Spring Cleaning, It's Getting To Be That Time Again

                                                           It's getting to be that time of the year, When the tree's starting blooming and the birds are singing. But your home has been sleeping  through the winter months just like a bear in a cave. Well ladies it's time to wake up and bring life back to it. Yes! that means SPRING CLEANING time...

First make a to do list, List items that need to be done by Rooms, (Kitchen, Livingroom,etc....)

I am listing all the things you will need to help you with your Cleaning:

Cleaning Products to have on hand:
All purpose Cleaner ( Recipe is listed on my blog)
Floor cleaner
Bathroom Cleaner( Recipe is listed on my blog)
Furniture Polish
Cleaning Pads
Scouring powders( Baking soda & Salt mix together works great)
Window Cleaner( Recipe is on my Blog)
Dishwashing Soap
Rug or Carpet Cleaner
Upholstery Cleaner
Bleach
Vinegar
ammonia
Baking Soda
Home Made Febreeze / store brand


Cleaning Tools to have on hand:
Rubber gloves
Vacuum Cleaner with attachments
Dust Cloth
Feather duster/ or swiffer duster
Paper towels
Bucket
Rags
Broom & dust pan
Mop
Floor polisher 0r shampoo carpet cleaner
Storage Containers for winter items

One thing to remember do not wear yourself out, This is a task that should be for the whole family.
Of course you leave alone or if your husband is away like mine, Your pretty much on your own. So start with your to do list and pace yourself it is not something that has to be done in one day. I usually pick a weekend to do everything. I always do my everyday cleaning first so I don't have to worry about it when I'm spring cleaning.
Here's my spring cleaning list

Kitchen
1. wipe out cabinets
2. put new paper down for shelf liners
3. clean cabinet doors
4. Clean fridge Shelves & disinfect Ref.
5. Go thru the Junk drawers
6. Clean oven
7. Bleach sinks and drains
8. sweep floors ( behind stove and Ref.
9. Mop & shine floors
10. disinfect counters, table, and chairs.
11. Clean and disinfect all small appliances
12. Clean Windows
13. wipe down walls

Living Room:
1. Remove slip covers and wash
2. vacuum furiture
3. Dust & wipe down everything ( photo frames, whatknots, etc.)
4. Vacuum Carpet / sweep carpet to loosen dirt
5. Shampoo Carpet
6. Clean Windows
7. wipe down walls
8. organize items
9. wash curtains/ blinds

Bedrooms 1 & 2:
1. Flip mattresses
2. Clean mattresses with shampoo cleaner
3. spray with disinfect
4. Clean Closets ( put away winter clothes, give away item you don't need)
5. organize closet
6. Clean & disinfect pillows
7. Clean carpet
8. vacuum floors
9. place new dryer sheets in drawers
10. put fresh sheets on bed & comforter ( I do this once a week anyway.)
11. wipe down walls

Bathroom:
1. Clean & disinfect ( tub, sink, toliet,etc)
2. wash rugs
3. disinfect counter tops
4. sweep & mop floor
5. wipe down walls

Laundry Room:
1. Clean & disinfect Floors
2. Clean & disinfect Litter box
3. wipe and disinfect inside of Dryer
4. Clean out lint filter with brush
5. Clean & disinfect washer ( 1 cup bleach run thru cycle, then repeat with vinegar)
6. Clean & dust Shelves
7. Clean out Deep freezer
8. wipe down wals

Misc:
1. Clean & disinfect all trash cans
2. clean & disinfect all candy dishes or other containers
3. wipe down all base boards & molding
4. Clean TV screens
5. Wash all blinds
6. Clean off Carport
7. Get pots ready for spring planting( Clean all my pots and disinfect let air dry)

Man I have alot to do. I hope this list helps you. Happy Spring Cleaning Everyone!!!!!

Household recipes that are a blast!!

I purchased a book called " Homemade products with Brand Name Quality"written by Charlotte Carollo . This book is awesome to have it contents recipes, household cleaning product , homemade soaps and much more. If you have a chance to pick it up I say go for it! Here are some of the recipes that are in this amazing book

Dishwasher Detergent
You won't have to pay such high prices for those tablets. This works so much better....

2tbsp. Baking soda
2tbsp Borax
Mix the ingredients together and place in the dishwasher.

Stain Remover

1qt. water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tbsp. Laundry detergent with no bleach ( I use my homemade soap)
1/4 cup household ammonia

In a well ventilated room, mix the first 3 ingredients together. Then slowly add ammonia. ( so there is no foam affect). Store in a spray bottle. Spot treat stains, working in with a clean cloth. Spray again and soak over night.

Disinfecting Cleaners
Makes a great disinfectant especially for toilets and showers.

1 cup rubbing alcohol
1 cup ammonia
1 spray bottle

Mix together , can be sprayed on any surface. ( you can also add 10 to 15 drops of essential oils to really make it smell good.)

Microwave Cleaner

1 cup water
1 tsp. liquid wash soap
1 tsp. vinegar

Place all ingredients in a microwave dish. Set temperature on high for two minutes so water will reach boiling point. Let stand for 2 minutes so steam will loosen food splatter. wipe away with damp cloth.

Scouring powder

 1/4 cup Borax
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup of Table Salt

Blend all ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.

Busy Days and Nights

I've been so busy that even at night when I'm trying to sleep my mind is still going. I need Rest!. But I'll rest when I'm Dead...
I've been so busy with my house projects, my business and Crafts. That I don't have time for anything else.
I rearranged my living room. You will see in the photo's I love the lived in look. I don't want anything in my house that I'm to scared to sit on and I love to old look anything primitive or country. John and I both have alot of things that belong to family that have passed on and this is away for us to keep their memories alive.
Here is some of what I've done so far.

.

Scrapbooking I JUST LOVE IT!

As you know their thousands of us Scrapbooker's out there. We all love when a scrapbook page turn into something memoriable. The only thing I dislike about it is they go into a book and half the time I forget about them. So I did to scrapbook project and I am displaying them in my living room.
Here are the two projects I did Just last night.

This one is from photos that John took in Afghanstian. The other things is stuff he brought home on R&R

The photo were taken in January when John was home on R&R.. I used scrapbook paper, and stickers.

Cute little project I enjoyed



I got this plain little bookcase at fred's for 16.99
and the baskets are from Dollor General, They were on clearence,  Lg. Reg$8.00 I got it for $4.00 , Med. Reg $7.00
I got it for $3.00, Small Reg.$5.00 I got it for $2.50, Ex-small Reg$3.00 I got it for $1.25 .
Total: $26.74. Please excuse this photo my cat knock a cardle off and it hit the wall like 5 seconds earlier.



I already had what i needed for everything else. All you need for your label is scrapbook paper,
paint pen, Chalk board paper or any color of paper you would like and ribbonand craft paint
first I painted around the edges of the stand, just to give it a little color. Second, I cut out my pieces of chalkboard paper,
or other paper. then I use spray adhesive to stick the tags to the cloth, last step write what you like on them and paste with a small bow on the side.....

Somethings I've been Doing in my Home

I have been very busy reorganizing things in my home, also I've updating my home decor. I have been so busy I have gotten to eat "what I was thinking I really don't know" the job is bigger then I thought it would be. The first thing I started with was my photo frames



Here want the frames  look like before:

The before photo



I wanted to do something different, So I took Country tan Craft paint and Creamed color white Craft paint
I first painted the tan on them , then took a Hair dryer and dried the paint,
I then took the cream paint and lightly passed strokes all over them. Repeat the step with the hair dryer. Get the paint really warm and you will SO it start to crack. This will give it the aged look.

The finished project

It didn't take long thanks to my trusty Hair Dryer. Woo Ho!!!

Chart Projects

Here are some cute charts you can do yourself.
All you need is scrapbook paper, scrapbook stickers
Markers, and laminating sheets/ or photo frame and
Dry erase marker.

Ex. 1, my to do list

Ex.2, Weekly menu,

Ex.3, to do list, in photo frame

MY TO DO LIST PROJECT

This is the second project I did yesterday, It was alot of fun,
Home made TO DO LIST.

Take any size box and cut the size you like. I used a box because it's thicker for the use pins and thumb tacks

I used fabric I already had and used spray glue to paste it to the card board
then added a piece of scrapbook paper 8x11. Then I cut a piece of Chalkboard paper smaller so the border would show. I had some cream colored ribbon that i cut and glue around the chalk board

Then I stenciled out the pattern I wanted for my sign. I used a gel fine tip pen.
on scrapbook paper with card board behind it to make it stand out.

Then I took ribbon and made a bow and glue it to my board then tied it around my chalk.
This project only took about 30 minutes
cost: $0.00 ( I had everything I needed.)

Busy day project Check it out.



I've been very busy the last few days working on 3 projects. I'm listing photos of one of them and directions on the process. I really liked how it turned out I hope you do to.

This is a book case my dad built , it was in their shed for along time
The weather had age it and I told dad that I wanted it.
It set out on my car port for 3 months and today I decided it was time to do some
with it. I brought inside and cleaned it the best I could.

Supplies need : Brown Craft paint $.54 , White Gloss Enamel paint $5.00, Roller , Brush
paint pan and gloves ( kit) $4.00 , Book case Free, Total price $9.54.
What a deal for home decor/ storage

I took my brown craft paint and put 7 teaspoons full in the enamel paint.
Do not stir to much because you want some of the brown to show went your painting it ,
this will give it and old weathered look.

Once I was done painting you can see the Brown streaks in the paint
that gives it the aged look I wanted .

This is my finished project.

These are some plastic plain  canisters I use for my Flour , sugar ,tea, etc.

I took tea stained gift tags I had and used my print to do simple labels for them.

They were really fun to do.

I got these baskets at Dollar General price for a large size was $4.00, Medium $3.00 and Small was $2.00
Total cost $14.00. It was a great deal compared to other stores. Then I hand stenciled my labels
Also I used a simple Black gel pen to outline them.

I added some collectibles I had already
The coffees pots belong to my husband Aunt Nellie. And
the bottles I picked up at an Antique store,


The total cost of this project was $23.54.
It's a great and cheap way to dress up old home decor. This piece has now become not
just a bookcase but a useful piece in my kitchen. 



Going in different Directions

Pie Cabinet I restored it is over 100 yrs old.
Sanded and patched the wood. replaced
screen and shelves. This is one of favorite pieces.
An one of favorite projects

I have decided I'm taking this blog to the next level, I am starting my own home based business and I will be posting alot of resources of where I'll be selling items. I will also be listing crafts on here that you can purchase from me real soon I'm just getting started so please be patient with me. If anyone has some ideas for my business please let me know all comments will be answered. This is want I enjoy doing and I feel I have a real knack for it .
I will also be posting photos tomorrow of my latest projects, I love them and I know you will to.
I'm going to be adding Crafts, Organizing , more ways to save, Restoring Furniture, and much much more. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my blog without you this would not be possible.

Yummy Recipes.....

APPLE BROWN BETTY

4 cups bread crumbs                           4- 5 cups baking apples   ( granny Smith)
                                                                      Peeled, Cored, and sliced
1 cup brown sugar                                1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt                                              3 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup water                                          4 tbsp. butter

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 11x9 baking dish, ( or a 9" pie pan will work also)
3. Sprinkle approximately 1/3 of the bread crumb over the bottom of the pan.
4. Place 1/2 of the apples over bread crumbs.
5. Mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt, put 1/2 of sugar mixture over the apples.
6. Add another 1/3 bread crumbs and the rest of the apples.
7. Sprinkle with the remainder of sugar of the sugar.
8. Top with the final bread crumbs.
9. Sprinkle lemon juice and water over the top of dish.
10. Cut the butter into smell pieces and spread over top.
11. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes.
12. Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until top is brown and juice is bubbly.

SERVE HOT OR COLD. GOOD WITH ICE OR WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP



Sweet Potato Pie
1 stick of Butter                           2 cups cooked Sweet potatoes
2 cups sugar                                1 sm can Evaporated Milk
1 tsp. Vanllia                               3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions:
Mix potatoes, sugar, and butter. Add other ingredients and mix well. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

You can also add Marshmallows on top and place back in oven for a couple of minute's. That's my Fav.

Quick Tips For Skin Care

Use this handy guide for quick answers to your personal care emergencies....

1. Hemorrhoid Suppositories: bags under your eyes, Works as a toner.
2. Cucumbers: Bags under your eyes, Works as a toner.
3. Vegetable Shortening: Eye makeup removerand skin care.
4. Milk : use as a cleanser.
5. Oatmeal: Used for rashes and Sensitive Skin.
6.Milk of Magnesia: Blemishes and poison oak.
7. Oil of Oregano: Natural Antiseptic.
8. Oil of Peppermint and Vanilla oil: Odors
9. Tea tree oil: Natural Antiseptic.
10. Listerine: Toner.
11.Lemon Juice: Toner.
12. Apple Cider: Sunburns.
13. Aspirin: Acne Breakouts, Desolved.
14. Raw Potato: Hot grease burns.
15. Beer: Hair clarifier rinse.

These are great items to have on hand for Emergencies...

Scrub and Bath soak:

Moisturizing Sugar Scrub
1/8 Cup of sugar
1/2 to 1 oz. of oil ( I use olive oil better for your skin)
4 drops of your favorite essential oil ( I use Apple)

Mix together and store in a container, Label with name and date it was made.
The oil will not melt the sugar like water will. Wash with your favorite soap and rinise . Skin will be softer then ever...

Shelf Life: 4 to 6 months
Cost: $o.78 for 4 oz.

Moisturizing Sea-Salt Bath Soak
1/4 cup Sea Salt or Table salt
1/4 cup Epsom Salt
3 to 6 drops Essential oils or your favorite Perfume

Mix the sea salt and epsom salt. Use a spoon to stir it the essential oil and moisturizing oil. Stir until well blended. It will take a little bit to blend, Crystals will look wet. Pour under warm water  in tub and stir around.

Shelf Life: 1 year
Remember to label  with name and date made.

Resource: Book, Natural Alternatives Copy Right 2010 ( Awesome Book)!
Will have more to come....

Great Breakfast Recipes

Pecan Muffins:
1/3 cup melted Butter           1/2 cup self-rising Flour
1/2 sugar                                 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/2 cup Brown Sugar           2 eggs Beaten
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix ingredients, put into greased muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until light golden brown.


Easy Banana Bread:
3 cups bisquick                        2/3 cups sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour      3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 cup mashed bananas         1/2 cup milk
(2 to 3 medium to ripe)        1 large egg

Mix mashed bananas, sugar, egg. Add bisquick and flour , beat vigorously with spoon, mix real well. Pour into lightly greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. Do not over cook or it will be tough.


Raisin Bran Muffins:
5 cups flour                              3 sugar
5tsp. Baking Soda                  2tsp. Salt
1 15oz box of Raisin Bran     1 qt. Buttermilk
crunch cereal                           4 eggs

Mix eggs, Buttermilk and oil together an set aside. Mix all dry ingredients then add the cereal. Add this to wet ingredients. Stir until moistened, Pour mixture into well greased muffin pan, Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.


French Toast:
3 eggs                         3/4 cups milk
1 tbsp. sugar             1/4 tsp Vanilla
1/8 tsp. Salt              8 slices of bread or Texas toast bread

Beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt with hand mixer until smooth, Heat griddle or skillet over medium or low heat. Grease pan with butter if necessary. Dip bread into mixture place on griddle or pan cook for about 4 minutes on each side and bread is golden brown. 

The headache of following a Budget.

Following a budget can be a headache, You get tired of looking at it all the time and just want to throw our hands up an say FORGET IT! I know exactly how you feel it took a few months for me to really get the hang of it.
  The budget I do we know where every penny goes. It's hard sometimes because we keep up with all our receipts and where our cash is spent.
  What I have found is the easiest way to start is first make a plan. Think about what you want for your future ( pay credit cards off, Home, new car). For those of you who are married you both need to sit down and make a list of the things you want to happen with your budget and your future plans.
My husband and I don't do Credit cards ( So cut them up!) we decided if we couldn't pay cash for it then we don't need it that bad. From there we made a list of our bills and any extras ( cable, internet, home phone, cell phones). Extras are the things you have that if you have to you can live without.  Set an amount for each month and don't go over your budget ever so make sure you set your amount for your budget over what it will run you( ex. our budget is around $1,777.69. $300.00 of it is extra for the unexpected things that can happen to us everyday,( Auto repair, Appliances, Doctors, etc.) This amount is just what we put aside for bills, and other house hold needs the rest of our income goes straight into savings, ( we are saving to build a home when my husband retires from the military) This way our home will be paid for So no house payment yay!
I also use coupons, watch our power and water usage. There are alot of web sites out the that can teach ways to save money. An remember if you can't pay cash for it then you don't need it right this minute.
Try it for one month and you will see a difference.

New Recipes, These are great!

I have found some of my recipes that I have used in the past an they are so good. I got them out of a book of mine called ( Simple 1,2,3 One dish Cook book)

I'm posting some of my fav's.

Empanada Pie:

1lb. ground beef                          1 small onion ( chopped)
1package taco                             1 can 8oz. tomato sauce
seasoning                                    1 pk. Crescent Rolls
2tsp. dark brown sugar          chopped green onions ( optional)

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 10 inch shallow round baking dish or deep- dish pie plate.

2. Brown beef and onions together until beef is done and drain. Sprinkle taco seasoning over beef mixture. Add tomato sauce and sugar. Reduce heat to low; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Spoon beef mixture into prepared dish. Unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Arrange 5 triangles on top of beef mixture in a spiral with points of dough towards the center. They will over lap each other in the middle that is okay. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until dough is puffed and golden brown. Garish with green onions.

I also use Lettuce, tomato's, Cheese. Topped with a little salsa. It's so good. The toppings are endless that you can add.

Bite Size Tacos

1 lb. ground beef                            1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
2 cups French's fried onions        1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
32 bite size round tortilla chips  3/4 cups sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese 

1. Cook beef in nonstick skillet over medium heat until brown. Drain then stir in taco seasoning mix, 3/4 cups of water, 1 cup fried onions and cilantro. Simmer for 5 minutes or until flavors are well blended stirring often.

2. preheat oven to 350 degrees Arrange tortilla chips on foil lined baking sheet. Top with beef mixture , sour cream, remaining onions and cheese.

3. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and onions are golden.

This recipe can be really fun for the kiddo's help prepare.

So many ways to use Baking Soda

Home tips to freshen Up:

1. Remove fish, onion, garlic odor from hands with a solution of 3 parts Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to 1 part water or Ivory Liquid Hand cleaner. Rub, then rinse.
2. To freshen breath, use 1 teaspoon baking soda in half a glass of water, swish the solution through your teeth, then rinse.
3. For a simply daily deodorant, dust baking soda under arms using a powder puff.

For your feet:

1. Smooth rough and hardened calluses and heels by massaging with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.
2. Soak tired feet in a basin of warm water with 3 tbsp. of baking soda.
3. To clean under finger nails dig right into the baking soda then scrub with toothbrush and raise.

For the Face:

1. Mix baking soda with old fashion Quaker Oats in your blender, it makes a great facial mask.
2. Make a paste of 3parts baking soda to 1 part water and use as a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub after washing with soap and water. Rinse clean.
3. Use a dab baking soda on a shaving cut to stem bleeding


For the Body:


1. Make a bubbling bath salts with 2 1/2 cups Baking soda, 2 cups McCormick Cream of Tarter, and 1/2 Corn Starch. Mix ingredients together and store in a covered container. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
2. Rub a paste of baking soda and water onto your elbows to smooth away ruff skin.


Resource: Baking soda Brighten your smile and other amazing tips book( Copy Right 2009)

I will be adding more tips to my future post. Thanks for reading...

I also will be adding homemade beauty tips in the near future. How to feel good and look great on a penny budget.....

Have I got a Cake recipe that will blow your mind.

Mamaw Skinner
John( my hubby) calling from Afghanistan
Christmas 2011
Made her day...

I got the perfect cake recipe, I can't claim it as my own it came from a very special lady in my life. Our Mamaw Skinner. We were visiting her the other day and she made this wonderful Cake. Words just can't describe how good this is so I'll give you the recipe and you can decide for yourself.

The Ugly Ducky Cake

1 box of Yellow cake mix            1 box Lemon pie filling
eggs                                                    1 can fruit cocktail
sugar                                                 Brown sugar
Pecans (chopped)                         Cinnamon
Coconut


Make your cake batter as directed. Drain almost all of the juice off the fruit cocktail add to your cake batter. Mix using your mixer on low for 1 minute. pour in cake pan and bake at 350 degrees until done. Set aside in the cake pan. Now mix your brown sugar, chopped pecans, Cinnamon, and coconut together, spread mixture over cake, let set while you make your Fluffy Top Frosting for the top of your cake.

Fluffy top Frosting

3 to 4 eggs
Sugar

Place eggs in bowl, Set mixer on med speed, Slowly pour sugar keep mixing until mix has become puffy and like a white cloud. Spread on  after cake has cooled.

Selling On Ebay!!!!

Well Gals I finally did it, I've started my own home based business. The Skinny Wallet's Homemade Household products and Bath soaps and salts. Later I will be including Homemade Candles.
Right now I am selling all items on www.eBay.com
The Skinny Wallet Homemade Laundry Detergent : plus a free item with every order.
Item #'s 220946081738
                 220946062320
                220946078953
                220946079169
Go Check them out... WOW! what a savings...



1quart jar of Homemade Laundry Detergent
will do 55 loads of laundry, takes only 2 tablespoons per load.. WOW!
Starting Bid: $3.00
Buy it Now $9.00
Shipping : $4.95

Happy Bidding!!!!