An Updated Wooden Box....

Like many crafters, I save too many things with the thought that I will 'create something fabulous' with them.  I have had this wooden box for years, on a shelf in the basement and I decided to finally use it (or it was going in the trash)!

I bought 4 little candle cups to use as 'feet'.....

and I sprayed everything in my favorite shade of green:

I glued the legs on the bottom with hot glue and E6000 glue and I was ready to play with it!

I gathered some excelsior, a few fall odds and ends and 2 buffalo checked pumpkins....

and created a little box of autumn for the kitchen table!  I  played around with the arrangement a bit more until I was pleased with it....

I knew I would eventually use this box, it just took me a few years to get inspired!!!

Does this happen to you?

Baked Pears

We picked pears last week and kept them in a paper bag to ripen!  

I baked 2 of them for dessert while we were eating dinner the other night and I thought I would share the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 large ripe pears
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 T Brown Sugar
• 2 T crushed pecans
•  4 T Pure Maple Syrup

• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• Cut the pears in half and place on a baking sheet (cut sliver off the bottom if they don't sit upright)
• Using a measuring spoon or melon baller, scoop out the seeds.

4.Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar, top with walnuts and drizzle 1/2 T of maple syrup over each one.

5.Bake in the oven 30 minutes. Remove.  Drizzle the remaining 2 T syrup over tops, let cool and enjoy!

Don't be afraid to add a little whipped cream:

ENJOY!

The same recipe can be prepared with apples, too!!

One Pot Stuffed Pepper Casserole....

I love one pot meals.  I love the idea of putting everything in one casserole dish or soup pot and how all the flavors blend together!

This is a recipe for Stuffed Pepper Casserole - all the flavors of Stuffed pepper with no mess!

Ingredients for 3 servings:

1T olive oil

1/2 lb ground beef

1/2 onion, diced

1 clove garlic minced

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1/2 red pepper, chopped

14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

2 oz green chiles

1/2 cup white minute rice

1/2 cup beef broth

1t chili powder

1/2 c cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 c Monterey Jack cheese, grated

In a skillet, fry ground beef, onion and garlic until beef is browned. Add peppers, cook until tender.  Stir in tomatoes, chiles, rice, beef broth,  chili powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil, cover and drop heat to simmer until rice is cooked.  Remove from heat and top with cheeses, garnish with chopped chives and serve. 

I baked crescent rolls and we both enjoyed this new recipe!

Tomatoes.... How I make sauce and juice....

Every September I look forward to making tomato sauce for the winter....

....I blanch the tomatoes to peel them...

...and I cook them down and then purify with the immersion blender...

...then I add a bay leaf, lots of Italian seasonings, salt, sugar, pepper, oregano, garlic, hot sauce, tomato paste and crushed red pepper and let it simmer for a few hours

...and stir and taste for a few hours...

...and then pour it into jars (removed bay leaf!)!  I store it in the freezer for cold winter nights!!

It is delish!

I even made some spicy tomato juice for Bloody Marys:

The juice is easy to make.  I used 6 large tomatoes:

I blanched the tomatoes to remove the skins...

....and I chopped up a few veggies I had and added some salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, hot sauce and sugar (the sugar cuts the acidity)  It simmered it for an hour.

I used the immersion blender to purify it and then strained the tomatoes, keeping the pulp to add to the sauce I made.  It helps to thicken it!  This made about a quart of juice.

The juice is perfect for breakfast....

But even better for Bloody Marys!!

Being Grateful...

Some say being thankful is a feeling, being grateful is an action.

Are you grateful? 

What are you grateful for? 

 

Each day I make a mental list of what I am grateful for - there are always a few things to add to the prior list! 

Grateful is showing an appreciation of kindness.

1. 

Studies have linked gratitude with increased satisfaction, motivation, and energy; better sleep and health; and reduced stress and sadness. 

Grateful people are much more engaged with their environment, leading to greater personal growth and self-acceptance, and stronger feelings of purpose, meaning, and specialness. (Psychology Today)

So find reasons to be grateful!

10 on the 10th - Dollar Tree Makeovers and a GIVEAWAY!...

It's 10 on the 10th again and I am sharing a few Dollar Tree ideas!

The three crafty ideas I am sharing cost a total of $7.00 + tax

I bought 2 placemats at Dollar Tree for a fall tablesetting....

...I drew a pumpkin on paper and cut it out to use it as a pattern to trace onto a corner of each placemat.  And then I drew grid lines:

Because the placemat was white, I only had to paint the black checks:

I painted the pumpkin in the top corner with shades of oranges and greens:

They are perfect for a fall place setting:

Remember the sunflowers I made last month?  Go HERE to see how they were made.

These are also great for a little appetizer buffet for two on the kitchen counter:

I am giving these 2 placemats away!!  Just leave a comment below and you will be entered!

Two years ago I shared how to dress up Dollar Tree stemware with a little enamel paint.  I painted only the stems and base:

Here is another Dollar Tree idea I made last year and thought it was worthy of sharing again:

I simply wrapped a fleece scarf around a wreath, tied it with a twistie tie and added a few sunflowers!

So, what did I spend?

$2.00 on the placemats

$2.00 for the wine glasses

$3.00 for the wreath

If you would like a chance to win the 2 placemats, just leave a comment below!

The Dollar Tree is a fun place to get some crafty inspiration!

Joining these crafty ladies....stop by to see what they created while spending under $10:

Apple Street Cottage

Patina and Paint

Decorate and More with Tip

Cloches and Lavender

French Ethereal

UPDATE: Congrats to Theresa2012Ball - winner of the placemats!