Christmas took my Starbucks money!

If you weren't lucky enough to get a Starbucks gift card I bet your missing it the hot smooth drinks right about now. I usually yell things like, "Damn you and your addictive $4 coffee!" as I drive by, followed my much fist shaking.

Well when regular old coffee wont hold you over anymore, don't make a mad dash for your keys and debit card, just make a cheap Frapichino substitute like I do.

Introducing: Shawnachino!

(yes I named it after myself. We are allowed to have our selfish moments every now and then)

What you need:

Plain ole coffee. I have hard that Starbucks uses Italian roast for their coffee. If you can get some then you might try it.

Espresso Machine or Coffee Maker. I was lucky enough to get an espresso maker as a gift one year. Never ask for socks people! What your goal here is to make concentrated coffee. Really freaking strong. If you don't have an espresso maker, I have heard of people running the coffee through twice. Make sure to give your coffee pot a good cleaning afterward if you try this method!

Allot of sugar! I put a cup or more per serving. Then again I am a crazed sugar freak. You might not be. Sweeten to taste!

What to do:

1. Brew yourself up some strong coffee
2. Add the sugar while the coffee is still hot so it dissolves fully. This is very important. If you don't then you will have crunchy sugar bits all over in it.
3. Let the coffee cool. I usually put it in the fridge or briefly in the freezer.
4. Add milk. You want the concoction to be mostly milk. About maybe 70-20. Look at the color of a Frapichino. Its a very light brown. Pour in the milk until it looks like that.
5. Taste test.
6. Add any flavoring you want!
7. You can melt those leftover chocolate bars from Halloween in the microwave and toss it in.
8. Enjoy!

Cheap Wreath

Got the relatives coming over but don't have jack up for decorations? Well I have for you a cheap, easy, fast wreath.

 

Tools:

 

1. Garland

    

2. Floral wire

   or some type of thin wire/bread ties

3. Decor

   Anything your little heart desires.

4. Hot Glue Gun

5. Door hanger and Door..

   

Alright the best place to get your crap here is your dollar store. I have Dollar Tree's near me and they carry all that stuff.

 

I want to make a note that if you actually go out and buy pine cones you should be slapped. Just go out into the yard like me and pick them off the ground. Unless you live in the desert, then go ahead.

 

About washing off pine cones. They will close up. Its actually really neat, and slightly creepy. As they dry they open back up so don't freak out thinking you've screwed up your pine cones. Also a good project for kids to show them a thing about nature.

 

What to do:

 

Usually the garland will be sold already formed into a circle for you. Huge time saver? Yes. Yes indeed. Just take some of the wire and wrap it around so it will hold it's shape better. I just kind of twist the garland around itself but I don't use the same one every year. So to have it last longer, wire it.

 

For decor you can put many things on it. I change it up every year. Some with flowers, pine cones, whatever. This year I chose cones and a bow.

 

Just take all your decor and lay it out around your wreath. If you need ideas just go look at some expensive over priced wreaths. I guarantee you can recreate anything you see with a little work.

 

After you choose your layout just hot glue everything down and there you go.

 

Sometimes the dollar store sells the small battery operated lights you can wrap around your wreath. Id grab them up if you see them.

 

Also if your paranoid like me, use some wire to attach your wreath to your hanger to keep people from stealing it. You can also use the wind blowing it down excuse.

 

Quick, easy and cheap? Damn right.

 

Now go concentrate on how your going to pull a Christmas dinner out of your ass. I can't help there sorry.

 

-Shawna

 

Currently Playing:

Alice Cooper - - Schools Out For Summer