Thursday, August 30, 2007
This and That
There are many things planned for the long weekend. Saturday evening we will be attending a cookout hosted by Chuck's grandmother. Sometime this weekend we need to go help my parents close their swimming pool. The details haven't been worked out yet. I would like to get my fall things ready. Also do some crafting if I have time. Then we have the normal things like yard work and such. Oh, and maybe we can squeeze some rest and relaxation in there too!
Hope you all have a great Labor Day Weekend!
Mitten Gift Tags
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Monday, August 27, 2007
Popcorn and a Movie

I found these cute popcorn containers in the dollar bin at Target. I thought they would add some fun to our Movie Fridays. From the movie I am sure you can tell it was my week to choose! With the heat we have been having it has been fun to get in our pj's and settle down for the evening.
Friday, August 24, 2007
First Haircut
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Hot Mulled Cider Mix
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp whole clover
1/4 tsp salt
dash nutmeg
3 cinnamon stick
(I doubled this recipe)
I packaged it in my new jars.

I used this to tamp down the mix. I then added the orange slices (finally I used them!) and cinnamon sticks. To finish it off I printed the instructions (add 1/2 of the jar, 1/2 of the orange slices and 3 cinnamon sticks to 2 quarts of apple cider) on cardstock and tied it on with jute.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Mason Jars
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Dried Cinnamon Apple Wreath

To make these I first dried my apples. Slice your apples and soak for 20 minutes in 2 cups lemon juice and 3 tbs salt. Remove and pat dry. Roll pieces in cinnamon and allspice mixture (optional). Place on wire rack on top of cookie sheet and bake at 150 for 6 hrs or until dry. Turn pieces over if they start to curl. I found that with the chunks instead of slices it took about 8 hrs for them to dry. They smell so yummy when they are drying. Chuck came home and thought I made apple pie!
Next I cut a piece of floral wire to the desire length. I then pushed the pieces onto the wire; leave enough wire at both ends to twist the wreath together.
Then I cut a piece of fabric and looped it around the wreath. This covers the twisted wire and gives you something to hang the wreath with.
I then added a bow and the wreath was complete!
I hung these from a corner cabinet in my kitchen. I was able to fold the fabric over the door and attach with a thumbtack. To preserve the wreath you should spray it with acrylic spray. I opted to skip this step so that I could have the cinnamon smell throughout the kitchen. Enjoy!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Nice Matters Award

Imagine my surprise when I went to visit one of my favorite blogs and and saw that I had been given a "Nice Matters Award". Thank you Mrs U for giving me this award. I am truly honored. You said such nice things about me that you made me blush! Oh, and definitely smile!!
If you have a minute please stop by and see Mrs U. She is a sweet lady with lots of wonderful homekeeping tips!
Lunch Guest
Pizza Casserole (picture & recipe to follow)
Veggie Tray w/ Dip
Chunky Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

*I am sure your homemade versions can be substituted!
Brown & drain ground beef. Stir in pizza sauce and toppings. Quarter biscuits; place in a greased 9x13 baking sheet. Top with beef mixture. Bake uncovered, at 400 for 20-25 minutes. Top with cheeses and bake 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Chunky Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Dried Orange Slices

Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Canning Jar Storage
Monday, August 13, 2007
I'm Learning

I bought 4 packages of Kotex (16 ct) from CVS. They were buy one at $3.49 get a second package for $1. I used three $2 off coupons and one $1 off coupon. Total cost $1.98
At Walgreens I purchases two bottles of Bayer (32 ct). They were 2/$3.00. I had two coupons for $1.10 off. Total cost $0.80.
Thanks to everyone for your inspiration. Please keep posting about your great finds. I am learning!
Declutter & Make Money
I removed books that I had read and did not want to keep. I passed them along to my mother-in-law. I found a basket that I had received a gift in to contain all of the diaper supplies. Then we sorted out the CD's.

Friday, August 10, 2007
Cleaning with Vinegar
Any tips on cleaning on the cheap would be appreciated.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Christmas in August
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Brown Sugar Keeper
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Crumb Cake

Mix together:
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
In another bowl mix:
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tbs oil
2 tsp vanilla
Mix dry and wet ingredients together and press into greased 9x13 baking dish.
Mix together:
2 1/2 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Cut in 2 sticks butter. Crumble over the top of the batter.
Bake at 325 for 20-30 minutes. Rotate half way through. Dust with powdered sugar.
I am not sure where this recipe came from. Very simple to make. A great fall variation would be to layer on cinnamon apples before the crumb topping is put on. Enjoy!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Stop and Smell the....

These petunias are in a window box on the garage window. For some reason yesterday they were very fragrant. The smell of these flowers always make me think of my grandmother. Mom always had petunias growing when I was a child. Just the smell makes me think of her. I can picture them growing in a planter on the old farmhouse porch. I can remember playing in the evening and the grown ups all sitting on the porch. Funny how a smell can bring back such a wonderful memory!
Friday, August 03, 2007
This and That
Today is already better. Megan is back to her normal self and lucky for us this is Chuck's Friday off. Yeah!
The to do list is long. Some errands this morning and then I will be baking a cake for my niece. My sister will be coming over this evening so we can decorate it. She wants polka dots. Simple! I will post a picture when it is complete.
I am also wanting to read through my ever growing pile of magazines. I need to get my craft and recipes in the organizer. I also have lots of craft ideas swimming around in my head. I need to write them down before I forget!
I hope everyone has a fabulous and relaxing weekend!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Seed Packets
My mother-in-law is an avid gardener so I crafted these for her. Here is how these were made.
1. Cut out using pattern.
2. Fold side flaps together and then secure with double sided tape.
3. Fold up both of the end flaps. Secure only one with double sided tape.
4. For the closure I punched a hole in the back of the seed packed and a matching hole in the top flap. I then threaded ribbon through the holes. The ribbon is then tied in a bow to secure packet closed.
5. Decorate the front of the seed packet to your liking.

I made six packets and put a scripture on the front of each one. In case you are interested this is the scripture I used.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive"
1 Corinthians 15:22
"He has made everything beautiful in His time."
Ecclesiastes 3:2
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8
"The whole earth is full of His glory!"
Isaiah 6:3
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."
Psalms 37:7
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad."
Psalms 126:3

I tied the packets together with twine. This will go into a gardening basket. Along with a stepping stone that will have Megan's little foot prints.
If anyone is interested in making these I would be happy to email you the pattern. Just leave a comment with your e-mail address.
Now that I have been bitten by the crafting bug I will be scouring blogs and magazines for cute ideas!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
13 Months

It is hard to believe that you have been in our lives for 4 months! My how you have changed. You are crawling all over the place and love it when we hold your fingers and walk you. You squeal in delight and it just cracks us up! You are really starting to pull up and when we put you behind your push toy you try hard to walk with it. It is so funny because half the time you forget you have to move your legs along with it!
I am amazed everyday with how wonderful you are. I am truly blessed to be your Mama!