DIY Jewelry Cleaner

I have always soaked my jewelry in amonia to get it clean.

I've heard that you can use toothpaste, too.

This recipe came along on Pinterest.

I'm gonna have to try it out!

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon dish detergent
• 1 cup water
• 1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/jewelry-cleaner-180133#ixzz1oXVdSHHH

It Worked!

Well, everyone else was doing it so we thought we would give it a try.

It's supposedly has something to do with the planetary alignment and the force of gravity.

Everyone said a broom would stand on its' own so we tried it and...

It worked!

Zaxby's Fried Pickles

I was SO excited about Zaxby's Fried Pickles.

I love me some pickles, fried, sliced, cubed, whole, alone, in stuff, ....you get the idea.

So when I sent Jaimie out last night for an order I was super stoked.

Then, sadly disappointed.

The crust was off.  It was too powerful and overshadowed the pickle.

The ranch dipping sauce helped, but they just weren't what I was expecting.

In Case You Were Wondering...

I know what some of you are thinking.  Why does she think we care what she wore every day???  Okay, so I'll admit it.  I'm not REALLY keeping a photo journal of my outfits, although I have to admit it's helped me put together different outfits and keep a record of what I wore when so that I don't double up too soon. 

No, that's not it.

I have an ulterior motive...

I'm really trying to see, actually see, my weight loss journey.

It's one thing to see the number on the scale getting lower, and don't get me wrong, I'm totally excited about that.  But what I really want is to actually see the difference. 

So I decided to start taking pictures of the process.

And I'm quite proud of myself because, as of today, I've lost 41 pounds!

Go Nikki!!!!

Today I Wore...

Top: Limited

Pants - Gap

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pull Apart Bread

Lots of you have asked for this recipe so I thought I would post it. 

It's always a favorite!

1 unsliced loaf of (round is preferable) sourdough bread
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

3 oz bag Oscar Mayer Real Bacon bits
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2  Tbsp Ranch dressing mix

Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust. Stuff cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon bits on bread, making sure to get in between cuts. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread. Wrap the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted

Baked Spaghetti

Tonight for supper, I plan on making a baked spaghetti.  It is usually a meal that is quick and that the whole family enjoys.  Now, things don't always go as planned.  Sometimes I have every intention of cooking and then I get home and someone says, "Can we order pizza?" or "I've been thinking about tacos all day.  Can you make those tonight?"  but for tonight the plan is baked spaghetti.  Here's how I do it.

2 jars spaghetti sauce (I use Prego Three Cheese)
1 1/2 lbs hamburger meat, browned and drained
8 oz cooked angel hair pasta
1 1./2  cup grated cheddar cheese
1  1/2 cup grated Monterrey jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine spaghetti sauce and hamburger meat and simmer until hot. 
Cover the bottom of a 13x9 pan or dish with a think layer of sauce.
Add a layer of pasta and 1/2 cup each of cheddar and jack cheese.  Repeat the layers ending with the sauce.
Put in oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Add the remaining cheddar and jack, plus the Parmesan cheese and bake 5 more minutes.