Friday, November 16, 2012

How To Organize Without Spending Money

I was reading a few blogs the other day about organizing and decorating your home. I am obsessed with trying to get the kids stuff organized. They are always outgrowing or destroying something. I have to admit I was a bit envious of all of the pretty bins, baskets and caddies I was seeing all over these blogs. I really don't have the money to spend on those things.

Here is how I curbed my craving for neatness without spending any money.





 We recently moved the girl's plates to the bottom cupboard because they insist on picking out their own plates for meals. They don't stack nice and neat and the whole thing was a mess really!
 I had this metal rack with a draw in the pantry. I was using it for baby food but  I thought hmmmmm I wonder if the kid's plate will fit in there.

 I am so pleased at the results. The plates are neat, organized and the girls can still reach them.
I also put an old Fisher Price baby food jar lazy susan to good use. Most baby food comes in those neat little containers now so I had this in the garage sale pile. The small spices fit perfectly. The larger ones don't fit quite right but it is so much better than the way it looked before.







Sunday, November 11, 2012

Easy Nutella Brownie Recipe

I decided to try the 3 ingredient Nutella Brownie Recipe I have been seeing all over Pinterest. Did they change my life? OH YES! are they absolutely delicious? OH YES! Are they as easy as they look? OH YES! The original blogger of the 3 ingredient Nutella Brownies is scoochmaroo over at the blog Instructables. I have to admit I was a little skeptical. The recipe calls for three ingredients.

1 Cup of Nutella
10 Tbs. of flour
2 Eggs

I read a few of the comments before whipping up a batch. Some people were asking about substitutes for the Nutella because it sells for about $5.00 a jar. We absolutely love Nutella. I was so lucky to purchase a dozen jars for $1.50 from a Big Lots that was relocating. They sale a knock off Nutella spread called coca and hazelnut spread. It taste just as good as the real stuff and sells for about half the price. 
The Pralinutta is the hazelnut from Dollar General that also taste fabulous at a fraction of the cost.
I decided to use my silicone cupcake pan to make the Nutella brownie bites. I think I will use a mini cupcake tin next time. My pan looks a little rough but it bakes great!
Simply mix the three ingredients, fill the cupcake pan and bake.
22 minutes in a 350 degree oven for a regular size cupcake tin or 30 minutes for a mini cupcake tin.

The texture of the brownies is amazing. They are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They weren't as sweet as our usual brownie recipe but the hazelnut more than makes up for sweetness. Our family gave these Super easy Nutella brownies a 2 thumbs up!!




Thursday, November 8, 2012

President Barack Obama 2012

I woke up yesterday to the results of the 2012 presidential election. President Obama will be our president for the next four years.

I was so disappointed in the comments of so many of my friends. I understand the passion behind politics but I wish they had the same passion for this country. It angers me to hear the comments that this nation is failing, that we will not survive, that we are doomed.

America remains one of the greatest nations on earth. Hundreds of troops put their lives on the line because they believe in our great country. Our country can not be destroyed by a thousand men, a hundred men and certainly not by one man.

I want to raise my children to believe in this country despite the flaws and the hardships.

Change cannot happen without hard work and perseverance. Stop complaining and make a difference in the lives of those around you. Make it a better world for the future of your children. Do not expect one man to solve all of your problems.



Sunday, November 4, 2012

How Do You Stay Positive During Tough Times



My husband and I have been experiencing some tough times in the last few weeks. It seems like everything in the house has decided to break at the same time and the hospital bills keep rolling in. It is so important to stay positive and proactive during tough times. It is so easy to let yourself feel defeated, especially so close to the holidays.

I  continue to make a little money from home. My Squidoo articles have earned a total of $24.00 in sales last month and I am positive this month will be even better. I have already made $25.00 this month. I cleaned up some of the kids old toys and sold them at a local consignment sale and made an extra $50.00 and my husband has worked 2 overtime shifts this pay period. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. God willing we will pay off the medical bills with our income tax check and start putting some money back in our savings account. Keep your head, stay positive, the tough times shall pass.

How do you stay positive during tough times?