10 Things I like about Summer

Camping

Grilling

Walking around the lake

Pool

Flowers &Garden

Farmers Market

Garage Sales

Sunshine

Patio Eating

Fishing

Where Art Thou?

Have you heard ”Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ― Pablo Picasso I really don’t have musical ability and my artistic skills aren’t much better.   Somehow it was time, I had to unleash my inner artist.  That’s ‘arrrrti…..ssss…ttttt’ pronounced in a very long fashion for  a word.  I cam across a lovely inspiration picture from http://the2seasons.com/ blog.  You can see it below.  I could paint that.  I loved the colors. 

I went to Wal-Mart and found some canvas, paint and brushes. Slowly I made lines, short lines, long lines, blended lines.  There isnt a right or wrong way.  I wanted it to match as closely as I could.  I only had 12 colors and some were black and brown, which I didn’t want in the picture. I mixed colors to get shades of red, pink, purple, blue, yellow, orange and green.  Here is how it turned out.

What do you think?

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
― Leonardo da Vinci

Should  it hang Vertical or horizontal?

Right now, I have it the frame horizontal (lines are vertical). I love it.  Custom art at a inexpensive price, and a good way to freshen up for Spring.

Strawberry French Toast with Whip Cream

Do you ever order Strawberry French Toast with Whip Cream when you go out for breakfast? If you are like me, then you don’t, opting for eggs or a something else off the menu.  Then you see the one person who did order French Toast, the wait staff carrying the plate of golden toast, covered in strawberries and whip cream, looking heavenly and you vow next time!  Or, you can make this at home. 

• 1 Cup Half and Half
• 3 Eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)
• tablespoon of Bisquick or pancake mix
• 6 slices of bread. I used white, it what I had and like it better than wheat.

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together the half and half (I have used 2% milk, or even evaporated milk and its fine), Bisquick,  honey, eggs and vanilla.  I like mine sweeter so you can either add a dash of powdered sugar now or on top, once it’s cooked.

Heat skillet on medium heat, Place a pat of butter or oil in skillet.  When water sizzle on it, its hot enough, but not so hot as to burn the french toast.  Be careful, we don’t want to burn the toast. (not like when I was 7 and I’d burn the pancakes.)    Dip a piece of bread into the mixture, coat very well and place in skillet. Cook each side a couple of minutes until the egg mixture is cooked through and has a nice golden color to it. Repeat for other slices.

Take frozen strawberries, in blender, and pulse and add a dash of sugar.  This makes a liquid berry mixture, then  top a slice of French Toast with berries and whip cream (I used cool whip or you can whip your own), add syrup and powdered sugar  as desired. Yum

We had this for supper one night which made it even better!

Introducing Frugnilla Ice Cream for Frugal Folks

April 1st 2013   It’s more than vanilla ice cream, its “Frugnilla”, ice cream for fugal folks who don’t want anything in their ice cream. Frugal Home Hindsight has been in negotiations and is close to launching a brand of ice cream geared to those who are frugal.

This ice creams claim to fame is that it doesn’t have anything in it. We are calling it, Frugnilla. This according to market research studies conducted, appeals to frugal folks looking to save money, and not wasting it on extra fillers.  On a recent straw poll, consumers reported they would be satisfied buying Frugnilla, if they could save more money by removing extras from ice cream like tracks, chips, caramel,  marshmallows  cookies, fruit, nuts and flavors, leaving just pure ice cream.

Brainchild of Frugnilla, Frugal Home Hindsight creator, Chris, when recently asked if it will be a problem for the brand going forward to only have only one flavor, said, “It’s too early to tell, but I whole heartily believe in giving the frugal folks something they have been asking for. I go to the store and see the freezer cases filled with many ice cream flavors and brands. I stand there not knowing which one to buy. Do I have to decide between one those designer ice creams sacrificing my budget, or going home empty handed for my child,  when I just want a plain ice cream?

Like everyone, I want to save money AND have an ice cream I like. I wonder if that is too much to hope for?  These other companies have a huge share of the market, but we are niche product filling a desire!”

When a leading consumer magazine did a side by side compassion study on vanilla and Frugnilla ice cream and found them to be identical, Frugal Home Hindsight said” No Comment”  At press time, there was no signed contract for manufacturing this product.

 

Dog Treats

Ever make treats? I have once before and wanted to try another recipe.

• Reasons to make your own dog treats
• Control what is in the recipe
• Recalls
• Know what your dog likes, tasty
• Unhealthy additives

I found this recipe online. Okay I’m not sure why I picked this one.  It has bananas. Doesn’t that sound good for dogs? I mixed the dough, I liked the shape, using a cookie cutter.

• Ingredients:
  2 cups whole-wheat flour
  1 Tablespoon baking powder
  1 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/2 Banana
• 1/4 C oatmeal
  1 cup low-fat milk
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk. Add wet mixture to dry, and mix well.Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container.
• The dog isn’t too happy with these.  It nibbles the ends. I think she wants meat  flavor. They frankly make better squirrel and bird food.

 Still looking for a good dog treat recipe. 

How to link a Facebook Page

Did you know you can link another Facebook page on your own Business or community page to acknowledge something about them? I have seen this but didn’t know how they did it.  I didn’t know how, I had to goggle it. I must be the last person who didn’t know how to do this, but in case I am not. Here is what I am talking about.

On Facebook, I wanted to reference a page Twelveoaksmanor, but I simply just wrote their name as you can see above.  Who knew it was as easy as one two three- or more like “@”  just use the @ symbol before the page you are trying to list.  A list matching the names appears  find the one you’d like and there you have it. Mystery solved, happy linking. Feel free to reference @frugalhomehindsight

Themed Thanksgiving Scarecrow

Did you know its only 250 days until Thanksgiving according to the new page I found at Gobble Gobble on Facebook who keep count?   Really.  They years feel like they are getting shorter. Last year I had so much fun planning and figuring out what Themed Yard Scarecrows to make. Here is their picture; a boy and girl scare crow, and the boy scare crow doing a hand stand!  How cute was that!

I need to start sooner, so I can find the themed items and open to all of you. 

Chris