Domestic Diva tip #2

I decided a while back that seeing as I spend so much time on Pinterest I may was well take the time to test some of the life altering domestic tips I have painstakingly pinned.
I do spend way to much time on Pinterest...I can admit it.
I'm actually addicted to tell you the truth......don't tell my husband!!

Honey..if you're reading this....just remember all the yummy recipes I've prepared for you recently, and understand that without Pinterest, none of those recipes would have made it to your dinner plate!!
I LOVE YOU!!!

So here's one I tried out again today and, I am happy to say, with pleasing results.

This pin comes from DIY Project Network.com and is titled "Scent your entire home".

Here's what all of you winter loving, furnace using folks in the great white north are going to do.

Pick yourself up a bottle of room fragrance or a bottle of essential oil.
I use the body shop room fragrance green tea and lemon, occasionally switching it up with mandarin and tangelo...also from the body shop. 

I find that the longer you use the same scent the less you notice it and changing it up every once in a while makes your house feel fresh and shiny all over again, just like the first time!!!!
We are big fans of citrus scents in this household. Citrus body wash, citrus hand soap, citrus moisturizers, citrus everything!

Next you're going to head on down to your mechanical room, you know, the room that houses all of the vital organs of your home like the hot water tank, furnace, electrical panel. I like to call it the man cave.
In that room you should find a furnace, maybe it looks a little like this...

The next step is to gently slide out your furnace filter and drop some of your room fragrance or essential oils directly onto the filter.

And, as my children will tell you...my favourite saying........put it back where it came from!!!!

I have used this domestic diva tip in the past and have had complaints from the hubby as I was a little too generous with my droplets, my house smelt like one of this ladies you get stuck behind at the cashier wearing waaaaaay to much perfume. So tread lightly until you find just the right amount for your personal smelling preference.

For those of you currently living in the southern hemisphere and do not have a furnace, you can also try this domestic diva tip on your air conditioner as directed on the link from DIY Project network.
Apparently it works just as well, feel free to leave me a comment and let me know how it went. We have a heat pump at our house that cools us down in the hot summers, so I have a while to wait to try this tip out.

So that concludes today's Domestic Diva tip, stay tuned as I experiment and test out my pins for usefulness and general domestic zen-ness??? Is that a word?

Meh.......see ya!

P.S. Feel free to check out my pin board titled Domestic Diva...click here

Vintage goodies galore

I have come to realize something about myself as I age. I have great potential to be a seriously awesome hoarder.
It's in my genes! My Nana is a hoarder, I'm pretty sure my mum is too and I really, really think I would be fantastic at it!!!
I have these great memories from my childhood, and maybe you have some similar as I know that people from my Nana's generation didn't throw ANYTHING away. Or maybe you don't and as it turns out my family is just plain weird!!!

Every Sunday we would go to my Nana's house, for as long as I can remember, that's just what our family did and still do..for me at least until I moved to Canada at the age of 26.
After we had eaten our "Tea" or dinner, we usually would play a board game, watch Walt Disney or 60 minutes and if we were lucky, on a warm summer evening, we would be allowed to go look for treasure in Nana's garage.
Nana and Poppy's garage was more like a covered carport or lean to, attached to the side of a shed that housed their caravan and seasonal stuff.

In that carport, there may have been a car buried under all the "stuff", I'm not altogether sure but my brain is not letting me access that information.
Now remember, I'm about 8 years old and to me, that garage was like stumbling upon the cave of Ali Baba and his forty thieves.
We would ask Nana if we could go pick something from the garage to take home, sometimes she would say yes and sometimes she would decline and we would sulk and go find something else to do. BUT......if she said yes, my two sisters and I would race to that hoard pile of treasure and climb up to the top of the "Stuff" and look for something fantastic to take home.
It was dark in there...and dusty...and soooooo much fun!!!

I don't recollect any of the objects that I selected so much as the thrill of the hunt..and climbing up as high as possible so I could maybe find that perfect something to be mine. In my mind I picture the scene to be like something out of a Dr Seuss story and I'm positive that the garage was not, in fact, filled to the ceiling with stuff but probably just had lots of boxes stacked around mixed in with important, necessary objects.
But that's my happy memory and I'm planning to keep it that way.

So I'm pretty sure that's where my hoarding gene was burned into my soul.

Now I'm not talking about being the type of hoarder that keeps stuff like clothing, garbage and useless stuff around. I'm more of a vintage/ furniture/ tchotchke type of hoarder.
I especially like going to thrift store's, the one's run by little old ladies where the store layout had no rhyme or reason and you really have to dig for your treasure. Remember, I'm all about the thrill of the hunt!!!!!

There is a fantastic antique store in Enderby which I pop into a couple of times a year. I usually end up leaving empty handed as I am married to a non hoarder and I can't justify purchasing 95% of what I would really love to bring home.
My mum was here recently so we took a family excursion to the store and spent a good hour in there looking at all of the treasures. My hubby was on the hunt for antique razors, his new addiction. Zoe collects old bottles and picked up a few lovely ones.
And me????? Well, I just took some great pictures of all of the things I wished I could bring home with me.

If you ever find yourself in Enderby with some time to kill, go check out Jerry's Antiques.

How'd you like them apples.........I mean plums!

I have to share this website will all my thrifty ladies out there, please for your own shopping benefit you simply must go check out Pick Your Plum.... the tag line says it all "get it before your neighbor does".

Its kind of like overstock.com but with way cool craft supplies, the clock is always ticking and they only ever have limited supplies. You do have to sign up to get the deals but they post to facebook or directly to your email whenever there is a new deal available.

To days deal is a little late for your Christmas gift wrapping but the El cheapo in me could not resist the price of the colored butchers twine. By the time I got to the checkout there was only yellow, orange and purple but I'll take what I can get at 65% off, and shipping was the same whether you ordered 1 or 18 so I put the call out and split the delivery fee with another thrifty momma.

You can expect that next time you get a gift from me it will be gorgeously wrapped in this cute stuff. Yellow twine for spring, orange for Halloween and fall and purple for the kids.....so fun.

Not sure what you would do with twine? Check out this blog for some cute ideas.

For all my garlic customers

I was checking out Design Mom today and noticed an interesting link that she shared from saveur.com, I could not resist taking a peek myself.

I thought this idea was interesting, I've seen and tried a lot of different techniques for dealing with garlic in the past. I don't own a garlic press *gasp*, that's right you  heard me....I use a knife, old school baby.

But I have fallen for the seductive promises of several gadgets that just end up taking up space and making a big old mess.

This technique would be great if you're needing a lot of garlic all at once, otherwise I can tell you there is no way on earth I would dirty two large bowls just to peel some garlic.
If any of you try it out let me know if it works with my garlic. It looks as though in the video they are peeling soft stem garlic....which is not the same as the variety that I grow.

I do believe that saveur.com could be dangerous to my health and that I could have easily lost my whole day watching their short video tips and ogling their recipes. So simple, yet things that I never think to do, like how to make a lemongrass knot to add to recipes. I'm already thinking of ways to incorporate that idea into my jamming.

I would also like to share my favourite kitchen tip for dealing with stinky garlicky, oniony hands.

You know the smell. You've just chopped a tonne of onions for french onion soup, maybe you're caramelising some onions for pizza. That onion smell gets right under you skin and takes forever to go away no matter how much soap you lather on you hands!
If you have a stainless steel faucet or sink simply turn on you water, get your hands wet and rub them all over your kitchen sink or faucet, making sure that the surface touches every part of your hands, between your fingers, tops and palms. The steel neutralises the smell, try it out and let me know if it works for you too.

Moteas

A little late night googling last night revealed some interesting and exciting info for the closet tea drinker in me. I have a new addiction to a certain specialty drink...mmmmm London Fog how I covet thee... from Suzie's Bluenose Deli, it's my guilty pleasure every once in a while.

 The thing that makes this yummy, hot, sunshine in a mug drink so special is the variety of tea that Suzie uses, the Organic Earl Grey tea with rose by Moteas.

So imagine my surprise when I searched for a little more info on this tea to find that the product is produced right here in the sunny Okanagan.

Pierre and Amber Piché are based in Kelowna and sell their teas in a select few stores throughout BC, including our local deli......doesn't that make us feel so special.

With tea flavours such as Hibiscus Berry, Chocolate Mint Rooibos, Lemongrass green tea and Okanagan White Orchard, one could easily have a different tea for every day of the week. I have tried the Chocolate Mint Rooibos and it is divine.....and remember I am a coffee whore, so this is HUGE for me to like a tea this much.

 My friend Nancy, who by the way is the ultimate gift giver, gave to me for my birthday some gorgeous new tea mugs with a stash of my favourite Earl Grey from Moteas. I've been making my London Fogs at home as Suzie does have to go home at some point and my tea craving is usually a late night thang. 

But alas, I am down to my last tea bag, hence the late night googling. Moteas takes online orders, although the shipping is steep at $10, but worth every penny if you live far away. I suggest if you are a local to purchase from your nearest local supplier like Suzie. There is a store locator on their website.....but in the meantime if you pop on over to Suzie's deli and ask for a London Fog I guarantee you will be smitten.

Hello September

Just wanted to take a minute to share an image my friend Dana snapped on her visit to Canada. She really captured a precious moment with my girls, in my favourite place..our garden.

Summer is whizzing by at an alarming rate and today was the girls first day back at school, I feel like I didn't take enough pictures or cherish enough moments these last few months.

Zoe is all little lady like, heading into grade 6 *eek* and my baby Marley is now in grade 1 with her new teacher Mrs Pol, it seems like just yesterday that same lady was teaching my Zoe to ride her little heart out for the big bike rodeo at the May Day celebrations.

I'm so excited for them both, it's going to be a great year full of new adventures and challenges. I can't wait to hold their hands when they are scared, wipe away their anxiety with some cookies and milk and tuck them into bed at the end of the night after every little milestone.

I wandered across this piccie today and a big smile spread across my face, so thank you Dana for taking the time to freeze frame this moment for me.

I'm feeling like a bad little blogger lately..please excuse my tardiness. I'll try to be better next week......or maybe the week after that.

Raise it up.

My husband has decided that due to the deer smorgasbord made of our veggie patch last year that he wants to build a greenhouse to keep our tomatoes, peppers and misc veggies protected.
I agree but while we're at it why not put in some raised beds for the stuff the deer don't take a fancy to. We love gardening but with the amount of exterior home reno we have taken on there just doesn't seem to be time.
I think the hubby and I are on the same page this year and we both realise we need to make time, there is something to be said for the work = reward when it comes to gardening. It really is very therapeutic, not to mention educational especially for the kids.
I have been drooling over some of the fantastic work out there online, proud gardeners who have taken time to share their ideas and knowledge with others. I don't know what I would have done without the Internet when it comes to gardening.

Just look at this layout by The Modern Gardener. It reminds me of wandering down the aisles of a supermarket, everything laid out so perfectly in a row.

Here are some more images from the net, drool! Patience my child, all in good time.
I must remember and constantly remind myself that every year I bite off more than I can chew and end up feeling deflated about my gardening abilities.

 Anyone out there have great success with raised beds and want to share their wisdom? I'm your student!!!

In the meantime, I will continue to browse through my seed catalogues and continue to plan what we are going to grow this year. Nothing frivolous, just the basics...I have plans to can my butt off this year, with the cost of basic food items raising at an alarming rate I really think it's time to consider what is a necessity and what is not.

Yummy, yummy, yummy I've got ravioli in my tummy.

Tried out the ravioli maker this weekend and ..... I LOVE IT!!! It's spring break for the next two weeks so I am going to make a whole bunch of pasta and freeze it.

It makes mass production so much faster. Now I just need to make some freezer space.

The filling for this one is onion, garlic, spinach, herb and garlic goat cheese finished off with some olive oil, sea salt and parmigiana reggiano.

Some roasted asparagus for a nummi dinner.

Me and Jack.

AAAAh I found another way for me to fantasize about my imaginary relationship with my favourite singer Jack Johnson. I know I'm not alone in this fantasy, you ladies out there know what I'm talking about!!!Or maybe it's just me...I'm OK with that..more for me?

I saw on the Marilyn show today a snippet about Eco cosmetics, beauty products and accessories and could not get to the computer quick enough to check out the website they were showing.
It's called wear your music and some brilliant person decided to make jewellery from the used guitar strings of your favourite musician. Proceeds go to the charity of the musicians choice......WHAT!!! Brilliant.

I cannot afford $150 for a bracelet regardless of the fact that it probably has Jacks DNA on it but a girl can dream!
You can add extrs to it such as a diamond and a recycled sterling silver clasp. It also comes with the artists initials on it so that you can pretend that you really are dating.
If Jack Johnson's not for you, that's cool, there are at least a hundred other artists there for you do get all weak at the knees over.
For instance, my birthday is in October and I wouldn't be at all offended if Ben Harper ended up on my wrist!!!hint, hint!!!

Tootles

Craft Talk

If you need a giggle take a minute and watch this fantastic new break out artist Leslie and the Ly's. She's not for everyone but I think she is hilarious.
This one's called craft talk and if you're a crafter yourself there is no way you cannot see the humor in this video.
Her other hits include such classics as Gem sweater, gold pants lullaby, don't blame my booty and ring a ding ding.





Have a great day my fellow crafty ladies.

OMG...I'm in love

I woke up this morning thinking about the blog entry I was going to do this morning about my new pressure cooker, well, new to me ($10 at the thrift store). It was to be more of a plea of sorts as I've never owned one let alone cooked with one and I have no idea how to use it. I was hoping my readers out there could pass on their recipes, techniques or tips.

But then I stumbled across this....SWEET PAUL. It had been reviewed on another of my usual stalks Simply modern mom.

It's a digital magazine, I guess all the cool cats are doing them now. And the creator Paul is my new hero.

There are a few back issues on the site for you to drool over, they are seasonal so Spring, fall, winter etc. His latest one is a special kids issue and it is the most inspirational adorable thing I've seen in a while.

AND total do-able, there's nothing in there that we ordinary folk can not make, bake or create.

So if you have a few minutes or a whole afternoon take a look, I promise you won't regret it. I'm planning on getting my "stuff" done at turbo speed today so that I can kick back with a cup of tea this arvo and go over every lovely page.

All I want for christmas is............

MARLEY (Age 5)

ZOE (Age10)

Country road

It's been a long time since I've set foot in a Country Road store, one of my facebook friends just mentioned having a shopping spree there recently so I couldn't resist checking out the website.
Even though Country Road is in Oz, I'm sure I can find or put together some of these outfits on myself with local buys and about 30 less pounds!!!!

Summer so far.....

Zoe's summer fun list.......

Surprise birthday parties with the yummiest food ever.....

Water slides with the tribe...

Summer night's with fun activities....

Fantastic friends with adorable children.....

Beautiful, ever changing summer skies...

It's all a little too much for some folks.

Aaah scapes....

What to do with scapes.

You can grill'em, fry 'em, boil 'em, steam 'em, saute 'em, freeze 'em and our choice for today you may ask?

Chop 'em up and pickle 'em!!

The hubby had his creative canning juices flowing and we created not one but 5 fantastic new flavours.

First creation on the menu was pickled garlic scapes in a jalapeno and balsamic brine.

Followed by several scape jellies and a red onion and yellow pepper jelly. Yummy with cream cheese and crackers or on you favourite meat.

My final use for garlic scapes, which I thought suited the moment as Hubby and Zoe just went to the movies to see Eclipse.........

...a garlic scape bracelet to ward off the neighbourhood vampires.

You know you want one!!!!