Birthday Present for a 3 year old on the CHEAP

My cousin turned 3 and I wanted to get her a present, but her mom required that I spend no money on her kid.  So I decided to make her a personal chalkboard.
I had:

• Chalkboard Paint
• Ugly picture frame (with glass)
• Paint
• Tissue Paper
• Chalk
• Fleece
• Rope
• Sewing Machine

And this is what I did:

The fleece was for a bag for Erin to carry the chalk in.

Bike pannier research

Ok, full confession. Road biking really freaks me out.  All the cars, and then there is me on a bike...  But trying to save gas money/the environment/get in shape, I have started to bike to work more regularly.
I've been using all of my hubbie's "old" gear, but after being especially frustrated trying to go grocery shopping with the old gear, I'm starting to look into a new pannier.
And as usual, I will put my research on my blog...

#1 - Definitely fun looking, sounds like it will hold a lot too, worried about the weight...Juice-Box Panniers

#2 - Also cute, sounds durable and easy to carry around stores, but the reviews didn't go over well, REI is easy to return to...Koki Bagaboo

#3 Basil sounds great, not quite as cute (maybe I should go see them in person). It sounds like it can carry a lot and has a rain cover (very important in the PNW!)

This is what I have currently. Well, not exactly, but close to it.


I'm wondering how the pannier on just one side goes...

Baking with Juice Pulp

I made strawberry, beet, sweet potato, carrot juice this morning. Actually yummy. Deciding what to bake with the pulp now, muffins are my usual. We're going backpacking this weekend so some high fiber snacks would be good.

Goals for baking = yummy, portable, snackable.

The internet research begins...

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/green-ideas/7-ways-to-use-juicer-pulp-131801

led me to http://www.choosingraw.com/choosing-raw-juice-pulp-crackers/

apparently I need to a "teflex dehydrator sheet" for my dehydrator.

http://www.all-about-juicing.com/cookie-pulp-recipes.html

Cookies are yummy. The Oatmeal cookies sound good (obviously with chocolate chips added).

More ideas http://www.thebestjuicerreviews.com/juicer-pulp-recipes.html

Not sure what I'll end up with, but thought I'd share the process. 

These sound yummy, but I can't figure out where they put in the chocolate...http://www.wildfloursgfg.com/2011/04/15/gf-seed-pulp-brownies-scd/

http://cathyshambley.blogspot.com/2010/05/almond-butter-cookies-simple-saturday.html and I have a plan now... add the pulp to the almond butter cookies, add some nutella too, because... why not...

Furniture Redone...

Prepped

At first I thought I would save the fabric topping I had used, later decided to just spray paint the top as well.

Green spray paint layer = done!

I only had "plastic" spray paint, but it seems to be holding up,

There it is all glazed and prettied!

And in place with fish tank.  Need to figure out what to put in the space under the fish tank (that Penguin won't eat.)

Plan for today. Jewelry making!

Creative Guest: JuJuB {Jersey Bracelets}

Will put together this weekend...

Obviously I'm doing things different then the instructions...  I didn't see the point in the sticky felt, so I just attached the rosettes to regular felt.

I'll post how they look when I pull the whole thing together tomorrow :-)

This year's Mother's Day cards

Mother's Day is the one holiday where I try to actually send cards on time. And once again I'm unwilling to buy cards so I made some.

I know birds are very trendy right now (or maybe only in the PNW http://youtu.be/0XM3vWJmpfo )but I decided that although trendy, birds are still cute.

Here's the process...

Dog Poo Composting

Well, I just found the post before and had to copy it.  See how "trendy" my poo holes are.  Yes that is now plural holes,  the first one filled up in about 9 months.  We dug out the lid, dug a new hole (using that dirt to make sure the old hole was well filled.) And now are filling up Poo Hole #2, #2 is deeper and a little wider so will hopefully last at least 2 years.  We're at about 9 months right now with space to go.

The holes really don't smell, except the initial when you first open the lid, but it really stays inside. (Actually smells better then our non-poo compost bins).  We add septic powder every couple of month and it has been overall pretty succesful.   I definitely recommend this to anyone needing a dog poo containment system and you own your property.   If you have questions just email I will definitely try to help!!