Spring Cleaning Time is Here

I already started decluttering last week.  I cleaned out my laundry room (I really wished I did a before and after photo because it was a big difference), garage (a little not completely), and re-organized my pantry.  Today I cleaned out Rowdy's room and he gave up a big box of toys that he hasn't played with in awhile.  That earned him a TV in his room (thanks to Poppa) so he was quite pleased.  Tomorrow is the Craft Room again (my desk is a disaster zone!).

Anyone else want to join me in some Spring Cleaning Fun!?

Valentine's Day Candy Bar Wrappers

What a quick and fun idea for Valentine's Day!  Thanks to my friend Pam for these great wrappers she made on her computer. 

All that was needed for this project was the labels, tape, scissors, and 21 chocolate bars (20 kids in his class and of course his teacher).

Rowdy did a great job helping by cutting out the labels with kid friendly scissors.  Then Mommy wrapped them on the chocolate bars and sealed with tape.  Voila!  Another unique and personal Valentine for Rowdy's classmates.



ROWDY (Rowdy typed that himself!)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!







Composting: A New Year's Resolution Complete

I am so happy to report that I have completed a New Year's Resolution and have officially started composting.  It was so easy to get started.  I followed the simple instructions on http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/

Drilling holes was easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Using simple Rubbermaid like containers is all you need to get started.  Luckily I had 2 generic ones in my garage that were collecting dust so that is what I used. 

Start by drilling holes evenly around the lid of the container.  Maybe a few in the middle to allow for aeration.  Then flip the container over and drill a few holes on the bottom for drainage. 

Don't get too excited.  He didn't help for long. 

Next, start to add your shtuff to your bin.  Start with a layer of shredded newspaper.  Then add some dried leaves.  Water this down but don't drown it.  Finally, add your kitchen scraps (fruits and veggie bits, egg shells, etc) and put a lid on it. 

Not much but it's a start.  I need the neighbors coffee grounds now.

Make sure to turn your mixture every 3 or 4 weeks to mix it up.  It will start to turn into compost soil within a few months.  I made two bins mainly because I had two but I figured I could get one going and then go back and forth.  I don't think I will have enough soil for this year's garden but you never know.  Hopefully worms will find their way in as well.  That makes it even better!

These two frugal compost bins have made a home behind my garage.

We now keep a bowl in the kitchen for kitchen scraps and Rowdy is learning what we can compost.  Then when it fills up, Rowdy runs it out to the bin.  He is really learning alot about what we can do to lighten our footprint on the world.  That makes it all worth while.

Whew....where the heck have I been?! (Review of 2011)

I haven't posted since March and so much has happened I don't even know where to begin.  I have gone to the Olympic National Forest in Washington, Alaska (again), had an amazing summer, went to three concerts, went to the happiest place on earth, had the best Birthday week ever, have met so many great people, enjoyed every moment with my amazing son, and had a blast with my friends.  2011 has been one of the best years of my life and I did really well with my resolutions!  The biggest resolution I kept with was "Be Happy".  This was the most important and if I didn't accomplish anything else, this was the one that had to happen.  And it did.  Merry Christmas!  I will be starting this blog up again in 2012 so watch out for it!

First Beach, LaPush, Washington

Redoubt Bay, outside Anchorage, Alaska

William Fitzsimmons (most amazing song writer/folk singer of our time)

Rowdy and Mommy being silly on the iPhone

Rowdy at swim lessons this summer

Alejandro of Boyce Avenue, Martini Ranch, Scottsdale

Rowdy at Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth

Halloween, vampire and Spiderman coming at ya

The girls and the boy

Celebrating my 37th with Joena and many other friends downtown Prescott

Christmas pic taken at Grand Canyon Hotel, Williams, AZ

So many great memories of 2011.  Happy New Year everyone! 

Love, Stephanie & Rowdy

Lions & Tigers & Bears OH MY!

What an awesome trip to an awesome place - Out of Africa Animal Park in Cottonwood, AZ! 

That's Rowdy feeding a giraffe a cookie with his mouth!  He did it three times and didn't mind the slobber one bit!  He also fed a camel (from his mouth), a tiger, and some other exotic African animals.  This place was so cool.  It was pricey but well worth the money. 

It was so neat to see all these animals in their semi-natural habitat. 

Now, that's an egg - an Ostrich egg to be exact!

My Mom knew someone that worked there and he was kind enough to let us in some areas that would otherwise be unaccesable!  We were able to pet some porcupines and look a cobra straight in the eye!  And I am not kidding.  This thing was right in front of me!

They had some beautiful felines at the park, too!

A white tiger and a lioness

My brave boy feeding a tiger named Ezekial

They also has some young bears and a pair of hyenas.  The hyenas were cool to watch!  I had never seen one up close before.  They laugh when they want their food.  And they growl when they are happy and want to play! 

And let's not forget the giant python that Rowdy was enthralled with!  A Python is the longest snake in the world.  It slithered around and never fazed him!  He thought it was the coolest thing ever!

So next time you are thinking, "what should we do today?", why not take a trip to this awesome animal park.  You won't be sorry.  Of course the natives are pretty restless! 

"FEED ME!  I AM STARVING HERE!"  No we didn't feed the zebras but they sure were relentless!

Boom Boom the Rhino























Fun with the Juicer

Rowdy and I decided to break out the juicer this morning because I had two apples that were looking a little like two old men!  But still great for a healthy juice.  I don't like apple very much in my morning smoothie so juice was the best idea to use them up.  And Rowdy loves to use the juicer!

Rowdy added the cut up apple to the top and pushed down the plunger to extract that lovely apple juice.  But, of course, Mommy had to add some veggies to the juice so in went about 4 carrots.  Carrots mix so well with fruits, especially oranges!

We also added one orange for a little more sweetner.  YUM was it delish!  And what a beautiful orange color! 

"This is yummy, Mommy!".  It was quite a fantastic sip if I do say so myself!  And thank you to my friend, Hope, for giving me her juicer for free!  Yes, I am using it, Hope!

Rowdy's Juice

2 large Opal Apples, cut up

4 big carrots (do no cut up or peel)

1 large orange, skin removed and cut into quarters

Juice and enjoy!





Happy Valentine's Day

Rowdy and I made Valentine's for his friends.  I wish I could say these were my idea but I did steal them from my good friend Sheri's daughter.  It was so simple and so unique! 

Mommy cut the holes with an exacto knife and Rowdy was in charge of putting the lollipops in the holes.  He did a fantastic job.  He was very proud of them!

The instructions are very simple.  First just take a picture with their hand out in a fist.  Make sure they smile!  Then open your photo in "paint" on your computer.  I don't have photoshop but paint worked just fine.  Put shapes and doodles all over it.  Save it and get them printed.  Then cut the top and bottom of hand with an exacto knife and insert your treat.  Voila!  A unique and personable valentine for your friends!   The gal that  I got the idea from made cookies, wrapped them, and stuck them to a popsicle stick.  Here is what the valentine looked like before we inserted the lollipop:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!