We are all still cleaning up from the Destructive ThunderStorm/Hail that blew through my small town on May 3rd . This last month has been a whirlwind. Our small town was hit with destructive winds up to 80mph ( I think it was a Microburst) some say a Gustanado, some say a Thunderstorm. 

As far as the Insurance Companies go, the storm was considered a catastrophe.
Home and barn roofs were blown off, sheds and buildings pulled from the ground, and huge old trees were completely uprooted.

 Luckily many Insurance Companies have covered  this damage for some.Although the process is slow and many are still waiting to get things repaired, it is getting done. Our roof is being replaced now as I type.
Who knew so many nails could come off a 108 year old house. I hijacked my roofers rolling magnet and asked to keep it overnight -lol.

This storm has also been a Blessing to us, we were thinking about getting a new roof and we really wanted to get my daughter a new swingset but could not afford it. The winds blew over our huge wooden playfort (destroyed) as well as damaged our roof.  GOD is good even in the middle of the storms of Life!
Our insurance covered both. Huge Blessing!!

Build your own Solar oven Cooker

DIY Solar Oven Cooker


I started researching Solar Ovens when my oven that was only 2 years old quit working
( Go figure, we had a 1 year warranty).
 I thought this was a very easy plan to build.
 I really think we as a society need to start focusing on using Solar Energy instead of  Fossil Fuels.
I look forward to building this soon!http://www.cookwiththesun.com/solar.htm

Make a Mini Greenhouse

Summer is on its way, I can't wait!!
This is a great way frugal way to start your little seedlings.Love , Love this idea.

Reuse that Pop, Juice or Water bottle instead of just tossing it.
It's fun for the kids and momas too!!
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Mini-

Repurpose Parmesan Cheese Containers

Wait , Stop!!
Can you believe I almost threw out my Parmesan Cheese container, then I hesitated.
I knew I could find a use for it but what???
So I searched the Internet and decided to share my finds with you!
Great Uses:
Instant Potato Flakes - Everyday use or thicken soups
Powdered Sugar- Sprinkle on Desserts
Rice Storage
Bread Crumbs
Cinnamon and Sugar Mixture for Toast
Scrap booking Supplies
Storing Buttons or Craft Items, Popsicle sticks
Odds and Ends storage- screws, nuts, bolts
Glitter
Baking Soda- Freshen the carpet , cleaning, cat box or Baking
Garden Fertilizer
Grass Seed - for those spur of the moment bare spots.


***Please remember if you use these as food storage and are serving anyone with a milk allergy (at home, potluck etc.) it may cause an allergic reaction.

Make your own Eye Makeup Remover

This is simple receipe that costs less than $1 to make.

Receipe

Mix: 1 Cup Water

1/2 Tablespoon Tearless Baby Shampoo

1/4 Teaspoon of Baby Oil. 

~Pour into a  Small Jar or Bottle ( a condiment bottle, like the ones used for catsup or mustard works well.) 

Make Reusable Cloth Baby Wipes from Receiving Blankets

How to make Reusable Cloth Baby Wipes. The Easy way for those DIY'ers is to use receiving blankets. I remember having extra blankets after my baby shower.
Another option is using Clearance flannel from the Fabric Store.

Directions:
1.Cut your blanket into 3 long strips, then cut the 3 strips into 4 seperate equal sized squares.

2.Sew 2 squares together , leaving one corner open. Pull fabric rightside out and then sew the corner.I would use a regular straight stitch for the blankets and a zigzag stitch for the flannel. Each blanket will make a total of 6 wipes.
Once you make the wipes, Place the cloth wipes in a very sturdy Gallon size baggie or plastic tub with a lid.

3.The easiest wipe solution I have found is:
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon baby shamoo or baby wash.
1 Tablespoon baby oil or 2-3 drops of essential lavender oil.

You can experiment with different variations but be careful on different types of oils some may be harmful, your best bet is to call the doctors office to make sure the oils are not harmful.

Im not by any means a sewing guru but this is a pretty easy DIY project and it is environmentally friendly.

** If you do not have a sewing machine, you can still make these. Cut your receving blankets into the squares and use each square for a wipe.

Roller Shades~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ To Pull or not To Pull

For all of those of you who do not know, I recently found out I have a very high allergies. I'm trying to find frugal ways to solve some dust collecting issues. So my newest idea is an old one, Roller Shades! They're easy to clean and versatile. Now to find them in the colors I want... or make them?? What to do.To Pull or not to Pull?


**~~~~***~~~***~~~~~
To Follow up I have found it cheaper to make your own designer fabric roller shades.
Here are my Directions:
1. Choose your Fabric- make sure it can be ironed.
2. Buy a cheap white vinyl shade or re-use an existing one. Remove shade and you will have the rod. Also remove wood stick from bottom of shade.
3. For Fabric Measuring: Add 8 inches to Length and 2 inches to Width.
4. To create your Hems:
Step 1: Fold top of fabric in 1 inch and press with no-sew.
Step 2:Fold fabric in 1 inch on both sides and press with no-sew.
Step 3: Fold Fabric in 2 inches on the bottom, being careful to place the no-sew on top of the fold. This will leave a pocket to slide in your wood stick from the original blind.
5. Staple the top of your Fabric to the Wooden Dowel or useDouble Sided Tape to attach the fabric.
6. Put up your brackets, roll the material up a bit and your good to go.
** Roller Shades for Allergy Sufferers: You can make these out of Outdoor Fabric,Vinyl Tablecloths or Shower Curtains- these materials are easily wiped clean.

Great Idea on How to make a Pirates Chest

How Fun!A Pirates Treasure!
This Website has free woodworking plans for a Pirates Chest for DIY'ers.
http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/Plans.php


Another option would be to take an old Wooden Craft Trunk or large Wooden Box you have and Paint it black, Paint on your Scull and crossbones,and fill it with old jewelry and coins.

How to Save Money

How to Save Money

$45 Emergency Menu Feeds 5 people for 1 week - Emergency Menu Shopping List

Let me start by saying that this is an Emergency Menu. An Emergency Menu is meant for people in a Emergency situation. There are people who could not fathom what it is like to be in a situation without food, but it happens. For those who are skeptical then this probably does not apply to you.You must shop Discount Food Stores such as Aldi's,SaveALot,Dollar General, Discount Marts,Bargain Warehouses or local Grocery Store Ads.

Turkey- Fully cook Turkey and stuff with 1/4 of the celery heart, onion,salt and pepper.**Remove all the meat from bones and portion it in 1 cup servings.** Do not skip this step. Baggies work well. If you do not have baggies, put it in regular cups and cover it with a grocery bag or tape. There should be atleast 6 cups.Save the bones,neck, and giblets for the Turkey&Dumplings Soup.
(you will need to strain the soup after boiling).

Water Based Ham- Cut into 4 Large Sections

Milk- There are 16 - 8oz servings. I suggest adding some water 1/4 of the way thru to stretch it to make 20 servings. That is 4 days of milk for 5 people.
~A side note: Milk freezes well, if you have an extra gallon, throw it in the freezer until you need it. We sit it on the counter to thaw.

Snacks will be Leftovers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Breakfast Drinks: Hot Tea w/Cinnamon&Sugar or Milk to drink.
Breakfast- Oatmeal with Cinnamon and Sugar each morning.

Lunch Drink: Water
Lunch- Ramen Noodles with chopped Turkey, and baby carrots or celery.

Dinner Drinks: Hot Tea with Cinnamon&Sugar, Iced Tea, Milk or Water
Dinners:
1)Macaroni&Cheese with Diced Ham - Corn
*Dice and fry up 1/4 of ham w/ half of 1 onion, Add 2 Boxes Mac&Cheese according to directions.

2)Turkey&Dumplings Soup(this will make 2 meals)
*Boil Bones,Neck etc., Add 2 cups diced Turkey,1 Diced Onion,1/4 diced Celery Heart and leaves,5 Diced baby Carrots. When All is Boiling Open Bisquits and pull each bisquit into 3 pices and add to Boil. Let cool and eat.

3)Ham Shepherds Pie
*Boil and Mash 5 potatoes-Salt&Pepper to taste
*Bottom Layer Up-Mash Potatoes,Corn,1/4Bag Cheese,Diced Ham,1 can Bisquits on Top

4)Sliced Turkey, Baked Potatoes w/cheese, Green Beans

5)Ham, Crm of Mushroom Soup, Bag of Egg Noodles
*Boil 3/4 bag Egg Noodles.In Seperate Bowl Mix Diced Ham, 1/2 Onion,1 can Cream
Mushroom Soup and 1/2 can Water. Add Noodles and Mixture to 9x13 baking
Pan and Bake for 30 minutes. Top with Homemade Bread coupons if you like.

6) Rice&Beans w/stewed Tomatoes and Ham
*Cook your Rice and Beans, add 1 onion, can of stewed Tomatoes an Diced Ham.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

7) Fried Ham and Potatoes and Green Beans
*Fry up 5 or 6 Potatoes add Diced Ham, serve with Green Beans


*~ Shopping List ~*
---------------------
Turkey-12lb*.79=9.36
Water based Ham-7.00
Milk-3.00
Box of tea-.99
2 Loaves Bread-1.98
2 6pks Ramen-2.00
Egg Noodles-.79
Rice-.99
Beans-.99
Bag of Shredded Cheese-1.49
bag of baby carrots- .99
Bag of Celery - .79
Bag of Onions-1.49
Oatmeal-1.00
2 cans corn-.78
2 cans greenbeans-.78
1can crm mush soup-.49
1 bag of potatoes-1.49
4 cans bisquits-1.00
1 can stewed tomatoes-.49
1 small box sugar-1.25
1 cinnamon-.49
Vegetable Oil-1.49
3 lbs bannannas-.39lb-1.17
------------------
Total 41.80
Sales Tax*8% 3.34
------
Grocery Total 45.14


At the end of this week you will have leftover oil,potatoes,rice,noodles,and beans to start the next week off. I would suggest working in flour,rice and beans for the next week- as they are staples.

$49 Emergency Food Menu for 5

This menu does not require alot of preparation. This menu is designed for the working family who is struggling. This menu assumes that your kitchen is bare and have no supplies on hand.
For those of you who use coupons, you could probably cut $5-$10off, bringing the cost down to $40. For those of you who are shopping for this menu, the key to saving will be shopping at food marts,bread outlets,bargain factories and local grocery store sale ads. I am also making a bare neccesities menu with less choices that will cost less.

If you are wanting to help a family in need this is a great resource for providing a weeks worth of food. Just Print the menu,Place it in a card and deliver the groceries. God Blesses you and God Bless those who Bless others.

*Monday*
Breakfast:PButter toast,Milk to drink (10pc.bread 3tbs PButter)
Lunch: 4pks RamenNoodles,2pk Lunchmeat,Can of Corn---Tea to drink
Dinner:Rice,Beans,Ham (use 1/3ofham, Rice,1bag beans,1onion,Pepper,Salt)--water to drink

*Tuesday*
Breakfast:Pancakes w/Jelly, Hot Tea w/Cinnamon&Sugar
Lunch:4Ramen Noodles,2eggs,Can of GreenBeans
Dinner:Chicken & Dumplings w/Can of Carrots (1bag legquarters,3cans bisquits,1can carrots)

*Wednesday*
Breakfast -biscuits w/beeflunchmeat and egg(5eggs)(5biscuits)(1pklunchmeat)= water
Lunch:pb&J sandwiches,carrots,celery(half of each bag)
Dinner:Fried Potatoes w/ham and onions,Salt and Pepper (8potatoes,1/3ofham,1onion)

*Thursday*
Breakfast:Rice-n-Milk w/cinnamon& Sugar (2cups rice,2cups Milk) -Hot Tea
Lunch:Mac&Cheese with HotDogs(2boxes Mac&Chz 4 HotDogs)
Dinner:2cans Tuna,1can Crm Mushroom Soup,1box Pasta

*Friday*
Breakfast: PeanutButter Oatmeal w/Cinnamon&Sugar -OJ to drink
Lunch: 4RamenNoodles,2pk Lunch Meat,can of Corn-- water to drink
Dinner:2 Boxes Mac&Cheese w/ham, 1 onion,Salt&Pepper,1can Peas,Bread(5pc)
-Hot Tea to Drink

*Saturday*
Breakfast:Pancakes w/syrup- Hot Tea w/Cinnamon&Sugar
Lunch:PB&J Sandwiches,Carrots,Celery(half of each bag)-Water to drink
Dinner:Lunchmeat Gravy over Biscuits (2cans) and 4eggs - Hot Tea w/cinnamon&sugar.

*Sunday*
Breakfast:Rice-n-milk w/Cinnamon&Sugar- Water to drink
(2cup Rice,2 cup Milk)-Hot Tea with Cinnamon&Sugar
Lunch:Hotdogs wrapped in bisquits,1 can of Corn
(4hotDogs cut in half-2cans biscuits)-Tea to drink
Dinner:4 Fried HotDogs,Bag of Mixed Veggies,1egg,2cups Rice - Water to drink

--add 1 extra can of water if you want to stretch your OJ
--Depending on your family size, snacks will be the extra Potatoes,Bread,Rice,Peanut Butter,Oatmeal and Lunch Meat and Dinner Leftovers.
--with the extra money you save, you could buy some bananas for potassium

____SHOPPING LIST_____

2loaves Sandwich Bread- $1.60
1 Gal Milk (1cupservings)-$2.98
Box of Tea- $1
2 MultiPacks ramen Noodles(6 in each)-$2
6pks cheap lunchmeat .45each-$2.80
1 can Corn-.39
1 can GreenBeans-.39
1 Carrots-.39
1 can Peas-.39
1 Bag rice-$1
1 Bag Beans-.80
1 water based ham-$7
Bag of Onion-1.25
Pepper&Salt travelcontainers pack-$1
Cinnamon-.50
Pancake Mix-$1
Syrup-.80
Eggs-.99
Frozen Chicken Leg Quarters-$2.50
8cans Biscuits (.25ea)-$2
Jar of Jelly-$1
Bag Fresh Carrots-.79
Bag Fresh Celery-.79
2 cans Tuna-$1
Bag of Potatoes- $1.50
can Cream Mushroom Soup-.39
4 Box Mac&Cheese (.25ea)-1.00
2Pks Hot Dogs (.88ea)-1.76
2 Bags Egg noodles (.79ea)-1.58
Big Container Instant Oatmeal:$1
2 cans OJ-1.98
1 Bag Mixed veggies- .99
-------------------------------
44.56+3.56 tax=48.12

Weeping Willow Waterer

I hear that
A weeping willow tree limb cut up in 1" to 2" and put in water is the best for watering your plants.
Leave it in there for about 24 hours before you use it.

The big hit lately seems to be Word Art.
I just love the signs these days. Everything from Vintage looking Bath signs to Chic and Trendy Teenage sayings.

So I decided to make some. These pics are from the internet. I can't post the pics of the ones I made because some of you who may be reading this will be getting them for Christmas/other occasions coming up.

I will be however making some for my home and I'll post those pictures!

If you have the scrap wood and paint, the only cost is time.
To find signs I typed "Handmade Signs" or "Wooden Signs" into google
and clicked on Images


Materials needed:
Scrap Wood
Paint (can be bought at walmart for 45cents each color)
Paint Brush
Stencils (free templates are online to print or view)

Organic Gardening

Ok- SO I was all gunho on switching to Organic Gardening and lets just say it didn't work out quite right. Alot of the items did not compost down and it was a mess. So a local dump was giving out free compost, seriously rich and black compost. I received a truckload from a friend and planted in it. It worked great! Wonderful soil and fertilizer. Now that I have moved, If its possible I will be getting another truckload in 2010, the soil here is mostly clay.So lesson learned and money saved.

--on a side note, I will still be recycling into my garden my veggie scraps,fish tails, and egg shells this coming year.

An update to Saving Money on Weddings

Another idea is to use a barn of a friend or family member. We're hoping my brother and soon to be sis-n-law uses ours. I will start posting simple deco ideas with pictures.

Craigslist Warning:

I often visit Craigslist to see different deals but I am concerned that there has not been more of a crackdown on their "erotic" section. This really bothers me. I would greatly warn others to avoid letting their children search this site.

Cheap Wedding Locations

Summer Wedding Ideas.
Where?
1.Gazebos at your Local Park or Town Square are a very Inexpensive.
-call your local park department and ask them if they have gazebos, where they are located, and the cost. Then go check it out.
2. Friend with a beautiful back yard or farm- alot of people are now looking to family and friends with yards that have beautiful landscaping.
3. Churchyard- ask your church if you can use their churchyard. You can also ask your pastor if he knows of anyone in the church who would be willing to let you use their yard.
4. Local Pond- if there is a breathtaking pond near your home, ask to use it for a small fee and have a clean-up crew in mind.
5. Family or friends with a beautiful staircase or historic home. We recently attended a small wedding service at a family members historic house and it was beautiful.
6. Newly opened or Local Bed and Breakfast.
This is great advertising for them and you can often work out a good deal.
7. Local VFW or Legions Hall. Many times you will need to provide your own decorations.


Saving Money on Wedding Decorating(soon to come)

How to get Free Plants

1)Join Arbor Day and get 10 free trees with a membership.
2)Plant swap with friends, church members,& family
3)Organize or join a plant swap group
4)Post an ad on craigslist for wanted plant starts or cuttings
5)Call up your local funeral home and offer to take any leftover plants that are getting thrown away.
6)Save your seeds from the year
7)Divide your current plants and repot them.
8)Visit http://www.freetreesandplants.com/ - this provides jobs to people with disabilities
9)Ask a local nature activity park if you can have a start from their plants on display.
10)ask a local nursery for their unsold plants that they are going to throw out.
11)Call up local landscape companies and ask for any job extras.

I can't Believe It ! Spring Is almost Here!! Organic Gardening

I am so excited about Spring and warmer weather. I have a great treat for everyone! Its a New approach to Traditional Gardening. This year I am going Organic in the Garden or also known as Lasagna Gardening.

So Put the Shovel Down- *No Digging & No Tilling*

* Find your spot. You can use an existing garden spot or make a new one.*
Now for the different Layers
1)Layer the ground with brown cardboard or wet newspapers (5-6 sheets thick)
2)pile on the peat moss
3)throw on your veggie compost: cut up veggie scraps,egg shells, coffee grounds, etc.
4)layer with browns
5)layer with manure
6)layer w/leaves

Repeat process until 2-4 feet high
You can layer with saw dust, wood ashes, composted manure, shredded junk mail, etc.

I just started this process around 2 months ago and I will probably cover mine with black plastic until it gets warmer to speed up the composting process.

I am not a novice at this yet so here's a couple links to the full detailed instructions. You can also check out some books from the library for extra help.

http://http//ourgardengang.tripod.com/lasagna_gardening.htm

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/startinganorganicgarden
/a/lasagnagarden.htm

Have Fun!!

Cheap Christmas Gifts-Save money on Christmas

Home-made Gifts
Muffins, Brownies Cookies
Home-made Photo Frame Ornaments
Potpourri Jar with lights- add a small shade for cuter appeal
Hand made Blankets, Quilts

Gift -Baskets
Makeup
Face stuff
Girls Basket- toys, makeup, soap,bodywash, magazines * make age appropriate
Boys Basket -
Dessert Food Basket- home made items
Stock with home made brownies, muffins, cookies
2 Christmas cups to hold milk
Candy
wrapping paper shreds (made from paper shredder)
add nice home made tag from old Christmas cards

Coffee Lovers Basket
-hot tea, coffee, cocoa packets
coffee cups
Christmas candy to eat w/ coffee
biscotti
mini muffins or mini coffeecakes
wrapping paper shreds (made from paper shredder)
add nice home made tag from old Christmas cards