Newest Crafting Project

I am currently working on a baby gift set consisting of handcrocheted beanies and washcloths at the moment.  I really want to make this darling crocheted blanket, but must wait for the time being.  I will post pictures as soon as my baby gift is done, as well as listing them on my Etsy.  Stay tuned......

Shark Navigator

I am in love with my new vacuum.  I finally just broke down and got a decently price one...not too cheap, but not extremely expensive.  I think it was close to $200.  I must say, it does an excellent job and is still working like new.  I have had it since February and I am still very pleased with it.  My last vacuum did a terrible job from day 1, but I just dealt with it until I was able to get a new one.  If this new Shark Navigator ever breaks, I will break down myself and just start crying.  It is bagless and the filters can be washed and air dried - no more buying filters for a while - and it is simple to clean out if the hose ever gets plugged or anything.  My children actually ask to vacuum the floor.  I have to keep telling them no because only I get to use the vacuum. (I really don't want it to break! Who knows what they will do to it.) So if you are in the market for a new vacuum, I would highly recommend this one. 
Cheaper is not better for sure!

Completely Unhealthy but Yummy!

Got discourage today with my donuts that did not work out at all.  But still in great need of a snack so I decided on something not very healthy, but my, it was good.
RICE CRISPIE ROLLUPS

Make a sheet of Rice Crispie Treats, making it only about 1 inch thick.  Let dry for a little while, enough to make it plyable, but not crisp.  Then take peanut butter and chocolate chips and melt together.  Spread on the Rice Crispie Treats and roll up carefully.  You may put what every else you would like on it before rolling it up.  I put Coconut on mine.  If you have extra chocolate sauce, spread it on the top and decorate how you like.  It was so delicious.
 I am still working the donuts, I will give it another try next week and hopefully adjust the recipe to turn out right!

Yummy way to brew coffee

A friend once shared this creative way to make home - brewed coffee a little more, well, creative.  I don't do this everyday, but when I just want some delicious coffee. 

Before brewing your coffee, sprinkle about 2 tsp of Ground Cinnamon on the grounds and a pinch of salt.

Fill your coffee maker with water and get everything ready to go.  Then take your coffee pot and fill just the inner circle with Grade A Maple Syrup.  If you pot does not have the little indented circle then I am approximating 2-3 Tbles of Maple Syrup.  Brew as usual, making sure the cycle is complete before serving.  Cream however you like and enjoy a different, but delicious start to your day.  

I use just half and half or heavy whipping cream when done this way as the maple syrup does sweeten it some.

Great way to cut back on  sugar if you are on a diet as well.

What are Dogs thinking?

Why do dogs chase cars?  There is a little tiny dog that lives down my street that runs out and tries to bite my tires.  Are they that dumb?  My tires are at least 3x bigger.  I just know one day that poor little pooch is going to get run over.  Hopefully I am not the one. 

Lemon-Butter Brussel Sprouts

Believe it or not, my 9 year old has been begging for brussel sprouts.  Apparently my sister in law made some really good ones for him a while back.  I finally decided to give in, it's healthy, what can in hurt.  Anyway, here is her recipe which is really good.

15-20 Brussel Sprouts, Steamed with the ends cut off and peeled to the nice part.
1 cube of butter, melted
1 fresh lemon, squeezed
salt and pepper
Mix the melted butter and lemon juice to make a sauce.

There are 2 different ways to serve this:
1. Serve the whole sprouts with the sauce to dip in.
2. Cut the sprouts in 1/2 and drizzle the sauce over them.  Sprinkle salt and pepper.

I like the 2nd way a lot better, the halves seems to soak up more of the sauce and had a better flavor.

I had to keep from picking in them, they were so good!

Another great product!

I have come across another great product to use in my daily life.  I finally decided to try Downy Pure Essentials -  Aloe and White Lilac.  I have been hesitant to try it, not knowing how it would effect my clothes etc.  I am picky with my fabric softener because what I get I have to use all the way up before buying more.  
I was very happy with the results.  They have such a fresh, clean scent.  My sheets smelled just wonderful!  Not to mention, my husband actually complimented on how nice everything smelled.  That means alot to me.  
So, if you, like myself have been holding back, go on and try it!

Next Great Project.

I have my next great project lined up for me.  I am going to attempt homemade, sugar free, sprout wheat donuts.  I love donuts and homemade are just delicious.  Now I have got to find the perfect recipe to revamp and make many batches until I get it just right.  This one will be a keeper in my box for sure, if I can get them to turn out right.  I will post recipe as soon as it is perfected. 

Yellow Cake Recipe

1 c. Butter
1 c. Agave
2 Eggs
3/4 c. Milk
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 3/4 c. Flour (All purpose or wheat)
1/4 c. Cornstarch
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
Preheat oven to 350*  Sift together dry ingredients.  Cream together butter and agave.  Beat in eggs, 1 at a time.  Stir in Vanilla.  Beat in flour mixure alternately with milk until smooth.  Bake 25-30 minutes.  Let cool completely before frosting.
This turned out quite moist and very delicious.  I topped it off with Sugar-free vanilla pudding and canned peaches.  Using sprouted wheat instead of regular will make this gluten free :)

Good News!  I have finally got everything figured our for my soap making hobby/business.  You can follow it Scented Scenes . Can't wait to see you there.

Only the Best of Etsy Sample Packages GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Only the Best of Etsy Sample Packages GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Try this yummy dip!

Spicy Bean Dip

1 Can       Pinto Beans
1 Can       Great Northern Beans
1 Can       Corn
1 Can       Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
1 Can       Diced Tomatoes
1 Pkg       Taco Seasoning


Mix everything together in a saucepan.  Heat on medium heat until hot. You could also do this in a crockpot with equally as good results. Serve with any kind of tortilla chips.


*You may replace the Feista Nacho Cheese Soup with regular for a milder flavor.  

Too Many Broken Crayons?

If crayons at your house are anything like they are at mine, chances are, you have a ton of little broken ones kicking around.  Instead of throwing them out and buying a new box, here is a good way to make them usable again.  Sort them all into same color piles, different shades and such is ok.  Grease the bottom of some muffin tins and put the piles into each of the cups.  Melt them on low until they are all melted.  Let cool and remove from pan.  You may need to wipe the grease off with a paper towel.  Now you have very unique crayons that your children will be overly excited to use.  You will have all the colors with different shades and maybe glitter in a round fun crayon.  If you want to throw in a variety of colors to make them rainbow that would be just as much fun I am sure.  

Healthy Caramel Recipe

2 c.         Evaporated Cane Juice
2 c.         Cream or Evaporated Milk
1 cube     Margarine (not butter)
3/4 c.      Agave
      Mix everything except 1 cup of milk or cream in your saucepan.  Bring to a boil and add the other cup of milk or cream.  Bring to a boil and boil until caramel colored.  Pour out into prepared pan and let cool for 3 hours.
* You can add nuts or anything else that sounds good.  I usually spray my dish and sprinkle nuts, etc., on the bottom, but you can sprinkle yours on the top.  The agave makes this a little softer than corn syrup. This starts out as a light tan color, it is done when it is thicker and a deep tan, almost brown.  (Because everyone has a different idea of caramel color, that is how I judged it to be the right color.)

I have decided that reading a small, fun story every morning helps me in my day.  I will post everyone story that I  find enjoyable here to share will all you.

 Unconditional Love
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco."Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring home with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

The Concert

I was sent this story this morning, and I am passing it on to you to read.


The Concert
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear,"Don't quit . . . keep playing." Then, leaning over , Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child,and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic," Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly note worthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music.  However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.  The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully.  You may hear the voice of the  Master, whispering in your ear," Don't quit . . . Keep playing."May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips  the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always!and remember," Don't quit . . . Keep playing."

My Handmade Soaps

The time is drawing near. I am getting much closer to making my own soaps, and hopefully soon, candles. I am researching an all natural, herbal hair shampoo. My hair has fallen out so bad this last year and I am afraid I will lose more if I don't do something about it right now. This too will become part of my soap line if it turns out well...if not, then it will stay at my home :)

I have just about got all the materials and whatnot needed to start my soaps. I am getting really excited about it, strange I know, but I get to make my own scents, colors, and all sorts. Not to mention any small amount of money I make selling will be helpful. I will be listing most, if not all my soaps on Creative Creations, not sure if I will do any on Etsy or not. If you have any good ideas on scents you would like to see, please I am open to any suggestions (email me at arvi5214@hotmail.com). Keep checking back, I will keep my blog updated. Can't wait to hear what scents you have in mind.

Adorable little girlie bobby socks

I just got my darling little girl socks finished up. They have a really cute and dainty crocheted edge. I will do custom orders, they are listed in both my shops. My little girls think they are the cutest things in the world, for now anyway.

Delicious Banana Nut Bread.

Healthy Banana Nut Bread

1/4 c. shortening

½ c. maple syrup or honey

2 eggs

1 3/4 c. flour (add more if needed)*

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 c. mashed ripe bananas (2 – 3 )

Nuts (optional, as much or little as you like)

Cream shortening and honey or maple, then add eggs. Combine all dry

ingredients and add alternately with mashed bananas to creamed mixture. Pour into 1

greased bread pan. Bake at 350* for 50 – 55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before

removing from pan.

*You can use fresh ground wheat or fresh ground sprouted wheat in place of the flour and it turns out just as good. A delicious snack you can feel good about eating.

Cute Newborn hats

I got some of my newborn baby caps finished and they turned out very cute. I had to hide them from my little girl who wants them for her dolls. They will be listed on my Etsy Shop and Creative Creations. Very excited about making some more. They are relatively easy and you can adjust and make additions. So many variations with one simple pattern. Figuring out the right pattern and stitches was the hard part, but that is done. Please check them out and let me know what you think.