Design Mom Giveaways are starting!!!!

Hi everyone.What a way to usher in December.Gabby,over at Design Mom is starting her giveaway week.From  past years,get ready to be blown  away.I have won a giveaway from her twice over the last few years ,and trust me, the prizes do not disappoint! She will be listing more than one a day until December 4th, so head on over (a few times a day) and enter to win!

We plow the fields, and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand.

God sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
The soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts
Are sent from heaven above;
We thank you Lord, We thank you Lord
We thank you for your love.

You only are the Maker
Of all things near and far;
You paint the wayside flower,
You light the evening star;
The winds and waves obey you,
By you the birds are fed;
Much more to us, your children,
You give our daily bread.

All Good Gifts
Are sent from Heaven above
We thank you Lord,
We thank you Lord,
We thank you for your love

We thank you then creator
For all things bright and good,
The seedtime and the harvest,
Our life, our health, our food:
And all that we can offer
Your boundless love imparts
The gifts to you, most pleasing
Our humble thankful hearts.

All good gifts
Are sent from heaven above
We thank you Lord
We thank you Lord
We thank you for your love

All good gifts
Are sent from heaven above
We thank you Lord
We thank you Lord
We thank you for your love

~ Rev. Matthias Claudius, 1782

Gumdrop Wreaths

I have been meaning to make these wreaths for the foot of the boys beds for a few years now and have never gotten around to it.Today we did.My youngest was home from school with an ear infection,so we spent the afternoon making three of them. All you do is break toothpicks in half and stick the blunt end into the gumdrop and the pointy end into the wreath form. I bought the green wreath form at the dollar store and the gumdrops at Dollar General. I used 4 bags of gumdrops.Not bad for $5 a wreath. I tied white satin ribbon around the tops and hung them at the feet of their bedposts! I wanted to take a picture of them finished and hung but my camera battery had other plans.I will post those pics when the battery charges!

P.S. - the spot on the right of the wreath where there are afew bald spots has since been fixed! :)

Barbecue Bacon Chicken

I make this chicken dish knowing that everyone will love it.It smells wonderful cooking in the oven and is so easy to put together. You can change up the cheese to your liking.They boys like cheddar,while I prefer pepper jack .

Barbecue Bacon Chicken
4 boneless,skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
8 slices cooked bacon
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
8 thin slices pepper jack cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken in a casserole dish.Sprikle the chicken with salt and pepper. Spread the barbecue sauce over the chicken.Cover the chicken and bake for 45 -1 hour,or until the chicken is cooked through. Put the bacon and cheese on top of the chicken and bake ,uncovered for 5 minutes,or until the cheese is melted.

Scripture Glass Candleholders

I was thinking of inexpensive yet classy gifts to give to a few friends from church and our neighbors this year. I bought a book of vellum bible quotes from Michael's and cut them out.I adhered them to dollar store glass candleholders. They look so cute! And when the candle is lit inside the Scripture is beautiful on the glass.

Find more DIY ideas over at Kimba's

Pizza Spaghetti

Super once a month casserole dish to make.Kids and guys seem to love this. You can add any toppings that you would on your pizzas and switch up the pasta.Penne and Rigatoni work well.I have chopped broccoli,banana peppers,diced ham....the possibilities are endless.I used to take these to Church potlucks back home and I always came home with an empty casserole dish.

* 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 (1-lb.) package mild ground pork sausage
* 2 ounces turkey pepperoni slices (about 30), cut in half
* 1 (26-oz.) jar tomato-and-basil pasta sauce (I use Classico)
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 (8-oz.) package shredded Italian three-cheese blend

Preparation

1. Cook spaghetti with 1/2 tsp. salt according to package directions. Drain well, and place in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

2. Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and set aside. Wipe skillet clean. Add pepperoni, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until slightly crisp.

3. Top spaghetti in baking dish with sausage; pour pasta sauce over sausage. Arrange half of pepperoni slices evenly over pasta sauce. Sprinkle evenly with cheeses. Arrange remaining half of pepperoni slices evenly over cheese. Cover with nonstick or lightly greased aluminum foil.

4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes; remove foil, and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and just begins to brown.

Sweet Potato Casserole

These sweet potatoes are made in our house a few times in the winter months.A few times because they are very rich. But with the richness comes the yumminess.This is the only sweet potato dish my children will touch. More like dessert if you ask me.But man are they good!



Sweet Potatoes

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

Topping

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup broken pecans

1/3 cup flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat all sweet potato ingredients together and pour into greased 81/2"x11" baking pan.

In a small bowl mix the topping ingredients together,stirring well.

Crumble the mixture over top of sweet potatoes.

Bake in oven for 35-45 minutes until sweet potatoes are set and topping looks crunchy.

Simple Thanksgiving Candleholders

Last thanksgiving I bought these amber hued glass candleholders to dress up our dining room table.This year when  I pulled them out and set them on the table,I didn't like it. So I decided to dress them up a it and put them in the window above the kitchen sink.I had a container of faux leaves from  an  earlier project and decided to group them together and tie them onto the glass with twine.I love the way they  turned out. Just  enough decoration to make me happy.And it cost me nada! I had everything already in the house!

Framed Christmas Countdown Calendar

Every year I attempt to add a few more crafty things to our Christmas decor.This year I decided I was going  to make a Christmas Countdown for the boys.I used a black picture frame that I found  at our local thrift shop for .49! I took the glass out and added a few coordinating sheets of Christmas themed scrapbook  paper. Glued buttons where the two papers met. This spring I found and old  box of anagram letters and I used those to spell out the word DAYS. Tiny clothespin and the number cards and I have a beautiful framed  Christmas countdown calendar that we will use for many years to come! You can find more do  it yourself ideas over at Kimba's blog, A Soft Place to Land .

Spinach Strawberry Salad

This recipe is one of my go to recipes when I am having company. It is one of only a handful of salads that my husband gets excited about. The dressing is vinegary and sweet with the addition of the poppy seeds. I love to serve it during the holidays because of the green spinach and red strawberries. I also crumble a bit of feta cheese on my salad. I prefer it with the cheese.

SERVES 8

* 1 lb spinach
* 1 pint strawberry, sliced set a few aside
* 1/2 cup pecans, toasted

DRESSING

* 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon dry mustard
* 3/4 cup vegetable oil
* 2 teaspoons poppy seeds

1. Toast pecans over low heat, set aside to cool.
2. Combine dressing ingredients in a jar with tight fitting lid and shake well.
3. Toss the spinach,strawberries and pecans together in a large salad bowl.
4. Add your desired amount of dressing and gently toss. (note- the more amt of dressing you use,the soggier the spinach will get upon sitting.I would recommend using little amounts until the salad is wet.)
5.serve immediately.

What is a Veteran?

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry evidence inside them:a pin holding a bone together,a piece of shrapnel, or perhaps another sort of inner steel:the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades,however,the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can't tell a vet just by looking.What is a vet?

He is a cop on the beat who spent 6 months in Saudi Arabia,sweating 2 gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth,dumber than 5 wooden planks,whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another-or didn't come back at all.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy,no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade-riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the 3 anonymous heroes in The Tomb of The Unknowns, whose presence at Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.

He is the old man bagging groceries at the supermarket-palsied now and aggravatingly slow- who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest,the greatest nation ever known.

He is sitting beside you;he is sitting behind you;he is sitting in front of you;he is preaching to you from the pulpit;she is sitting in the choir;ordinary people who have seen extraordinary things.

So remember,each time you see someone who has served our country,just lean over and say thank you.

That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they were awarded.

Two little words that mean so much.

Thank You.

Thanksgiving Wreath

I have been looking for a Thanksgiving wreath for awhile now and just cannot find what I want.I know what I want in my mid,but it just eludes me when I am out and about town looking for one. So I made one using a green foam wreath form and scraps of brown fabric. All I did was cut strips of fabric and tie them onto the wreath form.the fabric is very heavy,so it retains it's shape very well. All in all it is what I was looking for.I am ot sure about the pumpkins but those can be removed.I think I might just tie a pretty orange or gold ribbon from it and nix the pumpkins.Who knows. But it is easy and cheap. I had all the supplies on hand .To check out more DIY projects check out HERE . Tons of great DIY ideas for your home!

The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

These are my tried and true oatmeal raisin cookies.I always like to have snacks on hand when the boys come home from school,and these are on my regular rotation.I have had this recipe since college.I make them for get togethers and there are never any left over.I soak the raisins,which might be the secret.Who knows! Moms, these are great treats for lunchboxes too!



Oatmeal Raisin Cookies


3 eggs, beaten
1 c. raisins
1 t. vanilla extract
1 c. butter
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. ground cinnamon
2 t. baking soda
2 c. rolled oats
1 c. chopped pecans

Combine eggs, vanilla and raisins in a small bowl; cover and let stand for about 4 hours.The longer the better.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, and baking soda; stir into the creamed mixture.
Stir in the raisin mixture, rolled oats, and nuts.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an unprepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Janet Hill Studio

Janet Hill is my favorite artist.Look at this  eye candy.I want one of each! (Although I would settle for just one!) The colors she uses are  perfect.And so feminine. You can  find her on Etsy and she even has her own blog . Janet is based out of Canada. I think these prints would make gorgeous gifts for friends,mothers,sisters. I  am drooling! You have to take a few miutes to check out her portfolio . I love the women she creates.Classic beauty in every single piece.

Do you hear what I hear. A few holiday traditions.

It's Week 2 of Heartfelt and Handmade Holidays over at Roots and Wings Co .

This week these great ladies are talking about creating a holiday atmosphere that stimulates all of our senses.Click Here to see more of this topic . I associate most of my life with smells of food and music. Being from the south, we equate food with every occasion.Good,bad and ugly. The holidays are no exception. Cinnamon is a big reminder of the holidays around here. Big oversized cinnamon rolls, cinnamon and spices slowly simmering over the stove. Cinnamon toast and homemade hot chocolate. And on Christmas morning,always tomato soup and sausage balls. I have no idea where that tradition came from.My nana has always had a  pot of tomato soup with big ,fat egg noodles and a huge tray  of   sausage balls, oozing with cheese.It is the only time of the year I eat either meal, because I only equate that food with Christmas. I cannot remember any  other food being served on  Christmas morning.
Another smell  is of course, the  christmas tree.I love walking into the  house after being away all day ad smelling the scent of the tree throughout the house.The past couple of years I have had Bath and Body Works Wallflowers  in  all the rooms upstairs as well so the house smells like Christmas trees!
I start playing christmas music right after thanksgiving. Which is also when I start officially decorating for Christmas. I have a few cd's that I play  over and over. My favorite ,which I am not ashamed to admit, is Kenny Rogers  Christmas . Yes,I said Kenny Rogers .I love his christmas cd! My mom used to play it and when I was younger I hated it. But now I know each and every song by heart. And so do my husband and children.It wouldn't be Christmas without it! If  you are curious, you can find it HERE . Buy it.You won't be sorry.Kentucky Homemade Christmas and When a Child is Born are my favorites!
I listen to Christian music and I also highly recommend Oh Holy Night by Sara Groves . A Cradle  in Bethlehem is amazing.
And last but not least Casting Crowns Peace on Earth . The song While You Were Sleeping brings me to tears every time I hear it.
I could blog on and on about Christmas sights, sounds and smells,but will wait for another time! The holidays are here and I am ready!

Our Pottery Line

Well here it is. Our first pottery line.Art Deco style. This is a round clock  with dancing nudes .My husband and I are so pleased with the way they turned out.This particular one has a green glaze with yellow undertones. My absolute favorite. My husband made the mold himself.Isn't he brilliant? If you are interested in this clock ,please send me an email . There will be more up in the coming weeks. Hopefully.If the kids stay well and the weather doesn't get too cold!!!!

Marinated Grilled London Broil

This is one of those recipes that is so simple to make,but has high impact flavor.This london broil is a family favorite.Always served at Christmas.Always served medium rare. I love how something so simple is so good.This is my aunt's recipe and I am writing  it as I have it. It doesn't give a specific size of meat.I suppose it doesn't matter as long as you have enough marinade to cover it.If you use a large one, just double the marinade ingredients.

Marinated Grilled London Broil

London Broil (flank steak)
1/3 cup soy sauce
2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
Marinate the  meat in the refrigerator overnight. Prepare grill; cook to desired doneness.Let rest for  a few minutes before slicing.

DIY Sock Containers

I don't know about you ,but I love these catchalls.Made with socks and aluminum cans! All you need is a container (not too big,remember,a sock has to fit around it!) socks and double sided tape. All you do is line the inside ,about halfway down,with double-sided tape.Slip the sock over the container and tape the ends of the sock to the container. I used an aluminum can (washed and dried ,of course), a pencil holder I found at the dollar store, and a small pottery vase I found at the thrift store for .49! I would recommend using ankle length socks.Too much sock will bunch up inside the container. I found these socks at Target.You can use socks for every holiday.Fill them with candy canes for Christmas.Or pencils and pens. You can even line them with plastic and pop a plant in them.Use your imagination. All you knitters,why not use one to store your kitting needles? And oh what great gifts! I am off to go sock shopping! Find more Do It Yourself blog entries over at Kimba's blog, A Soft Place to Land.

Great is thy faithfulness...

Muffin Monday : Cheddar Muffins

I often bake muffins at least twice a week. The boys love to eat them,they can be frozen and there are always leftovers to snack on after school.Believe it or not,they prefer savory muffins over sweet muffins.With the exception of snickerdoodle muffins.But they inhale anything cinnamon related,so that is a given. But back to savory muffins. These cheese muffins are a staple in  our kitchen. They are very easy  to make,taste wonderful and can be eaten any  time of day. You can use other types of cheese.Colby,jack,swiss. Although I have only used cheddar.That's what they like,that's what I make.Makes  a great lunchbox treat as well!

        Cheddar Muffins

• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted utter, melted andcooled
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine milk, melted butter, egg& cayenne.
3. In a second bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar& salt.
4. Stir in cheese.
5. Add flour mixture to milk mixture and stir batter until it is just combined.
6. The batter should be lumpy.
7. Spoon the batter into muffin tins , filling each about 2/3 full.
8. Bake 20- 25 minutes.
9. Cool on wire rack.

photo:taste of home