Pinterest Challenge Update (6-9)

I am moving s.l.o.w. this month when it comes to my pinterest challenge. But here is a quick update:

I made THIS salad a few weeks ago (avocado/strawberry/spinach/feta deliciousness):

Here is my pic of the results:

(a food photographer I am not - it also looks like it still needs to be stirred up or something - don't ask me why this picture makes it look so gross).

I also made THIS salad (apple bacon salad):

(no pic of my attempt - but it happened and we ate it - I promise).

Of the two - well I can't decide - both are actually pretty darn great. I love pinterest if only for the fact that it helps me figure out new and exciting ways to help me eat greens, greens, and more greens. (Notice I didn't say that it helps me figure out ways of how to eat chips - I don't have any problem eating chips. I don't need a recipe or anything to help me with that nonsense).

So you know - both of these recipes - total keepers. I'm going to have to move them over to the "tried and true" section of pinterest boards.

pinterest challenge update (6-4)

I've been busy doing my hair and bossing Greg to make Henry toys to satisfy the pinterest challenge for the month. So far - things are going well.

First off . . . check this out:

I don't mean to brag - but it's the family blog . . . so I will. I kind of think that my up-do might be slightly better than the hair model's. I mean I got a lot of student compliments with this hair-do. In fact, since doing it the first time - I've done my hair like this three other times. It's fast, it's easy, and it looks fancy. A win-win-win. Especially when I don't feel like washing my hair.

Second off . . . check this out:

Using a home depot gift card - we splurged and bought about a bajillion dollars worth of latches for Henry. We (I use the term "we" loosely really I mean Greg) then drilled these latches into a fancy Hobby Lobby board and voila - success! Henry LOVES moving the latches up and down and in and out. I like to say that we are working on helping him develop his breaking and entering skills. So far - so good.

Here is the model that "inspired" this project:

If I'm honest - this model is kind of cooler than the two we ended up making - but really - Henry doesn't know the difference. And look at that satisfied look of concentration on his face. It's a win.

pinterest challenge (5-10)

So . . . I challenged myself to do this:

And I ended up with this:

Nailed it. Right? Right?

I'm calling it the ombre waterfall or "I need to go back to Tuan but he's expensive so I only go twice a year."

Pinterest Challenge (5-6)

It's time to get motivated and do another pinterest challenge. Here are my plans:

For the hair:  with it getting hot *hot* HOT outside - I need to an up-do/braid plan that is more than just a top-knot. I'm going to try these two styles out.

HERE and HERE

For the abode - I want to make THIS

For the Henry:

I want to make this and this: (Greg will need to help with these - probably a lot)

For the stomach:

This. This. And this.

Yowser. I need to get to work! Anyone want to do a pinterest challenge with me? Anyone? Anyone? I swear I need people to help me stay motivated - otherwise - it's back to the same ol' recipes, the same ol' ponytail, and Henry is left playing with the vacuum and some cars.

pinterest challenge #5 (3-13)

Originally, I planned to do this as a part of my own personal pinterest challenge. But after careful examination of my blinds and thinking it through I decided that I didn't want to - I really didn't want to. And then . . . a text from heaven came my way . . . "I saw you pinned that you want to make your own laundry soap - let's do it together." Ha! Saved! I can continue to pretend that my blinds are clean and instead . .  . we actually made our own laundry soap.

For proof . . . we mean business - out cooking our concoction in the garage over the fancy camp chef.

Then transferring the soap courtesy of our fancy funnel:

And now - look at all my homemade laundry soap that is going to last me for all of 2013:

Now, for the record - my laundry soap actually did work while my friend's did not (apparently, her's is the consistency of jello while mine is the consistency of thick laundry soap). Why this is - I'm not sure - but I did use "Dove" while she used "Zote" and I lovingly hand grated my soap while she used her food processor.

A question both our husband's had . .  Why make laundry soap? Is our budget really that bad? Are we that desperate to save money that we can't even pay to do our laundry? Well - we made laundry soap because we can. And who needs manufacturing chemicals when we can manufacture them in the garage? And don't get me started on the plastic containers. It's just one more way that we are saving the environment.

For reals - probably by the end of the summer we are both going to figure out how to make candles and then disconnect the electricity in our house. Because - hey - who needs it?

pinterest challenge (3-7)

I am plugging along in my pinterest challenge - because as much as I love pinning - I might as well try them out. Right? Right?

So my pinterest challenge - make THIS broccoli.

Well ha - I did it. Here's proof:

 Let's be honest - broccoli covered in olive oil - freshly grated Parmesan cheese - win. But really - it was too much effort. I would give this recipe 3/5 stars.

But you know - you've got to eat your greens to look this good:

(and no, we didn't plan on wearing matching outfits - but it was awesome - all the students at the BY gym couldn't stop pointing and staring. I'm sure it was because we were running so fast and looking so good. No other reason. Right? Right?)

pinterest challenge #2 (3-4)

Because I have the goal to do more interactive play with Henry  (you know, instead of just pulling out the vacuum and swiffer and letting him clean) I saw this idea on pinterest and thought - "let's give it a go." I was also encouraged by the fact that earlier this week we we had had some sticky rice and Henry could not stop playing with it.

So my goal:

The result?

 So maybe it wasn't a hit.

He played with it - but I think he kept hoping that the baking soda/water mixture would taste delicious and well . . . apparently it doesn't.