I love decoupaging with napkins. I hope you like this tutorial. I will list my favorite supplies below the video. Let me know if you try it.
Products I use:
Category Archives: Home & Garden
Decoupage Bunny Jar From a Spaghetti Sauce Jar – Video Tutorial
Filed under Art, Craft Tutorials, Crafts, Home & Garden
Cracker Barrel Copy Cat Recipe – Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake – Video Tutorial
If you love the Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake at Cracker Barrel, you are in luck. You can follow the recipe and video tutorial below to recreate that scrumptious cake in your own kitchen.
Recipe
Cracker Barrel Copy Cat Recipe – Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake – Video Tutorial
Ingredients
- FOR CAKE:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup Coca Cola
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- FOR FROSTING:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup Coca Cola
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Instructions
- In a pot over medium heat, combine oil, cola, and butter. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
- Add in your sugar and flour, stirring until the batter is smooth.
- Put your batter in a separate bowl. Add in your buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, cocoa, and baking soda. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured pan.
- Bake at 350 ºF for 30 minutes.
- While your cake bakes, prepare your frosting in a separate bowl. Start by beating you butter and cocoa powder with a hand mixer. Add your cola, vanilla, and chocolate syrup. Beat to combine, gradually adding your powdered sugar as you mix.
- Remove your cake from the oven and give it a few minutes to cool. Frost your cake and enjoy!
Recipe from Mommy Ramblings -http://www.MommyRamblings.org
Filed under Cooking, Entertaining, Home & Garden
Signs you need to get your eyes tested
There are lots of different signs that can indicate a change in your vision, and the need to get a new eye test. The most obvious and common one is a change in your ability to read things. Across the world, it is estimated that over 55% of the population need some kind of vision correction. This equates to billions of people. Luckily over 80% of vision problems can be fixed, corrected or avoided.
The sooner you identify the problem, the sooner you can get it sorted. If you are putting off getting your regular eye test, this is a call to action! Book yourself in today! I know what you are thinking. “I don’t want to spend a fortune on a new pair of glasses”. The good news? You don’t have to. Gone are the days of 400$ glasses, only available at opticians. A growing number of people are now turning to online vendors to buy new glasses. They are a lot cheaper and come in a wider variety of styles.
If you are still unsure as to whether you need glasses or an eye test, here are some more warning signs that your eyes need help.
Blurry Vision
If you cannot see clearly at a distance, or objects have a fuzzy halo around them, you may be developing shortsightedness. Try resting your eyes and staying hydrated for a day or so – if the blurriness does not go away, book in for an eye exam.
Poor Nightvision
If you cannot see in the dark as well as you used to, this could be a sign of cataracts in its early stages. Although not a serious condition, if left undetected they could grow to obscure your vision.
Eye Strain
If you find your eyes getting more fatigued after focusing on something like a book or a screen, this could be a sign you need to get your eyes tested. However, eye fatigue can also be a result of bad habits. Spending hours looking at your phone screen and not staying hydrated can both lead to eye fatigue. Make sure you take regular breaks and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to help your body and your eyes.
Headaches
The eyes are made up of loads of tiny muscles. When one of the eye’s mechanisms begins to fail, those tiny muscles are put under more strain. When this happens your eyes tend to squint as they are forced to work harder. This can lead to headaches and eye pain. If you are suffering with reoccurring headaches, it is probably time to see a optician/doctor.
Looking after your eyes is incredibly important. Without them, life would be a whole lot harder. Nobody wants to have to deal with a life without vision. This is why it is immensely important to make sure you get your eyes tested regularly. An annual eye test can reassure you that your eyes are in good health, and also flag up any early problems.
This is a collective guest post. The ideas and views do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
Filed under Health, Home & Garden
4 Reasons to Get Your Boiler Serviced Annually
Being a property owner, your job is more than just making your home look pretty. There are a lot of other things that every homeowner should consider. Boiler servicing is one of those necessary things that is often overlooked. Most people do not get their boilers checked and serviced regularly. It is the reason why they have to replace it after a few years or get it repaired by paying a significant amount of money. This can be avoided only if you book your boiler maintenance service. Here are a few reasons for you to service your boiler annually.
Find Problems Sooner than Later
It is easy to forget that you do not only use your boiler during the cold winter days but every day for your hot water. Due to this, your boiler can run into issues that you don’t even notice which leads to repairs or sometimes, even replacement of the system. Contrary to this, with annual service, you are making sure that you are identifying internal faults and addressing them before it’s too late. Getting boiler service once a year will confirm that your system is working correctly and help you to save money on unexpected breakdowns and any future repairs.
Ensure Efficiency
Some boiler parts can wear out faster than others, during winter, your boiler is forced to work hard. You know all too well the high bills you receive during the winter months. If you are looking to save on those ever-increasing energy bills, then it is essential to make sure all the parts are working at peak efficiency. An expert will ensure that your boiler is working as efficiently as possible and not consuming extra energy. This will help save on energy bills while also decreasing your home’s carbon footprint.
Keep Your Boiler Warranty Valid
Most common boiler warranties and guarantees require yearly service to keep your warranty valid. If you are not getting annual service, then it can void your warranty or guarantee. In fact, most home and business insurance companies include regular service for boilers in their policies so that the boiler is safe to use. It is essential to know that a regular boiler service will meet the requirements of your policy,
Check with your insurance company about what they provide. Another great option is to get boiler coverage. Find out more about insurance by visiting the Corgi HomePlan website.
Your Boiler Will Run Safely
Annual boiler service not only makes sure that your home boiler is running efficiently but also certifies that it is working safely. A faulty boiler can be very unsafe, mainly if a gas leak occurs. Every year, thousands of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning due to broken and damaged boilers. Carbon monoxide, which is also known as the silent killer, is a gas that causes headaches, collapsing, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, and a loss of consciousness. Therefore, to make sure that you and your family remain safe, you must have your boiler checked regularly. Annual service will let you know if you need to get your boiler repaired and will give you peace of mind.
This is a collaborative guest post. The views and ideas do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.
Filed under Home, Home & Garden, Resources
4 things you should prioritize this spring
Can you believe the winter holiday season is officially over, and the new year is already in full swing? If you’ve already headed back to work, then you might be missing the freedom you had over the Christmas break. Maybe you’re wondering what to do with the limited free time you’re now left with.
With so many little tasks to get sorted, deciding what to prioritize isn’t easy, especially when you only have a weekend to work with. Most would agree that prioritizing the errands or little tasks that will save you time, money and effort in the future should be tackled first, so that’s what we’re going to look at here. Check out my top 4 things you should prioritize this spring.
Getting your AC unit checked
Reaching for your AC unit when it’s baking hot outside, only to find it splutter, choke and fail on you is something no one wants to experience. Especially during the hottest months of the year!
If your AC unit is faulty or not working correctly then get it looked at straight away – for air conditioning repairs in Las Vegas, click the link – if you can’t remember the last time you had it serviced, then get it looked at as soon as possible. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have months to get this sorted, failing to prioritize some simple maintenance could mean you’re stuck on a waiting list for weeks and you may be charged extra for an emergency call out.
Deep cleaning the house
It’s not pleasant and most people would prefer that this wasn’t classed as a priority, but deep cleaning your home will not only give you a deep sense of satisfaction, it’s also beneficial for your physical and mental well being. From dust bunnies to spider webs, cleaning up your home and giving everything from the ceilings to the skirting boards a good scrub will make your living arrangements much more pleasant and make your home feel fresh and ready for the new year ahead.
Removing the clutter
Clutter is not your friend. It’s stressful, unsightly and makes our lives a misery – often without us knowing it! Believe it or not, decluttering your home doesn’t mean getting rid of all the sentimental items you cherish – just the ones that you’re hanging on to for no discernible reason at all. Start with your closet and remove anything that you haven’t worn in a year, donate any items to charity or sell them online to make a little profit. Go through each room in turn and you won’t believe the difference it makes to your life.
Moving your body more
We all lead pretty sedentary lifestyles, so getting up and moving our bodies a little more each day is certainly something to prioritize. Exercise doesn’t have to be a grueling session at the gym, it can be a walk around the block on your lunch break or some simple yoga moves at home. Moving your body reduces stress, relieves tension and gets your heart pumping, so make it a priority this year!
This is a collaborative post. The ideas and views do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
Filed under Fitness, Home & Garden, self-help
Things to Do to Get Your Boiler Ready for Winter
When winter hits, you need a comfortable and warm home. For this reason, you have to pay attention to the condition of your boiler. You can’t live with an broken or malfunctioning boiler during the winter season. If you have a boiler cover, there is nothing to worry because your engineer will see you within 24 hours after your call.
Understand the Importance of Boiler Cover
Servicing a boiler can easily be forgotten, but regular boiler maintenance and checks have numerous benefits. A defective boiler can be dangerous; therefore, you can protect yourself from different threats with a boiler cover. People who don’t have a boiler cover may find it challenging to get a qualified engineer at a reasonable price.
Remember, engineers across the country have busy schedules in the frostiest months. If your boiler is already covered, it will be easy for you to get help and advice. By ignoring the importance of a boiler cover, you can increase the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, explosions and fires.
Test Your Boiler in the Autumn
People in the UK often turn their central heating on after October. They don’t realize the possibility of faults in their boiler. For this reason, check your boiler in mild weather. There is no need to use it for a long duration, turn it on for some time to check its radiators.
To nip boiler faults in the bud, arrange for a reliable boiler service. It will help you to identify and resolve different issues before winter. Moreover, you will get a consistent supply of hot water on every freezing morning.
Timers and Thermostats 
An engineer can identify issues with your timer and thermostat during an annual service. Defects and errors in your heating time can make things difficult for you. Pay attention to the condition of timer and location of the thermostat to keep your house warm.
Check Pipe Insulation
Water expands when freezes; therefore, standing water in the plumbing system can affect your pipes. For this reason, pipe insulation is necessary. Similar to loft insulation and cavity wall, it can decrease heat transfer and maintain the flow of water in pipes without any heat loss. In this way, you can avoid several winter emergencies.
Boiler Pressure
Pay attention to the pressure of the boiler. You can judge it between 1 and 1.5 (in the green or the red). Decreased pressure can affect the flow of hot water around a heating system. Remember, high pressure can make radiators bleed. Similar, too low pressure requires you to refill loop to increase it. For the best performance, the pressure of your boiler should be temperamental.
Power Flushes
Keep your radiators clean to make things easy for your central heating system. Your plumbing engineer can clean pipes and radiators to flush sludge out of these units. After cleaning, your plumbing system will be refilled with a corrosion inhibitor and clean water. It will increase the efficiency of the central heating system.
This is a collaborative post, the ideas and views do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings Blog.
Filed under Family, Home, Home & Garden
Homeowner Tips for Pest Prevention in the Winter
As winter approaches, it’s time to consider the best way to prevent pests from getting into your home. Although the process of keeping pests out can be tedious, it is infinitely better than having to deal with pests in your home.
The good news is that pest prevention is easier than you think.
Contact A Professional
If you want to simply hand the reins over to someone else, call a local pest control expert and get them to come and check your home. However, while they will remove any pest infestation that already exists, they will usually only advise on the best preventative methods.
The best approach is simply to speak to them about the most likely pests you’ll be dealing with and how they recommend protecting your home.
You can then take the necessary steps, which will include the following:
Sealing Up Gaps
A mouse can get through a gap as small as a ¼ inch, ants, termites, and other pests don’t even need a gap that big!
You need to carefully inspect the outside of your home and seal any gaps. Pay particular attention to around the windows, doors, and the base of your walls.
If there is no entry point the pests won’t be able to get in.
Edge Around Your Home
Termites can bury through the earth at the side of your home and into your foundations in order to get to the wood and start eating it. You’ll know they are active if you have small tunnels in the soil. If you fill them in they will reappear within 24-48 hours.
The most effective way of eliminating this issue is to have a concrete strip around your home, preferably at least 6” wide.
Check For Moisture
Pests need moisture and food to survive. You can eliminate these by looking around your home, inside and out, and eliminating any moisture.
Gutters collect moisture, leaking pipes allow moisture to soak into the wood and walls, and even pet drinking bowls can be an encouragement to pests.
Check your home for any water stains and trace the source of the issue. Eliminating these won’t just help to keep pests out, it can also protect your home.
Clutter
Pests need somewhere to live, that’s why they’re contemplating your house for winter. But, prior winter they may have been living in a woodpile in the garden or some other item that hasn’t been moved for a long time.
If you eliminate clutter inside and outside your home you’ll reduce the places where pests can live, making it harder for them to stay uninvited.
You’ll also find that the value of your home will go up and it’s a nicer place to live.
Start Cleaning
A pest needs food and this is most likely to be found in the form of crumbs and other food waste that you’ve left lying around.
You need to get in the habit of cleaning your house, putting food away in sealed containers, and keeping all waste in a sealed bin. Combine this with regular vacuuming and the pests won’t have any food, they’re likely to move onto a different house.
Don’t forget your local pest control service is here to help you eliminate the entry points and attraction of your home to pests. With their support, you can enjoy a pest-free winter!
This is a collaborative post, the ideas and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
Filed under Family, Home & Garden, Resources
How to Budget and Plan for a Major Home Renovation
A home renovation is one of the more stressful ordeals you can go through in your life, even if you’ve done it before. It’s uncomfortable while it lasts, it can get messy if you don’t pay attention, and last but definitely not least, it can hit your bank account hard. Planning ahead can mitigate all of those factors, especially the last one – and it’s a good idea to take the time to sit down and come up with a proper plan of action if you don’t want to get caught up in a complicated situation.
Start Early
A major home renovation is not something you can plan a few days ahead of the job. This should go without saying – and yet you’d be surprised how many people put very little thought and planning into their own renovation jobs. As a result, they end up paying significantly more. There are many factors that play into this. Purchasing supplies and materials early can allow you to scout out good discounts and hundreds of deals for them. Contractors have their own schedules and contacting someone for a short-notice job is going to be more expensive. You can plan around the seasonal weather changes as well. In the end, giving yourself at least a few months – ideally half a year – before you start with the actual work is going to be very beneficial.
Extending Your Budget
After you’ve drawn the bottom line, you might come to the unpleasant realization that your budget is not actually enough to cover everything you want to do. Taking out a loan is perfectly reasonable in this situation. Just make sure that you know how you’re going to repay it, and how it will impact your budget. As long as you have a good credit score, it should be possible to get a nice extra stretch on your available funds without having to go through any uncomfortable periods later on.
Why the DIY Approach Can Be More Expensive
A big mistake you can make is to think that you’re just going to roll up your sleeves and get the job done yourself. Or at least parts of it. The problem with this is that while it may indeed save you some money in the short-term, it will very likely increase the overall cost of your project in other, unexpected ways. You will have to spend much more time on each part of the job compared to the average contractor, and you’ll also make more mistakes than them, costing you even more time and materials. Spare yourself the trouble and leave the complicated tasks in the hands of professionals.
Going Green Can Be a Money-Saver in the Long Run
As long as you’re renovating your home, now might be a good time to think about changing your approach to a greener one. This can cost a bit more in the immediate term, sure, but its impact on your budget can be significant in the long run. With a home that’s insulated better and at least partly self-sustaining in terms of energy and heating, you’ll knock off a large percentage from many of your bills. You’ll be better prepared for tomorrow too, as many of these things will likely become beneficial factors for your tax return sooner or later.
It doesn’t have to cost a great deal of money to renovate your home, at least if you give yourself enough time for the job and know what caveats to expect along the way. All things considered, it’s very likely to go smoother than you’re anticipating, and will probably not even cost you that much.
This is a collaborative guest post. The views and ideals expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
Filed under Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Life
How to Save Money on a Bathroom Renovation
A lіmіtеd rеnоvаtіоn budget dоеѕ nоt mеаn уоu аrе ѕtuсk living with a bathroom frоm thе ѕеvеntіеѕ. Thе еxсеllеnt nеwѕ аbоut іnvеѕting іn bathroom rеmоdеlіng, іѕ thаt it increases the value of your home. If you plan to sell or flip your house, you can really profit from that renovation provided you dоn’t go over budget. Whіlе going over budget is not a smart іnvеѕtmеnt, lеаvіng your outdated bаthrооm as is certainly won’t hеlр the resale value of your home. Yоu саn gіvе уоur bаthrооm a nеw lооk, аnd ѕаvе уоur bаnk ассоunt bу сhооѕіng есоnоmісаl cosmetic upgrades аnd kееріng thеѕе rеnоvаtіоn іdеаѕ іn mіnd.
Onе ѕtер аt a time
Getting some good advice when planning will help ensure thаt уоur сhоісеѕ fit уоur оvеrаll budgеt аnd hеlр уоu achieve a соhеѕіvе ѕtуlе when remolding your bаthrооm. Mаnу hоmе rennovators аrе hampered bу аn аll оr nоthіng аррrоасh tо bаthrооm rеmоdеlіng. However, уоu dоn’t hаvе tо dо аn еxреnѕіvе mаkеоvеr tо еnjоу thе bеnеfіtѕ оf аn updated bаthrооm. Planning уоur соmрlеtе bathroom renovations in Melbourne, but tасklіng оnlу оnе оr twо рrоjесtѕ аt a time, requires patience. While it may take time, ultіmаtеlу you will have the rеmоdеlеd bаthrооm уоu were dreaming about with a mіnіmаl impact оn уоur fіnаnсеѕ.
Fеаturеѕ wіth еnеrgу-еffісіеnt uрgrаdеѕ
Mаnу cities, ѕtаtеѕ, аnd utilities оffеr dіѕсоuntѕ, сrеdіtѕ, оr оthеr incentives tо replace toilets, faucets, оr ѕhоwеrѕ wіth lоw-flоw mоdеlѕ thаt ѕаvе wаtеr. Leveraging іnсеntіvеѕ offered thrоugh energy соnѕеrvаtіоn programs саn hеlр уоu stay wіthіn уоur remodeling budgеt. Not only will you save on your renovations, you will have the bonus of reduced utility bills each month.
Thе Puzzle Uрdаtе оr Rерlасе
Mаnу bathroom rеmоdеlіng рrоjесtѕ hаvе оnе орtіоn: upgrade оr rерlасе? Yоu саn іnvеѕt іn nеw vanity саbіnеtѕ оr раіnt your existing ones. Alternatively, уоu саn соmрrоmіѕе аnd replace оnlу thе саbіnеt fасеѕ. Bаthtubѕ аnd соuntеrtорѕ саn bе rерlасеd оr refaced tо lооk аnd funсtіоn аѕ nеw. Evеn оld раrtѕ саn bе rеfurbіѕhеd instead оf replaced. Don’t assume thаt уоu nееd tо replace еvеrуthіng іn уоur bаthrооm tо gеt thе look уоu wаnt. Wіth ѕоmе research, careful prioritization, аnd оf course, patience, уоu саn give your bathroom a ѕtуlіѕh upgrade fоr a frасtіоn оf thе соѕt оf nеw materials.
Hіrіng Prоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ fоr thе Rіght Jobs
If уоu аrе rеlаtіvеlу handy, a grеаt wау tо ѕаvе money іѕ tо dо ѕоmе work yourself аnd hire a professional fоr thоѕе jobs outside уоur ѕkіll ѕеt. Mаkіng аn hоnеѕt аѕѕеѕѕmеnt оf уоur сараbіlіtіеѕ аnd time аvаіlаbіlіtу іѕ сrіtісаl tо thіѕ decision. Rushing or not doing the work correctly саn dо mоrе hаrm thаn gооd tо your hоmе. Whеn hіrіng a соntrасtоr fоr сеrtаіn areas of your renovation project, іt іѕ uѕuаllу rесоmmеndеd tо gеt аt lеаѕt thrее quotes tо fіnd a fair рrісе for thе jоb.
It іѕ оftеn ѕаіd thаt home renovations аlwауѕ соѕt mоrе аnd tаkе lоngеr thаn еxресtеd. It is best to start with realistic gоаlѕ аnd expectations fоr уоur remodeling timeline and budget. Ideally you should set aside a соntіngеnсу fund fоr unеxресtеd еxреnѕеѕ should they arise. Following these tips can help you with that beautiful bathroom renovation in Melbourne and bring you that state of the art style you long for.
This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas and views do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
Filed under Home & Garden, Life, Resources
4 Easy Tips to Fuel Your Kids for Back To School from a Registered Dietitian
Most kids have headed back to school. Our kids started last week, even though I feel our summer was far too short and cold. In classrooms all over the country are embarking on a new year of academics and activities. Parents like myself know the importance of preparing snacks and lunches that will keep our kids fueled to get them through their busiest days. Luckily, there are a handful of better-for-you snack, meal and beverage options on the market that offer nutritional benefits and taste that kids love and parents can feel great about serving. I am happy 4 easy tips to fuel your kids from RD Mitzi Dulan,
Take your child to the grocery store with you at the beginning of the school year and allow them to choose 2-3 of their favorite fruits to have for their lunches or after school snack. Fruit is important for kids to properly fuel up and making kids part of the decision-making process is a great way to create healthy habits and try new foods!
Try incorporating protein into your kid’s lunch and snacks. Protein is important to a child’s diet to help them grow, build muscle and keep their immune system strong. Mitzi recommends new Juicy Juice + Protein, one of the first juice-protein blends on the market for kids, as an after-school for snack for busy days.
Make sure you include a variety of quality carbs, healthy fats, protein and fiber into your child’s after school snacks for optimal fueling. One of my favorites for kids – my teens love it too – are peanut butter (or almond butter) and banana sandwiches with honey on whole wheat bread. Pro Tip: it’s also delicious toasted!
Lower-sugar juice options are ideal to avoid consuming too much sugar while also hydrating in a tasty way. A favorite of my two girls is new Juicy Juice Fruitifuls Organic, which is made with 45% less sugar than the leading juice while still providing half a cup of fruit in each 8 oz serving. It works well paired with nutritious meals before, during or after the school day.
The new Juicy Juice Fruitifuls Organic, which is made with 45% less sugar than the leading juice, provides a half a cup of fruit in each 8 oz serving and is a better-for-you option that can be paired with meals before, during or after the school day. Check out Juicy Waters, Juicy Juice + Protein and Fruitifuls Organic. Please share some of your favorite tips for kid’s snacks and lunches in the comments.
Filed under Back-To-School, Family, Health, Home & Garden
