Setting Up Digital Library Apps

As a serious bibliophile I could never afford to buy books with as much as I read, more than 100 books a year! My free time is always spent reading. I few years ago my lovely fiance bought me my first Kindle. I was in love! I have made the switch and primarily read digital now, mostly for convenience. I replaced my first Kindle with a Nook because the library offered more books in EPUB format than the kindle format. My OCD self (jokingly self diagnosed) got frustrated with not being able to read the next book in a series because they did not have it in the correct format. The Nook was used and Glitchy and was in need of replacing as well. My mother solved that problem when she got an amazing Back Friday deal on Kindle Fires, and bought one for each of us. Now I have the best of all worlds on one device.
So lets get your device set up and the free books coming!

Step  1: You will need a library card with a pin number.

Step 2:Log in to your local library website.
           Look for a link to the catalogs, digital library or e-book downloads. Here are two different examples of what you might look for in red.

Step3: Download the necessary apps. Both libraries pictured use Overdrive, one also offers the 3M Cloud Library and Zinio (magazines).

Step 4: Set up your Overdrive account.

Magnetic Spice Rack

I have been wanting a magnetic spice rack for a couple years now. My spice cupboard took up too much space in my tiny apartment kitchen and it was a nightmare to find whatever I needed. Everything would fall everywhere and organization was impossible with a hodgepodge of different containers. Too bad I forgot to take a before photo. One day while walking through Ikea (I heart Ikea!) with my fiance I found the perfect magnetic board. The white SPONTAN was $12.99, a price my love could not argue with. They sold spice tins too but they were too big and not what I had in mind. So I picked up the board and a new project was born. I went about collecting my other supplies. I got my tins from http://www.specialtybottle.com/. I love this place! I have a rather extensive spice collection so I ordered 50 4oz.  & 12 8oz. square tins with clear windows in the lid. Now I needed magnets. I went with a 1/16"  12'x24' sheet of peel and stick outdoor adhesive magnet. I cut 50 2"x2" and 12 2 1/2"x 2 1/2" Squares and stuck them to the backs of all my little tins. Time to fill them all! Yea! I was getting so excited! Time to pull out the handy dandy label maker. I used a clear tape with black print and got to work on my long list.

Allspice
Bay Leaf- lg tin
Basil
Beau Monde
Black Peppercorn- lg tin
Caraway Seed
Cardamom, seed and powder
Cayenne Pepper
Celery Seed
Chili Powder
Chives
Cilantro
Cinnamon
Cloves, whole and ground
Coriander
Cumin
Curry
Dill
Fennel
Garlic, powder & salt
Ginger, powder, candied
Greek Seasoning
Ground Black Pepper-lg tin- for daily cooking
Herbs de Province
Italian Dressing Mix-lg tin-(I make this myself)
Italian Seasoning
Kosher Salt-lg tin- for daily cooking
Lemon Pepper
Marjoram
Mint
Mustard Powder
Nutmeg
Onion, powder
Onion,  minced- lg tin
Onion Soup Mix-lg tin (I make this myself)
Oregano
Paprika
Parsley
Poppy Seed
Poultry Seasoning
Ranch Dressing mix-lg tin
Red Pepper Flakes
Rosemary
Saffron
Sage
Seasoned Salt
Taco Seasoning- lg tin ( I make this myself)
Tarragon
Thyme
Turmeric
White Pepper

I also have a handful of seasonings that I ran out of room for such as Mrs. Dash & Montreal Steak that I may make a smaller board on the inner cupboard door for in the future. As you can see I have quite the selection plus I have a full herb garden on my balcony. Though that is only available to me a few months of the year here in Minnesota.

Please excuse my horrible pictures, it was hard to get decent lighting and I am still learning how to use my new camera. Hopefully one day my photos will look all professional like the gorgeous pictures all over Pinterest.

Southwestern Frito Salad

Southwestern Frito Salad

The first time I had this was at a potluck. I watched the woman mix in mayo and thought OMG Gross! Well I do know better and tried it anyway and loved it. It is now quite popular in our house. I have brought it with on camping trips and picky family members grudgingly tried it only to devour it and ask for the recipe.

Black Beans & Corn

Green Pepper

Red Pepper

Chopped Black Olives

Green Onion & Cheese

Mayo & Fritos

Southwestern Frito Salad

1 can black beans, drained & rinsed 1 sm can sliced black olives 3/4 cup frozen corn, thawed 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1 green bell pepper, seeded & diced 1 red bell pepper, seeded & diced 2 green onions, chopped 1/2-1 cup mayo 1 bag chili cheese fritos

Combine beans, olives, corn, cheese, bell peppers & onions. Mix with mayo until well coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve mix with crushed chili cheese fritos.