Have you seen one of these do-hickies?

I seem to be making lots of meals and treats for people lately. These happened to be a batch of chocolate chip cookies for a friend. But the point is, see that do-hickey in back of the pan of cookies? That has to be my most favorite kitchen posession! Well, besides my crockpot and Kitchen Aid mixer...and tornado blender! I'm not getting a kick-back or anything for this, I'm just sharing between friends. I had seen (and coveted) a dispenser like this for plastic wrap at a deli I used to visit "back in the day" of gainful employment (LOL) and lo and behold if QVC didn't have it on air one day. It was a "two-fer" deal. I got the foil AND plastic dispenser. Ya know how that plastic just sticks and never peels off and cuts straight? Well with this do-hickey it doesn't! I'm just waiting for them to make the one for LONG rolls of foil! My box of long foil just fell apart - quite difficult to tear it off when it does that!


And would you look at this.....

It's OCTOBER 30th for Pete's sake!!! I want some of that "chill" everybody else is talking about. That was taken from my car thermometer. It's just wrong on so many levels! LOL
I have the air condition on and my other blog friends are snuggling up to a cozy blanket. Waaaah! What a big baby, eh? LOL.
I did make two more tote bags today. These are out of some beautifully rich looking tapestry upholstry fabric I had in my stash that I finally did something with. I'll post pics later. I call these bags "schlepping bags", because they big enough for throwing everything in. LOL

'til then, be good to each other

Simply Christmas

I have my ticket! Simply Christmas is hosted by the Women's Ministry at my church First Baptist Church, Brandon, FL)every November. The tickets are $12.00 (you can get them from the church office by calling 813-689-1204). The guest speaker is Sharon Jaynes (access her website by clicking on her name), author of such titles as I'm Not Good Enough, and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves; Turning Ordinary Days into Extraordinary Moments with God. You can read exerpts from those books on her site. Such a beautiful woman of God. We are looking forward to such a blessing!

I just found out the food that will be served. And can I hear a "YUM-O"? AwwwwwwYeah! Also a little "inside information" I found out: the tables are all decorated by someone attending. (in order words... real people like you and me!) They are decorating with things from their own decor. It should be quite interesting to see, and as always so beautiful! I've never been to a women's Christmas event yet that wasn't just absolutely stunningly beautiful! If you're local , I know you would love this event. And hey! If you do come, leave me a comment so I can look for you there! I'd love to meet my blog-friends!!!

Missing ingredient in the fresh apple nut cake!!!

Aaack!!! I just re-read the recipe I posted for the Fresh Apple Cake and I cant find where I put the 1 cup brown sugar into the icing!!!!

If you've tried to make it yet..uh-oh. If not, please add that to the recipe! and if you're just reading this, the recipe below has been corrected now! Whew! This is what happens when you type up a recipe after midnight!!!

Fresh Apple Nut Cake

After seeing all the Fall inspired recipes around, I thought apples! I pulled out a recipe I havent made in 30 years! I remember the person who gave it to me and have no idea what they're doing today, but I have that recipe! Friends were coming over tonight for dessert and coffee so off to the grocery store I ran to get some fresh Gala apples. Right now I'm really bonkers for Braeburn (did I spell that right?!?) apples, but can't seem to get my hands on them at the grocery store lately, so Gala would have to do because personally, the McIntosh and others don't have much of a flavor these days.
There are so many apples in this cake, plus the sauce you pour over top soaks into the cake it is super-moist...and heavy! Ok, on to the recipe, right?

FRESH APPLE NUT CAKE
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups chopped apples
1 tsp salt
3 cups plain flour
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups Wesson oil
1 tsp soda
1 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for one hour in ungreased 9 x 13 pan.

ICING
1/2 cup butter (one stick)
1 cup PET Milk (has to be Pet. Trust me, I've tried Carnation and others, has to be Pet!)
1 cup brown sugar

Bring to a boil and boil 3-4 minutes. Pour over WARM cake.

I try to time the icing part to when I take the cake out of the oven. With it fresh from the oven, the liquid soaks into the cake better.

Sorry, there are no pictures.

Pumpkin Toppers by Violet

You know how you're just surfing through the web and stumble upon something so really cool that you've just got to share with everyone? Well, that's what happened to me this morning! I found Violet Skiles site just jumping around from blog to blog and I'm so glad I did. These pumpkin toppers are great! Look at 'em....

I can't decide whether I like the white pumpkin with the sunflowers most, or the one with the the orange one. I love the fact that she has pearls in it and the "thankful" card is just over-the-top wonderful!!!! And, get this!!!! She's done a tutorial! You really should go there and check it out!

Two New Tote Bags I made

So here's what I've done with the oilcloth I bought. After doing these two bags I've learned something... I don't like working with oilcloth! I read somewhere on the internet that it would be helpful to use tear-away stabilizer on the "slippery side" when sewing oilcloth... Ha! I laugh at that, I don't need no stinkin' stabilizer - I'm the fabric whisperer! Yeah, right. I should've listened to "those that know". It was a pain in the, uh, neck!

I will say one thing- it's tough material! I have that tote (above) packed with fabric which is heavy!)

This one I think I might put away and save for a giveaway, or part of the "prize" for the Food Challenge recipe contest for November. I'm still thinking... and of course I lined it with my fave color ... Hot Pink! LOL It's a shopper/grocery bag style with long handles to use shoulder style.

Tonight's Dinner

Tonight's dinner doesn't have a recipe because there isn't one but it's simple enough. I had thawed some sausage and wasn't quite sure what I was going to make. Then I remembered in the cabinet some "Sofrito" that my friend Tara introduced me to. She's the one that won the last food challenge (Comfort Foods). If you checked out the food challenge here you will notice she contributed a lot of Latin influenced foods. She's married to a really neat guy, Angel, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, hence the great food! LOL. Anyway, this stuff is G-double O-d.
Good! I found mine at my local Publix. Just check in the ethnic food aisle. I had some bacon left over from the baked potato soup (I cheated and bought the packages of already cooked real bacon) and threw that in for good measure! LOL. Oh! and some extra frozen onions and peppers - we like cooked peppers and onions, what can I say! LOL. Just cooked it on top of the stove and that's all folks! It was "quite tasty" as hubby said! LOL


Here's what the Sofrito looks like....

New Give-Away!

I have a new give-away!

This book, "Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase" and some vintage pillowcases to get you started! A couple of the pillowcases are shams (larger).

Here's how you can enter:

1. FOLLOW ME! (This will get you two entries)

2. Take my link/button and put on your blog (link to me), that will get you another two entries.

3. Talk about this on your blog and link to this give-away. One entry.

4. Leave a comment. One entry.

So there you have it, the potential for SIX entries! Please leave a comment for each entry. I do check LOL.

oh and please note, my computer won't let me click on your e-mail link (new computer, old OE) so be sure and check back here Saturday morning to see if you're the winner. good luck.

Winner of the Food Challenge Announced!

I'm late posting the winner of the Food Challenge. Tara submitted multiple recipes. Check out all of the recipes submitted to the "Comfort Foods" food challenge! I had taken pictures before giving it to Tara, but mine were lousy. Tara is a professional photographer so I asked her to take them of herself and the prize - so these are great pics now! LOL.

Here's Tara modeling the double-sided apron. I was so worried it was too short. Tara is such a cutie pie, who is petite. She immediately put it on and showed me! As she put it on her facebook page she has never had anything that was too short (or something like that! LOL). Also pictured (that blue thing) is a cotton re-usable grocery tote, Semi-Homemade's new Christmas magazine, and some kitchen tools in MY fave color---- HOT PINK!!! lol

Just a heads up here... The next food challenge will be in November and this one is "Christmas Goodies". Doesn't matter what, cookies, candies, desserts, drinks, meats.... you name it! There will be more than one winner!!! So start looking through your recipes!

New craft "Re-Use" project

Ok, you have all seen the many uses of that black board paint, right? Well, have you thought of this?

It's one of those cheapy (NOT silver) dollar store finds. You know, those fake-silver trays. Paint the inside of the tray with that blackboard paint and Viola! you've got a menu board. OR.......

an every day message board!

LOL. When I look at this picture, it almost looks like an aluminum foil baking pan...but it's not. Trust me, it was even cheaper than that! LOL . Now, go try it. You know you want one!

Dressing up a compassion meal

I had to make a chicken pot pie for a couple in our Life Groups class who just had a baby, so I made enough for three (yes, 3!) 9 x 13 pans. One for them, one for us (hubby's comfort food), and one to freeze. I'll be giving this one to another friend to keep in her freezer until she wants it.

See, if you compliment my cooking, you reap the rewards! LOL.

(Chicken pot pie is my usual meal I take whenever someone's sick, or otherwise needs a meal).

Ever see the old Reba show, perhaps re-runs, where Barbara Jean comes over with a pie for Reba. She called it "pitty pie". I'm thinking of changing the name from compassion meal, to pitty pie. LOL! maybe not.

I don't have a set recipe for this so I can't give you specifics, but this is more of a "did you know you could do this to dress it up" kind of post anyway. I'm sure you either have, or can find a good recipe for the "guts" of the pot pie.

Did you get those little "chicken footprints" I cut out of the crust? LOL

I use a chicken cookie cutter - to let them know what they're getting in case they've never received a meal from me before - LOL Ok, it's a rooster, but you get the idea. But don't discard those cut-outs! I bake them and then use them as the topper, for the cut-out on the crust. Who doesn't like pie crust to nibble on?

Well, there you have it. Maybe you've gotten some ideas on dressing it up? I hope so. Gee, I hope you don't think this post was lame.... sigh

Re-Use Craft Project

This was a yard sale find... one of those cheapy aluminum molds. Remember those? How about turning it into a candy dish, chip dish, snack mix dish, popcorn dish...you name it dish! The hole in the middle is perfect p latform to place a bowl of dip on top of. I like the candy dish idea best, because it just looks neat! LOL. Spray paint a base of antique white, or almond color. (I spray paint because I always seem to get brush strokes on this type of pan and the spray paint is a nice even coating that sticks well). Then paint whatever you want on it. You can make it seasonal, or just generic vines. You don't have to be an artist, just trace it onto the piece from a coloring book, clip art, whatever you like, and color it, coloring book style! (giggle) and Viola! you have a repurposed, up-cycled project! So easy, right? Now take a look. From this.......

to this....

and while we're at it, how about some fabric pumpkins?

Can you guess what the "stem" is made out of? LOL, it is a roofing nail!!!

These were some nails I had left over from my handmade insert for my Christmas cards last year, with the story of the "Christmas nail". Have you all seen those, or would ya like me to post those? It's another really quick/easy project!!! Ok, back to the pumpkins. If you're familiar with how to make yo-yo's, this is a cinch for you! I traced several different sizes, (using a plate, bowl, etc. Anything round). Usually, with yo-yo's you finger press a "hem" and then run a gathering stitch around the edge. You don't have to bother with a finger pressed hem because it won't be seen. Stuff with fiberfill. Run thread from the center, up through to the other side center 1/4 turn, do it again, 1/4 turn...you get the idea. (You're making the tucks here). Poke the nail into the center and hot glue it really good and then just tie a ripped piece of green homespun fabric around the nail. Tah-Dah! you're done. I've never written a tutorial, but these are pretty much self explanatory because they're so easy, BUT if I've confused you, please ask! I'd be thrilled to explain further. I believe information is meant to be shared!

I received an award!

I received this award from Holly at Her Southern Heart. You should so check out her blog! She's such a cutie-pie and gives all kinds of good news regarding give-aways and...well, just go check it out! I think you have a nice time while there.


To accept I must answer these questions and spread the love to 6 fabulous bloggers!


1. Where is your cell phone: In my purse
2. Your hair: up in a clip, and dirty.
3. Your mother: at home
4. Your father: in heaven
5. Your favorite food: cheesecake
6. Your dream from last night: Christmas and hubby's brother was making a picnic table for a gift.
7. Your favorite drink: lemonade
8. Your dream/goal: To lose 100 lbs by November of 2010.
9. What room are you in: the "office"
10. What is your hobby: baking; crafting/sewing
11. What is your fear: monsters with 8 legs!
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years: Anywhere as long it's with my hubby.
13. Where were you last night: My mom's house and then home
.14. Something you are not: perfect
15. Muffins: banana
16. Wish List items.: Kindel (sp?), 10" netbook, super-dooper digi-camera with lots of zoom
17. Where did you grow up: Plant City, FL
18. Last thing you did: twisted some wire for angels
19. What are you wearing: a huge shirt
20. Your TV: I'm guessing it's on, since hubby is in the other room.
21. Your pets:Do dust bunnies count?
22. Your friends: are asleep,which is where I should be
23. Your life: is fulfilled
24. Your mood: sleepy
25. Missing someone: yes, my father.
26. Vehicle: Toyota Avalon
27. Something your not wearing: shoes
28. Your favorite store: Ohh tuff one... fabric stores, quilt stores, Tuesday Morning, Lifeway...
29. Your favorite color: hot pink
30. When's the last time you laughed: a few minutes ago
31. When's the last time you cried: i don't even remember
32. Your best friend: my husband.
33. One place you go over and over: see #28 ! LOL
34. One person who emails me regularly: hmmmm... dunno.
35. Favorite place to eat? Just about any place that I don't get my napkin out of a dispenser and they clean up after me!

Now I pass this on to these lovely bloggers!!

1. Jen http://www.thethriftyhome.com/
2. Audrey http://audreyscountrycrafts.blogspot.com/
3. Wanda http://queenieslittlekingdom.com/
4. Debi http://desertquilts.blogspot.com/
5. Gretchen http://www.woodnickle.com/
6. Glenna http://yourfabricplace.blogspot.com/

We have a winner!

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

(After seeing this on a couple of blogs who titled their winners like this, I found out I'm not the only person who says this! I wonder if they heard it on ESPN also. oh well...)

I've been dreading this moment all day. Not because I don't want to part with the quilt, but because I realized that there were going to be over 50 people who I will disappoint! There can only be one winner. As much as I love to give gifts, I hate to think I am also going to have to say "no gift for you" ! So, I had my husband pick!!!! LOL. I printed everyone's name off, put them in a box and (woke him up) and had him pick! Of course he wanted to know what he was picking a piece of paper out of a box for. I explained that I just couldn't say "no" and since he wasn't a blogger... you see my rationale, don't you? Anyway, I'm sure you're saying. "Would you just get on with it" so the winner is.... drum roll~~~~

What you say? You can't read the name? LOL well, try this one...

Congrats Roeshel. I will be mailing out your quilt next week.
And to everyone who did participate, I love you all! I will be doing more give-aways so please, don't be a stranger here! Remember I promised a totebag/purse giveaway for all the crafty ladies who like doing their own. That's all of the secret I'm sharing for now. And there are others waiting in the wings... 'nuff said. Good night my sweet friends.

Craft - Magnolia Angel

Oh I found another "blast from the past craft" pic. This is so easy and isn't she cute?

It's made from a magnolia. Long (substantial) stem that I bent around to make a circle base, and wrapped with gold lame' ribbon. I chose two of the outer, and larger petals for wings, and bent the others to make a dress, and two to fold in for the "arms". Which I made a song book from another piece of ribbon. This one had wire edges to make it stiff enough to fold like a song book.
I don't think it's very visible, but there's a length of clear beads, or you could use those string pearls and shape into a halo for her. I'm sure you could've figured it out on your own, and my little instructions probably will have you scratching your head. LOL. But she is so incredibly easy to make.