Wordless Wednesday: $11.41

The Plank Challenge

**The month of August will have an extra weekly post on Tuesdays so that you can see how I'm doing with this new challenge.

It has been a long time since I've attempted a challenge, so when I was invited to join this one by my friend Kenny I had no choice but to say yes!

This is going to challenge me on several levels I think. After my second C-section, my abdominal strength was at level 0. In the past 4 years I have progressed to the point that I can sit from a laying position, and I no longer need to roll out of bed in order to stand. I know impressive, but don't get jealous yet.

Just this past winter I decided to see if planks would help. My first time I think I made it an impressive 10 seconds (Yes, I shook like water on a hot griddle the entire time). At that point I almost gave up. But I thought "hey if people can do this for 4 minutes I can surely make it to 1". After a week or so I got up to 1 minute, oh yeah, I am all that. I decided to incorporate it into my daily circle-time exercise at preschool. Nothing brings you back to reality faster than 4 year old kids lasting way longer than I could even think about.

I also have to learn how to upload videos and imbed them into posts. If you've been following me for long, you have noticed I have never posted a video. Since the challenge is a time thing, I can't really just say "yep I did it". You guys are going to have to see the time stamp so that I can't cheat. It also means you get to see me all red faced, shaking, and grunting in pain. So if you think your stomach is up to it.

Here is my baseline video:

 

 

So this is my first attempt at recording myself. I wasn't about to do a retake, so it is what it is. Can I just say "I really do have the 'Weber Nose', and when did I start sounding like I was in the movie Fargo?"

Almost Famous

I know I've said this before, but I really enjoy raising my kids in a small town. We get to share lots of neat experiences with them.

During a recent bike ride, the girls and I decided to stop by the depot to listen to a country music band. Yep, every Tuesday a band sets up on the flatbed train car that serves as the stage, and people bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show. The Mille Lacs County Historical Society opens the depot so the bathrooms are accessible. While waiting for my girls to emerge, I busied myself looking at the art on the wall.

Suddenly an image caught my eye. I enjoyed reading the history of our home's previous caretakers, and know that I get to continue its story on here.

DIY: Vanilla Extract

I've been wanting to do this for a while, and I knew I needed to get it done in the summer if I wanted it ready for Christmas Baking. Technically it takes a minimum of 8 weeks, but will continue to get stronger and more flavorful as it sits.

I started by ordering Vanilla Beans on Amazon. Since I used my Discover Rewards it was 'free'. I use free loosely as many finance people would debate that assertion.

Most online recipes recommend using vodka as your liquid medium, but suggest that you can try rum, brandy, etc for different flavors. Since I like to live on the edge I jumped in. I picked up a bottle of vodka and a bottle of rum. I also had a bottle of Cacique Guaro that friends brought back from Costa Rica.

Basic Recipe:

10 Vanilla Beans split lengthwise

1 Liter Vodka

 

 

 

 

I sliced the beans in half lengthwise to release the seeds for deeper saturation. Fresh beans are soft and pliable, mine where both and the smell was amazing!

 

I divided my vanilla stalks into 4 bottles making sure that they were completely covered in the liquid. They will mold and destroy the entire bottle if they are not completely submerged.

 

Store in a cool dark place, and shake every couple of days. After 1 week it is a nice caramel color that will continue to deepen as the flavor permeates. Check back in a few months and I will let you know which combination was the best flavor.

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Through the Eyes of My Kids

Garden Planning

A few years back we moved our fence back into the yard 8 feet. This left a great area for gardening. I've been slowly working on it since then. Most of the plants I transplanted from the neighbors and around the yard with varying degrees of success.

Since I didn't know what many of them were I was at a lost about how to care for them. All of them were over grown at their time of transplant so I cut them all way down, and waited to see what happened. 2 died, 2 are looking great, 2 are in need of pruning and 1 came back so ugly it had to go. The day lilies have grown so much they are ready to be split, which is great because a few others I want to remove.

Needs to be cut down every fall	Needs to be pruned	looking good, mild pruning
oddly shaped but back from the dead!	Pretty but in needs to move	looking great!

My head is starting to spin a little. How am I suppose to remember all this in the fall and spring after the foliage dies off and I have no idea what anything is?

To start I dug out the giant ugly one. (Sorry, got to him before I grabbed my camera, but trust me huge and weird looking) Unlike transplanting when you want the plant to live, it doesn't really matter what time of year it is to successfully kill a plant. Then I took out my tape measure so that I could set my thoughts to paper.

As you can see it is long and skinny.






The circles are colored to represent the flower colors. Black are ones to be permanently removed, arrows show where things will move, and yes that is a question mark, because I still don't know what will grow in that spot. (Luckily, I now know a few that wont.)

I like the idea of obscuring the fence with flowering bushes and having a variety of heights and colors that bloom throughout the season. I love hostas and will keep them as my low plant in the front, I can then add in a few short annuals in between for constant summer color.


I hope that someday I will have an indoor growing system so that I can start more seed and get lots more plants for my $$.

Something like this

Brown Sugar for Hot Cereal

On a recent trip to SD we stayed with my sister. For breakfast she had a special brown sugar blend for oatmeal that was yummy.

We like oatmeal in this house, but instead of prepackaged servings we make our own. 1/2 cup of quick oats and your favorite toppings is all you need.

We like blueberries, strawberries, raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, walnuts, pecans, and brown sugar. Now that I've been introduced to this souped up recipe for brown sugar, we'll be using that! Simply mix it up and store in an airtight container.

Brown Sugar for Hot Cereal
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Combine all ingredients well, I used a fork to stir out any clumps. Store in airtight container. Use 1 spoonful per serving.

DIY: Instant Oatmeal
Zip top Sandwich bag
1/3 Cup of Quick Cook oats
1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar Mix
1 Tablespoon of your favorite dried fruit

Above measures will make a single serving, make up as many as you want and have them in the pantry ready to go. Just add water and microwave on high 90 seconds.

Wordless Wednesday: Throwback

6 of One, Half Dozen of the Other

Cute Boy

When I was 19, a cute boy asked me to go see a movie at the drive-in. 19 years later we took our little girls to the same drive-in to celebrate our half-life together. Yes I know it's cheesy, but we never celebrated the 1 week, 1 month, 1 year thing that lots of couples do.

We got there early so that I could take some pictures and we could get settled before the movie started.

 

What a great night. The ticket taker/greeter was super friendly, he had seen me taking pictures and apologized for the broken neon! He then told us about the evening's activities before the movie and pointed out the window washer.

 

After finding our spot we got right down to playing Mini-golf.

 

Once the retro pre-show cartoons started to play, I headed to the concession stand for some snacks.

 

The snack shack was hopping, but I still got to visit for a few minutes with the owner who was busy making popcorn. My Vet figured out how to override the daytime running lights on the Honda and we settled in for a cute movie. (It had been a long day, so we didn't stay for the second feature. So I don't know if that one was cute or not.)

 

If you are heading to the Black Hills, or find yourself in SD for any other reason this summer, plan to spend the night in Mitchell. This is something your kids will remember doing for years to come. I still remember seeing "Jewel of the Nile", and "Savannah Smiles" there as a kid.

A lot has changed for me and My Vet in the past 19 years, but a lot has stayed the same.

Motorcycles have made way for a family friendly convertible. Green screen DOS prompt email while attending college in different states, has become Words With Friends on our smartphones as we sit in the living room. Waiting tables for tips, has become waiting tables for an "I love you mom".

We have done some pretty neat things over the years, visited some cool locations, and met some amazing people. That cute boy became a doctor, a dad, and a (retired) mayor.

We've hit bumps along the way like any other couple, but our blessings have far exceeded our stumbles. I am grateful for the legacy of prayer that both of our parents instilled in us. I know that long before we even met, his parents where praying for me, and mine him.

Like you, I don't know what the future has in store for us. I am just happy to have my helpmate for the journey.

**This post is not sponsored, we just really enjoyed ourselves, and I thought you might too.

**UPDATE**
This will be the last season for the Starlite, so be sure to get there this summer.

DIY: Brownie Mix Recipe

 

We love brownies at our house. Since we are avid couponers I am usually able to pick up mixes for well under $.50. But we had an emergency. We used up the last box on Sunday, and they are not on sale anywhere this week!! I had to take matters into my own hands.

I logged onto Pinterest and found this recipe to try. The best part was that I already had all the ingredients on hand to make up several batches. Yep I averted a crisis and even got in some 'freezer' cooking! I did change up the original instructions for optimal texture.

Brownie Mix
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar

Mix ingredients together and place in a jar or container. I used cute flip top jars from Ikea, I've also seen them at World Market.


When you are ready to make brownies add
1 cup melted butter
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir for no more than 50 strokes. Over mixing will make its consistency more cake like and less brownie like. Pour into an Ungreased 9×13 pan. Spread batter evenly and bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Shutterfly: Free Guest Book only pay shipping

Any Brides to be out there? Here is a fun, free way to make a custom Guest Book! Shutterfly is offering this until August 4th, you only pay shipping.

What a neat idea! I wonder if you could use it as a Graduation Guest book, or milestone birthday, anniversary etc as well?

Wordless Wednesday: Up and At'em

 

Rubbed the Right Way

I have lots of little updates happening around the house. I've heard that brass is starting to make a comeback. Since I am no slave to fashion, I am still embracing the Oil Rubbed Bronze movement. Today I was blessed with some mild weather and a little bit of time, so I decided to see what I could get done before My Vet got home.

First I grabbed a screwdriver and started to remove some hardware. Then I remembered I wanted to share it with you and stopped so I could grab a before photo.

I removed grime and old paint from the hardware with some fingernail polish remover, There are probably lots of things that would work. We did pedicures over the weekend so I had it handy.

I finished removing the hardware and found an old piece of foam to anchor my pieces I wanted to paint. Since knobs tend to take a beating, I made sure to prime.

Using a good quality paint, I lightly sprayed several coats of paint. Since they were really light, they dried quickly and I was quickly able to do more coats. The light coats also insured no paint drips.

I then grabbed the ORB and did several more light coats, making sure to get around any moving parts and getting all angles.

After letting it sit for a bit to dry in the shade, I reinstalled and walla!

I liked the results so much I decided to make over all the old mismatched knobs in the house. They look great, but now the hinges look dingy...

Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana?

Lame knock-knock joke aside, I have been wanting to change my red door and have gone back and forth between banana or orange?


Old Picture of the red door.

I like the touches of yellow, but I know My Vet isn't a huge fan of the pastel blue or the yellow, So I decided Blaze Orange in honor of his love of hunting would be my inspiration.

 

I like how it ties in so well. This is becoming my favorite room in the house! Have you been doing any painting lately?

 

I know removing the screen would make it pop, but WAY to many bugs to do that!

 

 

 

I also updated the hardware with some paint!

 

View some other great ideas over at “Inspire Me Please” Weekend Blog Hop #18  hosted by  Love of family and home/

 

Wordless Wednesday: Getting Ready!

Giveaway in Honor of My Mom's Birthday!

 

My mom and sisters came to town for a girls weekend. We had a blast celebrating Mom's 70th Birthday. In addition to Chanhassen Dinner Theater and shopping at the Mall of America we ate at lots of great restaurants including P.F. Chang's. Being sister's we all shared our entrees', I honestly couldn't pick which was my favorite, they were all that good.

As first time visitors, the generous manager at PF Chang's gave us a couple of free $10 gift cards. I have often thought about trying them, but have never gotten around to it. So I thought I would share my card with you, so that you can get there too!

Fine Print...The contest runs from now until July 10th. Rafflecopter will randomly choose a winner. I believe that the card can only be used domestically, so please only enter if you live in the US. the winner has 24 hours after I contact them to respond with mailing information, after that time a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This is not a sponsored giveaway. I just wanted to share with my friends.

Rhubarb Fizz Recipe

I love perennial plants. I like to be able to invest once and enjoy year after year. Living in Minnesota, few of my favorite plants are able to survive the winters, and even fewer thrive with bitterly cold winters.

One of my favorite plants came from Siberia and is abundant in yards all around MN, Rhubarb. Thanks to my Aunt Jennifer, who is a part of the Annual Rhubarb Festival in Lanesboro, MN, I have an awesome book full of Rhubarb facts and recipes. That revelation came to mind after seeking and finding a recipe on the internet, but more about that later. Just because I put recipe in the title you didn't really think you would get out of the back story did you?

During a recent dinner with friends, we had an awesome Rhubarb Custard Pie that stirred discussion of rhubarb treats we've had. They mentioned a Rhubarb Slush that was served to them by the wife of an older gentleman they had met. That was years ago, and they had never run across it again, My Vet who has eaten rhubarb all his life had never heard of it, I decided I was going to figure it out. As usual my first instinct was to Google it and found this recipe. I modified it slightly so make it more rhubarby. Here is what I did.

Rhubarb Fizz

8 Cups diced Rhubarb (Fresh or Frozen)
2 Cups of Water
2/3 Cup of Sugar
2 Cups of Apple Juice (next time I would only use 1)
1 16oz can of Pink Lemonade Frozen Concentrate thawed
2 Liter bottle of Lemon Lime Soda

In a sauce pan bring rhubarb, water, and sugar to a boil. Simmer 5 Minutes until rhubarb is breaking down. Cool for 30 minutes. Use a blender to puree the mixture half at a time. Pour into a freezer safe container, mix in apple juice and lemonade concentrate. Mix and Freeze. Mine was solid enough around the edges to use the next day, and continued to harden for another 24 hours.

Serve by scooping 1/3 cup into a glass and topping off with a cup of Soda. Stir and serve

It was good, but a bit lemony and less rhubarby. After trying it I remembered The Divine Rhubarb Committee's cookbook we had. They have a similar recipe that eliminates the Apple Juice and the Concentrate, while increasing the sugar and using straight up lemon juice, and a secret ingredient you'll need to check their book for. I think I will try that one later in the summer as it was a ribbon winning recipe.