Bridget at Bake at 350 gives step-by-step instructions for making these cute spiderweb cookies.  You’ll also want to know how to make her perfectly black icing for the spiderweb cookies and other Halloween treats.

Thrifty Mommy is always interested in saving money.  Check out 33 do-it-yourself costume ideas, ways to save money on Halloween candy, tips for taking Halloween photos, 10 ways to save on Halloween part 1, part 2, and part 3.  Also, don’t forget to take advantage of after-Halloween sales on candy and costumes.

If you’re concerned about handing out so much candy this you might want to check out these Halloween candy alternatives from Boston Mamas.

Linette at Play Library has some great Halloween ideas.  I’m glad she posted these 10 easy homemade costume ideas.  My son was wanting to be a ninja but I was determined not to pay $20 for a costume.  There is an idea for a homemade ninja costume that uses everyday items.  You should also check out 5 favorite Halloween books for young kids,  treat ideas for the school Halloween party,  10 fun Halloween papercraft ideas for kids, and Kids Halloween – Painting Pumpkins.

Kids Birthday Fun has a round-up of cute ideas for a ghostly Halloween party.

Little Fun; Little Learning has an easy pumpkin song you can teach your kids.  You can also let your child fingerpaint or easel paint a pumpkin  or make a Christian pumpkin carving.  There are also several fall-themed ideas.

And from your very own Keeping the Castle – 17 Halloween cupcake ideas, 20 pumpkin inspired recipes, the coolest pumpkin carving designs on the web, pumpkin-carving ideas from Martha Stewart, and pumpkin faces.

Katelyn Thomas has haunted house tips, Halloween decoration ideas, and tips for making a Halloween emergency kit. 

Noreen at Hankering for Yarn shows us some gorgeous masks created with yarn and an upcycled mask trimmed with spool knitting.  Also, how to make a pumpkin pincushion and Halloween dolls to weave on a potholder loom.

While it’s probably too late to order a costume, maybe these Halloween tutu ideas will give you ideas for making your own or using one that you already have.

Are there any holidays that you don’t celebrate?  Mary Emma offers some tips for parents.

Which links did you enjoy?

image from Kids Birthday Fun

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Landlord Ed Peirce refused to evict his tenants.  Instead, he got a job.  This is a beautiful story of kindness and mercy.

This chicken tenders picadillo sounds yummy and simple.  I might give this recipe a try some time soon.

I’ve had fruit pizza before and now I have the recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod.  The pictures make the pizza look too pretty to eat.

To get educated about tea shopping, check out these 10 healing herbs used in teas.

Some days I can get a lot done and other days I feel so distracted or unmotivated. Hopefully, these 33 ways to get and keep yourself motivated will help.

Since I am the Thrifty Mommy, I’m known for saving money.  This tutorial, How to Make Your Own Granola sounds like a great way to save.

If you’re at a loss for space, check out these creative storage ideas at Apartment Therapy.

If you’ve found any great tips or articles, feel free to leave a link.

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Post from: Keeping the Castle

My mouth is watering from just looking at these brownies from How to Cook Like Your Grandmother.  I don’t remember my grandmother making anything that looked this good.

These tea party flower sandwiches are so darling. So cute and dainty. These are perfect for a tea party with my little girl.

This short video of a kid parking his toy car will bring a smile to your face.

Nicole at Making it Lovely has organized her closet.  I am so impressed with her system.  After seeing this though, I am feeling a little sad about my pitiful clothes collection.

With the seasons changing, many people are complaining of allergies and sinus problems.  If you have a sinus infection or if you want to prevent one, you might want to try this inexpensive solution.

I’m a fan of Chinese food, especially sesame chicken.  Dexie’s sesame chicken recipe sounds delicious. The pictures are wonderful too.

Which articles are you enjoying?  Leave a link below.

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I know the title of this is “Links I’m Enjoying”.  I don’t enjoy family profiling, but I found Marye’s article very interesting and upsetting.  Check out Green Is as Green Does: Can a Large Family Be Eco-Friendly?.

I’m a bit of a tightwad, so I enjoyed reading about a cheap dessert, Depression Style Rice Tarts, at Baking Delights.

Fall is my favorite season so these Centerpieces with a Vegetable Theme at She Knows Parties made me smile. 

I’ve heard of making your own laundry detergent, but Trent at Simple Dollar has gone above and beyond.  He has a very thorough explanation of making laundry detergent, complete with pictures and video.

Snickers is one of my favorite candy bars.  So the thought of homemade snickers sounds wonderful but honestly I don’t think I’d trust myself with that much snickers in the house.

The thought of mixing veggies in with my chocolate doesn’t sound like something I’d normally do, but Christine at Boston Mamas enjoys creating dishes and making them a bit healthier.  Her chocolate zucchini cake looks yummy and sneaking veggies into the kids cake sounds like a win-win to me.

Have you found any interesting recipes or homemaking tips around the web?  Feel free to share the link here.  Happy browsing!

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Post from: Keeping the Castle

Easy Patriotic Dessert Recipes

Too Many T-Shirts? Transform Them!

Recycle Your Old Books

5 Ways to Save Money on Kids’ Party Decorations

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

Pork & Veggies Kabobs

A Simple Raspberry Sauce

How to Freeze Blueberries

Southwestern Style Potato Salad

Deep Fried Mash Potatoes

How to Make Paper Floofs for Your Party

How to Make a French Fry Cake

Enjoy! 

Do you have any links to add?

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Post from: Keeping the Castle

Cindy at My Recycled Bags has recycled old t-shirts to make a really cute purse.

Erika at CraftStylish shows how to make tote bags from vintage bed sheets.

Mornings with Mom has a tasty looking homemade apple crisp that she says is quick and easy to make.

This newspaper hut is pretty cool.  Be sure to bookmark this for those summer days when the kids are bored out of their minds.  Whip out this idea and your kids will probably call you “the coolest mom ever”.

During the summer, my husband and I enjoy using our fresh tomatoes to make tomato casserole.  Michelle Smith also has a recipe for Greek tomato pie. 

Charity & the JAMband have seven songs that you can download for free.  Thrifty Mommy has more information about this.

For those of you that like to make handmade gifts, you might like this tutorial on making watermelon soaps.

I have a pot rack that hangs from my ceiling above my kitchen island.  I had never seen one that hangs on the side of your cabinets until I saw this DIY Simple, Modern Pot Rack tutorial.

I hope you enjoy these ideas.  If you have a recipe, cleaning tips, craft, etc, please leave your link in the comments.  Thanks.  Have a great weekend!

image from sxc.hu

Post from: Keeping the Castle

I’m craving burritos since reading about these Brown Bag Burritos at The Finer Things in Life.  I need to find the time to make some of these and freeze them for quick meals.

A few years ago, I could have used this recipe for frugal potting soil.  I had some flower beds to build up and fill with dirt.  I remember buying the cheap potting soil and even then, it was pretty expensive.

Summer is just around the corner and that means cook outs with baked beans.  Passionate homemaking has a recipe for homemade baked beans.  I’m looking forward to getting another freezer so that I can begin to make large batches of foods to freeze.

These bacon wrapped hotdogs would go great with the homemade baked beans.  It’s time to fire up the grill.

I have been thinking a lot lately about my balance between computer life and home life.  It is a daily struggle.  How much time is too much?  Homemaker Barbi has part 1, part 2, and part 3 of Crystal’s interview.  

Hope you enjoy the links.  Do you have any homemaking links to share?  Please leave them below.

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Marye’s goat had babies over the weekend.  She just put up some new pictures and they are so cute!  I live out in the country and this has me thinking about getting some animals.

Today is St. Patrick’s Day.  Here are some unconventional ways to celebrate.

Did you know that’s it’s American Chocolate Week?  Hooray for one of my favorite foods!  Stop by Chocolate Bytes for some tasty recipes and info about chocolate.

A Healthy Balance has freebies posted each Friday.  Stop by and see what you can get for free.

Did you know that Dora the Explorer is changing?  Yes, she’s growing up.  It’s different, but she’s cute.  So long as she’s modest and doesn’t look sassy like those Bratz dolls.

Are you thinking about having a yard sale this spring or summer?  Before you do, you might want to check out these 30 yard sale tips.

It’s important to stay connected with those I care about.  I use email and phone calls a lot to stay in touch.  Notb4coffee has another idea for staying connected.

What links are you enjoying?

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Post from: Keeping the Castle

Did you know that it was pretty easy to make your own mozarella cheese?  I didn’t.  Check it out at cook.eat.think.

Looking for something to do with your husband’s old button down shirts?  Try making art smocks.  Get the tutorial at Forty-Two Roads.

Like moss?  Find out how to paint moss designs in your garden.

This strawberries & cream banana bread sounds yummy.  I’ll have to try it once strawberries go on sale.

This deck of cards book is such a sweet and thoughtful way to show someone you care.  And for all you crafters, it fulfills your crafting needs.

Which links did you enjoy?

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Have you ever heard of Cupcake Camp?  My sugar levels are rising just looking at these pictures.  I can see why the Caffe Latte and the monkey cupcakes (which look like Curious George) tied for best in show.  See the winners here.

Although I have no idea how to crochet, I enjoy looking at My Recycled Bags by Cindy. Here are her newest creations, the green shopping bag and Valentine’s bag, complete with patterns.

I think this week I’ll try this recipe for refried bean and spinach quesadillas.  We cook Mexican food frequently.  Not sure why I didn’t think of that one before.

If you like IHOP’s pancakes, then you should try this recipe.  Much cheaper too!

Thrifty Mommy have a giveaway for Lands’ End Sun.Life clothing.  Get sun protection from stylish, lightweight clothing.

This chocolate peanut butter love dessert sounds yummy!  I’d probably use a premade brownie mix to make it easier.  Is that bad of me?

Make a camping lantern from a peanut butter jar.  Very thrifty and green.

What links are you enjoying?  Leave them below in the comments.

Post from: Keeping the Castle