Elf on the Shelf 2015

These were the thing we did for Elf on the Shelf 2015 with our elf, *Sparkles*

Strawberry-Banana Cheesecake salad

a great addition to any summer gathering!
Strawberry-Banana Cheesecake salad
I used the following:
a 16oz fat free vanilla Greek yogurt (Trader's Joe's)or any flavor that you like
a 12 ounce tub of  thawed cool whip
1 box of cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix
    (just the dry mix packet--don't mix the pudding per instructions
I used sliced bananas that I soaked in orange juice & drained
sliced strawberries or any other fresh fruit that you'd like
I'd double the recipe if I were making this for a put-luck or large family gathering.
Mix together the thawed cool whip, the yogurt and the dry packet of cheesecake pudding mix
fold in the berries & bananas
chill for a few hours & enjoy!

DIY #2 spray, Poo-pourri dupe!

Was looking to add some "Poo-pourri" to my gift shopping list.  That stuff is $10.00 for a 2ounce bottle!  Wish they'd put it in the bathrooms at work--people don't understand what a MERCY flush is!!!!  But here at home, I have two people who seem to enjoy and have great skill at creating a malodorous bathroom.  I decided to search blogs & pinterest; I knew I could make my own for dirt cheap.  You can buy travel size spray bottles in any walmart, target, or dollar store.  I'd prefer glass,but not a fan of glass with a ceramic tile bathroom with a 6 yr old and a man in the same house.  Stuff gets broke!  I went with plastic spray bottles, essential oils I already hand on hand, and distilled water.  10-20 drops of each essential oil you want to use then add water to about 1 inch from top.  I printed labels on avery shipping labels 5164 (6 per page) and they worked great!!!!  In these first 3 I used bergamot, lemongrass, and grapefruit (saw this combo on most blogs). 

Thanks for looking!
Becky

Recipes for my Homemade Sugar Scrubs & a Hand Cleanser (like liquid Lava soap)

We kinda went all out for her teacher's this year.  They do a Teacher Appreciation Lunch (nothing homemade, due to a fiasco last year).  She has her room teacher, then she also has Specials (an art, gym, music, & library) teachers.  She goes to one specials teacher a day. She's had the same teachers for both Kindergarten & First grade.  I'm gonna admit that last year, I only focused on her room teacher.  This year, for the lunch we purchased a cassata cake at an Italian bakery for the luncheon and we got each of her teachers an Amazon gift card, a Costco Beach Towel (Super thick and HUGE!) and a bottle of sunscreen!  Rather than wait until the end of the year, I gave these to her teachers during Appreciation week.  For the end of the year, I wanted something much more wallet friendly to give her teachers, so I got my craft on in the kitchen and made some Sugar Scrubs and Hand Cleanser (homemade Lava soap liquid).  I did buy organic cane sugar, organic coconut oil, organic grape seed oil.  I also purchased wide mouth Ball pint jars and stainless steel scoops.  I already had on hand the essentials oils (geranium, bergamot, lemon & sweet orange) and Wilton Gel Food Colorings.

Becky's Sugar Scrub

1 TBSP glycerin, 1 TBSP Organic Grape seed oil,

1/2 cup of melted Organic coconut oil

1-1/2 cups Organic cane sugar

6-10 drops of essential oil for scent

food coloring (if desired for color)

Best way I found to do it was to mix the glycerin, grape seed oil, melted coconut oil in a bowl, add 1/2 cup sugar then add in essential oil and food coloring at this point.  mix up well.  you want color a bit darker at this point because you will adding in the rest of the sugar after this which will dilute the color more.  Then spoon in container of your choice (make sure it is something that can be completely sealed due to high sugar content) and decorate to give as gift.  I'll be decorating mine later today and will post finished pictures later.

Becky's Grime Busting Hand Scrub

1/2 cup of melted coconut oil

1/2 Dawn Olay hand renewal soap

1-2 cups of cane sugar (I didn't use granulated but you can)

for men I used Bergamot essential oil (added benefit -- insect repellant)

Mix it all together and spoon into jars for gift gifting

 

Thanks for lookin!

Becky

 





 

CINEMAGIC dance recital & Brunswick Performing Arts Center seating

Natalie's dance recital is in June

Brunswick Performing Arts Center 44212

First seven days with the *Sparkles* the Elf

This is the 2nd year we are doing Elf on the Shelf.  Natalie's elf is named, *Sparkles*
Day 1 - North Pole Breakfast with a flurry of snowflakes & Elf on the Shelf Ornament
Day 2 - Dry erase writing on the mirror ELVES RULES, GNOMES DROOL!  Be good!
Merry Christmas!  Love, *Sparkles*
Day 3 - *Sparkles* introduced him/herself to our kitty (new to the family this year)
Day 4 - Crepe Paper her bedroom & bathroom doors in her favorite colors (A favorite from last year redone!)
Day 5 - Elf sized Dunkin Donuts (Cheerios with frosting and Christmas sprinkles)
Day 6 - Holiday Lights Cruise around the Christmas Tree on the Barbie Cruise ship with  2 Barbie   friends
Day 7 - Movie night with a new movies and popcorn!

 
 

Blessings of the Year Ornament step-by-step instructions

Blessings of the Year Ornament

I've had this idea cooking in my head for a while.  Thought it would make a great homemade & thoughtful gift for our family, friends, teachers, and those who serve our family throughout the year.

• 2-sided scrapbook paper -- cut pieces to 6 inches by 3/4 inches
• silver leaf marker
• clear ornament (glass or shatterproof)
• sharpie marker
• gift container
• instructions to recipient

In each gift container I put in crinkle filler, ornament, new sharpie marker, 15 slips of paper--in case of errors, and instruction card.  Wrapped with 1/2 inch ribbon bow!