Ch-ch-ch-changes

To everything there is a season.  And the seasons, they are a-changing.

Part of that change is that I will no longer be posting much here at This IS My Day Job.  I will be focusing all my blogging attention and efforts on my other blog : My Really Real Reality and a new venture!

I am collaborating with my two sisters and the female offspring to launch a brand new blog "A Wise Woman Once Said..."

There will be more of what you are used to from My Day Job: recipes, tips for green living, money savings, home decor, etc.  Plus some new features such as style and organization!

I sincerely hope each of you will chose to head over to http://awisewomansaid.blogspot.com and follow us!

Cleaning Up

I've been making a half hearted switch to homemade cleaning products over the past year or two.  I had a few trusty recipes for items I used regularly - but hadn't really made a commitment to change.  I was still holding onto a few some several a large number of commercial (chemical filled) products. Until now.  After watching a documentary over the weekend on chemicals in cleaning and personal care items, the Man of the House and I are more interested in making the change complete.

Now... It. Is. ON! 

I have pulled every cleaning product out of my closet and have begun the process of finding effective, all natural, home made items to replace them. 

Finding myself a bit baffled that I have more than one "all purpose cleaner". If they are really ALL purpose, shouldn't one be enough?  Something to ponder...

I have recipes for all purpose cleaner, laminate floor cleaner, bathroom and toilet cleaners, dish soap, laundry detergent, glass cleaner, soft scrub style cleaner, and dusting spray.

I am still on the search for a good solution to use in my carpet cleaner, and air freshener.  So, if anyone has something that works well for them - PLEASE share!

Kitchen Cafe Curtains

After a long and exhausting search for new window treatments, the result is finally hanging over the sink!

I struggled to find cafe tiers that were the right size for this little window.  Finally, in the middle of about the 6th store where I looked, I had a light bulb go off!

I used a spring tension rod, curtain rings with clips, and two patterned napkins from World Market.  The napkins are the perfect length for this small window! 

Anyone else ever use something out of the ordinary to create new window treatments?

*** see the full story of our search for the perfect curtains HERE ***

Home Sweet Home

If you read this blog regularly you've seen the nifty iron hook rack my dad made for me when he was taking a blacksmith course at the local community college.  I love this thing, and am always trying to think of something cute to hang from the hooks. 

My most recent burst of creativity lead to this:

The glass letter P was a find at Michael's. 

A few frames from the dollar store, a few pieces of scrap booking paper, some ribbon, hot glue, a glue stick, and some letters printed off the computer as templates.

There ya have it! 

The best part (in my opinion) is that the frames can be easily opened from the back, which means I can switch out the letters for a different message or some pictures.  I'm already picturing some holiday themed paper to create "NOEL" for Christmas, and red and pink "LOVE" for Valentines.

Dollar Store Spring Wreath

With St Patrick's day over and done with for this year, it was time to take down the shamrock "Welcome" sign off the front door and replace it with something for Spring/Easter.  While on a trip to the dollar store with the male off spring I hit the jackpot!

A little grapevine wreath.  Some spring floral sprigs, and an adorable little birds nest.  Toss in a little hot glue and you have the perfect combination for a cute little spring wreath.

Add a bow with some ribbon I had left over from my inside Easter decor. 

And VOILA!  My Spring wreath is complete.

For only $4 people!!

And it looks soooo cute on my front door, if I do say so myself!

Using Dried Beans

For whatever reason, I have been timid about using dried beads.  I think it's because I see them as being so time consuming.  However, recently I have set that aside and taken the plunge.  No more canned beans for me!  With a little prep, they are ready to use when you need them.  And oh so much less expensive than canned!  A can of beans typically runs me about 75 cents.  A pound of beans is on average about $1.25 - which yields me the equal of about 4 cans of beans! 

I like to use the "Quick Soak" method to prepare my beans for cooking:  Pour dried beans into a pot.  Add 6 to 8 cups of water.  Bring to a boil for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and cover.  Allow to sit for 1 hour.

 Drain.  Rinse.  Sort through the beans, removiny any icky beans, small stones etc.  (In all the times I have ever used dried beans I have never ever found a stone.  Does this really happen??)

At this point, I cook the beans.  Return beans to the pot. Add 6 cups water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat.  Simmer 1 to 2 hours.

Drain and rinse. 

I bag the beans for freezing.  A can of beans without the liquid is about 1 1/2 cups of beans, so that is the amount I freeze per bag.

When I need a "can" of beans, I just pull a bag out of the freezer. 

Irish Beef Stew

IRISH BEEF STEW

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons flour

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pound beef stew meat, cubed

1 1/2 cups stout beer (I used Guinness - seems fitting)

4 potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 1/2 cups chopped carrots

1 cup diced green cabbage

1 pinch cayenne pepper

2 cups water

salt and ground black pepper to taste

In a zippered storage bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.  Add stew beef. Close bag.  Shake to coat.

Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven.  Add beef and garlic.  Cook until beef is browned on all sides, stirring as needed.

Stir tomato paste with a small amount of water to dilute it .  Pour into the pan and stir.  Cook 5 minutes.

Pour 1/2 cup of the stout into the pan, scraping the bottom to loosen the bits off the bottom of the pan. Pour in the rest of the stout. Add carrots, cabbage, and 2 cups water.

Cover.  Reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

I recommend serving with a nice bread.