Easy Peasy Oven Breezy and FREE Shaklee Scour Off

I love letting people know when I find amazing products, first because I love finding them - they make our lives so much easier which I am ALL about because it allows me more time to do the things that are important to me - like spending time with my boys!  Secondly, there are so many things in this world that we can find to complain about, I love being able to promote a product that a company stands behind and works well!
We have a flat top stove, which I am IN LOVE with!  SO much easier to clean than the coil burner kinds.  However, when something spills or boils over you are left with this:

The above pics were taken after scrubbing the stove top with a normal dish rag.  You are not supposed to use SOS pads or other abrasive cleaners on these ceramic stove tops so I was reluctantly content to leave it that way thinking that I guess that's just how they look when you use them.
Then one day I came home and saw this:

My dear husband often will tackle the really tough cleaning jobs in our place while I do all of the normal household maintenance and daily chores.  When I saw how amazingly clean and like new the stove top looked I asked how he did it.   I expected an answer that revolved around some very foul smelling toxic but new and amazing oven cleaner, but what he showed me instead was this:

This is a Shaklee product.  I haven't used very much of Shaklee's things yet but I am SOLD on this product!  It is all natural made from ground up cherry pits.  NO harsh smells, chemicals or toxins!
Here is what the shaklee site says about it:
Here’s an exclusive scouring cleanser that sets a new standard. It’s a paste, so it doesn’t form dust clouds. It cleans stuck-on messes. It even cleans burnt-on food in your oven. And it doesn’t burn off your nose hairs in the process.

Rivals Ajax^® with Bleach Powder Cleanser and Comet^® with Bleach Disinfectant Cleanser in the removal of kitchen grease and grime.*

• Natural ingredients remove the toughest dried-on splatters and spills, burned-on grease, baked-on food, and sticky messes without hazardous chemicals or toxic fumes
• Scour Off is made from natural mineral abrasives and biodegradable cleaning agents; it does not contain chlorine, bleach, or dye
• Scour Off gently removes stains other cleansers can't and is great for cleaning tubs, ovens, sinks, and tiles
• It will even remove rust, and is great for cleaning these surfaces: copper, grout, cement, ceramic, and imitation marble
• Wide-mouth jar makes it easy to use

Clean credentials:

• Non-toxic
• Natural abrasives
• No harsh chemicals
• Biodegradable surfactants
• No phosphates

I LOVE finding a great product that is all natural THAT WORKS for cleaning my house - it makes my heart happy to use products that aren't harmful to my family or the environment.  Here's what it looks like:

All you do is use a clean dry rag and apply the paste in small circular fashion scrubbing as you go.  

Let it sit for a couple of minutes, squeeze some hot water onto it and then wipe it off with a damp rag.  That's it!  Easy Peasy Oven Breezy!

My good friend Kyla sells Shaklee.

You can email Kyla HERE with your order and when you email her be sure to let her know that you found her on Christie's blog.  Then she'll enter your name for a draw and one lucky winner will receive a FREE scour off a $9.40 retail value - try and find a coupon worth that much - LOL!

Let me know what you think once you get a chance to use your Scour Off!  I love mine and I think you will too!

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Borscht

My friend invited me out to her beautiful garden to pick some beets - which I did!

I have learned that I quite enjoy beets and knowing how good they are for you makes me happy to feed them to my family.  I wanted to make borscht and needed a good recipe and another friend of mine posted this one on facebook so I tried it!
I started with 2 of these:

Then I just started adding veggies.  Beets, potatoes

I used about 1/2 a head of cabbage coursely chopped:

I also put some carrots and an onion in.

Then I added a can of chopped tomatoes and some tomatoe paste.

I realized when I was editing this pic that the tomatoe paste looks like a chicken - LOL - can you see it?
Put it on the stove and let it simmer about 2 hours and you get this:

We like ours with sour cream!

This was so yummy!  Doesn't it make you feel good body and soul when you know you are nourishing yourself and your family with something so healthy!
Here's the recipe if you're interested:
2 containers of beef broth - aprox 2 L
4 medium beets chopped into bite size pieces
1 small bag of baby potatoes chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 head of cabbage coursely chopped
1 big handful of carrots chopped
1 onion finely chopped (my kids don't like onions so I have to hide them)
1 can of chopped tomatoes
1 can of tomatoe paste
1 handful of fresh dill

Put everything in a large pot and bring to a boil.  Simmer two hours and serve with a dolop of sour cream!  This is even more yummy a day or two later!
Let me know if you try it and what you think and if you have any other beet recipes or beet green recipes I'd LOVE to hear them!

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Take This World and Give Me Jesus!

I just love this song "Where I Belong" by Building 429.  I think it should be sung as an anthem by all christians!  Such comfort knowing He has all the answer we need and we're only passing through here.

Have a blessed Sunday! Pin It

Its Raining Flowers!

I caved and ordered this new set Raining Flowers from the Idea Book and Catalogue!  I just couldn't stand NOT stamping this flower with marina mist!  The texture reminded me of denim and I love how this card turned out!

The products I used are: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist and Whisper White cardstock; red riding hood, marina mist and basic black ink;
Raining Flowers Stamp set:

Teeny Tiny Wishes:

Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, button, 

linen thread:

The square lattice embossing folder:

The corner rounder punch:

Paper Snips:

and of course my Big Shot:

To order any of these great products, email me today!

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Fill Them Up Friday!

Fridays I'm going to post on parenting and/or kid stuff!  This week I wanted to chat about time management with kids.  There are so many demands on our time and some days I just want to turn off the computer and the phone, order in and spend the day playing and talking with my kids.  Learning what makes them tick - what they love to do, trying to see the world through their eyes.
I'm fully convinced that if we do not win their hearts when they are little, we not only have the right to speak into their lives when they are adults, they won't come to us or listen when they do need advice.  These are the times we have the opportunity to do that.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 in the New Living Translation says:
"So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Teach them to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
This strikes me as an everyday practice.  Not a special occassion or Sundays only kind of thing.  God is telling us - make this part of your life - everyday - all the time, teach your kids about me.
You know what is so great about kids that are raised in homes that believe in God - they ask questions about what God is like, not IF God is real.  That is so amazing!  That kind of faith and pure faith amazes me and I want to nurture it and cultivate the love of God in my kids lives.
The biggest way I can do that is to demonstrate that love for them.  My love fails pathetically in comparison to God's love for them but getting on the floor, building lego, coloring, playing games, reading books and doing all the things they love lets them know that I care about what is important to them - just like God.  It lets them know that I am involved in the little things in their lives - just like God.  Most of all, it lets them know how much I enjoy spending time with them - just like God.
One of the things we're doing this summer is having an Isaiah day, a Jacob day, and Eli day and a Benjamin day.  We are going to do whatever they want on their day, eat what they want to eat and my activities for those days will center around them.  The laundry, bills, gardening, cooking and yep, even blogging will all be moved to the back burner and we will center on them!
If you have children or grandchildren or nieces or nephews or friends or neighbors that you have the opportunity to influence, I would LOVE to hear your ideas and the things you have done to impart the life of God into their lives and make them know that they are loved and important.
Take time today to see life through the eyes of a little person - it just may light your heart up in ways you couldn't imagine. Pin It

Welcome to Thrifty Thursday!

Happy Thursday everybody!!  I wanted to include some thriftiness in my blog posting to help us all be a little more frugal and faithful with what God has brought into our lives!
Andy and I got to spend the day together on Saturday which is rare and we took little Benjamin with us to enjoy a little "only child" time.  Our first stop was the local thrift store!  Here's what we found:
Very good friends of ours that are like grandparents to the boys gave Eli an electric bass guitar that he's teaching himself how to play.  We found this book for 3.00!

Pretty apothacary jars.  I have my eyes on a buffet from IKEA that I'd like to decorate with these pretty jars. 

Here is some of the inspiration I found:

The jars were 1.00 each.  

We also picked up this cute little bedside table for 20.00

and this IKEA headboard for 10.00

We're going to sand them both and paint them black for Isaiah's room!

We also picked up a black and decker electric sander for $5.00 - perfect to use on the furniture!

In all we spent $40.00!  I'm pretty happy with our little haul.  When you take the time to look around you can find some really amazing deals - especially if you're willing to put in a little elbow grease!  

The thing you have to be careful about with thrift stores and garage sales is you can't buy things "just because its a good deal" or you'll end up with alot of stuff with no use and before long you'll be featured on an episode of hoarders - LOL!

I'll post pics of the furniture once we're done refinishing it!

I hope this inspires you to spend a Saturday thrifting!  Have a list and a budget and head out in your neighborhood to see what you can find to upcycle!

Let me know what you find!

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Howl - O - Ween!

It’s always more fun to stamp with friends! 

When you sign up with me and Stampin Up! in August, you  will get a Howl-o-ween Printer’s Tray project kit absolutely FREE—a $75 value! This exclusive kit contains the perfect elements of a spooktacularHalloween decoration!* 

*Project kit does not include ink

Signing up with Stampin Up! is such a great choice!  It is very affordable - your starter kit costs $125.00 and contains $155 worth of Stamping products that YOU get to pick - it is COMPLETELY customizable so if you've been stamping for a while you still get to pick all the products that you would on an order.  Plus, as a demonstrater, you earn minimum of 20% off everything you order.  SU has so many amazing sales all year long that the savings really start to mount! If you love stamping and paper crafts and would like to join my team from anywhere in Canada - you can do that HERE.  If you have any trouble at all or have any questions, don't hesitate to email me!

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LOVE those Flowers!

I've been admiring the beautiful flowers in the Idea Book and Catalogue.  However, I don't have the blossom punch but I had a project in mind for them so I had to improvise.  I used the Fun Flowers die in my big shot!  Here's how they turned out:

The colors of the flowers are pink pirouette, wild wasabi, pool party , and so saffron.  They are a beautiful collection of summer colors!  Here is a close up:

They turned out beautifully, I'm just thrilled with them and my house full of boys thinks they are pretty nice too ;0)

The frame is from IKEA and the lettering is of course the decor elements from last year.  I try to switch whatevers in the box seasonally, leaves in autumn, christmas balls in the winter, etc.  So, this is my summer insert!  Enjoy!

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Christmas in August?

Its time for the Holiday Mini!  I was so impressed with the new products Stampin Up came out with in the new Idea Book and Catalogue and the Holiday Mini is no exception!
You can browse through it here:

 Stampin Up has also combined products in 'bundles' to offer you even more savings!  Here is a look at just one of the great bundles you'll find in the Holiday Mini:

If you are interested in any of the products you find in the mini please email me and I'd love to order them for you! Pin It

Ikea and Marriage!

Whenever we travel by car I try to make a quick stop into IKEA since the closest one is 4 hours away from us.  The thing I really like about IKEA is that the products are current and stylish and are an affordable price so that if in a year or two you want to change your decor, you can!

Our master bedroom always seems to end up being the last room to get decorated and ends up being a dumping ground for everything that doesn't have a spot.  I want that to change.

In my post a few days ago about our short overnight getaway, I spoke about how important it is to have that time alone with your family.  Mark 6:30-32 in the message bible says:  The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught.  Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." ...So they got into the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves.

The same is true for couples.  Andy and I have tried to get away as a couple at least every year and a half but its been quite a bit longer than that since the last time we had time alone for more than an evening.  We both work very crazy schedules with shift work and very often find ourselves going days without even having a 1 hour conversation.  It is so easy to get disconnected in the world we live in.  We go about our days in the rat race of life doing what needs to get done but very often neglecting that which is most important.  In our heart to hearts Andy and I often talk about trying to be more intentional with the way we live our lives and one of the ways of doing that is to MAKE time to be together and connect as a couple.  I thought you might enjoy hearing a man's perspective on this so here are some of Andy's thoughts regarding time away as a couple:

Marriage, it is the single most important relationship you will have in your life aside from your relationship with God.  It takes, patience, kindness, and willingness to change.  Life seems to bring a plethora of burdens, temptations and distractions that have the potential to drive a wedge between a husband and wife. It is in this that it becomes so important to BE INTENTIONAL. 

"If time together is not a priority, by the time the kids are out of the house, your careers are in cruise control and there is a sense of slow down, you will realize that you are living with a stranger.  Time to connect with each other is one of the cornerstones of a successful marriage.  Not only does it allow a break from all the normal rat race of life, but it also allows you to get back to the way it was before all the other distractions were introduced.  The coffee and dessert or suppers are nice but going away together for even a few days is essential.  How about sending the kids to the grandparents house or some close friends or family and doing a five day cruise?  I know… A five day cruise, how dare I suggest something so preposterous?  Without the kids?  Unheard of. 

When my wife and I are away together, it gives us an opportunity to get back to the us before all the “stuff” began.  We laugh louder, we smile harder and have time to enjoy each other.  I get to remember how beautiful my wife is and we get to enjoy ALL the things that brought us together in the first place. 

Time away allows you to build your relationship and invest into each other.  All of the “stuff” will be there when you get back.  Your life together is something that has to be built, it doesn’t happen overnight.  It takes commitment.  Be intentional, even if it’s going out for supper at a local restaurant for a couple hours, or coffee and dessert at your favorite place.  Anything worth building needs a good foundation and any foundation needs to be maintained.  Sometimes it may be difficult to be intentional but it needs to be a priority in any marriage."

I wanted to give you something to think about regarding investing in your marriage.  Our biggest hinderance in "going away" together is money.  After ten years of marriage, the conclusion we have come to is that while its easy to say, "we can't afford it.", the truth is that we can't afford NOT to do it!

However, having said all of that, we need to find ways to connect on a more regular basis as well.  As much as we'd love to have an amazing, romantic rendevous every month or so, the truth is that we can't.  Where does that leave us?  Well, that's where Ikea comes in - LOL!  

While our bedroom is the room most neglected, it is also possibly the most important place to create a sanctuary, a romantic retreat that we both should feel completely comfortable in.  I have the kind of husband that would not care if I decorated the entire bedroom with pink flowers and while I LOVE flowers, I try to be careful that our bedroom feels like a comfortable retreat for him as well.  

So, that's my mission right now.  We have this dresser from Ikea:

Andy and I have been sharing it and he will openly tell you that he's SICK of sharing - LOL!  So, on this last trip to Ikea we bought this one to match:

We have this duvet cover:

I know right now the trend is not toward having a bunch of matching pieces but I have to confess that I am still a matchy matchy

I'll post pics as soon as I get things decorated.  We also want to paint but I'm going back and forth about colors so I need your help!  Here are my choices:

Old stone and Stardust:

to accomplish this kind of look:

OR Yarmouth Blue and Kendall Charcoal:

to accomplish this kind of look:

I think they are both really fabulous and I know that I love the blue and charcoal because I've painted these colors in other projects.  I've also used the old stone in other projects as well and I know I really love it.  UGH - such a tough choice!  What do you think?

While you're thinking about it - here are a couple pics I took at Ikea of things that I loved:

I'd love this EKTORP couch and love seat in my living room:

here is my inspiration:

I'd LOVE your feedback and I can't wait to hear from you all regarding what color you think I should paint!  I'd also love to hear about what you do to stay connected with your spouse and if you've created a romantic retreat!

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