Cheese Tray Cheese ID Cards

Today was a special luncheon for the teachers and staff at my kids' school. I got to prepare a couple of cheese trays and crackers for the event. Not a big deal because I just had to make enough for 13 people (it is a small school). But kind of a big deal because I have to do this and juggle the little ones at the same time. It took me one "Busytown Mysteries", a "Dinosaur Train", lots of cheese pieces, and a couple slices of cinnamon bread to get it all ready.

I am sharing this with you because I made these little ID Cards to stick into the cheese and I think they are very helpful. I will definitely be using these a lot! I decided to modify the printable for you by including some of my favorites and some popular standards and then some blanks so you can write in your own flavors. Click on the image below. Then drag and drop to your desktop or "save as" to your computer. Be sure it saves as a .jpg file.

To assemble the picks, just cut out the squares and affix a toothpick on the back.

I used a piece of a white label but tape would also work. Then just stick the toothpick into the cheese to identify it. I regret not getting a pic of the finished trays. Very nice. And informative!

I used five different cheese selections today- white cheddar, sharp cheddar, pepper jack, smoked Gouda, a garlic and herb cheese, and some savory cream cheese bites that I made. Since I wouldn't be at the lunch I wanted to make sure the cheeses were labeled so if some one tasted one they liked they would know what kind it was.

I am blogging from my phone today! I might start doing this every Friday!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Apparently, Jewelry Making is Not My Strong Suit

So I thought I scored big yesterday!

Found these charms on clearance at Hobby Lobby that were just begging to become earrings. So I picked up these silver earring thing pieces (sorry, I do not know the jewelry making lingo). Wouldn't they be perfect earrings!? I thought so, too.

But the problem is...I don't do jewelry. Not a clue here. But I could really see them as earrings!

I gave it a shot. I put them together and voila!

A huge CRAFT FAIL*! The charms are facing the side (instead of the front!) ARGGH! How could I not see that coming!?



So that is my craft for today. And I did it wrong. HA!

*Actually, I just need to buy some jump rings and then the charm will be facing the right way. Oh well, guess that means another trip to Hobby Lobby....

Iced Coffee "Recipe"

With all the warm weather we have been having, I wanted to share with you my iced coffee recipe.

Though, I don't really consider it a recipe...it is more of a solution.


First of all, you are going to need some coffee ice cubes. When there is leftover coffee (if ever) pour it into an iced cube tray instead of throwing it out. I keep mine in the freezer in a ziploc bag and just keep filling the tray. Even if you have just a little bit of coffee left over, freeze it. Accumulate these babies one cube at a time if you have to.


Here is my version of iced coffee:

1. Fill my glass with coffee ice cubes.

2. Pour in some half and half. (I don't measure, but it's about 1/4 cup for a glass this size.)


3. Sprinkle in some sugar. Since sugar dissolves best in hot coffee, I usually pour the hot coffee in a mug and add my sugar to the mug. Then I pour the hot coffee from the mug to my glass.

4. Guzzle. Drink. Enjoy. Make another.


If you don't have coffee ice cubes yet, just make pot of strong coffee (add an extra scoop or so of grounds) and use regular ice cubes. But this solves two problems: One- I don't like to throw away coffee, especially expensive coffee. And Two- sometimes I need my coffee fast through a straw. Or what about when I just want a cold coffee!

Thursday Things

Since I have a hard time making things this week to share with you, I will share some information-things today. Confession: I plopped my 1-yr old in front of a cartoon to write this.

Thursday Things: About Me

1. I have three kids.

2. My kids crack me up. Often. Daily.

3. I had the privilege of living in Alaska for 3 yrs.

4. I didn't want to move there, but then I didn't want to leave.

5. Yes, it is cold.

6. Yes, in the summer it is light even at night time.

7. This is turning into an Alaska post. Sorry.

8. I used to have lots of time to craft and blog (and run an etsy shop)...when I had two kids. {sigh}

9. Sometimes I wonder if I do "too much", like cook, for instance.

10. I love to make and do things.

I have some cool tutorials planned. I can't wait to share them with you!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

I will leave you with a quick salad dressing that I whip up when we have Mexican food (which is a lot!). I don't measure, I just estimate...you can't screw this up!

2 parts salsa

1 part ranch dressing

sprinkle in some chili powder

Stir and done.

**(we like the Wal-Mart brand black bean and corn salsa because it is not spicy for the kids)

Pants. Pants. Pants!

I finally started on these pants.

#17 on my Craft Bucket List

I said started on them...but I made them a super easy way so all I have to do now is make a waistband. But I need the boy to try on the pants. This final step will have to wait until tomorrow because the boy is asleep (as is everyone else in my house).

Hittin the hay, too!