Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I think its because I associate thanksgiving with family. It has always been a holiday where my family gathers to spend quality time together. It is not very hard to decorate for Thanksgiving. You can place gourds, pumpkins, pinecones and colorful leaves throughout the house and it makes everything festive.
If you are using pinecones, be sure to get the scented ones, or better yet visit my blog here in the Home & Living section this Sunday.  I’ll be showing you exactly how to set your table.
I always take special care with my table …read more

I’ve been pondering this whole Halloween thing for weeks now.  I’ve done a tad bit of preparation, but nothing like I needed to.  I know the kids will be off from school the rest of the week and that will give me some time to finalize everything.  If you’ve procrastinated like me, you’ll appreciate these last minute Halloween ideas.  If not, then bookmark it for next year.  

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 …read more

Now that October is here, we can fully embrace fall.  When I think of fall desserts, I think of cinnamon, apples, pumpkin, and warm sweet goodness.  I’ve been surfing the web for fall inspired desserts that I thought you might enjoy.

Pumpkin treats
Texan Pumpkin French Toast
Pumpkin Latte
Pumpkin Cookies (with cream cheese icing)
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Napoleons
Luscious Four-Layer Pumpkin Cake
Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
Espresso Cakes with Pumpkin
Pumpkin Spice Cake
Scrumptious Pumpkin Parfait

Apple treats
My Favorite Apple Cake Recipe
Caramel Apple Bars
Caramel Apple Pie
Chocolate Caramel Apples with Sprinkles
Apple Dumpling Dessert
Apple Upside-Down Cake
Apple Bread
Apple Pear Crisp
Blushing Apples
Weight Watchers Low Point Options:
Apple Pie
Warm Pear Cobbler
Pear Upside Down Cake with …read more

When decorating for fall, try using gourds and pumpkins.  This will you allow you to have decorations that can last through the entire season. 

Seasonal centerpiece – Turn a large pumpkin or squash into a bowl.  Fill it with ornamental gourds and small pumpkins.
Autumn chandelier – Suspend burnished miniature pumpkins and gilded maple leaves from a chandelier with thread.
Curvaceous container – Turn a narrow-necked gourd into a vase by sawing off the gourd’s tip.

Floating Beauties – Fill an assortment of glasses with water and float mini pumpkin gourds inside. 
 Table centerpiece – Start with a fall wreath that has been decorated with leaves, …read more

July 4th is not only Independence Day; it also happens to be my daughter’s birthday.  This year, she turned a big six-years-old.  It’s hard to believe that it was six years ago that I had my first child.  We were fortunate to see the fireworks from the hospital room the night she was born. 

It wasn’t until I saw this picture of her that I realized how much she has changed.  The baby fat is gone from her face and she looks like a first grader now.  In case you’re interested, you can go to Thrifty Mommy to see the things she …read more

I grew up in a military town.  My mom’s dad and my dad’s dad had faithfully served their countries and my mom and dad met and stayed in that military town.  My grandpa retired there. 

Growing up a military town is different.  People come and go from your lives and you may never hear from them again.  You can go to church each week and see the children and wives that are left behind while the husbands are off on deployment or war.  You pray for them while they’re gone and celebrate upon their return.  You see the businesses that struggle …read more

I was surfing around Martha Stewart’s website today.  She always has such great ideas and so we know that there will be Memorial Day ideas on her site.

Martha has not disappointed us.  She has 27 patriotic crafts on her website that you can view for free.  For quick viewing, you can see thumbnail images of all of the crafts.  These Can-Do Cans caught my eye because it is a simple project which reuses and transforms every day cans as a decorative piece.
Do you have any Memorial Day craft ideas to share?
image from marthastewart.com

It has been a busy week with loads of Easter activites. 
Our first activity was an egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 at our church.  There were other fun activities to go along with the egg hunt.  The kids dyed eggs, made a craft, had snack, and hunted for eggs.

 
Wednesday there was a party at church for the kids.  I’m told it involved slime, games, and other fun.
Next, on Thursday, my daughter had an egg hunt at school.  I don’t have any pictures from that.  The parents were asked to send in eggs and candy.  I bought some eggs for $1 at …read more

Easter is only two days away. Where has the time gone?  I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to the nice weather and beautiful flowers blooming.  It’s such a beautiful sign of life.
I’ve been collecting some Easter and spring articles for your enjoyment.  Have fun and let me know which ones are your favorites.

20 Last Minute Spring and Easter Party Treats @ The Kids Birthday Fun Review
Lead Me to the Cross:  Reflections for Good Friday @ Way More Homemade
Easy Last Minute Easter Egg Dyes @ Bostom Mamas
Jelly Bean Poem @ Little Fun; Little Learning
Bird’s Nest Spring Treats @ The …read more

I found a nice looking dessert from Making Life Better to share with you.  Isn’t it pretty?  What a special treat for Valentine’s Day.  Of course, you could substitute halved strawberries for the raspberries.
image from MakingLifeBetter