Thursday, November 29, 2012

Ornament Wreath

Have you ever seen an ornament wreath?  I think they are so pretty.  I was recently at a craft shop and they had handmade ornament wreaths for a whopping $30!  No way!  I looked and saw how I could make it for much much much cheaper.  

Last year I bought all new bulbs for our tree because my husband and I are huge Minnesota Vikings fans.  I picked up purple, gold, and Vikings ornaments for 60-90% off last year at Hobby Lobby.  That meant all my Martha Stewart ornaments were just sitting in the basement.  What better way to use them?  

Disclaimer:  It gets dark at about 4:30 here this time of year.  The lighting in these pictures is horrible.  Sorry about that.  Also, I do NOT recommend using glitter bulbs.  Shortly after starting this project it was clear I would be in a glitter nightmare.  It gets EVERYWHERE, but I am cheap and was using what I had.  

 You will need a wire hanger (I had to scrounge the depths of my basement to find one!), any NON BREAKABLE bulb ornaments you might have, and embellishments (optional). FYI:  You will need A LOT of bulbs!  My guess would be 70-80. 


Step 1:  Unwind the hanger at the top and shape it into a circle.  This does not need to be perfect.  


Step 2:  Feed the ornaments onto the hanger.  Use the side that is not shaped like a hook.  You can use any ornaments you want.  I just randomly put mine on.  As you get more on the will fill in and start looking nice.  

Step 3:  This step was a little tricky for me.  Once your hanger is completely full of bulbs, twist the ends of the hanger back together.  Be gently while doing this because I had a few bulbs break off at the metal part.  

Step 4:  Add a bow!  I cannot for the life of me make a nice bow, so I spent the $3 at Walmart and bought one.  Totally worth if for me.  :)  

Now your wreath is ready to hang!  I had every intention of putting this up on the door, so I could show you.  Yeah, well...I seemed to have misplaced my door wreath hanger.  I need to get a new one this weekend.  

This took me about an hour to make and about just as long to clean up all the dang glitter!  I am STILL finding glitter all over the desk and office.  :(  Have I ever mentioned that I hate glitter?  :)  The plus side is that this only cost me $3 (the price of the bow).  I used what I had on hand and if I ever get sick of the wreath I can still use the ornaments. 

This post has been linked up to Frugal Tuesday Tip.  

Monday, November 26, 2012

16 Weeks!


Sorry for the bad lighting!  On Saturday I turned 16 weeks.  I have a doctors appointment on Thursday.  Not much has been going on this week with me and the baby.  My husband was in the hospital last week, so that was really stressful.  Otherwise, all is good.

I have been peeing a ton!  I know that is TMI, but dang.  It also takes me forever to get comfortable at night. My belly just seems to get in the way. ;)  I also have a lot of swelling (as you can see) and cramping.  If I am on my feet too long I pay for it at night.  

I take Zofran about 4 days a week because my nausea is NOT better.  My heartburn is also worse, so I am asking for something stronger than Zantac on Thursday.  I am eating every 3-4 hours to help with the nausea and to help keep my blood sugar regulated.  I am still eating 15-17 carbs a day to help with that as well. 

Next weeks update will be a little more interesting because of my appointment!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Weekly Meal Plan 11.25--12.01

Well, last week did not go as planned at all.  I cooked a total of zero meals until today.  My husband ended up in the hospital for 5 days on a clear liquid diet.  We postponed our Thanksgiving until today.  Needless to say he was ready to eat real food today.  I made a feast and there are tons of leftovers!

Weekly Meal Plan:

Sunday: Thanksgiving Dinner

Monday:  Creamed turkey over biscuits, carrot and raisin slaw

Tuesday:  Mashed potato pancakes, bacon, eggs, homemade applesauce

Wednesday: Turkey noodle soup

Thursday:  Leftover soup

Friday:  Pizza...it might be homemade, it might not be.  We will see how ambitious I am. :)

Saturday:  We never got to go to our dinner and movie because my husband was sick, so we might do that. 

Cyber Monday

Did you miss out on my Black Friday Special?  Never fear, Cyber Monday is here!


Sunday, November 18, 2012

"Green Goals"

For some reason this is a post that is really hard for me to write.  I have so many thoughts running around in my head and it is just hard to organize them.  A very wise lady got me thinking about what I wanted out of life.  When I started my Shaklee business I did not know I was pregnant.  Since becoming pregnant my business and life goals have changed drastically.  

What I once thought was important really isn't any more.  Instead I have taken a whole new approach at life.  I have always had the mindset that you can't start your "resolutions" until Jan. 1st.  Do I really believe that?  No.  I think it is important to stop, take inventory of your life, and find out what is important to you.  By doing this you can start changing your life at any time!  

I have decided to keep my business goals to myself, but I want to share some personal goals with you.  I want to start working on immediately, so I can reach my ultimate goal of living a happy, healthy, fulfilling life!  Some of the things I already do, or do them some of the time.  I just need to remind myself to do them ALL the time.  

*I want to eliminate MORE processed foods from our diets.  I will admit I have SLACKED big time since becoming pregnant.  I am ashamed at some of the foods we have consumed these last few months.  This pregnancy has been rough on me, so I reached for the processed convenience foods.  I vow to start my family in the direction of clean eating once again.

*Use only farm fresh eggs.  We do this about 90% of the time, but there are times where I reach for the cheap eggs.  Farm fresh is so much better.  The yolks are bright and the chickens are raised in the environment they are supposed to be in.  We are lucky.  A guy my husband works with sells his eggs for $1 a dozen, BUT it is hard to get them from him.  He has so many people wanting them!

*Make my own broth more often.  I get so lax about this!  I used to be so good about keeping the bones and making my own broth.  I either freeze or pressure can it.  I NEED to get better about doing this all the time.  Homemade broth is so nutritious and has wonderful flavor.

*Make my own yogurt.  I bought a yogurt maker two years ago and sadly I have only used it a handful of times. 

*Start fermenting.  My husband and I both love pickles and kraut, so I'm hoping we like fermenting.  Again, fermenting has a lot of great health benefits. 

*Continue buying farm fresh meats.  This is expensive, but I am proud of us for doing it for so many years. 

*Eat more foods that are local and in season.  This is so easy in the summer, but so hard in the winter.  I live where it blizzards a lot of the winter, so their really is no winter growing season.  In the summer it is easy because several of my family members have HUGE gardens.  I thought about joining a CSA, but figured that would be stupid.  Between my garden, my parents, my grandparents, and my aunt we generally have more fresh produce than we know what to do with!

*Compost more. Again, I just hang my head in shame.  I have two compost bins I started several years ago.  I was so good about composting EVERYTHING I could until this summer.  I NEED to be better about it!

*Continue using my rain barrel in the growing months.  This was easy last year and it was so hard this year.  We had a severe drought, so no rain means no water in the rain barrel.

*Keep up on my recycling.  I am REALLY proud of myself for this.  I wish our recycling bin was bigger!

*Use my dehydrator more.  Dehydrating is a great way to preserve foods.  I need to be better about using it.  Just typing this makes me want to go make some fruit leather. :)

*Reusable grocery bags.  Ugh, I admit I have them in both of our vehicles, but I am lazy and don't use them all the time.  I vow to make a conscious effort to use them more often. 

*Cut back on the amount of plastic we have in our home.  We use a lot of glass, but still way too much plastic.

*Continue cleaning with all natural products.  I am excellent about this because I love my Shaklee products so much!

*Turning lights off when we leave a room.  I am so guilty of leaving the bathroom light on!  I need to get better.

*Work out more as my doctor will let me.  At 6 wks I was given strict orders to not do anything strenuous due to the hemorrhage.  My doctor has now given me the ok to start my pregnancy yoga dvd and light walking.  I just need to get with the program! 

I have a lot more goals floating around, but a lot of them are for when the baby is born.  A lot of you already know I am going to be a breast feeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering crunchy momma!  ;)  I also really want to have a natural birth, so I have my doula and birth plan outlined.  I think I will get more into those goals closer to my due date!  

There you have it.  I consider these my "green goals" from here on out.  I also have business, relationship, and parenting goals I will share in the future!   Do you have goals you want to achieve?  Don't wait until Jan. 1st to set them in motion.  START TODAY! 

Friday, November 16, 2012

 Happy Thanksgiving week!  It is going to be a busy week around here since I am hosting Thanksgiving.  Lots of cooking, grocery shopping, and cleaning will be taking place.  What are your plans for the week?  Do you travel?  We are very fortunate and get to stay in the comfort of our own home.  But then again, we are home bodies! 


Weekly Meal Plan:

Sunday: Macaroni hamburger casserole (basically it is baked mac and cheese with hamburger and peas in it.  Sometimes I add thawed drained frozen spinach in it instead.  Yummy!)

Monday: BBQ chicken, oven fries, squash

Tuesday: Breakfast

Wednesday: Steak sandwiches, frozen asparagus

Thursday:  Check out my Thanksgiving menu HERE

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Leftovers

15 wk Pregnancy Update


I know this isn't the best picture, but I wasn't about to take another one. :)  I look like the Hamburglar in that shirt, I am very swollen, and already have a huge baby bump.  Despite all those things I am still down a few pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. Which is crazy since I look so much bigger! 

I have have had all day sickness since before I knew I was pregnant.  A few weeks ago I broke down and asked my doctor for the Zofran.  I now take it on days where I can't stand it any more.  

Overall, things are going great.  Baby is measuring right on track and everything looks great.  I am just waiting for my exhaustion to pass. ;)  

I have already been tested for diabetes and I failed.  I am on a high risk diabetic diet and will get tested again at 20wks and 28wks.  

We are anxiously awaiting to find out the gender.  I want to go shopping! :) 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Sneak Peak!


It is so hard for me to believe Thanksgiving is only a week away!  That means Black Friday is lurking just around the corner.  I know a lot of people get excited about going to the stores to score deals.  That just isn't me.  Instead, I love getting great deals online!  

You can score amazing deals online all year long!  

Why not give someone the gift of health this holiday season with Shaklee?  All Shaklee products are 100% guaranteed.  Try them and if for any reason you are not 100% satisfied contact Shaklee and they will give you your money back.  Talk about risk free!  Not many companies allow you to open, try the product and STILL get your money back.

I posted an easy gift guide HERE.  Otherwise, come up with your own gift ideas.  They can be as simple as a gift basket with a bottle of Basic H2 and the sleek spray bottles.  You could also go as extravagant as the Enfuselle Advanced Skin Care System.  The possibilities are endless!  

Above I am giving you a sneak peak at the Blissful Firefly Lane Black Friday special.  However, don't forget that Shaklee is currently running another great special through November 18th!

Happy shopping! 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Thanksgiving Menu and Prep

I find it so sad that Thanksgiving doesn't even get its own day anymore.  We are thrown straight into Christmas...even before Halloween!  One of the great things about Thanksgiving is all the home cooked food and great conversations with loved ones.  It is all about spending quality times with the ones we care about.

I host Thanksgiving for my family every year.  This year we have 9 people.  Well, 8.5 since my niece is so little.  ;)  I already ordered our 20 lb fresh local turkey.  Fresh is best!  I hate factory farming.  Instead, I spend the extra money and order a local turkey I know was humanely treated.  The extra price is worth it to me!  

Photo Credit
Menu

*Appetizers

Relish tray and dill dip

*Entree

Roasted  turkey with a lemon herb butter rub

*Accompaniments

Sage dressing
Mashed potatoes with turkey gravy
Corn casserole
Steamed green beans
Cold carrot and raisin slaw
 Fresh hot rolls with rosemary butter

*Desserts

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting
Homemade spiced apple sauce

*Beverages

Hot spiced cider
Coffee
Hot chocolate
Soda
Ice water 

It is going to be a lot of cooking, but I tend to prep a lot the day before.  I will do all my shopping on Tuesday.  That way everything is still fresh by Thursday.

My mom is making the pumpkin bars and bringing all the soda.  Then I have my grandma making her WONDERFUL carrot and raisin slaw and the hot rolls.  We are going to have enough food to feed the whole neighborhood!  

I have my dad rounding up the extra tables and chairs we will need.  I also have a few more random things I need to get from the store.  I like to have plenty of "disposable" leftover containers for people to take things home!  

What is on your Thanksgiving menu?  Do you host it, or does someone else?  If someone else does, do you bring a dish to share?



Monday, November 12, 2012

Weekly Meal Plan 11.11--11.17

Weekly Meal Plan:

Sunday: Roast, potatoes, carrots

Monday: Homemade beef and barley soup (made with leftover roast).

Tuesday: Orange chicken and fried rice

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Chicken and rice casserole

Friday: pancakes

Saturday:  Dinner and movie!

Friday, November 9, 2012

SHAKLEE SPECIAL and Gift Guide!



Shaklee is offering a great special!  Just in time to start your Christmas shopping!  Even if you don't choose this special I still highly recommend giving Shaklee for Christmas. 

  1. You do NOT have to wait in line at the store, deal with crowds, find a baby sitter, or drag your kids out in the cold weather.
  2. You are giving someone the gift of health!
  3. By the time you pay for gas, drive the store, spend who knows how much time in the store, and deal with impulse buys...how much money are you spending?
  4. Who doesn't like shopping from the comfort of their own home all while in their pajamas?!  
Do you need a few ideas on what to give someone?  I have some ideas I want to share!
  
 *Vivix Cellular Anti-Aging* Tonic Dietary Supplement in the middle of a wreath, or inside a beautiful ribboned wine glass or wine decanter. 

*Cinch Snack Bars or Meal-in-a-Bars to stuff stockings. Or give a box of Snack or Meal-in-a- Bars along with brochures for hiking trails and bike routes.

* Cinch Energy Tea sticks tied in a pretty bow, inside a beautiful mug or lovely teacup. Or try with a cute teapot and tea cozy.

* Basic-H2 with a sponge in a bucket filled with car magazines.

*ANY Shaklee Get Clean kit

*Clean purified water for a year along with a nice refusable water bottle.

* Shaklee Energizing Soy Protein in Cocoa or Cinch Shake Mix in Chocolate for healthy hot chocolate along with a warm hat, scarf, and gloves.

* Enfuselle Nutrition Therapy Skin Care System collection with a fancy makeup mirror.

* Enfuselle Lip Treatment SPF 15 wrapped up with ribbons at both ends to slip into cards you’re mailing...or into a Christmas stocking...or given away as a small memento for co-workers, teachers, mail carrier, etc.

 *Enfuselle Moisturizing Shower Gel, Ultra Moisturizing Shea Butter Cream, and a Bath Sponge in a pretty shower caddy or with a set of monogrammed towels.




 *Shaklee Performance Sports Drink, Cinch Snack Bars and Joint & Muscle Pain Cream along with a sports bottle, football, soccer ball, or a signed ball or signed sports personality photograph. For a nice variation, use the same products and package with gardening accessories like a hat, cotton gloves, and/or kneeling pad

 *Shaklee Physique with a jump rope or exercise video for someone making a New Year’s resolution.

*Infusing Mineral Masque and a cooling eye mask.  

* ProSanté Hair Care System with a really nice brush and other hair accessories.

I hope this helps simplify your holidays a little!  Check out MY SHOP and you can come up with some neat gift ideas of your own!  

As always Shaklee products are 100% guaranteed!  If don't like them for any reason please contact Shaklee and you will get your money back!  


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Basic H2 Degreaser Testimonial

I am so excited to share this with you!  I recently had a VERY happy client send me a testimonial on how the Basic H2 Degreaser worked for her.  She is a very busy army wife who has two kids, two cats, and her husband has been deployed more than he has been home the past 3 years.  

She contacted me because she needed a way to simplify her life.  She was tired of using chemicals to clean her house.  It was not safe for her, the kids, or the cats.  She was introduced to Basic H2 and fell in love!  One cleaner to clean almost everything in her house!  She was also very excited to start saving money.  One bottle of the degreaser is only $0.17.

"My mother and I put Shaklee's Basic H to the test.  

I'm bad about cleaning my microwave.  I'm short and it's a pain to clean.  Sadly to say my Before Pictures are at least 3 months worth of "grime."  My mom and I decided to roll up our sleeves and tackle my microwave.  

All we did was spray the Basic H degreaser on the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes.  After those few short minutes, we just wiped the grime off the glass tray with a wash cloth.  There was no scrubbing at all.  The same can be said for the inside of the microwave.  There were a few little spots where we had to rub a little harder but there was no intense scrubbing at all.  The gunk just wiped off.  The whole microwave was clean in less then 10 minutes.  

And the best part is there were no fumes, no need to wear gloves, no fear of harsh chemicals.  Talk about amazing!

Talk about passing a test with flying colors!  All of my other cleaners went in the trash that very day.  :)"
 
Before

Before

After!!!

Before

After!!! 
After!!!
 Aren't her pictures amazing?!  I was so excited when she sent them to me.  Making the degreaser is extremely easy.

For degreasing:
Add 1 1/2 tsp. to 16 oz. of water. For bigger jobs, add 2 oz. to 1 gallon of water.
 
I just love testimonials.  :)  Having other people put the product to the test is the best way for everyone else to see how great something works.  
 
Want to order Basic H2?  No problem!  HERE is where you can find it.  

Monday, November 5, 2012

Weekly Meal Plan 11.4-11.10

Eeeks!  I can't believe I forgot to post this.  Better late than never!    The goal (for the rest of the year) is to start eating from the pantry and freezer!    

Weekly Meal Plan:

Sunday: Home canned tomato soup
Monday: Gone

Tuesday: Teriyaki chicken, loaded baked potatoes

Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner

Thursday: Creamed chicken over biscuits, veggie

Friday: Spaghetti and garlic bread

Saturday: ???

This post is linked up with Healthy Branscom's!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Operation Christmas Child

Have you ever heard of Operation Christmas Child?  This is a program that both my husband and I love.  Our church is a collection site, so it is really easy for us to donate.  

Basically, you fill a shoebox (you can purchase them for a $1, use a shoebox you already have, or use a plastic shoebox) with toys and other gifts.  You choose either girl or boy and the age group.  We did a box for a girl and boy.  Both with the age group 2-4 years.  


I did purchase the two boxes for $1 and I do like how they are decorated festive.  However, I decided to use the plastic shoebox because then the kids can reuse them. :)  I will just use those cardboard ones for other Christmas gifts.  


Here are the items I got for a little girl.  I wish I could have fit more in the box!  I spent $22 on gifts for both the girl and boy.  I had to keep the cost even, or I would have gone insane!  :)  There is toothpaste, 2 tooth brushes, a princess tiara, princess stickers, princess coloring book, crayons, Doodle Pro, pretty barrettes, My Little Pony (my favorite!), and a flashing bouncy ball.  I really wish I could have fit a Barbie in the box, but the My Little Pony made up for it.  :)



Buying little boy stuff just wasn't as much fun, but I hope the little guy who gets this box enjoys it!  I did buy M&M's for both boxes because the sheet I got at church said candy was a good option.  Well, when I got home and looked up Operation Christmas Child online it says only hard candy and suckers.  I took the M&M's out and will get two packages of suckers instead.  

The little boy box includes toothpaste, 2 tooth brushes, a recorder, Doodle Pro, 4 tractors, 5 Hot Wheels, flashing bouncy ball, crayons, coloring book, and sticker book.  

I wish I could fit more in, but the tops barely fit on these with just this stuff!

You can go on the website and see if you have a donation site near you.  I live in a rural area and have 6 right in my area!  If you don't you can print the labels off online and mail your box to the address provided.  

These boxes will be going all over the world to children who are less fortunate.  Including the $7 (per box) donation for shipping each box cost me about $30.  My husband and I were talking about this.  When was the last time $30 made your year? 

It makes me feel good to do this, but it also makes me feel incredibly sad.  We have so much to be thankful for living in the U.S.  We really have no idea what it is like to live in true poverty.  In the U.S there is assistance for those in need.  Other parts of the world don't have that!  

I encourage everyone to do this, or another great deed for children in need this holiday season.  You can brighten a child's life more than you will ever know! 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

NOVEMBER SPECIAL!

NOVEMBER SPECIAL!  Want to become a new member?  No problem!  Purchase $100 worth of PRODUCT and I will send you a check to reimburse your $19.95 lifetime membership fee.  That is a 20% savings!  Perfect time to start Christmas shopping.  

Please contact me for more details, so you don't miss out on this great deal.  

wschmitt123@gmail.com