I think this is my third year participating in this fun event-what a great idea and thanks Boo Mama! What’s neat is that I will surely add more photos as I get things the way I want them. We haven’t really decorated too much outside, I’m hoping Sean will help with that on Tuesday.
The slide show should load quickly and if you mouse over the photo, it tells you about the photo. Enjoy and please leave me a comment-I love comments!
Here’s last year’s slideshow too!
And my first share from 2006!
Brian got the tree out of the attic and it sets up quickly. I had trouble locating the multi-color lights I planned to use. Over the past few years, I’ve done pink and white, white and blue and red and white, so this is back to our ‘traditional’ look.
I met my mom at the Farmer’s Market, which was crowded and then thinned down. First I stopped at the TD Bank and got $117 for the coins I had. It kept telling me I had a lot of coins-no kidding! I split it up and saved $50 for Bri, but used the rest at the market. What a great feeling! I got mostly stocking stuffers for Sean. I have to watch what my mom picks up, so that makes me a little nervous. Got lots of yummy candies and Amish made salads, etc. for tonight and the weekend. We had pulled pork on rolls with fruit salad tonight. It was so much better than what Ruby’s passes off as pulled pork (I had it last Saturday and it was all dried out on top). Mom bought us half a chocolate cake-yum! I bought a little red poinsettia that looks like it has pink spatters on it and a new Christmas cactus-one of my favorite plants.
While in the end store I saw someone who looked familiar. I asked if she had gone to my high school and she said yes and I asked what year and she said ’77’! It was Lynn my old classmate shopping with her daughter. It’s so ironic as I am friending so many of my old chums on Face Book and Bri and I just went to that get-together last week. : ) I told her to come next time. She was a brain and great tennis player in high school.
I got an ornament exchange from Peggy in NC today-a great surprise! She sent a penguin made out of a light bulb-adorable!
She makes soap and lotion from her goat’s milk, so she sent me some. I’ll have to take photos tomorrow. I have her ornies almost ready to go. I had to make a few too.
Tomorrow I’ll decorate the tree-can’t wait. I hope my back holds up!
Jessi is hosting a cookie swap today!
♥♥♥♥Happy Birthday Jessi!!!!♥♥♥♥ (Dec.8th)
This will surely brighten my spirit as I love to bake cookies! I didn’t have a cool oven like Jessi did, but I did have an Easy Bake Oven
I got to use about 1 time before brother #2 shorted it out. (He bought me a new one as a grown-up!). I really started to bake a lot in junior high when I had Home Ec class and learned not to be afraid of baking. I did have the Betty Crocker cookbook for Boys and Girls that really lead the whole thing off!
Anyway, here are my ‘must bake’ cookies, every year now. Enjoy!
My array of cookies from a few years back
My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe:
Crisco Butter Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie
Preparation time: 30 to 35 minutes
Baking time: 8 to 13 minutes/baking sheet
About 3 dozen cookies
1-1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup Butter Flavor CRISCO all-vegetable shortening
or 3/4 Butter Flavor Crisco stick
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (6-ounce package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup pecan pieces (optional)*
Heat oven to 375ºF. Combine brown sugar, Butter Flavor
Crisco Shortening, milk and vanilla in large bowl.
Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Beat egg into creamed mixture.
Combine flour, salt and baking soda.
Mix into creamed mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if used.
Drop rounded measuring tablespoonfuls of dough 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.
Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375ºF for
8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies
(they will look light and moist), or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies.
DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet on a cooling rack;
remove cookies to rack to cool completely.
* If nuts are omitted, add an additional 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
My son Sean’s favorite bar cookies:
SEVEN LAYER COOKIES
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups graham crackers
1 can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup butterscotch chips (can be omitted)
Melt butter in a cake pan. Sprinkle crumbs over butter and pour
Eagle brand condensed milk over the crumbs.
Top with remaining ingredients in the order given and press down firmly.
Bake 25 minutes or until lightly brown at 350 degrees.
Bri’s aunt makes these every year-yummy!
Russian tea cakes
Ingredients:
* 1 cup butter
* 1/2 cup powdered sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 1/2 cups flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
* Powdered Sugar
Preparation:
Preheat oven 400°. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla.
Stir in flour and salt and pecans. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Bake for about 9 minutes. Roll warm tea cakes in sifted powdered sugar. Makes 4 dozen tea cakes.
I also make candy too-Microwave Peanut Brittle and Fudge of all kinds.
Update-Dear Readers-Could you keep my mom Jeanne in your thoughts and prayers as her eye doctors want her to have her surgery late this afternoon. They must think her vision is in jeopardy. She asked her neighbor to take her and she is counting on one of my brothers (who live about 4 miles from the hospital) to come get her. I guess I’m on standby for the picking up part. Brian’s car is acting up and he’s going to get it checked out on Monday if it will start up to get it to the station. He’ll have to take my van back to work this afternoon. I’ve shed some sad tears, believe me. Poor mom. She looks so frail and she said she was shaking badly when the doctor’s office called her this morning.
Welcome to the second edition of ‘I recommend’. As the name implies, this is a share to recommend just about anything you like or have tried. It can be a book, drink, food, movie, music CD-anything. Mister Linky will open to another page (that’s how it works on WordPress). Please add your link there and don’t forget to leave me a comment here.
Must haves:
1. Garnier hair products, especially the hair spray
2. Jojoba oil anything, especially by Crabtree and Evelyn
It smells so good and makes your skin feel wonderful!
Scent: Blend of lavender and green herbs with a hint of citrus.
3.The little squares of Dove chocolate (they have cute little inspirational messages inside the foil)
4. Martha Stewart’s Living magazine and Everyday Living magazine
5. A good sale at Tuesday Morning or JoAnn Fabrics
and Craft store…
It’s your turn:
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Rachel was my mystery ‘soon to meet’ blogger pal, but we postponed going to Longwood Gardens or the Brandywine River Museum until they have their Christmas displays set up. We did chat (she is an excellent listener and she understands why this blog is called what it is) for over an hour. I can’t wait to meet her in person soon! Thanks for lending an ear tonight Rachel!
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Added late Sunday morning:
My friend Cathy S., the founder of Love Quilts is doing a wonderful thing in memory of our dear friend Charlotte who passed away in June of this year. If you cross stitch and want to make a sick child happy and snug under a quilt, they you may enjoy stitching for Charlotte’s Kids. Over the years it’s meant a lot to me to stitch for Love Quilts (over 40 squares). Now with Charlotte’s memory involved, I will join in to honor her. I know many of my stitching pals do exchanges. Why not do something like this for a change? The notes of thanks and the photos of the children with their quilts is enough to melt your heart. When some of the children have sadly passed on, their parents hung up their Love Quilts at the wake or funeral. Your stitching will be out there in the big world being loved and honored too.
Overwhelmed with Joy asked me to submit a recipe or two this year to her annual exchange. I was a bit stumped as I think I included my favorite dessert recipes over the last few years. I didn’t want to repeat myself. I asked Brian what he liked that I make and he said ‘chili’. I don’t measure anything and I use either ground beef or turkey. I decided everyone makes their own version of chili. What I did find were a few recipes that we tried that are tasty and healthy from Martha Stewart’s Everyday magazine, which I have recommended here a number of times. The little magazine would actually make a wonderful gift for the holiday-(IMHO).
I never ate that much salmon, but I like it now:
Photo from the Everyday Food website
White Bean and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
Serves 4
* 1 can (14 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
* 4 scallions, thinly sliced
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* Coarse salt and ground pepper
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, toss together beans, tomatoes, scallions, oil, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.
2. To store, refrigerate up to 1 day.
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My paternal great grandmother was the author of this book:
I have read it a few times and my son read it for a book report. The book itself is in better shape that it’s cover! (It was published in 1970).
Great grandmother was a very good writer, very detailed and interesting. I love the outdoors, but I couldn’t even think of living in a tent or to go camping! I like indoor plumbing and a warm, soft bed. I guess you did what you had to do.
This is written from the diaries I kept during the years 1908-1912. Each forest man was required to keep a daily record of everything he did, but his report was strictly statistics, so I kept one to remind me of the homely everyday happenings, and to get down what went on behind the scenes. Some days were hectic, and some were peaceful and quiet. There never were two alike.
The wedding went off as planned. The only things that got a little out of line was the bride. When the minister asked if I would “take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband,” I was so tired and nervous I just gasped, “Yes” and the tears began to roll down my face. I kept it up to the end of the ceremony and Archie had to kiss me through a veil of tears.
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Update on me: I went to the GI doc (not the one I thought I was going to see-rats) and he wants some more bloodwork and I have to get a colonscopy in the new year. He mainly suggested that I eat more fiber. I tend to have wacky liver enzymes (as do two of my brothers), so he wants to check a few a bit more in depth. I may wait until the beginning of the new year for the bloodwork too as I just had some in April. I want to make sure the insurance pays for it. He didn’t act like I better do it soon anyway. The doc is like that Ned Ryerson character from ‘Groundhog Day’ (with Bill Murray) but without the big mouth. ; ) Anyway, I’ve been going to doctors about these issues since 1999-about a year after I had Lyme Disease! I’ve heard really bad to they didn’t know. Very perplexing for me!
Welcome to the first edition of ‘I recommend’. As the name implies, this is a share to recommend just about anything you liked or have tried. It can be a book, drink, food, movie, music CD-anything. Mister Linky will open to another page (that’s how it works on WordPress). Please add your link there and don’t forget to leave me a comment here.
First I recommend the site Image Chef. com for helping me figure out the above button. Please feel free to copy it.
A foodie recommend: The other evening I decided to open a box of Celestial Seasonings ‘Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride’ tea and it was delicious!
The holidays and freshly baked cookies just seem to go together. Every steaming cup of this naturally caffeine free blend releases the inviting aroma of sugar cookies straight from the oven! Like all Celestial Seasonings teas, Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride has no refined sweeteners or added sugars—just the delicious taste and healthful goodness of 100% natural ingredients.
About the Tea100% Natural
This product contains all-natural ingredients and flavors, and no artificial colors or preservatives.This product contains zero calories.
View nutritional informationIngredients: Milk thistle, roasted barley, orange peel, natural sugar cookie flavor with other natural flavors and vanilla bean.
It can be ordered of the internet. It does taste like a delicate sugar cookie without the calories. Also, milk thistle is good for your digestion.
It’s your turn:
I was looking at someone’s website (not related) and saw this photo of him when he was almost one:
I sure hope they didn’t call him by his given name of Colbert back then. Look at the fine hair and then look at his little Dockers!
Flash forward about 23 yrs and here he is with his gorgeous bride:
Did you guess it was the Phillies MVP for the World Series- Cole Hamels? He got married to Heidi Strobel back on New Year’s Eve 2006. Heidi was a contestant on Survivor the reality show (one of my favorite shows-I’ve watched every season!) when it was set in the Amazon. Incidently, Heidi turned 30 the night the Phils won the Series. To see more of Cole’s favorite photos check out his site.
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I’m going to start a meme/share! I think every Sunday for now. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try another day. It will be called ‘I Recommend’. That can be anything-from food, to a book, to a tv show, it’s up to you! I had books in mind at first, then I thought I’d extend it to include more. I have to make a button for it today. I’ll have Mister Linky too! Please join in the fun. Watch for more later.
Thanks Jennifer, no, I didn’t lose weight, black is a slimming color-I ‘recommend’ it. : )
Only one person played so far… Thanks Carole–it made an excellent post for you on the 30th. Please go see!
It’s funny what you think about when you are either falling asleep or waking up. I thought of this a few days ago, in the a.m.
What you do:
Think of 5 celebrities who share your first, middle or last name with you (even nickname). Tell us who they are and if you have anything in common with them and/or what you admire about them. Also, find a photo of your favorite same named celebrity to share with us!
I hope you play along and tag me if you do.
1. Diane Von Furstenberg-designer-I admire her style and styles! She was really popular in the 70s-80s, with her wrap dress being popular. In the last few months, I have seen her on Project Runway and in an American Express commercial. I like how she takes inspiration for her designs from nature.
2. Diane Sawyer-tv news woman-I like her smarts, her news stories and that she travels a lot. She was once a Junior Miss! I think knowledge is power too!
3. Diane Lane-So far she is the closest in age to me than the other Dianes. She’s been a great dramatic actress since she’s been a teen. She only has one child too.
4. Diane Keaton (favorite alert!)
Diane is consistently wonderful in her acting roles. She has her own style and emulates it to this day. I remember loving ‘Annie Hall’ and her ‘La Dee Dahs’ with Woody Allen- but her clothes! I did wear a tie and vest a few times in the 70s because of Diane. I also am known to wear a few berets too.
5.Dian Fossey-zoologist-What she did to bring awareness to gorillas was amazing. She gave her life for them.
Honorable mentions:Dianne Wiest, Diane Kruger and Diahann Carroll!
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From Oct. 22nd-
Got some stash in the mail today! I was so excited to get it, it took me forever to get around to opening it. When I sat down to admire it, the cat decided to take a nap on my lap!
Can you see why I was excited! Like an early birthday or Christmas present. I ordered from 1-2-3 Stitch and it arrived in less than a week. I wanted the 2008 JCS ornament issue, but got a few charts too. Enlarge to see what the smaller charts are. I rarely buy charts anymore, but I do collect The Prairie Schooler designs.
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Brian happened to look on the shelf on the bookcase above where I was looking and found Tug:
How I wish my grandmom had taken a photo of us together back in May, 1982! Now I have restored faith about tonight! Tug’s son Mark hung his dad’s World Series ring above his dad’s favorite bar (I think in Philly somewhere) today.
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I received a Blog giveaway from Sherry over at If I Could Set My Soul Free. What a great bag! It’s pretty and roomy. I’ll get a lot of use out of it. Lucky me!
Sherry has an etsy shop (see her blog) and hand makes so many pretty pieces like this!
I just added books and a quilt square kit to my etsy shop-link on right under Artilicious Divas. Also added a few things in eBay at the top under Moonlitstitcher’s Page. I need some pocket moola!
You may be hearing from me in a few hours!
Welcome to an Autumnal gathering hosted by Artsymama!
(Enjoy the links I added too)
No need to ring or knock, I’m expecting you!!
Isn’t this a silly tin bucket?
The coleus is just starting to fade and wither, but looks pretty on the step next to the faux pumpkin. I love to carve pumpkins, but haven’t done one in years. Maybe I will this year!
If you look through my front bay window, you’ll see a tower of pumpkins and Casper the Friendly ghost!
I have an antique hutch with some cute figurines on it to the right of the front door. The one holding the pumpkin cookie cutter is an Annalee.
I wrapped some leaves around my Nancy Noel painting to give it a special look for the season.
I saw this sign at Michael’s and had to get it since I live on the west end of my road-the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’
I have this sign on the other side of the bay window
Under the Treats sign sits a Scarecrow I made 14 yrs ago and little Valentino the Webkinz frog dressed in a Boo Sweater
This is actually a demitasse cup holder, but I added faux pumpkins and coppery ribbon I found at the Dollar Store
This is the fireplace mantel. I have three mosaic urns on display for autumn, two on the mantel.
I cross stitched the middle of this wreath back in 2001
I saw this idea in Michael’s so I added some glitter to a faux white pumpkin
I’ve had this little Anne Geddes pumpkin baby for years. My son was born a week before Halloween, so I keep this on display all year long. That’s Sean in the background. My mom gave me the glass pumpkin.
I purchased this awesome Halloween Book from Tootie over at Honey Girl Studios (the link is to her site All Hallow’s Eve). and love it with my orange and black glass mushrooms. I have a small collection of mushrooms since I live near ‘The Mushroom Capital of the World’
This a Halloween tree on table next to my special book. I have many Art Trading Cards that I made stuck in its branches. The tags are by Tootie.
Here’s what it looks like lit up showcasing a tag I bought from Tootie (from a set)
I have a small collection of owls. I know I have an owl cookie jar somewhere too! I cross stitched the box lid.
Casper looks spooky and cute all lit up!
Here’s my bay window. I have glass pumpkins that I added orange lights to. I have a few crystal pieces that made the window glow.
A little trick or treater in my Halloween tree
More orange glow
Thanks for visiting. Happy Autumn and Happy Halloween!
The End
Collages & Creative Goodness 