If You're in a Pickle with your Pickles!

So this is what you do for your Visitee's when your bottled pickles don't seal!

Invent a cute tag & give them away for Visiting Teaching! No waste ;)

tis the Season for making Missionaries feel Loved!

Even though my son is in Argentina on a mission for our church; I wanted him to feel our love from home during the Christmas season. I made this Advent Calendar the size of a large manila envelope. The back is the cardboard backing from a Scrap paper Slab- it even had a hanger built in! I covered the cardboard with snowflake paper, then green for the tree. I attached the Merry Christmas and 4 outer boxes only to the cardboard, that way I can just bend them back to fit in the envelope- but when he takes it out it will be bigger.   I typed uplifting quotes and scriptures for him to open each day.

Tape on board to tape quote to-so the tape doesn't rip the board paper

Scrap Slab back with hanger

Place a small piece of tape over door to ensure the quotes stays in there

Gluesticks Guest Post

We're guest posting at Gluesticks today with our Christmas Countdown Box-go check us out! While you're there see other great ideas for counting down to the BIG day!

Days Until Christmas Countdown

I loved this idea I saw at Gluesticks Advent Calender week so much I made 8 for family members! Those girls at eighteen25 sure do have some cute ideas. Some ways I tweaked mine: I cut 3" off my clipboards, distressed my black paint and used complimentary papers, then chalked around everything. Also, I used many different fonts for my numbers. Go over to Gluesticks for a whole bunch more fun ideas for the holidays!

Thanksgiving Finger Puppets

I saw this cute idea for finger puppets at The Idea Room. I had Fun Foam and googlie eyes from years ago, so I thought I'd give it a shot. They turned out so cute! I think my grandson will like playing with them! ...Do you think he'll notice that I ran out of googlie eyes and just drew some for the Indian? THAT'S what you get for FREE! ;)

Thanksgiving Place Cards

I saw this in a craft magazine years ago. I couldn't afford to buy them that way SO I did what any self respecting crafty girl would do...I WENT TO ROBERTS AND BOUGHT FUN FOAM  and made my own! They've lasted a long time, and now I just make a new one as our family grows!

Here is an example of how you start with the base, or body, and layer to get the 3-D look  that comes off the card. I printed the name onto paper, then applied it card-stock for sturdiness.  

The Turkey's were made the same way, just layer back behind the wooden spoon. Cut to desired length, then stick in a nut cup. I didn't have nut cups once...so I used these small glass sundae cups...I will be doing this from now on! Don't you LOVE when "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" and then it turns out FANTASTIC!  

Snowman Soup

I just LOVE Kierste at brown paper packages. That's where I got the idea for Snowman Soup. She has so many great ideas for making the holidays funner! This was just the right little goody to share with the ladies I visit each month.
 

Christmas Countdown Box

From this...

And this...

to THIS!

As I was coveting this box and it's cute little boxes (can you tell I don't have a Silhouette?) and lamenting on my plight in life because I couldn't have one...it got me thinking. Hey, I could do this...kind of. I went to Walmart and searched high and low for small containers. Next I drew the box on a sheet of paper the size that I wanted my box. My computer drafting daughter demanded that I make this project easier on her dad and made me draw it to scale! You should have seen my husbands face when he saw the paper! But, the sweetie that he is, just picked it up and went to work. While he was making the box, I dug into my stash of paper, ribbons, buttons, brads and bling to cover the containers.

Some of the more 'creative' containers:
*plastic travel size Q-tips, even has a built in box! #8,19,23
*Ball 8 oz plastic freezer jars #1
*plastic knee-high nylons container #3,4
*Rubbermaid plastic food container #7,9
*plastic screw travel jars #12,18,24
*child bowl & lid. red bottom imprinted with toys! #14
*plastic soap dish #2
*plastic jewelry organizers #11,13
*glass sugar jar #16

The CRAZY part of this adventure: I printed the numbers and cut them out by hand! Yip, those small numbers kind of tried my patience. AGAIN, lamenting the lack of the aforementioned Silhouette! But I endured, knowing that my husband was working hard at his part of the CRAZY project, just to make me happy.

After painting the wooden box black-now all I need to do is fill them with little gifts and candy and we're ready for December 1st! I just love how this turned out! Oh, I can't forget the large pencil & notebook hanging off a giant push pin on the side (my demanding drafting daughters delightful idea). What would Christmas be without Letters to Santa?

So, this turned out SO GREAT...I think I'll look at the after Halloween sales for small containers and do this for a COUNT DOWN TO HALLOWEEN! :)

Tis' the Season for Turkeys

I just LOVE Fall season decor! This is the front of my home. All the pumpkins were grown by my husband in our very own garden! I've been busy this year making decorations for my family.

Tom Turkey stands 3 feet tall. He's just a funny lil' guy from his 2x6 boots to his brimmed out pilgrim hat. His feathers are made of 1x6 wood covered with scrapbook paper in fall colors. His beak, waggle, socks, buckles and pants are made of material.

I printed the letters on scrapbook paper then cut them to fit each block. The blocks are left over 2x4's from another project. Don't you just love it when you can use every bit of the wood!

I did these for visiting teaching & friends gifts. All out of 2x4 wood. 'Thanks' is 6" long. 

I scrounged around in my husbands nails & screws until I found just the right nail for my pumpkin stems. They even had just the right amount of rust on them to look vintage! After painting the blocks orange; I stained them with dark walnut stain. To make the vines, I  wound hemp cord around a pencil. Then Mod Podged it help it keep it's twirls. The gingham fabric finishes my pumpkins off so cute, don't you think!

French Bread made easy!

I get a thrill from making foods from scratch. It saves me lots of money and also gives me a sense of pride knowing that I can do it myself. However I am still convinced that somethings you make from scratch just don't taste the same. Maybe it is my lack of skill or maybe it is something else. In my mind French Bread was one of those foods. I had never tried it, and never thought to until recently. I found a really easy recipe on this blog. It is easy, and it does taste just like fresh French Bread from the store! French Bread recipe (this amount makes 3 small loaves or 2 large):

2 1/2 c. warm water

2 T. yeast

3 T. sugar

2 T. white vinegar

1 T. salt

1/3 c. oil (I use Canola)

5 1/2-6 c. flour (or a little more if it's too soft)

Add these ingredients together and let sit until bubbly. Knead for 2-5 mintues and then put in the oven with a small pot of boiling water. The water will keep the dough moist. Watch the dough and punch it down when it gets to the top of the mixing bowl. Do this every time it gets to the top of the bowl, as long as you have time to babysit it (2-5 times).

Put the dough on a greased countertop and divide into 3 sections. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle a thin layer of cornmeal on the bottom of the sheet. Roll the dough balls into rectangle/long French bread shapes. Slash tops of bread diagonally 3-5 times and cover with a beaten egg. Let rise 30 minutes (or until doubled)on the counter, or you can put them in your oven at 170 and wait until they are the size you want to cook them at. Once they are to the right size, turn up your stove to 375 (without opening the door!) and let them bake until done. Or, just raise on the counter and bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Enjoy! Dough--can be a little soft, if too sticky, add a little more flour. Put the boiling water in the oven with your bowl of dough to help it rise faster. Cut the dough into four equal parts (or six if you are making smaller loaves). Slice the dough diagonally and white wash with 1 beaten egg. Bake and serve warm.

Strawberry Syrup

My husband works as a Research Biologist on a farm in central California. We are very spoiled because we get all the fresh produce we want! Strawberries have been our recent project. Our little family went and picked a ton of strawberries over the weekend. We have been freezing, dehydrating, making jam, and fruit leather. My new obsession though is strawberry syrup! If you can give up a couple cups of those valuable fresh strawberries, you should totally try this recipe :) Fresh Strawberry Syrup (Food Network:Emeril Lagasse):

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and diced, or thawed frozen unsweetened strawberries (about 3 cups)
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the strawberries are soft and the syrup is thickened and reduced by one-third to one-half in volume, 15 to 18 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before serving. (If thinner syrup is desired, strain the hot syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container and let cool.)
Yield: 2 1/2 cups

I am in love.

Savory Rice and Chicken

I found this recipe on eatbetteramerica.com and love it! Not much for looks, but tastes yummy :)

Takes 35 minutes start to finish!
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cups carrots, cut into bit sized pieces
1 1/3 cup water
1 pkg (4.3oz) long grain and wild rice mix with herbs

- Heat 10 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken in skillet about 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in the center. Stir in remaining ingredients including seasoning from rice mix.
- Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and simmer about 3 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender and liquid is absorbed.

Perspective is Interesting...

Take away the gray hair and this is pretty much how I feel!

Book Review

I chose to review this book The Kissing Hand because it's one of my son Jacob's favorite books. When he was in first grade I would kiss the palm of his hand before he went out the door. (his idea) Through the years he's brought it up and we laugh and remember the book and feelings. In a about a month from now, Jacob will be serving a 2 year mission in Argentina for our church. I'm so glad he has chosen to do this. While I will miss him a lot; I know he'll be a wonderful missionary and I'm so glad for the experiences he'll have.

The Mother raccoon has a Son who is scared to go to school. So she kisses his palm, then closes his fingers around the kiss. Chester felt his mother's kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart. Even his silky, black mask tingled with a special warmth. She said to him "Now, whenever you feel lonely and need a little loving from home, just press your hand to your cheek and think, 'Mommy love you.' And that very kiss will jump to your face and fill you with toasty warm thoughts."
It helps him to remember her love all day until he gets home. You can see the relevance to my life right now. Enough said. Read it with your children and enjoy. I hope it will become one of your favorites too.

Family Events Chart

With 8 kids, 4 grandchildren, (and growing) in-laws and several extended family members anniversaries and birthdays ~ I needed to keep track of it ALL...in a cute way. This is what I came up with. So not only do I have all the permanent dates, I can write with a dry erase marker the things happening this year.  
I had an old lawyer bookshelf front that I didn't need any more. I scuffed up the edges and hung the ribbon through the knob holes, then hot glued flowers and buttons over the hole. 

I picked the coordinating paper and letters from my stash then printed out the yearly dates, making sure I left enough room for GROWTH!  Afterwards I chalked around each. When I need to add to the permanent dates; I just take it down, take the back off and add the new date and person. Funny story: If you look closely you'll see a darker green on Feb. Our son came for a visit this weekend. My husband comes to me and says "Baby (that's what he calls me. If he used my given name I'd think he was mad) ummm, did you maybe forget a birthday on your chart?" I jump up. "Oh NO, I did?!" Much to my horror, I did forget that darling son. But, he is so sweet he didn't give me too hard of a time. I just love kids that understand how crazy I am...but LOVE me anyway! 

Letter and Number Tiles

When we moved into a new home 2 years ago we had to buy blinds for all the windows. We had extra slats after cutting them to the right length. I kept some for any 'accidents' that might happen to them. And "they would be good for something" in the future. My grandson is learning his letters and numbers. So it got me thinking...

Cut the slats about 2" long.

Looked in my stash to find letters and numbers to Mod Podge onto the slats. This will hopefully keep these tiles good for a few more years as other siblings need to use them.

Looked in my stash again for small stickers for number object tiles.

Mod Podged a label on an old Herbalife container to store the letters and a separate one for the numbers.

I found this great idea here. I just couldn't resist doing this for my little guy who is learning his numbers! And again, I Mod Podged a label on an ice cream bucket. I really get my money's worth out of containers! I really liked how this turned out. I hope it will be a good present for his 2nd birthday coming up! The best thing of all; these projects didn't cost anything! Don't you just love what you find in your STASH? I do!