Inspirations by D: October 2010

One Lovely Blog Award

I just received this lovely award from Dianne from Mom-Stuff Community, thank you Dianne! I appreciate

it and I am humbled by this beautiful award. If you have not visited her lovely blog stop by and pay her a visit.

Rules to accepting this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass this on to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered. In my case (12).

4. Contact the selected bloggers and inform them about the award.

Seven things about me:-)

1. I love the scent of real Christmas trees.

2. I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the sound of the rain.
3. I can sit outside all night just looking at the stars.

4. I used to work with an 18 line switchboard a long time ago and have disliked phones ever since, weird I know. Sorry dear friends for not calling as often as I should.

5. I love cake.
6. I start my day with a shower and then coffee, cannot function without those.
7. I love to create, but my best creation is my son.

The Nominee Blog list:

I can only list 12, so congratulations to those selected.

I love this piece! It is a combination of old and new. The glass containing the prayer is new made by me and the chain itself is vintage, old meets new. What a great way to remind us of the serenity prayer. Would you like one, shop here and get more information.

Owly Love

Owls are a hoot this fall. Here are some cute owl items and ideas.

I think this is so cute by Cherry Blossom Way!

Here is what you will need for this party, cupcake toppers!

See more items in her lovely shop.

Owl Nature Decorative Pillow (16 x 16")

White Gold and Black Eyed Owl Necklace

Kids Lunch Bags: Children's Owl School Lunch Bags, Feeding Time Lunch Bag

Cute Owl Mold

Raspberryrocket

Handmade Glass Owl Magnets

WallStaleDecor

KarenSagez

Manic Muffin Totes

Lifelittle

TSCookies

Hope you enjoyed looking at these cute items.

How to Make Soap

There are plenty of soaps out in the market, but wouldn't it be fun to make them at home with your kiddos or even to make some for the Holidays and hand them out as gifts. Soap making is a long process and can even be dangerous at times, but this is a simple, easy and safe way to make soap at home with your kids.

To make this at home, you will need the following:

Glycerin soap/ blocks, clear or white (this only works with glycerin soap so please do not use a substitute.)

Soap dye your choice of color

Soap molds

Microwave safe liquid measuring cup

Spoon

Stick (Popsicle or stirrer)

Knife (adult handle only)

To Make it:

If you use a bar of soap, cut into three pieces. If you use glycerin blocks, cut off 2-3 pieces.

Put glycerin soap into a measuring cup, microwave according to package directions (or 20 seconds), then in 10 second intervals until melted.

If you want colors, now is the time to add the dye. Add a few drops of color and stir. If you want a darker color, add more dye.

Slowly pour the liquid soap into the mold. Set aside to harden for about an hour.

If you are going to make more than one color, then rinse out measuring cup and repeat process for other colors.

After the soap has completely cooled, pop it out of the molds, if it is difficult, place it in the freezer for about ten minutes. Now you have your lovely soap.

Hope you enjoy your soap!

Out and About

Collection of random musings to help make interesting the mundane, enjoy!

)ONE)

We went to a large Corn Maze during the weekend and it was pretty neat. We shot the corn canon, rode horses, played in a corn box, got lost in the corn maze (note to self-carry mosquito repellent) My son loved it.

)Two)

My son and I were exploring some more around our new yard, which is a lot bigger than our previous backyard, and to our surprise we discovered this fella.

)Three)

After my Mr. M pulled all the weeds out of the yard, we were able to see the many flowers and shrubs that were hidden by them. One is this American Beauty Berry, some call it French Mulberry.

I just learned that the roots, leaves, and branches of this plant were used by the Alabama, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole and other Native American tribes for various medicinal purposes. The roots, leaves and branches were made into decoction that was used in sweat baths to treat both malarial fevers and rheumatism. The boiled plant parts were poured into a big pan that was placed near the patient inside a sweat-house A similar decoction of the roots was used to treat dizziness and stomachaches. The roots and berries were boiled and drunk to treat colic.

The American Beauty Berry is also an important food source for birds and other animals.

As I sat down enjoying the beautiful day, I saw this shape ) in the sky formed by a cloud...

Can you see it?

)Four)

And finally Yesterday we went rollerskating, I haven't roller skated since I was twelve, so that was fun. Here is my little guy learning to skate for the first time.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend! Happy Monday!

Exploring the New Backyard

Today we have explored out new backyard and have captured it in photos, Enjoy!

Our first Monarch Caterpillar

In our last house we made our own bird feeders, this house came with this one, how very cool.

Fall colors? Not here.

To my lovely surprise, Roses! This rose smells like lemon, love it!

Loving it!

God Bless our new home!

Maybe we'll have fall colors next week!

Delish Flan Recipe!

What is Flan? It is a baked caramel custard with a layer of soft caramel on top, as opposed to creme brulee, which is a custard with a hard caramel top.
My favorite flan (custard) is my grandmother's recipe. There are different variations, but her recipe is the best in my opinion. It is so rich, so creamy and so sweet.

Photo by Kelli Stanko

It is a real treat!

Ingredients:

4 eggs
12 oz. Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk
14 oz. Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
pinch of salt

Preparation:

Preheat oven 325 degrees.

1. Melt sugar in the mold you will use for the flan over medium heat. Add half cup of water and stir constantly until it forms a dark caramel. Completely cover interior with the caramel then cover with foil.

2. In a bowl, mix eggs, vanilla, salt and all the milk. Strain the mix, then pour carefully to avoid disturbing the caramel mold candy. Cover tightly with foil. Place mold carefully in a casserole dish with water, it will prevent the caramel candy from burning and it's called waterbath, bake for one hour covered or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
* You may also use the old fashion way, by cooking it over the stove like my grandma. For this process use a large pot with a bit of water and place mold in the pot tightly covered. Do not allow water to splash into custard!!

3. Loosen the edge of the flan from mold, place on a tray and turn over mold. Refrigerate before serving.

These is a great molds for making flan!

So you don' t feel like doing all that hard work but still want flan? Try these;

Goya Flan, 4-Ounce Units (Pack of 36)

Jell-O Pudding, Flan, 3-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 18)

It's not as rich as the recipe, but still tasty and easy to make, just follow the instructions on the box.

I Said a Prayer For you Today...

I said a prayer for you today

And know that God must have heard.

I felt the answer in my heart

Although he spoke no word!

I didn't ask for wealth or fame

(knew you wouldn't mind).

I asked him to send treasures

Of a far more lasting kind!

I asked that he be near you

At the start of each new day;

To grant you health and blessings

And friends to share your way!

I asked for happiness for you

In all things great and small.

But it was for his loving care

I prayed the most of all!

Home Remedy For Fatigue

Hello everyone, I want to thank you all for your patience during my move from one state to another. We have unpacked most of our boxes and plan to update a few things here and there in the new house. My first project will be the fireplace, but I will post about that later, lets get to the Fatigue Remedy first shall we?

As many of you know, moving is exhausting! I have been feeling nothing but fatigue. Now there is a difference between fatigue and drowsiness. In general, drowsiness is feeling the need to sleep, while fatigue is a lack of energy and motivation. Remember, this is only for basic fatigue, if you have serious fatigue, visit your doctor.

The ingredients you will need:

Honey

Rose Hip- where to buy: Traditional Medicinals Tea Organic Rose Hips 16 bag,
Rose Hips whole 1oz 1618 gold, 1 Lb Rose Hips Cut, or any local natural store.

For fresh Rose Hip: Chop 2 spoonfuls of rose hip and put them into 0.5 liter of boiling water for 5-6 minutes. Wait for a mixture to cool, then filter. Divide into 3 portions and drink it in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Before you drink it, add a teaspoon of honey.

For Dried Rose Hip: Use 1 spoonful of dried rose hip and follow the directions above.

For Prepared dried Rose Hip tea: Follow directions in the container it came in.

Always consult with doctor before using any herbs.

This should help you feel better.

(information source)