Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea

I just wanted to share some simple last minute gifts. I made these for my neighbors.  Sparkling Cider for the non drinkers and wine for the party animals!

Popcorn buckets are so fun!  I put in a movie, candy, gum, popcorn, a drink, a beanie, and an itunes gift card. 

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  God Bless each and everyone of you!

Spaghetti Soup

The hardest part of my week is trying to plan a dinner menu.  This dish is definitely going to be on menu a lot from now on.  It's the perfect throw together crock pot meal for a cold or snowy day. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!

Spaghetti Soup

• one can spaghetti sauce
• two cans diced or stewed tomatoes
• one can tomato soup
• one can of corn
• one lb. cooked ground beef
• four cans of water
• Mix all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook for a couple of hours and then add broken spaghetti noodles one hour before dinner time.

Best HOT CHOCOLATE recipe ever!

Lately I have been craving HOT CHOCOLATE! Maybe it's because I have the best recipe for this yummy homemade treat. 

Hot chocolate mix-
8 qt. box powdered milk
16 oz. coffee creamer
30 oz. chocolate flavored drink mix (Nesquik)
1 lb. powdered sugar

Mix one scoop with one cup of hot water or milk.

For a frozen treat try mixing one scoop hot chocolate mix, one cup milk, and ice cubes in a blender.
Frozen HOT CHOCOLATE!

Old Windows and Doors

This is a photo of my Great Grandparents' house.  It is going to be demolished soon. We recently gathered all the old windows and doors.  We have all been busy painting, scuffing, and restoring.  

This was the old pantry door.  I have a huge wall in my master bedroom that I have never decorated to my satisfaction.  I decided to make a mantle out of my old door. 

I bought some decorative wood pieces and spray paint from Lowe's.  I was going to leave the original white paint on the door because I love the vintage look.  When my sister did some investigating she learned the house was painted with lead base paint.  So, needless to say I had to paint the entire door.  But after gluing, nailing, and sanding my dad sprayed the entire piece black for me. 

I was so pleased with the final project.  It adds the perfect touch to my master bedroom!

This is one of the windows we recovered from the house.  I washed it up, added a wreath, a bow and some vinyl snowflakes for the holiday season.  I just love it!

Flowering Pear Tree

The flowering pear tree in my yard has the most magnificent colors today.  I love to look out my kitchen window to see such beautiful fall reminders.  

Flowering pear trees grow throughout much of North America.  These deciduous trees are highly resistant to sickness.  They produce very small fruit that is readily taken by birds.  

This photo was taken of the same tree this spring.  As you can see it has many blossoms. The flowers are fragrant and lovely!

Turn ordinary bottles into beautiful decorations!

Yesterday I started by peeling
 all the labels off these bottles.
I soaked them in a sink full of water
 until the labels were easily removed.
Then I took them outside and spray painted them with FROSTY GLASS SPRAY PAINT.

I filled the bottle with sparkly snow and for a special touch I hot glued cupboard knobs onto the cork.  

I added some ribbon and just a few
 things I found in my craft room.

Overall it was a pretty simple project.  It cost me around $15.00 for the spray paint and the knobs.  I really enjoyed it. Maybe because I had to finish off one bottle of wine to finish the project. Dang. 

Fall Decorations

After visiting my parents' house I just had to share these photos of my Mom's great ideas.

My mom is so creative lately.  I just loved her old mason jars and the way she decorated with them.  What a cute and simple centerpiece for your table or countertop. 

I especially love this jar with the vinyl stickers and wine corks.  Great idea MOM! 

I was so impressed with her front porch.  It's so country and welcoming.  She put an old bucket, a sunflower, & indian corn in her pallet planter box. (Directions for the planter box is an older post, check it out!)

How clever- paint your house # on your planter box!

Great ideas Mom! Love you!

Fall & Winter Garden To Do List

Even though it looked like winter here a few days ago the weather has warmed up again and we can do our winter preparations.  I thought this list might come in handy for all gardeners wondering where to begin when it comes to winterizing a yard.

1. Most importantly, your yard needs a good drink before it gets too cold.  Tree roots especially need plenty of water.
2. This is a perfect time to plant those spring blooming bulbs.  Shop around for bulbs that do well in your area.
3. Buy & plant shrubs.  This is a great time of year to buy shrubs that are on sale and cheap.
4. Lower the height on your lawn mower.  A low cut lawn will flourish in spring.  This also keeps rodents and pests from burrowing in your roots.
5. Divide and cut back perennials. Perfect time to share perennials that need to be divided with a neighbor or friend. 
6. Rake and mulch fallen leaves. They may suffocate your lawn if left in piles. 
7. Feed your lawn with a winterizing fertilizer. It needs nutrients to get it through long and cold months.
8. Bring all your tender plants indoors or move them to your shed or garage. 
9. Clean out your vegetable garden.  Pests love to make the debris their winter home.
10. Dig up annuals that are no longer needed. 
11. Make sure you empty all water out of hoses, sprinkling systems, fountains, and drip systems. 
12. And just for fun- feed the birds. Their food supply will be limited in the upcoming harsher months.

A PLANTER BOX- ONE MORE PALLET PROJECT

So let's face it....... there's not much gardening to do this time of year.  I always feel like redecorating in the fall because I know I have totally neglected the inside of my house all summer.  I found another pretty easy pallet project. 

When we cut the end of the pallet off this time, we left two boards on the back and one board on the front.  Then pull another board from the pallet and nail it to the bottom so you could actually use it as a planter.  Again, I scuffed, spray painted and scuffed again to make it look distressed.   

I added a few decorations and it's finished.

My sister also made her a pallet planter.  She rubbed on some white paint and then distressed hers.  I love the natural look of it!

Home*made granola bars

Best No-Bake granola bars ever.  You have to try this recipe.

First- Melt 1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
in a small saucepan until sugar is melted

Second- Mix together
2 cups of old fashion oats
1 cup of rice crispy cereal
dash of cinnamon

Third- poor sugar mixture in the bowl of oats & cereal,
mix together, smash into small cake pan, press mini chocolate chips on top.  Let cool in fridge for 10 minutes or so and enjoy!!!

Pallet Table Runner

I am always intrigued at the things people can make out of pallets.  I've seen shelves, planters, tables, & even kids' beds.  I have always wanted to try my creativity with a pallet and I finally found a fairly easy project.  You simply cut the end of the pallet off, spray paint it, scuff it, and there you have a simple table runner. I wanted an old, scruffy look, so I found a crusty old pallet and after I painted it I scuffed it with sand paper.  So easy!

For a Halloween decoration I simply placed vinyl letters on a mason jar.  I filled it with spiced potpourri and added a candle. 

Grape Vines

I was so happy to see I had grapes hidden under my vine.  For years I have planted grape vines but never had any bunches of grapes.  I believe the secret to getting grapes is all in the pruning.  I never prune my vine because the deer do it for me!  

I found this website that seems to have a lot of information if you are interested in planting a grape vine. Have a wonderful day!http://www.almanac.com/plant/grapes

Chrysanthemums

 Chrysanthemums are a beautiful reminder that fall is near.  These daisy-like perennials were first cultivated in China as an herb as early as the 15th century BC.  Thousand of years later the flower was introduced to Japan. They celebrate the mums at "The Festival of Happiness".

Over 200 species are hardy in the northern hemisphere.

Chrysanthemums can add lovely color to flower beds or pots.

Yellow or white mums are used to make tea in some parts of Asia.  Rice wine flavored with these flowers is made in Korea. 

Mums also have an insect repellent effect. They are harmful to fish but less toxic to mammals and birds.  Who knew?

And the most interesting fact I found- Chrysanthemums have been shown to reduce indoor air pollution by NASA!

I hope you can find "Happiness" in chrysanthemums this season!

Tomatillo Lime Dressing

While at my local farmer's market I bought tomatillos. I have been wanting to make this dressing and I finally found fresh tomatillos.  I really had no idea what they were used for.  Tomatillos originated in Mexico.  They are used for making green sauces because of their high pectin content.  After peeling the inedible 'husk' and cutting into a tomatillo it really just looks like a green tomato.   

I had a coffee creamer container so I peeled the label off and used it for the dressing.
For this amazing dressing you will need-
1 cup mayo
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cilantro
2 or 3 jalapeños
1 packet ranch dressing mix
2 large tomatillos
Put all ingredients into blender.

You'll never want plain ranch dressing again!

Caught on Camera! Mule Deer

You've probably already seen my deer photos but I got some more really nice ones today.  These Mule Deer aren't even afraid of my dog anymore.  

Mule Deer live mostly in the Western United States.  They can thrive in deserts and mountains. 

Male Mule Deer grow antlers through summer and fall and shed them in early spring.

Most female Mule Deer (pictured here) most often give birth to two fawns unless it is their first baby,
they only have one.
Notice all the leaves on my grape vine.

Now you see them, now you don't!   Mama deer showed her fawn right where the good stuff is.  I didn't want to scare this fawn away.  She was so small and she still has spots!
And my vine will recover just like it always does.

Stella de Oro Daylily

 Oooooooohhhhh......... I love this photo! 

 I planted Stella de Oro Daylilies

 in my front yard last year as a border. 

They are growing very well this year.  

 Isn't it funny they are still blooming? 

Stella de Oro daylily is a compact plant and early bloomer, reaching a height of just 12" with a similar spread. It blooms from May-July. (Except in my case!)  Its adaptability to a wide range of planting zones and conditions, makes it the most popular of the daylilies. The fragrant flowers are golden and trumpet-shaped. The foliage is also attractive, forming a dense clump that can function as a ground cover.  Zone hardy 3-9.