Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

What a wonderful day I had with family and friends! Made an amazing meal for all... but you know how that goes... only ate a teensy bit after preparing it all... and, now making a pizza! :-) lol

I came up with a great outline/idea for my new cookbook! :-)  Yay!

Blessings to you all...

Laura 

Whatcha Working On Wednesday...

Well... I am probably working on exactly what all of you are working on today... LOL

Getting ready for Thanksgiving!

I am headed off to the grocery store to shop for everything we need for dinner... plus, we live in Wisconsin so that means we also have a BIG game at noon too!  So, I have to make sure we have yummy and fun appetizers for the game!  That's not too hard, as long as I have my "Cocktail Meatballs" and my "Bogus Cheese Dip" we are all good! LOL 

Think I will share those two recipes with you...just in case you are looking for some tasty vittles!

Cocktail Meatballs

2 pounds ground beef

2 pkgs lipton onion soup mix

1 can evaporated milk

2 TB worcestershire sauce

mix together well, and form small meatballs on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Broil one sheet at a time on high 4" from broiler until nicely browned.  Turn once and broil other side.

In large pot or crock pot combine 2 cups ketchup, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 TB worcestershire sauce and add meatballs.  Simmer for about 1/2 hour.  

Bogus Cheese Dip

Okay, let me just say that my husband calls this BOGUS  because it doesn't look beautiful...but it tastes AMAZING! LOL

1 block of white cheddar (I use Vermont Sharp Cheddar...but any will do)

1 med. onion chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 TB chopped rosemary

Combine all ingredients in oven safe dish.  Bake at 400 for about 1/2 hour until all melty and bubbly and slightly browned on top.

I serve with crackers... but you probably could dip ANYTHING into this and it would be delicious!

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

PS. Got 3 trees up yesterday... will post photos soon.

29 ways to stay creative!

I found this and loved it! 

Thursday ~ Tip of the Day... Candles

Tip of the Day!

With Christmas right around the corner and all the candles we will be burning....

Place your candles in the freezer for at least 3 hours before burning and they will burn slower and last up to 2x longer.

I didn't believe this at first, but I did the experiment...and it does work.  I emptied out one of the door shelves in my freezer, and have a small stash of candles there... ready for me to pick up and light.  I just store them there... and have found that they do burn slower.  Of course, if you leave them out for a long period of time at room temp... they will just burn normally.

Anyway...update on my son... AMAZING! 8 pounds so far this week!  me... not so much.  I have been CONSUMED with taking my sister in law to every appointment known to man!  Doctor here, doctor there... interviews, etc... I certainly hope my DH appreciates this! Ugh... Maybe I should consider getting a full time job on top of running my businesses???

Happy Thursday!

A Primitive Place Stocking Giveaway!

http://aprimitiveplace.blogspot.com/

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

Today, I am working on making a few of these adorable Ornament Wreaths!

These are going to my sweet daughter's boyfriend's house.  She asked if I could make a few for his front, back and laundry room doors.  And, since these are so simple... I said, why sure I can!

So, all you need is one of those large plastic tubes of shatterproof Christmas balls, a metal hanger, a glue gun and some ribbon.

First, you "should" take each hanger off the ornament and glue on with your glue gun.  I have made them before not glued them, and done okay, but inevitably...usually the following year, several ornament will come off...leaving a large whole.  So, it takes a little longer, but it pays off in the long run.

Next, straighten out your hanger the best you can... leaving the hook in tact.  Then, round it out into a round wreath.

Now, thread your ornaments on the wire... pushing them all the way to the hook.  Just keep threading, and when you put about your 50th ornament on...voila... you have a beautiful wreath!!

Now, if you would like,  take your ribbon, and add a bow to the top to cover.  Use the hook to hang.

Enjoy!

Quick, jumpover to Friendship Crossing and sign up for one of Tanya's your choice give aways!!  

Visit her at: http://friendshipcrossing.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Tutorial ... Vintage look garland

Today we are making this adorable Vintage look garland!

Supplies

chip board letters for your word 

5 1/2 in square decorative paper of your choice (2 pieces needed for each letter)

3 1/2" x 5 1/2" cardstock ovals

ribbon

glitter

glue

glue stick

scissors

1.  Glitter your letters.

2. Cut your ovals out of card stock.  You can purchase these pre-made also.  You can also add a little glitter to the edges of your ovals.

3. Measure and cut your paper to size for your flowers.

4.  Now you will accordian fold  your paper squares.  The easiest way I think, to do this is to fold in half, fold in half again, and then once again.  After you have done this, you will have to re fold to make sure both edges are folded UP.

5.  Next you will want to fold your accordian together, and then fold in half and staple.  Do this to the other side as well.  Trim your the ends at a slant, making sure they all match and are cut in the same direction.

6.  Now, glue the edges of each of the stapled, folded fans together.  You can either use hot glue or regular craft glue, just make sure you hold until it is dry.  Glue the final edge to make your flower.

7. Now, glue your letters to the tops of the flower.  In this tutorial, I used the word LOVE, but I have done this with Peace, Joy, Merry... etc.  

8.  Next glue your flower to your oval.  Make sure the top of the oval is between two points on the flower so you can punch a hole in the oval to hang.

9.  Next punch a hole in the top of the oval, and thread and tie your ribbon to the oval.  

10.  Hang and enjoy!

Mason Jar Monday ~ Extra

Hmmm... found this out today from the gentleman that works at Ace Hardware, that used to be a tech ed teacher and is now retired....

If you take a mason jar or any jar really, (but I am just partial to mason jars!)

wrap the jar with yarn or twine going around it several times and then tieing the yarn/twine  tightly around the jar, then slipping the yarn/twine off and soaking it in nail polish remover for an hour... then slipping the circle back on the jar... then, lighting the yarn/twine on fire and allowing that to burn... then after it is burned almost away... plunging the whole jar into cold water... and then gently taking each end of the jar and turning each end in a different direction... you will slice your jar easily in half!!!

I am amazed at this.....

so, I am going to try this tonight when DH gets home lol, and then figure out all the fun uses for a half a mason jar! wide mouth funnel... votive holder... oh the ideas!

Mason Jar Monday! Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Okay, time to make some Christmas Presents!

And your friends and family will love these!!

Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Ingredients

2 cups Brown Sugar

1 cup White Granulated Sugar

1 cup Sunflower Oil

1 TB Pure Vanilla Extract

In medium sized bowl, combine 2 cups brown sugar and 1 cup white sugar together until there are no lumps.  Add 1 cup Sunflower Oil (I use sunflower oil instead of Olive Oil because it doesn't impart a strong additional scent) and 1 TB pure vanilla extract.  Mix together and place in a mason jar.  Cut a piece of waxed paper round slightly larger than the mouth of the jar, place on top and seal with lid.

Tie with ribbon, add a label, a stick on felt monogram... you name it, get creative!

To use scoop out desired amount and rub onto moistened skin, rinse with warm water.  Enjoy!

All About Me From A to Z

I have seen a few of these posts on blogs that I follow and thought I would do it too.  


A ~ age:   I'm 42


B ~ bed:   Queen Size Cherry Sleigh Bed (would love a Pencil Post Bed someday)


C ~ Chore I hate:   Dusting and Cleaning the Cat Box


D ~ Dogs:  I have 2, Farnsworth and Bella


E ~ Essential Start to my Day: COFFEE


F ~ Favorite Color: Green


G ~ Gold or Silver:   Gold, but I just got my first piece of Platinum jewelry and  it's now my favorite!


H ~ height:   5' 9"


I ~ instrument I play:  hmmm  spoons?? 


J ~ job title:  President of Ergonomy, LLC (our family engineering company.... really my husband does all the work, I just adminstrate :-) , owner of two Occasional shops - Primrose and Bittersweet & Ivy, but my favorite is.... wife & mother


K ~ kids:  4


L ~ live in which state:  Wisconsin


M ~ make of car: Volvo 


N ~ nicknames: Laura Lee Latimer; Larva


O ~ overnight hospital stay:  6 - Ruptured appendix, shoulder replacement and 4 childbirth


P ~ Pet Peeve:  when people get in front of me in the Quick Check Out line with a grocery cart full of groceries


Q ~ quote from a movie: I have 2 favorites...If you can't say something nice about someone, come sit by me from Steel Magnolias/ Teacher says every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings from It's a Wonderful Life


R ~ right or left handed:  right


S ~ siblings:  one little brother


T ~ TV Shows: Antiques Roadshow, Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, American Pickers


U ~ underwear: yes, please


V ~ veggie I hate:  haven't found one yet


W ~ what makes me late: I try to do "one more thing"


X ~ xrays: lots of them


Y ~ yummy food: anything made with chicken


Z ~ zoo animals: I love giraffes, we just fed two at the zoo a few weeks ago


What scares me?  Snakes and mice and I hate scary movies!! I also don't like being a passenger in a car and them driving fast.  I absolutely am deathly afraid of roller coasters!


Well, that's me... 


Thanks for reading~
Laura 

Progress

Well first off, let me start by saying that my son is amazing!! Granted he has a goal with his weight loss! He is going to London for Easter to see his girlfriend and wants to be one svelte guy by then!  And, I have no doubt he will be!!

He is doing this program on the treadmill everyday... it's called couch potato to 5k and he is dedicated and I can already see a BIG difference in him! 

We are eating better too...well, that said, not better... because I was always a careful cook, and always make things from scratch, no processed prepackaged food for us.  However, I guess we are eating less...and adding in a lot more fresh salads and fruits.  

He hasn't weighed himself yet... but I can say for me that I have lost 4 pounds.  Not a lot, more like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic... but it's a start! Four pounds gone...never to be heard from again!  And, I have not been a good girl as far as getting on the darn treadmill. But, I will... I have to!!

Last night he said he wanted to try a sort of Atkins style... if any of you have had experience with this, please let me know.  I know it works to lose the weight...but what happens after that and you start eating regular foods??

Well, I am off to the shop for a few hours...setting up for next weekend when we are open! 

Will be back soon.

Happy Thursday~

Give Away over at Cat Haven Crafts

I just stopped over to Cat Haven Crafts to enter for this adorable give away, and I would suggest you do the same!!

http://cathavencrafts.blogspot.com

Whatch Workin On Wednesday??

Whatcha Workin on Wednesday??  Me... snowman ornies!

I thought it would be an appropriate project, since we are supposed to get about 4 inches of snow today!

Farnsworth my dog wasn't too much help, but he kept me company! 

I started out with a random shape that I cut out of regular old paper.  Then cut them out of Warm and Natural Quilt Batting.

Then stiched them together...

And flipped them right side out.

Then, painted some cute little faces.

 .

Almost done..

Then I dunked them into a yummy mixture of coffee, instant coffee, cinnamon, cloves and some cinnamon potpourri oil.

They smell SO good! 

And, the weather man was right on... we have at least 4 inches now! :-(

Happy Snow Day!

Tuesday Tutorial ~ How I Grunge up a Candle

Hello... I thought today I would show you how I make my prim, grubby pillar candles.

I like to be able to actually burn my candles, but I know that if you don't have a "trick" it can be dangerous to do so with all the spices and primness.  So, what I do first is buy a bunch of pillar candles at the end of the holiday season.

Then, I burn it just long enough for it to have a "nice" well in the middle.

Next, I rub the candle with a towel and rubbing alcohol to remove the waxiness and to help the paint stick better. Allow to dry.

Then, I paint the candle with black acrylic paint, right up to the well, but not inside the well.

After the black paint is thoroughly dry... I paint a little burnt umber acrylic paint here and there for that nice aged look.   And, allow that to dry.

Next, I paint the candle with Mod Podge, and sprinkle well with whatever spices I am in the mood for.  Today, I just used cinnamon, but they come out great with ground cloves and nutmeg too... and sometimes I will also add a little coffee grounds to the mix.  Allow to dry and set well.

When all is dry, I then gently rub off any excess with my hands.

Decorate with a little grungy cheese cloth or homespun. And voila, a grubby candle you can actual use!

Wasn't that easy??

Mason Jar Monday! Buttermilk Biscuits!

Yumm... Buttermilk Biscuits!

2 cups self rising flour

1/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup buttermilk

melted butter

Combine Flour and Shortening.  Add the buttermilk and mix until combined.  Roll out to about an inch thick.

Now... here is your mason jar usage!

Use either your Mason Jar Lid or Mason Jar itself to cut your biscuits!!

Bake at 450 degrees for about 8 minutes.

Top with melted butter.

Enjoy!!

And the Winner is....

Well, I have drawn my giveaway winner!!

First, however I would like to thank all of you that entered to win!! 

This was so much fun, I am definitely having another one very soon.

So I put all of the entries into the basket...

And, dear hubby picked the winner!

And the winner is...

Pam at basketsnprims!!

Congratulations Pam!!

This will go in the mail to you tomorrow as soon as I get your email.

Blessings!

Where have I been this week???

Gosh, what a week I have had!!

My sister in law and her boyfriend just moved from Connecticut to Wisconsin last Saturday...and have been living with us!!  

What a story too... She had a seizure when she was 4 leaving her to only develop to about a 13 year old level, but still able to live on her own as an adult.  She has lived in Florida for the past 5 years... but last February my mother in law became ill.  My other sister in law, had her move up to Connecticut to take care of my mother in law.  Which my SIL did until May, when she passed away.

Then, the other SIL, upon my MIL's death kicked her out because they were putting the house on the market.  With no where to go, she went to stay with her daughter...who is a wreck herself.  Well, two weeks ago, she and her boyfriend moved into a tent in a friend's backyard.  Homeless!  

Now the even sadder part is that she has 3 brothers who live less than 5 minutes away with 4 bedroom houses and no kids living with them!!!  And not one offered for her to come and stay!

So, we wired her $500 and got them on their way out here just before the Connecticut got hit with that snow storm!  

So, that is what I have been up to!

I think we are moving them into their apartment this weekend... so next week I will be back on track! 

Oh, and don't forget my giveaway is up!

I will be posting the winner soon!!