Ant Killer Spray

Lately, I have noticed a big ant problem around our dog dishes lately. I have tried every home remedy I could think of to get rid of them. I refused to buy any ant poison because I don't want to spray that stuff when we have pets. 

I finally came up with a combination of three ingredients that I already had, and I bet you have too. They are common household items and when combined together they create a great ant spray that works wonders! 

INGREDIENTS ; 

- Hydrogen Peroxide 

- Mouth Wash 

- Dawn Dish Soap 

I mixed a tablespoon on each in a spray bottle and swirled it. Don't add any water. 

Generously spray the area and leave fore 10 - 15 minutes. 

Wipe the spray and ants up after letting it sit. 

I recommend washing your floor afterwards.

Ew.

This stuff worked so great! I am very pleased to say that since doing this 3 days ago we haven't had any more ants! Hip hip horray!

Homemade Mac & Cheese

Delicious, cheesy goodness! 

Ingredients ; 

- 3 cups of macaroni noodles 

- 4 tbl butter or margarine 

- 1/3 cup of milk 

- 2 large eggs 

- 2 cans of carnation milk 

- 2 - 3 cups of grated cheese 

- 1/4 tsp Garlic Salt

- 1/4 tsp Pepper 

Directions ; 

- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 3 cups uncooked pasta. Cook until al dante. 

- Drain pasta and return to pot. Add butter and toss to coat. 

- While pasta is cooking, whisk together eggs, milk, carnation milk, and seasonings. Also grate your cheese. 

- Grease a large casserole dish with cooking spray. 

- Add 1/3 of the cooked pasta to the bottom of your casserole dish. 

- Sprinkle cheese to cover pasta. 

- Add another layer of pasta, then cheese until pasta is gone. Should be about 3 layers. 

- I recommend adding more cheese on the top then within the layers.

- Evenly pour the liquid mixture over the macaroni

- Pop in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

- Wait 10 - 15 minutes for it to set before serving.

Liquid Mixture

Macaroni

Before Oven 

Finished Macaroni & Cheese

Rice Krispie Squares

Last week I had my little nephew over night. 

I always like to make something with him to keep him busy. 

What is a better or easier treat then rice krispie squares? 

We had just as much fun making them as we did snacking on them! 

Ingredients Needed ; 

~ 3 tablespoons butter 

~ 4 cups miniture marshmellows 

~ 6 cups rice cereal 

What Yo Do ; 

~ In a large pot melt the butter completely over medium heat

~ Add marshmellows and stir until they are all melted

~ Remove from heat 

~ Add cereal and stir until well combined 

~ Place mix in cake pan that has been buttered or sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking 

~ Use a spatula that has a little butter on it to press the treats down to make them even 

~ Let cool before cutting and snacking! 

~ Best if served same day :) 

Make Your Own All Purpose Cleaner

All You Need ; 

- Mason Jar 

- Orange Peels (2 oranges worth) 

- Vinegar (enough to fill jar)

- Spray Bottle 

What To Do ; 

- Place two oranges worth of peels into your mason jar 

- Pour enough vinegar into the jar to cover everything

- Make sure the peels are completely covered 

- screw on lid and leave at room temperature for two weeks 

- After two weeks, place a large bowl with a strainer over top

- Pour contents of jar into strainer to get rid of peels 

- Fill spray bottle with half orange mixture and half water 

- Use in place of your regular all purpose cleaner 

:)

Cork Board Lined Kitchen Cabinets

I've seen all over Pinterest lately how different people were putting cork board up in their kitchen cabinets. 

I thought this was such a great idea! 

You can put recipes, shopping lists, receipts, coupons, and basically anything on those boards and its conveniently in your cupboard and not scattered on your counters. 

I immediately wanted to do this project, but knew I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg. 

So I headed to my local dollar store to see what supplies I was able to purchase there before I looked anywhere else. 

Supplies ; 

Cork Boards (I found a 2 pack at the dollar store for $2.00) 

Mounting Tape (dollar store $1.00) (still lots left!)

I measure my cabinets before hand to make sure there wasn't going to be any cutting needed or that the cork boards would interfere with closing the doors.

I was lucky that no cutting was necessary! 

I placed 5 pieces of mounting tape on the back of the cork board.

In the four corners and one in the middle. 

I stuck them to the door and pressed hard to get them to stick. 

I recommend leaving them for at least 30 minutes so they have time to really stick to the door. 

All Finished! 

So Practical!

Upcoming Posts For February 2013

Recipes;

• Chicken Parmesan 
• Chili 
• Honey Sesame Chicken 
• Buffalo Chicken Wraps 
• Panzerottis 
• Creamy Garlic Pasta 
• Sweet Baby Rays Crock Pot Chicken 
• Beef and Broccoli 
• Quiche 
• Tortilla Pizzas

February 2013 Meal Plan ~ Sneak Peek

Here is a peek into our menu plan for February 2013!

Reminder ; the '*' means I plan on sharing the recipe with you! 

1. Grilled Cheese & Soup 
2. Shopping Day ~ Pick up something while out 
3. Chicken Parmesan with Pasta * 
4. Classic Chili * 
5. Pork Chops, Potatoes, + Vegetables 
6. Breakfast for Dinner
7. Honey Sesame Chicken ~ crock pot * 
8. Spaghetti & Bread 
9. My Birthday ~ Out for Dinner with the Family 
10. Buffalo Chicken Wraps * 
11. Panzerottis * 
12. Creamy Garlic Pasta *
13. Beef Soft Tacos 
14. Valentines Day ~ Not Sure of Our Plans Yet 
15. Sweet Baby Rays Crock Pot Chicken *
16. Pork Chops, Potatoes, & Vegetables 
17. Beef & Broccoli *
18. Quiche *
19. Quesadillas
20. Pasta Bake
21. 1 Pan Chicken Dinner 
22. Homemade Soup & Buns 
23. Hamburger Helper with Vegetable & Salad 
24. Balsamic Chicken * 
25. Sloppy Joes 
26. Pork Chops, Potatoes, & Vegetables 
27. Tortilla Pizzas *
28. Sandwiches & Soup 

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

I hadn't realized how long it has been since the last time I washed my brushes, so I thought I would share how I do it with you. 

Think about how much build up occurs on your brushes after continual use. 

The last photo will prove how gross it really becomes.

 Things You Need;

- Vinegar 

- Hot Water 

- Cold Water 

- Your Brushes 

- Towel for Drying 

1 cup of hot water to 1 tablespoon of vinegar 

Let your brushes soak for 10 - 20 minutes (maximum!) 

Take brushes from vinegar water and swirl in cup of hot water then cup of cold water. 

Pat dry on clean towel. 

Finished water. 

Ew. 

That is all I can say. 

Ew.

 

Easy Baked Pasta Recipe

Easy, delicious, & a menu staple at our house! 

This is a great meal for the leftover veges in your fridge. 

It is completely versatile and I don't think I ever use the same mixture of veges twice! 

- Pasta shape of your choice 

- can of pasta sauce 

- parmesan cheese 

- ground beef 

- block cheese (shredded) 

- Veges (I used a can of mushrooms and chopped bell pepper from my freezer) 

- Seasonings (salt and pepper, and a little parsley(optional))

Tip ~ to know how much pasta to cook, take your casserole dish and pour in pasta until you have enough. remember that pasta doubles in size when cooked! 

 

First, cook your pasta until done. Drain well and return to pot. 

Add jar of sauce, a couple tablespoons of parmesan cheese and a few pinches of dried parsley. 

Stir everything well. 

 

 

 

Brown your beef in a sauce pans with a tablespoon with oil. 

Once beef is finished cooking, add your vegetables and saute for a few minutes until they are soft.

Mix pasta mixture with beef and vegetables then transfer to a well greased casserole dish. 

Cover with cheese. 

* From here you can pop it right in the oven, or you can prep this early, cover it with foil and stick it in the fridge until ready to cook* 

Before Oven.

To Cook: 

Preheat oven to 400 degree. 

Cook for about 40 minutes with the last couple of minutes on a low broil. 

*reminder - every oven is different and I find mine is a little slow!*

Serve with salad and bread!

 Delicious! 

It makes a great lunch the next day with the leftovers ... if there are any!

Cream Cheese Filled Wontons

Things You Need; 

- Wonton Wrappers (I used the small ones) 

- Cream Cheese (I used original but I bet these would be super tasty with flavored) 

- Cookie Sheet

- Cooking Spray 

- Water 

- Sauce for Dipping (I used plum) 

Lay one of your wonton wrappers on a plate and put a glob of cream cheese in the center. 

Wet your finger and run it along the two edges that create the corner. 

Fold the wonton wrapper over and seal the edge. 

Place on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking oil. 

Repeat until you have your desired number of wontons. 

Once pan is full, give them a quick spray on top with oil. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes until edges and top turn brown. 

Serve with dipping sauce of your choice. 

Delicious!

Apple Crisp Crock Pot Recipe

Ingredients; 

• 4 medium size apples 
• 1/4 cup of white sugar 
• 2 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup of flour 
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup of quick oats 
• 1/2 cup of butter 

Directions ; 

Generously spray your crock pot with cooking spray. 

Wash, peel and thinly slice your apples.

Line the bottom of your crock pot with the apples. 

Sprinkle white sugar and cinnamon on top of apples. 

In a bowl mix together brown sugar, flour, and oats. Cut in butter. 

Pour mixture on top of apples and pack it down. 

Cook on high for 3 and a half hours. 

 Serve with vanilla ice cream. 

Delicious! 

Start of Cooking.

Sorry everyone, but there is no photo of the finished product!
We had my sister over that night and I completely forgot to snap a photo before we all dug in!
Next time I make it, which trust me won't be too far away, I will post a photo!

Air Deodorizer ~ Make it Yourself

What You Need; 

- Baking Soda 

- Old Jar 

- Essential Oils 

- Hammer And Nail 

~ Wash out jar and dry completely. I pulled the label off and added some decorative paper. I then nailed some holes in the lid of the jar. I put in 3/4 of a cup of baking soda and 10 to 15 drops of essential oil. I stirred it up and put the lid on. ~ 

~ Shake the jar every couple of days and add oil as needed ~ 

Recipe for Goulash

My all time favourite pasta recipe that my mom use to make us every year on the first day of school. 

 

Ingredients; 

• Box of Pasta of Your Choice (I usually use shells but I was all out) 
• Package of Ground Beef 
• Can of Mushrooms 
• 2 Can of Tomato Soup 

How to Make it;

First, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook to desired tenderness.
While pasta is cooking, brown your beef in a separate pan and seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Once the meat is cooked, add mushroom and cook for a few minutes until mushrooms are heated through.
Drain your cooked pasta and return it to the large pot.
Stir in beef and mushroom mixture.
Add to cans of tomato soup and NO water.
Stir well.
Cover with lid and let sit on low temperature.
The longer it sits, the better it tastes.

Enjoy! 

 

Make Your Own Cooking Spray

I don't know about you, but I feel like I go through a lot of cooking spray! 

Probably a bottle per month. 

That adds up a lot! 

Even if I purchase the store brand its still $3.00. 

3.00 x 12 months = $36.00 a year (approximate). 

That is just ridiculous. 

I decided to make my own cooking spray to save money, and cut down on waste. 

Oil of Your Choice 

Misting Spray Bottle (I got mine from the dollar store for $1.00) 

Label & Tape 

I wrote on the label and stuck it to the bottle. I then covered it with clear scotch tape so it would not rub off if something spilt on it. 

Recipe for Spray ; 

1 part oil of your choice (I used canola) 

5 parts water 

~ Put in bottle and shake well ~ 

~ Shake Before Use ~

Save money. 

Reduce waste. 

Know what's in your cooking spray exactly!