Secret Santa Exchange...

 So I participated in a Secret Santa Christmas Exchange with my "Country Sampler Forum" Friends on Facebook!  And, my oh my, I received my goodies on Friday! This is the loot above!!

 This adorable old suitcase (looks like it probably was a ladies makeup case) was filled with so many surprises! I just couldn't contain my excitement with each discovery!

 This little rusty tin was even inside the suitcase, with yes, you guessed it...more surprises inside with the wax gingerbread man and acorn...and a very cool old bottle that reminds me of my grandpa who collected bottles way way back in the day!  Interestingly enough, the person I had for my Secret Santa collects "Purple Sun Glass"... I had an old ink bottle that was purple sun glass from my grandpa's collection.  I included that bottle in her gift... ironic that I received a bottle back in return! 

Even the box was "packed" with a variety of pinecones! I am going to dip them in scented wax and place them in a big basket in the family room!

Well, Christmas is definitely on its way!

Today, I am going to do some decorating! I will post pictures soon!  What is your favorite Christmas decoration in your home??

Happy Halloween!

I wonder how many of you have trick or treating on the actual day of Halloween??  Here in my little neck of the woods in Wisconsin they always have it the last Sunday in October from 3-5 pm..so last Sunday it was! 

We live on what is considered the "main street" in our town... and it has all the big, beautiful Victorians, etc... mine is not a big Victorian...but it is my favorite house in the city!! It is a Lanon Stone "cape cod" which reminds me of home back in Massachusetts! Anyways... we get inundated with trick or treaters!  All the kids from the country come in and start on our street!

So, I bought 750 pieces of candy... and placed it in my  3 1/2 x 2 1/2 foot basket that I tradionally use each year! It's a lovely basket - I have always used it to put presents in for my children's birthdays and graduation parties...etc.  It's funny - some of the little toddlers in years past have actually climbed in and sat in the basket of candy!  Too cute!  But, anyways, here's my issue... we ran out of candy in just over a 1/2 an hour!!!  Giving out one piece each... we ran out!  Now, the thing is - it isn't just little kids trick or treating! I have TONS of parents with babies in strollers taking candy - (okay, that child will not be eating any candy mom and dad..so really???) - And, high school teenagers who are far too old to be trick or treating - taking handfuls of candy - and running off laughing - "haha I feel too old to be trick or treating"!  - because you are! I mean seriously, if you are old enough to go to Party City and buy an "adult" costume that frankly is innappropriate at best to be worn at anything other than a Halloween Party - not walking down the street, you are probably too old to be trick or treating.  Then, I have the adults/parents walking with their children with their OWN bags - reaching in and taking candy!!  REALLY??  SERIOUSLY?? 

What happened to the fun of kids trick or treating??  When did it become a hoarding fest??  I mean, okay, I paid about $60 for the candy... not alot of money in the big scheme of things... but... because of the greed of people who are too old, or too greedy, we had to close our door and shut our lights off and not hand out to the little ones.  My daughter offered to run to the store and buy more... but I said no because I just wanted no additional part to it!

Next year?? Hmm... am I really becoming the scrooge of Halloween??  Bah Humbug!

I'm Back....

Dear Friends, 

It seems like so long since I have been here.  I took a part time job a few months back... and that immediately became a streesful fulltime job!  After many worried, sleep free nights, my sweet husband and I decided that my place is at home.

So, that makes me officially back - crafting, cooking, getting inspired and most importantly - taking care of my family! Although my children are all essentially adults - my youngest is 18 and living in a dorm at college - they all still need me.  And, I need to nurture and create a peaceful home for them to come home to. 

My husband is still my favorite person in the world! He makes me so happy, and I only hope I make him feel the same way. 

As for my crafting - today I am making some cute prim stockings.  I will post pictures and directions tomorrow... until then have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Laura

Mason Jar Monday! ~ Teacher's gifts

Today I am working on Teacher's Gifts with Mason Jars

Layered Mocha Coffee Mix ~ Yumm

Ingredients

Qt. Size Mason Jar

1/2 c. Powdered Non Dairy Creamer

1 c. Mini Chocolate Chips

1/4 c. Powdered Sugar, sifted

2 T. Vanilla Powder

2 c. Non Fat Dry Milk Powder

2/3 c. Instant Coffee

Instructions

Combine Non Dairy Creamer, Vanilla Powder, Powdered Sugar and Dry Milk Powder together in a bowl.  Take turns layering the milk mixture, chocolate chips and the coffee crystals.  Tap between each layer to help settle the contents.

Make cute gift tags with the following instructions for making a yummy cup of mocha!

For each cup add 1/4 c of mix to mug, and pour 2/3 c boiling water and stir! Enjoy

I give these to lots of my kid's teachers and their aides.  Who doesn't love a nice cup of mocha??



Had to Share...

I had to share a story with you about my daughter and our broom! She came into the kitchen and said, mom all these people on Facebook are standing their brooms up all by themselves. She grabbed our broom and gall darn it, it stood up all by itself!  

You have to try this! It's very cool!  

We were able to do it both of the two brooms we have in our house! 

Spring Equinox??

Friday's Feast... Chicken & Chourico Casserole

Chicken & Chourico Casserole

Yumm!  This is comfort food!

Chop skinless, boneless chicken breasts into 1-2 inch pieces and place into a buttered casserole dish.  Slice Chourico (can use chorizo also) into 1 inch slices too and add to chicken.  You can now add quartered red potatoes or sometimes I add a bag of frozen broccoli & cauliflower normandy.  Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Now, top with sliced cranberry white chedddar cheese.  Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes and enjoy!!

I served it with Grilled Napa Cabbage with a hot mustard dressing!

Quarter a large head of Napa Cabbage down the center keeping the center stem part intact to hold together.  Brush with olive oil and S&P.

Heat your grill.

For dressing: 

Combine 

1/3 cup Hot Chinese Mustard (more or less to your taste)

2 T agave nectar (more or less to your taste)

1 T olive oil 

Salt & Pepper

Place cabbage on your grill and keep an eye so as not to burn it.  Cook until it has nice grill marks.  Place on a platter and spoon dressing over.

Enjoy!

Thursday Tip of the Day! Bobby Pin Holder

First off.... Whoa! Have I been gone for awhile or what??!!  After a serious bout with pneumonia, I am back! I hope all of you are well, and are getting ready for Spring!  I have lots of projects planned to share with you! 

Today's Post is about those nasty little bobby pins that end up EVERYWHERE in my house! Being a mother of three girls... I have had to deal with these for quite sometime. I am sure those of you with teenage daughters know just what I am talking about!!!  

I used to throw them out when I would see them on the floor, the vanity in the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room coffee table, the dining room table, the chairs and sofa... etc!  Well, then I would have to just replace those the next time I went shopping.  Come to think of it, I should have made THEM replace them! lol

Here is a clever little idea to keep them in one place and out of my vacuum cleaner!  

I took a piece of self adhesive magnet strip, and stuck it to the mirror in the bathroom.  Now when they take out there bobby pins, they have a spot to put them.  And, actually, it has taken care of most of the issue.  Although occasionally, I still see them here and there, but the girls like knowing where to find them, so they are usually pretty good about placing them back there. 

So, I call that a success! 

Blessings to you all, it feels so good to be back!