Dr. Seuss hat craft

Here's a Dr. Seuss hat to make. Just glue the front part on to a "head band" of each child. Sorry there is no template but you could free hand the hat shape and cut the stripes out yourself.

Darling new Mom or baby shower gifts!

A darling washcloth milkshake for $5.00

Washcloth cupcakes for baby boys. The brown is a ribbon. SO CUTE! $2.00 each

"Baby lollipops"
They are made with 1 baby wash cloth and 1 baby

spoon for $1.00 each

The phrase on it says:
Tiny fingers
Tiny toes
Little itty bitty clothes
dresses, ribbons,
hairs to curl
we're tickled pink
she's having a girl
Thank you for coming.

Wash cloth candies
They are made with one baby soft wash cloth rolled up for $.50 cents each.

You could add this phrase to it:
Little hands
little feet
little Jaxson is oh so sweet.
Thanks for coming!

These are so cute, simple, and creative. Leia in Utah makes these. Photo credits to her!
Phone: 801-604-7662

How we told our kids we were having a BOY! (or a girl in your case)

After my 20 week radiology ultrasound my husband and I went to the dollar store and got a balloon for each kid with "It's a Boy!" on it. I came in first with the video camera (not saying anything) and caught their reaction on camera when my husband walked in with the three balloons. Our kids were thrilled when we walked in with the news and a balloon to celebrate. It's a big deal for us to have a boy after three wonderful girly daughters. Grandma and Grandpa were there and excited! We took pictures of the kids with the balloons after we turned off the video camera. How did you tell your kids what you were having?

Corned Beed and Cabbage in a crock pot

I am making this fuss free crock pot Corned Beef and Cabbage on Wednesday for my husband who LOVES it. I am not a huge fan but, once a year I'll do it. Find the recipe HERE Photo from www.allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 pound baby carrots
• 3 cups water
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 1/2 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet, cut in half
• 1 small head cabbage, cut into wedges

Directions

1. Place the onion, potatoes and carrots in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Combine water, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, vinegar, pepper and contents of spice packet; pour over the vegetables. Top with brisket and cabbage. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until the meat and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Teacher Appreciation- Decorating the door!

Teacher Appreciation falls in May every year. My daughter's 1st grade teacher is having a baby very very soon so we did her door early. Here's the door I created last week. I was thinking spring!The background of grassy hills, sun and sky!Thank you Mrs. ____ for helping us bloom and soar! The boys pictures are in the kites and the girls in the flowers. They are photo stickers left over from school pictures in the fall. I did this door 100% free using the paper, glue, pictures, and die cuts from the school. It was fun to create.

Free Betty Crocker St. Patrick's Day coloring sheets and more (with sign up)!

Sign up at Betty Crocker's site HERE and you'll get free St. Patrick's Day coloring sheets, cup cake decorations, cake stencils, and party decorations. I am printing off the sheets for Wednesday's dinner table. It's only days away now!

St. Patrick's Day Pot of Gold craft

Make this St. Patty's day craft for $.25-ish this weekend!I was looking for an easy and fun craft to make with the kids this weekend since I am trying to enjoy them more (and not be so task oriented). Here's one I saw and said "I can do that this weekend."

Staci's take on it: I only need to buy the gold coins instead of butterscotch candies. I am using a white pipe cleaner for the bucket handle, clear plastic cups I have on hand, a pencil to hold up the rainbow, easter grass for a little inside filler, and paper instead of foam. Now that's using up what ya got! Go to Dollar Store Crafts for full instructions and material lists.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Staci's Disneyland (Disneyworld) vacation tips!!

Oh how I loved our Disneyland & California Adventure vacation last March! Are you thinking about heading to sunny California or sunny Florida this spring? Oh it's so beautiful in California (I haven't been to DisneyWorld yet). See some of my pictures of the flowers last March in CA.


Here are a few tips for you when planning your Disney Vacation this spring or summer.Tip #1- GET THIS BOOK AND READ IT COVER TO COVER!!
In my opinion, this book helped me the "planner" execute a thrifty and well rounded Disneyland and California Adventure trip with almost 4 year old and a 6 year old. Last March was our first time taking kids to the parks. I needed insider tips and this book was IT! It comes out each year with new hotel ratings, dining, hotels, attraction updates, and how to's for hitting the rides at the right times for Disneyland (believe it or not it touches on other S. California attractions like Legoland, Universal Studios, The San Diego Zoo, and more). I got my book off Amazon.com but your local library might have an older addition. There is a separate book for DisneyWorld. I wanted the current one for our trip so I got the 2009 edition-They have a 2010 addition!

Tip #2- GO on the off season for your first time. We went Monday-Friday and BEFORE the Spring Break crowds which was mid March last year. We missed out on the Saturday night parade but sometimes you have to pick and choose rides or parades/shows in the summertime! Disneyland had the most up to date daily schedule available at the gate on our first day. Grab one.

The new editions of the book also list the Anaheim convention center schedule of conventions. They list who is going to be there and when. I advise you to AVOID those times like the plague. It can be 20,000+ people sometimes at the Anaheim convention center at once not to mention other visitors there. Did I say I love that book full of information, yet? Get it!

It's a Small World was redone when went last year. It was updated and current!

Tip #3- Get your souvenirs at home and take with you or ship them to your hotel if you are flying. Go to the dollar stores, Disney store clearance racks, Target, Walmart or where ever! You can also hit a Disney outlet on the way to Anaheim. We hit it on the way home. I never bought the Mickey Mouse ears. I took pictures in the store wearing the princess ears. I know I am a thrifty gal, what can I say!?! There's a sign for the outlet on the freeway for it. Here's the building.
Tip #4- Plan on eating at the hotel for breakfast. By this I mean eating out of the mini fridge with stuff you brought (oatmeal, cereal, fruit etc) or the included breakfast at the hotel. Why not use the microwave for oatmeal if you don't have a breakfast included? Bring your own utensils, plates, and napkins too. We stayed at the newly remodeled Best Western Stovall Inn. This Best Western had granite counter tops in the bathroom/kitchen area that is a WOW for a Best Western! The hotel had a nice downstairs breakfast room that included cold cereals, muffins, oatmeal, fruit, danishes, hard boiled eggs, coffee, water down juices, and milk for breakfast. Get there early and fill up. Grab a snack for the rode too!

Tip#5- Eating while on vacation. Smuggle in a few snacks in the "diaper bag". We didn't have anyone in diapers but took a kiddie pack full of healthy snacks (carrots, granola bars, Disney themed fruit snacks, apples or bananas from the breakfast at the hotel, PB & J's (I made them in my hotel), and empty water bottles into the park. You can fill up the water bottles in the park because they don't let you take liquids in the park. They didn't search us heavily last year and nothing was obvious but in the "diaper bag" or my mountain climbing neat fanny pack shown here in the picture. It's from the SLC Olympics 2002! I also kept my digital camera in fanny pack ready to snap pictures at any time!We chose to either at dinner in the park or left to go to a restaurant off site (refer to the book for price ranges and quality). It gets expensive to eat at the park especially if you have a larger family so get over it and save up for it and just do it (not every day though). The book list the price ranges of places to eat in the park and off site as well. Review the on site and off site restaurants , plan ahead, and go for it! Here we are eating in the park one day-My daughter took this photo of us.

Tip #6- Leave any kids under 40" in height at home with Grandma. This is my just my opinion! I wanted and needed a vacation so bringing a 2 year old isn't very relaxing. We left our barely 2 year old with Grandma in Utah and it was GREAT! She couldn't ride a lot and it was nice because my other daughter was just 42" with shoes on and she felt like a big girl and went on almost everything. NOTE: All of the ride height restrictions & scariness factors are covered in the book!

Tip #7- I am big into memory making. Here's what I did to capture the moments. The first day we went to Disneyland at about 5:00 pm after driving to CA. We had already had eaten dinner. I brought my video camera that day ONLY and taped the kids first reactions to the park, had them interviewed on tape, their reaction to the music, Sleeping Beauty's castle, a few rides, the parade (if it's shown the day you are there), fireworks, and a few characters we saw. After that I only carried my digital camera in my fanny pack ready to capture the moments. I didn't want to miss anything and have to dig in a diaper bag in the double stroller. My kids like to watch the parade I taped, characters, and the experience of Main street again and again. I do too!

Tip#8- I only got a few autographs of our favorite characters on my own papers and with my own pen! I didn't by those useless autograph books and over priced pens. I wanted the character's autograph next to my child's picture with them. Plus, I hate waiting it lines for autographs. Imagine a 8 x11" pink piece of paper with Sleeping Beauty's signature on it and my child pictures with her off the the right. It was a great scrapbooking page! We did this at the Princess area at Disneyland and in California Adventure where there are more characters and shorter lines.

Tip #9 Bring your own princess or character costumes and wear them in Disneyland for great photo opportunities. We did this first thing one day on a 5 days at Disneyland. They are so expensive to buy there. I did their hair cute that morning in pin up hair-dos' and they wore capri's and white t-shirts. Then we put their Princess dresses over their white t-shirts (the dresses can be sheer). They also wore crowns. I didn't bring fancy shoes I tried to cut their feet off in the photo because they were wearing sneakers and socks for lots of walking. Oh and choose outfits that easily slide over their clothes (and can be hidden like capri's) while you wait in line! We have great photo memories and this was a true highlight of their trip!

Tip # 10- Take a double stroller with you even if they are 6 and under! My kids were 6 and 4 when we went and we were so glad we took it. It's not a pain to park it. We bought an groovy 1980's "el cheap o'" double stroller at a garage sale and it worked great. I didn't want to be bring my best one there just in case. Their feet were so tired at the end of the day and we were so happy to have it all day. Plus, we wanted to "book it" fast to a few rides at various times!

Tip #11- Read the book it really does covers all the bases that I could post here in a blog post. I could go on and on but the book is really great. I am a planner type of person so it really helped me follow a plan to get on the rides without many hic-ups. It was great tool. You'll know what I mean when you get the book. I want to go back soooooo bad.

I love Disneyland!

Belated- Valentine's clearance deals and a tip!

I love a good deal! Here's my tip. Be patient after the holiday (Easter is coming up) and you'll find good clearance to be used for the next year. Here's what I got on Valentine clearance.

$.20 Valentine's from Walmart! Puppies and kitties and Precious Moments

Valentine towels that I will use all year round!
I stashed them away in 2009 and have been using them when needed in 2010.

Come enjoy us, Mom!

This story really hit home to me personally. I have been the momma task master at home lately and feel bad about not playing and enjoying my kids as much as I used to. I know I need to slow down and enjoy them. Honestly, I need to just enjoy their company and play with them! I am always more at ease when I make time for play. I wanted to share this with you in case you feel overwhelmed like me with laundry, money stresses, a dirty house, in the middle of a remodel, cooking meal after meal, cleaning, coupon shopping, going to a job or whatever. I hope this helps someone out there.

Come Enjoy Us

By Jeanne Rohrs

The other night my boys and I were sitting down to dinner as my husband entered the room. My three-year-old looked up and said, “Daddy, come enjoy us!”

I love puns, but this one stood out to me because it revealed the heart of my child.

"It’s then that I ask myself
if my agenda is really that important,
and if the floor is really too dirty."

I often miss out on enjoying my children as I herd them from one errand to another. Most of the time I join them but don’t enjoy them. Why aren’t those words synonyms for me as a mom?

Maybe it’s because no matter what I get done, there’s always more to do; more that I think I should have done; more that I think I should be. And there’s guilt over all that I have yet to do. That’s how it happens – my kids become roadblocks.

But when I stop keeping-up-with-the-Joneses and trying to be like June Cleaver, and I really look at my kids, I see their desire for me to enjoy them – to delight in them. It’s then that I ask myself if my agenda is really that important, and if the floor is really too dirty.

Lord, you delight in your children. You quiet them with your love and rejoice over them with singing. Give me your perspective. Help me to enjoy the gift that my kids are.

Marshmallow flower cupcakes

My daughter wanted a pink party for her 3rd birthday. Not a princess party but a pink party. So I made these easy and cute flower petal cupcakes. **You could make these for a spring party at a preschool, Easter, a birthday party, a bridal shower, or an after school treat.You will need: a box cake mix, tub of frosting, paper cupcake cups, pink and white marshmallows from the Mexican aisle (at Walmart),and lemon heads for the centers.My girls enjoyed helping me put the marshmallow petals on. I used kitchen shears to cut the large marshmallows in thirds. Aren't they cute? (and oh so easy!)

Are you planting garden seeds right now? It's time!

I bet a handful of my readers are starting their seeds right now indoors. Here's our efforts last year.

Growing our garden seeds in 2009

I will post pictures later of our seeds in 2010. I would love to see your growing system. Leave me a comment to your blog link. I can't wait for my husband to plant them in the wall of waters in April.

I am feeling like super woman...I am de-cluttering!

I am feeling like super woman right now- It won't last long so I am taking a blogging break to de-clutter and clean my basement from our recent remodel. I'll be back soon.

My fourth blog award! Thank you.

Thanks for the kind blog award Dede from Dede Land!

I am unable to have fun and pass this on to 13 other wonderful blogs right now. I am in remodel and painting mode. I really appreciate my blog followers, awards, and blog hoppers however. Blogging is fun and I enjoy the creative outlet of sharing. Thanks everyone for joining me on this blogging ride. I'll be back soon. God Bless.

St. Patrick's Day ideas for kids and hubbies!

Do you celebrate St. Patty's day? I mainly cook the corned beef and cabbage for my husband who is not Irish but loves food. I put a few St. Patty's day decorations around (but haven't yet). I like to do something to break up the monotony of March. Here are some simple but fun ideas in case you want to try something new and EASY!

The picture credit goes to the wonderful Martha Stewart

So, here are some St. Patrick's Day treat ideas from a local Utah TV station called KSL5. Here's the link to a video to some of these projects: St. Patrick's Day Fun here

• "At the end of the rainbow, you are my pot of gold!" (tied to anything with gold in it!)

• "If I had a Pot of Gold, I'd want to share it with you. I couldn't find one anywhere, so I hope that this will do!" (tied to a Twix, Rolo, Caramello, or gold chocolate coins)

• "A Friend is like a 4 leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have!"

• "Tis better far at the rainbows end, to find not gold, but the heart of a friend!" (tie to package of rainbow skittles, gold coins, a "friend" token)

• Leprechaun Droppings - (a bag full of chocolate gold coins or green Appleheads)

• Shamrock Attack Kit: "You're lucky, lucky, I've been told - you've just been hit with shamrocks and gold!"

• Lucky Leprechaun Lunch: a green gable box with a tag on the outside that says "Lucky Leprechaun Lunch". Perfect for sending a green lunch with the husband or kids on St. Patrick's Day.

• "Lucky Me" tags: "Lucky Me..." and end with something different. "Lucky Me... to have such a great friend!" or "Lucky Me... to have such a great hubby!"

• Money Tree: "Happy St. Patricks Day to a Million Dollar Guy/Gal/Kid!" or "Who says Money doesn't grow on trees...Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Our basement remodel update!

We are now getting to the fun part of a basement remodel! PAINTING! I am going to take sometime off from blogging next week to dive into the creative process. Stay tuned for more ideas to share on this journey. Here's the update this week.
The bathroom looking ready for paint and tile.

The guest room and my personal closet space that will include my computer desk, crafts, designing books, a printer, and small filing cabinet, scrapbooking supplies, and any other junk I can fit in there!

My two older girls room. I chose NOT to have a dresser in this room and customized the closet instead.

The small work-out room that will include a treadmill, wall mounted flat screen TV, and a weight bench.

Staci's frugal & practical ways revelaed Part 3- The Bathroom

The Bathroom

1. Don’t pay top dollar for toothpaste, shave gel, floss, deodorant, body wash, toothbrushes, razors, lotion, and soap! Stock up when on sale with a coupon or when they are FREE. Example: I have about 20 free bars of Johnson's buddy soaps in my basement, free floss to last me 2 years, toothpaste to last about a year, plenty of deodorant-well just check out the pictures of my stash. I also like to get trial sizes for free (assuming the coupon allows it). I often donate the excess to local shelters. Walgreens and Rite-Aid often have in-store rebates and when you add a coupon on top you get them free or really cheap! Don't be scared of rebates. I recommend taking some time (if not already) and learn the drugstore coupon world, it's worth it! THAT'S MY HUMBLE OPINION! Check out my storage shelf in the basement.

2. But I personally spend more $ on quality make-up, skin care, and self tanners! This is an area I don't skimp. This is such a personal decision isn't it? I currently use Image skin care, Clinique tinted self tanners, and Bare Minerals products. I do buy drug store mascara, chapstick, and lipstick when they are 50% off and use a coupon. This is my other humble opinion-You only get one face, and ladies I want to look as good as my genetics (and chemicals I put on my face) will let me in years to come. Just my two cents. It's fun being a girl because there are so many choices out there! :0)

3. Go cheaper on hair spray, mousse, shampoo, and conditioner- Yes, you guessed it I am not brand picky on these items right now. Yes, I'd love to buy salon only Paul Mitchell or Bed Head products but they aren't great enough for me to pay more even when they are on sale at Ulta. Nothing in the way of hair care has knocked my socks off and I think I still look great. May be later in life I'll need to use more expensive lines. Time will tell. I buy trail sizes items paired with a coupon making them free often (see above photos)!

4. Buy and use the economy Toilet paper rolls from Costco because they lasts longer and the kids use too much toilet paper anyway. Don't laugh--"treat" yourself to the plush stuff in your master bathroom only (and hope they don't catch on)! You'll appreciate it more. :0)

5. Buy clearance plush towels and bath mats at Target and Walmart. They do go on sale if you watch and treat yourself to a swanky feeling of a hotel bathroom. I don't believe in pulling out the nice towels for guests. I work hard and deserve them daily too.

6. Cut your husband's hair and save $ on haircuts! It’s not hard. The girls and I go to a lady who has a salon in her basement. I have found the neighborhood stylist ladies are cheaper and just as good. She cuts kid's hair $1 an age so, 4 years old= $4! What a deal. My hair is $15 a cut.

7. Buy quality vitamins for the family at grocery stores for 50% off and pairing them with a coupon and they are even cheaper. Sometimes they have rebates in the Sunday coupon inserts.

8. Watch for protein bar sales then pair with a coupon. Sometimes you can get them for inexpensive paired with a sale or try Walmart. My husband likes the EAS brand because of their high protein grams in each bar. I think health food stores prices per ounce are the best on powder Whey protein.

9. Stock up on medicine at drug stores when you see rebates or register rewards

Here's an example (not shown in my stash picture) of a deal I did last night at Walgreens and it ends Feb. 27th.

Triaminic or Theraflu Participating Products 2/$10.00

Buy 2, Earn a $5 Register Reward print out coupon

Use the $1.50/1 Triaminic from 2/7 coupon insert

Final price: As low as $3.00 each out of pocket but ONLY $0.50 when you factor in the Register Rewards print out

10. Do your own pedicures and manicures at home. I got a pedicure set on the after Christmas sale at Walmart this year. It was a nice set and I am glad I treated myself to a present after the holidays. In the summer I do treat myself to a real pedicure after saving for it. This is one reason I coupon--to have the extras in life! Check out my at home glitter toes HERE

I know there are more ways to save in The Bathroom so please share! Stay tuned for Part 4- Saving $ in gift giving and the extras in life!

Staci's frugal & practical ways revealed Part 2- Laundry and cleaning items.

Laundry & cleaning items

1. I use coupons for dryer sheets and cut in half so they last twice as long. I tried to make my own dryer sheets and it was ok. I realized I needed to add two clean rags with the solution on it to work. I am not sold yet but will try it again. I also use dryer sheets for static hair on my girls. It's a problem here in Utah for sure!

2. I never use fabric softener. Two of my kids have mild eczema so it doesn't work for us. Or you can make your own if you have energy!

3. I use Fels Naptha laundry bar soap to scrub our dirty socks. It works great and a lot less than sale prices on Shout or Oxiclean. I save Oxiclean for harder stains like tomato. I posted about my sock scrubbing HERE.

4. I plan on trying to make my own laundry soap soon. It is much cheaper and it works (I hear)! I am going to use up what I have on hand and try this recipe in the next few months-stay tuned for my results. You know the family with 19 kids, The Duggars? They make their own laundry detergent and I would assume they have found success with it after that many kids. Go to the Duggar family site and use their laundry detergent and softener recipe.

7. I use more rags to clean not paper towels. I use microfiber cloths to dust (great for a flat screen TV's and computers). Plus there are less dusting products in the air. I bought them at Walmart. I use rags and wash them after I am done. I use paper towels sparingly. It's great for the environment too.

4. I use homemade vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle on floors and baseboards. I use this on my Pergo laminate "wood" floors, laminate bathroom floors, and baseboards. I use rags to wipe dry. Occasionally I put the cloth rags on a Swiffer mop instead of the store bought disposable pads.

3. When I choose to buy household cleaners and laundry items I stock up with coupons when they are rock bottom prices. I use www.grocerysmarts.com in Utah (there are great coupon websites & blogs out there these days) to help me watch for the sales with coupons. I really like the Windex brand. I also find it necessary to have Clorox wipes when potty training!

5. Make your own household cleaners. I bought spray bottles at Walmart and labeled them right away. I currently like buying the Windex brand but you can try a homemade glass cleaner. I refer often to the book The Queen of Clean book found HEREon Amazon.com for cleaning solution proportions (that's where I got my vinegar and water for my floors). She uses a lot of natural cleaning solutions and methods too. I really like this book.

Here's a few recipes to try from the Internet (which I haven't yet) general 409-like cleaner, or recipes for fruit and veggie cleaner and more, and this great non-toxic cleaning kit! And another great comprehensive homemade cleaners recipe list from Jolly Mom. I am not endorsing these recipes above I just found them for reference. I really like the Queen of Clean book it's cheap and a great reference.

Feel free to pipe in and comment on what works for you in the Laundry and cleaning department.

Stay tuned for my frugal and practical ways Part 3- The Bathroom

Staci's frugal & practical ways....revealed Part 1-The Kitchen

Staci's Kitchen frugal and practical ways!

1. Use cloth dish towels more often vs. paper towels. I only use paper towels to clean mirrors, trash cans, and cat throw up. I use them sparingly! I wash the towels often and use white vinegar in the washer to help with any smells occasionally. I buy the thick towels often at Target on the after the season sales (50-75% off). I find the least holiday looking ones and use all year round.

2. Wash and reuse plastic baggies. Do not reuse ones that were used for meat, eggs, and cheese. But for goldfish why not? Wash with dish soap and hot water and rinse. Place the slightly wet plastic baggie, still inside out and upside down so the water will drain off, up to a clean painted wall (doesn’t work on wallpaper or textured walls). The baggie will stick to the wall and dry. Or stand up right on a towel. Once it is dry fold, turn right side out, and put in a "used" box in the drawer.

3. Reuse aluminum foil. Use your best judgment on this tip but if a little food (spaghetti sauce for example) gets on it RINSE IT, let dry, fold and store for another time.

4. I use a cut up lemon (when on sale) to deodorize and clean my disposal. Shown here

5. I only burn candles that I got for dirt cheap or free with coupons. I don't pay for air fresheners or Scentsy products. But Scentsy gifts given to me are very welcome! :0) Look at my air freshener stash (I did give some away) that I got for free using coupons found Here

6. Sometimes I splurge happily for a worthwhile investment....I bought The Debbie Meyer Greenboxes and green bags from Home Shopping Network (my first time buying from HSN) to preserve the life of my fresh produce, breads, and cheese. THEY WORK WELL and with garden produce season coming it's WELL worth the investment of $50 including shipping!

7. I use powdered milk in some of my cooking and sometimes on my kid's cereal. We drink the good stuff and I am willing to pay for the good stuff! I often buy milk on clearance and freeze it in the deep freezer **NOTE: open up the milk and drink a bit and close it to leave room for expansion in the freezer** I recommended using it up in a month or so.

8. I regularly buy almost expired bread from a local bread outlet store or the grocery store. I come home and freeze it. I only buy 100% whole wheat with high fiber and NO High Fructose Corn Syrup. Someday I want to make whole wheat bread exclusively. For now I use my bread maker for dough (calzones, pizza, and sometimes french bread). I always have a goal to do more from scratch bread baking.

9. We grow a Garden on our 1/2 acre of land each year. I have lots of post on how we grow seeds in pots in our grow light system on the above link. It's almost time to start them indoors in Utah! We preserve, freeze, and can as much as possible. Last year we sold our excess at the local farmer's market and made some good fun money. Gardening and canning is something I have learned in the last 4 years. I am enjoying the challenge and risk gardening provides. I like knowing what's in MY soil, WHAT seeds WE are growing, and how the food is preserved!

10. We eat a lot of lean wild game meat. My husband is a big game hunter and loves it. We eat elk, mule deer (not my favorite), antelope (he eats that not me), moose, and once a buffalo. I try to cook with it as much as possible. We also eat chicken, beef, fish, and ground turkey. I have some of our family friendly Recipes if you are interested.

11. I try to have healthy snacks planned and set out for my kids on the counter and water cups available within their reach. In order to get them eat their dinner...no more snacks after 4:00-4:30 pm because dinner is at 5:20ish when my husband gets home.

12. I am trying to be a better menu planner weekly and it's going great. It is saving me so much money, stress time, and my husband and kids are interested in dinner and helping me cook. The husband can't help if he doesn't know the plan. I am not wasting as much food in the fridge either. You gotta eat why not make a plan? My husband doesn't mind leftovers for lunch. A great resource for my menu planning comes from Org Junkie- Menu-plan-monday I like her free menu planning sheets! Check it out.

13. Reuse plastic grocery sacks for your trash can liners in the house (and for dirty diapers in an empty wipes container). I don't buy Glad bags, etc.

14. I cut my coupon purchased Electrasol dishwasher tabs in half as shown Here. I do buy Jet dry which is expensive! I use a cup of white vinegar during a regular cycle (without dishes) every once in a while to clear out the system-My Sears repair man told me to do this. I have a water softner so I can cut them in half & use Jet Dry and they still are clean.

15. Add a little water to my liquid dish washing soap dispensers. About a 1/3 water and 2/3rds liquid dish washing soap. Shake and let the bubbles sit. I think it's just as effective.

16. I reuse glass Classico spaghetti jars for canning as shown here: Reuse glass jars for canning

17. I Make my own fancy birthday cakes. I enjoy doing this for each kids personality.

I know there are probably more things for my KITCHEN but that's a good start to share with you. Stay tuned for the laundry room next. Feel free to pipe in with your best tips. I love to learn!

**I am not paid by a company for saying any of this-I wish!**