Christmas Stockings

Now the mantle is complete! My mom came down this weekend and inspired me to finish them. She helped me figure out how to sew the top of the stockings... just like you would a sleeve. I bought the supplies on Black Friday at JoAnn. The felt was $1.50/ yard. I had most of the ribbon.

The top of the green ones have an embossed red felt. I found the cutest RicRac on Black Friday... it's much larger than normal. Kolin seems to think the stockings are giant, but I think they are just right... more for him to fill up! ;)

These two are my favorites because of the toes. The ornaments on the red one were fun to make. I found my inspiration from a pampered chef flyer and a site on etsy. If you ever have a creative block - go to etsy and you will have more ideas than you ever imagine.

Merry Christmas!!

Our home is ready for Christmas!

The presents are wrapped... The tree is lit... The nativity is out... FaLaLaLa... isn't that cute? The door is ready for guests... The candles can't wait to be burned... The stockings just need to be hung... Coming soon - I'm making our Christmas Stockings! Santa can't come without them. Merry Christmas!!

A Christmas Mantel

I just added two trees to the hearth - more pictures coming soon!

Semi - Homemade Ornaments

The ornaments below were store bought... pack of 18 for $2.5o. I saw others in the aisle that had many different embellishments. Instead of paying more for them, I strolled over to the craft aisle and spotted a silver paint pen. I was tempted to get a glitter pen, but wasn't sure if it would stick. I also considered tacky glue and glitter, but a paint pen is much less mess. I tried to do stripes, but it's hard because they are round... I found that it was easiest to decorate them in the package instead of trying to hold them. I hope you enjoy the idea. You will see them in my next post!

A Taggie you're it!

I tried my first attempt at a Taggie (Small Blanket for a baby with ribbons along the edges). After a long day at Church decorating for Christmas I was in a crafting mood. When I got home I learned that our niece Grace wasn't feeling well... perfect time to make her a taggie. I started going through the remnant pieces of fabric and ribbon. I decided on the ribbon and material and lined it up in order with 4 pieces for each side. I think the blanket is 20'' x 14''... but I never measure anything... I turned the fabric inside out like you would sew a pillow. Then added the ribbon inside every few inches. You can see this step above This is a picture to illustrate the ribbon being inserted before sewing that side shut. I sewed almost all 4 sides, but left 2 ribbons out as I turned it the right way. Then I turned the last edge in and added the last 2 ribbons with a small straight stitch. Grace loved it! The bright pink fleece and pink and white polka dot were just what the doctor ordered :)

A Polka Dot Pumpkin Project

1. Get a pumpkin and something under it... 2. Cut out circles of contact paper. Stick the dots all over the pumpkin... 3. Spray paint the pumpkin... and wait till it's dry to remove them... 4. Voila.. a polka dot pumpkin!

New Shades

I have had these shades for months. I found them on sale at JCPenney on their daily deals - it's a different extreme value each day. I was able to get these roman shades for $14.99/ each. I got the white panels for $9.99 each. They are thermal backed too!

Why have all the projects & posts gone away?

See how the wall is coming with the paper... eeehhhh!!!!!! Doesn't that look like a torture device... not a toilet paper holder? One of the many layers of wallpaper... That is a great question... I'm in over my HEAD!!! This disastrous bathroom has really got me down. I just keep the door closed... it's gross and I'm so frustrated with getting the wallpaper off. Here are some pictures of my worst project yet... I've used scorching hot water with fabric softener, but when the original owners never primed or sized the walls before applying paper it doesn't matter - the drywall comes off!!! I'm going to have to sand, fill and sand, then prime, then paint these wall. Well I hope I don't have to do it all myself... hint hint Kolin :) We hope to have this project finished around Thanksgiving. We have everything bought for it. I need to decide on the wall color - what will match the peach?? I think I'm just going to continue to cover the bathtub with a curtain. No one will ever really use that bathroom shower anyway. Any color ideas please pass them on. Our To Do List:

• Remove wallpaper and treat and paint walls
• Install new floating ceiling
• Install new floor (same as upstairs bathroom)
• New trim - baseboard and door
• Install new toilet and pedestal sink
• Install new light fixture
• Hang mirror and towel bars
• DONE!

The Bedroom Door Headboard is FINISHED!!

The euro shams don't hide it... Do you think I should put something on the top? The headboard is installed! I think it looks wonderful - who will be our next guest to enjoy this room?

The start of an old BEDroom DOOR

This is the start of a beautiful new headboard. I'm thinking the price tag will come in around $8!!! I know isn't that amazing. The door was free from a friend who found it in her house when she first moved in. The top shelf and 2x4's were free... my father-in-law supposedly picks up scrap wood-thanks!!! The only piece I had to buy was the crown molding and a few screws to attach it to the bed. I helped putty the joints and fill in holes.

I sanded it and primed it.

This is a picture of the detail shelf on top

This is the primed headboard. Now I just need to paint it white and attach it to the guest bed.

I hope you've been inspired!!

Don't throw away the Pumpkin Seeds!!

One of my favorite things is pumpkin seeds. This is another food that I have swayed Kolin to eat... now he really likes them. I make my own. Take a pumpkin... Cut it open... pull out the seeds and clean the stringy pumpkin (I know very technical) from the seeds. I toast mine in the skillet on the stove to get the water off and melt the butter with them.

Put them in the oven on foil for about 350 for 15-20 minutes. About half way through I try to flip them around so they get crispy on both sides.

Enjoy!

One pot penne

This hit the spot tonight. I think I'm really loving tomatoes this time of year! This is a quick one pot recipe: (with hardly any guidelines)

• Penne pasta (1/2 box)
• 1 can diced tomatoes or 2 fresh
• As much spinach as you can handle
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• crushed red pepper to taste (I like spicy)
• I threw in some extra sausage that I already had cooked
• Parmesan cheese

Directions... or what I did

1. Heat a skillet and saute garlic and olive oil for about 2 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes at the end.
2. Add 2 cups broth and bring it to a quick boil
3. Toss in the tomatoes and pasta
4. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes or until the noodles are just right for you
5. Add all the spinach and cover again for another minute (add cooked sausage here)
6. Remove from the heat and top with cheese

Enjoy - I can't wait for leftovers for lunch!

Now that's a deep dish!

I typically make pizza every Friday night, but just as every routine in our lives… it gets old. I was craving some Geno’s East, but realized that I was 5 hours away! I’ll research how to make Chicago style backwards pizza at home. I had a good idea of how to do it, but didn’t know how much corn meal to put in the crust. This is what I found:

Chicago Style Deep Dish

Deep Dish Dough

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 package yeast
• 2 1/2-3 cups bread flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt

Pizza

• 1 deep dish dough
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage (cooked)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/2lb mozzarella cheese slices/ shredded
• Italian Seasoning
• 2-4 cloves garlic
• 1/4 grated Parmesan cheese

Step 1 – the dough Pour the water, yeast and 1/2 cup of the flour into a bowl. Let a sponge form, about 5 minutes. Then add 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, salt and 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Mix by hand or in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Once everything starts to incorporate, slowly add another 1/2 cup of flour. Continue doing this until the dough pulls away from the edge of the bowl and does not absorb any more flour. Then roll it out onto a hard floured surface and knead until smooth. Let it rise until doubled.

Step 2 - the sauce Drain the can of tomatoes. Next place them in a food processor with salt, pepper, the seasoning and the garlic. Pulse the tomatoes to make the sauce.

Step 3 - form the dough Find your 12in spring form pan. It works great, has high edges and the pizza always slides right out. Now that you have the perfect pan, grease it with vegetable oil. Next place the dough in the center of the pan and push down the middle working it toward the edges. Bring it up the sides about 2-3 inches.

Step 4- fill it Start with the cheese so that it doesn’t burn during the long cook time. Next add the pepperoni/ sausage mixture. Now cover the pizza with the sauce. Finally dust the top with the Parmesan cheese.

Step 5 – cook it Place into a preheated 500 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. When the time is up turn it to 400 and bake for another 20-30 minutes. The longer you cook it the better…

A Few Pictures of Aggie's House

Those who know me know who Aggie is. She's my grandma for those of you just passing by. This year we will both be the same age... 26 (well that's at least what her license plate says). She's not your traditional grandma and when I reveal the following pictures of her house you will not believe she just had her 70th birthday. Entry

Hallway

Dressing Room

Bedroom sitting area - she has a thing for stripes you will see

Bathroom

Other side of the bathroom

Guest Bathroom

Living room

Dining Room

Porch

A view from outside. I hoped you enjoyed this! I've always enjoyed going to grandma's house!