CraftingMemories1

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Coming Soon! Free patterns, free earrings, free free free

Hello and welcome to my blog.

In the next few weeks, I am going to start a giveaway for my followers. I am planning to do giveaways and contests every few weeks.

The winner for each giveaway will be chosen by a "random name picker" from the comments in the giveaway blogs. So, if you like free things click the links below, follow me and comment on the blog posts. Some of the things I plan to give are beads, yarn, jewelry, scarves, patterns and more.

Be sure to click the links below and follow me.

The more followers I have the bigger the gifts.

Click on "Follow Me" here on my blog.
Click on the links below to follow me.
Etsy
Instagram
Don't forget to follow me on this blog!

Let me know what you like: beads, yarn, jewelry patterns, jewelry, knit/crochet scarves, or something else. Leave me a comment below.

Be sure to check back frequently for more information on upcoming events, i.e. coupons, contests, giveaways!

**US only at this time.

Valentine's Day Accessories by Cathy of CraftingMemories1 on Etsy.

Valentine's Day Accessories by Cathy of CraftingMemories1 on Etsy.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and I ham some accessories you might be interested in.

For jewelry I have: earrings, and necklaces.

I also have shawls and scarves.

Be sure to follow me for updates, giveaways, contests, more!

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Tankless Water Heater Review

Tankless Water Heater Review

Before Christmas, our water heater quit working. NO HOT WATER! How was I going to take a shower, wash dishes, etc.? We had been talking about replacing our water heater tank with a tankless water heater, but now there was no more talking. My husband ordered ours from Tank the Tank in Florida. It arrived a few days later. He also contacted our local electric company to get an approved company to install it. Now, we have the water heater and the company to install it, we're all set, right? No, the company contracted to do the work sent an employee that had never done a job by himself. He stripped the connection for the hot water and I am without hot water for another week. The company contracted for the job comes back with the boss to finish the electrical part and thankfully the boss was there because the new employee didn't have the electrical at the right voltage.

Now, the replacement water heater has arrived and is now installed. We have hot water, endless hot water. That's right let me say that again, ENDLESS hot water. I love taking hot showers but I did not get to stay long with our old tank water heater. The water would get cold before I was ready to end my shower, not anymore. Before, if I took a shower my husband would have to wait to take his until the water tank was heated, not anymore. He can take his shower as soon as I get out, or the other way around.

Now, what did I do for nearly three weeks without hot water? Well, I had to heat water on the stove. Washing dishes was not a problem but I wasn't sure how I was going to take a shower. I woke up one morning and went through the house looking for something to put hot water in that wouldn't melt or burn me. I found a plastic tub, hard plastic that would not melt. I put it in the tub, boiled water and poured it into the plastic tub then boiled another pot of water. I set the second pot of hot water on a towel by the tub. I added some cold water to the plastic tub with the first pot of boiling water and used a cup to pour the water over my head. I was able to wash and rinse my hair with shampoo and conditioner and take a mock shower. I poured in the second pot of water to the plastic tub and added some cold water and finished rinsing off. When I had all the soap off me I pour the remaining water over my head like a shower. It worked, not as well as a true shower but it was better than a cold shower.

Also, I did not mention. When you purchase a tankless water heater, you may be able to get a rebate from your utility company. We are eligible for that rebate but my husband hasn't done what he needs to do to get that yet. I will let you know what the rebate is when we get it.

This is our water heater.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Did You Know? Brown Sugar

Did you know that you can make brown sugar?

I used to buy brown sugar and end up throwing most of it away. I love to put it in oatmeal but I don't use that much so a whole box is just too much for me. I was reading a book that had cookie recipes in it. The recipe called for brown sugar but it said if I didn't have brown sugar I could make it myself. So, I thought I would share, just in case some of you didn't know you can make your own.

All you need is white sugar (granulated) and molasses.
For light brown sugar, use a little bit of molasses and dark brown sugar, use a little bit more.

2 teaspoons of granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of molasses

So if you need some light brown sugar, use two teaspoons of granulated sugar and a fourth teaspoon of molasses. Use a fork to mix it until it looks like the pics above and below. It is simple to make and if you want dark sugar just add an eighth of a teaspoon of molasses or (more if desired) for really dark brown sugar.

Dark brown sugar - 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar and 3/8 teaspoon of molasses

I needed to lower my bad cholesterol and I read that eating oatmeal would help. I DO NOT like plain oatmeal, so I add dried blueberries, dried cranberries, brown sugar, and cinnamon to my oatmeal. It is delicious, now. I eat it several times a week. When I had to go back for more blood work my bad cholesterol was down. Yay!

Almost ready to eat!

I have also put fresh blueberries and raspberries in also and it was delicious too. Oatmeal (I use Quaker Quick 1-minute): I add one-half cup of 2% milk and one-half cup of water to a small pan. I add the dried fruit (I use Mariani blueberries and cranberries) and let it come to a low boil. I add half-cup oatmeal and let it boil for one minute. I put the oatmeal in a bowl and add two teaspoons or a little less and I add the molasses (I use Grandmas) to the bowl, then sprinkle it with cinnamon and enjoy.

If I am using fresh fruit, I put the blueberries and raspberries in just before I pour the oatmeal into the bowl. I made the mistake of adding the fresh berries like the dried and the blueberries were very hot and blueberry juice went everywhere.