OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Girls for Freedom opened up today!  Well, it actually opened a couple of days ago, but this morning I put up my first 3 listings!

Girls for Freedom Snapshop

Stop on by, if you have some time, and show some LOVE!!  If you're wondering about the back story on this shop, check here and here!

Let's BREAK THE CHAINS!
-kel

{eat me} Honey and Berries Green Monster

Have you ever felt like you just needed something good in your system?  Maybe you took a weekend trip and ate nothing but restaurant food.  All that grease, all that gunk, all that gluttony of over sized portions.  Let me introduce you to my friend, the GREEN MONSTER!

 I have been in LOVE with GREEN MONSTER smoothies, ever since I came across Idaho Girl Eat's GREEN MONSTER on Pinterest. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that smoothie, but I like to change it up every now and again.  My base is always a frozen banana and spinach and then the other add-ins are pretty much endless!!  Here is a PURPLE MONSTER for you today that I like to call Honey n Berries Green Monster, enjoy!

Honey n Berries Green Monster

1 Banana, Frozen

Frozen Mixed Berries

1-2 tsp honey

Spinach Leaves

Water and/or Milk

Add ingredients in the order they appear.  Stuff those spinach leaves in the blender, the more the merrier!  And enough water or milk to help loosen those solid ingredients so they can blend.  Give it a whirl for a minute or so, and enjoy!

-kel

Pinterest Thursday #9

It's that pinning time again!!! 

Why dontcha say HOWDY to another 

Pinterest Thursday!

via Diane Gullotta


When I seen this on Pinterest, it just spoke to me immediately!  Never would I have thought that I would be where I am at today, and yet, I wouldn't change it for the world!

via Bobbie Christopher

This just screams "heaven" to me!  I've made butter bars before (Pumpkin and Chocolate, Peanut Butter), but I think I need to try this recipe!  I think I'll take it warm and gooey with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream please!!

Happy Pinning!

-kel

insta-Wednesday#5

WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF 

Girls for Freedom Bracelets - coming to Etsy soon!

Green Monster Smoothies - iLove!

My Puppie Wuppie is growing up! - 2 week comparison L - 8 weeks, R - 10 weeks

NEW NIECE!! She is so darling :-)

I think I prefer to do these insta-Wednesday posts bi-weekly!  At times I'd feel obligated to post on instagram, just so I had enough pics for an insta-Wednesday post!  Taking something you enjoy doing and obligating yourself to do it can get you into trouble - trust me, I've done it before.  So these, at the least, will be bi-weekly posts!  One week I might go on an instagram frenzy, but bare with me if I skip a week :)

SNEAK PEEK: new etsy shop

I couldn't be more thrilled that my Etsy shopping is coming together - and coming together quickly at that!  I've created my first product that will be going into the shop!  And I've already got a buyer.  Guaranteed it is a cousin, but still yet - money back into the business right!

Girls for Freedom Bracelet in Coral

50% of the proceeds will be going to organizations that take a stand against sex trafficking.  If you want to know more about how this idea came about, check out the I've Been Inspired post.

Currently I'm in the process of figuring out total costs with Etsy fees and shipping fees.  I'm quite pleased the way they came out and am gaining inspiration from other pieces that other artists offer to add to my line.

Some ideas I have are to incorporate different knots and to introduce hand stamped pieces.

I'd love to know what you all think of the piece below!

PRINTABLE: Easter Subway Art

hiya folks!

time for another printable!

my inspiration for this piece was the song Via Dolorosa

made famous by the talented Sandi Patti

(NOTE: If you haven't heard this song, please please please Youtube it, iTunes it - 

whatever and listen to it! It is so moving.  My church uses the song 

yearly in its Easter production)

 here is the printable framed in a 5x7
on my desk at work.
i only made available an 8x10, but if you want a smaller size
let me know and i can resize it for you!

click on the pic below to download.

please don't distribute as your own, resell or any kinda crazy like that!
thanks!!

-kel

Pinterest Thursday #8

I'm going to keep it simple this Pinterest Thursday.  I'm not too sure if anyone noticed that I missed last week's posting.  At first I was a little bummed.  However, I'm learning to embrace "real life" and to not get so caught up online that I miss out on what is really going on around me that is most important (family and friends).

Since St. Pattie's Day is over, I figured I'd post my first Easter pin.  This is super simple (as my post is) - I guess we're going with a theme!

via It's All Fiddle Fart

How super simple this this!  I think it would be a great, inexpensive gift to make for your children to hand out to their classmates! I'm not a pro at paper crafts (i.e. that bunny), but I could do my own little rendition on Publisher!!

What great Easter pins have you found??

KEEPIN IT SUPER SIMPLE!

-kel

I'VE BEEN INSPIRED

source

 For those of you following my Facebook, you might have seen my little blurb about being inspired yesterday.  Some of you might have just passed it on, and some might have wondered why?

Well I will share a little bit today!

It all started with a conversation with my cousin who is currently in graduate school in Missouri. 

She is currently a Reverend, and is furthering her Biblical education 

to become a missionary.  Quite a few years ago she became involved in 

reaching out to those that have been affected by sex trafficking.  She

even raised monies to go on a missions trip to Maldova (a small little country 

in Europe where sex trafficking is extremely prevalent).

We started talking about earning extra cash and the idea just went BOOM off in my head.  Design a piece that people can buy that represents sex trafficking.  Partner up with an organization and give 1/2 the profit to them, and the rest back into purchasing supplies and the rest some extra cash.  While my cousin loved the idea, she just doesn't have the time to do it.  Though sex trafficking might not be something that I was extremely passionate about (the way she is), why should I let my idea just sit in my head??

source

I did a little research and found that there are many organizations that could use my help in there fight againstsex trafficking.  One organization I found in particular was MINGA [teens combating the child sex trade].  So while I'll still be posting posts about my everyday, INSTANT MOMMIE life; I have a new project that I am passionate about seeing come to fruition and hope that I can make a difference!

-kel

{off the grid} SUNDAY FUNDAY

On Sunday I had another off the grid day!  The Instants took a family trip to the Water Park and it was a blast!  We have a year pass (that we got at a darn good deal).  Trips to the park are now free for us with the exception of a minimal fee for parking - I tell you, even through the roughest economic times, some people still try to get you for every last dime you've got!

We had a blast on the slides, though our favorite one wasn't open it was okay! There were a lot more people there than the last time we went.  It was a lot more sunnier too!! Last time it was overcast and rained a little bit.  It actually sprinkled a little yesterday.  We all got quite a bit of sun.  The Mr. more than Me and Lil since he "didn't need" sunscreen.   Halfway through the day I made him put some on as he was already getting a pink tint.  It was a long day of climbing stairs and pathways to get to the rides and lugging up big tubes to go down the slides, but it was a ton of fun and we were all worn out by 4pm!  Thank goodness I had leftovers from Saturday night.  I love warm up dinners!!!  We missed our puppy, but had a great day, just the 3 of us!

TUTORIAL: Custom Candy Wrappers

This week has been crazy trying to pull together a birthday party for my Mr.  I decided to do my own favors, as if I didn't have enough going on already...  Almost 4 years ago I threw my mom a HUGE 50th birthday bash.. and ordered custom candy wrappers online (oh ignorant me).  So I decided to make one myself... FOLLOW ALONG! (PS: The sample is not of the Mr. - obviously, but of my darling niece.  She's next!!)

Wrapper Background courtesy of the lovely ASHLEY at THE LATEST FIND

1) Buy the Hershey's (or similar) candy bars that you want to wrap.

2) Measure it vertically and horizontally.

3) Open your publishing program and draw a square shape or text box the same horizontal size and triple the vertical with an added 1/4" to 1/2" for depth.  My wrapper was 4.5" x 5" approximately.

4) Draw one box for the front of the bar, and design as you see fit.  I added a picture and some text.

5) Draw another text box for the Nutritional Info and/or Ingredients.  I decided not to get too fancy and "authentic" and just wrote the Ingredients.  Place the box towards the top of the wrapper and flip it 180 degrees so that it is upside down.

6) Print one wrapper and test it out.  Adjust boxes as needed.  Once it is finalized, you should be able to print two wrappers per sheet (8.5x11") of paper.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1st Option:  Leave the ALL, NEW plastic wrapping on the Hershey's bar and wrap it with the wrapper.  Use a piece of double sided tape, glue dots or a glue stick to stay in place.  If you're giving this to kids (especially in a classroom setting) this would be a good option for sanitation!

2nd Option:  Take the candy bar out of the wrapper, wrap with foil (cut a little wider than the bar to fold over, and same vertical as the custom made candy wrapper), and then wrap with wrapper.  Use a piece of tape or glue stick to stay in place.

I prefer to use the tape or glue stick so that guests can save the wrappers if they choose to do so, better than it ripping from a stronger adhesive such as spray adhesive)!

QUESTIONS??? Comment below or contact me using one of the methods on the Contact Page!

-KEL

insta-Wednesday #4

i know this is a day late... i had every intention of doing this post when i got home from work.. but that darn lil puppy of mine.. just took over!!!

anyhow.. i'm mixing things up a bit for this insta-Wednesday.. i'll be posting my pics via story.. so follow along why dontcha!

I love when I get to go off property for work! 
Especially when I come across scenery

such as this!

It is so peaceful and calming.

I'd rather be exploring nature than working.

Oh well...

Times are hard working a nine to five.

Thanks to my

afternoon delight, I'm able to make it!

Can you say, chocoholic!

On my way home from that nine to five, I occasionally stop by

my Grandpa's house for a quick visit.

Nothing like visiting with my

nephews, and watch them show each other

brotherly love!

After all -

"love is what makes the world go round,"

right? 

Finally - after coming home, taking care of my family

 (dinner, picking up the house, etc.) 

and seeing this lil guy

all the hulla-baloo of life is worth while,

and I'm ready to go at it again tomorrow! 

-kel

{eat me} Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake

triple. CHOCOLATEY. goodness.

Last week I had a few days off of work for Mr. Instant's birthday.  I did quite a bit of recovery from the 3 day celebrations!  On Tuesday, I finally got some motivation to make this bundt cake that I have had on my mind ever since Crystal at Mrs. Happy Homemaker posted her German Chocolate Bundt Cake.

It reminded me of this cake that a former co-worker used to bring to work every now and then - it was her SECRET Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake.  Though I don't have her recipe, I figured I'd create my own using the method Crystal used.

Preheat your oven to cake box directions.  Mix your chocolate cake batter according to package directions.  (NOTE:  This box had pudding already mixed into the batter).  Then I stirred in Chocolate Chunks.  Please switch from a whisk to a spatula, from this point on - unlike the pic below.

Then I folded in a 1/2 tub of frosting...

...frosting is my secret weakness... 

ssshhh!! don't tell no one, especially Mr. Instant...

Before I folded, I took that darn whisk out! And got smart with my Spatula.

Grease and flour your cake pan, or just use Baker's Joy! Seriously worth every penny!!

Bake 45-60 minutes, pending on cake directions and size of your pan.  Check with a toothpick.  Let completely cool in pan before removing.  Cake is very fragile.  Enjoy with a glass of cold milk.

BAKER'S NOTE:  My pan is a little shallow, so I had plenty batter leftover.  I made mini loaves with the extra batter to take to work.

{off the grid} The Instants + 1

This is my first Off The Grid Post!!  I was actually Off The Grid from Saturday til today, Wednesday!  Trust and believe, my hands were definitely full :-)


We have a puppy!!  Mr. Instant and I are quite the spontaneous couple.  We've been wanting a puppy for quite a while and we finally got him on Saturday.  He is a Jack Russell Pit Bull mix.  Quite the terrier of terror dontcha think??  I've read mixed reviews of them.  I think with good puppy classes and obedience school he'll do just fine!

The first night he whined a whole bunch.  I put my pillow by his crate so he could smell me better and it soothed him so we all could get some rest!  His kennel is too big for him (something I read up on after getting him) and so he did pee in there.

Sunday I spent all day with him, following him around when he needed to pee because he WOULD NOT go on the pee pad.  Around seven at night he fell asleep on the couch.  This time, I created a "sleeping space" and "pee space" in his kennel.  I got the idea from Modern Puppy and the Puppy Apartments they sell.  I put him in there, while I was still watching TV.  Around nine, he started pawing at the door, so I took him out.  And VOILA.... he pee'd on the pee pad!  Yay puppy :).  So Sunday night was much better.  He didn't wake us at all, and used the pee pad when he needed in the middle of the night, and then slept comfortably on his blanket.

I'm on quite the puppy learning adventure right now, and have been neglecting my blog emails (yes I am a fan of following through email.  So much easier to keep track of posts you've read and those you haven't!).  Having a lil pup can be a little stressful, but as soon as he curls up right next to you it makes everything worth it!

-kel

Pinterest Thursday #7

hidie ho!

its pinterest thursday :-)

this week we've got 4 different pins.

two are crafty

and two are foodie!!

here we go :)

"Best" Peanut Butter Cookie repinned from Kayla Conover

DIY screen printing repinned from Linda Gardner

Crispy Brussels repinned from Erica Callahan

Contact Paper Vases repinned from Nora Collogan

i think i have everything i need for those cookies to make tonight!

that screen printing thing looks so much fun for football season (think DIY last names on our fav STEELER's shirts).

we love brussels... just another way for us to eat up those bags we buy at costco!

ummmm... i think yes.  i have everything to make these vases.. i just need to find some time!!

happy pinning!!!!  link some of your fav pins in the comments :) or comment on these!!!

-kel

insta-Wednesday #3

hiya!!!

let's get down to business, shall we??

with all my busy-ness this past week, i didn't instagram as much...

but i did do some instagramming!!

that, my dear friends, would be a hawaiian plate!  the red? lomi salmon.  

the brown meat to the left of the lomi salmon? pipikaula.  the white? haupia.  

the shredded pork next to the purple stuff? kalua pig.  the purple stuff? poi.  

the brown looking stuff in the white bowl?  its actually green, and its squid luau. :-)

i had been craving hawaiian food for quite a while! and i got my fix!!

it was soooo rainy!!! saturday and sunday it was on and off... 

but monday and tuesday - oh boy 

did the rain come down!!!!  so gloomy and no sun :(

 

and on the BEAUTIFUL insta-Wednesday, 

Mr. Sun finally decided to come out to play!!

too bad i'm working :(

and that's all she wrote folks! 

see ya next week for another edition of insta-Wednesday!

-kel

{off the grid} No Living = No Writing

It's amazing how much can happen in one week.  I feel so behind on posts, but it is OKAY!

You can't write about life, if you don't live life.

Let's give a big THREE CHEERS for LIFE!

For those following me on Facebook, you might have known that my absenteeism on blog posts was due to the fact that we had a birthday!!  This past weekend we celebrated Mr. Instant's birthday!  It was hard work doing everything by myself, but well worth it.  The party was a success and he was a very happy Mr.  Everything was decked out with his favorite football team's decor,   PITTSBURGH STEELERS.  On his actual birthday we went to a few of his favorite hangouts and did what he loves to do - enjoy music and have a "few".

There is way too much to catch up on, on  a single blog post.  Later in the week I'll be talking about my OFF THE GRID day, and progress on my upcoming ETSY store.

Stay Tuned,

Kel

{eat me} Crockpot Shoyu Chicken

Growing up in Hawaii, every kid welcomed the smell of Shoyu Chicken simmering on Grandma’s stove top as they came home from school.  Personally, in my family, my cousins & I, couldn’t wait till Grandma took a Soap Opera break so we could sneak in a taste!

I’ve compiled a few different family renditions of this childhood favorite, to create my own recipe, and then converted it to be made in a slow cooker.  I mean, really, who has time to let a pot simmer on the stove for a few hours now a days..

I hope you try this Hawaii favorite.

Crockpot Shoyu Chicken:

 

1 cup shoyu (soy sauce
1 cup white wine
1 cup sugar (white or brown – I like brown)
Fresh Garlic, pressed or minced – I use 4-5 cloves, pending on your taste
Fresh Ginger, 5 slices
4-5# Skinless Chicken thighs (frozen)
For garnish, green onion (scallions)

Combine all ingredients except for garnish in your crockpot and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or on high for 3-5 hours.  If your chicken is not frozen, it may take less time for the chicken thighs to finish.  If you choose to, you may thicken the sauce with a dissolved cornstarch.  Garnish with Green Onion and serve with Rice.  (Make sure not to bite into a piece of ginger – might not be too pleasant!)

NOTE: If you have leftovers, the fat will separate from the sauce, and your sauce will gel upon refrigeration.

Please ENJOY! 

kel

Pinterest Thursday #6

its a PIN-tabulous thursday!!!

this week i am featuring a whole lotta GREEN

1. [Subway Art] LUCKY - by Eighteen25

2.  Green Pudding Dessert - by Kroma Design Studios

3. Cup O' Luck - by Frazzled Five

I love the Subway Art.  Each time I see a new one I keep on hitting myself for not creating a make-shift mantle for my living room yet!!  And everyone that I follow (Jen at Frazzled Five included) keeps making me want to get a Silhouette.  Actually, I'm selling my Kindle Fire that I never use to go towards getting one!!

and now for some of my latest random PINS!

 1. Steeler's 7th Heaven (7 Layer Dip) - by Sarah Sprague

2. Frosted Privacy Window - by Making it Feel Like Home

3. Ziplock Freezer Smoothie Packs - by New Nostalgia

The seven layer dip is straight up for Mr. Instant.  He is a Steelers FANATIC!  And I love the Moroccan styled privacy window.  Currently it is my favorite style theme (don't let me go to Target, they have everything Moroccan in their right now, so bad for my wallet).  And the Ziplock Freezer Smoothie Packs is just a genius idea for me.  I always buy fresh fruits in the good intentions of doing breakfast smoothies.. I think this little trick just might help me out in that department!!

I hope you enjoyed this PIN-ful thursday!! Come back next week for more great pins!!

-Kel