Suzy Lee Says Let's Build A Home
Apr 30

- 1. Make your own fondue. Use a fondue pot (or crock pot) and dip fresh fruit, cake, cookies, marshmallows, and pretzels in melted chocolate. Try this delicious recipe!
- 2. Make homemade pizzas together. Try our Easy Pizza Crust Recipe and choose your own toppings!
- 3. Fly kites. You can usually find them at the dollar store!
- 4. Try a new sport together. My husband is an avid snowboarder, so we hit the slopes! It was so fun to see him doing something he loves, even though I had quite a few wipe outs!
- 5. Have a game night. Pull out all of your board games for a friendly night of competition. Be sure to have some treats for the occasion, like our Gooey Almond and Coconut Chex Mix.
- 6. Be a tourist in your own city. Find what tourist attractions are in your city and spend the night acting like tourists, which includes taking cheesy pictures!
- 7. Go rollerblading (if the weather is bad, try an indoor skating rink). We found ours at a thrift store for just a few bucks!
- 8. Explore. Rent a four wheeler, snowmobile, scooter, waver runner or something you can do a little exploring on. You can often find deals online for cheap rentals!
- 9. Go to a thrift store. Each person gets $5 to spend! See who ends up with the best item(s)!
- 10. Have a picnic. If the weather doesn’t permit, lay out a blanket on the floor and eat in the living room!
- 11. Go see a play. Whether at your local community theater, high school or a big production, there is plenty of entertainment available!
- 12. Stargazing. Pack a blanket, pillows and food, like our Ham and Swiss Poppy Seed Sandwiches orChili’s Copycat Salsa, and go somewhere to see the stars. Do some research before and look for constellations.
- 13. Go to a park (if weather permits). Swing on the swings, play frisbee, or feed the ducks!
- 14. Check out a local museum. They usually don’t cost much, if anything, to get in!
- 15. Have a “crazy dinner.” Each person gets $5 (or whatever amount you decide) to spend on any food item at the grocery store for dinner. Come home and prepare your meal! You might end up with some random food!
- 16. Make ice cream sundaes. Head to the store and buy some vanilla ice cream and your favorite toppings. Relax and enjoy your tasty treat!
- 17. Go to a local sporting event. Luckily, sports are going on year around! Grab some snacks and head out to the ball game!
- 18. Treasure hunting. Head to the ATM and get out $10-$20. Drive around to some local yard sales and see what you end up with! There are tons on the weekends!
- 19. Go on a bike ride (if weather permits). If you don’t have a bike, check the classifieds for a great deal! You could even pack a lunch!
- 20. Have a living room camp out. Make a tent out of blankets, watch a movie and sleep out on an air mattress. As you can see, we had a little visitor!
- 21. Love Languages. Take The 5 Love Languages Test to see how to improve your relationship. End the evening with our Easy Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!
- 22. Go for a swim. Head to a local pool and relax in the pool and hot tub!
- 23. Have a coupon date. Only eat or do activities you have coupons for. We used our local coupon book from the mail and went to the driving range and dinner for about $12 total! You can also check out our newest sponsor, Coupon Lynx, for some great deals!
- 24. Volunteer. Sign up to volunteer at a soup kitchen, retirement home or somewhere that could use a helping hand!
- 25. Go to a local fair or carnival. Be sure to bring some cash to play some games!
- 26. Take a free factory tour. You would be surprised what factories are around you! We toured a cheese factory and had free samples at the end!
- 27. Visit the zoo. If you don’t live near a zoo, go somewhere to see your local wildlife.
- 28. Take a drive. Get out of the house and take a drive. Take a look at nature or local scenery! For example, changing leaves in the fall, flowers blooming in the spring, etc. You might want to bring some Muddy Buddies in case you get hungry!
- 29. Have a movie marathon. We were able to get the Back to the Future Trilogy and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy for less than 10 dollars each online (both my husband’s choosing)! You might want to have some of our Snickers Popcorn to munch on!
- 30. Wii Game Night at home (or any other gaming system). Grab some food and drinks and stay in for the night playing your favorite games! Make some wagers on any sports you might be playing. We occasionally have a cute, little third wheel on our dates. :)
- 31. Go bowling. To make things a little more difficult, try different styles like only using your opposite hand, “granny” style, eyes closed, etc.
- 32. Make indoor s’mores and read campfire stories. If you don’t have a gas stove, you could light candles to cook your marshmallows over! As you can tell, I was pretty excited!
- 33. TV show marathon. Pick a TV show and get a whole season’s worth of DVDs (or use Netflix, you can get the first month free) and watch it together! Of course, you’ll need some popcorn so try ourCinnamon Bear Popcorn Recipe!
- 34. Theme night. Pick a theme for the night and center everything around it. For example, Mexican night. You could eat Mexican food and go salsa dancing! Our Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso would be the perfect addition to your evening!
- 35. Try a new restaurant. We usually end up eating out at the same places. Pick somewhere neither of you have been and try it out! Who knows, it might be a new favorite!
- 36. Take some lessons. Try taking a lesson for a couples dance, pottery or a cooking class!
- 37. Restaurant hop. Go to a different restaurant for each course of the meal. Make three stops for an appetizer, main course and dessert. Take turns picking where to go!
- 38. Have a spa night. Since your husband/significant other probably isn’t into manicures or pedicures, you could try massages, bubble baths, etc. You can buy some white towels and robes to make it really official (I found my white towels for $3 each at Wal Mart.).
- 39. 20 questions. Write a list of 20 questions to ask each other or find one on the internet. Go over your answers afterward. Here is a list of 20 questions for married couples.
- 40. Make breakfast together and eat it in bed (you could do this while the kids are still sleeping).We love french toast! You can check out our Recipe Index for some delicious breakfast ideas!
- 41. Exercise together. Attend an exercise class at a local gym, take a walk or jog together or do something active!
- 42. Go for a test drive. Head to your nearest car dealership and test drive your dream car!
- 43. Take a hike. This website will show you places near you to hike!
- 44. Breakin’ records. Read through the Guinness Book of World Records together, and find something the two of you could potentially achieve as a couple and then do it together as a cheap date.
- 45. Visit a bakery. Go to a local bakery and pick out a treat for each other.
- 46. Cook a meal together. Find a recipe you’ve never tried and make it together. Be sure to include some dessert, like our Chili’s Hot Fudge Molten Lava Cakes!
- 47. Write a bucket list. Make a list of things you want to do before you die and go do one to cross it off the list!
- 48. House hunting. Tour some homes and plan out your dream home!
- 49. Restaurant at home. Find recipes from some of your favorite recipes online, create a menu and have a lovely meal at home! Here is our Olive Garden Date Night and menu (recipes included)!
- 50. Go to the arcade. Get some quarters and head to your nearest arcade! Play some games and buy prizes with the tickets you win.
Apr 29
Flip Flop Hangers

Apr 28

Food allergies can be a pain. My brother has some life threatening food allergies, the worst of which is surprisingly beef/cow. His test registered the worst that the doctor had ever seen. It was off the charts. I have had some dairy intolerence and hay fever or pollen allergies but nothing serious. About 8 years ago I started babysitting for a family whose son was allergic to almost all foods. He had a lot of breathing trouble and could not eat eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, and nuts. That’s basically everything good! He has grown out of some of those allergies now that he is 10, but we still have to watch what he is putting into his body since now it affects his behavior and not just his breathing.
Here is a delicious looking recipe that would be great to make for a crowd if you or any other dinner guests have any type of food allergy or intolerance.
Vegan Lentil Chili
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups brown lentils, rinsed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
6-8 cups water
1 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 14 ounce can of dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
salt and pepper to taste
cilantro, for garnish
1. In a large heavy bottomed pot set over low heat, add in onions and oil. Let cook for 15-20 minutes until caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add in garlic and lentils. Stir in spices and cook a minute more. Cover with water, and stir in tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let simmer on low for 45 minutes to an hour.
2. Take half of the kidney beans and add to the pot. Take the other half and crush into a paste with a fork. Add to the pot. Let simmer for 20-40 minutes more, or until lentils are soft and the chili is the consistency you want. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro.
Apr 27
Allergies

Apr 26
Treatments for bloody noses.
Okay so this week I’m focusing on icky bodily irritants. I know it’s taken a lot of time and research to come up with the best ways to control my allergies. I’ve been rid of them for a few years but this year is shaping up to be a harsh one. I get bloody noses super easy. My doctor says everything looks fine even though I probably have an average of one per week most of the time. Here are some tips to prevent or cure them in the best ways possible.
Before and After:
- Get a humidifier for your bedroom.
- Drink a lot of water.
- Use your allergy meds.
- Get rid of dust.
- If there is a lot of pollen in the air keep your windows shut. You can also get an air purifier.
- Use a cotton swab with Vaseline and run on the inside of your nostril.
- Use a sinus rinse. I don’t do this.
During:
- Avoid blowing your nose.
- Keep your head down and relax. A lot of people say to put your head back. I hate this! They are wrong! All you end up doing is swallowing all the blood and making your body less comfortable.
- Pinch the top of the bridge of your nose or press your index finger firmly on the upper part of your lip, under your nostrils. This will cut off circulation and will stop the bleeding within a few minutes.
- If you have ice available put it on the top of your nose. This is the most effective way to stop the bleeding.
Other ideas:
- I usually just lean over a sink and let it drip as I ice and put pressure.
- I’ve heard that you can stick a tampon up your nose to control the bleeding. A clean one of course.
Hopefully this helps with the bad allergy season ahead.
(Source: suzyleesaysletsbuildahome)
Apr 25
Here is a printable coupon for Neosporin Essentials.
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Sorry I’ve been neglecting this blog for a week. I was so exhausted and busy. Not only was I lacking sleep but my weekend that I planned to relax and catch up, turned into me entertaining and being stressed out. I have an eczema flare up from both allergies and stress. Nothing has helped me over the years with my flare ups except for less allergic times of the year, trying my best to be stress free and not gettting harsh chemicals on my hands. I used to clean houses and it was always really bad back then. I just saw an ad on Hulu last night about this Neosporin Eczema product and I can’t wait to pick some up and test it out. I’m poor at the moment since I spent $400 fixing my car (more stress) yesterday so I guess I’ll have to stay itchy for a little longer.
Apr 15
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Apr 14

Vacation Day 5: In Search of Miike Snow
Two years ago I saw Miike Snow at Coachella. They were in my tops to see. Here I am again, so excited to see them perform their new material. Just thought everyone would like to have a little of babelicious breakfast info. See Miike Snow. Babes.
Anyway, I put myself in charge of food for 15-20 people this weekend. There are a lot of challenges. The hardest being the heat. I really have to plan according to that. Just thought I’d share what I brought and how I made it easy on myself. We have no access to water to clean pots or hands, so that is a challenge too.
I brought stuff to make one large group sized scramble that people can either put into a tortilla or a bagel. I brought pre-cut and frozen potatoes that just need to be sauteed. The eggs are the kind you buy in a carton. Not actually Egg Beaters but I bought them from Cash and Carry, a bulk restaurant food supply store. They are literally just eggs in a carton. I don’t have to worry about breaking the eggs during the drive or mixing them once we are there. I can just pour them into the pan and cook them. They store great in the ice chest too. I was going to bring pancake mix for Sunday but I found those containers of pancake mix in the whipped cream containers. I’ve had them before and they were pretty good. The label says they are organic too! I bought 3 cans at $2 each. Great deal and saves me on mess and prep. I’m also using real bacon bits for the scramble. I won’t have to chop or precook anything. I think for the amount of time and energy these things save, it is worth a tiny bit of extra money and lack of freshness. I also only plan to spend about $125 for 3 days breakfast, one big dinner, sandwich stuff, and hot dogs and sausages for the weekend for 20+ people. Pretty good right? Yup. I’m amazing.
Apr 13

Vacation Day 4: Peanut Noodles Recipe
If I were cooking for Refused I would make this for them. Did I mention I freaking get to see Refused today? Refused are NOT fucking dead!!!
This is not a great picture. It was a last minute thing the last time I made them. I love these noodles. They are so easy and I made and brought these to eat while we are camping.
- They are filling.
- They are inexpensive to make for a large group.
- They can be left at room temperature without worrying about nasty bacteria growing. I do keep it cold though but there is far less chance of getting sick from these being left out.
- It’s VEGAN!
Everything to taste as usual. The recipe is up for interpretation and you can use whatever veggies or type of noodles you would like.
This is the way I typically make them but sometimes I just take whatever is left in the fridge and mix it up.
- 1lb of cooked spaghetti
- 1 bag of broccoli slaw
- Thinly sliced onion, any kind. Green onions are good too. I like purple for color.
- Grated carrot
In a bowl or a jar mix:
- 3/4ish cup of vinegar. Any kind you like. I usually use apple cider vinegar.
- 1/2ish cup of peanut butter. I like chunky.
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil. You could also add a splash of sesame oil for a richer flavor.
- 3 or 4 Tablespoons of soy sauce
- Pepper and garlic powder to taste.
- A tiny bit of grated fresh ginger.
- It may need a tiny bit of sugar to taste.
- Add a splash of Sriracha or Mai Ploy. I like Mai Ploy. It gives the sauce a little kick.
Sometimes I get the sauce to noodles ratio wrong. The noodles soak up the sauce. I’d rather have too much sauce than not enough. You could also add less oil and vinegar and use it as a dipping sauce. MMMM!
Once the sauce is mixed well, dump it over the noodles and veggies and toss. Done! Super easy, super tasty, and super cheap.
(via imboundtopackitup)
Apr 12

Vacation Day 3: Arriving in Indio
It’s officially Coachella! This is always a great day. I spend days, weeks, months preparing for this day. It is usually super hot. 95-105 degrees. Camping on a polo field squished in like sardines. It may not sound too pleasant but it’s AMAZING! This is the day we set up our little camp, eat, explore, drink, catch up with each other. This year will include a hoop jam with me and my friend. I have a lot of tips for hot weather camping but I think I will just focus on tips to keep your ice chest cold.
- Blocks of ice will last longer than cubed. A great way to make your own block that you can drink when melted is by buying the rectangle bottle gallon jugs and freezing several ahead of time. Let me tell you that once they melt and you are dehydrated this ice cold water will be more refreshing than any can of beer. It’s also better for you since you are out in the sun for several days on end.
- A new thing I’m testing out this year is using Reflectix insulation. I’m going to put a layer on the inside and on the outside. I’m guessing this will make a huge difference.
- You can always go with dry ice but it is dangerous and harder to deal with. I only ever use it for smoky Halloween cauldrons but many people swear by it for extended hot weather camping.
- Freeze everything that can be frozen ahead of time. Meat, drinks, diced onions, fruit like pineapple, etc. If it is still frozen the day you need it leave it out for a bit and it will be ready when you need it. Having it frozen helps keep all of your other food cold.
- Stock up on cubed ice too! Just because blocks last longer. It does not hurt to have ice in all the nooks and crannies.
- Keep your ice chest in the shade at all times and lay a towel over it.
- Your meals should be planned out so that the most perishable foods get eaten first.
All of these little steps will keep your food at a cold temperature without having to make trips to the store or in my case spending a ton of money on ice in the venue.
Apr 11

Vacation Day 2: Long Beach to Riverside
I’m spending a couple of days in Long beach with friends. I’m living it up like Snoop in his hood. Yesterday I got Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles for the first time. Today we are going to the beach and enjoying the sun. Up in my neck of the woods the ocean is WAY too cold to go in any deeper than to your ankles, knees if you are brave and half polar bear.
So what can be taught from today’s journey? I know! Do some research before you leave on a trip. Read reviews on yelp. Make a list of places or sights you may want to see. If you read Yelp reviews don’t take them too seriously. If something sounds good to you and has a 3 or more star go for it! Everyone has different tastes. What I like about doing this is, that you can see what local and non-locals prefer and what may be best from the establishment before you get there. It could save you some time by having a place picked out and possibly knowing what to get. I have a tough time being spontaneous. Even when I tell myself to, I always end up doing some research beforehand. I’ve found many things I wouldn’t have known existed without reading up before a trip. Also, ask locals what they like to do, eat, and see but don’t expect much. I know I’m terrible at giving tours of Sonoma County but if I head to Portland I teach my lifelong Portlanders where all the hip places are. Role reversal is sometimes fun and informative!
Apr 10
Vacation Day One: Heading to Long Beach
Since I’m going to be spending a week away from my computer I thought I would queue up some posts related to my itinerary for the week. It is my choice to leave my computer at home. Coachella’s heat is no place for a laptop and I want to enjoy my time off without too much technology. Don’t worry. I’ll still have my phone.
So I’ve been thinking of some artsy fartsy crafty thing to do while on my trip. What I came up with is a scavenger art piece. I guess you could call it a scrap book sort of idea. I’m going to pick up little things from all the places I go, throughout the week. and when I get home put it all together as one big or little piece of art. I’m thinking Things like napkins from restaurants covered in ketchup or coffee, sea glass from the beach, Coachella dust, any promotional items I may acquire, etc. I think this is a fun idea and I am getting more excited as I type and imagine what treasures I will come home with. I will post a picture once it is completed.
Apr 09
Green Eggs and Ham
So you are wondering what to do with all that extra ham you have left over. Make a breakfast of green eggs and ham. It’s simple! Fry up a piece of the left over ham. Puree some spinach or use some pesto, get crazy and add some chopped zucchini and mix it into your scrambled eggs. Now you can feel as though you are living in one of Dr. Seuss’ tales.
(Source: suzyleesaysletsbuildahome)
Apr 08

I like using ginger ale and adding canned pineapple rings around it. It’s sweet, yummy and old fashioned.
(Source: cryptofwrestling, via kitschyliving)
Apr 07
Totsy Blog: How To: Make an Easter Egg Garland
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totsyblog:
Easter is right around the corner and what better way to get the kids involved then with a fun and simple art project. This Easter garland is sure to add a rainbow of color to your home.

You’ll need:
- Paint chips (featured here are Behr’s paint chips from Home Depot)
- Cottons string
- …
This is the cutest!
(Source: totsyblog)