IKEA Dreaming

I have an IKEA about 45 minutes away, but I do not get there very often.  Today I was in the area and had the opportunity to go.  I probably should have realized that was not a good idea on a Saturday, with a preteen who kept asking to leave.  She survived, and even got a few things.   You will have to excuse the photos, they were taken on my phone, and it was so crowded I did not always get great picture taking  angles. 

I forgot what this is called, but I have been wanting one for a while.  I think it would be a great addition  to our kitchen/eating area.   I might have to dream a bit longer since $299 is not in the budget at the moment.

I would also love to have this in out family room.  Look at all that storage for DVDs and Video Games! Right now our family room holds several mix matched storage cabints. 

I want a combination desk and storage unit for the craft room.  This looks like a good possiblity someday... 

but to stay on budget, I might need to use small Expedit shelves.

I would also love to have  this in the basement or craft room. It is huge, but but would hold everything.

Finally something I was able to buy today.. The large Bygel bar is only $3.99, and fits perfectly in the craft room. We also got 6 purple buckets to hang from it. You will see this again if I ever have the chance to  finish the craft room.

Loving this floating book ledge.  At $9.99 it is in the budget, but I have no idea where we would put it .

These paint brushes for only $1.99/5 are perfect for Kara's Art Party this summer.  I may have to go back and get some more.. 

On the way out this billboard cracked me up.  It actually says on the sign that the giant 10 foot hotdog is not actual size.  For 50 cents, I would certainly hope not!

What IKEA items are you dreaming about? 

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Dare to Share #51

It's Friday, which means it is time for another Dare to Share! 

Is is actually spring where you live?  I know the calendar says it is supposed to be spring, but this is how it has looked this week at our house.  When have been in the 20s and 30s all week.  Hopefully it will warm up in time for our spring break that is coming up the week after Easter.  Speaking of Easter we have something really fun that will be sharing next week.  

This week I shared how to start your spring seedlings even when it is cold outside. We had great success with this method last year.  

Did you have a nice St Patrick's Day.  We did. We found Lucky and his pot of gold and then went to the movies. Our theater was having it's last weekend of the free children's film festival. They were showing Rise of the Guardians.  I have to say it was a really good movie, especially for older kids.  

The Features of the Day this week were an eclectic group. Here they are again, in case you missed them. 

Easter Egg Centerpiece by Life on Lakeshore Drive

30 uses for Borax by Fluster Buster

DIY Sofa Table by Turtles and Tails

Now for the party. I don't have many rules. You are not required to be a follower, but I would sure love it if you did. If you are chosen for the Dare to Share Feature of the Day your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and G+.

Link up and HAVE FUN! 

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DIY Sofa Table - Feature of the Day

Have you ever wanted a piece a furniture, but knew something store bought wouldn't fit your needs. Barb from Turtles and Tails, saw a need when there was nowhere to put a glass if they were sitting on the couch. Since there was very little space to work with, Barb and her husband decided to make the sofa table themselves. They also added an outlet to the table so it could be easily reached. Genius! If you would like to see how they built this awesome sofa table, check out Turtles and Tails here.  Thanks for linking up on Dare to Share  Barb! 

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30 Uses of Borax - Feature of the Day

I have to admit, I really do not know much about Borax.  I know my friends and I  used it to make crystal hearts recently, but that is about my only  knowledge of the product. Robin from Fluster Buster has been sharing a great series of uses for old time products on her blog.  When I saw the  extensive list of things you can do with inexpensive Borax, I knew it needed to be a Dare to Share  Feature of the Day. So if you would like to see all of the wonderful things you do with Borax, be sure to check out Fluster Buster here.    Thanks for linking up Robin! 

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Start Your Spring Seedlings

Today is the first day of spring. You can not tell that by our weather outside. Where I live it is only going to be a high of 28, with the overnight lows in the teens.  Brrr.. Not a fun way to start off spring..(a year ago we were way above normal and in the 80's, can I have those temps back!) 

Since it is the first day of Spring, I am going to re-share an idea I posted about last year.  Even though your mind might not yet be on your spring/summer garden, you can start your garden seedlings now, even when the weather is not cooperating.  

Buying seeds and growing your own seedlings can be very inexpensive. It is also a fun experiment to do with your kids. 

Recycled milk jugs make the perfect container to start your seeds. 

Start by cutting the jugs about 2/3 of the way down,  leaving a  part the jug of it connected

Add some potting soil  a few inches thick to the container,  and then add your seeds. 

After you add your seeds, you will want to reattach your jug halves.  You can use things like duct tape, or a hole punch and twist tie like we did in the picture above. 

Use a Sharpie and write on each of the jugs what you planted.  Find a nice, sunny spot to place the jugs. We put ours on our deck that faces the south.  Its okay to keep the jug out there even when it is cold outside. The milk jug works like a terrarium and keeps the plants warm inside. 

Several weeks later, this is how our seedlings looked.  Our peas and beans grew the most.  Our seedling experiment was a big success, and we plan on doing it again this year. 

Add caption

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Easter Egg Centerpiece - Feature of the Day

Are you ready for Easter?  I am not.  It is always harder for me to be prepared when Easter is in March.  I just bought some of the kids Easter candy today. The baskets and decorations are still in storage.  I am still a bit unsure if we are even  doing an Easter Egg Hunt this year since the youngest child is in middle school.   I do think though, that I would like to make an Easter Egg  centerpiece like Kathy from Life on Lakeshore Drive shared on Dare to Share. Using items she already had on hand, dollar store items and just a few other supplies, she put together this beautiful centerpiece that would look great on any Easter table. You can see her step by step tutorial on how to make one for your own here.  Thanks so much for linking up Kathy! 

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17 Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Ideas

I have rounded up some of my favorite St. Patrick's Day ideas from posts shared on Dare to Share, Pinterest, and favorite websites.  If you want to Pin them, be sure to go to to original post and link from their sites. Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Leprechauns 

Leprechaun Pops  by Pams Party and Practical Tips

Leprechaun Cookies by Phaedra's Adventures

Leprechaun Snack by With a Blast

Leprechaun Trap by The Classroom Creative

Leprechaun Lunch by Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

Leprechaun Hats by BettyCrocker.com

Rainbows/Pot of Gold 

Homemade Pot of Gold by Pams Party and Practical Tips

Rainbow Treats by Phaedra's Adventures 

Rainbow Bread by Not Just a Housewife

Pot of Gold by Make and Takes

Rainbow Breakfast by Kitchen Fun with my 3 Sons

Rainbow Sugar Cookie Bark by Mom on Timeout 

Pot of Gold Snack Mix by Pillsbury.com

Shamrocks 

Shamrock Cupcakes by Phaedra's Adventures

Irish Dirt Pudding by With a Blast

Shamrock Chips by Zakka Life

Paper Shamrocks by Hands On As We Grow

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Dare to Share #50

 

It is that time of the week again. It is time for another Dare to Share.  It's been another busy week here at our house.   Monday started out with another set of blood tests for my daughter. Normally the lab in the lower level of where our Dr. is located is not that busy..  This Monday was another story. We waited an hour to be seen instead of the normal 5-10 minutes. We got those results back, and even though they look better, they are still not what they should be.  This morning she woke up covered with hives. (sound familiar?) Since she has never had them before, I took her in to see the Dr.  We are not sure what is causing them.  There will be more tests and more appointments in the next few weeks..

Also this week some very good friend moved away.  We had a going away party for them, and their daughter who is a good friend of Kara's stayed with most of the weekend. (the streak continues, this is Kara's 6th friend since the 1st grade to move away) We are happy for them though.  They have been wanting to moved back closer to their family for several years, and everything fell into place this time. On Tuesday, another friend called and asked if I wanted to go to lunch. Since it has been a stressful few weeks, I jumped at the chance.  We spent a few hours just hanging out at Panera and Costco, having some friend therapy.  

On a crafty note, this week I was part of a Sharing is Caring, Easter Blog Hop with several other blogs.  We each shared an Easter post.  Since my Bunny Treat Boxes (pictured above) were such a big hit, I made some new boxes for Easter.  You can see my new Easter Treat Boxes, and other Easter links from the hop here.

Did you have a chance to see the Features of the Day. This week they are all fun and frugal Easter decorating ideas.
10 Easter Egg ideas by The Wilderness Wife
Frugal Easter Decorations by Rain on a Tin Roof
Bunny Wreath by Pinkie for Pink

I had planned on having a few more Features of the Day this week, but with everything going on it did not work out that way.  I do plan on writing a few round up posts before Easter, so keep an eye out for that, you still might be featured.  

Now it is time for this week's party.  I don't require that you follow me but I would love it if you did.   If you are chosen as the Dare to Share Feature of the Day, your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and G+.

Now have fun and Link Up! 

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Bunny Wreath Tutorial - Feature of the Day

Unintentionally I have had a theme for my Dare to Share Features  this week.  Each of the features have been frugal.  This bunny wreath tutorial by Nichole at Pinkie for Pink is no exception. Several pieces of this adorable wreath were only $1. She uses an item that I would never have thought to use.  There is still a few weeks until to Easter so if you would like to make one, be sure to check out Pinkie for Pink here.  Thank you for linking up Nichole! 

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It pays to use Ibotta

I have been using Ibotta for about 6 weeks, and  I am very excited about some promotions they are having right now.   Ibotta pays you  to shop.  The promoted products they offer each week are often products you were already buying anyway.  They are currently offering 16 brand new high value offers this week in addition to many more. They have also added many new stores to their participating list, so you are sure to find one near you.  This app is a great one to have on your phone, and it is FREE.  It works on both iPhone and Android.  Click on the banner to sign up.

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