Fruit fly trap (experiment)

Did I mention I HATE fruit flies?

Every summer, no fail, they invade my kitchen. I don't know if they come in from outdoors or on the fruit I by at the store, but they arrive mid summer and I struggle to get rid of them.

I swat, squish, and smack to try to get rid of as many as possible.
Then I saw Pintrest, the answer to my troubles, a fruit fly trap. (Well, varying versions)
So I decided to do a little informal research with the two most popular traps.


Trap one: The Fruit Fly Funnel


(This version can be made in varying ways. A liter pop bottle cut and inverted or using a funnel and glass from home. I did the latter.)

Add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to the bottom of a glass.
Chose a funnel that doesn't leave gaps on the top.
The fruit flies will be attracted down through the funnel in to the glass and will be unable to fly out.

Result: Mixed. 
A few fruit flies were trapped after two days, but it seemed like a majority just huddled on the rim of the glass and in the top of the funnel.



Trap two: Plastic wrap glass trap.

Add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to the bottom of a short glass.
Cover the top of a glass tightly with plastic wrap.
Cut a SMALL slit in the top of the plastic wrap.
The fruit flies will crawl down through the slit to the glass and will be unable to fly out.

Result: Pretty good. 
By the end of day two about a dozen fruit flies were trapped, but many were huddled on the top or outside of the plastic wrap.

NOTE: I would chose option two again to catch/attract the most fruit flies. However, what I started doing was placing the glass on an open area of counter and watching from a distance. When many flies were congregated on the top of the plastic wrap I would mist some Clorox Anywhere Spray above the area of the trap, when the flies tried to take off their wings would be wet, they would fall the counter and I would wipe up about 10+ flies, then wipe off the outside of the glass and a bit later repeat the process. In this was I caught over 50 fruit flies in one day between those in the glass and the ones I caught in my "mist".











Now my kitchen in *almost* fruit fly free for the time being.

What tricks do you have to get rid of fruit flies? 

This is why you should test first.

I'm always looking for a way to shorten the amount of time I need to spend shaving my legs in the summer. Shaving is a daily requirement for me if i'm even going to think about wearing capris or shorts.

I decided to try a new product. I have used other versions of Nair in the past but its been a few years. I decided to try the new Nair with Aloe and Lanolin. It was supposed to be "soothing" and "nourishing".

The directions say to test a spot on your leg first. I'm a mom, 5 minutes to test a spot of skin is 5 minutes I do not have. I figured that since i've used it in the past I should be just fine to use it again.

WRONG!

After 4 minutes it was burning my legs. I quickly washed it off and was left with a not so nice rash.

I don't know what caused it but I will be looking for new hair removal products in the future.

Do you have a favorite hair removal product? Please share!

Truffle fries (quick and easy but just as delicious version)

We went into Chicago for a "grown ups" day without the kiddo the other night and went to an amazing hot dog place. (Shout out to Franks and Dawgs!)  We ordered a side of truffle fries, after all, we were there to live it up for the day, right!?

Triple Truffle Fries from Franks and Dawgs in Chicago

All I can say is YYYYUUUUUMMMMM!

They were so good that here we are less than a week later and we (hubby and I) are trying our hand at making there here at home.

Hand making fries wasn't going to happen; the time, the hot oil, no thanks! Plus, the added health of having baked fries is always a bonus.


Ingredients:
Frozen Waffle Fries
2 tsp Truffle Oil
1 tsp Sea Salt
1 Green Onion
3 cloves Garlic
1 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese

Directions:
Bake fries according to directions (make sure they are nice and crispy).
While fries are baking dice tops of green onion and 3 cloves of garlic into very small pieces.
Remove fries from oven and carefully transfer metal bowl.
Drizzle 2 tsp of Truffle oil over the fries, add salt, onion, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
Gently toss till coated evenly.
Plate and sprinkle with extra onion and parmesan for garnish.

*The dip you see pictured with the fries was make by my husband he used mayo, Franks Redhot sauce,  horseradish, ketchup. It was yummy.

Eat quickly because they go fast!

Do uou have a favorite restaurant recipe that you re-created at home?

Day at the zoo

Today was a mommy and daughter day. We took a trip to the zoo. Had an absolute blast!!!

Days like this are a heart moving reminder why I love my daughter do much.  Her innocence and fascination about life make me smile and long for that same feeling. A reminder that I should enjoy each moment if her childhood because she will only be young once.

What activities do you do with your children that inspire those same feelings in you? 

Remember to use the Jigglers recipe

And one of those "mommy brain" moments made regular Jello, thinking I could just let my daughter use cookie cutters to cut out Jigglers.

 A friendly reminder, make sure you use the Jigglers recipe when you actually want to make Jigglers.

Do you have a favorite "mommy brain" moment?