White Trash Muddy Buddies

Sandra Bullock was on Jay Leno awhile back and "earned her plug" by making some yummy White Trash also known as Muddy Buddies. This is a great treat that kids can help you make. Oh yeah and eat!

9 Cups Chex Cereal

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup Peanut butter

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teasp vanilla

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup Peanuts **optional

1 cup raisins **optional (I did not use)

Put the 9 cups of chex, peanuts and raisins (if desired) in a bowl set aside

Heat the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter over medium heat *just to melt, take off heat and add vanilla and stir. Pour melted mix over cereal and stir to coat cereal. Pour in to large bag ( I used 2 Ziploc)

add even amounts of powdered sugar to each bag and Shake!

Once covered pour out onto pans to cool.

I stored mine in the frig.

DELICIOUS!!!!

Faux-Canvas prints!

Thank you Kristen Duke for this great Project.

What you will need.

Picture (we did 12x12) $2.99 at Costco
Wood- We used a 2x4 MDF the was 3/4" thick $10.12 (makes 8 12x12 pieces)
Mod Podge Matte finish for Top of Photo (we used the gloss to glue the pic to the board only because we had 2   bottles between us and the Matte was half way gone and we wanted to save it for the top)
Foam Brush (we used a 2") $.67
Spray Paint $3.44
Picture Hanger  $1.94

First Choose your Photo, if you are cropping your photo in your photo editing program crop to the size your are going to print. I did a "custom" crop of 12x12.  A unique shape for a picture and I think a perfect square looks so nice in a group of pictures.

Print Picture.
We uploaded to Costco and had them print a 12x12 for $2.99 we did a lustre finish

Get Wood
Home Depot grab your piece of MDF 2x4 and take it back to the "Cutting Center" ask for 8 12x12 pieces. They may tell you that you will loose and 1/8 or so with each cut but ours turned out just fine

We sprayed the sides and edges of each board

Make sure Photo fits nicely on board, trim any over hang

Apply the Mod Pod-ge to the board AND the back of the Photo (paying special attention to the sides) press

firmly, we used an old cotton T-Shirt to press down

This is the Brave part

Use a new foam brush and apply Matte Finish Mod pod-ge

Use a good amount of glue so you can pull down the length of the photo

Let them Dry

 

Attach Picture Hanger to back

The nails are so tiny I use a needle nose to hold them in place to hammer in

Hang and Enjoy!

The total cost per picture was about $7.00

Which if you compare to Costco's $40.00 for canvas print PLUS $30.00 to ship

this is pretty much the greatest DEAL ever!

Do You Need a Baby Guinea Pig

Four Days OLD

They will get at least 4 times larger!

We will be able to determine their sex at 3 weeks which will  be the 2nd week in July and they will be ready for a new home!

Baby number ONE is an adventurer, this baby was the first to explore and first to find the food! Its carmel and white in color. ..Update.... BABY number 1 Has a Home NOW!!!!!

Baby number TWO is our silly little one with the one black eye and ear. This baby has sweet little calic like "swooshes" on its back similar to a Abyssinian guinea pigs they call them "crowning crest" this baby is our big eater right now! Loves to be held close.

 

Baby number THREE, look at this sweet, has a black face and a little black bum, with white markings in he shape of a T on the face. This baby is so silky soft and a little shy. Loves to be wrapped up and held close

What will you need to have a new Piggy at your House?


Their Home

Guinea Pigs require a larger cage than most small animals because they can not use a running wheel or a ball (they can injure their backs).  We had our 2 in a smaller cage and once we went to a bigger cage they were so happy, running around, pop corning (which is a jumping thing they do). It was very apparent they are happier with more space.

We ordered from Walmart (who shipped free from a 3rd party) the
Midwest Pets Guinea Habitat PLUS  for $52.95 it is 8 square feet


Cleaning.

I clean 2 times a week (but currently I have 5 piggy's, when we only had the 2 I cleaned 1 a week)

We have Carefress (bedding) on the feeding side of the cage and a Fleace blanket on the other
I use a dust pan and broom to clean out the "droppings" and bedding and spray down the cage with a vinegar and water mix.

MDW1246: Ships Via Small Parcel Ground

The Guinea Habitat Plus comes with a very convenient, easy to operate wire mesh top. Most would agree that Guinea Pigs are not known for the climbing or jumping ability, however the wire top securely protects our Guinea Pig friends from the outside environment. Keeping them safe and healthy! During our research on the Guinea Habitat Midwest found that Guinea Pigs tend to make the majority of their mess in the same area that they eat. In response to this information Midwest developed the ''Care Area'' divider. The ''Care Area'' Divider is a wire frame habitat divider that is completely adjustable and comes equipped with a ramp system that allows the Guinea Pig easy access between the ''Care Area'' and Play Area within their Habitat. The ability to separate these areas in the Habitat restricts the majority of the mess to the ''Care Area'' making it easier to for the Pet Parent to keep the Guinea Pig clean, healthy and happy!

Features:
•''Care Area'' Divider with Ramp Covers
•Full Removable Wire Mesh Top
•Leak-Proof, Easy to Attach and Remove, Washable Canvas Bottom
•Lock-in-Place Doors Double as Ramps
•Attractive Epoxy Coated Panels Provide Ample Play Area (8 Sq. Ft.)
•No Tools or Connecting Pieces Required
•Safe & Expandable, Sets Up Complete in Seconds
•Great for Indoor or Outdoor Use
•Folds Flat for Storage & Travel

Their Bedding
We use a mix of Carefresh Bedding and sent free Aspen bedding a very large bag is about $20.00 and aleast 2-3 months

Their Food and Water
 
I buy there food from Wal Mart
Small World Guinea Pig Pellets it is about $5.00 and last a about Month
Timothy Hay also about $5.00 and it last 2 Months
  Buy a large water bottle that hooks to the cage they are $5-$7 and need refilling every 4-5 days
Veggies and Fruits of all kinds
 
Their Personality
 
The squeak and talk when happy or excited.  They are a little nervous when you try to pick them up but once they are close to you they calm right down. They love to run in tunnels, burrow in blankets and snuggle with you.
 
We are holding the babies  everyday so the will be use to being held our daughter is 4 1/2 and she also is holding them.
 
 
If you would like to add a pet to your family we are are asking a $25.00 "re-homing" fee, please leave a comment if you are interested with your email and I will contact you!.
 

French Silk Pie

No, this is not the one you buy in the freezer section at the grocery store. This is a home made version and it is wonderful and easy!!

Ingredients:
9" Pie crust cooled
5 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
3/4 cup butter (not margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
Whipped cream (topping)
Chocolate Curls (optional)

Cook pie crust and cool.




Melt 5 squares of chocolate on stove or in microwave and let cool. Cream butter and slowly add sugar. Blend til light and fluffy. Add cooled chocolate and vanilla. Add 1 egg a blend on medium for 5 five minutes, add second egg, blend five minutes, finally add third egg and blend again for 5 minutes. Pour continents into pie crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Top with whipped cream and chocolate curls. ENJOY!

Apparently my husband liked the pie so much it never made it to a plate!

Childrens Museum of Phoenix... Two Gigi Thumbs Up

If you have not gone GO
if you have Go again!
*It was a little pricey ($9.00 per person 1 year and up!)
*Stay, if I could do it again I would have packed a little lunch for the kids spent 3 hours playing, ate at there little lunch area and played an hour or two more.
Look Up! There is so much to see!
Play Play Play
I would get a locker to hold your crap and go have some fun, oh and follow the rules, if you don't they will let you know!

flower pot heads.....

I laughed out loud last night as I was doing the final walk through before calling it quits for the day. I came across this little gem. Life in the doll house is always fun but are these parents "pot" heads! Did those babies have to feed themselves? Or are the parents just super rad trend setters, maybe even the King and Queen of Doll House Land, either way it made my night!

Father's Day Idea

I had the kids pictures taken by my Girl friend they turned out so sweet, she did a great job becasue Baby S was crying most the time and G would not stay still I was so worried they woud not turn our but look! I love it. Here is her info if you are intressted.


Picture This Photography is running a $30 Father's Day special!! Bring dad's favorite shoes, slippers, boots, sports paraphnelia, hats, work gear or whatever reminds you of "dad" and capture your kids modeling it!! You will receive a cd with your edited pictures on it and you are free to print it wherever you would like!! Call today and reserve your spot!! I will be scheduling first come, first serve!! Call

Malissa at 602-319-7632 and check out my website! http://picturethis--photography.blogspot.com/

Learn and Color Animals

National Geographic has an amazing selection of coloring pages for kids, each page comes with a little fact about the animals.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Loggerhead sea turtles are known for their giant reddish brown heads. The head helps support powerful jaw muscles that allow the turtles to crush shellfish. Loggerheads eat shellfish, jellyfish, mussels, shrimp, and other marine animals.

One turtle in this picture (bottom) is wearing a National Geographic Crittercam. Crittercams include video cameras and other information-gathering devices. They can be attached to animals without hurting them. Crittercams help scientists study the animals that wear them.

Keep them Learning this Summer

Summer begins for us this week, I have a little game plan for some summer learning.

To keep our writing skills sharp we are playing with Sidewalk chalk, writing letters, names and any other words we want. This is usually followed by a crazed coloring frenzy and a little discussion( dare I say fight) over who gets to spray the water to wash it off.


We also plan on writing some letters to family and friends, I found some sweet "G" cards. I am excited to see what fun stories G wants to write about.

Science will be explored by learning about the planets! I found some great Beginner readers from Scholastic books about the planets!
My sister in law also gave me a great website on Science to do at home HERE! They sell different kits but also at the bottom of the page are links to the Top 10 Science Experiments the first it the Mentos/Diet Coke. Check out the Corn Starch GOO Wow we are ready to explore maybe we should get some sweet white coats! *hint hint* if you see any!

Reading- I have been stocking up on a few new books from Scholastic and am using a website that was referred to me by G's preschool teacher called Starfall.com .I found magnets with "Site Words" on them at Wal Mart by a company called Active Minds

Art/Hands On G Love's foam stickers, if you have received any art from her lately you will have noticed this trend. I found a Butterfly and an Ocean Pack of foam stickers for her to work on. Watch out world hear we come!


Pudding Painting, I love to paint with pudding, I just make up an instant pack of vanilla, divide it up into different bowls add different colors and we have edible paint for all! It is a big smearing, eating mess of a time, maybe do it out side!

Over all learning I found great workbooks at Costco, Wal Mart and Barns and Nobel select the Grade level
Kumon Books
American Education Publishing Everything for Early Learning



WHAT are you doing to keep the kids happy this summer! Share your ideas! Please..........

Home Maker Over for the New Pets

Found an old bird cage and small table at Goodwill
With a little scrubbing, sanding and Paint

BEFORE

After

Meet our new Guinea Pigs!

I Must Confess I am tottaly in Love with

Yes this Australian Drama Series has me addicted! I can not get enough I am on season 5!! The first 3 season's are amazing, then in a dramatic twist I feared I could not watch anymore....but with delight I am still 100% in love. How to describe the show, I would say The Man from Snowy River Meets a Mexican Novelia. Beautiful music, amazing landscape, horses, humor, drama, love and silliness! Check your local library or Netflix to start your viewing Pleasure!

Purse Tutorial

Ok, So here is the pattern that I made. If you cannot read the measurements, email me and I will give them to you.

You will need:
1/2 yard for each type of fabric
A small piece of infusion

Lay out the pattern on the fabric and cut out. Remember to put the bottom/side panel on the fold to cut.

You can't really tell but I decided to sew ridges in the front and back panels.

Sew the bottom panel to the front and back.

Cut out the lining

Cut out the handles remember to use a infusion to stiffen the handles

Pin the fabric right side to right side and sew leaving the bottom edges open.

Sew the lining

Pin the lining to the purse, remember to insert the handles in. Pin right side to right side. Leave one of the side panels open (see below)

See the open side panel

Right side out using the side panel

Press the side panel to sew.





Stitch the panel close and you are done!!









Enjoy a fun new bag!

Happy Mothers Day

This is my beautiful Mother's Day corsage, sure I will post how to make it when I thank and get the info from the great MC

Would you like to be Inspired

(Stephanie Nielson  of Nie Nie Dialogues)

Watch her Video Here!

For Sale

Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer

$150.00

FeaturesClassic color and modern features embellish your kitchen counter, while the 5-qt. stainless steel bowl offers no-nonsense quality

Features 325 watts and 10 speeds, while the tilt back head allows easy access to mixture

Offers a comfortable, ergonomic design

Includes a flat beater, dough hook and wire whip

15Hx14Lx9W"

Material: Zinc

Finish: Enameled

Features: Direct Drive Motor

Includes: Instruction Manual

Capacity (volume): 5.0 Qt.

Number of Speeds: 10

Power Wattage Output: 325 Watts

Safety and Security Features: Safety Lock

Care and Cleaning: Dishwasher Safe Parts

Protective Qualities: Shock Resistant