REVAMPED GARAGE SALE CAR RAMPS

Rusted garage sale $10 goody refurbished in present for Dad for Father's Day.

My son saw these car ramps at a garage sale for $10 that were a little rusty, but otherwise good shape and decided he wanted to get them and fix them up for his Dad - they had priced out new ones and they were around $60. 

Items used:
2 Rusted but good shape Car Ramps
1 Grinder
2 Cans Red Spray Paint
Newpaper or cardboard (not used, but he should have)

If there had just been a little rust, he could have gotten by using steel wool or a wire brush and he started out just trying to paint over it - if you look at the top of the ramp on the above picture you can see how terrible that looked.  He then dug out his grinder to grind off the rust.

If you don't have one, you might ask around to see about borrowing one from someone that has one.   Carefully grind off the rust so you have a smooth surface.

Put down newspapers or cardboard underneath the ramps, otherwise you will end up with painted grass and sidewalk like we now have.   Spray with one coat and allow to dry completely, then spray with another coat and allow it to dry and it will look like near new when you are done.

MOJITO AMBROSIA SALAD

A fun twist on an old favorite!

The first time I had ever had Ambrosia salad was when we made it in a Home Ec. class in Jr. High and the teacher said Ambrosia was from Greek Mythology and it was the food of the "Gods".   It was a salad made out of most of the ingredients that I used in this salad except I omitted the bananas and added pineapple instead along with the flavorings - I have been on a mojito flavored kick lately and decided to try it in this salad.

I was very happy with the flavor; it was light but with lots of textures,  a bit of crunch and a hint of a mojito flavor and I plan to make it a few more times over the summer and may make it for our next carry-in at work.

I usually include my son feedback, but he won't touch anything with shredded coconut in it as he hates the texture and said it grosses him out so I was not able to get any feedback from him on this one.


Ingredients:

• 1 oz tub Whipped Topping
• 1 teaspoon Mint Extract/Flavoring
• 1 teaspoon Lime Juice
• 1 teaspoon Rum Extract/Flavoring
• 1 20 oz can of Crushed Pineapple
• 1 10-12 oz bag of Mini-Marshmallows
• 1 cup chopped Walnuts
• 10-14 oz bag of shredded Coconut

In a large bowl mix the whipped topping, mint extract, lime juice and rum extract together.

Add in marshmallows, pineapple and walnuts to the mixture.

Fold items together until well mixed.

Add the coconut and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Pizza

What could be more fun than pizza for breakfast!

This is based on a recipe by Brandi at From My Kitchen To Yours
and I made mine using a pre-made pizza crust, prepared salsa from a jar and pre-cooked bacon so it was super quick to put together.  It was one that we both loved and I will be adding this to the menu on a regular basis.


Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon Dill (optional) 
• 1 tsp butter or margarine or non-stick spray coating
• 1 cup salsa
•  3 Tablespoons crumbled bacon (approximately 6 slices)
• Pizza Crust (pre-make or use your own recipe or box mix)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Break the eggs open in a bowl, add the dill and beat until well mixed.   

In a frying pan, either melt the butter or margarine or spray on the non-stick coating spray on medium heat.   Add the scrambled egg mixture and cook until mostly but not completely done.

Put the pizza crust on a baking tray and spread the salsa evenly over the top.

Add the scrambled eggs on top, distributing them evenly.

Then sprinkle the bacon crumbled over the top.

Sprinkle the cheese on top of that then bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted (mine took about 12 minutes).   Cut into slices then serve.

Afaze Fillagree Oval Bracelet

Ok, I know this isn't a craft or creation, but I wanted to share it nonetheless.   I thankfully started a new job at the end of March and haven't have much time for crafting, but hopefully will have some time this afternoon as I have slew of project that I geared up for while I was out of work that I haven't had a chance to execute.

Back to the bracelet...I was one of ten winners of the Afaze Bracelet Giveaway hosted by Carly over at Chic Steals.   I am a follower of her blog and she has a lot of awesome DIYs to get the designer look for less. If you have a minute, pop on over there and check out her blog click here.

I got the bracelet in the mail on Thursday and it the picture doesn't do it justice - it is very lovely and it sparkles when the faceted cuts catch the light.  It reminds me something that you would have seen on the 80's TV series "Dynasty"- it is glam but also being a little bit goth, which I really like in a piece of jewelry.

The pieces are sturdy, but not as heavy as they look and it was comfortable to wear.  The pieces are connected with clear elastic, which makes it easy to put on and take off.  The retail price on the bracelet was $12 so it is an affordable price.


I liked it so much I have have been browsing Afaze's website to consider purchasing other items in the future as my budget allows.

I did find a pair of Chain Link Sunglasses that I like that are only $8, but the crafter in me is telling me I need to go to the Dollar Store and see about buying stuff to DIY this myself for $2-3 dollars as it is something I would only wear on the weekends.

Pineapple Mojito Cake

Something a little different - quick and easy to make as you use a white cake mix and vanilla frosting and then jazz them up.

I wanted to make something a little different so I thought I would try this and it turned out well, although I might try more of whipped topping instead of vanilla frosting next time.  It was very moist and flavorful with the pineapple being the main flavor with just a hint of the lime, mint and rum flavors.

Ingredients
Cake:
1 box white cake mix
1 lime
3 eggs whites (or whatever your cake mix calls for)
1/3 cup vegetable oil (or whatever your cake mix calls for)
1 20 oz can crushed Pineapple
1 teaspoon artificial Mint flavoring
Non-Stick Coating Spray

Frosting
1 can vanilla frosting
Zest of 1 lime (off of lime used in the cake)
1 teaspoon artificial rum flavoring

Preheat the oven to the degree specified on the cake mix (mine was 350 degrees).  Separate the egg whites from the yolk.

Zest the lime (which is just running it over a grater) then cut the lime in half.  Set aside the zest for the frosting.

Squeeze the juice of one lime into a large bowl, then put box of cake mix in , add in Pineapple, oil, eggs whites, and the mint flavoring.

Mix until well blended - will still look a bit lumpy but it is just the pineapple bits.

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick coating spray then pour the mix into the pan and bake according the the cake mix package (mine was 28-35 mins).

Bake until it springs up when touched in the center then remove and allow to cool before frosting the cake.

To make the frosting, put the canned frosting in a bowl, add the zest of lime and the artificial rum flavoring and mix thoroughly.

Frost the cake and then serve.