Christmas Frame

I made over a dozen of these cute christmas frames to give to friends and neighbors. I should've taken step-by-step photos but there's a good tutorial here. I left out the bow thinking that they could be used all-year around.

Nativity Parade

I love our Nativity. I haven't seen it anywhere else. We got this the first year we were married and now we're on Christmas #4! I always look forward to setting it up every year. Its a wonderful reminder of the true reason for Christmas.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

New Cookbook

I was thrilled to learn I won this cookbook from Damaris at Kitchen Corners. L has gotten more and more picky lately, and these recipes are so simple and yummy. I've only tried a couple, but I have a feeling I'll be using this book again and again!

Pretty Book Wreath

I was inspired by this wreath by Living with Lindsay and knew I had to try it. The full tutorial (and video) are found on her blog. It was both simple and cheap - two things that I like. It only took me an hour!

Supplies:

Foam wreath (Dollar Store) - $1

Book (Goodwill/DI) - $0.50

Hot Glue Gun

Gray/Black Paint

Ribbon and straight pins for hanging

Total cost - $1.50!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ever since fall began, I've been wanting to make something with PUMPKIN. Ooo, I love it. I found this great recipe and I think they turned out so yummy! I think you'll like them too.

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1 c firmly packed dark-brown sugar
1/3 c granulated sugar
2 c cake flour
1 3.4 oz package instant butterscotch pudding
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 large eggs
1/4 c milk
1/4 c sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 c canned solid-pack pumpkin

Directions:
1. Preheat over to 350. Prepare cupcake tin with liners.
2. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes.
3. Sift flour, pudding, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and pepper in medium bowl.
4. Add the eggs one at a time to the large bowl. Alternate adding flour and milk, sour cream, vanilla mixtures, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat in pumpkin until smooth.
5. Fill liners about 3/4 full. Bake until toothpcik inserted into center comes out clean, about 20-25 mintues.
6. Cool cupcakes completely. Make frosting during cooling time.

CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1/4 c butter, softened
5 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Mix cream cheese and butter until well blended. Add cinnamon and vanilla - beat well. Slowly add the powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

A Month Later . . .

Can you say horrible slacking off? Its been a MONTH since my last post and I'm still not done with my decluttering! The only reason(s): lack of motivation and vacations. This week will be full of Halloween activities, but I have made a deadline: November 6th! I WILL:

1 - Sort/discard all junk
2 - Organize/label
3 - Have a place for everything I own
4 - Deep clean/Fall clean