IMO: My favorite kitchen gadget

IMO Fridays: 100% unsolicited reviews about things that are wonderful ("In My Opinion").  I've no relationship with the makers of these products.

Which of you ever thinks, "I need a new can opener. Wonder which one is Mikki's favorite?" No, no, don't leave yet! There's possibly a cool by-product that comes from using this device!

Smooth Edge Can Opener

After purchasing a smooth-edge can opener only to find that it took the top of the can off by slicing it below the lip, leaving a wickedly sharp can AND lid, I resolved that this type of can opener was a fraud.

Later, a friend told me about her Pampered Chef can opener. She'd had it for a long time and really liked, so I purchased one too and have enjoyed using it for over a year now. The lids are sort of pried off, separating the lid from the can and leaving a truly smooth edge. It never touches the contents of the can, so there's no gunky buildup around the gear thingy. It's my favorite can opener ever, and it's not even electric!

http://www.squidoo.com/crafts-using-tins

Interestingly, this gadget has "opened up" a new world of crafting for me. Every time I open a can, I wash it and set it aside for an upcoming craft. "What craft?" you might ask. Ummm... I haven't figured that out yet. So far, we've used one for a science experiment. But I did find these ideas...

http://www.my719moms.com/news/tin-can-planter/

I'd love to hear your ideas for using them! 

Flock Together Blog Hop 3/13

Originally published in 2012 as part of a weekly blog hop — a kind of online meet-and-greet where everyone shared a post and wandered from blog to blog.

Welcome to my "no rules" button blog hop! To participate, simply...

1. Link up: Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."

2. Find new friends: Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love (Linky Followers, Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, etc.). Kindly pass by the ones you don't.

I try my best to follow EVERYONE who joins the hop, but it helps if you leave a comment letting me know you're new here. Also, please, please, please sign up for Linky Followers! It's a great alternative to Google Friend Connect.

This week's "Fine Feathered Friend" and guest host is Pamela at

Pamela's Heavenly Treats



I must first say that without God none of this would be possible. I am  a wife, mother of 6, homeschool teacher and I have a small Healthy Cupcakes & Cookie business. Everything that I make is made with 100% Whole Wheat Flour and my secret ingredients. You will not know that you are eating healthy when you taste these treats.

What a "treat" this site is to those of us with a sweet tooth! The only thing better than a yummy cupcake is a yummy cupcake made from a health conscious recipe. Next time I'm ready to make some sweet treats, this will be the first place I visit to pick up some great recipes. Please stop by and follow her with me!

Want to be next week's Fine Feathered Friend? Click here to find out how. It's free and easy.

Need a little help?

• If this is all new to you, click here.
• If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you. Check back throughout the day to visit late entries that might be just your cup of tea! Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.
• If you see empty boxes with red x's instead of pictures in the linky, try clearing your cache (Go to Tools > Internet Options > Under the General tab and Browsing History section, click "Delete"> check Temporary Internet Files > Delete > then refresh or reload Mom's Best Nest).

IMO: My Favorite Hair Spray (and an '80's hair flashback)

Remember this hair style, circa 1987? I LOVED MY BIG HAIR (even though there wasn't a lot of it)! I still remember how I styled it...

1. Apply mousse to freshly washed wet hair.
2. Deftly maneuver a handheld hair dryer in one hand and a round barrel brush in the other to form a big ridge of hair along the crown of your head.
3. Bend over and blow dry the rest until it's completely dry. Fling hair dramatically as you return to an upright position.
4. Tease hair along the aforementioned ridge, and apply hair spray.
5. Use a jumbo pick to pull hair even higher and secure with more hair spray.
6. Bend over and spray the rest of the hair lightly. Return to an upright position quickly to prevent scary big hair.
7. Turn head to one side, pull hair away from ear with brush and freeze in place with several bursts of hair spray. Repeat on other side.

Note: Permed hair was a prerequisite for most of us. The coveted "spiral" perm was every girl's dream, but poor girls like me had to settle for the "curly" perm :)

Ahhh, the good old days. Seriously, I liked the look of big hair - possibly because it made me look taller. As time went on, hair dressers gradually forced  encouraged me to update my style, and at this point it's very different. One thing that's remained the same is my preference for hairspray with staying power.

About a year ago, my administrator noticed me fighting an annoying, loose strand of hair, even after spraying it repeatedly with hairspray. She went to her office and returned with Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine. I was skeptical because I didn't believe that a pump hairspray could set my hair strongly enough. I was wrong! This stuff works, and  it's the best hairpsray I've ever found. It holds all day, without creating a shell on your hair. It's moderately priced, especially if you purchase it at Ulta, where they have a frequent shopper program and coupons. The only down side I've experienced is that sometimes the nozzle head  needs to be cleaned, but it's not a big deal - just run it under hot water or pull off the film with your fingernail.


It may be out of fashion now, BUT should big hair ever return, as they say all fashions do, I am good to go!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Paul Mitchell or Ulta, and I purchased this product myself.