Weekly Link Roundup - Hot Date Edition

Since we're Goose-less, I told Hubs he needed to take me out on a date tonight. Nothing too fancy - dinner, and a bit of shopping when we're not rushing around with a huge list to grab before heading home for bedtime.

Anyway. Lots o' link love this week!

MAKE
Lori posted about Dollar Store Crafts which I haven't perused thoroughly but I've already seen some similar projects to those which have been recently mentioned here come up on there, so I'm guessing there are a few tweaks for making them on the cheap. Looks like some good ideas!

I got a kick out of How to Turn an Ugly Coffee Table Into a Bench at Curbly. It really is pretty cute after its makeover.

Cheap, easy princess wand at No Time For Flashcards - most importantly, it appears to hold up well to toddlers.

As a lover of all fall decorations, I was smitten by these Fabric Pumpkins at The Idea Room.

EAT
I actually tried this Yogurt Swirled with Peanut Butter, Honey, and Graham Crackers and it's as good as it sounds. I think I needed to go lighter on the peanut butter and honey and heavier on the yogurt, personally. No amounts are given, so it's an honest-to-goodness dump and stir. (@ The Kitchn)

Previously mentioned, I canned some of this Roasted Tomato Sauce though I was too stuffed up to smell it and haven't tried eating any yet. Personally, I'm thinking I prefer something thicker for pasta sauce, so I might have to try reducing a jar and see what happens. Valerie at Frugal Family Fun Blog gives it high marks, and she's pretty trustworthy. :>)

These Rice Crispie Treats for the Indecisive at the Entertaining Kitchen have everything I love to eat but the kitchen sink. I'm thinking it might be in my hips' best interest that I NOT make these. (Thanks a lot, Valerie . . .)

Something I've not yet wrapped my mind around yet, here is Heather's link on How to Make Homemade Hamburger Buns (which of course can be shaped for hotdogs, brats, etc.). Love that they can be frozen! A pack of buns around here tends to turn green before we get them all used up, unfortunately.

DO
I was intrigued at this list of 75 Things You Can Compost, But Thought You Couldn't at Planet Green. My dad has a compost pile, though even though they add to it frequently, it just keeps packing down and he never bothers using it on the garden. And he told me that he wouldn't bother composting if he had chickens, so maybe it isn't something I'll pursue. (Do you compost, Lori?)

Skip to My Lou has a post with links on Fun Ways to Wrap Packages, to help you plan ahead for the holidays. I subscribe to the theory that a gift can be greatly improved by its packaging, regardless of the cost. (cough*thrifted*cough)

Tipnut has a page on Seasoning Cast Iron Cookware. I have one skillet and am afraid of it. Since I'm getting canning down, perhaps that'll be next on my To Figure Out list. (What, don't you have one of those?)

As usual, this will be great for when Goose is older, but here is a Creation Station at Crafty Crow, similar to Valerie's previously mentioned Invention Kit.

Lots of good ideas from Trent at the Simple Dollar in 12 Clever Substitutions That Save Money (Nearly) Effortlessly - most interesting to me was the suggestion to use ammonia in cleaning your oven.

LEARN
Faith and Family Live had a wonderful article in honor of The Birth of Mary. St. Anne, Mary, and so many others give us a wonderful example as mothers.

I thought this was an interesting article on Helicopter Parenting, Baby Boomers, and Financial Dependence at The Simple Dollar. We want the best for our kids, but sometimes we don't think about the long term cost . . .

Happy surfing!