Thankful Tree

Each year after all the Halloween decorations are put away and candy is consumed I like to think about the next upcoming holiday. Thanksgiving is a day that is forgotten quite often and let's face it not quite as fun as Christmas. I for one wanted to make it a point this year to be better at being thankful for all that I have and all that I have learned this past year. 

I have seen this concept for a thankful tree in many places but here is my version. I found some sticks from outside and stuck them in a vase with dried beans so they would stay in place. Then I pinned on felt leaves in different fall colors. One each leaf I then write what I am thankful for and can look at it everyday as a constant reminder of how truly blessed I am. 

Book Review

I like to look at book reviews on blogs and I found this book on several so I knew it needed to be on my reading list. I tried reading this book a couple of months ago during a hard time and it was a little too much for me to take but I picked it back up and I have to say I liked it. This book is about the roundup of French Jews in Paris during WWII. It tells the story of two people Sarah during the roundup and Julia in present day. I had a hard time with the first 50 pages or so but then I it picked up after that and I really enjoyed it. This book is a heavy read in the sense that you need to be prepared to read something very serious. I would highly recommend this book. 

Quick Coffee Cake

When I was younger I remember staying at my aunts house and she would frequently make a coffee cake for breakfast. Now I don't drink coffee but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some good olde coffee cake. 

Quick coffee Cake

1 c milk

1 egg

¼ c melted margarine

1 ¾  c flour

1/3 c sugar

2 t. baking powder

½ t. salt

Crunchy Topping: Melt 2 T margarine. Blend in ¼ c firmly packed  brown sugar, ½ t. cinnamon, ½ t. nutmeg and ½ c crushed cornflakes. Sprinkle over coffee cake batter.

Preheat oven to 400°. Grease bottom of 9” square pan. Beat milk, egg and margarine until well mixed. Add dry ingredients, mix only to moisten. Turn into pan cover with topping. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until edges pull away from the pan.

Halloween Rag Wreath

Last year as I was trying to come up with a unique but cheap way of putting a wreath on my front door I came across a few rag wreaths and thought this is perfect. So here it is my friends!

This project was so easy. All I did was take a wire hanger and bend it into the shape I wanted. I bought three coordinating Halloween fabrics and cut them into strips. Then I just tied them on in an alternating pattern. Simple right! Now I wonder if I should add more to it. We'll see. 

Book Review

I really liked this book! Although I will have to admit I am very partial to utopian and distopian type novels so this book hit the spot for me. It really makes you think about what is most important to you. I really like the character Shay in the beginning of the book. This book is very well balanced and has a small romantic interest but I like it because it doesn't overshadow the intended plot of the book. If you are interested in a more detailed review do to Amazon.com. I hope you like it as much as I did!

Boo Block Letters

This is one of the first things I saw when I started looking at blogs a few years ago and thought that it was too easy not to do so here is my version of Boo block letters.

Lets get started...

To make these letters go to your local craft store and get some Halloween paper, wooden letter blocks, paint and some Modge Podge. Start by tracing the letters onto your paper. Then paint the letters and let dry. Then apply Modge Podge to letters and apply paper carefully. After it is dry apply a coat of Modge Podge on the front to get a shinny look. Now your done!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

I have seen these salads all over the place and wanted to try one. 

I just bought some spinach and strawberries and made the same 

dressing I use for a salad, and put it all together. 

Here are the results! 

Dressing Recipe

1 tsp salt

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 c red wine vinegar

1/2 c sugar

1 c canola oil

Mix all together and put onto salad!

Book Review

If you are a Pride and Predjuice fan then I think you will like this book. This book is about a hopeless romantic named Jane who finds herself in a setting just like the one Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy would have lived in. Through her experience she finds out a lot about herself. I really liked this book and I highly recommend it. If you want a more in depth review you can look at amazon.com. 

Homemade Playdough

When I was little I can remember my mom making homemade playdough for me all the time. I always liked it than the store bought kind that is stiff and dries out way faster than it should. Since play dough is cheap and easy to make I thought it was time I tried my hand at making some. Be aware that this recipe makes a lot of play dough.  Here is how it turned out.

Play dough

3 c. flour

1 1/2 c. salt

3 c. water 

2 T. oil 

1 T. cream of tartar

food coloring

Combine all ingredients into a large pot and cook on low until the mixture is think 

and it starts to come away from the sides of the pan. 

Handmade Purse

I must confess that I made this about 6 months ago and am finally posting it. Better late than never right! Most of us have that one purse we absolutely love. I know I did but it was getting old and dirty so I wanted a new one. I saw this tutorial from Disney at rufflesandstuff.blogspot.com and thought I would make one. Her tutorial was rather easy to follow. She doesn't show it on her tutorial but I am pocket crazy so I added some to the inside of my purse.

I will admit that I tried to put pleats on the outside of the purse but it ended up looking like a gather instead. I also didn't measure out the pleats right and my top piece was too short so I had to add a piece. Oh well. If I make this purse again I think I will use a heavier fabric. But I have to say I love my purse!