SIGNing in the Street

Blog friends! I've missed you.

Somewhere along the way, blogging has taken a back seat to work-ing, mommy-ing and live-ing. I've often thought about this page and the ideas I wanted to share, but haven't been able to find any extra time. I jumped into couponing head first around the holidays, and we've recently decided to buy another home this summer so we've been consumed with decisions about remodeling and budgeting.

Speaking about the new house, I recently joined Pinterest (still totally lost) and have been focusing on the kitchen we will be transforming into a 1950's-diner style. We will also be giving the family room a Game Room/Movie theatre theme. I am loving the online shopping and crafting that has come from this project! Check out this new table set and vintage (working!) fridge I scored on Craigslist-

And, the most exciting news recently, is not exactly news, but... I am thinking about heading back to Disneyland! In THREE weeks! Disney is putting on an AMAZING event for the Deaf community, and I couldn't be more excited. Check it out what I found online:

SIGNin' in the Street at Downtown Disney District

A celebration of creativity in the Deaf community

During this special 2-day-weekend event, embrace the social, technological and artistic accomplishments of world-renowned Deaf talent and local community organizations. This fun-filled, educational and exciting event is open to all — Deaf and hearing Guests.

Location: Downtown Disney District

Dates: March 17 and 18, 2012

Can't wait!

Mike the Chicken

I apologize to those who are easily queasy, but this story is too weird not to share. My oldest son is a self-proclaimed nerd who loves reading about useless facts. While checking out his new Guiness World Record book yesterday, he shared with me about Mike the Headless Chicken. Yeah, you heard that right.

We've all heard that a chicken can run around a bit even after it has been decapitated. Strange. Well, back in September 1945, the Olsen's of Fruita, Colorado decided to make a rather plump, 5 month old chicken their evening dinner. Lloyd Olsen was intentional to leave a long neck bone when he made his chop, but what happened next was totally unexpected. The chicken carried on being a chicken, running around and attempting to peck the ground for food. Lloyd found the chicken the next morning, still alive, sleeping with his head under his wing.

That wonderous chicken, later named Mike, went on to live for 18 more months, and grew from 2.5 pounds to 8 pounds. He was able to eat and live a happy chicken life. Don't believe me? I found a website dedicated to this wonderous pet. Get the details of Mike's story HERE.

A Review: Kohls

I'd like to take a moment to share with you my thoughts on the popular department store Kohls. I first encountered Kohls several years ago, and recently a Kohls store popped up in our home town. I have shopped our local Kohls three times, and all three of those times had a customer service experience that was above and beyond. Here is a summary of my three scenarios:

1) In August/September, I was desperately searching for a tuxedo or suit for my son to wear in a wedding. We found the last item we needed, black dress shoes, at Kohls on clearance for $9 (as well an another item). When I got to the register to pay, I realized I forgot my $10 Kohls voucher that I received in the mail. When I mentioned this to my husband, the cashier told me no problem, she would give me the discount anyway!

2) A few weeks ago I walked into Kohls to browse and found a few shirts I liked on a rack that was marked 60% off. However, the electronic sign on the rack only reflected a 25% discount. When I asked a sales associate, they confirmed the 60% sign was a mistake, but they honored the price for my purchase!

3) Unfortunately one of the above mentioned tops shrunk in the dryer, so last week I went back to Kohls to repurchase the top. They had it, so I went to buy it along with other clothing items as well. The cashier told me they have a hassle-free return policy and not to re-buy the shirt, but to go get my other one and do an exchange, even without a receipt or tags! She put it on hold for me and I did the swap the next day.

My local Kohls is three for three on satisfying this customer. I will absolutely be giving Kohls more of my business! And, in honor of this review, here is a 15% Off Printable Shopping Pass for Kohls (sale, regular and even clearance!) for you!

I would DEFINITELY cook more if I had this!

Awesome site for free vintage digital images!

If you like this



Or this



Check out this blog!: http://farfarhill.blogspot.com/

Oreo Ice Cream Torte recipe

Although this is not an original recipe, it's a true favorite in our household. There are many similar recipes online, some using pudding or cream cheese. The recipe I use is very simple, and sooo delicious-- it's a family favorite, for sure! Enjoy!

Oreo Ice Cream Torte

Ingredients:
-1 package of Oreo cookies
-2-3 tsp. of butter, melted
-1 container of vanilla ice cream (in a rectangular carton)
-1 tub of cool whip
-1 jar of fudge

Crush Oreos in a ziploc bag. Hold aside a 1/2 cup.



Mix remaining crumbs with melted butter and press into the bottom of a 10x13 pan to form a crust. Slice ice cream and lay slices evenly over the crust (I usually use a butter knife to smooth over the seams). Freeze for a few hours.





Microwave fudge and pour evenly over ice cream. Sometimes I include marshmallow topping as well. Freeze immediately.



After the fudge has hardened, add the Cool Whip in an even layer, and sprinkle with the remaing cookie crumbs. You could also add sprinkles or any decoration you wish (but be aware that the sprinkles will harden)! Serve frozen.



I have seen spin-offs of this recipe, such as strawberry ice cream and vanilla wafers in place of vanilla and oreos. Have fun playing with the recipe, and expect to have a hard time staying out of the freezer!

A Make-Up Trick

My mom turned me on to a neat trick the other day. Hold your hair dyer (on low heat) over your eyelash curler for 3-5 seconds before using. It's like a curling iron for your eyelashes! Be careful not to heat any longer, though, or it will be too hot for that thin, eyelid sensitive skin. It's best to touch it with your fingers first to test the tempature.

This is also a good trick for eyeliner pencils!

Great article & video about teachers.

The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries (click the title to read the article)
To revamp our education system, blame teachers less and pay them more.

"Whenever I'm about to do something, I think, "Would an idiot do that?" And if they would, I do not do that thing."
-Dwight, The Office

Revamped Jewelery Box

As you may know, I recently began making jewelery and other metal crafts. Since I just signed up to have a vendor booth at the Summer Craft and Yard Sale, I needed a way to showcase my jewelery pieces. I was inspired by an idea I saw at the Scrapbooking Expo last month, and decided to revamp an old jewelery box.

I ended up finding a simple jewelery box, as well as a wooden box that once held soap, at a local garage sale where I paid 25-cents for both pieces. I used some open-stock scrapbook paper, a glue stick, and Modge Podge to cover them. There are probably other (and better) ways of doing this, but this is what I came up with:

The Jewelery Box

Beginning to cover the Jewelery Box

The inside

Completely covered

The inside of the Jewelery Box

The wooden box

The completed wooden box