Home Maid Simple

Day: December 27, 2011

  • Tuesday Tip – Battery Storage.

    With the recent holidays, many of us will find our counters spilling over with batteries.  The problem we always seem to run into is finding the right size battery, and then wondering whether it has enough juice or not. I know we have a bad habit of taking out old batteries but never disposing of them. 
    In my recent attempts to get a variety of holiday pictures, I went through many batteries. Some worked for a few minutes, others wouldn’t even turn my camera on. It was extremely frustrating, so I just bought more batteries. This time I decided to store them better.

    Source: bhg.com via Adelina on Pinterest

    I love bhg’s idea of a tackle box. Having the separate compartments for each size makes that look so nice! I took a cheaper route though, and used a pencil box I already had on hand. It doesn’t have the separate compartments, but it closes, and keeps the batteries contained.   Now whenever I need a battery I know just where to look.  And if it’s not in there, I know I need to buy more.

    While I’m on the topic of batteries, with a New Year drawing close, may I suggest you check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Starting the new year with fresh batteries will help keep your home and family safe. Once I’ve hit post here, I’m off to add some brand new 9volts to our smoke detectors. 

    I’m linking up with Confessions of a Frugal Mind

  • Plush Puffs Gourmet Marshmallows Review

    Plush Puffs Gourmet Marshmallows Review

    This year instead of trying to have our own Christmas, and spend time with extended family all in one day, we decided to change our plans up a bit. We invited my parents and siblings to our home for Christmas Eve. We had planned games, and socializing, but the boys ended up working on our kitchen remodel most of the morning and afternoon.
    One thing that was on the list to do, and we made sure to do, was have a Hot Chocolate Bar. We set a pan of water on the stove to warm.  As people wanted they could grab a cup, and make some warm cocoa!  The part that really made our Hot Chocolate Bar perfect were the Plush Puffs Gourmet Marshmallows.
    I had never heard of gourmet marshmallows until Plush Puffs.  Plush Puffs makes many different varieties, and we were lucky enough to try some of my favorite flavors!
    Peppi-mint, Simply Smores, Toasty Coconut, and one of the limited edition flavors Gingerbread Spice.
    Peppi-mint was by far my favorite for our hot chocolate. One marshmallow added just a touch of peppermint flavor to my cocoa. I’d imagine these would be pretty good in rice crispies as well!
    Simple Smores was wonderful just on it’s own! With a mixture of chocolate and graham crackers inside the marshmallow, it was like eating a smore without needing a fire. In the very near future though I plan on tossing one of these on a graham cracker. I can only imagine the taste enhancing every bite of those delicious camping treats we all love.
    Toasty Coconut was not one I particular liked. I’ve never been a big fan of coconuts though. My mom on the other hand, enjoys coconut. So at the end of our Christmas Eve festivities, I sent the leftover Toasty Coconuts with her. Definitely a treat for her!
    Gingerbread Spice also tasted very good in the hot cocoa.  The scent it gave off though, really made it more like the holidays. Instead of smelling sawdust from our remodeling, it smelled like I had been baking all day like most people were. I could’ve held my cup of hot cocoa with the Gingerbread Spice the rest of the evening just sniffing it.
    One other thing I noticed about the majority of Plush Puffs is that they are Gluten Free. They’re labeled well for anyone that needs this information quickly.  With some of my cousins recently being diagnosed with Celiac’s I was thrilled to see these labels easily visable.  These marshmallows will be accompanying me to any more parties we may go to this year. I know for sure I’ll be adding them to my New Years Eve cup of cocoa!  You can purchase Plush Puffs Gourmet Marshmallows on their website PlushPuffs.com  or see their list by state of where you can buy these locally. 
    *I was provided with a sampling of Plush Puffs for my honest review. All opinions here are my own, and were not influenced by any compensation.