I have a Keurig coffee maker and I'm loving it. It makes great coffee and I like that my next cup can be a different brand of coffee. Generally though, I only drink one cup a day.
I've been looking for a way to use up the loose coffee that I still have. Keurig does make a reusable coffee filter but I haven't wanted to pay the money to get it. I've been waiting for a sale and a coupon before I purchased one. But I might not get one.
My mom was browsing the internet and came across a really great site that makes little Kaps for spent K-cups. You open up the K-cup and empty out the used grounds. Rinse the cup and let it dry. When your ready for a new cup of coffee, you fill up the empty K-cup with your choice of loose coffee and place the My-Kap (tm) on the cup. There you go. A refillable K-cup.
Are you interested in these as well? They are called My-Kap (tm). They are little plastic Kaps. You can buy one or many of these My-Kaps and prefill youf K-cups or just fill and use as needed. I think I'd like at least 2.
Off to brew a cup of coffee.
Reuse your Keurig K-Cups!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Prizey 3.0 has Launched
Make sure to stop by and check out the new Prizey 3.0. There are some great new features and now anyone who signs up to be a member (it's free), can add a giveaway to the listing (also free).
Friday, April 24, 2009
Vinegar is Not Just for Pickles
Parent Bloggers Network and How I Clean Now want to know your tips and tricks on keeping your house clean.
In our house when a cleaning day comes around, we turn on some ABBA and start at one end and work or way to the other end. Or sometimes we split up the house into rooms and each tackle a section. Or sometimes one person does the picking up, one person does all the dusting, and another does all the vacuuming. Okay, I guess we don't have a set way we clean. But one thing some good music keeps the pace of cleaning going.
One trick I've learned recently is how to make my own all purpose cleaner. It saves money and uses all natural products like vinegar which isn't just for pickles (you should look up all the uses for vinegar. It's amazing what the stuff can do.) I'll walk you through the steps I use to make my cleaner.
Gather your ingredients:
Mix together: a 1:1 ratio of water and white vinegar into the empty spray bottle. I used 1 cup water and 1 cup white vinegar.
*Optional* Place 10-15 drops of essential oil into your cleaner. You could probably use less. I used tea tree oil because that's what I have on hand. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti fungal oil and I happen to like the smell of it.
Make sure to label your new cleaner and start cleaning.
There was some paint on the door that had been put there by Pony and hadn't been cleaned up through the winter. It's probably been there since last fall. We don't use that door much so didn't remember that it was there until we are starting to open the door to let the nicer weather in. Any way it's been there for a while.
The paint came right off! And the door is much cleaner. No more little finger prints, face prints or paint.
I use this cleaner all over the house. Some people don't like the smell of the vinegar but I don't mind it. I like knowing that if Pony wanted to see how the windows tasted and went up and licked them, she'd not get a tongue full of nasty chemicals.
Now go and clean your house. And if you want, you can come clean mine as well.
________________________________
This post was written for a Parent Bloggers Network and How I Clean Now Blog Blast
In our house when a cleaning day comes around, we turn on some ABBA and start at one end and work or way to the other end. Or sometimes we split up the house into rooms and each tackle a section. Or sometimes one person does the picking up, one person does all the dusting, and another does all the vacuuming. Okay, I guess we don't have a set way we clean. But one thing some good music keeps the pace of cleaning going.
One trick I've learned recently is how to make my own all purpose cleaner. It saves money and uses all natural products like vinegar which isn't just for pickles (you should look up all the uses for vinegar. It's amazing what the stuff can do.) I'll walk you through the steps I use to make my cleaner.
Gather your ingredients:
- empty spray bottle
- white vinegar
- water
- tea tree oil (or other essential oil of choice. This is an optional ingredient)
Mix together: a 1:1 ratio of water and white vinegar into the empty spray bottle. I used 1 cup water and 1 cup white vinegar.
*Optional* Place 10-15 drops of essential oil into your cleaner. You could probably use less. I used tea tree oil because that's what I have on hand. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti fungal oil and I happen to like the smell of it.
Make sure to label your new cleaner and start cleaning.
There was some paint on the door that had been put there by Pony and hadn't been cleaned up through the winter. It's probably been there since last fall. We don't use that door much so didn't remember that it was there until we are starting to open the door to let the nicer weather in. Any way it's been there for a while.
The paint came right off! And the door is much cleaner. No more little finger prints, face prints or paint.
I use this cleaner all over the house. Some people don't like the smell of the vinegar but I don't mind it. I like knowing that if Pony wanted to see how the windows tasted and went up and licked them, she'd not get a tongue full of nasty chemicals.
Now go and clean your house. And if you want, you can come clean mine as well.
________________________________
This post was written for a Parent Bloggers Network and How I Clean Now Blog Blast
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Jeans Issues
Does anyone actually have a pair of jeans that fit them like their supposed to?
My current supply consists of jeans that are:
I want a pair of jeans that:
Who makes these jeans and where are they?
My current supply consists of jeans that are:
- too tight in the waist but fit great everywhere else
- too long and I walk on them
- fits great for 5 minutes and then they increase in size throughout the day until I could practically pull them down without undoing them
- have holes in them so I don't wear them
I want a pair of jeans that:
- fit great everywhere
- continue to hold their proper shape/size throughout the day
- are comfortable
- dark washed
- and under $50 preferably in the $20-$30 range
Who makes these jeans and where are they?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Happy Birthday Connor
The Party has begun. Make sure to head on over to Seven Dogs and a Baby to wish Connor a Happy second Birthday.
There are party games like the Scavenger Hunt with door prizes, giveaways, and plenty of great reviews (maybe you'll find something you like for a birthday party you might be attending this year).
I'd love a pair of Pedipeds (door prize) for the girls.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Leftover Easter Eggs, Now What?
A few things I learned about eggs this past Easter:
Did you know that if you don't buy your plastic eggs early there won't be any left in the stores at 10pm the night before Easter? None absolutely no fillable eggs.
Did you know that if you have a really nice Christian Education Leader at your church, he'll let you borrow the eggs from the church for your egg hunt later in the day?
Did you know the week after Easter is Egg Salad Week? Found out from Parent Bloggers Network about that little bit of trivia.
We wanted to color hard boiled eggs this year but did not get the chance. I was looking forward to trying some natural dyes. I guess I'll attempt it at another time. So no hard boiled eggs here.
What do you do with all your hard boiled eggs after the celebrations have calmed down?
Here are a few options:
Here's an interesting recipe I found in my Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics cookbook:
Pickled Beets and Eggs
one 15 oz can whole beets, drained, juice reserved
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup malt vinegar
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon salt
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and rinsed
Combine the reserved beet juice, sugar, vinegar, cloves, and salt in a saucepan and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Place the eggs in a large bowl, then add the beets. Pour in the juice, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Sounds kind of interesting. I like hard boiled eggs. I like pickled beets in salads. Do I like them together? Not sure yet. I haven't tried the recipe but I'm thinking I'm going to have to try them (maybe). I'm sure the eggs are going to turn a lovely deep pinkish color.
Need some more ideas for your leftover hard boiled eggs? Check out the American Egg Board for great recipes. I think I'm going to have to try this Tomato & Avocado Egg Salad. Sounds wonderful. And make sure to stop by The Parent Bloggers Network as well and see what other bloggers do with their leftover hard boiled eggs.
And for those leftover plastic eggs? We let the girls use them in their play kitchen (not this year though, we have to return them to their rightful owner).
Did you know that if you don't buy your plastic eggs early there won't be any left in the stores at 10pm the night before Easter? None absolutely no fillable eggs.
Did you know that if you have a really nice Christian Education Leader at your church, he'll let you borrow the eggs from the church for your egg hunt later in the day?
Did you know the week after Easter is Egg Salad Week? Found out from Parent Bloggers Network about that little bit of trivia.
We wanted to color hard boiled eggs this year but did not get the chance. I was looking forward to trying some natural dyes. I guess I'll attempt it at another time. So no hard boiled eggs here.
What do you do with all your hard boiled eggs after the celebrations have calmed down?
Here are a few options:
- eat them with salt and pepper for breakfast
- make a chef salad with leftover ham, hard boiled eggs, cheese, ranch dressing, and greens of your choice
- make egg salad
- make potato salad
- dice them up and add to empanada meat for a traditional Argentinian empanadas
Here's an interesting recipe I found in my Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics cookbook:
Pickled Beets and Eggs
one 15 oz can whole beets, drained, juice reserved
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup malt vinegar
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon salt
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and rinsed
Combine the reserved beet juice, sugar, vinegar, cloves, and salt in a saucepan and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Place the eggs in a large bowl, then add the beets. Pour in the juice, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Sounds kind of interesting. I like hard boiled eggs. I like pickled beets in salads. Do I like them together? Not sure yet. I haven't tried the recipe but I'm thinking I'm going to have to try them (maybe). I'm sure the eggs are going to turn a lovely deep pinkish color.
Need some more ideas for your leftover hard boiled eggs? Check out the American Egg Board for great recipes. I think I'm going to have to try this Tomato & Avocado Egg Salad. Sounds wonderful. And make sure to stop by The Parent Bloggers Network as well and see what other bloggers do with their leftover hard boiled eggs.
And for those leftover plastic eggs? We let the girls use them in their play kitchen (not this year though, we have to return them to their rightful owner).
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Gruntlings & G-Bike
Gruntlings is giving away a g-bike. A great bike for beginning riders. The girls would love this. Better hurry and enter soon. It ends April 10.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Get Fit
Kidazy is having a giveaway for wii fit. I'd love to win this. We've been trying to get in shape lately by walking and doing some videos. I'd love to mix it up and add some fun to the routine as well. The wii sure looks like fun. I've played a few times at friends houses and had fun. The girls would love it as well. Ends April 10.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Mommies with Cents and LoveSac
Mommies with Cents and LoveSac have teamed together to offer an amazing giveaway. A SuperSac in the standard cover of your choosing. This is such a fun and wonderful giveaway but you better hurry if you want to enter, it ends tonight.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Comment Moderation On (until further notice)
I'm really getting hit with spam comments right now even with the word verification on. You won't see your comments until I approve them.
Sorry about that.
Sorry about that.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
We 'heart' Swings
One of my favorite activities to do on the playground was swinging. I could spend all day on the swings if I was allowed. I loved it. Now? Not so much. I feel nauseous and a little dizzy if I swing too long. The girls on the other hand love it.
As soon as they were able, they were swinging. First in the bouncer (you know those things you hang from the door frame), which they swung in more than bounced in. Then outside to the tree where we had set up a toddler swing.
Now it's a regular swing hung from the tree in the side yard. The only problem now is that we only have one swing and 2 girls who fight over it. We've been contemplating a swing set but haven't decided yet. Oh and the limb the swing is hanging from is dead on one end and I think it's getting weaker and could break. It's time to move it or get something else.
Then the other day while working, an amazing giveaway showed up in the Prizey line up. A swing set. An amazing swing set with a rock climber and a slide and a little hideout. This is the perfect swing set we need. Swing on over to Dad Blogs Big Spring Contest to enter before April 21st. The giveaway is sponsored by kidscreations.com. Make sure to take a look at the amazing swing sets they have. You can even design your own.
I have many swinging pictures but I'll just post a few more. (photos are all from various years of Buttercup and Pony enjoying the swing)
The girls love to swing in any weather. They even swing in the winter. Although it can be a bit difficult to stay on the swing with slippery snowpants.
One of our favorite ways to swing is on our bellies. We pretend we are supergirl and flying through the air. Sometimes we're circus acrobats spinning in circles.
Dogs even enjoy watching the fun of swinging. Hi Bandit. Glad you visited but you can stay at your house from now on. We did not enjoy the little present you left in the front room.
We enjoy this swing but it sure is lacking a few features. Buttercup agrees.
As soon as they were able, they were swinging. First in the bouncer (you know those things you hang from the door frame), which they swung in more than bounced in. Then outside to the tree where we had set up a toddler swing.
Now it's a regular swing hung from the tree in the side yard. The only problem now is that we only have one swing and 2 girls who fight over it. We've been contemplating a swing set but haven't decided yet. Oh and the limb the swing is hanging from is dead on one end and I think it's getting weaker and could break. It's time to move it or get something else.
Then the other day while working, an amazing giveaway showed up in the Prizey line up. A swing set. An amazing swing set with a rock climber and a slide and a little hideout. This is the perfect swing set we need. Swing on over to Dad Blogs Big Spring Contest to enter before April 21st. The giveaway is sponsored by kidscreations.com. Make sure to take a look at the amazing swing sets they have. You can even design your own.
I have many swinging pictures but I'll just post a few more. (photos are all from various years of Buttercup and Pony enjoying the swing)
The girls love to swing in any weather. They even swing in the winter. Although it can be a bit difficult to stay on the swing with slippery snowpants.
One of our favorite ways to swing is on our bellies. We pretend we are supergirl and flying through the air. Sometimes we're circus acrobats spinning in circles.
Dogs even enjoy watching the fun of swinging. Hi Bandit. Glad you visited but you can stay at your house from now on. We did not enjoy the little present you left in the front room.
We enjoy this swing but it sure is lacking a few features. Buttercup agrees.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Expect a Post
I'll be posting today. I will. I haven't in a week.
Yes! I really will post something today. It might be a bit later in the afternoon but I'll do it.
And I'll even try to post something the next day as well.
Hey, maybe I'll do a post every day this week. (HA!)
Ok. I will try for a post a day this week. Nothing will probably happen this week because I said that. But I'll post the dullest week ever if I have to.
Off to sleep a bit (its 1 am) I'll be back later.
ps.
I do actually post everyday (sun-thur) it's just not here. It's over at PRIZEY. I get paid to post there. When someone starts paying me to post here you might see me a bit more.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Ultimate Blog Party 2009
Welcome! Come on in. Grab a handful of spring colored M & M's (which I can't stop eating). I'm glad you stopped by. If you've never been here before, I'll tell you a bit about me.
My name is lace and I started this blog back in March of 2007 on a whim. (wow! I just realized I've been here for 2 years!). I focused on giveaway listings in the beginning and slowly worked a bit more personal stuff in. Now I mostly blog about days with Buttercup and Pony (my nieces).
Things you might find us doing: Exploring, looking for worms, having dance parties, watching youtube, riding our bikes, playing playhouse disney and nickjr, reading many many books, taking walks in the mei tai, and just having fun.
If I'm not around here, you can always find me listing amazing giveaways from the very generous blogland at PRIZEY, where I'm the Assistant Editor. Make sure to stop by PRIZEY and win some great giveaways over there.
And you can win some amazing giveaways at 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party as well. Take a look at the prizes. There's some great ones. My top 3 picks are:
- #58 Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer from Moms Who Think
- #1 $100 gc to either Pedal Cars and Retro or A Rocking Horse To Love
- #7 Ergo from A Giveaway Addicted Mommy
Feel free to browse around before you go, follow my blog, follow me on twitter, even subscribe to my rss, or even take a look at my library to find something good to read.
Thanks for stopping by and have fun partying.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Exploring
The weather has been so nice the past couple of days. Monday after picking Buttercup up from school we went to a local park and walked the trails. We explored a new dirt trail we've never been on before.
Things we saw:
Things we did:
After the park we went to the library for a few books and then home to explore in our yard.
Things found in our yard:
(no photos, we were to busy exploring to remember pictures)
Things we saw:
- a worm (the first of many worms to come. Buttercup loves them)
- moss with green stickyup things
- moss with red stickyup things
- bear tracks (horse hoof prints in the mud/dirt)
- bear caves (tree with a large hole at the bottom)
Things we did:
- threw sticks in the river
- listened for bears in the forest
- tried to teach Buttercup to skip
- skipping wasn't working so we galloped
- sat and watched the river flow by
After the park we went to the library for a few books and then home to explore in our yard.
Things found in our yard:
- box elder bugs
- an empty cocoon
- a praying mantis cocoon in the garden
- seeds from the marigolds
(no photos, we were to busy exploring to remember pictures)
Friday, March 13, 2009
I'm Ready for Spring
I'm so ready for Spring. An Ordinary Life is having a Hop Into Spring giveaway with a Seagate FreeAgent Go hard drive. Just submit a Spring photo.
Spring 2008
Pony picking dandelions. Wow! She is so little looking and it's not even a year since the photo was taken.
Buttercup picking lilacs. Not as easy as picking dandelions. These took some effort to pick.
Spring 2008
Pony picking dandelions. Wow! She is so little looking and it's not even a year since the photo was taken.
Buttercup picking lilacs. Not as easy as picking dandelions. These took some effort to pick.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Mommy Rambles & Stork Snapshots Giveaway
My friend Alexia (The Mommy Rambles) is having a giveaway for $20 gift certificate to Stork Snapshots. If you want to enter, you better hurry because it ends tonight! and you have a very good chance of winning.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Bebe au Lait Hooded Towel Review
I've got a great product to show you today. Bebe au Lait sent me one of their new Hooded Towels and it's beautiful and soft. I mean really soft. Makes me wish they made them in adult sizes.
Bebe au Lait is the creator of the Bebe au Lait nursing covers (also known as Hooter Hiders). They have expanded their line of products to include burp cloths (click here to read my review), reversible double bibs, and now the hooded towels.
The Hooded Towel is a very soft 100% cotton terry and edged with a signature cotton print from Bebe au Lait's chic fabric line. It comes in two sizes. A baby size great for swaddling infants after a bath. I received the infant size and it is a very generous size. Buttercup, who is 4, wraps up nice and cozy just fine. There is also a toddler size that includes sleeves and an optional magnetic neck closure.
Hooded Towels come in 11 signature styles. I received the Valencia. A very cute orange, pink, and yellow pattern.
My favorite feature of the towel is the hood. It keeps wet hair from dripping all over. Buttercup doesn't like when I rub the towel on her head after her bath because she gets cold when I have to unwrap her. I don't want to use two towels, one for her head and one for her body. But with the hood I don't have that problem. These towels are especially nice straight from the dryer while they are toasty warm.
Bebe au Lait is the creator of the Bebe au Lait nursing covers (also known as Hooter Hiders). They have expanded their line of products to include burp cloths (click here to read my review), reversible double bibs, and now the hooded towels.
The Hooded Towel is a very soft 100% cotton terry and edged with a signature cotton print from Bebe au Lait's chic fabric line. It comes in two sizes. A baby size great for swaddling infants after a bath. I received the infant size and it is a very generous size. Buttercup, who is 4, wraps up nice and cozy just fine. There is also a toddler size that includes sleeves and an optional magnetic neck closure.
Hooded Towels come in 11 signature styles. I received the Valencia. A very cute orange, pink, and yellow pattern.
The towel arrived in a beautiful brown box with a window so that you can see the towel folded up inside. It would make a great baby shower gift, boxed and ready for giving.
My favorite feature of the towel is the hood. It keeps wet hair from dripping all over. Buttercup doesn't like when I rub the towel on her head after her bath because she gets cold when I have to unwrap her. I don't want to use two towels, one for her head and one for her body. But with the hood I don't have that problem. These towels are especially nice straight from the dryer while they are toasty warm.
Even though it's still freezing cold here, I can see that the Hooded Towel is going to be great for summers by the pool. A stylish way to dry off and lounge around on.
Hooded Towels are available now for $40 at Bebe au Lait.
I'll try and post a picture of Buttercup or Pony using the hooded towel in a few days.
I'll try and post a picture of Buttercup or Pony using the hooded towel in a few days.
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