Spark of Loves this Week: Monkeys, Car, Seeds, Award, Bread, Hipster

Since last week was a busy week my Spark of Loves were put on hold till this week.  But without skipping a beat, we are right back on track.  Enjoy!

These monkeys.

Because no matter how many times I see one, I just crack up laughing.  I even love these slippers too!

This animated image.

Because it just says "love" all around.

These seed packets.

Because I received them from Burt's Bees a year ago during the up-rise of the Colony Collapse Disorder.  What a great cause, I was so pleased to be a part of the solution to helping honey bees when I planted half the packet this past year, and I get to plant the rest of them this coming spring.

This award.

Because I love Examiner and I am pleased to say that the last 4 years with them has been a privilege and I hope I am able to give them 4 more years of my journalistic insight.

These pumpkin muffins and bread.

Because my sick little man helped me bake them and it made him feel a bit better.

Random Photo of the Week:

3-D Glasses are totally hipster!  We love going to see movies in 3-D just so we can add to our hipster 3-D glasses collection we have accumulated, we love them!

P.S.:  The winner of the Christmas Swag Bag Giveaway was Barbara Smalls in Eau Claire, Michigan.  Congratulations Barbara!  And email has been sent to you to claim your prize and add addition information.  Hope you enjoy your Christmas Swag Bag!  :-)

Eco-Tip:  Be sure and insulate your home and check it once a year for wear and tear.  The more you insulate the more you save on energy cost and energy loss.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Meia and the curiosity of the Kitchen Rooster

My cat, bless her heart, she's going on 12 years now and she still acts just like a little curious kitten.  I recently purchased a rooster to sit in my kitchen and watch over my cooking, but she found it a bit peculiar   Here is a quick snippet of their meet and greet.

She kept her distance for a little while, but then I think her curiosity got the best of her and she just had to check it out.

She sniffed it.

And stalked it.....

And sniffed it some more.

She seemed to be satisfied that the kitchen rooster wouldn't be a threat.

But she was not about to be it's friend.  

So the kitchen rooster stands alone.  

Eco-Tip:  Use a crock pot to cook over the stove or oven.  A crock pot uses less energy to cook your food than the stove.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Quick Tips 105: Things you can't go without knowing

Quick Tips 101:  Things you can't go without knowing. (Volume 5)

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Using the tag of a tea bag to secure the tea bag on the side of your mug while it steeps.

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Use the space at the end of your fridge for a small storage closet for cleaning supplies.

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Use chalkboard labels in your food pantry.

SourceUse crown-molding upside down as a show rack on your closet walls.  Works great for heels.


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Use paper towel and toilet paper rolls as storage for extension cords and electrical plugs around your home.


SourceUse a pants rack for storing your ribbon spools.


SourceUse a white paint pin to decorate found river rocks and use as decor throughout your home.


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Use chicken wore in a wood, photo frame to display cards, mail, or even jewelry.


SourceUse a magnet on the back of old forks to help hold business cards, or other cards on your fridge or filing cabinet.


SourceUse a soda, fridge pack to store soups and other canned foods in your cabinet.



Eco-Tip:  Add "Going Green" to this year's New Years Resolution.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration-Day Twelve

And now it's the last day of the "12 Days of Pinspiration" from South North South.  I have loved seeing all the cute, clever, and simple Christmas DIYs throughout the last 12 days.  I hope you found some "pinspiration" through these Pinterest finds and if you haven't already, follow the Pinterest 30 days of Pinspiration HERE.

AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS FROM 

SOUTH NORTH SOUTH!  

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Homemade Hot Cocoa Cones

What you'll need:Hot Cocoa
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups powdered instant milk

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp cinnamon (optional)
Mix all together in a large bowl. Will keep for all winter. You use about 3 Tbsp with hot water for yummy hot cocoa.


Instructions:

Put some of the hot chocolate mix in a cone shaped cello bag and then double bag it in another. Then roll the inner bag down and tuck it in. Put all of this in a sturdy mug to hold it up for the kids while they do the next part. The kids add toppings, some had peppermint, some had instant coffee (for the mailman and the bus driver). We used a red gumdrop on the top for the cherry. I think these would be a great favor gift for any winter birthday party. Maybe an activity for the tween sleepover?? You could use sugar snowflakes inside to make them more winter-y or crushed hard blue mint candies. Or make it more "adult" and use candied ginger or dried orange zest.

Eco-Tip:  Be sure this year, after the gifts are opened, and everyone is ready to clean up that you save as many bows and tags, and even wrapping paper as you can so you can recycle it the following year or even throughout the year for other gifts.  The less waste that goes in the garbage the less that will end up in the landfills this holiday season.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration-Day Eleven

Another day of the "12 Days of Pinspiration" from South North South. Day Eleven!

Follow the Pinterest 30 days of Pinspiration HERE.

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Framed Christmas Wreath

What you'll need:  

Wooden Picture Frame

Assorted Bells in Random Colors and Sizes

Large Ribbon 

Several Small Ribbons in Different Colors

Red or Green Spray Paint

Small Nail

Instructions:

Spray paint the picture frame red or green.  Allow to dry and hammer the small nail into the back of the frame.  Attach the smaller ribbons to the bells and tie the end pieces to the back of the frame on the small nail.  Attach your larger ribbon and use the access to hand the frame from a door or wall in your home.  

Eco-Tip:  Always use voc-free paint whenever you can.  The less chemicals in your paint the better.  For more eco-friendly options try HERE.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration-Day Ten

Another day of the "12 Days of Pinspiration" from South North South. Day Ten!

Follow the Pinterest 30 days of Pinspiration HERE.

 

 

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Rudolph the red nosed reindeer pillow

 

Supplies:

front fabric, half yard or fat quarter

back fabric half yard or fat quarter

reindeer image

transfer paper

yarn or felt pom pom

stuffing (I used an old pillow)

Instructions:

1. Print image of deer onto transfer paper, cut out very close to the image.
2. Iron the image onto the front fabric.
3. Let cool down and peel off.
4. Pin the two fabrics together right sides together.
5. Sew and cut out close to the curves.
6. Stuff.
7. Hand stitch closed. Or you can use the sewing machine.
8. Make or buy a pom pom and sew to the nose of the reindeer pillow.

 

Eco-Tip:  Conserve gas this holiday season by sticking close to home.  If traveling can't be avoided consider taking a train or even carpooling with others to your destination.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.