Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays #5

Hi Everyone!

I am excited to see what you got accomplished! I am loving your accountability, I am getting much more done than I would have without you and "AP Tuesdays!"

Off the doozy list:

Bring Out Spring/Summer Clothes

Organize Craft Closet

Read Up On Gardening

Make Homemade Yogurt

~~~

Here are some featured posts from last week:

Lisa @ My Family

Lisa has come up with a cleaning schedule for herself, which she broke down into days of the week.  I love learning how other moms tackle the whole "housecleaning" thing, as I am still trying to sort out what works best for me.  I like the way she thinks, it is simple and seems doable.  I am eager to hear how she did with that list on her refrigerator....so Lisa..fill us in!

Aimee @ West Virginia Girl (I always wanted to spell my name like that...jealous.)

Aimee made her own doozy list.  She confessed to swiping mine, which I loved, and added her own touch to it.  I really hope it helps her as much as mine helps me, accountability has been a huge motivator!  I'd love to see more doozy lists out there, we could start an "Anti-Procrastination" revolution!!:)  Thanks for linking up, Aimee!

Morgan @ Meet Virginia

Morgan worked on and finished the cutest little bootie crochet project.  I am in love with them, and had to smile because the cutie little bootie feet made me think of the lil' one in my sisters tummy!  Sure wish I knew how to crochet...think I can fit one more thing on the doozy list? 

Sara @ For The Love

Sara got my heart excited the moment I clicked on her link.  We both do hair, we both are thrifty, we both love being moms and are lovers of family, and WE BOTH BLOG!:)  I have had much fun exploring her site.  She linked up her handmade hair accessories post, the picture gives you a sneak peak, but you must click on over there for more because she made a bunch of different types --every one made me smile and want to go heat up my glue gun!! 

~~~

And now, on to our 5th "Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays"!

(click here for more info on what its all about)

Here are the guidelines:
1. On Tuesdays each week, I'll host the link party here at New Nostalgia.  You can come over and enter the permalink to your Anti-Procrastination post in my MckLinky List.

2. Be sure to insert a link in your post that directs others back here.  It could be my button at the side bar, or something like "This post is linked to "Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays" at New Nostaglia. 

3. Be sure to link your posts url, not your blog url!

4. Link as many posts as you would like, as long as they have to do with this subject

5. Visit as many other links as you can for ideas, inspiration and to offer encouragement.

6. Leave comments for the links you visit just to let them know you are there (and so we can know there really ARE people out there committed to getting things done together, support matters!)

7. Come back each tuesday, post more of your accomplishments, and see some of the links featured from the week before.  You could be one of them!

<center><a href="http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/Amysb1975/7393129504_TCNCj.jpg" /></a></center>

Don't forget to grab a button to place at the top or bottom of your post to show you are participating in "Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays."  Simply copy the code below in the box and paste where you can edit the html in your blog post. 

And now, onto today's "Anti-Procrastination Tuesday's" Link Party!  

Be inspired, be encouraged, and get something done!


***So sorry! MckLinky is down. I've checked out other blogs who use it
and theirs are down, too. I'm so bummed to come home and see the links gone, and I'm so bummed to miss out on the links that were yet to come!
I may try a different link site, I've had some issues with Mcklinky..

Organizing My Storage Closet

Tomorrow is Anti-Procrastination Tuesday here at New Nostalgia! (I'll be putting the MckLinky up in a couple hours.)  I'm excited to share with you something I have been procrastinating on way too long--cleaning out our storage closet!   It was so bad that I was getting scared to open the door.. 

Oh, boy.

I started by pulling everything out of the closet...that is when it got really scary!!

I had to remind myself that it gets bad before it gets better!

I sorted things into 3 bins--"give away" "put away" "donate"

I also made sure I had a trash bag handy.

I wanted to use the new open space for our rolling craft supply carts.

I used the other half of the closet for oversized toys that did not fit nicely

in my daughters room.

I used the back corner to store winter coats, bins of photos that need sorting, 

and a hanging divider for shoes that my girls need to grow into.

Look!  I can shut the door ALL THE WAY!  Yippee!!

Thank for the motivation!  Thanks for participating in "AP Tuesdays!"
I hope to "see" you there tomorrow!!

Whole Wheat Honey Banana Muffins

These muffins are GOOD!  They are moist, have great texture and are 100% healthy, with no refined flour or sugars. To make the muffins lower in fat, replace half of the oil with unsweetened applesauce. I used whole wheat pastry flour, which is ground more fine and makes for a lighter, fluffier muffin.
The recipe was originally posted on Recipezaar, and given to me by my friend Joy (who is also responsible for passing on the waffle recipe on my blog--she knows how to find the good ones!)
This recipe makes a lot of muffins, which I love, but can be halved easily.  The recipe states that it makes 24 regular sized muffins.  I was able to get 4 mini loaves and 120 mini muffins out of one recipe.  The muffins freeze well, and are great for breakfast or a quick snack.  Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Honey Banana Muffins
 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp wheat germ (optional)
2/3 cup olive oil (I'd like to try coconut oil)
1 cup honey
4 eggs
2 cups mashed ripe bananas (I used 6)
1/2 cup hot water

1. Stir together dry ingredients
2. Beat oil and honey together; add eggs and beat well.
3. Add bananas and beat to combine.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with hot water; mix well after each addition.
5. Spoon batter into 24 greased muffin cups; bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown and test done.
6. Remove from oven and cool on rack.

{*thanks, Joy!}

I am happy to list this post @

11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven’s “Homemaker Mondays”

From the Land of Monkeys “Mouth Watering Mondays”

Blessed With Grace’s “Tempt My Tummy Tuesday“,

A Soft Place to Land, “DIY Day”

Tip Junkie "Tip Me Tuesday"
My Frugal Family "Talented Tuesday"

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam “Tasty Tuesday”

All the Small Stuff, “Tuesday at the Table”

5 Minutes for Mom, “Tackle it Tuesday”

Cheeseslave, “Real Food Wednesday”

Southern Fried Mama, “Tasty Thursday”

Kitchen Stewardship “Finer Things Friday”

Grocery Cart Challenge ”Recipe Swap”

Mom Trends, “Friday Feasts”

Designs by Gollum “Foodie Friday”

Our Krazy Kitchen, ‘What did you bake today”

and “Ann Kroeker “Food on Fridays”


Show And Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
Cupcake Tuesdays @ Hoosier Homemade

Good Friday-Remembering

These are two of my most favorite songs.  I couldn't decide which one to share, so I shared them both.  I encourage you to watch the both of them, and remember with me why this Good Friday is such a very, very special day.

{both videos are very graphic, viewer discretion advised}

Easter Lessons

With Easter coming, my girls and I have been having quite a few discussions about sin and our need for a Saviour.  I was wanting a tangible way to show them different types of sin, how often we sin, and how great our need is for a Saviour.  

I took a bulletin board square, drew a cross on it, and then we looked up some Bible verses and brain-stormed different types of sin, which I then wrote onto the cross.

~We discusses why and how Jesus died, and the amazingness-- He took our sins upon Himself and payed the penalty that we deserved, by dying for us. 

 ~We talked about repentance, how we must acknowledge our sin, ask Jesus to forgive our sin, and turn away from our sin. He takes the burden of them onto Himself, and they are no more.  

~We talked about how He makes us whole and beautiful, and how we can come to Him anytime, He will always be ready and willing to forgive us, making us new again.  

~We talked about the beauty of Easter, how He conquered death, and is Risen, indeed!!

With pins (reminding us to think of the nails that pierced His skin) and beautiful, shimmery circles (the circle shape represents how He makes us whole),  we have been coming before the cross this week, and acknowledging this amazing thing our Saviour did for us.  

It has been beautiful, seeing my girls ask for forgiveness more often, and going to the cross before their Jesus, on their own.  I see them walk away, with freedom in their eyes and a lightness in their step.  

My youngest- "Oh, mom, the cross is becoming so beautiful!!"  I smile and think, "so are you, my child, so are you."

This Post Is Linked To:

30 Minute Blog Challenge @ Steady Mom

Last Minute April Fool's Jokes

{picture from FamilyFun.com}

I PROCRASTINATED!  Imagine that...
I have to quickly come up with some April Fool's jokes before my kids come home from school.

Here is what I (with some help from Family Fun.com) have come up with:

Sweet Looking Cupcakes That Are Not Sweet! (pictured above)

I'm making meatloaf for dinner, and found this fun idea.  It is perfect because we have art class today, which leaves little time to cook, so this breaks down the baking time.  I am giving in and getting instant mashed potatoes, and adding enough butter to make them appear yellow, I may even put a few sprinkles on top.  This one seems a little too mean, I may have to have real cupcakes sitting to the side ready to eat.

Super glue a quarter to the sidewalk:
My kids fall for this one every time!

{photo from FamilyFun.com}

Get Paid For Using The Bathroom:
the picture above says it all, or click on the link..

Pin The Panties/Underwear:
We did this one to dad last year.  We took his underwear, and safety pinned the waist band of one, to the waist band of another, and so forth.  This ends up making a "streamer" of underwear.  Dad pulls one out, and ten others come out with it!  Its too late to do this, but I have time to pin my girls jammies together...:)

Get Sprayed:
Wrap a rubber band around your sink's sprayer, tight enough to hold down the nozzle.  When your victim turns the water on, they will get a bit wet!  Hee. Hee.

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!

*due to my inability to think of anything more to write, I need to inform you that after today, I will no longer be posting and New Nostalgia will no longer exist.  Thank you for all the amazing support and kind comments you have given to me over the months...
...APRIL FOOLS!!!!

Homemade Slime!

{we used the new neon food colors from McKormick}

I record the Martha Stewart show, and my 10 yr old loves to watch it.  She was in the basement, and I knew she was at it again when I heard Martha's very proper voice drifting up through the vents.  After awhile, my daughter came running up and was so excited she could barely speak.  "Slime, mom!  Homemade SLIME!!  Can we do it?  Huh?  Can we?  Do you have Borax??"  That child should know by now that I am the Borax queen! (homemade laundry detergent, homemade dishwashing detergent, homemade cleaners, all have borax in them)

{these were in balls, but within seconds they start to melt and flatten.  So much fun to mess with!}

{* a small amount of slime stuffed in a plastic easter egg would make a great alternative to candy stuffed eggs for those easter egg hunts!}

I looked the process up online, and decided to let her have a go at it.  It is a simple enough process that she was able to do most of it by herself, and boy, have we had FUN WITH SLIME in this house!  My daughter is even selling it at school to her friends, along with her homemade duct tape wallets and bags.  She is quite the entrepeneur!  She splits a batch in half, and sells a "small" batch for $1 and a "large" batch for $2.

{I would not recommend stacking the slime on top of each other like the first pic, unless you like this look.  When different colors touch, they instantly are stuck and then you end up with marble slime!}

Here are the directions (via Martha Stewart, she has a great video showing the process) 

Tools and Materials
2 mixing bowls
Warm water
Elmer's glue
1/4 teaspoon unsweetened Kool-Aid or 4 to 8 drops liquid food coloring
Craft stick
Borax

Slime How-To
1. Mix together 1/3 cup warm water, 1/2 cup Elmer's glue, and Kool-Aid or food coloring. Stir thoroughly with craft stick; set aside.

2. Mix together 3/4 cup warm water and 2 teaspoons Borax. Stir thoroughly with craft stick; pour into mixture one, stirring continuously.

3. Remove glob from bowl and work in your hands for 2 to 3 minutes. Store in resealable plastic bag or air-tight container.Tip: If mixture starts to dry out, pour a small amount of water over it and knead for 2 to 3 minutes before returning to a tightly sealed container.

Professor Figgy was the guest on Martha who showed this technique.  He sells slime making kits on his site.  Wouldn't these make a great gift?  I personally will be making my own, I am sure I could find a much cuter way to package it!  I'll let you know if I come up with anything.

I am linking up to:

DIY Project Parade - The DIY Show Off
Met Monday - Between Naps on the Porch
Make It For Monday - Cottage Instincts
Just Something I Whipped Up - The Girl Creative
Its So Very Creative-Its So Very Cheri
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple
Boardwalk Bragfest @ Bobbypins Boardwalk
Penny Pinchin' Party @ Thrifty Home
A Hodgepodge Friday @ A Hodgepodge Life
Creative Share @ The Trendy Treehouse