Cold frame

I built this box out of recycled pallets. The lid is a shower door I found on the side of the road on recycling day. I purchased the support wood for the frame and a box of nails for about $10. I also purchaed a nail puller from Harbor Freight for $4. I anticipate using that many times this year. I am starting seedlings outdoors this year. We shall see if it's worth the effort.

Hot Mits for Cast Iron

I felt it was time to give the kitchen the gift of new handle covers for the cast iron pans.

Breakfast burrito

This low-carb chicken burrito is a wonderful breakfast item. It contains boiled, shredded chicken, scrambled eggs, a non-hot tomato salsa, and avocados. It is packed with flavor and easy to digest. Less than 10 carbs for a burrito big enough to fill you up.

Bird Seed Cookies

3/4 C. Flour

1/2 C. Water

1 package Knox gelatin

3 TB. Corn syrup

4 C. Bird seed

Heat water, gelatin and corn syrup together over a low heat. No need to boil. Mix flour and seed together in a mixing bow, then slowly add the gelatin mixture. While cooling, put out parchment paper on our counter, and choose your favorite cookie cutters. Spray those cookie cutters with cooking spray. Next, fill the cutters with the gelatin mixture, pressing in the mixture tightly. Use a straw or toothpick to poke a hole through the ornament (for hanging). Then remove from cookie cutters and let dry for several hours. Once dry, you can attach ribbon or string and hang for the birds!

Comic Book Enthusiasm

Book page markers, decorative pins for your book bag, and refrigerator magnets.

Charger Cord Holder

Scrubbies

Material:
'K' hook
1 yard nylon netting

Pattern:
Cut Nylon Netting into 2" wide strips. Knot ends together to make one long continuous strip.

Rnd 1 (right side): Ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3(counts as dc), 11 dc in ring; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (12 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in same st as joining, 2 hdc in each st around; join with sl st in 2nd ch of beg ch-2. Fasten off.

Other Side: Rep Rnds 1-2 but do not fasten off.
Joining Circles: With wrong sides of each circle facing each other and working through both  thicknesses at the same time, sl st in each st around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Crayons

I finally finished this project!

Waffles

Delicious homemade waffles are only 10 minutes away.  I had a jar of apple sauce made this fall that I ran thru the blender to be ultra smooth.  Caitlyn seemed to enjoy it, but I prefer mine more chunky.  These waffles are a great way to use up the extras.

2 eggs (beaten until fluffy)
2 C. all purpose flour (but I suppose you could use something else)
1 3/4 C. milk
1/2 C. apple sauce
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
a dash of cinnamon for extra flavor
pinch of salt

Mix ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Batter should be smooth and runny like cake mix.  Spoon batter on top hot waffle iron.  Cook waffles until they stop releasing steam around edges and no longer stick to waffle iron.

Paper flower

I found a great tutorial on-line how to make paper flower ornaments. I've seen them made with oragami paper, pages of books, and newspaper. I used my Food Network magazines (yum!). It yielded some lovely colors.

More Gnome Cards

Paint Chip Poster

I read on Pintrest that you can use a photo frame and paint chips to make a calendar.  I got the wrong kind of frame (didn't realize it was blue silk screened, but at .99 I was only thinking oooooo!) and turned it into a room decoration.  It can still be used with a dry erase marker to leave notes.

Brown sugar

Brown sugar can be a bit problematic because, when left unattended, the moist sugar can quickly transform into a rock-like state. This happens because the sugar dries out and the molasses used to keep it brown hardens and sticks it together like glue. There are several ways to avoid this problem.

1. Use a terra cotta sugar disk ($5) (or a .25 unglazed plant saucer), which will gradually release moisture into the sugar.  I use two plant saucers.
2. A slice of bread
3. Marshmallows. 3 or 4 regular size or several minis.
4. Keep in an air tight container.

Shirt

Found this tutorial. I wanted a fun shirt for the summer.

Pork Fried Rice

Leftover Lamb

Cut lamb into bite size chunks, grill under broiler.  Serve on top of rice pilaf with a side of hummus, and a few pita pockets with oil and za'atar.

Door Swag

We got a lovely 4 ft Frasier Fir today. We needed to remove the bottom branches so it would fit in the tree holder. I used the discarded bows to make two door swags. Overlap several pine bows so they meet in the center. Use a zip tie to gather them together. Place a bow over the zip tie. Use a second tie to create a loop to hang your work of art.

Reusable Snack Container

Give Easter eggs a year-round use (and save on resealable bags) by filling them with snacks like crackers or Cheerios.

Cork Planters

Came across this great idea on line, cork planters.  They are miniature cactus inside recycled corks.  Slap a magnet on the back and arrange them on your refrigerator.  Another example here

Recycle

I don't remember where I found this. It has been in my to-do project folder for a little while. I figure this would be good for sand toys or something for the children.