Thrifty Thursday: Dresser Organization

Having a full time "town/real job" I don't get to do the things I love as much. Last night I decided I was going to take a little "me time" and check off a project from my list. I had been wanting to paint the dresser that had been in my bedroom for a year or so and finally did it!

 

While I was at it I decided my jewelry and other "stuff" on my dresser needed some organization. Long OVER DUE!




I have been using the coffee mug tree for necklaces for years. But still had other items that needed captured.  I went to my garage in my stack of "stuff I will use sometime"


DISCLOSURE: Usually it doesn't look so "put together" and  this time next week I bet it won't look this organized. 

The solid wooden walnut stand is perfect for perfumes and body sprays. The vintage relish tray works for pendants, rings, and pins. 


This was all done in an evening and cost about $1.35! I guessed on the amount for the stand and tray ( $0.25 is too much, but guess that covers the cost of my purple paint) These were in a box I bought at an auction for $1...yep, you heard me right. A whole box for $1 !!!

While I enjoy having a unique look and not having the same thing as everyone else, I hope I have given you some new ideas.

What is your favorite way to organize jewelry? Do you have any unique items you repurposed?

Last Minute 4th of July Craft Ideas

It's looking like it might be a rainy 4th of July in our area.....So an indoor craft/activity might be needed . These 2 ideas are perfect for kids of any age and to make it better, you probably have the supplies on hand!

1. Toilet Paper Roll Fireworks

    Supplies: TP/Paper Towel Rolls, paint, scissors, paper, paper plate, glitter (optional) For a complete tutorial visit Happiness is Homemade

2. Q-Tip Fireworks 

Supplies: Q-Tips, paint, scissors, paper,paper plate, glitter (optional) For a complete tutorial visit Crafty Morning

National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day!

July 1st is National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day!

If you follow this blog much, you know that I love "creative" ice cream flavors. With summer being in full swing I want to get my ice cream maker out and get to trying some new flavors. 

Here are a few that I have shared on this blog in the past

The most "creative" which also happens to be my grandma's favorite is Avocado Ice Cream

Buttered Popcorn Ice Cream 

Coffee Ice Cream

With this weekend being a 3 day weekend and holiday, I am hoping to try out some new homemade ice cream recipes.

What are your favorite homemade ice cream flavors?

Not Your Battle

Travel Tuesday: Nickletown, KS

If you know me at all, you know I have a passion for all things Kansas and Rural. I especially, love history and travel. The other day while hauling cattle to grass, CP took me to Nickeltown, he had told me about this town for years, but never had we,  "made the trip"

This is the only remaining building in Nickletown, The Nickeltown School.

When you google Nickeltown, KS the search comes back with usually two topics:  Nickeltown School or Nickeltown Cemetery.

Nickeltown is in Woodson County, KS. Through a little research I found this fun article called Every Man To Get Office in an old newspaper called the Stanstead Journal.

History Lesson:

The locals say that the school was the building that had a phone so if people broke down or needed something they would make their way to this building to make a call. Also, the oil industy and dericks around it are called, "The Nickeltown Development."

County: Woodson

Population: 0

Location:  Northwest Woodson Co, West of Hwy 75. Geographical Coordinates: 37.9964184,-95.8483214

Small exerpt from Chanute Daily Tribune January 21, 1915

A story in the K. C. Star of recent date recalled , old memories in Woodson county. The Star said: "The glory of Nickletown, Kas., is now like the glory that was Rome's gone. Time . was when Nickletown aspired to be the county seat pi Woodson county and 'to be rated .among the flourishing country towns of Kansas. But those aspirations, along with nearly all of Nickletown's population, have departed. Nickletown, however, refuses to relinquish its identity as a real town. It: is going to .hold a town election next spring and elect regular officers. There is one cheerful feature in it for the male residents of Nickletown all of them will get offices. There are now only four families left in the town. T. Q. Allen, Frank Willis, George Cowles and Oscar Mulsow are the men flow remaining. Cowles is at present police judge. He says that office suits him and he wants to keep it. The other three have agreed to let him have his little whim gratified. So the trio all plan to run for mayor and the two losers will constitute the town council. It's up to the women to cast the deciding vote as all three men say they will vote for themselves. Jt is considered likely that the man who treats his wife best in the time between now and election will stand the rosiest chance of getting to sign Mayor after his name. Nickletown is in the northeast part of Woodson county." Commenting on this the Neosho Fajls Post says: "It was probably thirty years ago that the. northwest corner of Woodson county was settled by a colon- of Menonites from Russia. As we remember it they had a town by the name of Nikkle- town. They built sod houses and livel in them until they were able to build more substantial ones.

Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats

One of my favorite Overnight Oatmeal Recipes is Strawberries & Cream! Its easy, quick and oh so yummy!

STRAWBERries & CREAM  

OVERNIGHT OATS

Serves: 1

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup Vanilla Almond Milk
• ⅓ cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• ⅓ cup old fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• 3 strawberries, sliced
• 
  

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine ingredients in a  jar and refrigerate overnight.

Simple & Delicious

Overnight Oats Simplified 1-2-3

Overnight Oats seem to be the rage right now. I had been pinning recipes but had avoided making them thinking I might not like them and then I would have wasted  all that time, effort, and ingredients

Well good new, I like them and they are EASY to make AND you probably have the ingredients on hand, I did!

Step 1. Locate jars. I used canning jars and recycled sauce jars I had been saving. 

Tip: I have found prepping for a week makes things so much easier

Step 2. Gather ingredients. I had all of these ingredients, but the Chia/Flax Seed mix, which I happened to find on sale for $4/bag

Tip: I created a " Overnight Oats Shelf" This is where I keep all the dry, non-perishable items. Its handy to have it in one place . 







The perishable/refrigerated items are again something you will probably have on hand. 
 While I love real cow's milk, most Overnight Oat recipes call for Almond milk. There are less calories and I like the vanilla flavor :) Most recipes call for yogurt & a milk of some sort 

Step 3: Mix. I usually mix all the dry ingredients for the recipe and then add the wet ingredients the night before. However, you can mix both and they will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4days. 


I found this handy dandy spatula like tool a year ago and bought it because it was cool and different. Incase you didn't know. I am slightly obsessed with kitchen gadgets. Its the handiest thing for mixing in the jars. Its my Overnight Oats Tool!

You can find this tool at Chefn.com (man I wish this were a give away post) Beware, they have some cool kitchen gadgets. I am not responsible if you spend $$$$ 

As far as Recipes, they pretty much follow the 1-2-3 rule as well. There are numerous recipes out there and I will be posting my favorite next Monday for "Menu Monday"

And there you have it, Overnight Oats Simplified, 1-2-3!