tuesday's true confession: apparently ants live in texas too!

I've never reposted before, but I am today because it's Tuesday . . . and it's been far too long since I've confessed anything.  And there is an incredible sense of irony in the fact, that this is my very first Tuesday's True Confession and I can pretty much confess the EXACT SAME THING that I did in my very first Tuesday's True Confession in my old state.  Let's just say that I woke up this morning to about 100 little ants coming through a crack in the caulking of our back door.  I opened said door to find a GIANT ant hole as high as the threshold of our back door that is the cozy home to probably a thousand ants.  My three year old and I spent the entire morning waging battle with the ants.  Now, she just walks around the house with her eyes darting across the floor looking for ants.   Picture me trying to explain to her that when the ants are outside in their home, she should leave them alone and not stomp on them . . . but when they are in our home, we stomp, squish, spray and basically annihilate them.   

Poor kid is damaged for life!

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I'm grossed out.  You will be too, but please don't judge me.  I found an ant.  Not outside in the grass or on the sidewalk, but in . . . my . . . kitchen!  And not just on the floor, but in . . . a . . . cabinet!  And we all know that there is NEVER just ONE ant.  I confess (This technically isn't my true confession for today.) that I am not a person who cleans the house everyday, but please believe me . . . our house is clean.  Not spic-and-span-so-you-can-eat-off-the-floor clean, but at least I'm-not-going-to-find-an-ant-crawling-in-a-cabinet-at-11:30-at-night clean.  So, like I said, please don't judge me.  

As a result, I did something that I have wanted to do and needed to do for a long time.  I took everything out of the cabinets, scrubbed everything in serious scrubbing fashion and put everything back in a neat and orderly way. 

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

I started doing this at 11:30 PM, so it was a late night.  I just couldn't go to bed wondering if there were more of those little pests running around in there.  Thankfully (I think), I didn't find anymore, but now every time I walk into the kitchen or open a cabinet I'm expecting to find an ant.  HELP!  I don't want to use toxic pesticides just for peace of mind, but does anyone know of a toxic-free way to keep these little critters away? 

Here's my true confession . . . I'm a hypocrite.  You see, whenever I find a spider or other crawly little bug in the house, I gently scoop it up and put it outside where it belongs.  I know, weird.  I'm fully aware that this is completely bizarre behavior, but I just can't bring myself to kill them.  I even have my girls trained now to come get mommy when they find a spider so we can rescue it and put it outside.  But there is something in me . . . something deep down inside of me that cannot muster up the same compassion for ants.  I'll just say it . . . I HATE ANTS - not outside-type ants, but any ant found in my house is definitely in danger and should fear for its life. 

I guess I should thank that little ant because it helped me mark a to-do off my list that I've been putting off.  At least my cupboards are cleaned, and now I can do what I like to do and . . .

confess on!

movin' it monday: the family room

This past weekend we got one step closer to "finishing" one ENTIRE room in our house . . . not the entire house . . . just ONE room.  My husband has been begging for a flat screen TV for years, and with the move, we acquired one.  We've been living with it on the floor in front of the fireplace for five weeks as we tried to figure out whether to look into LCD TV stands for the side wall or mounting sets for above the fireplace.  Here's what we decided:    

I so wanted this space above the fireplace to be a great focal point with a family picture or a favorite piece of art, but it just didn't make sense to put the TV stand on a different wall.  The electrician did a fabulous job, and I'm ready to whip this room into shape.

   Next up . . . trying to figure out what to do with this space . . .

Craft on . . . or unpack on! ;)

the end of winter countdown calendar

Winter officially ended for me when we moved to Texas in February and it was 70 degrees.  (Holy smokes . . . I'm not sure if I'll ever get used to it being 70 degrees in February.)  But the official end of winter is this weekend. 

Good bye winter!

Hello spring!   

I had BIG plans to post this little end of winter countdown activity calendar a month ago, but well . . . as you know I've been a bit preoccupied.  So . . . you will have to keep this in mind when next year rolls around OR better yet . . . make your own version for the end of spring or the end of summer or . .  . you get the idea.

End of Winter Countdown Calendar

We hung our countdown calendar up about a month before the end of winter.  Each hat, sweater or mitten had a little activity or treat tucked inside that we could do each day in anticipation for the end of winter.  By the end of the countdown, all our shapes were tucked neatly inside our little storage bag ready to be hung up next fall as a countdown to winter. 

Here's what you need:
-felt or fleece . . . A big shout out to National Nonwovens for supplying the felt for this project!
-paper patterns cut out in appropriate seasonal shapes . . . For winter I used a mitten, a sweater and a hat.
-ribbons
-clothes pins
-small strips or rectangles of paper

Here's what you do:
1)  Cut our varying shapes from felt.  You will need two of the same shapes for each day.  I did 10 mittens, 10 hats and 10 sweater, so I needed 20 of each shape.

2)  Pin two of each shape together (or not if you dare) and sew around the outside edge or each pair.  Do not sew the neck and waist of the sweater, the head opening of the hat and the wrist opening of the mitten.

3)  Write or print off an activity for each day.  I used a variety of fun activities, service oriented activities and treats. 

4)  Secure ribbons on a wall, mantel or ceiling of your home. 

5)  Hang shapes up with clothes pin tucking paper/treat into each shape.  (Actually, I put the paper in each morning before the kids got up because I have sneaky kids, and I knew the temptation of all those activities and treats just sitting there all month long would be entirely too much for them to resist.)

6)  Each day tuck the shape you used back into the storage bag. (Brief and super easy tutorial . . . so easy it really isn't necessary . . . to come this weekend.)

What shapes would you use as an end of spring countdown?  An umbrella?  A rain boot or coat?  Hmm . . . that's about all I have.  Clearly, my creative juices aren't quite flowing yet!

Craft on!

oh where, oh where have i been?

I know . . . I know . . . I've been MIA for far too long.  As you know, I've been moving.  I was hoping to be up and running here with crafty projects and more, but this moving thing has been totally zonked.  I still don't have all the boxes unpack, and we've been in our new home/town/state for four weeks now.  Not good!  Plus my front room is completely bare . . . well, that's not true . . . there is a piano sitting in the middle of the room . . . but other than a lonely old piano . . . it is completely bare.

Not only have I been MIA from the blog, but I've been MIA from your blogs, from my e-mail, from facebook, from the internet almost entirely.  So boo to me! 

I'm going to slowly get back into the blogging routine again, so I won't be posting daily like I did before the mover . . . for the time being anyway.  And I'm going to slowly get back in contact with many of you as well.  I've missed you!

Craft on!

feed me friday: spinach artichoke rolls

WARNING!  Mouth may water and appetite may increase after reading this post.  Good food ahead thanks to Krystal from Recipes Of A Cheapskate!

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I am SO EXCITED to be here guest posting on 12 Crafts Till Christmas.   My name is Krystal, and I write a little blog called Recipes Of A Cheapskate.  When I discovered 12 Crafts last year, it helped me so much in my desire to have homemade gifts for Christmas.  I got started right away!!

In my blogging efforts,  I have the support of my dear husband, Captain Jax, and two little kidlets--K-girl, who just turned 3, and Baby M, who is almost 11 months.  They put up with me trying new things in the kitchen, and usually eat what I make.  As long as there's no onions!!  You'll occasionally see me post things regarding Baby M, my preemie boy who was born 11 weeks early last year.

He's 100% tube-fed, and I'm finding it's very difficult being a mom who loves to cook, having a baby who doesn't know how to eat. 

On my blog, you can find all sorts of good recipes, that aren't going to break the bank.  I don't like spending an arm and a leg at the grocery store (who does?) so I often have recipes that use ingredients that I can store on my shelves, grow in my garden, or freeze.  I love being able to freeze a good meal for a busy day!!

I have some yummy appetizers you can cook up just in time for Super Bowl Sunday!

And some grilled recipes for when BBQ season kicks off!

And if you're a breakfast person, I have a lot of recipes using a Master Pancake Mix.  it's like a Bisquick mix, only better :)

As well as your every day dinners when you just need to pull stuff out of your fridge and pantry.  That's the type of recipe I'm going to share with you today, something quick and easy (and freeze-able) that you can make on a busy weekend night.

This recipe came about in my desire to have more meat-less meals.  Cutting the amount of meat you eat, cuts down on the money you spend at the grocery store.  Always a plus!  I have a chicken version, that Captain Jax loves, and he loved my spinach artichoke cups, so I thought I could combine the two of them into something wonderfully tasty!  And it was!!

The ingredients are things I keep on hand in my fridge and pantry--some shredded cheese, cream cheese, canned crescent rolls, spinach, and artichoke hearts.

The process is simple as well.  Combine the softened cream cheese, the shredded cheese, spinach, and chopped artichokes in a bowl.  Add your favorite seasonings (we like garlic, and Italian seasonings) and mix it all together.  Unroll your crescent rolls and divide them into the separate triangles.  Stretch the rolls out a little big, and add a spoon-full of the mixture.  Seal up the dough around the mixture.   Make sure you get everything sealed up good.  Even if you think you got it sealed though, it's probably NOT, and will ooze out during cooking.  Or maybe I just like to overfill everything.  :) When all your rolls are finished, dip them in some melted butter, and then roll in breadcrumbs.

Bake them up, and serve them with a nice green salad.  There ya go!  Dinner, quick as a wink.

I also wanted to share with you my weekly link-up called Saturday's Party that EVERYONE is invited to come LINK UP every week with your party ideas!!  I don't care if it's crafts, decor, gift ideas, or food, ANYTHING related to parties is welcome!!

SPINACH ARTICHOKE ROLLS
From: http://recipesofacheapskate.blogspot.com
Posted at: http://twelvecraftstillchristmas.blogspot.com

• 1/2 pkg (about 1 1/2 cups) thawed, drained spinach
• 3 cups shredded cheese (I used mozzarella and cheddar)
• 1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 2 pkg crescent rolls
• melted butter and breadcrumbs for coating

Preheat oven to 350degs.  Mix together everything but the rolls, butter, and breadcrumbs.  Add your favorite seasonings (like garlic, Italian are very good).  Roll out your crescent rolls, and divide into the triangles.  Take each triangle, and kind of stretch it out with your fingers. Place a spoonful of the mixture on the roll, and wrap the roll up around it, sealing everything inside.  Things will still leak out when it's cooked, it's the nature of the beast. :)  Roll each bundle in melted butter, and then breadcrumbs.  Bake about 1-2" apart on a baking sheet (these spread a little bit).  Bake for about 25-30 minutes, and serve warm!


Thanks so much for letting me be a Guest Blogger Elizabeth!!  It was lots of fun to create something special for your readers.  Come on by and visit Recipes Of A Cheapskate! 

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No, thank you Krystal for this fabulous addition to my recipe box! 

Cook on!

make your own vanilla: a gift idea from Kathleen at AlwaysSewLove

I'm somewhere between Iowa and Texas, so I'm turning my blog over to Kathleen today!  I was looking through her blog a while ago and found this idea.  She took pity on me in my moving chaos, and wrote this up for you all.  Let's give her a warm welcome!

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Hi! This is Kathleen from AlwaysSewLove.  I am so excited to be a guest here today!  Here is an awesome tutorial for making....  

Vanilla!

I saw this idea on the Heavenly Homemakers blog and knew I had to try it. I can't believe how expensive vanilla extract is at the local food store.

Here is what you need.

1. Vanilla Beans. I ordered Madagascar Vanilla Beans from Amazon. $23.75 for 1/2 pound.

2. Vodka. Buy the cheap stuff. Did you know they come in plastic bottles these days? Mine were $8.99 a half gallon.

3. Gallon glass jar. I found mine at Walmart for $4.98.

 
First step is to cut the vanilla beans in half length wise leaving about an inch so it stays together.

This takes a little while. When all vanilla beans are cut place them in the jar.

Now pour the Vodka into the jar. Screw on lid. Put in a dark place and wait 6 months.

I purchased my bottles from Specialty Bottle Supply.  I bought twelve, eight ounce sized bottles.  They were .86 apiece.  They also sell plastic shrink wraps which makes for a more professional look.  Shipping costs more than the bottles so while your vanilla is 'cooking' keep an eye out for bottles you can use.  A dark glass would be best. 

FAST FORWARD. 6 MONTHS! 

My Vanilla only 'cooked' for about 5  months since I started a little late.  I found this site The Graphics Fairy in blog land that has free graphics.  I found something I liked and doctored it up in iPages. I bought sheets of labels and printed them out.

Depending on the jar or bottle you used you might have a bit of trouble pouring the vanilla into your little 8 ounce bottles.     

SUPPLIES:

• The Vanilla :)
• Amber bottles - my 5 gallon jar yielded 12, 8 ounce bottles.
• A large measuring cup.
• A strainer
• A coffee filter
• A funnel
• Labels

(I used a plastic tub to catch any spills.)

1.  Put the coffee filter into the strainer and then place in measuring cup.

2.  Pour the Vanilla into the coffee filter.  

3.  Pour into the bottles.  Dry the outside of the bottles.

4.  Place labels on.  Not so easy to get it perfect... but close enough.

5.  I wrapped the bottles in plastic bags and added a bow.

Then give them all away!

NO WAIT!  Keep one or two for yourself and plan on making a new batch in June!  

Blessings!

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I love this project for two reasons:

1) because it's uber cool to say that you know how to make your own vanilla

2) because I need a good lesson in patience, and this is sure to teach me that

Thanks Kathleen!

Craft on! 

we've got winners..

YES WE DO!

Woohoo!  I love giving away goodies!  The only down side is that I don't have goodies to give to everyone!  Check out the winners for all three of the twelve crafts' giveaways below, and go to Bev's place at Flamingo Toes for the other three winners. 

A great big thanks to Bev, you all and the giveaway sponsors for making Blog Spa a fabulously fun event!

Basic Facial Care Set from Skin Journey

WINNER: Courtney Elizabeth who wrote, "I use Clinique acne line of products.  I love it but it's pretty pricey so it would be great to try something else."

Sparetime Crafts - clever and creative Etui box

 

WINNER:  Stephanie with her extra entry, "I also entered the Barefoot Bath and Body giveaway at FT!"

Amber's Lemongrass Spa shop - winner's choice of either a body polish or a foot scrub

AND

 O. C. Styles - manicure/pedicure kit

WINNER: Julie from Pickles and I scream who wrote, "I would definitely choose the body polish, this cold weather has dried my skin out something awful!"

Congrats ladies!  Send me an e-mail ASAP with the address your prizes need to be sent to. 

Craft on!

Blog Spa is sponsored by these great shops:

O.C. Styles

Amber's Lemongrass Spa Shop

Sparetime Crafts

Skin Journey

Abbey James

Barefoot Bath and BodyElegant Rose Boutique