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Saturday, June 30, 2012

I am in LOVE!!!


I am in love with my new boots I got for 80% off today at Payless.  I am a bit of a boot collector.. okay, hoarder... I love my boots, and wear them pretty much all winter.  I have several styles and colors.  One color that I did not have was gray.  I really love knee boots, so I was excited when I saw this pair of gray knee boots on sale for $20.  The price tag said $49.99, so even at $20 it would have been a great price.  Payless is currently having their BOGO sale this week, and instead of $20, my boots rang up only $10!

We got great deals on our other shoes as well.  I was with my teenage daughter who needed a new pair of tennis shoes.  She picked out the cute turquoise Airwalks.  They were originally $22.99, on sale for  $10, but rang up only $5!   The American Eagle shoes on the left were there only pair that were regular price. They were $24.99, but she really liked them.  They also fit me, so I can wear them too.  The blue flats with the flowers on the right are mine.  They were originally $26.99, on sale for $15.   All 4 pairs of shoes were only $54.99 plus tax.   Regular price they would have been $124.96 plus tax.  We had a $70 savings, and got adorable shoes in the process.


Another fantastic deal I found today was this ceramic jug vase from JoAnns.  The original price was $29.99. It was on clearance for $8.97, but they are currently have a 50% off the clearance price sale.  I got this jug vase for only $4.48!  We bought some pretty pink wildflowers for 60%  ($2.39) a bush to put in the vase for Kara's party.



We found some super cute goodies for 60% in the summer essential section to use for our Woodland party.


Kara doesn't know I bought this yet. I am going to surprise her with it for her birthday on Monday.  It was not on sale since it is part of their new fall line, so I used my 40% coupon.  These little cutie was only $7.79 after the coupon, and I know she is going to love him.

Now to get started with all my planning/prepping.. I have several projects to finish in time for the party in 3 weeks!

New Coupons and a Great Deal!



Today is the last day of the month of if you still want to print a certain coupon, you will want to make sure to print it before it is gone. Many coupons will disappear on the first day of the month. Also it looks like there will be a new Procter and Gamble insert in tomorrows paper.If you would like to see what coupons to expect, click the banner or   this link here.  Happy Printing!!!!




I also wanted to share a great deal I just heard about.  You can get a photo tote bag for only $1 ($3.99 shipping, but still a great price for a customized tote bag) and 40 free prints if you are new to York Photo.  Use the code YORKTOTEAD.   This offer runs until July 30th.  With this being a holiday week, I am sure it will be a great week for photos!  You can find this offer by clicking on the banner or through or by clicking here.


Friday, June 29, 2012

Dare to Share #14

How has your summer been going?   We have been having a great week here.


Late on Sunday night we found out that a picture that Kara submitted for a local art contest won 2nd prize.  This was very exciting for a couple of reasons..  She was competing against adults since the contest had no age limit.  She also won $50 toward her new hedgehog, which is coming home next week.  Her drawing will be used in some type of advertising for the hedgehog breeder.  


On Monday, Kyle made us dinner for a new installment of Cooking with Kyle.  He made marinated pork chops that were delicious!  He definitely wants to make them again.


On Tuesday, my family went to Cedar Point.   If you have never been there, you should go.  It is a lot of fun!

I made a couple of these cute T Shirt Backpacks for the trip.  They were the perfect size and only cost me $2.50 each.

Today we went to see Madagascar 3.  It has been close to 100 degrees here the last two days, so we thought we would stay cool in the theater.  We had planned on going on Thursday, but I accidently looked at the wrong time, and by the time I realized it it was too late to go.   It was a cute movie, if you have not seen it yet!


Now it is time to see what you have done this week.  Do you have any great posts that you would like to share?

There is not limit in the amount of posts you link up.

The only thing that I ask is that you become a follower, and post my button somewhere on your blog.






Link up and HAVE FUN!! 



Thursday, June 28, 2012

Oldies, but Goodies

                                   


I have been seeing my Beach Party Marshmellow Pops showing up on Pinterest lately.  I thought it might be a  good time to revisit some of the treats we had at  Kara's Beach Bash Birthday  We had our Beach Bash almost exactly a year ago. I remember that it was super hot then as well,  with the temps close to 100 degrees.   This year we are having her party a few weeks after her birthday. Its probably a good thing, since we have not done much for it yet.  Lots of ideas in my head and on paper, but not much made in real life.

                                     

How about some Crabby Sandwiches?  These were also a huge hit.



                                     

Doesn't running the sprinklers sound good right about now.  It's 7 p.m. and still in the 90s where we live!




Wednesday, June 27, 2012

T shirt Backpacks

Yesterday we went to Cedar Point amusement park  for the day.  The day before, I thought it would be a good idea to make small lightweight T shirt backpacks to carry our stuff in.  Michaels crafts  has T shirts on sale for only $2.50 this week. We went Monday afternoon,  and picked out a couple of colors. I used some white Ts I already had on hand for the lining.  Total  cost for me to make TWO backpacks for the trip  was only $5 plus tax.


I started making these on the kitchen table, but then the Bachelorette came on, and I moved to the computer room. I mention that, because you will notice a change in my pictures.      Several years ago I bought the book,Generation T, 108 ways to transform a T-shirt, and found a pattern that was perfect to use for this project.


  
You will need to use an adult medium or large T to have enough material for the backpack.   On one of the T Shirts measure 13" across and 18" down.  I used a ball point pen and to mark where I needed to cut.




Cut out the rectangle shape through both layers of T shirt.  While you do not really need a 2nd T for the lining, the author of the book highly recommends it.  I recommend it too.  The backpack held up really well with the lining layer, and would have been too flimsy without.  If you chose to use a 2nd T shirt as a lining,  cut out the same size rectangle in the 2nd shirt.


Stack all 4 layers of fabric, with the the front pieces of the backpack on the inside.  


The book suggest hand sewing around 3 sides of the rectangle with a tight whipstitch.  While this is a fine way to do it, I just did not have the time.  I brought out my sewing machine and quickly stitched the 3 sides.    I turned out right side out to see how it would look in the picture above.  

 When the bag is inside out, fold down the top edge about 1". I just eyeballed, it turned out to be a pretty good width.  
Again the book suggested using a whipstitch.  I did it on the first bag while watching Emily go on her dates in Prague, but it took way too long.  I then decided to sew 2nd bags casing with my sewing machine.  Either way works, so do whatever way you prefer. 

What the bags looked like before the straps were added.  


To add the straps one of the first things you do is cut a small slit on the bottom corners of the bag through all 4 layers.  I thought that my slit was small, but later found out that it was actually too big.  That was not a problem though, because all I had to was add a few stitches. 


Using what is left of your T shirt, cut 2 strips the entire length of the T, keeping the shoulder seam intact. 

I just realized as I was writing this that I did not have a very good picture of this next step.  You will need to make 1 inch slits in the casing by the seam.  This is where  I do something different than the book.  I was not able to run the strap aound the entire casing, so I had to make 4 slits total.  I just made 2 on each side of the bag each about a 1/2 inch from the seam.  


Add the first strap all around the casing and have it come out on one side of the bag.  When you add the 2nd  strap it should come out on the opposite of the bag.  


This is what the bag will look like if the straps were added correctly. 


The last step is push the straps though the bottom slit that you cut, on the same side of the bag.  Double knot.  the strap.  If you find that there is too much leeway in with the strap, secure it by sewing a few stitches to secure it.   



We did not decorate our bags due to time, but these are perfect for adding  embellishment.  

The bags held up the entire day and were the perfect size and weight for a carrying all day.   An added bonus..  they should be machine washable.  I am not sure how, but Kara got her yellow backpack dirty.  

This post is being linked up to many of the parties on my linky party page.  Be sure to check it out here.  

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Cooking with Kyle- Marinated Pork Chops


After a 2 month break,  Cooking with Kyle IS BACK!  Things just go to hectic the last few weeks of school and with Kara's physical therapy for him to cook meals .  Now that it is summer break,  Kyle has a lot more time to plan some recipes.   Kyle recently tried the new pork chop at the Outback, and decided that it is now one of his favorite meals.  While shopping at Kroger a few days ago, we saw there was a great sale on pork chops and he asked me to buy them.  He also asked me for a bag  of  potatoes to make homemade mashed potatoes and french fries.



Since he really likes the garlic mashed potatoes with the skin on at Outback, he decided not to peel them.  That was okay with me too, since it would be safer for him to make them this way.  He washed and cut up about 5 potatoes.


We based his recipe partially on Alton Brown's Food Network recipe, which  calls for adding salt to the potatoes before boiling.



He boiled the potatoes until they were cooked through.


He looked over several recipes on the internet and chose Marinated Backed Pork Chops on Allrecipes.com.   First preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

To make the marinade you need:
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon ketchup





Mix the ingredients in a small bowl.



Spread half the marinated on the top of the pork chops, saving the other half for later.  


Bake for 30 minutes. Turn the chops over and cover with the other half of the marinade. Bake for 30 minutes more.



To finish the potatoes, he added some milk (half and half if you have some), garlic, parm cheese and some butter.


Grumpy look for someone who just cooked a delicious meal! LOL! He wanted to go back and watch the Good Luck Charlie special,  and not take pictures.



A definite keeper, that he said he will want to make again.


Saturday, June 23, 2012

Dare to Share Double Feature

I kind of dropped the ball last week with posting features from Dare to Share #11, so this  week it is time for DOUBLE FEATURES.

I love how creative all of the link ups are... As always it is always hard to pick just a few.

  



Isn't this flower pot gorgeous?!  Make it Easy Crafts gives a great tutorial on how to make one using recycled CDs.   It is such a cool way to dress up a basic flower pot for very little money.



What do you do with a dog that doesn't like to get wet?  Why, make it a rain coat of course. Heatherly Loves share how to make an adorable coat for an adorable dog.  



Intentional Hospitality  shared a lunch she had with a friend complete with some awesome recipes. Make sure to check out her Ham and Broccoli Quiche, it looks delicious!


A Rosie Sweet Home  share a great recipe for homemade salsa that is perfect to serve at a party.  With all the 4th of July BBQs right around the corner, this recipe is a must see.




I thought this Nanaimo Ice Cream Cake by Addicted to Recipes looked like a must try.  She made it for her husbands birthday.  We have a certain family member that would much prefer an ice cream cake over a regular cake any day. I may have to try this at their next birthday.

Thank you everyone who linked up!  If you were featured today, feel free to post my Pams Party Blog  button that is on the side of my blog.