Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Best Ever Sloppy Joes

Best Ever Sloppy Joes Sloppy Joe

Just hearing the words “sloppy joe” from my mother used to send us kids into a tizzy. There was something wonderfully fun about getting to eat a burger/sandwich that was messy by design.

I first posted this recipe years ago, after making it for my visiting young nephew. Sloppy joes really are a quintessential kid food, aren’t they?

http://ift.tt/2EsWSX7

Double Chocolate Cupcakes

Double Chocolate Cupcakes Double Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Chocolate cupcakes were one of the first recipes I became obsessed with perfecting.

To me, the ideal chocolate cupcake is moist with a deep chocolate flavor. The recipe also should produce exactly one dozen cupcakes in a standard muffin tin, no more and no less.

http://ift.tt/2BGwrdK

Planning Our Teen Boy's Closet Upgrade

Planning Our Teen Boy's Closet Upgrade Hello, hello! How is your week going? I have a case of the blues today, but it has absolutely nothing to do with my mood and everything to do with the crazy moon and our son's closet plans!



Since it has been awhile, I am going to back up and catch you all up with a little backstory.

Our younger two boys shared a room for quite a few years and became the best of friends during that time. You can see their room here. When our youngest son took over our guest room a little over a year ago, we removed his bed and clothes and the rest of the room remained unchanged. We put some focus on making updates to the guest room so our youngest would feel more at home there and could begin to make it his own. We still have a few things to finish up there, but we have also promised our now second teenage boy (13!) that we would help transition his space into something a bit more sophisticated to compliment the wonderful young man he is growing to be.

The entire room needs love and the closet is just the beginning. In fact, it was a "quick" closet update that I originally wanted to do, that is suddenly springing on a couple of additional room upgrades as well.


We get asked for updates on our previous systems and closets quite frequently, and I am happy to report that the IKEA hack closet solution we created for our two growing boys was amazing. It held up really well and did the job for many years. In fact, we all voted for more real-life shots, so this is my son's closet straight from my cell phone a few weeks ago (below).


From a distance, not too bad. He is completely in charge of maintaining it himself, and although he fights hanging some of his laundry, he has done a pretty good job overall. A closer look, however, will show that the bins are falling apart after 5+ years of use because he has literally outgrown them.


He is my "stuffer" and prefers to put his clothes into the bins vs. hanging them. And as he has grown, so has the size of the clothes he wears. And that means less room inside of the bins for said clothes.

He is also a boy who needs a quiet and organized workspace of his own, completely free of outside distractions. He and I are very similar in that respect, and we both just work better when we can isolate ourselves and put on headphones and give our current work our full attention. He currently has a small desk in his room (placed where his brother's bed was previously located), but with that piece of furniture, there aren't many layout options that would also accommodate a dresser. And a dresser (or more room for folded clothes) is one of his top requests for the room.

I am a believer in listening to my kids and trying to entertain what they want in their rooms, and I really encourage them to help me problem solve and design their personal slices of our home. I also try to design their rooms in ways that are easiest for them to maintain based on their personalities. Our oldest wanted to put his desk in his closet, and to this day, it is still his absolute favorite spot in his room. Our youngest had two closet cavities to work with; one is for a desk and the other is for his clothing. Again, worked out great for him and he is also a very happy camper. Our middle man wanted a dresser and a desk, but we agreed he would still need to hang some of his clothing. He wanted to keep his desk in the main area of his room, so I began troubleshooting how to get a dresser into his small closet.

With the wing walls on both sides of the closet taking up so much usable space, it made it nearly impossible to add decent sized drawers. My gut told me for months to just widen the opening to make the closet as a whole much more functional.


So I shopped closet solutions and weighed out quite a few options. After a few custom build ideas weren't panning out, I checked out Elfa, ClosetMaid, and IKEA. With both our son's needs and our budget in mind, we landed on the IKEA Pax System. We have personalized components from this system quite a few times for different types of storage projects, and have always been happy with the quality and options available. With the solution we designed for our boy (mocked up above), we would be able to add a pull-out shelf for shoes, five drawers, three shelves and still keep double hanging storage.


Same internal closet dimensions (58" wide x 24" deep), but so much more storage potential. Not only will he have five nicely sized drawers, it will also be so great to have shelves for his momentos, collections, linens, sports gear, etc...

In terms of this project, we had two primary goals; upgraded storage and an updated look. I will miss those labeled canvas bins, but they most definitely seem more appropriate for younger lads and have seen better days.

Sliding Door Hardware | PAX System | Wallpaper | Hardware | Baskets | Storage Boxes

And here is where that lovely snowball effect comes into play.

We have begun with the project and widened the door opening. But that led to removing all of the trim. And because we are in the process of upgrading all of the trim in the upper level from the previously painted oak, now is the time to do that in this room. Then I was asked to paint over the stripes. Although I completely agree, I may have crumbled a bit just thinking about it. I have a ridiculous love for this room because of the memories made creating it with the boys, the idea of just painting over it all has been a hard pill to swallow. But the time has come for new memories and plans and giving our boy a space that is just for him. And every time I do a closet, I paint it, or find a way to make it special and tie it into the room. It is just how I roll, so now we are going to paint the walls too. And maybe the ceiling. Finally, no matter how great the closet system, I still want the option to conceal it. Because the boys are in charge of their own rooms and closets, sometimes it is just nice to pull a door shut. To accommodate the new wider opening, we are going to build and install a sliding door.


And patch the carpet. And the walls. And swap out all of the almond colored outlets, switches and plates.

Whew! Leave it to me to make a mountain out of a molehill.

Just widening the opening to the closet instantly made the room feel twice as big. So I am really excited to see how all of this comes together. And being that our son has been temporarily relocated to another room while we take over his space, we are going to kick things into high gear. The closet components and paint have been purchased, the wall is being patched and plastic is being laid out. In some ways, I can't wait to tear into all of those IKEA boxes, but at the same time... wine and hugs will be welcomed.

The entire room and our ideas may be a little confusing right now, but I plan to take more photos and continue to tell the story as the entire space evolves. It should be a fun week because paint alone is a very powerful thing!
http://ift.tt/2FxnfdY

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Top 10 Lending ICOs This Month | Internal Exchange vs External Exchange | ICO Coin Count Explained

Top 10 Lending ICOs This Month | Internal Exchange vs External Exchange | ICO Coin Count Explained Top 10 Lending ICOs This Month | Internal Exchange vs External Exchange | ICO Coin Count Explained
In This Video We Review Our Top 10 Lending ICO Platforms, The Difference Between The Internal Exchange vs External Exchange & Why Both Are Vital For Us As Investors, and ICO Coin Count Amounts Broken Down So That You Know How To Better Pick Your Future ICO's! Check out our free Telegram chat for more up to date info. https://goo.gl/Ci8JWK Make money with bitcoin and cryptocurrency with Bitcoin Networker! http://ift.tt/2yGaLwP Get all the tools, training, and information you'll need to maximize your passive income opportunities in cryptocurrency when you join Bitcoin Networker today. Following the PIBTAC-V method of ICO investing, we are able to isolate a specific niche cryptocurrency that typically 3x - 20x in just 60 days, plus they pay out daily dividends just like "preferred stocks"! These daily dividends are making our members very wealthy while creating long term passive income! Below are some of the opportunities we have available. http://ift.tt/2ATZO0I http://ift.tt/2mkq2Qp http://ift.tt/2rdeGTq If you are new to crypto and bitcoin and would like to get more information on what the two are, you can get some great info for free at http://ift.tt/2goZevF Coinbase - http://ift.tt/2DgEnEI Binance - https://goo.gl/R9P1tM Check and like our Facebook page here... we stay posting great content http://ift.tt/2yAMgFT Subscribe to our YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV84ypzVsKeaEeX1H4WZLEg Make sure to hit the notification bell to the right of the subscribe button to make sure you get all of our updates as we will always provide our team with the latest crypto content available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSmvTy_YITM

7 Easy Ways to Make Any Soup Better

7 Easy Ways to Make Any Soup Better 7 Ways to Make a Better Soup

Soup is soul food, satisfying and warming on a cold day or night. Sometimes, though, you make a pot of soup that’s good and fine, but maybe you wish it were a little bit… better. Maybe you want to take this soup to the next level, and give it something extra to improve the taste, texture, or complexity of flavor.

Here are a few tips to take you beyond the recipe and make all your soups sing.

http://ift.tt/2nqiFXn

What’s on Sale in February? - Frugal Family Home

What’s on Sale in February? - Frugal Family Home

Stockpiling is one way I save a bundle of money each year. And it’s not something I do once and forget about, it’s something I do each month all month long.

When you know when items will be at their rock bottom prices each month you can stock up and really save a bundle.

Stocking up when you don’t have to pay full price, can really keep your spending down. Here’s what’s sure to be on sale in February.

Have you ever wondered when is the best time to purchase an item? This list gives an idea of what sale to look for in February. Now I know what to be watching for on sale this month.

What to Stock up on in February

Electronics and Smartphones
February is a great time to find deals on electronics. Things like televisions, cameras, and GPS systems. Smartphones are usually on sale this time of year too.

You should be able to find a great deal if you missed the deals in November and December.

Winter Coats
As people start to think about spring the winter items start to go on sale. If you need a new winter coat for yourself or for your kids it’s a great time to get a high-end coat for a lot less.

If you are purchasing for your kids be sure to buy up a size or two. Don’t forget to look for hats, scarves, and gloves. This is  also a great time to purchase those smaller winter wear items for stocking stuffers for next Christmas.

Bedding and Towels
This is a great time to replace those old worn out towels. There’s sure to be a great President’s Day sale and you should be able to find some great buys then. I like to grab a set of sheets for all of our beds and a few new towels so I can rotate out the ones that are looking a little worn.

Don’t throw those old towels away. Cut them up for rags that can be used over and over instead of paper towels and save even more.

Furniture and Home Decor
February is a good time to find good deals on furniture and home decor. As new styles come out the current stock needs to be sold, making for some great buys.

If you are looking to replace furniture pieces this month would be a good time to shop.

Valentine’s Day Gifts
You won’t find great deals until after the 14th but after the 14th, you can find some great deals on Valentine’s Day gift items like jewelry, perfume, and other gift items.

Don’t forget to look for chocolates too. You can score some high-end chocolate on the cheap after the 14th.

Tax Software
Yes, the tax season deadline is still a while away but you can get a great deal on tax software this month. Get your taxes done early and save too.

Baby Items
Be on the lookout for baby sales. Now would be a good time to purchase baby items if you have baby showers coming up later in the year.

Supplements
After the new year, new you fitness craze has died down from last month, this month is a great time to save on health-related items, like supplements.

Be on the lookout for markdown and scoop up the savings. Plus since most supplements last a while you can stock up and save without having to worry about them going bad.

Have you ever wondered when is the best time to purchase an item? This list gives an idea of what sale to look for in February. Now I know what to be watching for on sale this month.

Canned Foods
Did you know that February is canned food month? It is and it’s a great time to find great buys on canned goods. The great thing about canned goods is you can stock up and you don’t have to worry about them going bad.

Be on the lookout for sale of items you use often and when you see a great price grab up enough to last you a while and save.

Hot Breakfast Items
Since it’s also Hot Breakfast month watch for sales on oatmeal, Malt-o-Meal and you might even find deals on frozen pancakes and waffles too. Although making those at home yourself, is usually a better deal. I make my own pancakes and waffles for the freezer.

If you find regular plain rolled oats on sale you can make these oatmeal packets yourself.

Snacks
There will be deals on snacks for football game parties. Even if you won’t be having a party, you should be able to snatch up saving on party type foods like, chips, dips, frozen pizzas, and pop.

Produce on Sale in February
This month there should be good deals on citrus fruit like, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and lemon. Other items to look for at good prices are potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, bananas, cabbage, lettuce, avocados, broccoli, and winter squash.

What’s something you are looking to shop for in February?

SaveSave

SaveSave

http://ift.tt/2FrbANN

Printable Stations of the Cross for Children (Booklet and Reflections)

Printable Stations of the Cross for Children (Booklet and Reflections)

While Stations of the Cross is an excellent reflection for any time of year, Lent is an especially appropriate time to meditate and pray on the Lord’s journey toward His death. This brings me to something I have been working on, which started as a small idea and got much larger than I anticipated. I’m

The post Printable Stations of the Cross for Children (Booklet and Reflections) appeared first on Real Life at Home.

http://ift.tt/2DHRApB

Monday, January 29, 2018

Bitfinite Coin (BFC) | Bitfintite ICO & Exchange Will Moon...This Is Why | New 5k Bitfinite Loan

Bitfinite Coin (BFC) | Bitfintite ICO & Exchange Will Moon...This Is Why | New 5k Bitfinite Loan Bitfinite Coin (BFC) | Bitfintite ICO & Exchange Will Moon...This Is Why | New 5k Bitfinite Loan
Bitfinite Coin is poised to launch their own exchange and that will moon the coin making it an extremely successful ICO! Check out their new site https://goo.gl/JNm4ry and join the Bitfintite exchange launch today! https://youtu.be/p1hP5jjkNhk Bitfininite is an open source all in one peer to peer decentralized crypto community developed to provide several investment opportunities where it is entirely possible to fine the independence we all desire. Bitfinite Coin (BFC), the alt coin for the Bitfinite crypto community will provide immense value to holders. Continuous investment in R&D ensures that coin value remains at peak prosperity. Make money with bitcoin and cryptocurrency with Bitcoin Networker! http://ift.tt/2yGaLwP Get all the tools, training, and information you'll need to maximize your passive income opportunities in cryptocurrency when you join Bitcoin Networker today. Following the PIBTAC-V method of ICO investing, we are able to isolate a specific niche cryptocurrency that typically 3x - 20x in just 60 days, plus they pay out daily dividends just like "preferred stocks"! These daily dividends are making our members very wealthy while creating long term passive income! Below are some of the opportunities we have available. http://ift.tt/2mkq2Qp http://ift.tt/2rdeGTq http://ift.tt/2ARGwsJ If you are new to crypto and bitcoin and would like to get more information on what the two are, you can get some great info for free at http://ift.tt/2goZevF Check and like our Facebook page here... we stay posting great content http://ift.tt/2yAMgFT Subscribe to our YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV84ypzVsKeaEeX1H4WZLEg Make sure to hit the notification bell to the right of the subscribe button to make sure you get all of our updates as we will always provide our team with the latest crypto content available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1hP5jjkNhk

Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mushrooms

Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mushrooms Stuffed Delicata Squash

I’m a card-carrying member of the Delicata Squash Club. When I see mounds of delicata squash at the market, I make a beeline.

This squash takes so well to roasting — the sweet flesh hardly needs any adornment because it has so much flavor. The skin is also edible, so there’s no need to peel. After roasting, you can cut right through the skin with a fork!

http://ift.tt/2nobIq0

Not Your Grandma’s Mushroom Barley Soup

Not Your Grandma’s Mushroom Barley Soup Mushroom Barley Soup

Barley is one of those grains that your grandmother probably always had in her pantry. And like many other treasures tucked away on those shelves, barley is chic now and a star ingredient on many trendy restaurant menus.

With this modernized recipe, we’re adding barley to a pot of vegetarian soup along with both dried and fresh mushrooms, and seasoning it with a surprising combination of soy sauce and balsamic vinegar.

The bowls of soup have a satisfying saltiness and an alluring sweetness—it’s an entirely new take on traditional mushroom barley soup.

http://ift.tt/2Gsi941

Slow Cooker Brats and Beer Cheese Dip

Slow Cooker Brats and Beer Cheese Dip Slow Cooker Brats and Beer Cheese Dip

Being stationed in Germany for six years gave me a deep appreciation for two things: beer and bratwurst (sausages) of all kinds.

This Brats and Beer Cheese Dip was born out of my love for this German fare and for hosting Super Bowl parties. Honestly, I have no clue about how football is played—I just love any reason to have a party.

http://ift.tt/2DMFZtE

Menu Plan Monday, Oven Baked Meals - Frugal Family Home

Menu Plan Monday, Oven Baked Meals - Frugal Family Home

Are you ready for the last few days of January? It’s time to get prepared for the week with a new meal plan. If you need a few ideas scroll on down and see what’s cooking at our house this week.

Menu plan with recipe links

Can you believe it’s already the end of January. It’s hard to believe that February is right around the corner. Where did January go?!

I love this time of year when you can make dinner in the oven every night, if you want to. I love to pop dinner into the oven and let it cook while I get other things done.

This week I’ll be baking the Pizza cups, World’s Best Chicken, Cheesy Ham and Potatoes Dish, the Easy Hamburger Dish and the Sausage sheet pan dinner will all be baked in the oven.

But if you don’t have time to bake the World’s Best Chicken, Cheesy Ham and Potato dish as well as the easy hamburger dish can be made in the crock pot. Making those dinner fix and forget until dinner time if you have a busy day ahead.

The pan fried pork chops are a quick and easy stove top meal for a busy night. And finally we have pizza cups on the meal plan which is a favorite at our house.

What’s on your meal plan this week?

This Week’s Meal Plan…

Dinners

An easy to make dinner idea if your family loves pizza.

Pizza Cups with Salad

Pan Fried Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce, Salad and Breadsticks

World’s Best Chicken (freezer meal), Mashed Potatoes and Salad

Cheesy Ham and Potato Crock Pot with Salad

Easy Hamburger Dish, Fruit and Bread

Sausage and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner, Fruit and Salad

Lunches

Leftovers most days

Sandwiches, Fruit and Chips

Bean Burritos with Chips and Salsa

Breakfasts

This whole wheat pancake recipe is easy to make and healthy too. It doesn’t contain eggs or oil. You can make it dairy free by using almond milk or another non dairy milk. It’s a great weekend breakfast but fast enough to be made on a weekday too. Even though these pancakes are made with whole wheat, they are light and fluffy. Come see what the secret is to making them fluffy instead of heavy and dense.

Oatmeal, Toast and Eggs

Omelets with Hash Browns and Toast

Whole Wheat Pancakes with Homemade Syrup, Eggs and Sausage

What’s on your menu plan this week?

Where to find more menu plan ideas for this week.

Do you need help planning your menu? Find my menu planning tips here with a free printable menu planner page and here for my frugal menu planning tips.

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.


Find more menu plan ideas at Org Junkie too.

http://ift.tt/2rNGIF8

5 Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

5 Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas 5 Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas-Faux Stone Landscape Edging

Winter may be in full swing, but now is a great time to start thinking about front yard landscaping ideas! It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a warmer climate and can get started or if you just need something to get you…

http://ift.tt/2nkPmpi

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Slow Cooker Brats and Beer Cheese Dip

Slow Cooker Brats and Beer Cheese Dip Slow Cooker Brats and Beer Cheese Dip

Being stationed in Germany for six years gave me a deep appreciation for two things: beer and bratwurst (sausages) of all kinds.

This Brats and Beer Cheese Dip was born out of my love for this German fare and for hosting Super Bowl parties. Honestly, I have no clue about how football is played—I just love any reason to have a party.

http://ift.tt/2njcNz7

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Budget Grocery Haul, Fred Meyer Haul - Frugal Family Home

Budget Grocery Haul, Fred Meyer Haul - Frugal Family Home

Grocery shopping should have been a breeze this week, I didn’t have much on my list. But I combined it with finding socks for my daughter.

This week's budget grocery haul for our family of 4.

My daughter needs to have cotton socks, white cotton socks and they are becoming harder to find. Have you noticed most socks are now at least 50% polyester, when did this happen?

I have purchased cotton socks in the past at our local Fred Meyer store but the didn’t have any.

I walked through two Fred Meyer stores on this shopping trip, to find none of the socks she likes so much. I finally gave up after I dropped my reusable bags and lost them. How that happened I’m not quite sure.

They must have slipped off my arm when I picked up socks to check the cotton content and dropped them without knowing it.

After retracing my steps I gave up when I couldn’t locate my lost shopping bags and went on to shop for our groceries.

I was glad that I didn’t have much on my list since I was a little frustrated at not being able to locate the socks and losing my reusable grocery bags too.

But I found a couple of good deals on groceries.

And if you are wondering if I finally found some cotton socks, I did. I made a separate trip to Walmart and found a wide assortment of cotton socks on sale half price. So I stocked up, yay!

Here’s what I found on this grocery haul trip…

Best Deals for this Grocery Haul

Lettuce $.99 a head
Strawberries $3.99 for 2 pounds
Bread $.89
Smart Balance $2.99 – $.60 coupon, just $2.39

This week's budget grocery haul for our family of 4.

The total for this grocery haul for this week ended up coming to $31.75. I wish they had a few better deals but not all weeks have great sales that’s why stocking up is so important.

What was the best deal you got this week while out shopping? And where do you find all cotton or at least 80% cotton socks?

Find More Grocery Hauls.

Love to Coupon Shop? Print your coupons before you shop….

Grab a few Printable Coupons 
Find the printable Red Plum Coupons
Print the SmartSource Coupons

SaveSave

http://ift.tt/2nmuKNB

Meal Plan for January Week 5

Meal Plan for January Week 5 January Week 5 Meal Plan

Welcome to 2018! Our contributor Summer Miller is back to share her meal plans for the month of January. 

January is always a reprieve from the hectic holiday season and the one month where our family is light on sports commitments. Fall soccer has ended, spring soccer has yet to begin, and the cold weather keeps us huddled together playing card games indoors.

It’s a month of renewal as I prepare for the flurry of activities that hit our home from February through July.

http://ift.tt/2GmA6B2

Friday, January 26, 2018

Free Unicorn Printables Preschool Activity Packet

Free Unicorn Printables Preschool Activity Packet

Free Unicorn Printables Preschool Activity Packet Post Preview: This post includes a free nine page Unicorns Worksheets Printable Packet for preschoolers and kindergarteners as well as some other unicorn fun. Do you know what I think makes unicorns such a fun, mythical animal? They’re magical and believable. After all, what are they other than super cool

The post Free Unicorn Printables Preschool Activity Packet appeared first on Real Life at Home.

http://ift.tt/2Bv18Cv

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Homemade Vanilla Cake Mix from Scratch in Minutes - Frugal Family Home

Homemade Vanilla Cake Mix from Scratch in Minutes - Frugal Family Home

You get a call from a friend coming over to visit, what will you make for a snack? How about a homemade vanilla cake? It’s easy when you have this homemade vanilla cake mix waiting in the cupboard.

Easy homemade vanilla cake mix from scratch, this is an easy diy vanilla cake mix. It makes the best most moist cake ever. Grab the printable recipe and the printable labels too.

Making a cake can be super simple when you have a cake mix sitting in the cupboard. But if your family is like ours, you don’t want the added preservatives that come in a boxed cake mix.

This homemade vanilla cake mix makes the most moist and tasty cake ever. Plus, you can make it dairy free and gluten-free too.

That’s why making a cake from scratch can be so great. You can include only the ingredients you want, and nothing you don’t want. It’s perfect.

But if you are like me and short on time, having a ready to make homemade vanilla cake mix sitting in your cupboard is the perfect solution.

When you take a few minutes to throw together a homemade vanilla cake mix from scratch or two and store it in your cupboard, you’ll be ready to make a cake from scratch, any time.

Easy homemade vanilla cake mix from scratch, this is an easy diy vanilla cake mix. It makes the best most moist cake ever. Grab the printable recipe and the printable labels too.

You can even get your kids to help. You won’t have to worry about flour all over the counter or all over the floor either.

The kids will only have to dump the cake mix, add the wet ingredients, mix and pour into the pan. Just like a cake mix from the store and fewer chances of a flour fight breaking out to make a huge mess in your kitchen. Yes!

Making this homemade vanilla cake mix takes just about a minute and only 4 ingredients, you have sitting in the cupboard right now.

Here’s how easy it is to make a white cake mix from scratch in just about a minute….

How Much will a Homemade Vanilla Cake Mix Cost to Make

With only 4 ingredients this simple homemade cake mix is quick and easy to make and frugal too. If you need to eat dairy free or don’t like the added preservatives in boxed cake mixes and you love saving money, this cake mix is for you.

  • Flour $.25
  • Sugar $.40
  • Baking Powder $.02
  • Salt $.005

That brings the cost of this vanilla cake mix to just $.68. Not bad, for a homemade cake mix that makes a delicious moist cake. Most store bought cake mixes are at least a dollar on sale so you save money when you make them at home.

Easy homemade vanilla cake mix from scratch, this is an easy diy vanilla cake mix. It makes the best most moist cake ever. Grab the printable recipe and the printable labels too.

 

Homemade Vanilla Cake Mix
 
Author: Shelly
Serves: 1 cake mix
Ingredients
  • 2¼ cups Flour
  • 1¾ cups Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
  1. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Mix with a whisk to ensure the ingredients are mixed well.
  3. Place the cake mix into a quart storage zipper bag or a quart sized canning jar and seal.
  4. Print labels and place on a jar or bags with instructions for using the cake mix.
3.5.3229

 

 

Print the White Cake Mix from Scratch Labels

Easy homemade vanilla cake mix from scratch, this is an easy diy vanilla cake mix. It makes the best most moist cake ever. Grab the printable recipe and the printable labels too.

If you are ready to make your own cake mixes from scratch grab the printable labels too. Print the recipe above but also grab the printable labels below.

The labels make it so easy to add the instructions for how to make the cake right to the storage container.

I store our homemade vanilla cake mix in a zipper quart sized bag. I tape the instructions to the front of the bag so I don’t have to hunt for them. Then the cake mix is ready for me to make a cake for a birthday or when company comes over.

I make two or three cake mixes at a time. I measure and mix the ingredients for the first batch of cake mix. Then I’ll make the next cake mix separately . Doing this assures each cake mix gets the right amount of sweetener and baking powder.

Get the Printable Labels….

Add your email below and to get the printable labels sent to your in-box in a jiffy.

You’ll also be added to our email list to get regular updates on new recipes and more.

Name:
Email:

 

How to Make this Homemade Vanilla Cake Mix Dairy or Gluten Free

If eating dairy free is a concern for your family like mine. Or if eating gluten-free is something you need to do, you can alter the recipe to meet those needs.

To make this simple cake mix recipe dairy free….

Mix the cake mix according to the directions but when making the cake substitute the milk with soy milk, almond milk or any other dairy free milk you like. The recipe uses oil so you don’t have to worry about any butter added.

To make this cake mix gluten-free….

Instead of using regular all purpose flour, use your favorite gluten-free flour mix in the recipe instead. Then follow the directions to finish making the mix. It’s that simple.

Easy homemade vanilla cake mix from scratch, this is an easy diy vanilla cake mix. It makes the best most moist cake ever. Grab the printable recipe and the printable labels too.

If you love homemade moist cake from scratch. I know you’ll love the convenience of having this homemade vanilla cake mix waiting for you in the cupboard the next time you need to bake a cake. It’s so simple to make and less messy if your kids want to help make cake too.

More Recipes You’ll Want to Try…

Chocolate Cake Mix From Scratch
Strawberry Filled Chocolate Cupcakes
Freezer Friendly Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pin it for Later…

Easy homemade vanilla cake mix from scratch, this is an easy diy vanilla cake mix. It makes the best most moist cake ever. Grab the printable recipe and the printable labels too.

http://ift.tt/2DE7Mwc

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

House Cleaning Tips to Get Your Home Sparkling

House Cleaning Tips to Get Your Home Sparkling House Cleaning Tips to Get Your Home Sparkling-Indoor High Reach Cleaning Kit-Chenille Duster

Spring is in the air, which means it’s spring cleaning time! OK, so house cleaning may be the least fun part of the arrival of warmer temperatures, but it is a necessity. We have a few tips on how to efficiently clean…

http://ift.tt/2DGTtpR

Vietnamese-Style Sticky Chicken Skewers

Vietnamese-Style Sticky Chicken Skewers Vietnamese Sticky Chicken Skewrs

There’s a lot to love here with these sweet, sour, spicy nuggets of chicken on a skewer — barbecued when the weather cooperates, or broiled in the oven when it does not.

They’re real crowd-pleasers (watch out, Super Bowl food competitors, this one’s in the running!), but they’re so good that you’ll want to put them on the menu every week!

http://ift.tt/2BqwfiC

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Morning Glory Muffins

Morning Glory Muffins Morning Glory Muffins

Everyone needs one great muffin recipe. This is mine.

These Morning Glory muffins are like carrot cake cupcakes, though not as sweet and at least somewhat more nutritious. They’re mixed with grated carrots and apple, along with raisins, walnuts, and spices.

http://ift.tt/2F6cqzh

Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mushrooms

Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mushrooms Stuffed Delicata Squash

I’m a card-carrying member of the Delicata Squash Club. When I see mounds of delicata squash at the market, I make a beeline.

This squash takes so well to roasting — the sweet flesh hardly needs any adornment because it has so much flavor. The skin is also edible, so there’s no need to peel. After roasting, you can cut right through the skin with a fork!

http://ift.tt/2Bow8Ee

Spinach Artichoke Dip with Bacon

Spinach Artichoke Dip with Bacon Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip with Bacon

When I was out for a friend’s birthday recently, we ordered some spinach artichoke dip for the table. The dip was warm and creamy—and a great accompaniment for the crispy tortilla chips that came with it. It was devoured within minutes.

http://ift.tt/2Bow6w6

Meal Plan for January Week 4

Meal Plan for January Week 4

I lived as a vegetarian for more than a decade, and then I met my husband, who happens to be a hunter. I slowly tiptoed into the world of eating, and later, preparing meat, but it took a good while to find comfort in cooking foods so unfamiliar to me.

The first time I made a pot roast the thing was tough as leather. I was in my early 30s and, of course, I had invited people over for dinner to share this pot roast. They were gracious about this first attempt, and I went on to cook many roasts, all of which fared better than the first.

http://ift.tt/2BnGW5p

Hot Reuben Dip

Hot Reuben Dip Hot Reuben Dip

I’m from Omaha, Nebraska, where the Reuben sandwich was born (sorry, New Yorkers), and I grew up eating this classic sandwich.

I’ve had it in the homes of my mother, grandmothers, aunts and uncles. I’ve also consumed plenty of Reubens at bars and restaurants, where they usually come with a side of onion rings.

It’s a simple lunchtime favorite, and I’ve found that it also transitions into the perfect party dip.

http://ift.tt/2Bow5bw

Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island Dressing Homemade Thousand Island Dressing

If the craving for a Reuben sandwich strikes or you need a “secret sauce” for your next burger, you probably have all of the necessary ingredients around to make this quick, creamy and delicious dressing.

http://ift.tt/2Do4Y5l

Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Tacos

This post is brought to you in partnership with Mission Foods.

It’s that time of year when our slow cookers are almost always on the kitchen counter. It’s just so easy to make dinner happen, even on the busiest weeknights.

These Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos need to be on your regular rotation this season.

http://ift.tt/2Bol4XH

Chicken and Avocado Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Chicken and Avocado Salad with Buttermilk Dressing Chicken Avocado Salad

In this recipe, chicken transforms salad from a side dish into a meal by itself.

That leftover chicken in the fridge? Whether it’s poached, baked, or grilled, give it a home in this salad!

http://ift.tt/2Bow3Aq

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Give me sausage, eggs, potatoes, and cheese for breakfast, and I know it’ll be a great day ahead.

This tater tot casserole combines all of these items into one delicious breakfast dish. It makes a great dish for a weekend brunch, or add it to your meal plan and eat it for breakfast throughout the week!

http://ift.tt/2DxIAr2

Meal Plan for January Week 3

Meal Plan for January Week 3 Meal Plan for January Week 3

This week’s meal plan is all about simple dishes that require little thought and can be easily adapted.

Life is busy, food doesn’t need to be complicated to taste delicious and feed your family.

http://ift.tt/2n5Z7aR

12 Activities for Catholic Families in February (Free Printable)

12 Activities for Catholic Families in February (Free Printable)

12 Activities for Catholic Families in February (Free Printable) Post Preview: This post contains 12 faith formation activities that are centered around February feast days. To help your family work on these activities, the post also contains a decorative printable version of the activities.

Didn’t the new year just start? And here we are – February is just around the corner.  That means it’s time for the latest edition of the monthly activities for Catholic families printable.

As I have been working on for the last many months, I have a newly designed version of this February printable available in the decorative checklist format. It turns out that there were two different versions of the Activities for Catholic Families in February printables before, so I found the overlaps, updated some other parts, and found a few new resources for ones that don’t exist anymore.

You’ll be able to download the new free Catholic Activities for Families in February printable much farther down in the post, plus I have download links for both of the older versions. You’ll be able to pick which one will work best for you.

12 Activities for Catholic Families in February Free Printable: This includes 12 faith formation activities to do with your children that are centered around February feast days #CatholicPrintables #CatholicKids #ReligiousEducation

As always, my non-Catholic readers might also find some fun activities on this list. There will definitely be some that might not work. But, perhaps you will also find some things that you’d like to do with your kids.

A quick note on these February activities: You may notice that there is no mention of Lent, which begins in February. Since the dates vary so much for Lent, I have a separate 10 Lent and Holy Week Activities for Catholic Families Printable.

Lent and Holy Week Activities for Catholic Families

Contents of the 12 Activities for Catholic Families in February Printable

1. February is dedicated to the Holy Family. Pick one day to spend together doing family activities all day, such as games, group prayer, outdoor fun, movie night, or whatever your family loves best!

2. Make your own illuminated manuscript in honor of St. Brigid who started the first convent in Ireland and founded a school of art that became known for its beautiful illuminated manuscripts. (February 1st)

More St. Brigid celebration ideas: 14 Ideas for Hosting a St. Brigid’s Day Playdate

3. The Presentation of the Lord, also called Candlemas is February 2nd. Have a meal and some prayer time by candlelight. (Your parish may have blessed candles you may take home.) Talk about ideas for how each family member can give more of themselves to God. For younger children, frame this as asking what they can do to make God happy.

A cool set just in case open flames and little fingers are not a good mix in your house.

4. Have your family’s throats blessed for Saint Blaise’s feast day, if that’s available at your parish. (February 3rd)

5. Read about Saint Paul Miki and Companions (February 6th). Have a Japanese meal or a snack.

6. For the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, pray for the safety and strength for Christians living in parts of the world where it is not safe to be a Christian. Also, take time to pray for people of all faiths who face violence and discrimination because of their beliefs. (February 8th)

7. Saint Scholastica was the twin sister of Saint Benedict. For her feast day on Feburary 10th, you can use a coloring page to learn more about these saint twins.

Free coloring page of twins St. Benedict and St. Scholastica depicting a scene after Saint Scholastica's passing | RealLifeAtHome.com

8. Make a grotto craft or project for the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11th. You might use paper to make your grotto or even Rice Krispie Treats!

9. Send Saint Valentine’s Day cards to neighbors and family members who may not receive one otherwise. You could include some heart shaped snacks or baked goods! Here are several sets of Scripture-based valentines that are free to print.

Looking to share some religious valentine cards this year? These free printable Scripture Valentines for kids are perfect for class or homeschool group parties, as well as to use as lunch box notes throughout the year. | Real Life at Home

Free Printable Religious Valentine Cards for Kids

Free printable Christian valentine cards for kids and families featuring decorative wreaths and Scriptures

10. Choose your favorite heart themed activities (crafting or baking) and decorate them with words that remind us of God’s love for everyone.

Saint Valentine Printables and Worksheets

11. Take time to pray for our current pope, past popes, and future popes for the feast day of the Chair of Saint Peter on February 22nd. Consider doing some of these activities themed around Pope Francis or Saint Pope John Paul II.

28-page Pope Francis Printables and Worksheet Packet

12. Take a nature walk, even if it’s cold out where you live. Talk about the miracles in God’s Creation all around us.

Activities for Catholic Families in February Printable Terms of Use

The Catholic Family Activities in February download is free for personal or classroom use. You may also share it in a church bulletin or newsletter, but the copyright credit line must be included (which just means to make sure that you don’t accidentally cut off the line with the copyright information at the bottom of the printable when you are reproducing it to hand out).

This printable (and its contents) cannot be sold, published, or hosted on other websites.

For churches and schools: While you may put this printable in your bulletins or newsletters that are printed, you may not make it available online for others to print from your site.

If you want to pass along the printable though, please feel free to share a link to this post (not directly to the printable) with others.  Another great way to share it is to pin this post to Pinterest!  Thanks!

Download the Catholic Family Activities in February Free Printables

There are three versions of the Activities for Catholic Families in February printable. The older versions are from 2014 and 2016. The newest version is from 2018. They have the some of the same basic content, with a few changes to wording, links, and some consolidation to make a single newer version. The biggest difference is how they look.

The older versions are both still useable (though some links in the 2014 version do not work anymore). You can download all three versions below:

12 Activities for Catholic Families in February Free Printable: This includes 12 faith formation activities to do with your children that are centered around February feast days #CatholicPrintables #CatholicKids #ReligiousEducation

http://ift.tt/2DwF4cI

Morning Glory Muffins

Morning Glory Muffins Morning Glory Muffins

Everyone needs one great muffin recipe. This is mine.

These Morning Glory muffins are like carrot cake cupcakes, though not as sweet and at least somewhat more nutritious. They’re mixed with grated carrots and apple, along with raisins, walnuts, and spices.

http://ift.tt/2BlPtGe

How to Discover Which Plants will Grow Best in Your Garden - Frugal Family Home

How to Discover Which Plants will Grow Best in Your Garden - Frugal Family Home

If you are new to gardening or have moved to a new area, it’s hard to know which plants will grow best in your garden. Below I have a few resources on how to discover which plants will grow best in your garden.

Tips for picking the best plants and seeds to grow in your vegetable garden. These tips can help you discover which plants will grow best in your garden. Don’t leave it to chance do a little research so you can have a productive garden this year.

There are so many seed choices out there, many places to purchase seeds and so many varieties of each kind of plant to grow. It’s hard to determine which plants will do well in your garden.

Tips to Find Which Plants will Grow Best in Your Garden

You could always go by trial and error but that’s not the best way. If you do a little research, you can discover which plants will grow best in your garden.

Know Your Zone

The first task is to find what growing zone you are in. We are up north but our zone is zone 8b which most people would think would be for states down south. But we are only one state away from Canada and in the upper northern part of our state too. But we are also in a coastal state.

Each area is different but when you know your hardiness zone, you can pick plants that will do well in that climate.

If you need to know what growing zone you are in look at this handy chart.  Put your zip code in the box below the “Find your plant hardiness zone”. Hit the find button and just below the box, your zone will appear.

While it might not seem very helpful at first, it will help you decide which plants or seeds to purchase that will grow well in your area. You don’t want to try to grow a plant that won’t tolerate the temperature fluctuations of your hardiness zone.

Use the Extension Service for Your State

Most states if not all of them have an extension service available. They have great articles on what varieties grow in your state and other helpful tips for gardening and other things.

To find your local extension site, Google, extension, and your state name. Or if you are looking for a particular crop recommendation you can Google, extension varieties for (the type of fruit or vegetable you are looking for) in (your state name). It would look like this if I would search for tomato recommendations, “extension varieties for tomatoes in Oregon”

Our local extension has information on many crops and helpful information on canning and pest control too. All this information can be helpful in deciding which plants will grow best in your garden.

Tips for picking the best plants and seeds to grow in your vegetable garden. These tips can help you discover which plants will grow best in your garden. Don’t leave it to chance do a little research so you can have a productive garden this year.

Tour Your Local Garden Center

Take a trip to your local garden center and look over what plants are available and which seeds they are selling. They want you to have a successful garden. They will stock seeds and plants that will do well for your area.

If you go to a big box store, you won’t find as much variety of the plants. But if you go to a local nursery, you’re bound to find a much wider selection. Our local nursery has a question station where you ask which varieties they recommend or any other gardening questions. I’ve found them to be super helpful.

Ask a Neighbor Who Gardens

If you have neighbors who also gardens, ask them which varieties they like and which ones they don’t. Most gardeners have opinions on what grows best and what has flopped in their gardens. Be sure to ask other gardeners you know too.

If it does well in your neighbors garden, it will likely do well for you too. But soil conditions can vary from house to house. So while it’s not guaranteed the same varieties will thrive it’s a good place to start.

Look through the Seed Catalogs or Online

You can also look at seed catalogs to see different varieties of seeds available to purchase. 
Be sure to look at germination times and temperatures. And plant sizes if your garden space is limited or if you plan to container garden.

Some of the links below are my affiliate links. Which means if you purchase through them I can make a little money. Thanks! See my disclosure policy for more information.

A few companies to look at seeds and to request catalogs are….

Territorial Seed
Johnny Seeds
Eden Brothers
Burpee Seed
Park Seeds

A great editable garden planner to help track your garden progress. This garden planner contains 13 sheet to track your garden from before planting to after harvest.

Keep a Garden Journal

It’s good to keep a garden journal each year. You can track when you plant your seeds or plants. Which ones did well and which ones didn’t. I keep a garden journal to track how my garden does from year to year.

It makes it easier to decide which seeds or plants to grow. Because even if a plant or variety does well for others in your area, it might not be right for your garden. Keeping a journal can help you track what grows best in your own garden.

If you need a journal, this garden journal is one to try. Plus since it’s a printable garden journal, it can be used over and over too.

Tips for picking the best plants and seeds to grow in your vegetable garden. These tips can help you discover which plants will grow best in your garden. Don’t leave it to chance do a little research so you can have a productive garden this year.

Those are my best tips for discovering which plants will grow best in your garden. I hope you’ve found them helpful to you too.

Whether you are a new gardener or an experience one wanting to try new plants, doing a little research ahead of time can help you grow a great crop.

How do you discover which plants will grow best in your garden? I would love to have you share your tips too.

More Gardening Tips to Read…

7 Spring Flowers to Grow
How to Divide Hostas
7 Spring Gardening Chores

Pin it for Later…

Tips for picking the best plants and seeds to grow in your vegetable garden. These tips can help you discover which plants will grow best in your garden. Don’t leave it to chance do a little research so you can have a productive garden this year.

SaveSave

http://ift.tt/2E3D90j