I Finally Made Something My Husband Likes!

My mom gets the Taste of Home magazine sent to my house. Even though it is a magazine that reminds me of my grandma (and other old people) there are some decent recipes that are easy enough that even I can make them.

I am not sure if I have ever mentioned that I am not the cook in the house. I can prep like crazy, but then cooking is another story. The husband says I just blame it on the appliance (hence my post about my oven but I still swear it doesn't work right!) But regardless, I try and try to make things that he enjoys.

My latest venture was kind of out of the ballpark with what he would normally eat. He is not a dessert person, prefers vegetables over ice cream any day (I am not sure why we are so good for each other because I could eat ice cream for dinner every day!) but sometimes when the moment is right, he will eat something besides veggies. Typically, this would be a lemon shaved ice cup, freezer pops or very rarely, but if the moment strikes, cheesecake - NO TOPPINGS!

So when I was flipping through my Taste of Home, I came across a recipe for Lemon & Cream Pops. Sounded pretty good to me and I figured he might like it since it is lemon and frozen. So I made them. I will show/explain to you how:

1. In a bowl, whisk one 14-oz. can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of whole milk, 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice, 1/3 cup of sugar and 1/2 tsp. of grated lemon peel.

*I bought 5 lemons, they were bigger, to try to get the 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice. I hand squeezed the lemons, so notice the seeds that I scooped out. It really only took 4 lemons to get the 1/2 cup.

2. Mix all ingredients until the sugar is dissolved (it really didn't take long).

3. Pour mixture into ice pop molds or 3 oz. paper cups. I found these ice pop molds at Marshalls for $6.99! My suggestion is to just use your measuring cup to pour it into the molds. Remember to leave space for freezing!

4. Place the molds or paper cups with wooden sticks into the freezer. Freeze for 6-8 hours or until solid.

5. When frozen, be careful pulling the stick or cup off. You may need to run some hot water over the mold to get it out. Here is the final product! Not as pretty as it could've been since it was super stuck.

They are actually really good and are great for a hot evening. I hope you enjoy this easy recipe!!

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Advice to the Class of 2012

On the way into work today a radio show was talking about advice to the class of 2012. As the class of 2012 begins the journey onto the next part of their life, I am sure they have heard many different types of advice. This got me reflecting on my high school and college years and where I am now in life. It is tough growing up, I am not old by any means but college was definitely the best years of my life and the real world isn’t really all that it is talked up to be. It is hard to find a job and paying for things on your own is no fun. You might not be 100% happy with the career path you chose so be ready for that, it is normal. I am pretty happy with my career choice overall, although I don’t always enjoy “reporting to someone” - I think that feeling is pretty normal though. Anyway, some of you might remember the speech “Wear Sunscreen” that was popular in the late 90’s. They played it today on the radio and I think it is still true for 2012, it is great advice.

The speech was delivered by Kurt Vonnegut, author of “Slaughterhouse Five” to a graduating class. It was the most popular speech that he never wrote. It actually was from a column written by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich. Here is the speech:

“Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '98: Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blind side you at 4 PM on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.”



So congratulations to the class of 2012 who will explore another part of their life. To the rest of us, I think that this advice still holds true so don’t forget your sunscreen this summer!

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Out With the Old and in With the New!

Did you ever notice that when you have something for a very long time, you just kind of become attached to it?  Like your car for example...I have been driving my “little green machine” for almost 13 years and I just love that little car.  It was the first new car I’ve ever bought myself and it was perfect.  It was sporty and fun and girlie and it’s gotten me around everywhere and has hauled everything.

Well, this past Thursday I had to say good-bye to my Mazda Protégé a.k.a. the little green machine and I bought myself a new ride…a 2013 Mazda CX5 and I LOVE it!  This is the first new car I’ve bought myself in 13 years, I went fully loaded.  It's red with sparkles in the paint (like the photo) and it has a sun roof, navigation, hands free for my phone and iPod, even my headlights move with the direction of my steering wheel.  It’s crazy how smart this car is.  For the last few days, I’ve just been sitting around reading the owner’s manual on how to take advantage of all of its bells and whistles.  But, I have to admit I do still miss my other car.  It was perfectly broken in just for me.  But, I guess I’m kind of lucky because I can visit my old little car whenever I want to…even drive him if I want.  How?  Why?  Well, my parent’s ended up buying him from me so that they could have a second car.  They wanted something cheap and that looks good and something that will last for a few more years and my little green machine is that perfect car.  After all, I’m convinced that he has another 13 years left him! 

J J  I have a new car!  I’m so excited!!!

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A Little DIY

I have been on a DIY kick lately. For instance, my cousin made me curtains for my dining room. Even though I did not actually make them myself, I am so happy with them because I picked out fabric that I really liked. They aren't like something you can find in the store. I also have fabric to make a valance for my bathroom. That will be my first foray into the sewing world.


To save a few dollars in the long run, I made my own laundry detergent. I found the recipe on Pinterest (where else?), but two of my cousins also made their own detergent and they really like it. It was also super easy, so that was another benefit. For about $20 I am going to have laundry detergent for a year. I think that it is a pretty good deal. Here is the recipe.


In the fall, I started to learn how to knit. To practice me new found skills, I am knitting my own dish cloths. Now, it would be so much easier to go out and buy dish cloths. But since I am a novice knitter, this is a good project for me to work on. It also doesn't matter if I make a mistake (there are plenty) because I am just going to use them to wash dishes. I have a crocheted dish cloth and it is much better than the ones I can get in the store.


I am working on a wreath for my front door. None of these things are very difficult. But they take a little bit of time and you have to be deliberate about it. For the laundry detergent, I was looking for stuff I had never noticed at the store. But it was all there.


The fun thing about this DIY stuff is that I get a sense of accomplishment from completing projects. And I am able to enjoy or utilize them for a while. Pinterest is fueling my interest to do things myself. It is definitely addicting!

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Who Knew?

So, as many of you know, we here at WW&B are avid Pinterest(ers). Well, last night, while I was perusing the web, and pinning things to my ever growing wedding board, I came across this little gem, and just had to share it! I will give original props to buzzfeed.com for this one… but check it out!

35 Lifechanging Ways To Use Everyday Objects

1. Use a can opener to open sealed plastic packaging.

This tip would have saved me approximately 22.8 hours of my life.

2. Add saline solution to refresh dried-out mascara.

Just a couple of drops will do.

Source: passionforsavings.com

3. Use a toilet seat cover to blot the oil from a greasy face.

4. Use pretty wine corks to make planters for tiny succulents.

Put magnets on them and hang them on your fridge. Instructions here.

Source: everafterblueprint.com

5. Amplify the volume of your iPhone or iPod by placing it in a bowl.

Source: realsimple.com

6. Use paper hole reinforcements to give yourself a half-moon manicure.

Source: s3.amazonaws.com

7. Use a banana to fix a DVD.

8. Use Jello as a lipstain.

Directions: Pour the powder mix into a bowl and moisten a Q-Tip with water. Then, being very careful not to use your fingers since the red stains stay put, dip the Q-Tip into the powder and apply it directly to your lips.

Source: pics.livejournal.com

9. Use diluted fabric softener as a leave-in hair conditioner.

Source: dizzysplayhouse.com

10. Use a lint roller to clean out the debris in your handbag.

I am the queen of cookie crumbs in my handbag.

Source: realsimple.com

11. Use nonstick spray on the inside of your votive holders.

 When the candle has burned out, the remaining wax will just slip out.

Source: realsimple.com

12. Eat marshmallows to soothe a sore throat.

There's a scientific explanation behind this.

(You can also use marshmallows to separate your toes during a home pedicure.)

Source: 7thhouseontheleft.com

13. Use newspaper as an odor absorber.

You can put it in Tupperware, or the crisper bin of your fridge, or in a purse with any lingering leather smells.

Source: realsimple.com

14. Use aspirin to turn hair made green by chlorine back to its natural color.

Dissolve six to eight aspirin pills in a glass of warm water, coat hair with the solution, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse.

Source: www2.pictures.zimbio.com

15. Use a sock to create a big perfect hair bun.

Source: youtube.com

16. Use a spoon to open a sealed-tight jar.

Read more detailed instructions here.

Source: images.teamsugar.com

17. Use a rubber band for perfect French tips.

18. Hang a picture using a pop tab.

The pop tab is surprisingly sturdy.

Source: blog.makezine.com

19. Use VapoRub to train your pets.

Apply VapoRub on things you don't want chewed up or peed on by your cat or dog — they're turned off by the taste and smell.

It also supposedly cures toenail fungus.

Source: kkdevito.files.wordpress.com

20. Use mayonnaise to erase water stains from wooden furniture.

Source: charlesandhudson.com

21. Use fabric softener and vinegar in a spray bottle to release wrinkles from clothing.

22. Use a cereal container as a trash disposal in your car.

Source: i.imgur.com

23. Add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to make cut flowers last longer.

Source: thedailygreen.com

24. Use Alka-Seltzer to clean your toilet.

Drop a couple tablets in, wait 20 minutes. The citric acid will dissolve the grime.

Source: blogcdn.com

25. Use hand sanitizer to dissolve ink stains.

26. Use (unscented) dental floss to cut soft cheeses and cakes.

Source: hecooksshewines.com

27. Pack your shoes in a shower cap to keep the soles from touching your clothes.

Source: realsimple.com

28. Use raw spaghetti strands to light hard-to-reach candle wicks.

Source: realsimple.com

29. Use Earl Grey teabags to get rid of a sunburn.

Read the directions here.

Source: instructables.com

30. Use mustard to suck the pain out of a burn.

But also, don't put your hand on a boiling kettle.

Source: instructables.com

31. Rub the cut edge of cheese with some butter to keep it from getting moldy.

Source: instructables.com

32. Use Scotch tape or nail polish to relieve an insect bite.

Blocking oxygen from getting into the bite will stop the itching.

Source: thaimedicalnews.com

33. Use a blow-dryer on a mirror to clear the steam after a hot shower. 

34. Throw baking soda on a burgeoning grease fire.

It works much like a powder fire extinguisher. But don't use water, baking powder or flour, as it's likely to make the fire even bigger.

35. Open a bottle of wine using your shoe.
Watch the video here!

(http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/35-lifechanging-ways-to-use-everyday-objects has the original article)

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The Basement Transformation

My basement looks just like any other basement in the Pittsburgh area (and not like the one in the photo). I even have the Pittsburgh toilet (a random toilet, just sitting there, by itself) and the Pittsburgh shower (you guessed it...a shower head in your basement, just randomly there, but not near the toilet). It is time to get organized with all of the crap we have accumulated since we moved into our house in 2009 and fix it up!

Now, my basement is not horrible in any way, shape or form. It has high enough ceilings that my tall, tall, tall husband can walk through it without hitting his head (a HUGE buying factor of the house), and a cement floor that is in great shape. The windows are just glass blocks and the basement area spans the whole length and width of my house. So essentially, we have a lot of room to work with.

I am not looking for a complete re-model. I just don't have the time, money or effort to want to put that kind of work into our basement, especially in a house that we hope to sell in a couple of years. But my thought is some nice shelving/storage area against the walls so I can nicely organize my holiday items, seasonal clothes, sporting equipment, etc.

I have searched high and low for NICE shelving and storage units for my basement...meaning nothing too fancy, but nothing that is just going to fall apart the second I put it together. But this is where the issue is. I can't find what I want, nor do I think I even know what I want.

I've come to the conclusion that my husband is just going to have to take the lead on this project and just get what he thinks is suitable and just tell me that is that. I've looked at way too many pictures, DIY websites and have looked at other basements that I just want bits and pieces of everything and I know I can't have it all. I am, for once in my life, indecisive, and can not figure this basement situation out.

Has anyone else recently done a mini basement re-model, as I am calling it? Remember, nothing too fancy, too expensive, or a lot of work. I just really want some shelves/storage areas and MAYBE we'll actually put the Pittsburgh toilet in a bathroom-like area...MAYBE.

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The Best Sunglasses for your Face Shape

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you are all enjoying your long weekend – I know I am! If you’re bummed that it will soon be over, look on the positive side, it is a short work week!

Sunglasses are a must accessory for summertime. Sunglasses can really up the style of your summer wardrobe and are essential in the sun to protect your eyes from the UV rays. With so many different styles to choose from, I always have a hard time finding the right style that will be most flattering. With the help of Oprah.com, listed below are the best sunglasses for your face shape. I hope you find this useful, I can’t wait to go get a new pair.

Heart-Shaped
(wide forehead and cheekbones; narrow chin)
Yes: Cat's-eye, round.
No: Overly embellished glasses.

Oblong
(long face; narrow chin and cheeks)
Yes: Oversize or wrap styles.
No: Frames that are too narrow for your face.









Oval
(balanced forehead, cheekbones and jaw)
Yes: You're lucky because any shape works on you!






Square
(broad forehead; square jawline)
Yes: Round, oval, cat's-eye
No: Sharp geometric shapes—they emphasize an angular profile.

Round
(full cheekbones; narrow forehead and jaw)
Yes: Wide, rectangular frames.
No: Round frames or colored lenses, which exaggerate fullness.

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