Blog Swap: February Bauble Swap

I joined up on my first blog swap back in February. This was a bauble, or jewelry swap, hosted by Purrin Cup & Annie Mayzing. I was paired with the very lovely Yen from Green House on Top of the Hill & Le Beauty School DropoutI had so much fun; I've even signed up for another swap!!

My box from Yen got lost in the mail & I thought it was lost forever but YAY it showed up on Saturday!!! I absolutely adore my goodies! She sent me a beautiful wooden necklace, an awesome pack of 9 pairs of assorted wooded earrings, a multi-colored skull bracelet & a pack of 7 assorted & super cute bracelets!!




I really enjoyed this swap & I can't wait to start shopping for the next one!!

HEAD ON OVER & CHECH OUT THE FUN NEXT SWAP!

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Sunday Social: When I Was Young

This Weeks Questions:

1. Did you sleepwalk as a child?:
Nope; I slept like a log!

2. Did you ever try to run away or sneak out of your house?:
I snuck out pretty often. I did run away a couple of times, for weeks at a time, actually.

3. Did you have any imaginary friends?
I actually never did. All of my siblings had had them though!

4. Did you ever go toilet papering?
Yes, on quite a few occasions, lol.

5. Did you ever sneak tv shows you weren’t allowed to watch?
Of course! Especially Beavis & Butt-Head, haha!!

Next Weeks Questions: 444444's
1. 4 favorite things to do on a weekend.
2. 4 favorite things about your best friend.
3. 4 things you would do with $100,000.
4. 4 favorite books you’ve ever read.
5. 4 favorite snack foods.
6. 4 things that you must do daily.

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Good Eats: Granny Hazel's Stewed Apples

• 3 lbs. Gala, Fuji or Other Small Apples
• 1 - 6oz. Ferrara Pan Red Hots (or brand of choice)
• 1 - 12oz. Sprite Zero

1. Peel, core & cut each apple into 8 slices.
2. Combine Apple Slices, Red Hots & Sprite Zero in a large boiler.
3. Boil on high for about 15 minutes.
4. Simmer until liquid is cooked out & apples are very tender.

These taste perfect hot or cold. They are best when served with fresh biscuits.

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Good Eats: The Byrdgirl's Chicken Tetrazinni

INGREDIENTS:
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Medium Package Thin Spaghetti Noodles
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can Rotel Tomato & Chilies
2 Bell Peppers, Cut into Strips
1 Small White Onion, Chopped
1 Stick Margarine, Sliced
2 Cups Shredded Cheddar

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350*F.
Boil noodles & chicken in 2 separate pots.
In a 3rd pan, combine soup, Rotel, peppers, onions, margarine & cheese.
Simmer until it reaches a saucy, slightly thick consistency.
Drain noodles and chicken. Shred chicken. Add chicken to sauce.
Pour noodles in a 13x9 glass casserole dish.
Pour sauce mixture over noodles. Use a fork to distribute evenly throughout
the noodles. Cover dish with foil.
Bake at 350*F for 30 minutes.

This is a family favorite that we never grow tired of. It was passed to my sister
and I from our grandmother, and we have both tweaked it to our liking.

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écologique!

Last Chance -- Donate to Receive "The Kingdom of Rarities"

This newly-published book offers us a new understanding of the natural world, one that places rarity at the center of conservation biology. When you donate $50 or more this Earth Day to WWF in support of our global conservation efforts, WWF will send you an autographed copy of this new hardback book* as a thank you gift.

Make every day Earth Day!
• Use public transportation to reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs.
• Take your old computer, DVD player, or other electronics to an electronics recycling center. Reusing and recycling materials like copper, gold, and others saves natural resources and reduces mining and processing.
• Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year, like money down the drain. Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures.
• Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. Food scraps and kitchen waste also make good compost, and you save money on fertilizers or other additives.
• Recycle your dry cleaning, newspaper, & bread bags and also the plastic film on products like paper towels.
• Be creative as you look for new ways to reduce the amount or kinds of household waste. Give cardboard tubes to pet hamsters or gerbils. Plant seeds in an egg carton. Make a flower pot out of a plastic ice cream tub. By thinking creatively, you will often find new uses for common items and new ways to recycle and reduce waste.
• Unplug your cell phone charger from the wall when not using it.
• If you use plastic grocery bags, recycle them for doggie poop bags or for small trashcan liners.
• Don’t run the water when brushing your teeth.
• Do full loads of laundry and set the rinse cycle to “cold.”

Sources:
Environmental Tips@epa.gov
Recycling Tips of the Day@americarecyclesday.org
Fifty Green Tips For Earth Day and Beyond@divinecaroline.com

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Thank You!

Image Credit: Unknown

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
--John 15:11

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Sunday Social: Weaknesses, Vices & Guilty Pleasures

This Weeks Questions:

1. What is your shopping weakness?:
Vera Bradley, Vans, UGGs, Marc Jacobs, M.A.C.

2. What is your food weakness?:
Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy with Biscuits

3. What is your go to movie to watch when nothing is on?
Zombieland, Napoleon Dynamite or any Madea movie

4. What is your go to breakfast food?
Sausage Biscuits, Fried Egg Sandwich or Blueberry Toaster Strudels

5. Do you drink coffee? If so, how do you take it?
Occasionally. I like mine Cafe au Lait with Cinnamon.

Next Weeks Questions: When I Was Young
1. Did you sleepwalk as a child?
2. Did you ever try to run away or sneak out of your house?
3. Did you have any imaginary friends?
4. Did you ever go toilet papering?
5. Did you ever sneak tv shows you weren’t allowed to watch?

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Tipsheet: Cleaning Green (w/ Recipes)

5 Ingredients for Less-Toxic Cleaning

With five ingredients — baking soda, washing soda, liquid soap or detergent, distilled vinegar and an antiseptic essential oil — you can clean everything in your house.

Baking Soda and Washing Soda The magic of these minerals is that they neutralize many stains and odors. They are alkaline, cut grease and can even dissolve wax. Baking soda also serves as a mild abrasive. Washing soda is the best heavy-duty scourer, but it is slightly caustic, so you need to wear gloves when using it.

Liquid Soap or Detergent Soap is better for your health and the environment than detergents, but because water reacts with minerals in soap, washing clothes with it can leave an insoluble film and turn clothes grayish. If you wash your clothes with detergent, select the most biodegradable brand.

Vinegar and Essential Oils Vinegar neutralizes many stains and odors, dissolves scale and pulls dirt out of wood. Use only white distilled vinegar for cleaning; apple cider vinegar could stain some materials, such as upholstery. Antiseptic essential oils — such as tea tree, sweet orange, lemon-grass, rose, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, birch or lavender — kill bacteria and mold.


5 Recipes for Less-Toxic Cleaning

Soap for Sparkling Dishes
This cleaner works well except in hard water, where it can cause soap scum.

1 ounce liquid castile soap
2 cups water
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
5 to 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional, but lavender is antibacterial)

Combine the soap and water in a jar. Add the glycerin and lavender (if using). Stir to blend. Pour some on a sponge, or add a few teaspoons to a sink full of warm water.

Magic Window Wash

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups water
A few drops of essential oils, for scent (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to blend. Spray on surface, then remove with a squeegee, paper towel or newspaper. Makes 2 1/4 cups.

Toilet Bowl Tidy-up

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
2 cups water

Vinegar is an, underused but effective disinfectant. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake and spray along the inside rim of the toilet. Leave on for 15 minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush. Makes 2 1/4 cups.

Baking Soda Oven Cleaner
Baking soda has never failed for oven cleaning. Even heavy grime lifts off with this formula.

1 Small- to medium-sized box of baking soda
Water

Sprinkle the bottom of the oven with baking soda to cover. Spray with water until very damp, and keep moist by spraying every few hours. Let set overnight. In the morning, simply scoop out the baking soda — all the grime will be loosened — and rinse the oven well. Baking soda needs a lot of rinsing, but it is well worth the effort because it produces no toxic fumes. For really tough jobs, substitute washing soda for half the baking soda.

Gentle Shower Scrub
This is an effective formula on Formica counter tops, sinks, the bathtub and the shower stall.

1/2 cup baking soda
Enough liquid soap or detergent to make a frosting like consistency
5 to 10 drops essential oils, such as rose or lavender (optional)

Place the baking soda in a bowl; slowly pour in the liquid soap, stirring all the while, until the cleaner has a frosting like consistency. If you're using any essential oils, be sure to add them last. Scoop the creamy mixture onto a sponge, wash the surface well and rinse. Makes 1/2 cup.



Shop Amazon Earth Day - Green Solutions
Source: Annie Berthold-Bond for Mother Earth News 2004

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My Favorite Things: Camper Style

Time to get back on the ball with Friday's 5 Favorite Things! So to kick off the Spring posts, it's gonna be all about CAMPER STYLE!!


ONE. Happy Camper Set
Every little one needs their own special plate and cup set, this set is 100% melamine and 100% precious!
• Lead free, PVC free, and Phthlate free, No BPA.
• 100% Melamine
• Dishwasher safe
• 9" diameter plate , 8oz cup
price: $12.00



TWO. DiY Print from Crafted Love
What you'll need for this art project is.... a canvas of any size, a road map, mod podge or glue, scissors, paint, a few brushes and a natural sponge brush. You'll also need a little bit of drawing capabilities for the stencil.

Follow the easy step-by-step instructions here: DiY Print from Crafted Love

THREE. Road Map Wallpaper
Such a cute & simple idea for camper wallpaper!!!






FOUR. Keep Calm and Camp On Pillows
• Sizes 20”x20” (square) and 13”x21” (lumbar)
• 100% grade A woven cotton
• Made in the USA
• zipper enclosure; synthetic-filled insert included
• Machine washable.
price: $59.95




FIVE. Great ideas from One Sweet Appetite




Aside from that, check out my Pinterest board on everything CAMPING!

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Sharing is Caring Y'all!

I will customize the graphic above in the color of your choice, for personal &/or social networking use. I do appreciate a mention, but it is not necessary. You can Facebook message me (Amanda Byrd) or email me at lemonbirdy@yahoo.com. Also, there won't be a tag on your copy, unless you request one. :)

Also, please visit & "LIKE" our Facebook page!

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God & His Bountiful Blessings

Image Credit: Miss Birdy@Zombirdy Designs

Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.
--Job 22:26

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
--Matthew 7:8

"Good days are right around the corner when you begin to wield the powerful weapon of worship! In this revelatory sermon by Joseph Prince, learn how you can, like David, go from despair and fear to peace, joy and strength in the Lord as you look to Him and magnify His name. Get acquainted with the beautiful psalms of David and see how God can, in an instant, turn every negative situation around as you worship Him through these anointed songs of praise. Watch the Lord destroy every enemy and be a shield to you as you learn to praise Him at all times!"

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Sunday Social: Twitterfied

This Weeks Questions:

1. When did you join twitter?:


2. Who is your favorite non-celeb to follow?:

@christielici0us

3. Who is your favorite celeb to follow?

@ShannonLeto

4. Have you ever had a celeb respond to a tweet?

@THEREALBANNER


5. What is your favorite store/brand to follow?

@verabradley

6. Give us three Tweeters we should be following...

@ZombirdyDesigns
@JosephPrince
@TheLazyPitBull


Next Weeks Questions: Weaknesses, Vices & Guilty Pleasures
1. What is your shopping weakness?
2. What is your food weakness?
3. What is your go to movie to watch when nothing is on?
4. What is your go to breakfast food?
5. Do you drink coffee? If so, how do you take it?

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Choosing Joy (Thank You, Chrissy!)

IMAGE CREDIT: Miss Birdy@Zombirdy Designs

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