Memorial Day Weekend

First off, I want to thank all of the many men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I also want to thank the present and future and the ones who did fight and were able to share this day with us. Our nation is truly blessed as we have the best men and women defending for us.

Our weekend consisted of quite of few things. To start it off, I made the hubs, son and his friends some homemade pancakes. House of Smiths shared her wonderful recipe with us. Might I add, she is absolutely right! These are the best pancakes! 

Then the hubby and I made an impromptu trip to St. Augustine. We visited the outlets.

Then we decided to head over to old town. I love walking the old streets of St. Augustine. 

The cobblestone look is one that I love. We are thinking of expanding our driveway with it.

Then we decided to grab dinner. We came across this quaint restaurant tucked back in off one of the streets. The Tasting Room. It serves Spanish Style cuisines. We ate outside on the patio area.

I had chipotle shrimp with Spanish cakes

 

My hubby had Ahi Tuna Steaks

Bread and olive oil with spices

Then we took a walk around town. We visited the oldest school in the USA

We stopped in at this little coffee shop.

Then to wrap up the day, It was a quick stop in at Kilwin's for ice cream and fudge.

Then, for the best news of the entire weekend. My brother had his first child on Memorial Day!

It's a Boy!

I can't begin to tell you the joy I feel of becoming an Aunt! I'm so in love with this blessing! God is so good!

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent

I have been reading about this powered laundry detergent on so many blogs lately. Seems everyone is putting their own spin on it. I used this in the past for quite sometime, however, mine was liquid. I can't tell you the agony I went through trying to dissolve the bar of soap. That is the only reason I stopped making my own. I really enjoyed that it last for about 8 months and only cost me around $20 for all the ingredients. I thought how easy would it be to DIY my own "powered" detergent. Hey! That means I don't have to stand over a hot stove and stir, stir and stir.

I went to Wal-Mart and purchased the ingredients to make my own again. This is what I opted to put together to make mine.

Hickory Trail Laundry Soap 

1~ 4lb 12 oz box of Borax

1~ 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda

1~ 3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

1~ 1.3lb  container Oxy Clean - no perfumes

2 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated

2 containers Downy Un Stopables 

Mix all the ingredients in a large container. 

This recipes makes a huge amount of laundry soap!

I put about a 1/4 of the soap in a big glass jar and made a pretty label for it. I purchased this cool jar from Target to store it in while using. I used the Martha Stewart chalkboard labels to make it my own. They work perfectly for this use.

I've read where you are to use about 2 tablespoons per load. I use about 3, and add them directly into the tub/drum. I also add vinegar to the dispenser for bleach.

I'm so excited to start saving money again. What do you like to do to save money?

Happy Memorial Day!

Angela

I'll be partying here!

Homemade "Sweet Cream" Creamer & My Love for Coffee

Happy wonderful Wednesday! I say that so enthused!  My personal computer crashed, we changed Internet providers, someone cut fibers going into our building at work. I haven't had access to anything the last few days anywhere. (work or home) I didn't realize how much I rely on Internet. Well, onto a post that I had prepared for you!

 Don't you just love flavored coffee and creamer? I went online last week and purchased some of my favorite from Barnies. I'm so upset they have taken all the kiosk out locally. I loved stopping in and grabbing a cup while walking and shopping the mall. I prefer Barnies over Starbucks. I purchased a bag of whole bean Java Kalisat and a bag of whole bean  Santa's White Christmas. (It doesn't have to be Christmas time to drink this wonderful flavor. It's good all year round).

Mrs. Happy Homemaker shared a variety of different creamers a couple of months ago.  You can visit her site here. When I came across the sweet cream, I knew immediately, I had to try and make my own. This is the one that I'm addicted too currently!

My mother and I ventured out to Target this past week and I recommended that she try it. She did and loved it. Although her favorite is "White Chocolate Mocha" by International Delight, she really liked my recommendation. The great thing about it? You don't need sugar! Its sweet enough.

Sweet Cream Creamer

• 14oz sweetened condensed milk 
• 1 3/4 heavy cream 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR the inside of a vanilla bean, scraped 
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

I'm linking to Between naps on the porch and Here.

Venturing out locally to Jax Beach

My husband and I woke up Saturday morning with nothing to do except to cut the grass and pressure wash the fence. Well, we decided to spend the day enjoying the sunshine out and about instead. We headed south and ended up at Jax Beach. While its only 45-50 minute drive from us, we haven't been there in quite sometime. Once we got there we decided to grab some lunch. We chose Joe's Crab Shack. We ate there often when my hubby and I were dating.












My handsome!


We also stopped in and visited this little cottage shop I found on-line. It's called "Cottage by the Sea". I needed to pick up some Annie Sloan dark wax and this place carries just that!

After shopping around a little we decided to walk, walk and walk.

We seen the Naval Band playing on the boardwalk.

On the way home I wanted something to eat but wasn't quite sure what. We decided on frozen yogurt, but it wasn't as close as Dairy Queen. I know this may sound (un) American, but I don't really like ice cream. I opted for a chocolate dipped cone. Oh my! It was delish! I was really glad I went against my mind/gut and got it.

 It was a beautiful Saturday!