Let's Take A Walk

Since I've decided it is time to focus on fitness in my life, I had to find some kind of exercise that is doable for me.  I have a crazy busy work schedule and ministry commitments, so I don't really have the time to go to a gym and work out.

I briefly thought of jogging the track but ruled that out because of weather.  I wanted something that I could do consistently whether the temps outside were in the 90s or the teens, rain or shine.

I decided on exercising to the video, Walk Away the Pounds, by Leslie Sansone.

I enjoy WATP because whenever I'm ready to walk, Leslie and her group of walkers are right there, ready to go. I don't have to worry about the weather, all I need is about 5 square feet of floor space.

If you are wondering whether or not you really get a good workout, I can attest to the fact that I am dripping with sweat and my heart rate is definitely elevated when I am done.  

I started out with the one mile walk and now I am starting the four mile walk.  The upper body is challenged as well as the lower body.  We start off slow and as the music gradually increases, our pace increases.  We always do a cool down and a stretch when we are done.

Stretchy bands and weights are used in some of the walks to give you a little weight training.  May I say that doing a tricep kickback kicks my butt!

So, if you are like me and do not have the time to go to the gym, consider using the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs. You can find her products here. In-home walking works for me!

 

This post was written in response to Writer's Workshop prompt 1.) Your favorite kind of exercise.  You can read other responses at Kathy's blog, Mama's Losin' It.

I'm also linking this up at Works for Me Wednesday at Kristen's blog, We are THAT Family, because WATP really does work for me!

WFMW: Summer Recipes

This week's Works-for-Me-Wednesday is a themed edition about recipes for summer foods. I have already posted some recipes for foods that we love in summer, so here are the links:

• Cornbread Salad
• Pressure Cooker Green Bean Dinner
• Granny's Cucumbers
• Cherry Angel Food Dessert

I hope you enjoy these!

For more recipes, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family!

WFMW-Bounce those Bugs!

I drive a cream-colored car. One thing I really hate is to get a bunch of bugs smooshed on my front grill and side mirrors. That really bugs me!

I have taken my car to the car wash and paid for the premium wash, but the bugs were left untouched.

What to do ... what to do ...

My hubby said he heard that if you rub a Bounce fabric softener sheet over your car, it will take the bugs off. Yeah, right ...

Guess what? It works! Hubs washed my car for me and used the Bounce sheet and the bugs came right off. He said he didn't even have to rub that hard.

Works for me!

For other great ideas and tips, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

WFMW-Kitchen Essentials-Tableware

Today is the last installment of my Kitchen Essentials series. The point of having a kitchen well-stocked with good quality tools is to enable the homemaker to prepare nourishing meals for the family. Now let's talk about the presentation of that meal.

The family table is an important place to not only eat but fellowship with each other. Numerous studies suggest that eating together as a family helps children as they grow up. I really like a slogan that Leanne Ely, the Dinner Diva, uses, "You're feeding souls, not holes."

Keeping that in mind, I think it is important to set an attractive table when serving meals. I think you need the following:

1. Placemats - I like to have an assortment of placements. You can change the look of a table setting drastically with different placemats. Wal-Mart sells them cheap! Of course, you can find them at yard sales and thrift stores, but it may be difficult to find matching sets.

2. Dishes - If you're just setting up a kitchen, I recommend getting a good plain white set of dishes. You can vary the look by using different placemats and glassware. My favorite brand of dishes? Hands down, it's Corelle! They last forever and clean up well. My first set of Corelle looks as good as the day I got it - 33 years ago!

Now, I love dishes and I have several sets that I have collected over the years. Out of the 6 sets I currently own, four of them are Corelle. I have had stoneware sets before, but for day in and day out use, I just think they're too heavy. If you have your kids unload them out of the dishwasher for you, stoneware is too heavy for them to bang around. My Corelle holds up to what the kids can dish out!

3. Napkins - I do have paper napkins, but when I want my table to look nice, I like to use cloth. It's very green to have cloth napkins and you can make them out of all sorts of materials. Here is a post I wrote earlier about making them out of sheets.

4. Glassware - again, if you are just setting up a kitchen, get clear glasses that will go with everything. Later on, if you have room you can collect different sets to vary the look of your table.

5. Serving bowls and platters - The other day, my 22 year old said, "Mom, you're the only one I know that puts the meal in serving bowls. All my friends just leave the food in pots on the stove and have everyone go get their own food on their plate." I think serving the food on the table makes for a nice presentation, plus it requires manners for the children to learn to pass the bowls and to ask for what they need.

6. Candles! I have used candles for years to make my table look nice; however, I have been challenged recently to step up on my candle use. Here is a post by Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam explaining the importance of candles and the ambiance they create.

If you want the family mealtime to be memorable, then work on having a pleasing presentation. It will add so much to the wonderful food you slaved over to feed your loved ones.

Here are some examples of simple every day dinner settings. (I didn't include the accessories for when you are having a seven course meal!)

My first set of Corelle!

My favorite set of Corelle!

Here are examples using white plates:

Every day place setting.


Fall place setting.

Christmas place setting.


Winter place setting. (Set for my leftie)

A beautifully set table works for me!

For other great ideas, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family!

Works For Me Wednesday-Cheap Moisturizer

In honor of WFMW's Frugal Edition, I am reposting one of my earlier tips describing what may be one of the cheapest things I do! I've been thinking about it and I think this may cost me $3.90 for an entire year ...

Today's Work For Me Wednesday tip may be one you've heard before, but it's a frugal one that bears repeating.

After a shower, before drying off, I use baby oil. It's awesome! I just spread some on, towel off, and ooh-la-la, soft skin!

Seriously, baby oil is a cheap moisturizer -- I just use a store brand that costs $1.89 in my area -- and it lasts a long time. It also makes your tan look richer and seem to last longer. For a paleface like me, that's a bonus!

It works for me.

To learn more exciting tips, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

WFMW-Kitchen Essentials-Appliances

Here's part three of my Kitchen Essentials series. This is a review of items I think are essential for everyone's kitchen.


When I was first married, every gift-giving occasion, my husband bought me a small appliance for the kitchen. He did this for two reasons: 1) He loves to eat so getting me something to cook with made sense to him! 2) It was easier to pick out an appliance than to pick out jewelry or clothes.


Appliances are very important and I do like them. However, do not buy me a mixer for Valentine's Day! I'm just sayin'.


Of course, there are the large appliances every kitchen needs: a stove, refrigerator (hopefully with an icemaker and adequate freezer), microwave and dishwaher.


However, I'm talking today about the smaller appliances. Here's my list (in no particular order):

• Electric skillet - I have used several of these over the years. I've learned it's best to get one that has a glass lid. I've actually had the paint peel off lids before. I really use my skillets! I love electric skillets because you can keep the temperature constant. What do I cook in my electric skillet? Bacon, sausage, pancakes, french toast, brown meats in it for the crockpot, fried rice, pork chops, chicken - I could go on and on. I also think it is the best thing to use to make milk gravy. Yes, I do use a whisk when making milk gravy and the inside of the skillet gets beat up. So I do have to replace them every couple years, but I feel to have lump-free gravy maintained at just the right temperature is worth it!
• Crock pot - I love my crock pot! There are many many recipes out there for a crock pot. Assemble your ingredients in the morning, plug it in and go about your day. The house will smell yummy when you get home and all you have to do is set the table, and maybe make a salad. What's not to love? I personally believe in having different sizes for different jobs. Right now, I have three: a six quart oval, a five quart round that turns itself off, and a 1 quart. The one quart is so cute! My friend has an oval crock pot that has a divider so that two things can cook at once -- I foresee one in my future.
• Presto Kitchen Kettle - Let's face it, even though we know fried foods are not good for you, there are times we just want some. And if you are going to deep-fry something, a Presto Kitchen Kettle is the best! I've tried fry daddy's over the years but I just love the Kettle the best. You can wash it in the dishwasher! I'm on my second one, now. You can read all about it here. You can also use it as a slow cooker.
• Bread machine - Here again, I am on my second one. I actually wore a hole in the bread pan by using it so much. The two main things I make in my bread machine are crust for pizza and dough for homemade rolls. A lot of the time, I use my machine at least twice a week. My bread machines both have been the BreadMan brand because I like the size of the pan and the timer feature.

Of course, I have a toaster, blender, electric knife and coffee pot but the four appliances that I have highlighted are used all the time and I would really miss them if they quit working. In fact, no question about it, I would go right out that week and replace them. They work for me!

If you visit Kristen at We are THAT Family, you'll find a plethora (don't you just love that word?) of tips to make life easier. I'm all about that!

WFMW-Kitchen Essentials-Cookware

Today is part two of my Kitchen Essentials posts, where I share what I think are needed items in every kitchen. Part two's focus is cookware.



1. I recommed stainless steel pots and pans. When I was first married, I had a set of aluminum pans that were yellow on the outside. (My kitchen was orange and yellow - psychedelic!) Anyway, they were beat up and looking bad within a year. Next, I got a pretty teflon set that was white with little flowers on the outside. Again, they didn't last very long. Then I became an Amway dealer for about 4 years. In order to up my PV (points value), I scraped together enough money to buy a set of their waterless stainless steel cookware. It was one of the best things I ever did. I bought them over 25 years ago, and they still look great. They were heavy enough that they didn't get warped, even if I got busy and boiled one dry! And no matter how they got stained, a little elbow grease and a brillo pad helped them look like new again.



2. Cast iron skillets! Cast iron is not popular like it used to be, but I feel every kitchen needs at least one cast iron skillet. Once you get them seasoned and broke it, they are perfect for grilled cheese or to bake cornbread. I have two sizes, an 8" and a 9". The 9" skillet belonged to Jim's grandmother. I've had it for 33 years, no telling how long she had it before me. Some of the things I cook in my cast iron skillet:

• hamburgers
• sloppy joes
• tacos
• fried potatoes
• scrambled eggs
• eggs fried over easy with just a spray of a cooking oil like Pam
• ground chuck browned and ready for other recipes
• grilled cheese
• baked cornbread in the oven

3. The third useful item of cookware is my handy-dandy MicroMaster Microwave Pressure Cooker. You can see a description of it here. The main thing I use this item for is to cook potatoes for mashed potatoes. Peel your potatoes, slicing them into 4 wedges each, and put them in the cooker with enough water to cover. I then nuke them for 20 minutes. Perfect every time for mashing, I never have a pan boiled dry on the stove, and I don't have to check and see if they're done. I then drain the water off and mash them right in the cooker (it's plastic and it won't hurt the cooker). The beauty of doing this is that I can put the lid back on, close the vents, and the mashed potatoes stay nice and warm. I also use this to make potato soup. I've also barbecued chicken breasts in the cooker. For under $10, it's a steal!

4. Next, I feel everyone needs the small micro cooker from Pampered Chef, or something similar. You can see it here. It's awesome! You can melt butter in it, make a white sauce, one can of tomato soup fits perfectly in it, or you can cook a can of peas in it. Microwaving these items means you never burn it on the stove!

5. Last, but not least, I recommend a stainless steel roasting pan, again for the cleaning qualities; and if you buy a heavy one, it will last a long time.

These cookware items are what works for me!

If you would like to learn other great and amazing household tips, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

WFMW-Kitchen Essentials - Baking

I was 20 when I got married and established my own kitchen. At that point in life, I knew how to make 4 items: banana chiffon cake, hamburgers, homemade pizza using a crust mix, and Texas Rice Casserole -- and my hubby hated dishes with rice in them!

I had a lot to learn ...

Over the years, I have learned a lot about cooking and what is needed in a kitchen. I believe that just as a carpenter or mechanic requires good tools to do his job, so should a homemaker have the tools she needs.

Therefore, I have decided to compile a list of what every homemaker needs in her kitchen. (Perhaps someday my daughters will need this list!)

Today, we'll review what I think every kitchen needs for baking:

1. First and foremost, you need a baking stone - preferably more than one. A lot of the tools I have are Pampered Chef, but I must confess that I own three baking stones, two are Pampered Chef, the other is not. I totally love baking stones and use them several times a week. They're great for pizza, cookies, biscuits and anything you would like to have a crispy, browned crust. Eggrolls turn out great on a baking stone!


2. Wonder Cup! I think Pampered Chef has renamed it something else now, but it is a measuring cup that you can measure crisco or peanut butter in and then push it out in one clean swoop. If you bake much, you'll love the Wonder Cup.


3. Next, you need several sets of measuring cups and measuring spoons. For instance, when you make a cake, you use up several measuring cups making the batter. Later, you'll have to wash everything up when it's time to make the frosting if you don't have extra sets. You can purchase extra of these items at the Dollar Tree. I recommend getting stainless steel, though, because I had an unfortuante experience once of having my favorite 1/4 C measuring cup that was made of plastic fall during a dishwashing cycle onto the heating element.
4. A glass measuring cup with a spout for liquids, preferably microwavable. For years, I just used the same measuring cup for solids as liquids. Then I got a glass measuring cup and it made all the difference!
5. A good rubber spatula -- again I recommend Pampered Chef. You don't want a spatula that over time begins to crumble. Been there and done that. You need an assortment of sizes and don't forget to get one that is a flat on one side to scrape out jars. You want to get the last of that peanut butter!
6. A full size apron. This is a must, unless you can look like Kelly Ripa in the kitchen. (Do you believe those commercials that have her whipping through the house looking like a million bucks?) I need an apron that covers my whole torso because I tend to get flour everywhere. I happen to have black aprons so that stains don't show. I have 4 of them so I never have an excuse to have a clean apron.
7. A second set of beaters for your mixer. I admit I don't have this yet, but I am going to purchase this soon. A fully equipped kitchen is a work of art that continually is evolving to meet your needs. Since I bake a lot of cakes, I feel a second set of beaters is essential. Who wants to stop and wash beaters before you can make icing?
8. A scoop to make cookies with. I'm talking about a scoop that has a lever that pushes all the goodness out into a ball of cookie dough. I have the medium Pampered Chef scoop, but am going to purchase the large one, too.

Having the right tools to bless my family in the kitchen works for me! Come back next week when I'll share more Kitchen Essentials!
To learn other great household tips and recipes, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.
Note: Although I have talked a lot about Pampered Chef, and provided links to some of their products, I am NOT a dealer. I'm just a fan of some of their products!

WFMW-Hot Dog Roll-Ups

When I need a kid-pleasing kind of meal, and leftovers that warm up well in the microwave for lunches, I turn to my old stand-by, Hot Dog Roll-Ups.

Ingredients:

8 hot dogs of your choice (We love Oscar Mayer.)

1 can crescent rolls

2 slices American Cheese

Step One: I start with slightly frozen hot dogs and cut a slit in each dog. Do not go all the way through the hot dog.

Step Two: Next, I take each slice of cheese and cut it into four strips. I then fold each strip.

Step 3: Insert the cheese into each hot dog's opening.

Step 4: Open the can of crescent rolls and separate into triangles. Starting at the wide end of the triangle, roll each hot dog up in the crescent.

Last Step: Layer on baking stone and bake at 350° for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Some people call these pigs in a blanket. You can also substitue regular biscuits instead of the crescent rolls. You have to stretch each biscuit out and form around the hot dog. I usually do 16 hot dogs and double the recipe, because we like them warmed up so well, and it works for us!

To find other great household tips and recipes, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

WFMW-Bathroom Stone

My hubby and I are getting ready to re-do our bathroom. Our bathtub is old. I'm talking 50 years or more old. It was stained and embarrassing to have anyone look at it. We went and priced new tubs. The one I liked was $214; however, that is not the only cost. You have to figure hiring someone to take out the old tub and then installing the new tub. There's not a lot of space to take out the old one, so you might have to take out a wall. Costs might run to at least $1000, just for the tub.

I didn't want to spend that kind of money, yet I hate that tub!

One day, at Wal-Mart I saw a type of pumice stone for bathrooms. I remembered I had read on Flylady that pumice stones could get stains off toilets, so I thought why not try it on a bathtub?

I purchased the "Bathroom Stone" for $3.27. (See the picture below.) I brought it home and told my hubby about it. He was skeptical that it would work. We had tried everything over the years on that tub. Nothing budged those stains.

Later that night (hubby is a night owl), I heard the sounds of scrubbing. It went on for a long time. I smiled to myself because I knew it must be working or he wouldn't scrub that long.

I wish we would have taken before and after pictures. When I got up and went in to see my husband's handiwork, I was amazed! It looked pretty and white, just like new.

My $3.27 (and hubby's hard work scrubbing) saved us up to $1,211! That works for me!

Now, let me clarify a couple things. You do really have to scrub to get a stain out. It takes elbow grease! Also, you can't use this on fiberglass tubs, ours was a cast iron tub with a porcelain finish. But if you're thinking of replacing an old tub, give it a try. You might save yourself a bundle.

For more great ideas, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

WFMW: Greatest Tips Edition - Totebag Queen

This week's Works for Me Wednesday is a themed edition: we are to share our best tip that we have shared in the past. I pulled up all my WFMW posts and decided that my post about using totebags garnered the most attention. I truly do use this tip every day of my life!

Let me just say, "I love totebags!" A really cool totebag is so awesome. Maybe I love them so much is because I like to have my stuff with me wherever I go. As a former girl scout, I love to be prepared for anything.

However, the reason that I am Queen of the totebags is that I have learned to use them to be organized. If you are like me, you have more than one area of your life that you need to be organized. For example, I am a working mom with two jobs, a Sunday School teacher, and for the time being, a worship leader. I have totebags for each of these areas.

On Sundays, I obviously need the Sunday School totebag. I keep my notes for my lesson, my prayer list, notebook, pencil, and my "going to church" bible in this bag. [I don't take my study bibles to church because they are large print and so heavy. I have a cute pocket edition of the bible that I take to church and squint as I read.] This is also useful to take special items in. Did I promise to bring Sister Church Member a copy of my fabulous taco dip? I copy it and drop it into the Sunday School tote. Was I going to loan the Pastor a book? Drop it in the bag. When Sunday comes, I don't have to search for things, I just grab the bag and go.

I have totebags I carry for each job. For my main job that I go to every day, I also include some stationary, stamps, and greeting cards in that bag so that during lunch hours and breaks I can go about "encouraging others." I also put in bills that I need to pay, which takes away from the good feeling of encouraging others but keeps others from having to write me at the debtor's prison.

On Wednesdays, I take my work totebag and my worship leader totebag to work with me. On my lunch hour, I break out the worship leader bag and go through my songs for Wednesday night and get organized for the night. Then I leave the bag in my car so that as I rush home to fix dinner, clean up the kitchen and then jump in the car to drive 35 minutes to church my mind can be free of worrying that I forgot something.

When I used to go to Curves [long story] I had my workout totebag with, you guessed it, work out clothes and tennis shoes.

When I tan, about a month every year, there is a special totebag with my tanning lotion, goggles, etc.

I'm just sayin', every area of my life has a totebag. It works for me!

For more ideas, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family!

WFMW: Cheap Substitution

Today is the last WFMW at Shannon's. Next week, Kristen at We are THAT Family will be hosting.

I've got to tell you I feel slap-out of ideas. But, I have to post on Shannon's last day ... it's historical, after all!

Then it came to me. A perfect tip, because it is money-saving, and because it helps a mom out who has just started a recipe and then finds out she's out of an important ingredient. (Ask me if I know how that feels!)

Are you ready?

Here it is: always keep a can of evaporated milk in the pantry. If you run out of milk for a recipe, substitute evaporated milk for 1/2 of the recipe and use water for the rest. If the recipe calls for 2 C milk, use 1 C evaporated milk and 1 C water.

You say you already knew that? Ok, well ... think of it as a reminder!

Did you know that it works really well for milk gravy? The kind that you eat with biscuits?

You did? Ok. Well ... It works for me!

Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer to see if there are some ideas you haven't heard about. And, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Shannon for hosting WFMW, I've so enjoyed it and learned a lot. Best wishes in all your future endeavors.

WFMW: Easy Chicken and Rice

Today, I thought I'd share a quick and easy (and cheap) chicken and rice casserole recipe. The cheapest way to make this casserole would be to use cooked chicken and broth that you already have on hand. (I like to make up ahead ziplock bags containing 1 cup of chopped cooked chicken. I do this by cooking several chicken breasts in the crockpot sprinkled with poultry seasonging and adding some water and bouillion cubes. If I get ambitious I also add some onions, carrots and celery to make the broth more flavorful. I then freeze the broth in separate containers.)

If you don't have chicken on hand, you can always go get a rotisserie chicken and de-bone it, and a couple cans of ready-made broth.

Jerri's Easy Chicken and Rice

2 Tbsp Butter (I use real)

1 Box Chicken Flavored Rice and Vermicelli Mix

(similar to Rice-A-Roni - I just use store brand)

3 C HOT Broth

Melt butter in a large frying pan. Put rice mix in pan and saute until golden. Add spice packet and 3 C broth and stir. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in:

1 C chopped cooked chicken

Continue cooking on low for 10 additional minutes.

Stir in:

1 C thawed frozen peas

Turn off heat, put lid on skillet and steam for 5 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

I know this recipe uses a convenience food, but sometimes quick and easy works for me!

For other great ideas, tips and recipes, go visit Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer.

WFMW: Recycled Cloth Napkins

Works for Me Wednesday is one of the highlights of my week. (I am so nerdy that I love to read everyone's tips and recipes!) Last week, I read a post by Sarah from I Blame My Mother about cloth napkins. You can read about it here. Her post inspired me to write about my own cloth napkin tip.

If you have a set of sheets that you love but is now getting worn out, you can recycle them into napkins! I had a gorgeous set of sheets given to me as a wedding gift by a favorite aunt who has since passed away. I absolutely loved those sheets and used them constantly. Alas, after a couple decades of use (I'm not kidding) the center of the sheets wore out. We're talking holes, here. However, the sides of both sheets were still lovely. The tiny flowers had faded to a perfect color, a color that strangely enough matched my dishes. I had one of my rare light-bulb moments. Why not make napkins out of the good parts of the sheets to go with my dishes?

Now, when I set my table with my dishes (given to me by my parents) and use the napkins made from the sheets given me by my aunt, it makes me smile! It works for me!

Now, hurry on over to Shannon's blog at Rocks In My Dryer to get inspired by all the good ideas shared at Works for Me Wednesdays!

WFMW-Texas Cake

I thought I'd share another one of my favorite recipes. This recipe comes from a cookbook that the FHA from our local school came up with about 30 years ago. If you love chocolate, you'll love this cake!

Texas Cake

Heat the following and stir until smooth:

2 sticks butter

4 tbsp. cocoa

1 C. water

Bring the above ingedients to a boil and let cool slightly.

Sift together:

2 C flour

2 C sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Pour cocoa mixture into flour mixture and mix well.

Beat 2 eggs and add to the eggs 1 carton (8 oz.) sour cream. Add this to cocoa mixture.

Bake in sheet cake pan (15"X1") at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes

Icing:

1 stick butter

1/4 C cocoa

6 Tbsp. milk

Bring to a boil and let cool slightly. Add 1 box powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 cup nuts (Optional: I don't add the nuts.) Spread on cake while still warm.

I hope you enjoy this moist chocolatey taste of heaven! It works for me!

For more recipes, tips and ideas, visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

WFMW: Brownie Recipe

I'm fresh out of tips right now to share, so I thought I would share my "never fails to please" brownie recipe. Any time I've taken this to potlucks, someone always tells me they love them.

Jerri's Brownie Recipe

In large mixing bowl combine:

1 C vegetable oil

1 1/2 C sugar

Mix thoroughly, then add:

3 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

In a medium sized bowl, combine:

1 C flour

2/3 C cocoa

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Gradually add contents of medium bowl to large using a whisk.

Pour into greased 9X13 pan.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 20 mins. [Unless your stove is like mine, old, then cook for 25 mins. then check every 3 minutes until FINALLY it's done.]

This recipe always works for me! The brownies are moist and frosting is not needed.

Why not join Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more recipes and tips featured in her Works for Me Wednesday meme? I promise you'll enjoy it and learn something new!

Works For Me Wednesday - Easy Label Removal

Have you ever had an item that has a label on it that won't peel off? Ruins the look of the thing, right?

My husband discovered an easy way to remove it. Take your hair dryer, aim it on the label, and as you blow dry it, take some sort of scraper and slide it under the label. It will come off easily!

Works for us!

To learn other great ideas, visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday - Photo Books

I am all about the church! I love it, pray for it, and attend it regularly. I'm a great believer in attending every time the door is open, if at all possible. Well ... unless it's a men's ministry function ... I mean, there are limits.

When my children were little, this meant that they, too, were always at the church. Now, how could I keep my little ones occupied and fairly quiet while services were going on?

Photo books!

I bought three of those little photo albums that you get at the Dollar store or at Wal-mart. (I have three kids.) They were about 4X6. I filled them with photos of our family. This was back in the day before I had a digital camera. (Remember, I have stated before in this blog that I have rolls of film STILL not developed.) If I'd had a digital camera, I could have been much more creative.

Anyway ... the kids loved them. They'd sit right there in the pew and flip through those books for hours looking at pics of mommy, daddy, sissy, Aunt Cora, etc. If they got bored with theirs, they traded with sissy. I could insert new pictures from time to time and it became a whole new toy.

These books were small enough to tuck in the diaper bag. They lasted for years. In fact, I still have them. They're a little worn looking but still good.

Now that my kids are nearly grown, I'm looking forward to the day when I have grandchildren and I can make them photo books. I have a lot of ideas of ways to make them educational as well as fun.

Photo books. They worked for me.

For more great ideas, head over to Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday - Sparkly Dishes

It's already time for Works for Me Wednesday! Instead of my usual organizational tips, today I will share a frugal tip.

Vinegar.

It is awesome.

Now you may have heard this before, but just in case you haven't, vinegar is a great rinse-aid in the dishwasher! If you're like me and have hard water, adding vinegar to the rinse cycle will make your glasses sparkly!

I'm all about sparkly ...

Some people pour vinegar in the rinse-aid dispenser. I set a timer for 41 minutes -- I have carefully researched this -- and when the timer buzzes, I put 3/4 C of white vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher. Works for me!

For other awesome ideas, head over to Shannon's at Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday - Container lids

This week's Works for Me Wednesday is about kitchen organization.

My favorite tip about organizing my kitchen is that I always store the lids for my containers ON the container! I used to have my lids filed in a spare dish drainer that I had put up in my cabinet. Then I'd have to look all through my lids to find the one I wanted. It was always the last one I looked at.

I also used to have 47 lids but only 35 containers. Or something like that. Now, if I see there is not a container for that lid, I get rid of the container.

Since I have the lid on my container, I can pull out the container in one fell swoop (wasn't that poetic?) and be ready to go. Also, with lids on, my containers stack neatly on top of each other.

It just works for me!

For more ideas, visit Rocks in My Dryer.