Happy Birthday . . .

Happy Birthday

 to my little sister, Susan!

Susan was born when I was in the 4th grade.

I still remember how excited I was to come home for lunch 

and see her for the first time.  

Wishing you a day full of good things, Susan!

I love you!

You're Invited . . .

You're invited to attend a party!

Liz is having an Autumn party today!

Click on picture to attend the party.
I'm attending the party by featuring my post
from Sept. 15th.

She's also having a $100 giveaway!

Click on the picture to enter the giveaway.
Last Friday she had the 1st of 5 $100 giveaways.

At 5:00 Pacific time she announced the winner.

 The winner had 10 minutes to claim the cash.

Believe it or not she had to draw 7 names before someone responded.

Mary Ellen  was lucky #7

Oh, I almost forgot!

Liz is also giving away a beautiful Autumn wreath!

Don't miss the party or the giveaway!

Crafty Creation . . .

I'm getting crafty again . . .

After years of my craftiness laying almost completely dormant I'm slowly getting back in the groove.

Let me explain.

Back in the 80s and 90s I was completely involved in big time crafting.  Craft shows, booths in several craft malls, including one in Branson, home shows, special orders, you get the picture.

 Plus, I was teaching.

Finally it  happened . . . I had crafter's burnout!

Since I started pinning on Pinterest my creative juices are flowing again.
  I created a paper wreath a few weeks ago.

You can see that project here.

Here's my latest project.

I used this cute fruit box and my old Mary Engelbreit calendar books,

and Mod Podge to create a multipurpose basket for Fall. 

Here it is filled with snacks . . .

and here it's ready for a fall buffet gathering.

I'm going to fill it with candy for Halloween night trick-or-treaters.

Are you crafting and creating anything?

Linking with . . .
Kristen for Share Your Creations

 Kate @ Centsational Girl
 Cindy for Friday Show and Tell
  Courtney for Feathered Nest Friday
Designer Garden VIP party
At The Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Mary for Masterpiece Monday
Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Sherry for Home Sweet Home
Liz @ Savvy Seasons

Word of the day . . .

Just saying this word can put a smile on your face!

I had fun trying to teach Ethan to say it yesterday.

I think it's time to watch Mary Poppins with him.

Hope your day is SUPER . . .

Weekly Words To Live By #69 . . .

In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Searching For Autumn Colors . . .

Even though it's October 1st the leaves on the trees here in Northeastern Oklahoma 

have not shown their colors of Autumn yet.  

Within the next few weeks we will hopefully see the beauty 

of the season in our foliage.

I say this because I'm hoping the severe drought we had

 this summer will not rob us of the wonderful colors.

  My sister, Susan, who lives in the Kansas City area, sent me an email on Thursday. 

 She does not have a blog, but she writes some of the best thoughts that she shares in emails.

  With her permission I'm posting her email.  

Taking a zig-zag through town yesterday, I spied the fall colors starting to make an appearance around the landscape.  My usual thrill from seeing fall color is as familiar as an old friend.  Turning the corner brings hope of seeing more trees that have begun the change from God's paint brush.  Hues that speak to me, myself and I.  We three happen to agree on most things, especially when fall shows off in ways that a peacock take hints from.  I sometime utter my delight out loud and I, myself or me will confirm. : )

Something about the seasonal changes bring memories of comfortable, secure and cozy moments tucked safely in the timeline of years past.... geese flying in a 'V' shape southward.... aroma of apple dumplings, caramel corn, and hot cocoa.... warm jackets.... cold nose.... piles of leaves.... sitting on the porch swing with a blanket.... the glow from a candle inside the friendly jack-o-lantern.... etc. 

Take time to see the scenery from God's paint brush, His touch is there are you looking?

Thank you, Susan for sharing your thoughts on Autumn.

Have fall colors arrived in your neck of the woods yet?

Tasty Temptations . . .

I have found many great recipes on Pinterest.  

I decided to make a couple of the finger foods

 for a jewelry party Kari hosted at our house Saturday night.

Sweet and Salty Treat

You can find the recipe here.

I used plain Hershey Kisses.

This is the ultimate temptation for me, a diabetic, 

to unwrap these little sweet nuggets without 

devouring every other one.

Confession #1 . . . I did eat one!  

Almost ready to go in the oven.

The treats were a hit!
Confession #2 . . . I ate one!
I sent the leftovers home with Kari.

Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip

You can find the recipe here  
Instead of soaking the apples slices in lemon juice
I soaked them in diet Sprite for about 15 minutes,
Another tip I found on Pinterest.

Half was consumed by the quests, they loved it!
Confession #3 . . . I dipped a couple of slices in the creamy goodness!

Yep, you guessed it . . .
I sent the leftovers home with Kari.

Couldn't end this post without showing this picture of Ethan.

He absolutely loves football!

When I found this football hat at Target I knew I had

to buy it for him.  

He watched the OSU/Texas A&M game upstairs with 

the guys while the jewelry party was in progress.


I'm linking to. . .

Flaunt it Friday
Amaze Me Monday 
Savvy Seasons
Inspiration Friday

Random Monday Memories #21 . . .

Here we are, it's Monday again, time for me to share some memories.

Today's memory is about an historical place here in Oklahoma.  During the many years I taught 4th grade, our students were able to take a field trip to Perry, Oklahoma where they spent a day in a one-room school.  I always enjoyed sitting in the back of the room watching the students react to the schoolmarm and all the activities in the '1910' classroom.  Priceless memories.

Rose Hill School

On the museum grounds stands Rose Hill School, a one-room country school built northeast of Perry in 1895. In schools like this one, students received their education from the first through the eighth grade. 

Rose Hill was moved to the grounds of the Cherokee Strip Museum in 1971. The school contains most of its original furnishings, including a cast-iron stove and wooden two-seater desks..

A Day at Rose Hill School

Rose Hill School is not only an exhibit of a traditional one-room schoolhouse from Oklahoma's early days, but also a place where children can learn what education was like when their great-grandparents went to school. Now, fourth grade students from all over the state come to Rose Hill School for an enlightening and educational experience of what life was like for young people who lived in 1910.

Dressed in period clothing and carrying makeshift syrup buckets containing their lunch, students participate in the living history program, "A Day at Rose Hill School." They pretend to travel back in time to become scholars attending one of Oklahoma's early one-room schools. Greeted at the door by a stern-looking school marm, the students file into the classroom and take their seats. During the day, the scholars have exercises in cursive writing, cyphering (arithmetic) with slateboards and chalk, and reading from McGuffey's readers. Scholars also study history, geography, do chores, and play games.

Wishing you a great start to a new week . . .

Weekly Words To Live By #68 . . .

Do not be quick with your mouth,

do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.

God is in heaven and you are on earth,

so let your words be few.

Ecclesiastics 5: 2

Wishing you a Sunday filled with good things . . .

Finally Fall . . .

My favorite season is finally here!

Here are some of the reasons why I love this season.

Cozy & warming fireplaces. . .

Front doors to homes that invite you to come on in. . .

College football. . .

Candles in jars that smell like
apple & pumpkin pies. . . 

Autumn leaves & crisp air. . .

The Pumpkin Patch. . .

Thanksgiving and family gatherings. . .

Halloween, candy,

& trick or treating. . .

Happy Fall y'all!

Enjoy your first day of Autumn.

Wreath Project . . .

I've been wanting to make a wreath using

 newspaper or coffee filters.

I have seen so many pictures and tutorials on blogs and Pinterest.

Yesterday I took the plunge and started creating.

However, I did not use newspaper or coffee filters.

 Last week this catalog from

Restoration Hardware arrived in the mail.

It is full of high priced items for the home.

Well, for my budget they're over priced.

The pictures are beautifully photographed.

I decided the page colors were perfect for my wreath project.

I started by gluing a piece of ribbon loop to the wreath.

This wreath is from Dollar Tree, the ribbon from my ribbon stash.

After tearing out pages I folded two pages in half

then tore them apart.

Then I folded the halves and tore again. 

I found out that folding 2 pages together makes tearing easier,

and the edges are less jagged.

Next, I scrunched up a piece of paper and applied

some hot glue.

Hold the paper in place for a few seconds.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that I added a piece of brown ribbon 

as accent to the cream ribbon.

It's starting to look like a wreath.

It looks finished, but this is just the first layer.

Now, I started on the outside layer.
To make the process easier I started using
the eraser end of a pencil to poke in the paper.

This ensures not burning my fingers.
The last step is filling in any empty inner spaces to give the
wreath a full look.

Finished wreath.
Notice I changed the ribbon.
I decided to hang it on the shelf in my guestroom bath.

Not bad . . .
I'm pleased with the project.
After looking at this picture I'll probably
redo the brown ribbon.

Next time I'll try a coffee filter wreath.

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday . . .


I'm joining the Linky Party
 @ Beneath My Heart
Best DIY Projects of September

A Little More Fall Fluffing . . .

Happy Monday to you all!

Thank you for stopping by to share a little of your day with me.

I know, MORE fall fluffing? ! ?

I added a few more autumn touches to the house on Friday.

While I was organizing the box that contains fall faux flowers 

and ribbon I decided to add this bow to the front door wreath.

It's a little wrinkled, but I think it looks good.

  I redid this grapevine wreath using bits and pieces 

of flowers, greenery, gourds and pumpkins.

I'm proud to say I didn't burn any fingers while

using the glue gun.

Why am I so proud?

Well, it has been quite awhile since I've done

any crafting with hot glue.

This Sears Craftsman glue gun is at least 25 years old.

Can you tell it has been well used?

Here are a few more last additions to 

fall fluffing 2011.

 I stuck this little scarecrow in this geranium plant.

I'm still waiting to see if it will bloom again.

It barely survived the summer.

I love this antique quilt that belonged to hubby's mother.

Okay, I promise not to show anymore fall decor until

October when I add Halloween bling.

Wishing you a marvelous Monday . . .

Weekly Words To Live By #67 . . .

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

So don't be troubled or afraid.

I am leaving you with a gift-

peace of mind and heart.

John 14:27

Wishing you a Sunday full of rest and calm . . .