My FREE Mickey Mouse Thank You Notes

Bryson had turned 3 and had a Mickey Mouse birthday party a couple of weeks ago.  I always try to send out thank you notes after birthday parties for my children.  I usually buy some that match the invitations that go along with the theme.  There was not any available this year.  After much thought, I decided to make them myself.  I already had everything I needed so I didn't have to spend anything for supplies.

Here is what I made.

Materials Used:
1 Sheet of Black Scrapbooking Paper
2 Sheets of White Scrapbooking Paper
1 Piece of Scrap Red Design Paper
Envelopes I already had 

 I thought they turned out pretty cute.  What do you think?

Ways to Use Up Easter Candy

My kids got way too much candy for Easter.  They both received 4 baskets each.  Between the Easter bunny, grandparents and an aunt they received way too much, and will never be able to eat it all.  Every year I try to come up with useful ways to use up all the candy so nothing goes to waste.

Here is a list of the ideas that I came up with:

- Use the peeps and the chocolate bunnies to make smores.

- Melt the chocolate and use it to make chocolate covered strawberries.

- Melt the chocolate to use when making ice cream sundaes.

- Add a little bit to yogurt for a special treat - m&ms, reese pieces etc.

- Make cookies with the chocolate.

- Save and use the candy in goody bags for birthday parties if you have any coming up soon.  Suckers, gum, or individual pieces will work great.

- Donate it.  My local food pantry will accept candy. 

- Make chocolate fondue as dessert one evening.  Dip an assortment of fruits.

- Jelly beans can be used for childrens artwork.  We often think of the macaroni pictures, how about jelly bean pictures?

What ways do you use up all of your Easter candy?

Previously Post April 2012

My No Cost Fall Table Centerpiece

I took a walk through the woods yesterday and broke off some branches of beautiful fall leaves.  I arranged them in a metal pot.  I replaced the candles on the wooden candle sticks with pumpkins and pumpkin candle votices.  I already had everything in this picture and the beautiful

 fall leaves were FREE!  

Our Thrifty Day Trip to the Lake

Yesterday was Payton's 1st trip to the lake.  If you were to know her father, you would be shocked that she had never been before.  He currently has 2 boats but he has had as many as 4.  He is an avid fisherman and use to go every weekend at least once if not twice.  Since having kids, he does not go that often. We had planned to take her last summer but with a newborn, it never worked out.  Thanks to my dear mom for keeping Bryson, Payton had a day with all the attention on her. 

It was a beautiful sunny day!  It was very hot but we had the water to keep us cool.  We spent the day fishing, swimming, and boat riding. 

Payton caught the 1st fish of the day!

Of course, I planned ahead and tried to think of every possible way to save money. Here is a list of how I saved money and any money that I did have to spend.

- Breakfast was at home.
- I took a cooler full of water, juice, and drinks for the day.
- I had a bag full of snacks and chips.
- I took toys for backup in case Payton got bored with fishing.  Happy to say I never had to pull them out.
- Took her spray bottle with fan to help keep us cool and that was a lot of entertainment for her to be able to spray us.
- We had all the fishing supplies needed but we did buy 3 dozen minnows for $3
- The only other thing we spent was gas money.  We had gas in the boat but we did have to fill up the Tahoe.

So overall we had a wonderful fun-filled thrifty day of fun.  We hope to go many more times this summer.

Invaded by Chocolate Easter Bunnies

Easter was 3 weeks ago and I still have a huge supply of chocolate Easter bunnies.  I am not sure what happened this year, between the Easter bunny, grandparents, and aunts and uncles, my kids got way too many chocolate bunnies and even chocolate chicks and a duck.  I have had a grocery bag full in my pantry since then.  I decided yesterday that it was time to use them and not let them go to waste.  I love to make the most of what I have even when it comes to huge supply of candy. 

For lunch we all enjoyed a simple, tasty treat.  Who doesn't love chocolate covered strawberries? If you are not a fan of strawberries, any fruit would be great to use - pineapple, grapes, apples etc.

We grilled hamburgers for dinner and took advantage of the warm weather and fixed smores using our outside fire pit.  I also used Peeps chics and bunnies from Easter in making the smores.

Other great ways to use Chocolate Easter bunnies:

- Cookies - Instead of using chocolate chips, break the bunnies up into small pieces.

- Candy - Melt the bunnies and make any kind of candy you like.

- Ice Cream Topping - Shave the bunnies and sprinkle on top of your ice cream.

- Brownies - Do you use a box mix to make brownies like I do?  Then why not melt some chocolate bunnies to mix in with it.

THRIFTY TABLESCAPE - OUTDOOR DINING

This week I decided to dinner outside on our deck. DH grilled some wonderful cheeseburgers with all the fixins and I made corn on the cob and Rosemary Potatoes. The temperature was just perfect, not too hot or humid. Dinner was great and Payton loves to eat outside.

This is one set of summer dishes that I purchased at the end of the summer last year. I found them on sale for 75% off. I paid approximately $5 for 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 cups and 2 serving platters.

Our centerpiece was made thanks to Payton. She picked the flowers and arranged them in the bowl.

MEMORIAL DAY TABLESCAPE

Since I have been on bedrest for almost 2 weeks now, I have done lots of note taking and list making. One of things I plan to do this summer is really enjoy everything we have that we do not use often. That includes the tons of dishes, napkins, placemats, etc. that I have accumulated over the years. Why have something if you are not going to use it and enjoy it!!

My goal for the summer is to have at least 1 dinner a week with a different but thrifty tablescape by using what I have and not spending any money.

Here is my tablescape for Memorial Day!! I did buy the paper napkins at the Dollar Tree for $1. Everything else I had. My dh and daughter were quite impressed with our dinner.
















Note: The napkins rings are ponytail holders. I promise they are new and have not been used!! Also Payton insisted on eating out of her PINK plate.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - PART 9

BOATING



As you see, we are lucky enough to have 2 boats. As I mentioned yesterday, my husband is an avid fisherman and has owned a boat since I have known him. I haven't been to the lake in a couple of years but we do plan on going a few days this summer. It will be Payton's first trip to the lake.



I am wrapping up my Summer Fun Series - Using What You Have. I hope you have enjoyed this series and maybe realized some things you have at home that you too can use to have fun this summer with your family.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 8

Fishing

My husband is avid fisherman. He loves to fish no matter what kind of fishing it is. Before we even starting building our house, our pond was completed. We have spent several afternoons already this summer fishing. I find it so relaxing and Payton will actually fish too if the fish are biting.

This is another way we are using what we have this summer.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - PART 7

Pool Table

My husband bought a pool table soon after we built our house. When we had no children, we used our pool table almost every weekend with friends and family. In the last couple of years, we have maybe played 3 games. Recently, we have started playing more often. I am trying to use what we have instead of letting it go to waste.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 6

Patio & Grill

We use our deck every weekend and a couple of day s druing the week. We love to eat outisde whether we are grilling out or not. It is also a great place to relax, sit in the sun, or play. Payton likes to read books or color while sitting at the table. We also enjoy having an umbrella with our table to provide some shade since we do not have any shade trees next our house.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 5

Another great way to have a thrifty night of summer fun is by having a "special" dinner by using what you have. Give the paper plates a night off and break out the "good" china. Create a tablescape with a theme for the evening and have a nice dinner.

I used a beach theme to my tablescape. Everything you see I already had. The blue placements make me think of the ocean. The blue shell candle make me think of the waves bringing the shells in. The napkins represent the sand. The centerpiece contains shells that Payton and I picked up last year as we were walking along the beach. My napkin rings are fresh water pearl bracelets. I even found a pearl one year while having oysters for dinner one evening while at the beach. You always have to add a little bit of crystal for sparkle.

Note: I just noticed that the silverware is on the wrong sides. Please look over my mistake.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 4

Swimming Pool

Great investment for my family. We can stay in the pool for hours. We did not spend the money to have in-ground pool (which I would loveeee to have) but it has been so convenient to have a pool in our backyard. Thankfully, Payton is a "water girl" too. She loves to play ball, splash, and cruise around in her float. This is where we spent most of our weekend.

One of my favorite ways to relax during Payton's nap time is just by floating in the pool.

FAMILY SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 3

My Screened In Porch

Payton loves to eat here. She finds it so fun and I enjoy it too. We have had dinner here 3 nights this past week. She also enjoys playing out here instead of inside. Luckily, we have a ceiling fan to keep us cool during these humid days we are having.

I have to admit....until last year, we never used our screened in porch.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 2

Inexpensive Toys


I now have a toy box in the garage of fun toys that Payton can play with outside. Several items I have picked up at the Dollar Store or yard sales. Having toys handy has been very helpful in keeping her busy while I do a little yard work, cook on the grill, or just sit and relax.

SUMMER FUN - USING WHAT YOU HAVE - Part 1

I have many things around my home that we do not use often. I am making a great effort to change that. I feel very blessed to have the things that I do have. My goal this summer is to really use and enjoy what we have instead of spending money for things that we really don't need to have family fun at home.

Swing Set

So far it has the been so worth the money. Payton asks to swing every day. It doesn't matter the time or what the weather is like. She wants to "ing" and "swide". If I tell her no its raining, she will begin to sing......

Rain, Rain
Go Away
Come Again Another Day
Payton wants to "ing"