Tipful Tuesday - Gardening in Limited Space

source - Passionate Homemaking

I do like to recycle and I love herbs and strawberries.  I also like to grow my own but didn't really have the proper place in my yard.  Although we do have 1 1/2 acres it is all a downward slope (which does make for awesome sledding in winter). J

As I was looking through my Vinegar, Duct Tape, Milk Jugs and More book I came across this little tip.....

To grow strawberries or other short-rooted plants when you don't have a lot of gardening space, create a vertical garden with an old downspout.  Fill the spout with soil, poke holes in it and plant your strawberries or herbs in the holes.  Attach the spout to a fence post to give the plants a good dose of sun. 

Alternatively, you can use an old gutter in a similar way.  Just fill it with dirt, insert the plants, and mount it horizontally along the top of the fence.  You'll have a conversation piece, a space saver, and a garden all in one.

Stephanie, from Under the Table and Dreaming has over 50 other ways to use recycled items for gardening here. 

source - Apartment Therapy

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Quote of the Week

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Fabulous Food Friday

I don't know about you; but I LOVE my crock pot; I actually have two and sometimes they are both in use. 

Apple Crunch Cobbler

(source)

Servings:  8

Ingredients:

• 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups granola cereal, divided
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 8 cups vanilla ice cream 

Directions:

• Place apples in a lightly greased 4-quart slow cooker.  Combine granola cereal and next eight ingredients in a medium bowl; sprinkle over apples.  Cover and cook on LOW setting 6 hours.
• Serve apples over vanilla ice cream.

Easy and YUMMY!!!!!!

Printable recipe can be found here.

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WOW-O-WOWZA Wednesday {8}

So it's Thursday....lately everything seems to run together and blogger didn't help me out by not posting my scheduled posts.  Oh well....

Let me tell you....you lovely ladies and gents are some VERY talented individuals.  I have gotten tons of inspiration and ideas from you all.  Thanks so much!!!!!  ♥♥♥  Now, if I just had the time to create from all your inspiration.

Enough about that....onto this weeks WOWZA's. J

I must be on another organizing spree this week.....LOL

 PRINTABLE coupon binder from The Krazy Coupon Lady

I love to use coupons and have most of my life; just never knew how to organize them or honestly that there were sooooo many.  J

Wonderful Recipe Binder from Prudent Baby

Stunning Household binder from Crafting and Creativity

Ideas for old windows from Funky Junk Interiors

Just in time for Mardi Gras.....Gumball Beaded Necklace from 1 Fine Cookie

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WOW-O-WOWZA Wednesday {7}

Since the scheduled post didn't post for me last week....I'll have two WOWZA posts this week. 

I know Valentine's Day is over and many of you are already on to St. Patty's Day; but I saw a few (well maybe more than a few J) more red ♥♥♥ projects that I wanted to share. 

Conversation Blocks from Brown Paper Packages 

Button Art Heart from Mama's Crafty Place 

you + me = aWEsome printable from Junk in my Trunk....aren't they just the cutest?  ♥♥♥

Absolutely adorable handmade valentines on the Fiskars Site with printable directions.

I just LOVE the monkey!!!!

FIN-tastic Valentine Card Printable from Everyday Mom Ideas

DIY Heart Mason Jars from Meaningful Mama

We Go Together Like.... from My Sister's Suitcase

and last but not least....DIY Tic-Tac-Toe from Tatertot's and Jello

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Tipful Tuesday - Journaling Strips

Using journaling strips on your page?  Ink around the edges of the journaling strips for emphasis. 



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Quote of the Week

'Best friends are like diamonds, precious and rare;
False friends are like leaves, found everywhere.'

~Anonymous

Fabulous Food Friday

Another Valentine's Day Treat...

Sweetheart Layer Bars

(source)

Yields 36 Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, divided
• 1 1/2 cups finely crushed unsalted thin pretzels or pretzel sticks
• 1 cup HERSHEY's Mini Kisses Milk Chocolates
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY's Cocoa
• 2 cups MOUNDS Sweetened Coconut Flakes, tinted*

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees
• Place 3/4 cup butter in 13x9x2-inch baking pan; place in oven just until butter melts.  Remove from oven.  Stir in crushed pretzels; press evenly into bottom of pan.  Sprinkle chocolates over pretzel layer.
• Place sweetened condensed milk, cocoa and remaining 1/4 cup butter in small microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until mixture is melted and smooth when stirred; carefully pour over pretzel layer in pan.  Top with coconut; press firmly down onto chocolate layer.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned around edges.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack.  Cut into heart-shaped pieces with cookie cutters or cut into bars.

*To tint coconut:  Place 1 teaspoon water and 1/2 teaspoon red food color in small bowl; stir in 2 cups coconut flakes.  With fork, toss until evenly coated. 


Printable recipe can be found here.

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Tipful Tuesday - Valentine's Day Layout

I hope these ten fun tips on creating a Valentine's Day Scrapbook page will inspire you.....

1.  Pick a fun page title
          for example..."I Love Dad" or "My Cute Valentine"

2.  Create a scrapbook page that is vintage styled
          using images from the Victorian era is one way to create a beautiful page

3.  Make a pocket page for your Valentine's Day layout
          this is an excellent way to allow your child to hang onto all those Valentine's received at school

4.  Us a small heart punch or a heart stamp
          create groups of hearts or stamp them at the edges of the mats around your photos

5.  Photograph your Valentine's Day gifts
          what a nice way to remember what you got for Valentine's Day; especially if you receive food; once it's gone it's gone.  ;)

6.  Use old photos on your layout
          look for photos of hugging, kissing, or something romantic from before....a then and now layout

7.  Decorate your page with old Valentine's Day Cards
          use the entire card or cut it up; use the artwork and the writing inside to give your page a unique look

8.  Use Valentine's gift wrapping paper as a background
          this is a good way to make your page come to life; if you're careful unwrapping you can use a good size piece or use just a small piece

9.  Journal about what Valentine's Day means to you
          then cut the journaling into a heart shape; or use copies of old love letters

10.  Use rubber stamps that have red roses or red hearts
          stamp around the edges of your photos, frames or mats; or stamp  a plain peice of paper and use for your background


I personally have never done a Valentine's Layout; I just might have to use some of these tips I found and try it.  If you try any of these tips, please share.  I'd love to see it. 
 
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Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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Quote of the Week

'The first man a girl falls in love with is her daddy.'

~Anonymous

Fabulous Food Friday's

Don't ya just love Ms. Betty Crocker.....

Valentine's Chex Mix

(source)

Prep Time:  10 minutes

Servings:  11 (1/2 cup each)

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 1/2 cup white vanilla baking chips
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/3 cupe powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup, white and pink candy coated chocolate candies
• 2 tablespoons red or pink jimmie sprinkles

Directions:

• Place cereal in medium bowl.  In small microwavable bowl, microwave vanilla chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High for one minute to one minute thirty seconds. stirring every thirty seconds, until melted and smooth.  Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
• Palce 1/2 of the cereal mixture in a one-gallon food-storage plastic bag.  Add powdered sugar.  Seal bag; shake until well coated.  Spread on waxed paper or foil; cool for about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir candies and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture.  Spread on wax paper or foil; coll about 15 minutes.
• In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures.  Store in airtight container. 

My daughter and I made this for her classmates....35 treat bags worth.  She doesn't stop with classmates though; she also gives to the neighbors; the bus driver and the kiddo's at her bus stop.  ♥ We attached this adorable little treat bag topper that I found at Daffodil Design.

(source)



Pink for girls....Blue for boys.....aren't they just sooooo stinkin' cute???? ☺  I absolutely LOVE THEM!!!! ♥♥♥

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