The Season has officially begun

Let the decorating begin! I haven’t started to decorate yet and I’ll bet you are all finished! I’m waiting for the mood to strike!

So far this mod podge project is all I’ve done. I found a small tree on clearance  last year for $4 with the thought of putting it in this planter I got from Big Lots a couple years ago.  I bought the planter because I liked the shape and knew I could remake it. 

I used a sturdy wrapping paper that I had on hand and  outlined the edges of the planter with black magic marker because the edges of the paper weren’t perfect, but that won’t matter when it’s finished. I mod podged the paper onto the planter and am just waiting for it to dry.

When it’s done I’ll set up this little tree in the kitchen because we spent so much time there. I’ll do a couple tablescapes, decorate the porch and call it done.

My favorite thrift shop sent me a $5 coupon that I used on some Christmas dishes that are perfect for a holiday tablescape. Getting that coupon was a nice surprise!

Now that Thanksgiving is over it’s quiet around here again. Mia Kate has gone home and  taken all her chattering and screaming with her. She is a screamer, have I mentioned that before? Makes your ears ring, that’s how loud it is.

She napped right through Thanksgiving dinner, but she had her dinner after she woke up. At 19 months she is just too cute!

 

I’m looking forward to visiting all over blogland and seeing all the beautiful holiday decorations.

 

Give Thanks

As you gather around the table, please pause for a moment to reflect upon the the blessings you’ve received this year. I hope you will remember the most wonderful blessing of all, your salvation through Jesus Christ. It is free to you but cost Him his life and for that we are so blessed.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Apple Pie Cake

Anything with apples and cinnamon I’m sure to love.  Just the thought makes my mouth water. 
So, I love apple pie, but since I’m not such a great pie baker, I make an apple cake that I put my own twist on by adding whole wheat flour and applesauce. Here’s the recipe:
Mix together;

• 3 c. flour or 1 c. flour and 2 c. whole wheat flour
• 2 c. sugar,
• 1 c. vegetable oil or applesauce,
• 4 eggs,
• 1/4 c. milk,
• 2 tsp baking powder,
• 2 tsp vanilla

Slice up about 6 big tart apples( approx 7 c. ) and add 2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/3 c. sugar and 1 c. chopped walnuts. Add 2/3 of this mixture to the batter and put in a greased and floured bundt pan. Top with remaining apple mixture. Bake @350 for about 1 1/2 hrs. The smell is heavenly!

Did you know you could use your whisk as a sifter? It really does make the flour nice and fine.  Yep,  Martha told me that little trick.
Ice cream is really good with this cake, especially if you warm the cake a little in the microwave. If you like apples and cinnamon as much as I do you’ll love this recipe.
Have  great weekend !
I'm linking up to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. There are lots of recipes over there and I do means lots!

Thrift Shopping

Yardsale season may be over but I’m still on the hunt for bargains and treasures, or even thrash that I can turn into a treasure.  I hit the local thrift shop at least twice a week, sometimes more. Sssshh,  don’t tell but I think it’s an addiction! 

I found this bird cage for $3. I have a few others so now I guess I can call it a collection.
Barrel shade and nice wooden pedestal were $1.50




  I found this tea set in different parts of the store but each piece has the same mark on the bottom so I’m assuming it’s a set. Total $2.75



Three winter skirts and a Tommy Hilfiger sweater for $3 each. What a bargain! The Beth Moore book was only .50.

On the Thanksgiving table in the previous post, the tureen was $2. the frame $1.50. The praying hands look so real and were only .50 and even though I found then months ago, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving. 

That’s it for my recent finds. I think I did pretty good. I’m linking up to Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville.
Seeing what others found is almost as good as finding it yourself!

Sharing Thanksgiving

 
WELCOME to sharing Thanksgiving. Come on in.

On the front door is a  different twist on a door wreath.
I’ve added a yardsale initial. OK, it’s not an original idea that I just dreamed up, I totally copied it from another blogger.  The problem is……I can’t remember who that was!
A little scarecrow amid bright pumpkins on the porch.


A pop of orange in the entry.

The table is set with my old, cheap wedding ring china, mismatched silver and crystal goblets.
Most of the things I’ve used in the tablescape are thrifted treasures. The oblong frame, I just found at the thrift shop for $1.50. The tureen was $2.00 and the praying hands were only 50 cents.

I picked up these turkey plates at T J Maxx. A friend gave me this beautiful linen tablecloth years ago.


The charger plates were gold and came with the china when I bought it. Oil rubbed bronze spray paint changed that.


Our meal is always the same. Turkey, filling and gravy, cranberry(MUST be canned), glazed sweet potatoes, a green vegetable, hot rolls and cream slaw with a pumpkin dessert. And sometimes a baked corn casserole.
We have filling, it’s not called stuffing. Potato filling is the only filling you’ll find around these parts. It’s one of those recipes that has no real recipe. The basic ingredients are mashed potatoes, sautéed celery and onions and bread cubes.
Here’s how I make it.
Sauté  about 4 stalks of diced celery and a large onion in lots of butter and add that to the mashed potatoes. You can make the potatoes a day ahead (season them the way you like with salt and pepper, milk and butter).
Add one bag of cubed bread and mix it all up, adding milk or broth and  more butter if you like.
Some people add eggs, seasoned bread crumbs or parsley.
Add milk and butter to make it the consistency you prefer. I like filling a little on the stiff side. I add lots of pouty seasoning, salt and pepper. You can bake this in a casserole or put it in the crockpot. If you use the crockpot you may have to add more milk or broth to make sure it doesn't get too dry. That’s it, I could eat this for days and usually do, even cold straight from the fridge.

Ok, that’s my Thanksgiving, are you ready to link up? I hope so.

*Please link back to THIS post, so that everyone who reads your blog can find the party.

*Please add your permalink and not just your blog link.

Linking to Second time around at A picture is worth 1000 Words.





Linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Blind love

We rarely if ever use our living room, it’s too formal and I’ve been slowly trying to give it a more casual feel. I’ve wanted bamboo blinds for a long time and finally got some and got them up too! I looked at blinds at Lowe’s but you know they were so expensive and me being rather frugal decided to try Target.
Here’s how I hung them…

I used a piece of tape across the top to mark exactly where the hanging hooks and the ends of the blinds were.
 
Next, I placed the tape where I wanted to hang the blinds, then drilled a hole where the hooks should be, screwed in the hanging hooks, got rid of the tape and that’s it. So simple, no measuring. If you’re like me that’s a good thing. I measure in just a hair past and a little more than and that doesn't always work out so well.

It’s very  hard to get pictures because of all the light from the windows but here’s the finished makeover. 

New blinds, curtain rods painted black satin and the lamp was painted with oil rubbed bronze.

Finally no more gold curtain rods.
So far, in my efforts to lighten up this space there’s a grass cloth rug in the dining room, the painted secretary desk and now the bamboo blinds, next, a new couch, slightly bigger and definitely more comfortable. It’s getting there.
*Don’t forget, tomorrow is the Sharing Thanksgiving Linkup party. Hope you’ll join in and share your Thanksgiving memories, recipes and stories, table setting and anything Thanksgiving.

A double treat is waiting for you at Met Monday, Between Naps on the Porch, there's a giveaway too.



Another giveaway at A Soft Place to Land 

The Winner is...

 Kathryn at Bonafide Southern has won the giveaway   from Pearlneckalcesource.

The random number generator picked #4.

Congratulations Kathryn, I hope you enjoy the pearls! A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!

Don’t forget about the Thanksgiving Linkup right here on Tuesday Nov. 17th. It’s ALL Thanksgiving.
Share memories, recipes gone wrong, those must have side dishes and anything about Thanksgiving. I have a table setting and recipes to share. Come on by and share your Thanksgiving stories, good or bad, we want to hear! And may we all be ever so thankful for all our many blessings. Grab the button if you'd like.

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A day in the country with the Llamas

There’s just something about old barns when they’re restored and well kept. Isn’t this one pretty?    

Guess what the wreath is made of……llama hair…well, fiber or fleece is the preferred word.
Last Saturday was such a beautiful sunny day, so we decided to take a ride in the country to visit the llamas and alpacas.

What a beautiful serene place. The llamas were wonderful. I could have stayed there forever!  They were so cute and friendly and didn’t spit once.

What a cutie with his mop top, flirting with me and so tame, just hamming it up for the camera.
Warning, there are lots of pictures of llamas coming. I ♥ llamas and alpacas.

Because they’re surefooted and can carry heavy loads, they’ve been used as pack animals for thousands of years.   This one was suited up and  willing to be led around the field by anyone, even me.
Looks like they’re having a conversation…..another crazy human with a camera, will it ever end…….


I couldn’t tell which was a llama or an alpaca. They’re both related to camels but the llama is bigger.  Alpacas produce one of the most luxurious natural fibers that comes in more than 20 basic colors, more than any fiber producing animal. Yeah I learned that there and lots of other interesting facts!

You can  walk out in the field with them and get really close but look out for the llama beans! Get it ...llama beans...lol

This  soft, soft tapestry was made of alpaca fiber.
 

In the barn, perched beside an alpaca Santa, the resident barn cat was the official greeter and several vendors were selling products produced from the fiber and other various llama related items.
We left with this little basket of fiber, a gift from the llamas and alpacas.  It’s so soft and smells good too.


The owners of this farm were hosting an open house last weekend, but they allow visitors anytime for outings on the property and are always willing to share their knowledge and the farm with visitors.
Guess I’m a farm gal at heart, I could wear old jeans and muddy shoes and never dress up again, spending my days with the llamas. If you ever get a chance to meet one up close you won’t be disappointed. 

There is still time to enter the GiveAWay,   2 posts below.