Cutest Sock Puppets Ever!

I used some crazy neon patterned fuzzy socks from Wal-Mart, a few pom poms, wiggly eyes, felt, cardboard and hot glue. Super easy and very simple to make. These sock puppets create hours of fun for toddlers! My little kiddos play with these little guys all the time and love them more than most store bought toys. 

Happy Fall!

A little home decor for the Autumn lovers :0)

 Yes, these pumpkins are made from broken chopsticks, toilet paper and scraps of material :) Love them!

D.I.Y. Thrifty Crafty Purse Organizer

 Yes, I just made this for my Mary Poppins purse that tends to eat everything I put in it! haha I needed someway to organize my chaotic mess of a bag! The best part is, this organizer cost me less than $5.00 to make. I had to buy material and a cereal box to make this beauty! Love it!

General Conference Traditions

General Conference is almost here!

Twice a year we look forward as Latter-Day Saints to listening to the voice of our beloved Prophet and apostles. As a family, we have adopted and created some of our own various traditions for these joyous occasions. Each year I find a new challenge to overcome before conference begins, this year's challenge was..."how do I get my toddlers to sit and listen to all four sessions of conference"?

Well, lets just say I have been doing my research! And finally I have found a few activities for them to do to help them engage in General Conference rather than just play and make noise the whole time. Its hard to get things out of conference with little ones around as it is, but why not take on the challenge to make it fun and enjoyable for both the parents and the kiddos?

I have a few suggestions that might help your General Conference weekends run more smoothly this time around.

1. One idea I found and loved was on Sugar Doodle Blog. She has a great packet of fun activities for nursery aged children to help them engage more in General Conference. You can look through this packet and more by clicking HERE.

2. I also liked the idea of putting together a file folder where the kids can have fun placing the speaker on their chair as they come up to the pulpit to give their talks. It also helps them to learn the faces of the apostles and what their names are.

3. This idea was genius. This lady had laid out a desk for each child with snacks, activities, pictures and writing utensils on top. This way they have their own space, wont have to get up for snacks and have plenty of options to keep them occupied and engaged while watching conference. I think I will do something like this with diaper boxes and cut out a hole for their feet to go through. We will save that for another blog post ...coming soon: The Diaper Box Desk :).

*You can also check out my pinterest board for more ideas on how to keep your family engaged while watching general conference.










4. Lacing Cards: She has some really cute cartoon pictures of temples and other gospel related things that she has turned into lacing cards. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm sure my toddler will have fun with them! I will let you know in my *Conference Follow-Up Blog Post.

5. Fruit Loop Necklaces: Read below for instructions.

6. General Conference Wall of Fame: Post a few photos of gospel topics on the wall to have your kiddos point to when one of the speakers talks about a specific picture or event. For example: a speaker may say "temples" and the child could then find a picture of a temple and point to it. Cute idea to keep them engaged in conference and learning what each picture represents as well.

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One of My Favorite Family Traditions:

Every year on General Conference Sunday, I make "General Conference Pastries" for us enjoy as a family for breakfast. They are very delicious, but you don't even want to know what the calorie count is on those bad boys! haha This is why I only make them semi-annually:). If you would like to add this tradition to your General Conference idea list...here is the quick and easy recipe: 

General Conference Pastries:

*makes one cookie sheet

------------------------------------

4 packages Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (original)

2 (8oz) packages Philadelphia Cream Cheese

1 egg yolk

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

-----

1 egg white

1 teaspoon water

------

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon water

Lay flat two packages of crescent rolls on cookie sheet. Mix cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar and vanilla together. Spread over rolls on cookie sheet. Lay flat the other two packages of crescent rolls on top of the cream cheese mixture (you now have three layers - rolls, cream cheese mixture, rolls again). 

Mix egg white and water together (not fluffy), brush on top of rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min.

Mix powdered sugar and water into a frosting/glaze and drizzle over top of baked pastry. 

Slice into individual servings and bon appetite! 

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Sweet Fire Chicken

Serves : 3-4

Ingredients :

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
• oil for frying
• 2 eggs
• 2 T. milk
• 1 Cup flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. white pepper
• 1 1/2 Cups Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 Cup lemon juice
• 6 T. plum sauce
• 1 tsp. chili paste
• 1 Cup pineapple, in chunks
• 1 medium onion, diced (I used probably 4 green onions)
• 3 sweet peppers, cut into chunks (I used probably 5 mini sweet peppers in varying colors)

Directions :

1. Heat oil in a deep fryer for 375 degrees. (If you are going to do as I did and use just a little oil in bottom of skillet hold off)  In medium bowl whisk together
   the eggs with the milk. In another bowl or shallow pie dish add the flour, salt, and white pepper. In another bowl or shallow pie dish add the panko bread crumbs.
2. Roll the chicken pieces first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, and then roll in the breadcrumbs. Repeat until all pieces of chicken are covered. (I laid them out on a foil lined baking sheet to keep the breading from falling off)
3. Place chicken pieces into the deep fryer and deep fry in batches until the chicken pieces are golden brown and fully cooked (the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees). Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all of the chicken is cooked. OR Cover bottom of a large skillet with oil and heat over medium/medium-high heat.  You don’t want it to get TOO hot.  Carefully lay pieces of breaded chicken in once it’s heated and allow to cook without moving the chicken until you can see it starting to brown on the bottom edges.  Flip over and cook the other side to the same golden brown before removing to a paper towel to drain the grease as you cook the rest.  (I did three batches in my skillet)  Just watch that it’s not browning too fast, or you will need to turn the heat down because you need it to cook through and stay golden.
4. Add about 1 teaspoon of oil to a wok or skillet and heat to medium-high heat. Add sweet pepper and onion and stir fry in about 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice , plum sauce and chili sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in pineapple chunks. Mix the sauce with the chicken and serve immediately.

I found this recipe on Culinary Explorer 365 days of food

How to eat healthy on a really...Really...REALLY tight budget!

How to eat healthy on $3.00 a day:

3 cups Brown rice cooked = $0.53
2 cups Pinto beans cooked =$0.23
2 stalks Broccoli steamed = $1.06
1 Sweet Potato cooked = $0.40
1 TBLS Olive Oil = $0.18
1/2 cup Sunflower Seeds shelled = $0.22
2 cups Lowfat or Skim Milk = $0.37

Total Cost Per Day = $2.99                                                                                                                        

How to eat healthy on $6.00 a day:

Breakfast.......................................................scrambled eggs with cheese & oatmeal with raisins and honey.
Lunch..................................................turkey on whole grain bread, cheese, avocado, tomatoes and lettuce.
Dinner..........................................................grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and one sweet potato.
Snack............................................................................................................................apple and almonds.

Learn how to search google safely...

As Moms we want to keep our children protected from the slime this world has to offer. One of the greatest sources for finding scum is from surfing the web. You can filter out the junk and keep your children more safe by taking a few easy steps.

1. Type this URL into your search bar: http://www.google.com/preferences
2. Check the filter explicit results box.
3. Click on Lock Safe Search to make the change more permanent.
4. You can now search Google safely.

Getting a little organized...

"Go To" Car Kit

I found out about this wonderful gem when I rode in my friends van about a year ago. She had this basket in between the two front seats (and there were so many random items in her basket), so I just had to ask her what its purpose was. She told me it was her "go to" kit that she always kept in her car in case of "emergencies". I was intrigued. She told me it was always stocked full of everyday necessities she used for her kiddos and then some! She had everything from wipes and diapers to Tylenol and aspirin. So I let my wheels start spinning and came up with my own version of her fabulous organization idea!

This is what I like to carry in my "Go To Kit"

*First of all, I found my actual carrier at Burlington Coat Factory and it was between $5-8. I love it!

My "Go To" Car Kit:

Diapers
Wipes
Kid Snacks
Adult Snacks...lets just say snacks in general!
Water bottles
Hand sanitizer
Disposable Diaper Bags (which also double as trash bags for the car)
Toys & Books  (to keep the kiddos happy when we get stuck somewhere for a good amount of time)
Basic Medicine (Tylenol or Motrin)
Tissues

...and whatever else you want to add to your car kit!

"They Are The Roses" - Jessica Andrews

Today I was pondering about Motherhood... there are so many things that are tough and trying in Motherhood. But there is always one constant you can count on, and that is their love. Children can be so frustrating at times and do some of the craziest things that can just drive you nuts! You also know how sweet and loving and tender they can be at moments too. You may have just finished getting very upset at them over something they did and then they hug you and say they're sorry and that they love you. Sometimes they can simply melt your heart with just one look at you. Today remember all of those tender and beautiful moments about them and try to forget the trying times. There is such a power in focusing on the positive, especially in Motherhood. Here is a great song I found that is a beautiful description of children and how wonderful they really are. Keep this song in mind as you think about your family and strive to treat them all like the beautiful "roses" that they are. 

"They Are The Roses"

Born with heaven in their eyes
God sent, innocent
The promise of life
Born into this mess we’ve made
Holding the future
And hope of better days
‘Cause these is nothing more beautiful
And wild
Than the dreams that grow in the heart
Of every child

They are the roses
They are the lights that shine
They are the waves that roll in the ocean tide
They are angels
They are souls in flight 
They are the hope that
Everything’s gonna be alright
They are the roses

Imagine a place 
Filled with happy sounds of playgrounds
Where ever child is safe
Where people join hands
And pray that the children
Will all have a chance
In every family, every tribe and every town
We’re the keepers of this garden 
And we can’t let them down 

They are the roses
They are the lights that shine
They are the waves that roll in the ocean tide
They are angels
They are souls in flight 
They are the hope that
Everything’s gonna be alright
They are the roses

Imagine a place
Where all people join hands
Where every child is safe

They are the roses
They are the lights that shine
They are the waves that roll in the ocean tide
They are angels
They are souls in flight 
They are the hope that
Everything’s gonna be alright
They are the roses

Homemade Hand & Body Sugar Scrubs

Great gift idea for friends and family!

Learn how to fancy up an old mason jar and make your own hand & body scrubs!

Coarse Brown Sugar Scrub

Brown Sugar Scrub

Pink Sugar Scrub

How to "Fancy Up" a Mason Jar

Materials needed: 

wide lace 

ribbon

material

printer paper

colored paper

hot glue gun

hot glue sticks

twine

pint sized mason jar, lid and ring

rhinestone button or jewel

glue stick

hole puncher

laminating machine and laminate paper

* (or clear packing tape on both sides of label works just fine)

Instructions:

1. Hot glue lace around the middle of mason jar.

2. Hot glue ribbon around middle of lace, leaving an extra tail on both ends of ribbon to tie a bow.

3. glue rhinestone button on center of bow.

4. Cut out a circle from your chosen material, and hot glue to top of lid, then hot glue lid to ring.

5. Make a circle label and print it out from your computer. 

6. Glue circle label to colored paper and cut out a bigger circle so it frames the white label.

7. Laminate label

8. Cut circle out of (finished and sealed) laminate paper

9. Punch a hole at the top of the label.

10. Tie twine through hole and tie onto mason jar in either a knot or a bow.