We Were Made to Crave

How many of you made a New Year's resolution to be healthier? Now, how many of you are still sticking to it? I am happy to say that I am!

I have started cutting out most of my sugars and trying to eat much healthier. Since it is SO cold out I decided to bust out my Just Dance Wii games for exercise. Let me tell you, it is quite the workout, but fun too! 

When I decided to start exercising again and eating healthier I was mainly doing it for me. So I would feel better and have more energy, so I would feel better about myself, so I felt more attractive to my husband. I started reading a daily devotional on my Bible app on my phone. It is called, Made to Crave. (It's online too)

It has been so great to get up each day and read it first thing. It really encourages me to exercise in the morning and continue making good food choices the rest of the day. One thing that really stuck out to me was something the devotional said on the first day: 

"The process of getting healthy has to be about more than just losing weight and focusing on ourselves...."

After reading several more of the devotionals in that series I realized she was right. God took great time and care when He created me. (Psalm 139:14) I shouldn't want to be healthier just for me, I should do it because I am taking care of something He made. A great tip in the devotional said when I do crave something unhealthy to use it as a prompt to pray instead of giving in. (Philippians 4:13) I love that! I keep a list of healthy snacks right on my fridge too! 

If you decide to take the healthier lifestyle journey, think about taking it with God by your side, looking to Him to give you the strength and self control you need. Do it because He created you, He loves you and we were made not to crave food, but an eternal relationship with Him. 

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. - Revelation 2:7 

Rustic Industrial Toilet Paper Holder

I found this great idea for a toilet paper roll holder over at Maya Made. I love the look of it and it was so easy to put together!

What you need from the hardware store:

1. 3/4" - 5" long nipple
2. 3/4" closed nipple
3. 3/4" cap
4. 3/4" elbow
5. 3/4" flange
6. Screws
7. Spray paint if you wish to change the color. I used a bronze color for mine.


What to do:

1. Attach closed nipple to the flange.
2. Fit elbow, long nipple and cap to the closed nipple.
3. Screw to the wall.
4. Throw on a roll of toilet paper.

Pretty darn simple! This cost around $15.00 and I got all of my materials at Home Depot. Let me know if you have any questions!

Easy Baked Pasta

Pasta is always good, but so much better when it's baked with lots of cheese on top!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Boil pot of water.

3. Toss in your pasta and let boil for about 7 minutes.

4. Drain and add in your veggies and sauce (or some meat if you choose)

4. Dump into a baking dish and put lots of cheese on top.

5. Sprinkle some basil on top of cheese.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly through.

7. Serve up with a side of salad.

20 Mommy-Son Dates

I've posted about date nights with your spouse and most recently some mommy/daughter date ideas. Now here are some fun ideas for you to spend some quality time with your little man! 

20 Mommy-Son Dates

1. Bowling or skating.

2. Build a fort, pop some popcorn and let him pick out a movie.

3. Park picnic lunch and go play or fly a kite.

4. Go for a bike ride to get snow cones or ice cream.

5. Nerf gun war.

6. Nature scavenger hunt - go hiking and have a list of items to find. Come home and make a collage of the items you collected.

7. Barnes & Noble to read books or play at the train table.

8. Story time at your local library.

9. Go goofy golfing or make your own goofy golf course at home.

10. Go see a minor league baseball game and share a yummy treat.

11. Head out for a burger, fries and share a milkshake.

12. Plant a garden. Let him help dig and plant the seeds. Watering can be something you continue doing together each day.

13. Get frozen yogurt and then let him spend a couple of dollars at the dollar store.

14. Fishing or skipping rocks at the lake. 

15. Cook something up in the kitchen. Let him help measure and make it. Great learning time! 

16. Fill up some water balloons or your water guns and have a water fight.

17. Make a spy kit- give them a small bag or box and let fill with items from around the house. Pretend you are spies.

18. Make a ramp for his cars and have races. 

19. Craft - paint, build paper airplanes, make goop, etc.

20. Make a mommy/son date idea jar for future dates together! 

Please comment and share with us other ideas you have done yourself or heard of from someone else. Have fun dating your son!

DIY Valentine's Day Decor

 I don't usually decorate at all for Valentine's Day, but thought I would throw together a couple very simple and inexpensive things this year.

The first is this paper heart doilie banner. I bought a package of the doiles at the dollar store and strung them on some jute twine.

 The second is a heart shaped baking pan I picked up at the thrift store. I taped the heart doilie on and glued a twine bow on top. 

Didn't I tell you they were simple? :)

Check out this Valentine's dessert recipe from last year for how to make these yummy Rice Krispie KISSES too! 

Enjoy your Wednesday!

20 Mommy-Daughter Dates

I've posted several ideas for date nights with your spouse. It's also important that your children get that special time with you one on one too. I have come up with some fun inexpensive mommy/daughter date ideas that I hope you will enjoy! Another post of mommy/son dates to come soon! 

20 Mommy-Daughter Dates

1. Barnes & Noble - Get hot chocolate then read some children's books together.

2. Local beauty school - inexpensive hair cut or mani/pedi.

3. Visit a local university's craft shop and make some pottery.

4. Wear your best dress and go out for dessert at your favorite restaurant.

5. Go out for ice cream then go buy a new nail polish color. Go home and give each other manicures. 

6. Scrapbook class - maybe you will start a new hobby together!

7. Bowling or skating.

8. Lunch then a movie matinee.

9. Head to Starbucks for breakfast or hot chocolate and just chat.

10. Make a fort, pop some popcorn and watch a movie.

11. Go to mall and each get to pick out an item off the clearance racks.

12. Park picnic lunch, play or sit on the blanket doing each others nails.

13. Go out to lunch where kids eat free that day.

14. Go for a walk or bike ride to get snow cones or ice cream.

15. Go to mall and try on silly sunglasses or fancy dresses. Take pictures of yourselves.

16. Tea party at home - dress up and get the fancy dishes out.

17. Head to Hobby Lobby and pick out materials to make jewelry together. 

18. Dollar section craft (Target, Dollar Tree, Micheal's).

19. Dance party and cook dinner together.

20. Make a mommy-daughter date jar for future dates together!

Please comment and share with us other ideas you have done yourself or heard of from someone else. Have fun dating your daughter!

Theirs/Ours - Thrifty 31 Rentals

Our biggest seasons are quickly approaching for weddings! I have several ideas posted on our Pinterest page, but thought making some theirs/ours photos might give a better idea of how some of our inventory could be used for weddings, showers, or any other event. Click on the photos to link you to that item listed on our website. 

All "theirs" photos were found via Pinterest. 

Please "like" and follow us on Facebook and Instagram too!

10 Inexpensive WINTER Date Nights

 If you missed my other posts, be sure to check out the Spring/Summer Date Nights and Fall Date Night ideas too! The great thing about date night is that it doesn't have to take a lot of money to have fun with your significant other. And, if you do have kids most of these can be done at home after you put them to bed. 

Be sure to keep these in mind for Valentine's Day coming up!

1. S'more Loving - Light your fireplace and make a s'more station with marshmallows, different kinds of chocolate and graham crackers. No fireplace? Try THIS or THIS indoor s'more recipe!

2. Indoor camping - Remember how you use to make forts when you were young? Why not now? Grab your sheets, pillows, blankets, maybe even a mattress! Cuddle up and watch your favorite show from when you were young or just spend some cuddly time together.


3. Board Games - Pick out some fun board games such as Sorry, Yahtzee, or Monopoly. Make it more fun by raising the stakes. Winner gets breakfast in bed the next morning, a 10 minute massage, etc. 

4. Breakfast in Bed - Serve up a hot breakfast for dinner instead of the normal candlelight dinner. Make a batch of pancakes or french toast along with some fresh fruit. Don't forget a yummy mimosa to drink by mixing equal parts champagne and orange juice. 


5. Nerf Gun War - Head to store and pick up some nerf guns. I've even seen glow in the dark ones that would be fun to turn off all the lights and play!

6. Theme Date - Make a theme to your date night such as Italian with a homemade pizza followed by a Godfather movie, Hawaiian with a yummy pineapple entree and tropical dessert or Fondue with cheese dipping appetizers, steak dipping dinner and chocolate dipping dessert. 

7. Spa at Home - Start off with a candlelight bubble bath. Include some grapes and champagne while you are soaking. Then gather up a towel and body oil and head to the bedroom to give each other a relaxing massage.

8. Christmas Lights - Throw on your pajamas, fill up a thermos of hot chocolate and bring along some yummy treats. Drive around looking at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music.

9. Indoor Miniature Golf - Head to your local indoor mini golf or make your own course at home! Borrow a toy golf set or hockey stick from your kids or a friend. Loser has to make milkshakes for dessert!

10. Dollar Date - Don't have much to spend on date night? Head out to dinner and order off the dollar menu. Then stop at the dollar store and each pick out one or two items you think will make the rest of the night fun. (Games, bath salts, dollar movie, etc).

Do you have any other great winter date night ideas? Please share with us!