Dollar Store Ornament Garland

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 No comments
I made this last year for Good Morning, Texas.  I made a loop on each end so it can hang in a swag, but I was lazy and had it lay across the top of my buffet, which was just as pretty....maybe this year she'll make the wall.  .  
 I bought some ornaments at the Dollar Tree. They sell them in all shapes and sizes.  I took about 5 tubes per swag, and I made each swag separate so it wasn't too heavy.  These ornaments are really light, so it's not too heavy, but still.
 I took some wire and twisted the end so I had a loop for hanging.
I also twisted on the first ornament next to that loop and then I just started dropped ornaments down my wire varying the colors until I had this...
I twisted off the other end and now it's ready to hang.  Not too shabby for 5 bucks.

Ranger Cookies

Monday, November 27, 2017 No comments
For the last...well....long time...I've hosted a yearly recipe exchange at my school.  It's started b/c there were a bunch of us that loved pinterest.  SO....a good way to try out 15-20 new recipes is to have each gal baek up a recipe.  Last year, my contribution was Ranger Cookies.  I had these a year ago on a random roadside stop, so I wanted to try them out.  HERE is a free printable (that I took to the cookie exchange).  If you like oatmeal cookies....these take after that with a few more fun surprises thrown in.  

Fall Salad

Friday, November 24, 2017 No comments
I'm clearing my phone of pictures and I found this one of a salad I really loved and want to remember.  I tossed together spinach, apple slices, candied pecans, and white cheddar cheese.  I added some balsamic vinegar for dresshing and it was the perfect comination of salty and sweet.  So, before I say goodbye to fall and all her flavors, I wanted one last memory, so next year I remember I do like more than pumpkin bread & caramel apples when fall rolls around. 

12 Day of Christmas

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 No comments
 I did this once before for my cousin's daughter, and it was a big hit.  I bought a bunch of little crafts at craft stores in the area and I wrapped them each individually (12 crafts to be exact).  I added a tag with a number and the date to each tag (because my goddaughter, who is getting these gift, does not like to wait).  This way she can look forward to opening a gift each day, and she will soon learn they come with a little something for her to do each day. 
Her house should be well decorated by day 12! 

Crockpot Cornbread Dressing

Monday, November 20, 2017 No comments
     This photo isn't a beauty, but the dressing was delicious.  I brought this to a potluck last week at work.  There is a group of us that spends the ENTIRE day outside working the turkey trot for each grade level, so last year I started a little friendsgiving for the workers who are ready to gorge by 2 pm.
     I wanted to bring a Thanksgiving dish, but I've been sooooo busy all month, so I looked for something easy to throw together and came up with this dressing.  I combined a few different online dressings, so feel free to add and subtract.
Crockpot Cornbread Dressing
Ingredients:  8 c. of corn bread (I cooked 2 boxes of Jiffy according to directions and then crumbled it up, I also added about 4 pieces of day old white bread), 1 can cream of chicken, 1/2 t. pepper, 11/2 t. sage, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 3 c. chicken broth, 1/4 c. melted butter, 4 eggs, 1 med onion chopped, 1 c. celery (chopped).  
Instructions:  Mix all ingredients.  Place in a crockpot and cook for 4-5 hours on low.  Top should be browning.  

TShirt Quilt

Saturday, November 18, 2017 No comments
 This year for Christmas I made my brother a t shirt quilt.  He had a ton of shirts taking up closet space from sport's team victories and races he's run.  I used a plastic square to cut them all down to the same size. 
 I cut 2 inch strips and sewed them to the sides and then between each row.  This allowed me to be less than perfect.  The reality is I don't have the patience or talent to match up corners, so this is the most forgiving way for me to put together blocks...and it makes the quilt a little longer too. 
I bought some batting and a soft sheet for the back and I took it to a quilter to attach the two pieces together and then added some binding using the same fabric between each square.  Last,  I added some dog hair b/c no project is complete without dog hair. 

Photo a Day

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 No comments

I usually post in advance, but for the first time, I'm behind in blogging. It has been a real bugger of a year.  I have a lot of fun things planned for December, including December Daily, but in the meantime.  One thing I have kept up with is my photo a day on Instagram. Sometimes it's something I did, something I ate, or an ever recurring theme..my dog. I  love her more than a little. This is my second year and the first few months were difficult to remember to post, but in the midst of hard days I love flipping back day by day and seeing so much good and significance in what seems like a year of more of the 'same,' and at points 'hard.' 

Thanksgiving Cards

Monday, November 06, 2017 1 comment
This summer I tried to get ahead on my cards.  I put together theseThankgiving cards using some of my scraps and doodads for my godchildren and their siblings.  I buy big packages of blank cards when they go on sale and then use my scraps and misc stickers and ribbons to try to put together cards for the holidays....when I have the time...which usually means I store up in the summer like a squirrel with her acorns to get me through the winter and all her holidays.

Peppermint Fluff Candle

Friday, November 03, 2017 No comments
Last year I saw some cute little candles inside tin cans at a craft show and I decided it looked like a good DIY project!  
 I bought wick and candle squares at a craft store, and then I saved a can from a meal, used some peppermint essential oil for a scent, and a washer.
 To prevent my can from having a sharp edge I used one of those openers that removes the lid/rim and all.
 I tied the wick to the washer and placed it down at the bottom of the can.  This wouldn't work if the can wasn't metal (fire hazard), but it works for this case and made a nice weight.
 I tied the wick to a straw and placed it across the can in the middle so it would stay (sort of) straight.  The candle wax suggested a double boiler, but I just stuck it in the microwave for about 5 minutes until it was melted.  I dropped in a few drops of essential oil and then poured it into the can.
 It goes in clear, but when it was starting to harden, just to jazz it up, I added some crushed peppermint.
I added a label and then bagged it up with some mints.  I don't think I'll go into the candle making business, but....it was a fun little gift to give a few friends and different from my norm!

Sugar Cookie Truffles

Wednesday, November 01, 2017 1 comment
 In my defense....of those who celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving.....I posted this a year ago-I just set it out into the world of cyberspace b/c my blog was too full last December when I made these.  OK...I totally celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving, but still....that's not my reason this time!
I put together these little treats for a potluck.  I thought they sounded festive and fun...and it turns out you can add tasty to that list.
 These are so simple to make.  It required three ingredients-four if you add sprinkles.  I used some slice and bake cookies to make some sugar cookies.  I took 12 of those cookies (about 2 inches across) and crumbled them in a food processor with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.  You roll them into balls (I got about 16 1 inch balls out of mine).  I put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes (or place them in the fridge for an hour or so).
Melt white chocolate, dip, and sprinkle quickly (it hardens really fast).