How to Make a DIY Heart Map Art and Free Printable

This DIY Heart Map Art showcases areas that represent special cities in your life. For example, my husband, myself, and my son were born in the same city. Then, we all lived in the same city where my husband and I grew up. Because of this, I only needed to highlight a small section of a state map. We have since moved from this city, but to quote Oliver Wendell Holmes,

 "Where we love is home...home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." 

Create your own, unique map art

5 Inexpensive Ideas for Photography Backgrounds

Finding the right background for photographs can be overwhelming. While finding the exact lighting is important, what your object is set in front of is important also. When I first started to write my blog posts, I did not grasp the tiny subtleties of photography. The lighting was poor, but more importantly, my backgrounds did not reflect the desired end result that I had intended. Listed below are 5 ideas for inexpensive photography backgrounds.

Inexpensive background ideas

7 Clever Organizational Ideas for Your Kitchen

Today, I am featuring a guest post written by Jane Blanchard. She writes for Modernize, a new website which features home ideas and inspiration. Modernize is a place to gather new information and see how other homeowners have transformed their houses. Please stop by and visit this new website for inspiring ideas to create the home of your dreams.

When it comes to cooking, a lot of us find out the hard way that less is more. Structure is important. And proper seasoning is a must. The same can be said of how the kitchen itself is organized.

While taking the time to properly organize your kitchen may seem like a chore much more ominous than figuring out (let alone mastering) Julia Child’s recipe for beef bourguignon, thinking of it as an investment in your cooking future may help soften the blow.

Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve found that require minimal effort and investment, but yield satisfying dividends:

Food Network icon Alton Brown knows his business, and has for years voiced his very strong opinion against using anything single-purpose, such as a garlic press or melon baller, in the kitchen. Instead, find secondary uses for common household items, like attaching a magazine rack inside a cabinet for storing those boxes of baggies and aluminum foil that don’t seem to fit anywhere else.

via Listotic

Chipotle and Cheese Skillet Dip Recipe

The cilantro, onion, and radish combined with the chipotle give this dip just a bit of spice to the cheese. Not too hot, but enough to give this cheese some zest. The radishes gave this cheese dip a nice crunch. All of the flavors combined makes this a wonderful party appetizer. 

Bloggers Boot Camp - A Book Review

I have been reading as many books as I can to understand and learn marketing and growing your blog. Marketing is a subject that I have no knowledge about and did not study in school. However, when you write and promote a blog, you need to understand some techniques of marketing yourself. So I need all the help I can get.

I have been visiting the library for any and all books about marketing and blogging. Each week I check out new books in a variety of blogging topics. Many of the books are a bit tedious. Maybe I do not understand marketing. So then to me they are, all right I will just say it, boring. However, I did enjoy a book titled, Bloggers Boot Camp, Learning How To Build, Write, And Run A Successful Blog, written by Charlie White and John Biggs. In fact, I read half the book in one evening. I would have finished the book later in the evening but, there was an issue with a cat. I digress.

How to Make Your Own Ribbon Paperclips for Planners

Make your own ribbon paperclips

How to Make Pockets for Your Franklin Covey Planners

Pockets for your planner

Finding Inspiration To Change For The Better

(source)

"When your child walks into a room, does your face light up?" asks Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison.

I discovered this question tonight and it gave me pause for thought. Does my face light up? Or am I always more concerned about the book I am reading, or the problems with the cats, or is the computer more important at that exact moment when my son walks into a room? Sadly more often than not, I seem to be too preoccupied. 

 "When my children used to walk in the room, when they were little, I looked at them to see if they had buckled their trousers or if their hair was combed or if their socks were up," Toni Morrison told Oprah in 2000. "You think your affection and your deep love is on display because you're caring for them. It's not. When they see you, they see the critical face. But if you let your face speak what's in your heart...because when they walked in the room, I was glad to see them. It's just as small as that, you see."  

When your children are young, you have this unseen pressure to be the perfect parent. To have the perfect children who act appropriately. Or else you will get "that look." The look of, oh you really messed this up. Goodness, I hate that look.

There is so much pressure for perfection that you forget what Toni Morrison asks. Because, heaven forbid your child stepped outside with uncombed hair. How could your face possibly light up when you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. 

(source)

I ponder this question because on the day that this is posted it will be my son's 22 birthday. 

I think to myself, wouldn't it have been nice to find this question earlier in my life? Say 22 years ago. Because back then I was worried about what to make for dinner, was the laundry done, did we brush our teeth, hurry up and get dishes done before nap, what would happen if today we did not get a nap, will we have enough time to play outside, did I forget to pack something in the diaper bag? Goodness, as I write this I am stressing out. And so there goes my light.

So am I too late? Because my son is older, have I totally messed every thing up? Or is a person ever too old to learn something new. I hope not. 

As C. S. Lewis states, "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream."
Because finding this question has given me food for thought. Do I really want to be so preoccupied that I forget to show on my face the light that needs to be there. The light that says I am happy you are here.  

No, I am not too old to learn something new. How exciting it is to realize that I can change an old habit and correct something that needs to be corrected. Put down the book, put the computer on stand by. These things can wait. And that light that is so important will shine through. Undivided attention. Acknowledging that another person is important. That you are happy to see them. Shouldn't this light extend to others as well?

When are you too old to learn something new. Never, I say. There are endless books to read. The world wide web at your finger tips. Or a quote that you read on a roadside billboard. Find inspiration in everyday life and never be too busy to let that light shine through so that others see how important they are to you.

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How Do You Make Popcorn In A Brown Paper Bag

No oils needed

Ever since I can remember, cooking oil was always used to make popcorn. Or, avoid the time it takes to cook popcorn on the stove and buy microwavable popcorn. However, I discovered that you can make popcorn with just a brown paper lunch bag and 1/2 a cup of popcorn kernels placed in a microwave oven. 

Start with a paper lunch bag.

Add 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels.

Fold the opening of the bag over, twice.

Cook on high for up to 3 minutes.

I tried microwaving the popcorn for 3 minutes and it burned. Adjust the time to compensate for your microwave. Also, I used small popcorn kernels bought from my local farm store. So, this might have contributed to the popcorn burning the first time I tried this method. The next batch I made, I only microwaved for 2 minutes and the bag of popcorn was a success. 

Add your topping of choice. 

"Love is sharing your popcorn." Charles  Schultz

What topping do you put on your popcorn?

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$5 Goodwill Challenge: Spring Edition

The rules for this challenge is to visit your local thrift store and only spend $5.00 on Spring items. I had such a good time participating in the Goodwill Christmas Challenge  that I decided to venture to my local Goodwill and see what I could find for this $5.00 Spring Challenge.

These pretty flowers just say Spring is here.

These two items just shouted Spring to me.

I first discovered the cute picture frame with the prettiest daisy on the front. The price for the frame was $2.99. The bright yellow and pale green colors of the frame brighten up the shelf where I displayed my new frame and photograph.  

I have open shelves in my kitchen. When I spotted this Corning Ware bowl, priced at $1.99, I knew that this would replace the blue bowl that had been on the kitchen shelf most of the winter.

The total cost for both items, before taxes, was $4.98.  

I have so much fun with these challenges. They make me step out of my comfort zone and look at items differently. I never would have looked twice at either of these items because I have plenty of picture frames and bowls that I do not need to purchase more of them. But the Spring look to each of these items allowed me an inexpensive way to add a new touch of Spring to my decor.

Now to you-

Have you found any Spring finds at your Thrift Stores?

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Make It Yourself Coconut Oil and Coffee Body Scrub

Coffee grounds and coconut oil body scrub

I prefer to make my own body scrubs. This way I know exactly what ingredients are in each of the make it yourself body scrubs. The recipe for this body scrub uses coconut oil, sugar, and coffee grounds. Just 3 ingredients to healthy, soft skin.

Benefits of drinking coffee

Coffee not only great for starting your mornings, coffee has benefits for beauty as well. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants which alleviate the look of premature aging. In addition, studies have shown the intake of coffee and decreased risk of skin cancer. 

Benefits of coffee in skin care

• Tightens pores and reduces skin cells
• Contains powerful antioxidants which helps reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Displays anti-wrinkle properties
• Reduces under eye puffiness
• Temporarily minimizes the visibility of cellulite
• Calms inflamed and red skin
• Improves blood flow when applied as a mask

Coconut Oil and Coffee Body Scrub Recipe

1/2 cup of finely ground coffee grounds

1/4 cup of granulated sugar 

1/2 cup coconut oil

Mix ingredients together in a bowl and then transfer to your desired container.

For additional information on the benefits of coconut oil, please check this related post.

Now to you- 

Have you tried coffee in your skin care? 

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Decorative Refrigerator Deodorizer Container

Decorative Refrigerator Deodorizer Container

Usually I just place an open box of baking soda in my refrigerator to eliminate odors. But, this decorative container uses less baking soda. Thus saving you money. Also, with the screw on lid, there are no more messy spills. 

To begin select an empty jar. I have been saving jars since I posted, Make Your Own Decorative Jars and Lids.

Now, decorate your lid with Washi tape. I chose a pretty spring Washi tape design.

Decorate the lid

When you are satisfied with your Washi taped lid, punch holes in the lid. I used a hammer and a hole punch. You most certainly can use a nail or a screw to punch holes. 

Punch holes in the lid

Fill the jar with the baking soda. 

Optional- You can place a sticker on the jar with a description of what the jar contains. I placed a strip of Washi tape on the jar and with a black Sharpie, marked the jar - Baking Soda. Also include the date, when you change and add new, fresh baking soda. 

Lid with holes punched through

Place the lid on the jar and put the finished decorative refrigerator deodorizer container in the fridge. Change monthly.

For additional uses with baking soda, please visit Vacuum Guide and check out their 58 cleaning ideas with baking soda. Number three was a surprise to me. 

Now to you-

What other ideas do you have to share to deodorize your fridge?

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Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter

to 

you and yours

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White Chocolate Hot Cocoa-Gluten Free and Vegan

White chocolate goodness. Great for watching the snow melt.

A few of us are still waking up to ice and snow. This gluten free, vegan white chocolate is a change of pace from instant hot chocolate. Just five ingredients and you have yourself a warm treat. One of the ingredients is white chocolate. Need I say more?

Ingredients-

2 cups almond milk

1/2 cup chopped white chocolate chunks

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

Dash of salt

Healthy Ingredients. Yes, almonds are healthy.

Directions-

Bring the almond milk to a boil, then pour over the white chocolate chunks in a heat safe bowl. Add the sugar, almond extract, and salt and stir until all is dissolved. Serve immediately.

(Some separation will occur as the hot cocoa cools.)

This is another wonderful recipe from the Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats cookbook.

What new recipes are you adding, knowing that spring is right around the corner?

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