Merry Christmas Everyone & Many Blessings in O9!

By simplesahm | December 24, 2008

WAHM / SAHM TShirts, Gifts & Greetings - "Because Everyday is Casual Friday"

By simplesahm | December 5, 2008

I created this new line of WAHM / SAHM products in the comfort of my raggedy sweats, sports jersey & baseball cap.  If I had some bunny slippers...I'd be wearing those too - but I am stuck with some fuzzy striped socks.  Yes, I am a vision.

Needless to say, my "casual" attire is just one of the reasons I love my "Work at Home" gig.  That's why I created this fun line of silly tshirts, gifts, mousepads & more.

Here are a few samples...

SAHM: Stay at Home Mom by traci_designs
Shop the t-shirts section of zazzle.com
Browse other Parents T-Shirts

Work at Home Mom by traci_designs
Design a travel coffee mug Online at Zazzle.com
Browse Business Motivational Mugs

WAHM: Work at Home Mom by traci_designs
Make your own mouse pad online at zazzle
View more Parents Mousepads

Crazy Crayons: A Fun, Inexpensive & Creative Classroom Gift Idea

By simplesahm | December 5, 2008

It has been insanely cold here this week so instead of sending the kids outside to play, we've been creating gifts for our neighbors and their teachers & friends.  Yesterday, we made cookies & pumpkin bread...today is "crazy crayon" day.

I found this "recipe" on Martha Stewart and thought it would be a really great "rainy day"...(or just plain bitterly cold day) craft for the kids and I to try.  Once they were completed (see photos) the kids decided that they would make a great gift for their friends at school.  I couldn't agree more. 

Here's how we made ours....

• We gathered up all of our crayon scraps (we used about 40 crayons and parts to make 10 crazy crayons).
• Then, I put the kids in charge of peeling.  (This takes awhile so you may want to pop in a movie or turn on some holiday music while they peel).  If you plan ahead, you may want to soak the crayons overnight or for a few hours so they are easier to peel.
• Next, I sliced the crayons (using an old chopping knife) into pea-sized pieces and sorted the chopped crayons into small bowls by colors - (reds & oranges, blues & greens, blacks & greys, etc...)
• After that, I let the kids sort the pieces into muffin tins.  We talked about "earth tones", primary colors, holiday colors etc...as they put the pieces into the muffin holes.
• Finally, I baked the crayon pieces in a 200 degree oven for 15 minutes.  You may need to bake them longer or shorter...they will look like liquid when they are completely melted. 
• It takes an hour or so for the crazy crayons to become solid so I put mine in the freezer when the kids started getting impatient. 

That's it!  Wa-la...a fun, educational & "green" craft project & gift idea.  

We are going to make more later this week and put them into cute baggies for a little gift for the kids' classmates. 

Over Stuffed? 10 Great Leftover Turkey & Stuffing Recipes

By simplesahm | December 2, 2008

I am crazy about Thanksgiving & Christmas Day leftovers.  I am not sure why, but sometimes I think the turkey & stuffing actually tastes better the next day (plus, I am a huge fan of fresh turkey & swiss sandwiches). 

This year, we have an abundance of leftovers and I thought I would stretch the leftovers with some creative leftover stuffing & turkey recipes.   I tried the first one last night and it was fabulous! 

If you are "over-stuffed" check out these leftover turkey & stuffing recipes.

1).  Breakfast Stuffing Frittata

2).  Turkey & Stuffing Bundles

3).  Turkey and Stuffing Soup

4).  Turkey Casserole with Stuffing

5).  Turkey Broccoli Pie

6).  Turkey Strata

7).  Turkey Soup with Stuffing Dumplings

8).  Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms

9).  Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Pesto

10). Stuffed Shells

...add your own leftover stuffing tips and ideas in the comments section....

Frugal Living: Vintage Inspired Kids T-Shirts on a Budget

By simplesahm | November 11, 2008

Ironically - I was in the process of saving some money by making my own shrinky dink necklace pendants (I'll share soon) when I came across these awesome vintage inspired free iron-on transfers from HP. 

I frequently save money by making my own iron-on kids shirts...but these are above and beyond anything I've ever created on my own.

Here's a sample...and here's the link.  Enjoy!

PS - Wouldn't these make great Christmas gifts? 

Warning: Vinyl Car Stickers May be a Safety Hazard for Families

By simplesahm | October 23, 2008

Have you seen those cute little vinyl car window stickers that usually feature a silly depiction of each family member...and sometimes a name below?  IE: The Andersons...or individual names for family members.

According to a Fox News report, a law enforcement official says that these decals offer too much information about your family to someone who may potentially harm your children.

For example, a child predator could approach your child using their first name (that they saw on the vehicle) leaving the child to trust him / her more.

I am looking for a link to share to the actual report, but thought it was worth mentioning since these stickers are growing in popularity.

Do You Suffer from SAHGS? (Stay at Home Mom Guilt Syndrome)

By simplesahm | September 15, 2008

Do You Suffer from SAHGS? (Stay at Home Mom Guilt Syndrome)
There is a disorder for everything today. Here's one you may suffer from without even knowing it - S.A.H.G.S. (Stay at Home Mom Guilt Syndrome).
View more »

Love this! Fatherhood.org Public Service Announcement

By simplesahm | September 10, 2008

Take a moment to share this with the men in your lives.  It is priceless.  "Oh those boys are much too much".
 

Debbie Meyer’s Green Bags - A Review of an "As Seen on TV" that Really Works

By simplesahm | August 28, 2008

For me, "As Seen on TV" ads are like a bad car crash.  I know I shouldn't look..I really don't want to look...but I look anyway, and can't turn away.

I'll admit...I've actually been convinced a few times that the stuff they are peddling works.  I recently bought that foot file shaped like an egg after watching a recent infomercial.  Did it work?  Yes.  Was it worth $10.00 + shipping?  Probably not.

I had a retail therapy moment the other day when I was bored at our local Walgreens and decided to try the green bags that were taunting me from the check-out aisle.   As the checker scanned my items she squeeled like I'd just purchased a cute pair of shoes, "oh I love those - they are fantastic".  

I headed home and excitedly bagged up my bananas, apples, & grapes.  A week later...everything looks fresh and there is this cool little "gassy film" on the bag.  (I am sure that's the technical term). 

Even better, I love to buy bananas at Costco but they only seem to last a day or two (I am hoping it is because they use less preservatives than grocery store fruit).  So far, my little banana bag has lasted a week...much to the dismay of my hubbie who loves banana bread. 

So...just a quick post to let you know that the Green Bags work.  I have a feeling they will save me lots of money...and a few extra trips to Costco.

Great Mommy Gadget - the Dustbuster’s Clever New Design

By simplesahm | August 28, 2008

I am loving the simple & ergonomic new design of the classic Black & Decker dustbuster ...especially the pivoting head & slim nozzle. 

I have a small vacuum in my minivan for goldfish spills & other mishaps but it has always been difficult to vacuum underneath the bench and in the crevices of the car seats where their is a nasty buffet of gummy bears, m&m's & fruit-snacks. 

This looks like the perfect solution and I will be adding one (or two) to my Christmas list.

Wouldn't this also make a great guy-gadget for neat-freak husbands like mine?