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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Shana and I want to Share with you a part of my life with this site in the hope that it holds something of value to you - A Solution Shared! May it be a blessing to you!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

FIESTA Dinnerware Sale and Review!

Fiesta from Homer Laughlin China is my favorite brand for everyday dishes at my home.




I just added another Jumbo 18oz. Mug in Sunflower to my collection yesterday and the best part is that is only cost me .50 cents! The Khol's store near me just sent out a $10.00 Coupon to use and they were currently running a sale on Fiesta so this $15.00 cup was marked down to $10.50 then the coupon made it only .50 cents! This is now my favorite Coffee (and tea) cup for those chilly days ahead :)  I think it reminds me of the summer time sunflowers from my garden and brightens up a rainy day here in the Pacific NW.

I love the Fiesta dinnerware colors so mixing and matching is easy and fun! I have been collecting pieces  for about 12 years now, mostly the shades of blue (turquoise, cobalt, periwinkle blue and juniper) but thought it might be nice to add some yellow.  A few other reasons I would highly suggest Fiesta dinnerware is that they are Lead - free, made in the USA and they are very durable. I know my family and I have dropped them on several occasions and have never broken any. Whats your favorite family dishes?

Homer Laughlin China Co. Website

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Rehearsing for Him (His Sabbath and His Festivals to come)

Here's a great study re: the Sabbath and its importance by Jim Staley. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee or tea and your bible .......






"And He Rested"

Monday, August 29, 2011

Make Your Own FOAMING SOAP

I don't know about your kids, but handwashing reminding can sometimes get so frustrating but I have found that the "Foamy Soap" Dispensers are a"Big hit", and you don't have to continually buy these special kind of bottled liquid soaps, just re-use one with an easy recipe below and save money too!

FOAMING SOAP RECIPE
  • Pour a few Tablespoons of Liquid Soap (Shampoo, Body wash or Dishwashing liquid can also be used) into a previously purchased/used Foaming Soap Dispenser Bottle
  • Fill with warm water (not completely to the top but leave a little room - an inch or so to work properly) screw on the lid/pump and gently shake.
  • Squirt a few times to get it started
**I also like to add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to it for an added fragrance bonus!
Once you have tried this, you find your not having to buy as much liquid soap as nearly as often! I am not sure why I didn't figure this out sooner :)




Saturday, August 13, 2011

NEIGHBORHOOD FRUIT Website

Wow, August is going by quickly and that means many fruits are falling off the vines from ripeness or just getting started such as apples. I recently came across this really helpful website that I hope may come in handy for you as well. 
Neighborhood Fruit helps people find and share fruit locally, both backyard bounty and abundance on public lands - 10,000 trees nationwide and counting!
Neighborhood Fruit was created to make use of the abundant fruit growing in our urban environments. Currently, the bulk of fruit grown in backyards and in our cities goes to waste, while the fruit we consume is grown in water-intensive orchards far from our homes.

Check out NEIGHBORHOOD FRUIT 'S Website to see if fruit is available in your area that you can use or for you to post for others if you have fruit available to share!
Happy picking!!





Sunday, July 24, 2011

FLAVORS OF SUMMER

I think we finally hit some summer weather temps in the 80's today! Not complaining here at all considering the record breaking high heat going on in most of the US right now. I am enjoying some fresh raspberry lemonade with mint while trying to decide on what to make or do with the 7 pounds of freshly picked raspberries and strawberries I picked earlier. (See one of my favorite Berry treats below)

I am also trying to figure out ways to use/store the large amounts of mint that grows like weeds in my backyard! I have dried some for use in the fall/winter and I love it in my lemonade, summer fruit salads, and even use it with lavender to add to my bath for a relaxing soak.

What are some of your Favorite Summer Flavors?

Shana's Easy Frozen Berry Cream
  • Frozen berries ( I like a mix of strawberries, raspberries & blueberries) approx 1 cup
  • Sugar - approx. 2 tsp
  • Half-n-half Milk, Whole or Lowfat milk, or non-dairy such as soy, almond or coconut milk - approx 1/2 cup
Put all in bowl and break up with spoon until desired consistency. (I like the way the milk freezes to the frozen berries and creates a delightful frozen treat.) Enjoy!!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

FREE Lego Club Magazine and Events Info. for Kids

My son sure looks forward each month to receiving his Lego Club Magazine in the mail! It is a FREE 2 year Subscription he enjoys with great building ideas and upcoming Lego features. Yesterday he attended a Free Lego Speed Building Event at our local Lego Store. (See Pic. below) This kind of information is advertised as well in the magazine, although we just happened to be there recently at the right time as a treat for his week long hard working of goals he personally acheived.

Click Here to Sign Up for Your FREE Lego Club Magazine


Saturday, June 25, 2011

Make at Home, Fruit and Veggie Wash

Recently, I ran out of Fruit and Vegetable Wash and just didn't want to drive to the location that I originally purchased (Trader Joes) with gas prices what they are, it just didn't seem justifiable to do so when I just had a feeling their must be a natural way to do so from ingredients at home because the ingredients are basically "natural". I tried several fruit and vegetable wash "recipes" and this seemed to be best for my use requirements. The vinegar has natural antibacterial properties and the lemon is a natural astringent. This solution helps break down and remove pesticides so you can feel better about the health benefits than using just plain water.
(NOTE)  Just remember if you are going to wash "soft" skinned fruits such as strawberries, you might add the spray to some water in a bowl to dilute, and rinse well after soaking briefly to avoid any heavy vinegar taste.


Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp lemon juice (from lemon)


  • Combine all ingredients above. (I like to combine into a pourable pitcher). The reaction of the baking soda and vinegar will cause a "cool" bubble reaction or "explosion",as my son says! but will subside quickly :)
  • Pour into a spray bottle with a pump (or a jar with a lid.)
  • Spray mixture on produce and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Scrub (if necessary), and rinse well.  (Or if just storing mixture in a jar, pour some  into a bowl, add a little water, then the fruit and soak briefly before thoroughly rinsing.)
I like to store this Easy Fruit and Veggie Wash in the refrigerator for a few weeks at a time, then make more as needed!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Make Your Own Hummingbird Feeder


Here's an easy, fun kid-friendly project to do this summer if you would like to try attracting hummingbirds to your garden before you go out and spend a fortune on fancy feeders. My son and I really enjoy the rare moments we have been able to see these amazing little birds and their high bursts of energy "flitting by". Let me know how this works for you :)

On a note of interest....Hummingbirds are the only group of birds that are known to be able to fly backwards!


Go Here to Make Your Own Hummingbird Feeder

Here is another good site to check out for what would be good to grow to attract them too!
How to Attract Hummingbirds

Saturday, June 11, 2011

How "Yeshua" Became "Jesus"

If you have a genuine desire to study the bible from a "hebraic" perspective to gain valuable truths not necessarily taught in the Christian churches I will post some links for your personal studies to know Him better. YHWH bless you!

How "Yeshua" Became "Jesus"

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Mostly FREE or Easy on the Wallet Summer Kids Happenings!

Here are some sites to check out for your family fun this summer that won't break the bank. I will be updating this list as more come in, so check back soon. Let me know if you have any to share as well. Have a great summer!

Free Bowling for kids

$1 Summer Movies

Buy 1 Get 1 Minor League Baseball Ticket

Kids Free Lowes Build and Grow Events

Monday, May 9, 2011

Victoria Clipper Vacation Contest/ Giveaway -Ends 6-30-11 (EXPIRED)

If you love flowers and have been thinking of a weekend getaway, you should check out the beautiful gardens in Victoria, British Columbia called Butchart Gardens. In fact, Victoria Clipper has a Giveaway currently running which includes a Getaway to Victoria (and Butchart Gardens!) for two.

\
EXPIRED

THE PRIZE: Northwest Multi City Vacation Getaway for Two
  • Cruise on the Victoria Clipper plus a champagne continental breakfast aboard
  • One night accommodation at Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina
  • Transportation via Cruise Victoria motor coach to the Butchart Gardens
  • Admission for two to The Butchart Gardens including high tea
  • Pacific Coach Lines transportation and BC Ferry between Victoria and Vancouver, BC
  • One night stay at Delta Vancouver Suites in Vancouver, BC
  • Tickets for the Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Trolley Tour
  • Amtrak Cascades transportation between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC
  • One night stay at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle
  • Savor Seattle Pike Place Market Tour

Getting your garden ready

I am so excited to begin the process again this season of getting my garden ready for our summer favorites! I don't consider myself an expert in this area but I have learned a few tips from the years in my particular climate with certain flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables that I hope may be of assistance in the next several months. I also will post some websites with gardening information that have been very helpful for me. Garden Guides and The Sequim Lavender Festival blogsite (to get things started) has great tips for herbs such as lavender, my favorite!
If you have children, get them involved in the planting process too. I like to set up an area just for my son to plant his favorites and learn each year as well. We have a great time getting dirty and many homeschool science lessons have been completed in the backyard and nearby farms and gardens.


gardenguides.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USwoUgSdWR8

Monday, April 11, 2011

Make your own MOLDED CHOCOLATES!

Here is a fun rainy day treat or special event gift you can create quite easily and quickly. My son and I made these recently as Michaels Crafts Store was having a sale on Wilton's Candy Melts so this was actually quite affordable. We had some of the plastic molds at home to make these in a snap however if you don't you can purchase at Michaels (or another Craft store that sells Cake/Candy making items). They were selling the day we were there for about $2 per mold sheet. Each sheet can make approx. 6-12 chocolates depending on the shape/sizes. This is really fun for specific themed parties as you can get all kinds of shapes. We used a variety as you can see in the picture from different themed molds just for fun.


*****Follow instructions on the bag for either melting the chocolate in the microwave or on the stove. (I prefer the microwave) and carefully spoon the melted chocolate a little a time into each molded shape to make flush/ even with the top. (Don't over or under fill if possible) You will need to work as quickly as you can for your melted chocolate will start to harden. If it does though, you can just re-melt in the microwave. I also like to gently tap down the trays to make sure all the molded areas with chocolate get filled properly and eliminates the chances of any bubbles. The instructions on the bag don't specifically say to refrigerate or freeze to harden them quicker but I do. Remove after about 15 minutes in the freezer or 30 minutes in the refrigerator. You should be able to turn the mold over a plate and gently tap and it should fall out. You do not need to store them in the refrigerator. We filled approx. 4 mold sheets (or about 40 chocolates). Fun note: If you want to you can try melting some different colored chocolate they have available (in separate bowls) and filling each with a different color variation or swirled mix, have fun with it!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Healthy and Delicious Non Dairy Alternatives

So Delicious Dairy Free COCONUT MILK

I have tried many Dairy Milk alternatives such as Rice, Almond, Soy and now recently Coconut Milk. If you haven't tried the new So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk yet, you should. I love the health benefits and the great taste. You can also find them on Facebook and they have a current Contest/Giveaway too on the link above so check them out!
Their Blog also has many wonderful recipes using this product. So Delicious Dairy Free BLOG SPOT

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Photo Fun with Kids!




Today as the sun peeked out this first day of Spring for a brief visit my son and I went to a nearby park. I told him "lets each take 5 pictures with our camera of things that are interesting to us". "It could be birds, flowers, signs, or whatever you see that you really like". It was fun to find out what is of importance visually to some and not to another. (I let him use the camera as he is 9 and comfortable with it but please assist if necessary with the buttons, depending on your type of camera and age appropriateness). We hope to do this project again soon as the weather took a sad turn while we were out but we did get a few photos to share. We hope this photography adventure is a fun project for you and your family whether you home school your children (as I do) or do as an after school (public or private school) excursion on a weekday or weekend. My son really liked the1st picture above of the actual 1901 Engine used for logging in Seattle. I liked the picture with my son and the unique way the trees grew out all curvy. Keep it simple and enjoy the time together!

We also made a Birdwatching project out of this adventure as well and logged several bird species we found on the path. To learn more about a fun Bird Cornell Lab of Ornithology citizen science project check this site out to sign up as we did and you will receive a fun packet in the mail with information to collect your area bird data and some freebies (while supplies available).  Celebrate Urban Birds

Monday, March 21, 2011

Happy Spring!

Hooray! My first Blog post is here. I look forward to sharing with you as it is now finally Spring and so many ideas are popping into my head about upcoming gardening tips, outdoor activities, recipes and homeschool/ kids projects and more! Check back soon, won't you? Please subscribe to my Email so you won't miss any current news.