Old Soda Pop Crates

Can I just Say I love these old looking Crates for Decorating!

I think they add just the right touch to any room, and they were easy to make.

Step 1: I used 1x4's and cut 2 boards 10 inches long for the ends and cut 2 boards 18 inches long for the sides. ( You can cut and make these an size you wish).

Step 2: I used a staple gun and stapled all four boards together.

Step 3: Now I cut 3 more boards 18 inches long to make 3 slats in the bottom of the crate.

Step 4: I used my router to make handles in the side boards.

Step 5: Choose you paint color and paint, (I used red for this one.)

Step 6: I used a Coca-Cola stencil for this one.... (I love how it turned out)

Step 7: I love the old metal look on Crates, so I went to the plumbing section in Home Depot and bought a role of plumbers tape for $2.50, it was a little shinny so I soaked it over night in salt water. The next morning I nailed it on with roofing nails and smeared a little red paint on it, to make it look older, I sanded and scuffed the crate up to give it that antique look...... LOVE IT!!!!!!

AHHHHH
Step 8: I liked it so much I made a couple more!!!!!!!

Healthy Breakfast

Good Morning Everyone!  So, you all know, or will after this post, that I love to be healthy.  I love eating healthy, exercising, and taking care of all aspects of my life.  I'm sure many of you have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I think for many, this is the meal they don't get, or skimp on the most.  So, I just wanted to show you how 10 minutes can make you a very healthy and easy breakfast.  Here we go.  Protein is critical for feeding our muscle.  I am making one of may favorite breakfasts.  A vegetable and turkey omelet.  With this omelet you get your lean protein, vegetables and even a little dairy.  First, choose what you want to go in your omelet.  I have peppers, tomatoes, and smoked turkey breast, and a little cilantro.  (another favorite of mine is tomatoes, onions, spinach and avocado) Chop everything up and your ready.

I use two eggs when making one just for me, one whole egg and one egg white. Crack them into a dish and then add about 2 Tbls milk and some salt and pepper to taste.  Whisk it up well and pour in a greased skillet.

I always heat my pan up about 30 seconds before I add my egg mixture.  Cook on medium low to medium heat until the egg mixture is no longer runny (maybe a minute or so), then add all your filling.  Put most on one side of the egg.

 

 Cook  about 30 seconds and then sprinkle a little lowfat cheese (if desired)  I like how it holds everything together.

 Now, you are ready to fold half the egg over the rest (fold the side without the filling)

Don't worry if it kind of falls apart, it will still taste the same.  Now, I just let this melt the cheese about another 30 seconds and Walla, that's it.  You're ready to slide it on your plate. (That's what I do is slide it from my skillet to my plate.  I sprinkled a little cilantro on the top for color and taste!

I usually have mine with some fresh fruit or a slice of whole grain toast!  Yum!  Now go take care of yourself and eat a healthy breakfast!

Kimarie

Easy Wooden Crates

I Love using wooden crates to decorate with!!!

I have to admit I bought this one at Micheal's, they were on sale for $3.00 so I figured I'd save the time and just buy it instead of making it...
Step one get a crate and choose your paint color (I chose white)....

Step two, after I painted it I sanded and scuffed it up a bit with sand paper, I love the old look so I rubbed a dark walnut stain on the edges...

Now the hard part, deciding where you want to use it!!! I knew exactly where this one was going to go, I've been wanting to hide some t.v. cords.... It worked perfect and I love it there.

I liked it so much I painted one yellow too!!!

Have a GREAT day!! Kari

Easy Serving Dishes

Okay, so every time I host a party or event, I am always wishing I had more serving dishes/cake stands.  I finally decided that I did not have to go and buy one.  I would just make my own.  These were so easy. I just can't believe it took me this long to think about making my own.  Now it's your turn. So, go to the Dollar Store, the Thrift Store, or just look around your home.  Your sure to find plates, chargers, candlesticks, and/or a small vase.  You could even use sundae cups or martini glasses.  The options are limitless and you can create an item to fit your personality.  You could even paint them fun spring colors!  (If you do this be sure to use a spray paint that states it can be used on glass).


My first creation is basic, but from things I just had around my home.  A candle stick and a plain glass plate.  All I did was glue it together with super glue.  Just make sure you get your candlestick completely centered, because once it's glued, it's glued.!  Besides you don't want a smear of glue showing.

Next, I found this cute little vase at Good Will for $1.99 and the plate is from the Dollar Store for $.99. 

Final, I had some old charges sitting in my cabinet (I don't know why I still had this one it had a stain from a candle)  Oh well, now no one will know.  I found this chunky candle stick at Good Will for $.99 and I already had black Krylon spray paint.  Super Easy.  I did rough up the base a little.  I always love the antique look.

Walla!! That's it.  Literally this only takes a couple of minutes once you have the items to put together.  Just remember to let the glue really set up before use.

Kimarie

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Okay Seriously,  the recipe states that this is the cinnabon clone, but did I really believe it?  I knew they would taste scrumptious, because quite honestly, what dough filled with cinnamon, butter and sugar and topped with cream cheese frosting wouldn't?  However, I have to be honest with you!  This is hands down the closest recipe to cinnabons that I have ever tasted.  And as long as we're being honest.  I have eaten umm... at least six myself.  No, not in just a day, over the weekend.  But, packing over 400 calories a roll, that still can't be a good thing.  So, I'm just warning you all now...you will not be able to stop at just one (unless that is, you have much more self control than I do).  So, here is the recipe I found at Allrecipes.com (love that site)  Check it out:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Clone-of-a-Cinnabon/Detail.aspx  Okay, now this recipe is for a bread machine, but don't worry if you don't have one, I don't either.  This is how I did it.  Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl or mixer.  I used my kitchen aid.  Mix in the sugar, margarine, salt, and eggs. Add flour and mix well.  Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour. Put in a bowl or leave it in the bowl you mixed it in, cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Then pick up with rolling out the dough. Yum!!

Roll out the dough and spread with butter.  Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture all over.

I use a double strand of thread to cut the rolls, works much better than a knife and besides, this is how I was taught by my mom!
I dip the bottom of the roll in a little flour before I place it in the pan.  This helps prevent the buttery sugar from all flowing out of the rolls.

My mouth is watering again just typing this and adding the pictures, good thing they are all gone!  You've got to try these.  Believe me, your family will love them (you will too!)  Besides, there is nothing better than the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls dripping with cream cheese frosting!  My little Avery was the hit of the neighborhood as she took hot cinnamon rolls out to share with all the little neighbor kids.  Oh, and just FYI I doubled the recipe.  I knew that I wanted to have plenty to share (and eat myself)  Enjoy!!!!

Simple Sisters

Conference Listening Kits

This weekend is General Conference.  In our church, twice a year we get to hear from our prophet and apostles.  We love conference weekend.  We have so many fun traditions for our family.  We love to make it fun and entertaining for the kids so they will look forward to the weekend as much as we do.  First off we have Conference on Saturday and Sunday.  So, to kick it off, we always have Conference Crepes.  YUM!  We love to fill them with fresh fruit; blueberries, strawberries, mangoes, bananas, raspberries, etc. But, I think one of the kids favorite fillings is Nutella.  I cannot personally testify to this since I am not a chocolate lover (I know, everyone tells me I'm crazy, just simply don't like it) But, the kiddos and the hubby love it!  This is one of my kid's favorite Conference traditions.

  

 

You can find the crepe recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crepes-2/Detail.aspx

In addition to crepes we play conference bingo.  Check out this great conference bingo cards at   http://creativekidstuff.blogspot.com/2008/10/general-conference.html  We usually use skittles or m&m as our chips.  She's got some great conference word searches and cross word puzzles too.


I also like to have a notebook or packet for the kids to take notes in or color.  Check out the Conference packets at www.sugardoodle.net these are great because you can choose any age group that works for you.


This year besides all of our usual traditions, I saw such a cute conference listening kit from here http://angbrimwil.blogspot.com/search/label/church%20stuff .  (You'll just need to scroll down a bit to see the conference kits, you can get many other great ideas as you do).  I changed things up a bit, but this is such a fun little idea for VT, Young Womens, Activity Day Girls, or (like we just did) to give to your Sister Missionaries.  My kids loved them so much I have made one for each of them for Conference too.

SIMPLE SISTERS