="font-size: large;">Valentine Love Sack</span> right now and just take a little peek. But, I will not. Yet.<br />
It's going to be fun adding little notes to the sacks every day.<br />
I hope you'll get your family together and create something fun! This craft cost me zero dollars, as I already had all the supplies, but I think it's going to pay big dividends when we open the sacks on Valentine's Day and enjoy reading our notes as a family. I can't wait!<br />
~Jennifer<br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570562833835340893.post-65486362642994201782013-01-29T13:15:00.001-07:002013-01-29T13:15:31.147-07:00Making the Ordinary...ExtraordinaryGood afternoon, Readers!<br />
My daughter has been sick for the past 3 days with a terrible cold and low temperature, so we have been making the best of being at home. I need to grocery shop. Like bad. I know what you're thinking...couldn't I go to the store once my husband gets home from work? Sure. But, I'd much rather be at home with my family and I prefer to hit up Walmart in the morning hours before it gets crazy. Luckily, I keep a well-stocked pantry and freezer, so we've still been eating well. No worries.<br />
Anyway, I really love to be at home. As much as I love shopping, traveling, being out with friends, etc., my favorite place of all is my home. Over 5 years ago when Jamie and I started getting serious about our budgeting and saving, we discovered that being at home was cheap! If you don't go anywhere, you don't spend any money. We began to create ways to make time at home even more enjoyable. Previously, we had gotten into the habit of going out for dinner every Friday night. While there is nothing wrong with that, we made the decision to break that habit in an effort to save on our food budget. It was hard at first. I didn't want to cook on Friday night. EVERYONE else was going out, blah, blah, blah. Well, I put on my big girl pants, and decided I would MAKE it fun to be at home on Friday night. I began planning special meals for Friday nights. Together, Jamie and I learned to make several delicious Asian dishes. We perfected our own egg-roll recipe, and now he is the master egg-roller-upper! Just ask him! ;) We enjoyed many nights playing Rummikub, he taught me how to really play Nerts, and we would often borrow movies from the library. Friday nights became our at-home date night.<br />
Now, 5 years later, we are still enjoying our Friday nights at home. Occasionally we do go out to eat, but most Friday nights we can be found feasting on homemade pizza and playing Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, or having Nerf-gun and light-saber wars with our 2 sweet-peas. Friday night pizza has become our family tradition, and I just LOVE it. Most Friday nights, Parker and Natalie help layer on the toppings. They love to spread the sauce, cover that with pepperoni and sausage, and then sprinkle as much mozzarella on top as I will allow them to. We eat like kings.<br />
In addition to pizza, I often serve bottled cokes or root-beer to the fam. While we don't often drink cokes, Jamie and I do enjoy Coca-cola with our pizza and the kids love root-beer. They rarely get to have carbonated beverages, so an occasional root-beer is definitely extraordinary in their book.<br />
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Some Friday nights I will plan an extra special dessert to go along with our pizza. This past Friday we had chocolate molten lava cakes (which I will be sharing during our 14 Days of Valentines), and Parker thought he had died and gone to heaven. He was wowed by the molten middle. I must say I was wowed, too. And I've baked these cakes before. Molten chocolate packs a big punch. Seriously.<br />
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I hope this post will give you a little inspiration to make what could be another ordinary Friday night, waiting in a crowded restaurant with restless children and a hungry husband, and turn it into an extraordinary Friday night at home. This will not only help you save money, but more importantly it will help you build memories with your children. Get them in the kitchen with you and roll out some dough! Take pictures along the way. Play games with them, build blanket forts, watch "I Love Lucy", and read their favorite stories. You won't be sorry.<br />
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Below you will find the pizza dough recipe I've been using for a long time, given to me by my good friend, Joanna. It is SO easy, has no rise time, and has never failed me. Throw it together in a pinch, or freeze the dough and set out to thaw the morning you will be baking it. Enjoy!<br />
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Easiest Pizza Dough<br />
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1 Tablespoon active dry yeast<br />
1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)<br />
1 teaspoon sugar<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
2 Tablespoons olive oil<br />
2 1/2 cups flour<br />
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Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and set aside. In the bowl of your heavy-duty electric mixer, dump all the remaining ingredients. Add in the yeast/water mixture. With your mixer on low speed, combine all ingredients. Using the hook attachment (or by hand), knead the dough in your mixer for approximately 5 minutes. Roll out onto a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a baking sheet or pizza stone. I like to first sprinkle my pizza stone with cornmeal, then place the dough on top. Add toppings and bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the crust looks crispy and lightly browned. Enjoy!<br />
~ Jennifer<br />
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<br />Emily and Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00981267998985714285noreply@blogger.com1