Homemade Flubber!!!

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This one is for the kids... we all have some of that in all of us, right? You just might find yourself playing with this stuff too! ;) Its squishable, gooey, and just plain fun to play with! 
I wanted to get the clear Elmer's Glue but our local Dollar Store didn't carry it.   I think the clear looks more like Flubber than the white glue, but you just have to work with what you have! Also I wouldn't substitute Elmer's for the store's brand, it just works out better, it must be a texture thing. ;)

Here is what you need:
1. 1 1/2 Cup of Warm water, divided
2. 1 Teaspoon of Borax
3. 1 Bottle (4 oz.) Elmer's Glue
4. Food Coloring
Measure precisely and Mix well, for best results!!

1/2 Cup of Warm Water and 1 Teaspoon of Borax. Mix together and dissolve the Borax. 

1 Cup of Warm Water, Food Coloring, and 4oz. of Elmer's Glue. Mix together so glue is Dissolved in the water.

I used a whisk to mix

Mix Borax Mixture and Glue Mixture together and You will see the chemical reaction right away!

Take the whisk out and mix with your hands.

Keep Mixing, Have Fun!!

Play at a table. This stuff "melts!"

The more you play with it the firmer it will get

This is a fun project to do with the kids.

Store in a Ziplock bag or air tight container and the slime will keep for two weeks.
6-13-2012 Just a fyi I still have mine and it hasn't gone bad

** This is NOT edible !! Please Take Care
Have Fun!

If you have enjoyed this post, check out some of my other posts, don't be a stranger! ;)

Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole

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OMGosh! This is so Good! This dish is very flavorful! There is no blandness here! I found this, and borrowed it from Kristen over at Tastebook but adapted it to fit our tastes. I tried it out for my husbands Birthday dinner last night, and he loved it! We need to have this again soon!
This will serve 3-4 people depending on how hungry they are, if they are hungry, or men you probably wont have enough! lol But its going to feed the two of us for two nights. :) 

Here is what you need for my version:

1.  8 oz. Can Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
Sauce Mix 
1.  1 can of Cream of Chicken
2.  3/4 Cup of  Fine Shred Mozzarella Cheese
3.  1/4 Cup of Fine Shred Cheddar Cheese
4.  1/2 Cup Whipping Cream 
5.  Pepper to taste

Filling:
1.  4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2.  4 Tablespoons Butter, softened (not melted)
3.  1/2 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
4.  2 Large Chicken Breasts,chopped
5.  1/2 Cup Fine Shred Mozzarella Cheese
6.  1/4 Cup Fine Shred Cheddar Cheese
7.  1/2 Teaspoon of Seasoned Salt
8.  Pepper to Taste
9.  2-4 Tablespoons of Whipping Cream
10.1/2 Cup of Mozzarella/ Cheddar Cheese for sprinkling on top.

Pre-heat Oven to 350°  Spray casserole dish with non stick spray.
(I used a 13x9 pan, it held 8 Crescents) 
In a sauce pan heat the Cream of Chicken, 3/4 Cup and 1/4 Cup of Cheese & 1/2 Cup of Whipping Cream just until the cheese melts (don't boil)
Filling
Mix the Cream Cheese and Butter together in a bowl, stir until smooth. Make sure Cream Cheese and Butter is soft, as it makes it easier to mix. Add the garlic powder, Chicken and 1/2Cup and 1/4 Cup of Cheese's, mix thoroughly. Add 2 Tablespoons of Whipping Cream, you may add more if it seems dry. Add Seasoning Salt and Pepper, stir.
In the greased Casserole dish  put a dollop of the Sauce Mix where each Crescent is going to go (I just put a thin layer on the whole dish)
Unroll the Crescent Rolls and scoop about 2 or so ( heaping)Tablespoons full of the filling mixture on to the wide end of Crescent. Start rolling from the wide end and place the seam side down in the casserole dish. Once done and all the Crescents are in the dish, drizzle Sauce Mix on top of Crescents. Mine was kind of thick so it was had to drizzle lol but do the best you can :) Sprinkle remaining 1/2 Cup Of Mozzarella/Cheddar Cheese on top. Bake 30 minutes.

I think next time I'm going to skip putting the Sauce mix on top until it bakes for about 15-20 min. then add the Sauce and Cheese and bake another 15 min. I don't mind the doughy-ness but my hubby doesn't like it :/ (he sure didn't mind last night though cause he ate them up!! lol Oh and he added more cheese (as if there wasn't enough) to a few of his...cause he's a cheesy kind of guy ♥ hehehe (Thanks Kristen!)

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How To Sterilize Thistle Seed

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I love feeding the birds! But I don't like attracting some of the more aggressive birds or the bigger birds. I use specialized feeders to attract certain birds, that I DO want. I use a Upside Down Feeder (seen below)

Feeding hole is located on the bottom of the perch.

Thus enters the Thistle Seed... Thistle Seed resembles small grains of wild rice. Its high in fat and protein, that Goldfinches, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmice, Purple Finches, House Finches, Mourning Doves, & Juncos LOVE! ♥♥

If you have ever bought Thistle Seed you may have had a problem with it germinating! I have bought Wild Birds Unlimited Nyjer Seed and it is sterilized already, but its very expensive! 
I have bought cheaper brands and had some germinate, but there is a difference between Nyjer Seed and Thistle... Nyjer seed is already sterilize before its brought into the USA. 
Thistle is very HARD to get rid of once its growing in your yard. Recently I tried to purchase it at a local Co-op but the man said they don't sell it because once it takes hold in the farmers fields its really hard to get under control! :(  I can vouch for this, as I was constantly fighting Thistle at my old home up north. It was a battle that I lost!!  So I wanted to find out how to sterilize the thistle so it won't grow! 
There are two methods to sterilize, Microwave or Oven
These methods work for other types of seed that may grow under your feeder also...

What you will need:
1.Small to Med. size Paper  bag
2. Seed

Microwave Method
Fill the paper bag 1/3 to 1/2 way full cut or fold down the sides. Place in microwave (make sure bag is wide open) Cook on high for 3-5 minutes. Let it cool before you fill the feeder. 
It took mine about a half hour to cool down.









Oven Method
Pre heat oven to 300 degrees. Spread seed out on a cookie sheet, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool for 30 minutes before filling feeder.

Oh and BTW, this doesn't smell the best :p so either open some windows when you do it, or burn some incense or something lol  


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My Mom's All Day Roast

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Growing up as a kid, I did not like this roast at all! I felt like we had it Every week....of coarse we didn't, but we had it often, because its convenient, and oh sooo good (as I realized as an adult) When I asked my mom for the recipe she was shocked!! She said, You never liked this roast!!? lol 

Let me tell you, anyone who I have ever made this roast for absolutely loved it, even my kids love it, its one of their favorites! I made it for my husband's  family when we were dating, and he tore it up! haha :D (if you have read some of my earlier posts you might remember he's the one who doesn't like onions!)

You can do this in a crock pot (it kind of hard to cover all the ingredients with enough liquid) but I feel it works best in the oven...

Updated 10-9-12
I have a newer post on this roast Here , there are way better pictures on the newer post. ;)

Here is what you need:
1. English Cut Roast (biggest one I can find)
2. 2-3 Cans of Green Beans (I use French Cut, any brand)
3. 2-3 Cans of Whole White Potatoes (any brand)
4. 1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix
5. (Optional) add some Baby Carrots or (my mom sometimes used frozen    Pearl Onions)
6.Water
7. Pan large enough to hold it all (13x9 isn't big enough!)

Place the veggies around the roast

I prefer canned potatoes as they hold together better, fresh potatoes seem to get grainy and fall apart...just my opinion.

Turn oven on to 200 degree's... meanwhile in a pan place the roast in the middle, open your canned veggies and drain (don't drain 1 can of the green beans juice for the liquid) surround the roast with the canned veggies(adding the juice from green beans.) Sprinkle packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix on the whole thing.
Add about a can of water, slowly pour over whole thing. Make sure you have enough liquid in bottom, that comes at least half way up the roast! Cover with foil and cook at least 6-8 hours. 
Sometimes I have to add more green beans and potatoes as those seem to go fast (also it seems like there isn't very many potatoes in the cans) and there is usually no leftover's, depending on who is over for dinner :) 

You can put this in the oven, go to work and it will be done when you get home, that's why my mom liked it! Ohh and the smell that greets you when you walk in the door! 
This roast just falls apart when cooked long enough and the potatoes and green beans take on the flavoring of the soup... 
Your family will love ♥♥ this!!

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Savory Meatloaf

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This is one of my favorite meals! I love me some meatloaf! ;)
When I met my husband ♥ and we were going through all the things that we like and don't like, meatloaf was one of the things that he didn't like, I said "you haven't tried MY meatloaf" (we have a running joke now of you haven't tried My ------- )
Now there are quite a few things he doesn't like   but I have changed his mind with a lot of them ;) he has a open mind and will at least try things now. Unless it has mayonnaise in it, he doesn't even want to touch it! lol Hates it! 
But fortunately my meatloaf is not on the list of "un-liked" stuff! 

Please don't mind the color of some of my pics the lighting in my kitchen is terrible for pictures! It tends to make things look yellow, unless I use the flash, then it looks washed out! Can't win... :/

Before Cooking..you can see the noodles and beans from the Minestone Soup.

He loves my meatloaf so much that he bought me a new meatloaf pan, you know the one, the "As Seen On TV" meatloaf pan. See below ↓

"Perfect Meatloaf Pan set"

They actually work great! Does just what it advertised...slips right off the tray on to the serving plate.

Here is what you need:

1. At least 2 lbs. of Ground Beef

2. Can of Minestrone Soup

3. 1 Cup of Italian Style Bread Crumbs

4. 2 Eggs

5. Spices to your liking (I use Garlic Salt and Everglades Seasoning)

6. Ketchup 

Pre-heat oven  to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, add Ground Beef, Minestrone Soup, half of the Bread Crumbs and the two Eggs beaten, you may add some spices at this time, I do, but I also put them on the top,so don't over do it. With your hands mix the ingredients together. Once its mixed in a little, add the rest of the Bread Crumbs,and mix thoroughly. Shape into a loaf and put in your pan. If you don't have a loaf pan, shape into a loaf and put it in a pan that has sides, a 9x13 perhaps. Sprinkle some spices and put a layer of Ketchup on the top. Bake in the oven for an hour and insert a meat thermometer, I cook mine till it reaches 160 in the center.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl

I serve mine with Corn and Mashed Potatoes. 

Meatloaf, Corn & Mashed Potatoes...YUM 

I always hope there is leftovers on this one, because I have a meatloaf sandwich the next day for lunch, Yum! :)

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Homemade Shaving Cream

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**Edit 6-14-2012 see below
I've seen this recipe floating around, and wanted to try it. Always looking for ways to save $$
I have some  Shampoo and Conditioner laying around since I switched to the Burt's Bees Shampoo & Conditioner (I LOVE that stuff!!) and I would have used that but I have a sensitive nose and strong scents give me headaches at times and I didn't want to mix two different fragrances that might clash. 
So I went on down to DG and bought some Suave Mango Mandarin Shampoo & Conditioner, and while I was at it I bought the same scent Lotion too, so they will all smell the same :)   
Just to let you know, I'm going to tweak this recipe a little more because it isn't quite as thick as I would like it, I did add a little more conditioner and lotion (after I used it the first time) (I did add those measurements in this recipe) ...but its still not as thick as I would like. I feel like I would waste it, since it runs through your fingers. So next batch I'm going to try something a little different, but I will keep you posted... 
Sooo if you want to get the update, click "join this sight" ;) the button is to the left.

This is what you need: 
1. 1 1/4 Cup Conditioner
2. 1 Cup of Shampoo
3. 1/4 Cup of Lotion
4. 5 Tablespoons of Baby Oil
5. A Container to put it in
So glad my husband wanted to save these bottles! He finds lots of different uses for them...

 

In a bowl, add Conditioner, then Shampoo, Lotion, and lastly the Baby Oil. Mix with a wire whisk. Put in Container you are going to store it in. Mine filled two of these Smucker's Bottles. Shake before use.

By the way, this Mango Mandarin Lotion smells good enough to eat! Looks like cake mix or frosting and it makes you want to lick the bowl lol  :D

**EDIT 6-14-2012 Okay, I said I would try something different and that I would share with you, I wanted to wait until I used up what I made already as to not be wasteful! I used all the same products as the 1st recipe, but I started out with a small jar (4.8oz) of the Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Creme as the base. I got the small jar of Queen Helene in-case it didn't work how I wanted. I really didn't use measurements this time I was going for thickness, but still thin enough to squirt out of my squeeze bottle. :)
I just kind of squirted in a little conditioner and lotion and the shampoo and baby oil (actually I think I put to much baby oil because it makes the shower floor slippery! But that's okay, it makes my legs really soft and I just  clean the shower floor when I'm done.)  Anyways I do like how it turned out and I will make more with a bigger jar! I do however, have to rinse my razor blade more as it tends to clog it and that's Okay by me, as long as it works!!
I'm sure there are other kinds of cremes in jars, this is just what my DG had on hand. and the 4 oz jar was a little over a dollar, so I tried it, and liked it :)
Oh! and the smell isnt to bad either. So there you have it.

All in all, I like it.. my legs were soft, smooth and moisturized, and I didn't get razor burn. 
*I have shaved with just Conditioner before, but this Shaving Cream seems to make your legs softer without being greasy. They didn't feel all tight and itchy afterwards either!

I figure these bottles of Suave will make about three batches total, so I'll get my money's worth in the long run! I'm not sure how long it will last, but I will update you on that when I run out of the 1st batch. The squeeze bottle I put it in is a 20 oz bottle, but I guess it depends on how often you use it...I don't shave my legs everyday in the winter, but most days in the summer I do... I know my husband doesn't shave daily either as it gives him razor rash. Sensitive skin..

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Homemade Dawn Direct Foam

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This is so simple, its stupid!!  If you like Dawn Direct Foam, but hate buying the refills because of the price, then you will LOVE this!! I do, because it lasts forever!  And it saves you tons of $$

Don't Buy This...Make Your Own! :)

fyi: Did you know that Dawn Direct Foam is mostly made up of water!? Yep, it is...

Okay are you ready for this? Easy, Peasy!


UPDATED  Recipe 3/31/12
I found I was using more squirts of foam than before, so when I filled the bottle again, I did use more dawn this time, but its still cheaper and goes a lot further than the refills you buy at the store... I could make probably 10 or more refills with one bottle of dawn.

Here is what you need:

1. Your empty Dawn Direct Foam Dispenser

2. 1/4 -1/3 Cup of Dawn Ultra Concentrated Soap 

3. Water
That's it....really, it is :)

Fill the bottle with water just below the "Fill" line, add the 4 tablespoons of Dawn, add more water to the fill line, and gently swirl the mixture around till it mixed up. Pump away...

*You may use a different Dish Soap, but I prefer Dawn...after all if it gets the greasy oil off the wildlife in oil spills, it should do a great job on dishes and anything else you use it on, right?  ;)

Comments Welcome

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Homemade ♥ Bird Suet

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If you like to feed the birds and you buy bird suet, this is a fun, easy project to do with the kids (especially when your arm gets tired of stirring, you can have them help ) :)  I usually end up just using my hands to mix the suet because it gets really thick and hard to stir! This is where the kids like to get their hands dirty, by squishing their hands in it...

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Tufted Titmouse

If you have used the store bought suet feeders you know they tend to melt in the summer, mine don't melt! 


Suet Feeder attract Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Chickadees, and Titmice. The Sparrows, at least the ones at my house are always trying to eat this suet! My husband made me a suet hanger(see below) to make it more difficult for some birds (that I don't want, Black Birds, Grackles etc) to hang on there, as they have to hang upside down to eat from this. Also it keeps it dry.
I had some  unusual  visitors to my suet cake the last couple of days, a Eastern Bluebirds Family! ♥♥ They usually don't eat suet, they like insects and berry's. I know somebody who is going to be making me some Bluebird Houses ;)

One of my suet feeders....Looks like I need to refill soon :)

UPDATE 4-2-12  Today I made my 3rd batch of this suet since my original post!!! Almost a month ago... 5-6 suet cakes! The bluebirds and the cardinals are going crazy for this lol They are going to eat me out of house and home :) My 2nd and 3rd batch I added some Grapenuts cereal (off brand) to the mix, it seems to be a hit!!!

Here is what you need:

1 Cup of Vegetable Shortening
1 Cup Crunchy Peanut Butter
1 1/2 Cup of Oat Meal
1/2 Cup of either Corn Meal, Grits, or Corn Meal
1/4 Cup of Flour
1/2 Cup of Raisins 
1 Cup of Bird Seed (any kind..wild bird, sunflower etc)
1 Tablespoon of Sugar

Mix this up if its still to sticky add more Oat Meal, or Corn Meal, or Bird Seed. If its to dry add a lil Peanut Butter or Shortening.
I usually don't use a measuring cup, so I'm pretty much just guessing on these measurements, so you'll just have to play with it little.

* If you have problems with squirrels add some Cayenne Pepper,it won't bother the birds but the squirrels don't like it! :p 

I usually use one of the store bought suet containers as the form, but it got thrown away recently :'( so I just use a square Tupperware container that's about the same size. This makes about 2 cakes, because I really mash it down in there :)  
If you have any left over, you can make a suet ball or two and put it in the mesh bag that oranges come in.

I store the second suet cake in the freezer, in a Ziplock baggie. They don't usually last very long once they find it....

Happy Bird watching :D

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