Thinking of a Raised Garden

Here in New Mexico we have ground squirrels, so I am thinking of a raised garden bed with some hardware cloth underneath to prevent the little animals from eating my garden. Just can't decide what kind of raised garden to do.

Build your own Sandwich Game - Deli Creations

Great Time Waster. Build your own sandwich game called Deli Creations. Free and Fun!!

Link: http://www.freearcade.com/DeliCreations.flash/DeliCreations.html

Wii Fit -- Fun and Exercise

Okay, here it is. We (my family and I) decided to get a Wii Fit to go with our Wii. Love it. But as we joked -- we (haha) are not that fit. It is fun, the other night we each took turns skiing, one person would ski about 5 times, or ski jump, then we would switch Mii's which took a matter of seconds, and the next person would ski or ski jump, or hula hoop. We did this for over an hour. What a great way to spend an evening.

Chex Muddy Buddies - Great Snack

Picture from Betty Crocker Website.

I love these treats. They are great just to put in your purse or a school lunch or on the run. Make some today. Chex Muddy Buddies - From Betty Crocker http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/Recipe.aspx?recipeId=36204

Exercise -- The Hip Walk

In the interest of the New Year and a lot of peoples vow to exercise and loose weight, I just couldn't resist. Not showing my age, but I remember my mother doing these "Hip Walks" to tighten the buttocks. I also remember her dressing like this to do them at home. So, hey try the old fashioned hip walk across the floor next time you are watching TV.

Garden Table As Side Table

Try using an inexpensive garden table as a side table. This one has a concrete like top and steel legs. It is small and fits in tight spaces. Be creative.

Retro Recipe - Nachos Casserole - Corn Flakes

So what do you do with the end of the corn flakes when they are a little stale because someone left the box open. A great retro recipes from the casserole days. Nachos Casserole.
1 cup chunky taco sauce
1 can (4oz) green chiles, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup choped onions
1 cup refried beans
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup water
4 cups Kellogg's Corn Flakes cereal
1. Combine taco sauce and chiles. Set aside.
2.In large pan, cook ground beef and onions until meats is browned. Drain. Add beans, 1 cup of cheese and 1/2 of the taco sauce mixture and water.
3. Pour 2 cups Corn Flakes into lightly greased 12x7 1/2 x 2 inch glass baking dish. Cover with meat mixture. Top with remaining taco sauce mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cereal.
4.Bake at 350F about 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake just until cheese melts. Garnish with: chopped tomatoes, sour cream, green onions and sliced olives, if desired.
*You can also substitute enchilada sauce for the chunky taco sauce if you prefer. Tastes great too.
Enjoy. Kids will love this.

Posture -- Positive or Gloom?

Ran across this in an old Home Economics Book from the 1950's. So -- Does your posture express confidence or gloom? Ask yourself that question.

Movie Tuesday

I love Tuesday's especially when a new movie or two that I have wanted to see comes out. Today there are a couple of good ones. So head to your favorite rental place and pick up a copy of "My Best Friend's Girl" --looks funny. Or -- "Mirrors" - looks scary. What a great way to spend a winter evening.

Wishing I Wasn't Washing

Laundry room design by Design Inc. Alright, so it is Monday and I am finishing up the washing I didn't do over the weekend. No that itsn't my laundry room. Really wish it was. Maybe it will inspire me to finish painting my laundry room. Maybe it will inspire you.

Kitchen Decorating

I photographed the cover of my Galloping Gourmet Cookbook 1966 because it had an interesting kitchen idea. (Original cover photograph by Maurie Kavanaugh). So if you look closely at his state of the art 1966 kitchen you see terra cotta wine holders stacked above the refrigerator and wall ovens. I thought the look was kind of fun and I am working on making kind of a wine bar or wine room (haven't decided) and I really liked the look of the terra cotta.

There are several companies that make these stackable terra cotta wine holders or you could improvise. You could use sewer tile which is a terra cotta semi squarish tile that you can buy in lengths(cut to 12"), each one would probably hold 3-5 bottles. Or you could get the Black or White PVC pipe cut to 12" lengths and glue and stack to hold your wine collection. I think the black would work best as no painting would be needed.

Either way it has encouraged me to look around and see what can be used out of the ordinary to create a unique and fun look. I will keep you posted.

Make Your Own Desk

We needed a new desk and loving the leather top ones (but not the price) decided to create our own.

1 - File Cabinet

8 - Glass Blocks

Gorilla Glue

Standard 24" x 48" board

Vinyl - Pleather type Fabric

Staple Gun

Desk measures 48" wide by 30" tall.

Our file cabinet was not as tall as we wanted so we took some wood and made a "U" shape to make the file cabinet taller (looks like a paper holder). I don't know why this file cabinet was so short -- most are 30" tall. If you want to save money -- paint or use an old one. Reuse, Recycle.

Glue Blocks

Cover Board with Vinyl and staple gun taut on back

Stack and Go

Enjoy

Use your own creative ideas. Great ideas don't have to be expensive.

Lovin' "The Dick Van Dyke Show"

I love the 1950's and 1960's. Let's face it who didn't love "The Dick Van Dyke Show"? Who didn't want to be Laura? Clean house, clean kid, great dinner, neighbor comes over and hangs out. It was just too fun. The clothes, don't even get me started on the great clothes. Cropped pants, sweaters, ballet flats. All classic, all even look great today. So there it is -- I am a Dick Van Dyke junkie. So to get in touch with your inner "Laura" - Mary Tyler More, here is a great picture......

Have some fun today. Look around at Etsy, Ebay, Amazon, and find something retro to inspire you.