The Season has officially begun

Let the decorating begin! I haven’t started to decorate yet and I’ll bet you are all finished! I’m waiting for the mood to strike!

So far this mod podge project is all I’ve done. I found a small tree on clearance  last year for $4 with the thought of putting it in this planter I got from Big Lots a couple years ago.  I bought the planter because I liked the shape and knew I could remake it. 

I used a sturdy wrapping paper that I had on hand and  outlined the edges of the planter with black magic marker because the edges of the paper weren’t perfect, but that won’t matter when it’s finished. I mod podged the paper onto the planter and am just waiting for it to dry.

When it’s done I’ll set up this little tree in the kitchen because we spent so much time there. I’ll do a couple tablescapes, decorate the porch and call it done.

My favorite thrift shop sent me a $5 coupon that I used on some Christmas dishes that are perfect for a holiday tablescape. Getting that coupon was a nice surprise!

Now that Thanksgiving is over it’s quiet around here again. Mia Kate has gone home and  taken all her chattering and screaming with her. She is a screamer, have I mentioned that before? Makes your ears ring, that’s how loud it is.

She napped right through Thanksgiving dinner, but she had her dinner after she woke up. At 19 months she is just too cute!

 

I’m looking forward to visiting all over blogland and seeing all the beautiful holiday decorations.

 

Give Thanks

As you gather around the table, please pause for a moment to reflect upon the the blessings you’ve received this year. I hope you will remember the most wonderful blessing of all, your salvation through Jesus Christ. It is free to you but cost Him his life and for that we are so blessed.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Apple Pie Cake

Anything with apples and cinnamon I’m sure to love.  Just the thought makes my mouth water. 

So, I love apple pie, but since I’m not such a great pie baker, I make an apple cake that I put my own twist on by adding whole wheat flour and applesauce. Here’s the recipe:

Mix together;

• 3 c. flour or 1 c. flour and 2 c. whole wheat flour
• 2 c. sugar,
• 1 c. vegetable oil or applesauce,
• 4 eggs,
• 1/4 c. milk,
• 2 tsp baking powder,
• 2 tsp vanilla

Slice up about 6 big tart apples( approx 7 c. ) and add 2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/3 c. sugar and 1 c. chopped walnuts. Add 2/3 of this mixture to the batter and put in a greased and floured bundt pan. Top with remaining apple mixture. Bake @350 for about 1 1/2 hrs. The smell is heavenly!

Did you know you could use your whisk as a sifter? It really does make the flour nice and fine.  Yep,  Martha told me that little trick.

Ice cream is really good with this cake, especially if you warm the cake a little in the microwave. If you like apples and cinnamon as much as I do you’ll love this recipe.

Have  great weekend !

I'm linking up to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. There are lots of recipes over there and I do means lots!

Thrift Shopping

Yardsale season may be over but I’m still on the hunt for bargains and treasures, or even thrash that I can turn into a treasure.  I hit the local thrift shop at least twice a week, sometimes more. Sssshh,  don’t tell but I think it’s an addiction! 

I found this bird cage for $3. I have a few others so now I guess I can call it a collection.
Barrel shade and nice wooden pedestal were $1.50




  I found this tea set in different parts of the store but each piece has the same mark on the bottom so I’m assuming it’s a set. Total $2.75



Three winter skirts and a Tommy Hilfiger sweater for $3 each. What a bargain! The Beth Moore book was only .50.

On the Thanksgiving table in the previous post, the tureen was $2. the frame $1.50. The praying hands look so real and were only .50 and even though I found then months ago, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving. 

That’s it for my recent finds. I think I did pretty good. I’m linking up to Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville.
Seeing what others found is almost as good as finding it yourself!

Sharing Thanksgiving

 
WELCOME to sharing Thanksgiving. Come on in.

On the front door is a  different twist on a door wreath.
I’ve added a yardsale initial. OK, it’s not an original idea that I just dreamed up, I totally copied it from another blogger.  The problem is……I can’t remember who that was!
A little scarecrow amid bright pumpkins on the porch.


A pop of orange in the entry.

The table is set with my old, cheap wedding ring china, mismatched silver and crystal goblets.
Most of the things I’ve used in the tablescape are thrifted treasures. The oblong frame, I just found at the thrift shop for $1.50. The tureen was $2.00 and the praying hands were only 50 cents.

I picked up these turkey plates at T J Maxx. A friend gave me this beautiful linen tablecloth years ago.


The charger plates were gold and came with the china when I bought it. Oil rubbed bronze spray paint changed that.


Our meal is always the same. Turkey, filling and gravy, cranberry(MUST be canned), glazed sweet potatoes, a green vegetable, hot rolls and cream slaw with a pumpkin dessert. And sometimes a baked corn casserole.
We have filling, it’s not called stuffing. Potato filling is the only filling you’ll find around these parts. It’s one of those recipes that has no real recipe. The basic ingredients are mashed potatoes, sautéed celery and onions and bread cubes.
Here’s how I make it.
Sauté  about 4 stalks of diced celery and a large onion in lots of butter and add that to the mashed potatoes. You can make the potatoes a day ahead (season them the way you like with salt and pepper, milk and butter).
Add one bag of cubed bread and mix it all up, adding milk or broth and  more butter if you like.
Some people add eggs, seasoned bread crumbs or parsley.
Add milk and butter to make it the consistency you prefer. I like filling a little on the stiff side. I add lots of pouty seasoning, salt and pepper. You can bake this in a casserole or put it in the crockpot. If you use the crockpot you may have to add more milk or broth to make sure it doesn't get too dry. That’s it, I could eat this for days and usually do, even cold straight from the fridge.

Ok, that’s my Thanksgiving, are you ready to link up? I hope so.

*Please link back to THIS post, so that everyone who reads your blog can find the party.

*Please add your permalink and not just your blog link.

Linking to Second time around at A picture is worth 1000 Words.




Linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.