February Book Reviews

It's book review time! 

 I'd love to hear about what you've been reading.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a very real book. At the beginning of the book it says:
"This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war."

The book is told from the point of view of the soldiers. The author served in WWI and the book was definitely not just a "story". It was very real. At the beginning of the book I didn't know for sure which side of the war the characters were on. (Although I should have guessed with all the German names) And maybe that is kind of the point - Both sides were just men following orders and fighting for their lives and countries.

This book kept my interest throughout and was very thought-provoking. There were parts were I was blinking back tears reading what those men went through. I would definitely recommend this book!

 Crossed by Ally Condie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book but not as much as the first one. One of my problems is that I read the first one so long ago, it took me a while to remember it. I will definitely read the next one though - I have to see what happens.






 Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience, And Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the best book I have read in a long time! And to top it off it's a true story. It never ceases to amaze me how many different people were involved in WWII. Every book I've read covers a different perspective. This book is about a Olympic runner who serves in the Pacific. His plane crashes and he is lost at sea. When he finally reaches land, it is enemy territory and he becomes a POW. There was so much detail in this book. The author was terrific and it was very gripping. I could hardly put it down. I'd like to read her other book(s).

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Incredible! The title is well named. It is hard to imagine the conditions under which these men survived. And also the fact that not one of them died over the 17 months they were in the Antarctic. Amazing true story.

Terrific Tuesdays #4

I want to thank all of you for linking up! I really appreciate how sweet and kind you all are.

Let's see if we can make this party even bigger and better.

The most viewed link was 

Dictionary Page Note Cards by Creative Passage

Go see how she made them. So creative!

Some of my other favorites were:

French {Onion} Dip Sandwiches by Dwell on Joy. 

Doesn't it look so delicious!?! I am definitely making these.

Don't you just love these Ballard Inspired Chalkboards by Sew Passionate. 

Another thing to add to my to-do list. They would look so cute in my girls' room.

I am so taken with this idea! Our Pinteresting Family turned their closet into a mudroom. I took the bifold doors down in my kids rooms ages ago - they just kept getting in the way. I really want to do this. It would make a fun reading nook for them. BUT they have too many toys right now that need to be in the closet.... Maybe when they're older.

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Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:
Raspberry Muffins
Foam Soap for under $4 a year 

and 

Bead Board Picture Frames

Now let's see what you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:

1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.




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Raspberry Muffins

I have been looking for a good raspberry muffin recipe since we have tons of frozen raspberries from our garden.  This is the one I've liked the best so far.

I would describe the texture of the muffin almost like an angel food cake texture. I LOVE that it isn't crumbly. My kids make enough messes. I don't need to clean up extra because their breakfast won't stay in one piece. 

Here's the recipe - it comes from my cousin-in-law, but I've adjusted it a little.

Raspberry Lemon Muffins

 2 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1 T. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 c. milk

1/2 c. oil (or applesauce)

1 t. lemon extract (or vanilla)

2 eggs

1 c. fresh or frozen raspberries, without syrup

Combine dry ingredients. In another bowl combine wet ingredients. Fold mixtures together stirring just until moistened. Add raspberries. Fill greased muffin tins. Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes. Cool in pans. Makes 12. 

I use applesauce and vanilla. I also don't use two bowls. I just stir it all together. I always sprinkle a little sugar on top of each muffin for a nice sweet crunch. I make them the night before for a quick breakfast in the morning. 

Linking up to these parties.

 

Foam Soap for under $4 a year!

Here is one of the ways I save money. Instead of buying a new bottle of foam soap when we run out, I refill them. 

I first started doing this with a pampered chef bottle that was made for this. It had two lines on it showing where to fill with soap and water. I didn't particularly like it because the pump would get stuck in the down position. So I tried it with another bottle I had and it works even better. 

To start with you need a bottle that dispenses foam soap. 

 I got this one from my mom for Christmas. Once it's empty it's time to refill it.

I use this soap from Walmart. As of this week the price is $3.88.

It comes in a new bottle - it just shows you how long it's been since I've bought any. There are 3-4 different scents to choose from.

You can also buy a whole gallon at Sam's Club for $9.98. Softsoap - Aloe Vera Moisturizing Hand Soap Refill - 1 Gallon - Body (Google Affiliate Ad)    That would last my family several years!

Next fill the bottle approximately one inch full with soap.

Then fill to the top with hot water.

Then shake well.

Hot water is important because it helps to dissolve the soap so it will mix better. If you don't mix it well enough the first few pumps will be quite soapy instead of foamy. Just shake it again and it should be fine.

I have one bottle in the bathroom and one in the kitchen. Since you only have to use such a small amount for each refill, that big bottle of soap lasts us well over a year. I also like it because I don't feel like I have to monitor usage. You know how kids are - either they try to skip the soap step, or they use six or seven squirts. Since it costs so little, I don't mind if they waste some - at least they're getting clean.


You may also like:
How to Clean Your Curling Iron

 

Linking up to these parties.

This tip has been featured!!!
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and over at  It's Written on the Wall

Bead Board Picture Frames

I have done several projects involving bead board. But this is what started it all. I made myself some picture frames using scraps from when we redid one of my daughters rooms last year. You could say these frames are what started my obsession with using bead board in decorating. 

I decided to make some of these frames for each of my sisters and sister-in-laws for their birthdays this year. These frames are super cute and even better they are super cheap too. Which is a HUGE plus for a cheapskate like me.  

Here's how I make them:

I started out with a package of beadboard. I spent $12 on this.

 It has 6 sheets in it. You can cut 3 frames out off each sheet. So you could make 18 frames. I only needed 11 so I'll be using the rest on other projects. I also bought two 3/8" dowels. You could use a different size as long as it's sturdy enough to hold up the frame.

To start you'll want to cut about 1/4 or so inches off the length of each board. Just enough so you have flat edges. Then cut the boards into 9" pieces. 

 Cut your dowels into 4 1/2" pieces.

In order to have a rounded corner, I traced around a cup and then using a jigsaw cut out the rounded corners.

Then drill a hole in one corner of the frame using the same size drill bit as the dowel.

I don't have any pictures of the process but here is what you should have at this point.

Sand down any rough edges and you're ready to paint.

 Here are the colors of paint I used from my stash:

Apple Barrel - Barn Red

Deco Art - Antique White

and for the turqoise I mixed two colors in approx. equal parts until I liked the color.

Americana - Baby Blue

Americana - Desert Turqoise

 Next comes the antiquing, or glazing.

I like to use Americana Staining Antiquing Medium. You can buy it at a craft store for around $2. I'm only on my second bottle and I've even glazed a desk. That's way cheaper to me than buying a big can of glaze at Home Depot and having tons left over. You just mix it with equal parts paint and you're good to go.  I've even used it with purple paint on all the purple furniture and shelves in  My Daughter's Bedroom. 

For these frames I mixed the antiquing medium with Americana Burnt Umber for the cream and turquoise frames. I mixed it with black for the red frames.

After glazing, I sprayed with a clear spray to seal.

In order to cover the hole where the dowel is inserted, I added some fun rosettes out of burlap. (I just hot glued them on) This was a great choice, with the frayed edges and the slightly messy look. Especially when you're making dozens of them, you don't want to have to worry about them all looking perfect.

 I added a little ribbon to a clothespin and hot glued it on.

Lastly, insert your dowel. You can hot glue it in, but I'm not going to since it will be easier to mail these if they are flat.  And honestly, you don't really need to. I've had mine for at least a year and they've been fine.

I love how you can easily change out the pictures or the direction of the frame.

I didn't make any of this type of flower this time around, but I thought they were too cute not to share. I just took a 1" strip of burlap, folded it in half lengthwise and rolled them up. 

Another idea I used originally, was to add metal sheeting, painted to match, and attach the picture with a magnet made from an old button.

Here's another one made from a smaller scrap. I'm using it as a recipe holder.

I had to keep one of the turquoise ones to go in my bathroom. Now I just need to find a picture.

The only things I bought were the beadboard, dowels and some black ribbon.  For everything else I used what I had on hand, all left overs from other projects. 

Here they are all ready to give when a birthday comes.

 I feel so prepared now. The bad thing is that I've already missed two birthdays.

Linking up to these parties.

This project has been featured!!!
Check it out here.

and here!

and  here!

and here!

Terrific Tuesdays #3

Thanks to all those who linked up!!
Let's see if we can make this party even bigger and better.

The most viewed link was 

 Valentines Themed Chocolate Covered Pretzels by Turtles and Tails. 

Don't they look super yummy?

Some of my other favorites were:

DIY Underbed Storage by Home Happy Home

Believe it or not she just dressed up some cardboard boxes.  It looks great!!

Check out these Pretty Cake Stands by Uncommon Creating the Extraordinary

She shares a tutorial so you can make your own. This is now on my super long to-do list.

And my very favorite this week is this dollhouse by Caught my Fancy. She turned an old entertainment center into this amazing dollhouse. You must go check it out. I can't believe all the details. 

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Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:

Peach Cobbler

and 

Pearl Earrings

Now let's see what you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:

1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.(Let me know if it doesn't work)




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