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I've been spending more time researching plastics and options, probably too much time! I came across this blog over the weekend. I think Beth has some good ideas and info. One thing I was curious about was bread storage, well she had a post all about it. I was sure I was going to have to buy a breadbox for $35-50, (or more) and that still didn't take care of my freezing problem. After reading this post I realized that I just have to find a few popcorn tins. Of course, I'm not sure how easy this will be.... =) (She suggests looking at thrift stores!)
I was reading through the comments and came across this post on bread bags. I'm planning on trying this out too. I will keep you posted if I am able to try it.

*Thanks Sarah and Shannon for all your ideas! I know this is a journey and with all journeys you have to make some decisions. I think in the past few months I've already made a lot of strides in this journey, but still have a lot I can do! I love hearing what others do, because for me it helps me brainstorm. I personally feel like with stores...less is more. The more I can make the less I buy! Which I think is (normally) healthier too!

Craft Project

I saw THIS awesome idea earlier this week. I knew I wanted to do it. My only problem was the 4x6 size wouldn't work where I was going to use it at, it would've been too small. I thought about it for a while and decided to try this instead.

I was headed to Hobby Lobby so I just added a few more items to my list.

I got 4 painters canvas's for $10. You can often get them 50% off, I got them 30% off.

I then got this Mod Podge for $7. It's a huge bottle, that will last me a LONG time.

I then spray painted the canvas. (which I still have left from painting the furniture)


I then picked one of my favorite verses. I went into Adobe (photo editing) and typed it up.

I then printed it out.

I was going to just slap the whole paper on the canvas. Mark wasn't sure he liked that idea so we got a little creative.

You spread a thinnish layer of the Mod Podge on the dried painted canvas.


You then arrange your words, (or pictures if you do the original idea) and smooth out any bubbles. Let it dry.


Then hang it where ever you desire. Easy Peasy.....

Close up of the verse.

Repurposed......

I've wanted to buy a shelf for a corner in my kitchen for a few years. I had problems finding something I liked that was in my price range! I saw a shelf I wanted and was saving money to get it. This weekend I was checking out a blog and she was showing her sons loft. They had some furniture they had gotten for free and she fixed it up. Well I started thinking about what I had in my basement, that no longer served any purpose. I'm *thrilled* with the way this shelf turned out.
The first 2 pictures are what I started with!





Here it is in the process of being painted.

And here it is all finished. I have some other ideas of some inexpensive decorating techniques I want to try. I have to wait and see if my ideas will work or not! I have a basket that is dark wood that fits great on this shelf, so I'm hoping to be able to get several more for it. This should help it look nice and organized!

After doing the shelf, I had another brainstorm. I have a little old dresser in the basement. I could store all sorts of stuff in the drawers to help with organization! I talked to Mark about it, he gave me the go ahead. So last night I went down spray painted it and brought it upstairs into the "foyer".

I used black spray paint, make sure it's flat. (if this is the look you're going for) I sanded both pieces up a little bit and then sprayed them. It was as easy as that. Then I took the sand paper and sanded some of the edges to give the "worn" look. We bought 2 cans of spray paint for $8. (you could maybe get them cheaper at a Walmart type store) I LOVE the way these turned out, and I love that it was a frugal project. Do you have anything you could repurpose?

How I do Vanilla!

When I was first married I used imitation vanilla. I really had no clue what the difference was between that and REAL vanilla. Down the road I realized that it was better to use real vanilla,health wise and flavor wise.
A year ago for Christmas my sil got me some vanilla beans. It was not a concept I was familiar with. As I learned more about it I got pretty excited to use it. I had no idea you could buy your own vanilla beans and make your own vanilla.

Here's how to do it:

First you buy your beans. This is where I've been buying mine. I like that they are organic and I think the price is really good.


So, here they are. I believe these are Tahitian. (These are long.) I put one 10 pack of beans in a 750 ml bottle of vodka. This company has a few varieties to choose from. They have more info on their site about size and the difference between their beans.



Next buy your Alcohol. We use Vodka. The first directions I saw said you could use rum or bourbon too. I think both of those have more flavor than the vodka, since I want a truer vanilla flavor I stick w/ vodka.




Next you take your beans and cut them length wise. (I think you can tell by the picture below,what's happening.) Sometimes the ends are hard, if so we cut those off too.




Next step is to drop the cut beans into the bottle of vodka.



Ta-Da.....Your done!
It will take 4-6 weeks before you will use it, that way it's full strength.




Some helpful hints:
As you use your vanilla and your beans start to be exposed you can "top" off your bottle with more vodka. It will last quite a while. (I'm not sure exactly how long.) If you notice the color isn't darkening as much when topped off or the flavor is diminishing it may be time to get new beans.
You don't need high quality alcohol for this. I try to get the cheapest I can find. At CVS You can normally get a bottle for $8-$9. I have gotten a larger bottle at meijer for around the same price. I use a glass bottle for my vanilla, my vodka refill bottle is plastic. If your using real vanilla, this is the most cost effective I've come across.
What kind of vanilla do you use?

Project..

This is a tutorial for a prayer journal. You could make this into about anything: notes, journal, address book, grocery list, budget book, you get the idea!!!

First step is to get out all your crafting supplies and make a big mess!!! (i.e.- scrap booking materials, glue, scissors, embellishments)



Next get a notebook of some kind. (I wanted a spiral bound one, but you could use a mini composition one too) I'm using this for a prayer journal, so to make mine more usable I wanted a spiral one.

Next get some ribbon and tape it to the front and back covers. I used clear packing tape. I put mine in the middle of the book so I can easily tie it shut. You can see in the next 2 pictures the ribbon taped to both sides.

Next cut card stock to fit the covers. I covered the front and back and the front inside. You can see the cover at the edge by the spiral. (if that bothers you, you can coordinate your colors or use one of the composition type books) Glue them on however you like. (I had some scrap booking dots that I used and some craft glue.)


Now it's time for embellishing. I made a label and I also added a bible verse label. (eph. 6:18) You could dress it up with whatever you have, or however you want!

You're almost done! I almost left it like this, but was afraid the bible verse would get in the way.


So I decided to glue the verse on at the top. (the ribbon is also tied to the spiral) Now you're done!

Mine will be filled with my prayers. When I'm cooking or doing my dishes I'll open it up and be able to spend my chore time more beneficially. I thought this was a pretty frugal craft and very easy! It would make a great gift!

Rice Recipes

When I buy rice I get it with my mil at Sam's Club. We prefer the Jasmine rice. It has good flavor and it cooks well! We buy a 25# bag and split it up. (I figured up the cost of the rice and it's 15 cents per cup.)



This is our favorite recipe, we have this quite often.
Herbed Rice
1 cup rice (jasmine)
1 1/2 cups water
1 Tbl. Chicken bouillon
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 Tbl. garlic
2Tbl. butter
I mix everything together in a casserole dish, and put the butter on top. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees!

Just a word of advice or warning: I gave this recipe to my friend and she said it didn't turn out, like the rice was crunchy. I've had this happen a few times when it gets over baked waiting for Mark to come home. When I've used different rice (not jasmine) it hasn't turned out as well either. I also don't cover it when I bake it. It's an easy yummy rice. I hope this doesn't scare you from trying it!!!

Fried Rice
If you don't have leftover rice cook rice according to the directions (using chicken broth instead of water) (I try to use around a cup)
Saute in oil carrots, onion, and celery
Add egg and stir, add rice, meat of your choice, and 2 Tbl. soy sauce.
Enjoy!
Do you have any rice recipes your family loves????