MarytheKaytheBlog

Quick and Easy Teacher Gifts

What is it about me...that I love the words "quick and easy" so much?  Today's edition of Quick and Easy is brought to you by the Letter "T"...for TEACHERS...and TARGET!!!

Ya'll know how much I love to plan ahead, so on Wednesday--my daughters' last day of school--I ran to Target to find their gifts.  Nothing like some good old fashioned out-of-time-stress to inspire a great idea. Right?

I started in the $1 aisle to find containers for my gifts.  I knew I wanted to give gift cards, but in a creative and thoughtful way.

I SCORED in the $1 aisle--because everything I bought there was on a half-price sale.  So, that made each of my containers 50 CENTS each. (My math skills are impressive.)

I bought some cute packs of thank you cards to add in.  

I finished off the gifts with darling teacher-specific gift cards, and a large cellophane basket bag (that I cut in half to use for the 2 larger containers.  I do LOVE a cellophane bag, ya know.)

Here's what I came up with.  What do you think?

Here they are up close...

Not bad for a 10-minute shopping trip, huh?  Like I said--I do love these words...QUICK and EASY!!!

(Want some more quick and easy gift ideas?)

What is your most recent great "Quick and Easy" idea?

Please help me pick out a lamp

I don't know if you noticed how sneaky I was the other day...when I asked what was on everyone's wish list--and just-so-happened to mention what was on MY LIST.  

I just figure ye have not, because ye ask not.

Do you agree?

Anyway, I need to amend that list.  After looking with my mom at the table that I wanted to put the orchid on, she wondered what a lamp would look like, instead of the orchid? She was worried the orchid might not get enough sunlight in that spot.

So, today, I tried out a lamp that I already had, and I also walked through the lamp aisles at Target.  But, I'm no good at this decorating stuff.  My decorating style is called "Hand-Me-Down Decorating."  Nearly everything in my house is from family.  I LOVE having furniture that was my grandparents' and my parents', but when it's time to purchase something new and different, I am at a total loss.

Which is why I am coming to you, dearest readers.  I know that many of YOU are fabulous at decorating.  I've taken a couple of pictures, and I really hope you will help me figure out what to do with 2 tables in my living room.

Ready?  Let's get started!!!

This first picture is how I've had this corner table for years.  I originally loved the silk plant with pomegranates, but now I can't stand it another second.  It is a terrible dust collector, and I just don't like the look of it anymore.

I am open to changing anything on the walls, and anything on the table. Please don't tell me you don't like the tablecloth--I really love the fabric, and love the way my curtains bring out the red tones in it.  The shelf was my grandmother's, with several angels from her collection.  The pictures I bought years ago when we visited the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

Oh, and in case you can't tell from my lame photo-taking skills, the walls are a buttery yellow.

 

Here's the next table I need help with. Again, this is the way I've had it for years:

Ya'll, these pretty chairs were my great Aunt Mae's  I can just see her tiny self perched in one of these, as we'd visit in her living room.  That needlepoint footstool was made by my grandmother, and sat in her living room. I can remember my uncle's gigantic feet propped on it, as he'd con me into giving him a foot rub.  The tiered table was also my grandmother's, and probably sat very near the footstool in her room, too.

I know you don't need all of these sentimental details.  But, I just can't help myself.  I just love furniture that tells a story.

 

Okay, next picture.  Here is the first table as a blank slate.  What would YOU put on it?

And here is this table with the dark red lamp (from the other tiered table).  What do you think?  Is it too much red?  (The light makes the lamp look funny--but it is the same deep red as the curtains.)  Would a darker color lamp look better?  Black?  Rubbed bronze? Or a different lampshade?

 

Here is the tiered table with nothing on it.  Except for a doily.  I know, I know.  People haven't decorated with doilies since the early 1990s.

 

 

As I walked the lamp aisles at Target today, I snapped a few pictures.  Do you think any of these lamps/lampshades would work on either of these tables?

 

The pictures don't do these lamps justice.  I just love the gold (glass) lamp!  Also, anything mercury glass makes me swoon, and this "antiqued" mercury glass lamp is no exception.

 Please don't tell me to use the Eiffel Tower lamp.  My favorite lamp here is the dark rubbed bronze twisted lamp on the right.

 

Oh, how I love this golden yellow lampshade.  I realize it has more of a modern flair than my very traditional living room.  However, I'd love to transition it slowly into a slightly more modern space.  (Emphasis on "slightly.")   What would this lampshade look like on a dark lamp--on the 2-tiered table?

Okay, there ya have it!  Please please just make out a plan for me, and tell me what I need!  Oh, and could you do it soon, please?  I need to tell my daughters what they need to "suggest" to their dad for Mother's Day.  *grin*

THANK YOU for your help!!!!  I promise to post pictures after you guys tell me what do do!

The 10 Smart Phone Apps I Use Most

I could write a Broadway musical about how much I love my smart phone. 

Is that terrible? 

Should I even admit this shallow fact about myself? 

But, it's true.  I NEVER thought I'd like my DroidX phone as much as I do, and I NEVER KNEW just how helpful a little phone could be to my everyday life.

Part of my motivation in writing this post is to share the smart phone applications I find most helpful, but also to hear what apps YOU love most.  I'm sure there's so much more I could be doing with my beloved phone. 

And you know...I'm doing research for that award-winning musical...

The TOP 10 apps I use the most (on my DroidX phone):

1.  Alarm & Timer - My phone charger is on my bedside table, so I am able to use the alarm on my phone every single day.  I LOVE that I never have to worry about a power outage (not that uncommon in our neighborhood) messing with my morning alarm.  I hope I never have to go back to a traditional alarm clock.  This is one of my favorite features on my phone!

2.  Facebook and Twitter- I know those are 2 separate apps, but I use them pretty much the same on my phone.  I rarely look at Facebook or Twitter on my home computer anymore...I just don't have the time.  But, when I have a free moment in the carpool line, or waiting for an appointment, I am able to search all the latest goings-on in my social media apps. 

3.  Instagram- I JUST joined the Instagram ranks--since they just rolled out the Android version.  I'm still learning how I will use it, but so far I'm enjoying sharing photos.

4.  Gmail- I really drug my feet in making the switch from my old e-mail account to a web-based account like Gmail.  But, now, I cannot imagine switching from Gmail!  I LOVE being able to access my e-mail from anywhere--especially my phone.  My favorite feature is the ability to search old e-mails from ANY word or phrase inside the e-mail--or from the sender's name or e-mail.  I use the search feature all the time!

5.  Calendar - I am an old fashioned wall calendar hanging on the side of my fridge kind of girl, but I have recently started using my phone's Calendar app, and am feeling much more organized when I'm out-and-about.  Mostly, I use the Calendar app to schedule my family's appointments.  Standing at the receptionist's desk, I open the app and type in the next appointment as we're setting it.  Then, I always set a 24-hour-ahead reminder, so that I never forget about an appointment!

6.  Netflix- I must admit that my KIDS love this app most of all!  Since signing up with Netflix a couple of months ago, I found out there was an app--score!  I have a love-hate relationship with Netflix on my phone, though...because my kids want to "borrow my phone" ALL THE TIME.  Netflix comes in handy when we have a long wait at a restaurant, during long car travel, or when waiting on a long appointment (with the volume turned way down, of course!)

7.  TV.com- This app came pre-loaded on my Droid X, otherwise I might not have found it.  Sometimes, I will use this app to watch t.v. while I'm on the treadmill.  (I do use headphones, in order to hear better.)  This is a CBS-owned app, and it plays full episodes (as well as short previews) of some shows I would not normally have time to watch...like NCIS Los Angeles, Blue Bloods, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours Mystery, and Undercover Boss.  I don't use this app often, but when I do, I really appreciate how well it works!

8.  iHeartRadio - This is THE app I use for music when running.  I really love listening to the K-Love radio station; however, there are hundreds of other stations to choose from.

9.  Pandora- Okay, so sometimes when I'm in the mood for a particular style of music (like classical piano or Josh Groban-style ballads), Pandora is where I go. 

10.  Bible and Daily Bible - I love having a Bible with me at all times!  I use the Bible app for looking up a reference when I'm on-the-go.  The Daily Bible app sends a Bible verse or passage to my phone every single day.  I like that when I see the little Bible icon pop up (telling me there's a verse waiting to be read), I can wait until I have time to focus on that day's verse(s).  It's such a small way that I can help keep my day focused on important things.

Honorable Mentions:  I use these apps, but on a much-less consistent basis.

AccuWeather, Car Dock (for navigation), Where (for finding yummy FOOD on vacation!), Brightest Flashlight, Flixster, Shazam, and StumbleUpon (my favorite app for long road-trip "surfing")

What are your favorite smart phone apps?

photo credit

I have so much to chat about...but this is how I'm feeling right now...

We've had a really wonderful Christmas jam-packed with travel and both sides of our family.  Truly, I've loved all of it.  We're now back home, and trying to settle back in while re-organizing EVERYTHING.  Why does every closet and bedroom suddenly need to be cleaned out and organized???  So, if you need me anytime in the next 7 days...you can find me here at home...organizing.

I might even post some Before and After pics.  If they're not too embarrassing.

What do the next few days look like at your house?

Household Hazards: What to do when your pantry smells like poop

1.  Above all else, remain calm.

2.  If you happen to be starving to death--even after smelling the horrible, gag-inducing, poop-smelling pantry, then you must really be starving to death, and should go ahead and eat.  A girl needs her protein in order to face the death-inducing smell.

3.  Too bad you have to look in the poop-smelling pantry to find something to eat.

4.  Better yet--find something in the fridge.

5.  Aw man, ya need to throw something away in the pantry.  Just throw it out in the yard and hope for the whole circle of life thing to happen.

6.  All done eating in the opposite end of the house...now it's time to get back to the Pantry Patrol.  Gotta find out where that nasty poop smell is coming from.  Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniffffff aaaahhhhggggghhh.  THERE IT IS.  I'm gonna die.  I'm gonna die.  I'm gonna die.  It's the Bob Evans pre-made macaroni and cheese, and it has leaked all over the shelf.

7.  Lean over the trash can and heave 12 times.

8.  Throw the NASTY horrible, gag-inducing, poop-smelling leaky mac 'n cheese away.  Pull everything out of the pantry, and wipe down the shelves.

9.  Oh, I give up. I can't stand it anymore. Wake up the kids, bundle them up and load up in the car.  We are staying in a MOTEL tonight.

10.  As soon as everyone wakes up, call a realtor.

Goodbye forever, poopy pantry...

I'm really not as ditzy or slovenly as these silly pictures are making me appear...  I mean, I clean out that pantry AT LEAST once every couple of years...or decades.  But, it doesn't matter anyway now.  I have NAILED the pantry door closed now.  We'll just line up our can goods across the counter tops from now on.

And, that concludes our study on: What to do when your pantry smells like poop.  Please tune in next time to learn:  What to do when you need the broom inside the nailed up pantry.

Can anybody...anybody out there empathize (identify??) with me?

Linked up with:

How to clean Chaco and Teva sandals (and BEFORE and AFTER pics!)

 (Oh boy, am I going to embarrass myself with these before pictures...)

Once upon a time there was a girl who got a pair of Chaco sandals.  She loved those Chacos with all her heart.  They made her feet very happy.  She wore them nearly every day when the weather was nice.  She wore them so much, however, that they got very dirty and ugly.  She occasionally rinsed them off in the sink or shower, and once or twice swished them around in the (chlorinated) swimming pool to clean them. 

One day, Chaco girl realized just HOW DIRTY her beloved Chacos had become.  Looking down at her dirty blue Chacos made her feel very sad inside.  She knew something must be done to clean them.  And soon.

She searched around on the internet, and found out that cleaning them was actually easy!  "Hooray!" said Chaco girl. 

Chaco girl knew that if her dirty Chacos got clean again, she would share the news with the whole wide world...

So, here I am--at the request of Chaco girl--to show you how she cleaned her beloved Chacos...and how you can clean yours, too!

WARNING:  Do not view this picture if you are eating, or have a sensitive stomach.  Also, pregnant women should proceed with caution, as should small children sensitive to bad smells.

 

Chacos BEFORE cleaning:

 

HOW TO CLEAN CHACOS (and Tevas):

1. Place non-leather sandals inside a mesh bag (optional--just helps protect other clothes), and wash in washing machine on warm.  Use any non-bleach detergent, and wash with some towels or sheets.

2.  If sandals are especially dirty, use soft (old) toothbrush or scrub brush, and using warm water, gently scrub the footbed, as well as any straps that are especially dirty.  If an old toothbrush is not readily available, just use your husband's.  Be sure to put it back when you're done.

3.  Slide the underneath part of the strap out, and wash.  When sandal is clean, slide the strap back to where it was.  (This is called "flossing" the straps.  Sometimes grime and bad smells can be hiding on the strap inside the footbed.)

4.  My sandals were so dirty that I washed them in the machine a 2nd time.

 

All right, good people, are you ready for the AFTER pictures?

 

Chacos, after cleaning!  See how they sparkle?!

(Note the tiny drops of white spray paint on the straps...Do NOT spray paint in your beloved Chacos...)

 Go on--scroll back up to look at the nasty BEFORE pics.  Don't they look beautiful now?  So sparkly clean, and so good-smelling now.

Chaco girl says to tell you to scoop up your Chacos right now and toss them into the washer.   "Toss, toss, toss!" she says.  "Clean those Chacos for the good feet of all mankind!"
 
SPECIAL NOTE:  Do NOT wash your Chacos in the dishwasher.  First of all, that's nasty.  Secondly, the high temperatures may de-laminate your sole...which would in turn, de-laminate your soul.   (Get it?  Hardee har har.)  But, de-laminating soles is not funny, and should never be kidded about. 

Just curious--what's your FAVORITE SHOE in your closet? 

(Obviously, you already know mine.)  *grin*

Fun Party Idea: A Chocolate Party!

 A couple of weeks ago, we got to travel to my niece Claire's 10th birthday party.  I thought she had the most clever birthday party--a chocolate party!  What girl--from 10...to er, well...41--doesn't LOVE chocolate?

I thought my sister planned a perfect party:  Just the right mix of planned games and free play, low-key, and FUN!

Here is the birthday girl and her brother, and some mighty excited cousins to help her celebrate!

Yes, that's also the food table--chocolate chip cookie "cake," chocolate cupcakes, white chocolate popcorn.  YUM.

 

This my new favorite way to hold a party:  At a church gym!  My sister's church has the most amazing kids' gym.  Lots of space for the kids to run around, and nobody spills red Koolaid on the carpet.  That is called a win-win.
 
 This was the first game the girls played--Pass the candy over and under.  The best part?  The winners got to head to the Candy Store to choose 3 prizes.

What is the Candy Store?

 

This was my FAVORITE part of the chocolate party!!!  Um, yeah, I pretended to win a few games, myself.  I admit it.  And I also must admit...I really really miss that Candy Store.  I sure wish I had one of those Reeses right now.  *Sigh*

Wanna see it up close?  Translation:  Want me to TORTURE YOU???

 

I'm sorry.  That's just plain mean of me, isn't it?  Which one makes your mouth water?

Every time a girl won a game, she got to pick 3 more of her favorites to put in her party favor bag.  There were enough games that every girl went home with pretty full bags. 

 

I thought this Chocolate Candy Bar Scramble game was BRILLIANT.  Okay, so I typed it up.  But, I must be honest with you...there were 2 mistakes that I found on the day of the party.  I fixed one with a pen before the party...and one of the kids found the other one during the game.  Can you find it?  I guess I'm not so brilliant after all...

 

This game was FUN.  Mystery Chocolate Guess.  You may have played a similar game at a baby shower...except the candy would be presented inside tiny baby diapers.  Note:  I do not condone this game at baby showers.  I don't want to sniff brown stuff inside a diaper.  But, on a paper plate at a birthday party?  Good, old fashioned FUN.  Oh, I got 'em all right.  Earned myself a Reeses...or two...or...

 

This game made me GIGGLE the most.  It is called:  Find the M&Ms!  Except you can't use your hands.  You must find the M&Ms by licking away the whipped cream.  This game is also called:  How much MORE can you HYPE UP the darling children???  Needless to say, the girls LOVED this game!

 

Well, there's the birthday girl and her sweet youngest cousin.  Isn't he DARLING?  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of his big sister--she is a DOLL!

 

The birthday party crew.   Claire really has a very sweet group of friends. 

 

 Happy Birthday, sweet Claire!  We sure do love you! 

Same Song...Second Verse

I am feeling very tired today.  Earlier today, I was trying to figure out why I'm so tired.  And I think I figured it out:  We've been running, running all summer...then we moved home from summer camp last Saturday, and started school on Monday.  Now, here we are running, running again. 

I'm tired of running.  Is it okay if I just sit down for a moment?

I was looking at my blog posts from last year right around this time, and I think I found another reason I'm tired.  Last year's blog post could very easily be this year's...  I am dealing with the same unpacking, same messes.  Messes that make me want to become a minimalist, and start tossing things into trash bags.  (I don't think I should be held responsible for those actions...do you?)

So, in lieu of more words (whining), I thought I'd just re-post last year's thoughts...and embarassing pictures.  I have no idea why I love embarassing myself so much.  I guess I'm just keeping it real.

-------------

(re-posted from August 2010)

I am all about keeping things real here.  I know that earlier this week I wrote about the inexpensive kitchen makeover we did a couple of years ago--just by painting our cabinets.  Now, although I am VERY proud of the VERY HARD WORK we did to paint those cabinets, and how my lighter kitchen just makes my heart happy...I think I need to show you the not-too-uncommon state of affairs in said kitchen.

 But, first!  I need to make a disclaimer.  Hey--get used to it.  This blog will have lots and lots of disclaimers.  It's my blog, and I'll make excuses disclaimers if I want to! 

 We've been living in our summer camp cabin all summer.  We moved home the other day to our 1,000 degree house with the broken air conditioner in the middle of heat-advisory temperatures.  Seriously, it was hotter in our house than outside!  So, "moving home" consisted of walking in the door, and dropping each load of stuff somewhere in the house.  There was NO putting anything away.  I couldn't even think straight in that heat. 

 We just got our air conditioner fixed (*cue the Hallelujah Chorus*), and spent our first night in the house last night!

 This morning when I woke up to the glorious messes everywhere, I just knew I had to snap some pictures.

 So, here is the horrible, ugly truth about my house today...  Hopefully in the next couple of days I will be able to post some nice and tidy "After" pictures.

 Here goes...  I hope you will not disown me or un-follow me because of these pictures.  I am a work in progress--and evidently, so is my house!

 

Can you BELIEVE I was able to sleep last night with a sink full of dirty dishes?  Gasp!  For some strange reason, we decided to completely clean out the fridge last night before putting stuff away...  Ah, but the fridge is sparkly beautiful!  But, dishes in the sink--eh, they can wait until morning!

In the midst of all of the clutter, I still heart this kitchen very much.  Sigh.

Oh but wait!  The mess doesn't stop in the kitchen...it overflows into the living room!  You can see how we just dropped load after load of stuff right in the middle of the floor.  (Those are some well-fed dogs, huh?)

 Oh, but the next picture is the most embarrassing of all--to me.  Our master bedroom, our sanctuary from the outside world, our lovely made-over (nearly finished) bedroom...Well, is not so lovely...yet...

Yes, this is where the bulk of all of the moved home from summer camp stuff has landed.  In the back room of the house, where messes can be hidden from prying visitor's eyes.  And, here I go showing it for all the world to judge.  Oh well.  The only bright spots in the picture are possibly the 2 cheery Vera Bradley duffel bags.  Do you see them?  Vera can make you smile...even in the midst of a room tornado.

Do you notice the nice little trail through the room?  Reminds me of a song my sister and I used to love to sing together...

 Dum ba dee dah, Dum ba dee dah, Dum ba dee dah, Dummm

Happy Trails, to youuuu

Until we meet againnn......

 Okay, I'm done embarrassing myself.

The end.  No more.

Now go on home and mind ya own bidness!

How to Flash-Freeze 3 Pies at Once

Today was Quiche Day at our house.  No, that's not some newfangled multi-cultural holdiday we decided to celebrate.  I just had some extra eggs and fresh spinach I needed to use up, so  I decided to make ahead and freeze 6 cheesy spinach quiches.  Now, whenever I need a quick meal--I can pull out a quiche, and have it on the table in 40 minutes!

I'll post the recipes for the quiches soon.  Well...as soon as I can taste them.  Gotta make sure they're good before I tell the recipes.  I'm sure ya'll don't want any nasty tasting quiche.

When it was time to flash freeze 3 of the unbaked quiches, I had a dilemma.  And that dilemma was called:  SOMEBODY broke into our house and FILLED UP our deep freezer.  Now, I know some of you womens would be thrilled to have a freezer full of food.  But, uhn-uh, not me.  See, my dream freezer looks like this: See?  Nice and tidy, and plenty of room for 3 pies.  Right? 

And, NO, I am not taking a picture of my deep freezer and posting it here.  I had to, uh, turn in pictures of it for, uh, evidence.  Yeah, that's right.  You know--to solve the case of WHO filled up my deep freezer.

So, what is a girl to do when she needs to flash freeze 3 pies, with no room in her deep freezer?

Well, wouldya look at this.  This, my friends, is a thing of beauty.  A thing to be admired, and copied in your own places of freezing:

I'm sure you're GASPING with disbelief over the feat of physics and sheer ingenuity I performed in our side-by-side freezer. 

In case you cannot tell, I inverted a 10" cake pan on the bottom (with a pie underneath), and an acrylic bowl (my favorite acrylic bowl...from Target, in case you're interested) on top of that.  I cut 2 little strips of shelf liner "gripper" to make sure the bowl didn't slide over when I put the quiche on top.  Wouldn't want to clean up a raw egg and spinach mess in the freezer--yuck!  I would have used another 10" cake pan, if I'd had one.  Heck--if I'd had 4 more 10" pans, I could have frozen 5 pies in a row!  Golly gee!!!

(Oh, and by the way, I had the shelf liner "gripper" handy because--remember--that is what I use in transporting food, to keep things from sliding around.)
 

Once the 3 quiches are frozen, I'll slide each into a gallon ziploc bag, label with baking instructions, and just stack right on top of each other in the freezer! 

What's the most recent "problem" you've solved in a creative way?

Linky Dinks: Summer is Slipping Away

 

 
 

These Facebook Updates I Don't Want to Read made me laugh out loud.  Hard.  Seriously, if I didn't already love Mama Kat, I SURE WOULD after reading this post.  Please, oh please tell me in the Comments which part of this is your favorite.  Mine may be "Your 'kids' are purse-size chihuahuas" or "I love Jesus.  I really do..."

 

Cooking adventure...Lasagna Cupcakes?  Oh, yes ma'am.  Please, ma'am!!!  These would be so fun to make, and great to send in kid lunches!

 

Did I mention we just got a new refrigerator?  Surely, you're heard me crunching on my crushed ice!  Oh yeah!!  This article on organizing your fridge caught my attention.  Also, because I really love the Organizing Junkie, I had to check out what she had to say about fridge organization.  Her article reminded me of something I thought about today as I cleaned out a NASTY MYSTERY FOOD ITEM in an old Cool Whip container:  USE SEE-THROUGH CONTAINERS in the fridge.  Can I get an Amen?

 

Speaking of kitchens...  Doesn't someone have a guest house or a garage apartment that needs a freestanding kitchenette?  This may be the cutest kitchenette I have ever seen in my life!  Oh, I don't care that it is handmade, and costs a fortune.  My butler will write a check for me and see that it is fully stocked.  (I found this link on StumbleUpon.  Do you Stumble?  It's a great way to pass the time on a road trip!  Um, when I'm not driving, of course!)

 

Hey!  Hey YOU!  Yeah, you, that's trying to fall asleep on me after dozing through my kitchens and organizations links.  Well, WAKE UP NOW, cause my last links are GONNA MAKE YOU LAUGH.  You might even snort.  These links are brought to you by my best friend Kelley.  You know--Kelley of the hilarious Kelley's Break Room?  Well, let's just keep the best friend part between you and me.  I wouldn't want her real-life friends to be jealous, ya know.  Oh, but back to the funny funny.  How about Adult Diapers Need Decorations, too!   

Ooh, and how about a quiz?  I just love taking these kinds of quizzes.  This one is How Gangsta Are You?  I gotta tell you--I tested pretty high on this one.  My mom will be so proud...  I especially identified with #8. 

 

Well, that is all.  Now, go prop up your feet.  It's the weekend and all.  Don't forget the bon bons.  You think I forgot about those precious things, didn't you?  I shall never forget the bon bons, and neither should you.  Unless your waistband is getting snug.  Then maybe you should only have a bon.

Goodnight, good people.