From a take out container to a kids craft to priceless present!

Thanks to Elias's wonderful preschool, Bright Beginnings, to remind me what a fun craft shrink a dinks were. Well this one is a earth friendly modern version of the craft most of us did as kids!!

Supplies:
Take out container (with the number 6 inside the recycle triangle)
Sharpie markers
Whole punch
Parchement paper

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
Start by cutting the clear flat section of the take out container.(usually the lid and bottom can be used) I used scalloped scissors to have a unique edge.

Wash and dry the pieces.

Next whole punch desired area.

Now the fun part, use different color sharpies to decorate both sides of the clear pieces. Elias loves this part :)

Now place the new decorated pieces on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and place in oven. The plastic will look super cool as it curls up then flattens out again shrinking it size considerably!!

Bake for about 3-6 minutes. You will know when done when the pieces are flat again, a lot smaller and thicker.

How cool is it to re use a take out container and have an awesome keychain made with love!!!

The possibilities are endless.

It's alive! Growing celery from scraps.

The idea of re-growing plants from scraps has always been a favorite of mine. I've re-grown green onions and sprouted a many avocado pits, not to mention a garlic bulb or too.

But celery was one I never thought of. The idea is created to a pin on Pinterest and it works!

Basically as simple as puttin the bottom part of the whole celery stock that usually gets discarded, in a cup with a few inches of water. That is it! Watch it grow.

This is mine after about 1 week.

Soon roots will sprout and in the soil it goes!

Updated 5/10/2013:

Roots have sprouted and it's time to plant!

Working mom in modern times...

I've officially finished my first week back to work full time. Wow how does one manage to work full time and still juggle a functioning household?

Between dropping the lil man off at preschool at 7:30am, then lil miss off at daycare at 7:40am. Working from 8:30am to 5pm. To arrive home around 6pm and to then have to make dinner, get kids feed, bathed and ready for bed by 7:30. How does one do it? Not to mention lunches made, clothes washed, house cleaned, bills paid and the list goes on.

Are all waking hours devoted to keeping house? Is their a super mom power I'm lacking?

This week was tough! Not a lot got done around the house but I have a loving supportive husband, two beautiful kids, my family is happy and that's what matters to this mama!!

Ewe what's that smell? Well son, it's a clean house. Vinegar as a cleaning agent.

I've always heard vinegar could be used as a cleaner, but had never ventured to try it. Thanks to Pinterest, my curiosity got me researching. The acidity of the vinegar is effective in killing most mold, bacteria, and germs. I like the idea of using an all natural non toxic cleaner, I "make" my self.

Ingredients:
Vinegar
Orange peels ( I used clementines)
Jar

Place orange peels in mason jar.
Cover completely with vinegar and close lid. Now let vinegar and orange peels marinate for at least 10 days.

So today was the day of the vinegar cleaning test. Mopping my kitchen floor was the challenge. I diluted the orange-vinegar with 50% water. I found it cleaned well but the smell of vinegar kinda makes me feel like the surface is not clean. I need to retrain my brain to consider the smell of vinegar as clean. Elias came into the kitchen shortly after I finished mopping and said "Ewe, what's that smell?" Well, it's a clean kitchen I thought to myself! (The smell of vinegar went away within 10 minutes and I was left with a clean floor.)

I found lots of information on uses of vinegar on www.vinegartips.com
Worth checking it out.

This crafty cleaning experiment is credited to a pin from Fountain Avenue Kitchen.

Do you clean with vinegar or have you? Would love to hear what your experience, tips or tricks are?

She's crafty

A passion of mine has been ignited again. I'm crafty at heart and have dedicated 2013 to trying new things and blogging about my adventures!

Today's task... Homemade baby food. Roasted Ginger Apple Purée. Yummy!

I got this recipe from weelicious website. What a wonderful resource that place is. Good wholesome ideas of what to cook.

With that being said this is how you make this tasty starter food.

2- apples (sweet variety)
1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
About foot of parchment paper

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.
Fold parchment paper in half.
Peel and chop apples into 1 inch cubes.
Place on half of parchment paper.
Sprinkle the cinnamon and ginger on top of the apples.
Fold edges of parchment paper creating a sealed packet.
Baked for 15-20 minutes until apples are soft. Let cool.
Then place the roasted ginger cinnamon
apples into a food professor and process to desired consistency.
Yup that's it. Easy peasy and taste so good. Evalucia devoured it.