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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Post from: Keeping the Castle

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

If you’re looking for something yummy to make for your family or just to drool, you should check out her sites.  You can find Marye at Kettle and Cup, Baking Delights, Everything Cookies and Brownies, and MaryeAudet.com.  Marye’s not just baking up cooking and brownies.  I stopped by Baking Delights today and saw one of her newest creations, chicken with portobellos.  And best of all, Marye says it’s easy to make. 

It’s encouraging to hear stories of how others have made something from blogging.  I’m hoping to get there some day . . . soon.  Congratulations, Marye!    Be sure to stop by and order a copy of her book, Everything Cookies and Brownies.

images (c) Marye Audet

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Go to RealSimple.com/20MinuteMeals, answer three quick questions and you’ll be given a list of recipes from which to choose.  Here are the questions and possible answers:

1)  What is your main ingredient?

• poultry
• meat
• pasta/vegetarian
• seafood

2)  What is your preferred cooking method?

• stove/oven
• no cook
• grill

3)  How much cooking time do you have?

• 15 to 20 minutes
• 25 to 30 minutes

Just to see what would happen, I answered poultry, stove/oven, and 15 to 20 minutes.  By answering those three simple questions I was given 11 recipes.  How does chicken cutlets with tomato saute’ sound? Or how about chicken and cashews in lettuce cups?  The lettuce cups are similar to the Asian lettuce wraps that some Chinese restaurants sell.  They are yummy!

Menu planning can help to save a lot on your monthly grocery bill.  I hope you’ll stop by Real Simple to pick up some easy recipes.

image from real simple

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!

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Post from: Keeping the Castle

On The Martha Blog, you’ll find more of her tips for gardening, entertaining, holidays, collecting, home, pets, giving, travel, and more.  This week, she has posted some promised pictures of her honey bees.  She discusses an issue with the bees not building the hives correctly and tells what the problem was the hive, and also gives 18 pictures for our viewing.  After discovering The Martha Blog, I realized that it’s been around for a few years.  lol  I guess you learn something new every day. 

Martha Stewart has built quite a name for herself.  She must have an army of people working for her, but even still, I wonder when she has time to sleep!  Most of her tweets (on twitter) seem like they are actually from her personally.

Do you enjoy the tips that Martha Stewart offers?

image from the martha blog

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Primal Grill website has many tasty sounding recipes.  Primal Grill tells you how to make Kansas City Style Ribs with Spicy Apple Barbeque Sauce,  Smoke-Roasted Raspberry Pear Crumble, Smoke Salmon, and other delicious dishes.  You’ll find categories for fish, vegetarian, steaks, kabobs, and more.

Now that it’s grill season, I hope you’ll take the time to check out the Primal Grill website for new recipe ideas.  Let me know how they turn out.  Enjoy!

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Post from: Keeping the Castle