Chalkboard Fridge: NO SANDING, NO PRIMER

*NOTE: Please disregard the quality of my photos, I was using a cell phone, yes, I have become very lazy here recently*

I haven't updated in a long while. I've had more going on than I feel I could handle at times, and felt I needed a break from things. Ironically enough - blogging has always been a saving grace. I really need to stick with it and stop being lazy :) Anyway, so I wanted to talk about the chalkboard fridge.

I first noticed the idea on the television show, "Good Luck, Charlie". I was drawn to the chalkboard fridge and thought, my, now THAT'S an idea :)

I googled to my hearts content to get ideas, and  saw many people were sanding, and priming with magnetic paint, etc.

I am far too lazy for that. I didn't want to put money into my fridge that was gifted with my home purchase in 2004 - given that I am certain it doesn't have a long life left in it.

Armed with Rustoleum's chalkboard paint, I figured I'd give it a test.

You know, the scratch test. (Paint it, let it dry scratch it with your nail, if it doesn't knick you're good to go). Oh, and because I didn't want to shell out $20-$30 for magnetic primer, I tested it with a magnet as well.

As luck would have it, it passed both tests. AND, my fridge is INDEED the bumpy surface type. (joy).

(BELOW: I've no shame, it was laundry day)

So with a tiny roller, I applied the first coat, waited a day and did the second.  And that's all it took.

Chalkboard Fridge with NO PRIMER and NO SANDING = happy mama!

(Below: Photo Sticks To Fridge WITHOUT Needing Magnetic Primer)

Really, NO magnetic primer, NO sanding, just trusty Rustoleum's chalkboard paint, all by it's lonesome.

Of course, I used Mr. Clean and wiped down the fridge and let it dry before doing any of this.

When I clean it I use a rag with Mr. Clean as well before re doing a drawing or message - keeps it nice and contrasted with out too much chalk dust.

I've had it for 2 months now, and use it all the time - works like a charm. I LOVE IT.

(Below: Bible Verse For Easter Sunday)

I love even more that it didn't cost me a dime since I had the paint left over from the kid's closet doors. I am a happy mama! - And I just may paint the entire fridge in chalkboard paint, although I am still undecided.

Easy Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Quesadillas

((Please Ignore the Shoddy Cell Phone Photos, I Misplaced My Camera))

I promise, this is something you won't regret making, it is cost efficient, the kids will love it (well, mine do and they are super picky eaters), and it's super easy to make!!  I found the salsa chicken recipe on Sparkpeople some years ago, and wanted to share my version with my readers. :))

WHAT TO BUY:

* 3 chicken breast (boneless/skinless)
* Cooking spray
* 1 packet of taco seasoning
* Chunky Salsa (I get the Great Value Wal Mart brand)
* 1 can of black beans
* 1 can of kidney beans
* 1 can of reduced fat cream of mushroom soup
* Sour Cream
* Flour tortillas
* Shredded cheese of choice

                                               (Below: This is what the mixture will look like)

HOW TO PREPARE:

Get out your crock pot, and LIGHTLY spray with cooking spray.

*Rinse and lay chicken breast in crock pot.
* Sprinkle packet of taco seasoning DIRECTLY on top of chicken breasts
* Pour 1 and a half cups of salsa directly on top of that
* Add cream of mushroom soup *smaller can* on top of that mixture
* drain and rinse both black and kidney beans and add to pot



COVER and COOK AS FOLLOWS:

FOR FROZEN breast, start on high for 4 hours (to ensure you're killing bacteria and cooking fully) then switch to low for 8 hours (but you can end at 4 hours into the low process, or go the full 8 hours).

FOR THAWED breast, cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.

**ONCE CHICKEN IS DONE COOKING**

Take a large spoon and stab at the chicken to shred it up finely

Next add 3-4 TABLESPOONS of sour cream (your preference) and mix well.

YOU can serve this on rice, or pasta, or as tacos, I however prefer to use it on a quesadilla, and here is how you do that:

Spray a frying pan LIGHTLY with cooking spray, add one flour tortilla, then shredded cheese, and a generous amount of the salsa chicken mixture, top with the remaining flour tortilla shell and then flip to crisp other side.

(Below: My daughter LOVES these)

Cut into fours and serve with sour cream, salsa or guacamole.

I PROMISE this is so delicious you will NOT regret trying this recipe :)) I'd venture to say it far surpasses most restaurant's quesadillas :))

Just Randoms..

I haven't updated my blog in a while. (This seems to be a never ending story). :))

Mommy life keeps me busy. Well, life in general does that actually.

I'll have some new tutorials up soon. I've just been trying to find time between the chaos. So many changes this way that I haven't kept up with much.

Currently building the Tryde Coffee Table from Pottery Barn. Can't wait, it will look great!

My den still isn't complete, I am trying to gather stuff for a local consignment sale and all the while attempting to keep my sanity.

I've been budgeting like usual and money is tighter than ever.  I'll probably post some budget meals to make from scratch in the coming days. I've had my hands on a few here lately.

I hope everyone has been blessed :))

Gymbucks Redemption

I wasn't really impressed much with the Gymbucks redemption this go around.  I'll just be blunt, nothing was really on sale, and the sales prices were still way over priced in my humble opinion. But non the less, I know when all is said and done this brand does sell well on ebay and at consignment resales for a decent penny ;)

But still, cute items, and I had $25 in gymbucks to spend, so here is what I bought::

Sequin Anchor Stripe Tee:  $21.95

 

Ooh La La Dog Double Sleeve Tee $24.95 On Sale For: $4.99

Heart Cable Sweater Tunic $36.95 On Sale For: $21.49

Heart Button Plaid Skort: $29.95 On Sale For: $16.99

Totals Before Sales: $113.80

Totals with Store Sales: $65.42

-$25 in Gymbucks =$40.42

Then S&H was $5 and taxes $3 so $48.

Personally I think I would have faired better at the outlets, but I really do love the anchor top and think it will be adorable paired with some skirt she already has.  And I like the Lovable Giraffe line. I can't tell you why I bought the poodle shirt, it's not all too cute, but the $4.99 price tag looked tempting :))

Free bodysuit + free shipping when you spend $10 at Gymboree - it's back!

I was excited to see the free bodysuit + free shipping (which is $5 alone) coupon code came back!!  I have a nephew, so it's a freebie for him, and I win on free shipping. So I hit up the red balloon sale and this is what I spend a whopping $11.74 (taxes included):

Stripe Double Sleeve Bodysuit (for nephew)
$14.95 on Sale for $5.49 (ends up being free with free bodysuit code)

Poodle Stripe Panty
$5.95 on sale for $3.99

Dot Gingerbread Girl Panty
$5.95 on sale for $2.49

Gingerbread Cookie Panty
$5.95 on Sale for $2.49

Gem Bauble Bracelet
$9.00 on sale for .99

Gem Bauble Bracelet
$9.00 on sale for .99

Totals Before Sales: $50.80

Totals AFTER Red Balloon Sale: $16.04

- FREE BODY SUIT AND FREE SHIPPING COUPON when you spend $10 = $10.95
or with taxes $11.74



That's a savings of $39.85

$113.50 for only $2.21 at Bath and Body Works! - Maximizing Your Holiday Gift Cards!

One of my favorite things to do with holiday gift cards is take full advantage of the seasonal clearances to stock up on needed items in conjunction with online coupon codes! - Great way to utilize every single red cent and get more bang for your buck ;)) - Plus, I am sure the gift giver would be elated to know you got SO MUCH with their generous gift! Here is an example of saving MEGA bucks at Bath and Body Works using a $50 gift card tonight:

(1) Winter Cranberry Deep Cleansing Hand Soap $5.50 on sale for $2.50

(1) Winter Candy Apple Gentle Foaming Hand Soap $5.50 on sale for $2.50

(1) Winter Candy Apple Deep Cleansing Hand Soap $5.50 on sale for $2.50

(1) Citrus Garland Gentle Foaming Hand Soap $5.50 on sale for $2.75

(1)Fresh Picked Strawberries Deep Cleansing Hand Soap $5.50 on sale for $2.75

(2) Citrus Garland Deep Cleansing Hand Soap $5.50 on sale for $2.75

(1) Metallic Silver Snowflake Wallflowers Fragrance Plug $8.50 on sale for $3.00

(1) Nutmeg & Spice White Barn Wallflowers® Fragrance Bulb $6.50 on sale for $3.00

(1) Kitchen Lemon Deep Cleansing Hand Soap $5.00 on sale for $3.00

(1) Sweet Pea Volumizing Conditioner $7.50 on sale for $4.00

(3) Sweet Pea Volumizing Shampoo $7.50 on sale for $4.00

(1) Spiced Cider Wallflower 2-Pack Refill $12.50 on sale for $5.00 (making $2.50 each)

(1) Tis The Season Wallflower 2-Pack Refill $12.50 on sale for $5.00 (making $2.50 each)

Totals before Sale: $113.50



Totals WITH sale: $53.50



USE 20% off total purchase web coupon code: HOLIDAY20 = $10.70 off purchase



NEW TOTAL: $42.80

S&H + $5.99

= $48.79

+ sales tax $3.42

= $52.21

-$50 GIFT CARD CREDIT

=$2.21 OUT OF POCKET for 16 items SHIPPED :))



Original Sales Price of $113.50-$42.80 = SAVINGS OF $70.70 !!



After gift card a savings of $111.29 !!



Maximize your holiday gift cards using holiday clearance AND online coupon codes!!



I chose to get dishsoap because it is something my family will always use and the other items? Well, I just

love a house that smells great! ;))

A little bit of Christmas...

On a whim (as in literally the last minute), I decided I would hurry and do the kids Christmas portraits the other day.  Ethan was not into it - AT ALL - but, that's okay, as many photos as I took I managed some good ones. Here are just a few.

I hate that I have to watermark everything, but twice now some one has taken my images with out my permission, and someone in Canada even mirrored my entire blog (why?).

My life is anything but interesting, but I am glad someone thinks it is :))

If you are in my area, be sure to message me about getting your holiday photos done! $50 gets you a CD FULL of images all edited with a print release. God Bless <3>

Speaking of the holidays, Christmas is in just 15 days, and I very literally didn't realize that until this very moment, (I am lying, it was more like 2 hours ago). Anyway, I just now ordered Christmas photo cards from the pro lab I use, I am only done with the kids and some of my niece's and nephew's. I would say I am super slacking this year. 

I was really hoping to do some tutorials on home made Christmas gifts, like I did last year with the DIY Re purposed Barbie House Out Of Old Speakers. 

And well, with 15 days, I am sure I can throw something together in the meantime.

I am not going super all out for Christmas this year to be honest. I barely decorated, I'll do crafts with the kids, possibly visit the mall Santa, and my tree is just barely put together.

I am officially the laziest parent there is this year.

There's till time to get into the mood. :)) I hope anyway.

It really has been a busy last couple of months. MiMi's artwork was selected to be in a local art gallery at the high school, she has a Christmas pageant (not beauty, more like musical of sorts, I don't know what you call them) coming up next week, etc etc.

I promise my next blog will be a DIY :))