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Popsicle
Paradise!
By Jill Cooper and Tawra
Kellam
Remember when you used to sit on your front steps on a hot
summer day
eating a popsicle? It was usually red or purple and on special
occasions you got a fudgesicle. Remember how you tried to lick the
drips faster than the sun could melt them? Sometimes the drips would
roll down your fingers, forcing you to make the mind numbing decision
whether to lick your fingers or the new drips forming on your popsicle.
Every once in a while a few drips would get out of control
and fall
on your bare toes. Remember how your dog’s tongue felt like
sandpaper
when he licked the sweet gooeyness off of them?
It’s funny how we try to make drama and expensive
memories for our
children when it’s the simple everyday things we remember the
most.
Try
some of these ideas to keep the kids entertained this summer:
To find popsicle molds, look at discount and mail order
stores or
garage sales. If you don’t have any molds, use small paper or
plastic
cups. Put a wooden stick or plastic spoon in the center.
For mini popsicles, pour orange, apple or grape juice or
flavored
drink mix into ice cube trays. Partially freeze and then place
toothpicks in the center of each cube (or place plastic wrap over the
top, secure and insert toothpicks through plastic wrap).
Making your own popsicles can give great variety and keep your kids
cool this summer!
For
non-traditional popsicles:
* Freeze applesauce in popsicle molds.
* Mix fruit or jam into yogurt. Freeze
in small, snack sized
Ziploc bags for frozen yogurt on the go. Cut a hole in the end of the
bag for easy access/eating.
* Mix gelatin and freeze. Add gummie fish or
worms before freezing for added fun.
* Freeze syrup from canned fruit.
* Add food coloring or sprinkles to yogurt or
softened ice cream for added pizzazz. Then freeze in popsicle molds.
* When you have leftover jam or jelly,
put ¼ cup of hot water in
the jar and shake well. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.
* If jelly or jam doesn't set up well, use for
popsicles or add more water, boil and make syrup.
* Make a batch of pudding. Add
coconut, nuts, marshmallows,
crushed cookies or sprinkles if desired. Pour into molds. Freeze
several hours until firm.
* Stick a toothpick in the center of
blackberries, strawberries, raspberries or sliced bananas.
Dip in chocolate if desired. Freeze on
a tray. Once frozen, store in freezer bags.
* For easy snow cones, freeze orange
juice (or any other flavored
juice) in ice cube trays. Store frozen juice cubes in a plastic bag.
Blend 5 cubes in the blender until they have a shaved ice consistency.
The shaved ice will keep its consistency if kept frozen in a container.
* For watermelon popsicles, blend one
cup each watermelon chunks
(seeds removed), orange juice and water. Blend well. Then pour and
freeze into molds.
* For strawberry popsicles, blend 2
cups strawberries, 1 cup
vanilla ice cream or yogurt, 4 cups orange juice and 2 tablespoons
sugar. Blend smooth. Pour into molds and freeze.
* For banana popsicles, dissolve one 3
oz. package strawberry
gelatin with one cup boiling water. In a blender, mix gelatin, 1 banana
and 1 cup yogurt or ice cream. Blend well and pour into molds.
Pudding Pops
1
pkg. pudding (not instant*)
3
cups milk
Combine 1 large package of pudding with 3 cups of milk. Mix
only
enough to blend well. Quickly pour into popsicle molds and freeze.
Chocolate and vanilla pudding may be layered for a fun treat. Makes
8-10 popsicles.
*Regular homemade pudding may be used instead of store-bought pudding
mix.
Bathroom Décor: Quick Bathroom Decorating on a Budget By Kathy Wilson
When seasons change, one of the most overlooked rooms in the house for updated decorating is the bathroom. Whether you want to add some oomph to your guest bath, or want to bring a spa quality to decorating a master bath, here are some quick and easy decorating tips to get your bathroom in tip top shape!
*You actually don't spend a lot of time in the bathroom, so do something special with it. Try a daring color combination or a theme room you love but wouldn't use in another space. Name your theme bathroom, then get to the paint store! Try rich jewel tones or cheery pastels, whatever fits your theme. Just make it a color you love that you've always wanted to try!
*Bump up the excitement level of your boring bath towels, and stitch an easy and quick edging to them with pretty fabric. It takes just a small amount and some simple hemming to add pretty custom details to your bath. You can also create custom bath rugs this same way, by sewing edging to all four sides of a bath towel. Be sure to sue a non skid pad underneath.
*Use pretty everyday things in a practical way in your bathroom. Creamers make great toothbrush holders, pretty sea shells make a soap dish, or roll up extra towels in a large pottery piece. Just because it's the bathroom, don't overlook small details and opportunities to bring beauty into your life.
*Afraid to hang pictures in a bathroom? Pick up inexpensive frames from the dollar shop, and fill them with pages from garden catalogs. Hang them in groupings in the bath for a gorgeous accent. If water eventually damages the pictures, just remove them and insert new ones. After all, they were free!
*In a guest bath, make your visitors feel pampered by adding a pretty tray full of bath items such as lotions, tissue, and perfumed soaps. Create a tray on a budget by taking an old picture frame, giving it a good coat of paint to blend with your baths décor, then instead of a picture, add a piece of fabric to the frame for elegance. Instant pretty tray, and you probably had everything your need already!
*Use glass paints and faux leading strips to create a stained glass look on that ugly and plain bathroom mirror. You can even add wood trim around the edges of the mirror to give a framed mirror effect. No more ugly builders mirrors!
Take
a weekend and create pretty bathroom décor for yourself or
your
visitors. Its quick and easy to make small changes that make a huge
difference in decorating a bathroom!
Kathy Wilson is an
author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of
free budget home decorating ideas, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator Unique Ways to Decorate a Little Boy's Bedroom on a Budget Jessica Ackerman Girls
are not the only ones who want stylish bedrooms that make them feel
special in their own private space. Little boys want colorful decorated
bedrooms too, and you will find many unique and easy ways to decorate a
boy's bedroom while sticking to a budget. With color, texture, and
unique designs, your little boy's bedroom will be a place where he will
want to spend time. You can turn your boy's bedroom into a well
decorated room for playing and relaxing, and with the following budget
ideas you can completely change the entire look of his room for less
than you ever thought possible. Start
with Color Kids
love colorful bedrooms, and the walls are the ideal place to start. If
walls can use a fresh coat of paint, take your son along when choosing
a color. The application of paint is one of the least expensive ways to
completely change the look of a room, but keep in mind that darker or
bolder colors will make the room appear smaller, and lighter crisp
colors will open it up. If your son prefers a color that really is too
dark or too bright for the size of the space, give him what he wants,
but choose a much lighter shade of the same hue. You can always
accessorize the bedroom with the color he prefers using bedding and
accessories. Also,
when sticking to a decorating budget, do not forget to ask store
personnel if they have paint colors that were mixed by mistake. In the oops
section of most paint stores you can find top-quality paint in
designers colors, and when saving money on the single most effective
way to change the entire appearance of a room, you will find it easier
to stick to your decorating budget. Saving money on paint will allow
you to spend a little more on bedroom accessories that will help turn
your boy's bedroom into the room of his dreams. Unique
Shelving Bedroom
shelving does not have to be the typical variety when decorating a
boy's bedroom or any other room for that matter. Do not be afraid to
try something completely new and different when decorating the home.
Step outside of the box and consider making unique and decorative
shelving using new or old skateboard decks. If your son has old
skateboards he no longer wants or needs, with or without the wheels,
turn them into handy and decorative shelves. Install wall brackets of
the correct width, and make unique skateboard shelving that boys
absolutely love - especially those who are diehard skateboard
enthusiasts. Bedding
and Accessories for Boys Instead
of choosing character bedding that is overpriced and sure to become
outdated long before it wears out, choose solid colored bedding that
will remain stylish and interchangeable. Little boys love specific
characters, and solid-colored bedding and character pillows are an
ideal combination. Along with character pillows, choose a few other
soft and comfy pillows of various shapes and sizes to match the colors
and theme of the room. Boys of all ages appreciate extra pillows and
decorative bedding just as much as girls. Best of all, pillows can be
hand sewn using a variety of materials, and the addition of pillows is
a great way to add pizzazz to a boy's bedroom while sticking to a
decorating budget. Pet
Net for Sports Décor Another
fantastic way to decorate a boy's bedroom while adhering to a budget is
with the help of an extra large pet net. Pet nets are usually designed
to hold plush animals in an empty corner of a bedroom, but they are
also perfect for holding sports balls. Consider decorating a boy's
bedroom with a pet net filled with colorful soccer balls, softballs,
basketballs, and lightweight foam balls and other sports equipment of
various shapes and sizes. More than likely you will be able to decorate
your little boy's bedroom with sports balls and other items he already
owns, and decorating with items that do not have to be purchased is
ideal for anyone trying to stick to a budget. Be
sure to ask your son for his input when decorating his bedroom. Kids
have fantastic ideas, and their creativity and imagination is a great
source for unique new ways of decorating. Without spending a
considerable amount of extra money a boy's bedroom can be transformed
into a very special place for fun and relaxation, and it can be done
while sticking to a budget. Many of the best decorating techniques are
low in cost and exceptionally high in creativity and imagination. Jessica
Ackerman is a senior staff writer for Wall Decor and Home Accents, and
she has extensive experience in interior design. http://www.walldecorandhomeacce Decorating a Little Girl's Bedroom on a
Budget Every
little girl should feel like a princess in her own private space, and
it is possible to transform an ordinary bedroom into an abode fit for a
little princess without spending hundreds of dollars on decorating.
With a few inexpensive updates you can turn your little girl's bedroom
into a magical room for playing, relaxing, and sleeping, and you can do
it for less than one hundred dollars. Decorating with a new coat of
paint, budget bedding, window treatments, and wall appliques will
enable you to completely change the look of your little girl's bedroom
while adhering to your specific budget. Begin
with Paint Painting
a room is one of the least expensive decorating options, and it has the
potential to change the entire appearance and ambiance of the room. If
your little girl's bedroom could use a fresh coat of paint, choose a
soft pastel shade to make it feel relaxing and cheerful. Keep in mind
that pink is not the only color to consider when decorating a little
girl's bedroom. Soft yellow, sea foam green, lavish lavender, or a rich
creamy shade of blue are all wonderful choices. If
the room does not need a fresh coat of paint, liven up the current
color by painting an accent wall. Consider a matching shade that is a
bit brighter in color, or paint the accent wall a natural shade of
green. Blooms of all colors go well with green foliage, and bedroom
walls are no exception. A single green wall in a room painted pink,
lavender, or a soft shade of blue looks absolutely stunning, and for
the cost of paint, the entire room will have an entirely new
look. Wall
Appliques Those
on a budget will find peel and stick wall appliques an affordable
option to wallpapering or hiring an artist to paint a mural. When
decorating a little girl's bedroom you will find wall appliques in a
wide variety of subjects and sizes. Whether you are decorating your
little girl's bedroom in a princess theme, garden theme, or any other
theme, you will find peel and stick appliques that are perfect for
decorating on a budget. They are easy to remove and reapply again and
again, and they are perfect for adding color, design, and interest to
walls, doors, and even furniture. Bedding
When
decorating a little girl's bedroom on a budget, avoid character
bedding. Character bedding is generally far more costly than solid
colored bedding, and inexpensive bedding in a single color or two can
be embellished with budget throw pillows of various shapes, sizes, and
textures. Stuffed animals or dolls can also be used when decorating a
little girl's bedroom, especially when sticking to a budget. Decorating
with toys and other character themed items already in the room can save
a considerable amount of money and make the room look more decorative
and inviting. Window
Treatments Bedroom
window treatments do not have to be expensive to look impressive when
decorating a little girl's bedroom on a budget. A simple scarf valance
over blinds or shades is an inexpensive way to dress up windows without
spending a lot of money. You will find scarf valances in all colors and
lengths, or you can make an easy scarf valance with a few yards of
sheer lightweight fabric. Even a color-coordinating sheet can be used
to make scarf valances that will enhance the windows when decorating
your little girl's bedroom. Involve
your little girl when decorating her bedroom. Kids often provide some
of the best ideas, especially when decorating on a budget. Have her
choose her favorite dolls and stuffed animals to decorate her bed, and
take her along when choosing bedding, accessories, and paint. For much
less than you ever thought possible, you can give your little girl the
bedroom of her dreams without going over your budget. Jessica
Ackerman writes for Wall Decor and Home Accents - http://www.walldecorandhomeacce -------------------------------------------------------------- The Budget Decorator’s Top 10 Tips By
Kathy Wilson 1.PAINT!
I know you’ve heard it before, but it’s true, paint
is the cheapest, fastest way to dramatically change a room in just
hours! 2.Use
a theme…even if it’s just a favorite color scheme
or one you found in a magazine, it’s a place to start and
plan. 3.Rearrange…move
things around until you find a pleasing arrangement that works for you,
whether it’s your furniture or your bookshelves! 4.Use
what you have! There are so many items around the home that can be
repurposed…learn to look at things in creative ways and see
if they might meet a decorating need. 5.Start
Big! Tackle the larger areas of the room first, such as walls, windows,
and floors. That will make the fastest impact on the room. 6.Disguise!
If you can’t afford to replace, disguise! Cover a sofa, lay a
rag rug over that stained carpet, or use fabric to screen an unpleasant
view. 7.Find
materials in creative places. Use fabric from sheets and quilts, use
yard sales to locate furniture to be painted to match your
décor, and visit your dollar shop on a regular basis for
picture frames and candles. 8.Add
personality! Inject yourself and your family in to your home with
personal items…photos, vacation finds, or ball game tickets
in a frame all bring interest and life to your rooms. 9.Look
for inspiration. There is no shame is scouring books and magazines for
the look you desire, then adapting their scheme to a budget
decorator’s plan! Let the pictures inspire your creativity,
and borrow ideas you love! 10.Start
now! Today, make a plan, pick a paint color, sew a pillow. Your home
won’t change if you don’t start something, so
don’t put it off another minute, and little by little, the
Budget Decorator in you will transform your house to a home! Kathy
Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For
thousands of free budget home
decorating ideas, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator Easy, Cheap and Elegant Decorating for Valentines! By Kathy Wilson The Budget Decorator
So you just got all the holiday decorations put away (or maybe you didn't!) and here comes another holiday… Valentines! Never fear, I have some great budget friendly ideas for quick and easy decorations you can use to dress up any room of your home and show all your loved ones how much you care!
Dress up your everyday dining area with heart shaped placemats. Pick up some large red or pink craft foam sheets from your craft store and trace and cut a large heart shape from each one with a pair of sharp scissors. Use a gold paint pen and write a one word romantic sentiment in the center of each one, just like the "message heart" candies of our youth! Edge the hearts with squiggles and swirls, or perhaps personalize each placemat with a name of a family member. These will wipe clean with a damp cloth, and add loving style to each meal!
Pick up four or six silk flowers and a small roll of wire edged ribbon (white, red, or pink) from your discount store and tie one flower each to the back of each of your dining chairs. Make the bow larger than you normally would for drama. The wire edge will allow you to shape the bow into a full, romantic style. Use leftover ribbon to add some romance to your front door wreath, your mailbox, or a big bow on the headboard of your bed!
Buy an inexpensive floral bouquet from the supermarket and spilt it into two or three smaller bunches. Add some evergreen cuttings from the yard, and display it in pretty creamers, teacups, and bud vases. Flowers speak of love and family, but it doesn't need to be a $50 bouquet of roses to add romance to the room!
Take some time to set a romantic table for that special Valentines Day dinner, not only for that special someone, but for all the loved ones in your life! You can do this with things you already own! Layer the table coverings with quilts, tablecloths and placemats. Layer your dishware as well, with a large plate, saucer, and bowl, and tuck napkins into your drinking glasses. Don't be afraid to mix and match your dinnerware, it adds style! Pick up a pack of paper doilies from the dollar shop, and scatter them across the table. Get the kids in on the day by giving them some red or pink giftwrap, tissue paper, or construction paper and a couple of paper punches, and allow them to make confetti to sprinkle over the table!
Lastly, don't forget to add candles to your Valentines home. They are inexpensive at any discount store or dollar shop, and can be displayed in groups on old picture frames as trays, or in front of mirrors to double your romantic style! Drop tealights into teacups or mason jars, and tie a ribbon around the outside.
Remember,
romance is good for the soul, and it's easy to bring a little of it
into our homes to show our love for those around us!
Kathy Wilson is an
author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. For thousands of
free budget home decorating ideas, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator
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