Monday, August 30, 2010

Magazine Monday's!

I've had a love for reading magazine's since I was a teenager! Then I read magazine's like Seventeen Magazine and Glamour now I read Women's Day, Real Simple, Martha Stewert Living, and an assortment of Scrapbooking/paper crafting magazines. Those are just to name a few! I've starting reading parenting magazines as well! This blog on Monday's will be a time to share things I read in those magazines as well as projects and ideas I've found useful.  For a little over 5 years now I've been saving a collection of pages from my magazines instead of the entire magazine...the saved pages include recipes, craft projects and tips on cleaning for example. Some of these pages I've put into a scrapbook others just a small box...this blog will be a way for me to put together all those favorites I've saved and share them as well.
To participate it's easy, just post something that interested you from a magazine on Mondays and mention the magazine you got it from of course. Also comment on Homemaker's Heaven Magazine Mondays entry each week that you blog and that way I can comment on your blog as well as other participants. Please share links to the magazines if you would like or pictures as well! Feel free to use the image above for purposes of Magazine Mondays in conjuction with this blog. Also please make sure to make a link back to this blog on your Magazine Monday blog! Thanks! Have a Happy MONDAY!

For this weeks Magazine's Monday:

Magazine = Family Circle
Article Subject: Food
Title: The best BAKING PANS

This article is nice because it informs you of what basic stuff you need for baking. This is good for newbies and also people who are down sizing the house from having too much clutter (what do I really need to keep?).

The Basics:
two 9-inch round cake pans
one 10-inch tube pan
one 8- or 9-inch square cake pan, preferably 2 inches deep
one 9-inch pie dish
one bundy pan
two jelly roll pans (1-inch lip all around) or cookie sheets (small lip at one end)
one 9x5x3-inch loaf pan
two 12-cup muffin tins

if you have room:
one mini-muffin tin (24 cups)
one 9-inch spring form pan
one 1.5-quart souffle dish
one quiche pan
assorted tart pans, gratin dishes and ramekins
one madeline pan
pastry, biscuit and assorted cookie cutters; flour sifter

Must-Have Accesories:
rolling pin
two cooling racks
liquid and dry measuring cups
two sets of measuring spoons
three mixing bowls that nest
a silicone baking mat
 mixing utensils: wooden spoon, rubber and slotted spatuals, icing spreaders (offset and straight)

This article was written by: Tery Trucco

Turns out I have most of the these items but on the "if you have room" list I am missing a few items but I have things not listed as well. I wish I had this list when I was stocking up my kitchen with bake ware, it would of made the venture a bit easier!

What are your most used baking items in your kitchen? Mine would be a cookie sheet... 

Friday, August 27, 2010

Aloha Friday!

Aloha Friday!

We are about to take my 8 Month daughter on a vacation this fall and it will be her first time flying. I am trying to think ahead for all that I need to plan to get her ready for this. We need to pack different types of outfits for her (since we'll be in a colder location that we are use to) and we will need to bring her pack n play, toys, car seat, stroller and much more! WOW! This is going to be one vacation to remember!

Do you remember a vacation that was especially difficult for you? (Like you got sick during it, you took your baby for the first time on vacation, your first time flying etc.)
What was your situation?

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Birthday Decisions....

Well my little one will be turning 1 in November so I'm planning her party and the theme is giving me the most trouble! I can't decide! I have a list a mile long of the themes I like! Here are a few: Rainbow Party (seen this on another moms blog and it was adorable!), Hawaiian Party ( live in Hawaii -decorations will be easy to find! perfect), Hello Kitty (alot of this stuff on the island too), Ballerina ( I took ballet for many many years so I love this), Princess (she's my princess!), Minnie Mouse, and Lady Bug (a little over done but cute!).  Any suggestions or vote for one of these???

Magazine Monday's!

Homemaker's Heaven

I've had a love for reading magazine's since I was a teenager! Then I read magazine's like Seventeen Magazine and Glamour now I read Women's Day, Real Simple, Martha Stewert Living, and an assortment of Scrapbooking/paper crafting magazines. Those are just to name a few! I've starting reading parenting magazines as well! This blog on Monday's will be a time to share things I read in those magazines as well as projects and ideas I've found useful.  For a little over 5 years now I've been saving a collection of pages from my magazines instead of the entire magazine...the saved pages include recipes, craft projects and tips on cleaning for example. Some of these pages I've put into a scrapbook others just a small box...this blog will be a way for me to put together all those favorites I've saved and share them as well.
To participate it's easy, just post something that interested you from a magazine on Mondays and mention the magazine you got it from of course. Also comment on Homemaker's Heaven Magazine Mondays entry each week that you blog and that way I can comment on your blog as well as other participants. Please share links to the magazines if you would like or pictures as well! Feel free to use the image above for purposes of Magazine Mondays in conjuction with this blog. Also please make sure to make a link back to this blog on your Magazine Monday blog! Thanks! Have a Happy MONDAY!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Thrifty Thursday's!

Thrifty Thursday is something I wanted to start on this blog from the beginning but it took me a while to get everything ready! So here are the rules:
1.) Got to love being thrifty!
2.) Share something you did that was thrifty for that week or during the month.
3.) To let others see your post comment on my thrifty thursday blog and invite others to look at your post for the week.
4.) You also must comment on at least one other blogger's Thrifty Thursday post whether it be mine or someone elses. As Thrifty Thursday grows we will ask you to comment on a few more per week so everyone can join in on sharing!
Okay that's it! That was easy! Now I will share my Thrifty Thursday a day late to get things started!

Thrifty Thursday

I decided to go to my usual thrift store this week but not to look for my usual buys...I wanted to explore other things that I could find to be thrifty! I love to do crafts so I looked around and sure enough I found some things to help me with my crafting! Crafting can get expensive so this really helps! Here is a list of my finds:
1.) Photo Prop for Baby Photo's- Red Silk Mini Purse
2.) Something to add to my Fall wreath this year...
3.) A picture frame, not sure what I'm going to use it for yet but I found it particular special since my family has a love for board games and it was so unique! (cost was $1)
4.) A Toddler Dress in Size 4 (to be used to make a apron for my daughter) This seemed to be perfect sense it had cherries on it and something about the red and white just appealed to me. (cost was $1)
The Before...
The After...
5.) A picnic Basket (it looks brand new, it has a removable liner you can wash too) I loved this because I've always wanted a picnic basket but never find one that I really like. I love this one with the exception of the flowers on it. I am thinking of changing the flowers but we'll see. I'm planning on using it the first time this weekend on a family picnic...me the hubby and baby MacKenzie! We love going on picnics!
6.) I know, I know...the list is still going! I really did great this week! The next wonderful find was a suprise for sure! I found a Teddy Ruxpin ( I had one when I was a child and loved it!) this Teddy looked untouched! I can't beleive the good condition it is in! My daughter already loves it and I've not even got batteries in it yet! I of course only let her play with it while I'm sitting with her since it's for ages 3 and up but it's really a great toy for story time anyways!
7.) Okay so my daughter loves Teddy Bears, I figured this out because I had one in my room since she was born she's always adored looking at it then she began to love to play with it so just about any time we are out and she sees a teddy she seems to love it! So where am I going with this, you ask? well I found another amazing Teddy Bear! This one is much like Teddy Ruxpin but it is much much much more expensive and for good reason! It's face, ears, and arms all move! It talks to you, sings and tells stories! You can even buy items for it to place in his hands that he will wave around and these items come with special stories too! So what is this wonderful bears name? T.J. Beary Tales! We only have the story and songs that come with him but MacKenzie loves him! I do however want to order some from ebay to add to the one she has! Okay the best part I saved for last! This bear retails for around...okay gasp here....$190.00! I paid $1 that right $1! Now thats a deal!

8.) Last but not least...a Fisher Price Drum for my daughter...okay okay I know...I said I was getting crafty stuff only but I found these things and well couldn't pass them up they were awesome and to think for the toys I paid a grand total of $3! My daughter has a collection adding up of musical toys because we do music time everyday! She really enjoys it, we sit together and I get out instruments for her, I sing to her, I play music for her, and I encourage her to move to the beat of the music! So much fun! These drums were in my preschool classroom when I taught toddlers and I remembered the children loving them! I had to get them for MacKenzie, I just know she is going to enjoy them!

Okay that was it! I know it was alot but not every week is this good! Who am I kidding, I'm pretty good at this! I have a eye for these deals...or so I've been told!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Beach in a glass!

Okay I have a beach theme in my guest bathroom and I found this wondeful idea on someone else's crafty blog and I LOVE IT! I want to do something similiar for my guest bathroom shelf! When I get around to making it I will post my version of this marvelous idea!
Photo and Idea from: click here

Aloha Friday

To participate in ALOHA FRIDAY click here.
For Aloha Friday you simply ask a question to your readers.

My question is: What items from your childhood did you keep and why?
My Answear: small purse (because it was my first one), ballet shoes (because it was special to me, I took ballet for 19 years), a toy hair brush that came with a purse (not sure why), cabbage patch doll (it's cute!), and a few other random things...

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Craft Area Chaos Solved!

So I love do crafts and I have a ton of supplies that are tee tiny! I made these lovely boxes to store them all in and it works wondefully! Most of these supplies are my scrapbooking supplies (my favorite craft). I got the boxes from Jo-Ann Fabrics Store I believe and I used 1/4 inch black ribbon around the sides. The ribbon was put on by using scrapbooking doublesided ribbon tape (found at wal-mart). I found the tags used in the office supply area of Wal-Mart and just wrote on them to label them! Simple Project!

So whats in some of these boxes you ask??

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Pig N a Blanket

A McMurry Family favorite! We've recently changed them up a bit! We switched the dough for them to Pillsbury Buttery Cresent Rolls and the meat we use is now hot dogs with no nitrates and they are made of black angus beef! So tastier and a bit healthier! Want to try these hot dogs click here for coupon! For a Pillsbury Coupon click here!

Girl Scout Cookies made healthier!

Click here for Recipes

There are many different recipes out there that are similiar to girl scout cookies but these are healthier and sound really tasty! I'm going to start out trying the Samoas first they sound really good with the added coconut! I'll update you on how mine turned out but wanted to share this website now incase someone else wanted to try them now too! YUMMY!
Image from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2009_04_02-Samoa.jpg

Monday, August 16, 2010

Craft room has been occupied alot lately...

I have many new crafts I've been working on and soon when I finish some I will be posting pics of them! I am currently working on new bows and flower clips for MacKenzie and I'm working on a cute little apron for her! Can't wait to finish them and post pics!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Being green can cause you to spend the green...

Ever noticed that being "Green" can cause you to spend more money? Well here are some ways to be "Green" without spending lots of money!

Shopping at thrift stores (you are reusing materials that may otherwise get thrown in the garbage)
You can buy books, clothes, shoes, purses, and much more from thrift stores!

Bring your Own Bag (the new military slogan at the exchanges)... use green bags... this is fairly cheap to do...if you don't go crazy buying expensive bags! Don't cheap out too much and buy the $1 bags though they don't last long (if you wash them). Canvas bags work out great!

Once your done with clothing, books etc. donate them or to make some money yard sale them!

Recycle! In Hawaii you can turn in your cans and bottles and actually get your deposit back!

Here's a easy one...turn out the lights when you leave a room! Saves energy!

Go to the library! It's wonderful to read library books and return them once your done (no need to donate and there was no need to spend the money on the book in the first place!) It's nice to know that many people get use out of one book!

Okay get out there and B green! (the cheap way!)

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Pineapple Upside Down Mini Cakes


One of the types of fruit that I have come to love since living on this beautiful Island of Oahu is Pineapple! Today I decided I was going to make some Pineapple Upside Down Mini Cakes! Yummy! Recipe and photos soon to follow! It's a EASY and QUICK treat and great for summer desserts for those of you on the main land!

As Promised:

Recipe=

You will need:

2/3 cup of packed brown sugar

1/3 cup of butter, melted ( I used 1 and a half sticks of butter once it melts it's not very much)

2 (20 ounce) cans sliced pineapple (I used 1 can of crushed pineapple)

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix (follow directions on package to make cake batter with the exception of using your drained pineapple juice from the can of pineapples in place of most of the water it is likely you will need 1/3 cup of vegetable oil and 3 eggs to make the cake mix)

Maraschino cherries halved (12 cherries) if you would like to top the cakes with them ( I didn't but only because I didn't have them available this time)


Now this is the fun and EASY way to make it:

Preheat oven 350 degrees

Grab a muffin pan or two that will fit 12 muffins in it...I used one muffin pan and three mini loaf pans but you can use two large muffin pans as well, whatever you have available. Once you have your bakeware you need to line it with pam or whatever you use to grease your pans. Next you put one level teaspoon or so of brown sugar in each muffin slot. Next pour butter to cover the brown sugar in each cup. Then you will Put 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of crushed pineapple into each slot. Mix cake mix according to box instructions except use your pineapple juice for as much of the water it calls for you can what ever amount of juice you lack use water to fill the difference. Put one tablespoon cake batter into each muffin slot (some may need a bit more use your own judgement on how much based on how they look...you want it to be about the same in each if you can so they all are about the same size (especially if you are making them for a event etc.) Now you will bake them for 19-23 at 350 degrees until brown and toothpick comes out clean or cake tester stick. Transfer bakes cakes as soon as cooked. Place a tinfoiled covered cookie sheet over muffin pan and flip cakes onto sheet. Your done! See it was EASY! Now once you are doing enjoying your dessert put those leftovers in the frigde loosly covered! This is to insure the cake doesn't get hard and otherwise distasteful too soon! Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!


Also I wanted to add that if you are going to be visiting Oahu or live on Oahu The Dole Pineapple Farm is a great place to visit! They have a maze, gardens, gift shop, train ride tour (AKA Pineapple Express) and a wonderful thing called a Dole whip which you must try! Yummy!

Friday, August 6, 2010

THE GREEN MOM




So I found yet another way to be green and save money! Reuseable snack bags! Love the ones from Lunchskins (cute and recommended by another mom) but Etsy sales alot of them too!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Going back to school!

Well I'm about to make a brave step and go to grad school...it's brave to me because since I have been a mom I feel that I left my brain with the previous person known as Mrs.McMurry not the now known "MOMA" that I am today! Forgetfullness is just part of it I guess but lets hope once school starts I will no longer have this problem! Looking foward to getting back into the intellectual community and not totally immeresed in the mommy community for a while. Don't get me wrong I love being mom and I LOVE being part of the mommy community but I love love love school!