Pottery Barn Kids Alphabet Ornament Project

I was checking out Pottery Barn Kids and clicked on their Style House link. They have a cute project for ornaments.

Alphabet Ornaments

1. Print out our downloadable letters to use as patterns. You might choose to make ornaments of the entire alphabet, your childrens' initials – or consider spelling holiday words, like "joy", "peace" or "merry."

2. Cut out the letters and use the patterns to trace shapes onto red and green card stock.

3. Brush clear-drying craft glue onto the letters, using a paintbrush, a sponge brush or a sponge. (If the glue is too thick to spread, you can dilute it with a little water.)

4. Dust glitter across the letters so they are well–coated. If there is excess glitter that does not stick to the letter, simply tilt the letter over a piece of paper or a garbage can. For an even thicker glittery effect, you can also use a paintbrush to paint the letters with glitter glue.

5. Once the glue is dry, punch a hole towards the top of the letter.

6. Thread thin wire or matching ribbon through the hole so you can hang the alphabet ornaments on the tree.

Letter Pattern Link opens as PDF

Catalog Request

Little Boy Blue

I want to make a holiday outfit for Connor.

The pattern above reminds me of Edmond's clothes in the Narnia movie. I love the vest and 'short pants'. I can't wait to show his prom date pictures of him in short pants!!!

I like views B & D. How cute is that little jacket? Where is he going with that suitcase? Maybe a Thomas the Tank Engine convention!!!

I like the British prep school feel these patterns have. I must admit boys clothes can have a sloppy look. I don't want him to become a t-shirt junkie. Don't be afraid sweetheart those are just called buttons!!!

French General

I was looking through the links over at The Draper House, which led me to cottage bethy.

Cottage bethy has beautiful photographs. Now I want to rearrange my house!!!

One of her links goes to a website called French General. They have allsorts of lovely products.

I like her 1900 postcard kit & her book 'The French-Inspired Home' by Kaari Meng. They also offer 15 different paint colors in glass sample jars and one gallon cans.

You can purchase her book from the French General website, but it's also available from Amazon. It hardcover with 128 pages!! Whenever possible I try to buy directly from the small business owner. However, sometimes budget and other obligations require me to look for the best price.

I just found it at the Home Style Book Club. New members can get 5 books for $2.00.

SWAPS!!!!

Swaps are everywhere! I've joined my first swaps. Some are exchanging letters, recipes & aprons!

Swap-bot has tons of swaps for people to join. You can even start one of your own. I want to start one for classic childrens book characters or a little golden books swap. Anyway, to the left are 3 that I've joined.

The first one is a letter swap, I have 5 penpals to write to and I will receive 5 letters from others as well.

Then I joined a handmade apron swap, I already have the apron cut out for my person!!! I can't wait to see what my apron looks like!!

I also joined a Winter Wonderland swap, I make a Christmas music cd and send it to 3 other people. There are so many different styles of Christmas music, it will be interesting to hear the cd's I receive.

And finally at swap-bot I also joined a Let's Bake Cookies swap and a Thanksgiving Recipes swap.

I tried to balance swaps that require time and materials like the apron swap with ones that are less costly or time intensive like the recipe swaps. I also kept in mind that I have to pay for shipping when I decided on a swap. Also check out the day it has to be sent out by. Make sure you have enough time & money to get it out on time.

The one I'm most excited about is A Vintage Christmas at Vintage Swaps. Two of my favorite things, vintage and Christmas together!!!

Chicken Enchiladas

3 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans chicken broth
16 oz. sour cream
2 onions, sauteed
2 bell peppers, chopped & sauteed
cilantro
cumin
garlic salt
12 flour tortillas
4 cups Mexican blend cheese
Foil 9x9 pan

Combine soup, 1 1/2 cans chicken broth, and sour cream. Set aside 2 cups of this mixture. To the remaining mixture, add chicken, onion, pepper, and spices to taste. Add 2 cups of the cheese. Place 2-3 T. of mixture onto each tortilla, roll up, and place 6 tortillas in each of 2- 9x9 pans (use 1 foil pan for the ones you will be freezing). Add the remaining Chicken broth to the reserved soup mixture and pour over enchiladas in each pan. Sprinkle remaining cheese over enchiladas. Cover foil pan tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze. Cook other pan of enchiladas at 350° until bubbly.

Fall & Winter Wardrobe

Here are some patterns I have for the girls. They are all from Burda.

I like views A & B above. I think it's the cutest little girls dress EVER! Simple, beautiful, & not too long to run and play in.
When I look at this coat I think of the original version of 'A Miracle on 34th Street' & Shirley Temple (She wasn't in that movie, but she was really cute). I've never made a coat before, so why not try it out on the kids first!!
I also picked out this skirt pattern. I thought it would look cute in fabric with some funky patterns.

Dress #9667

Coat #9727

Skirt #9665

I bought my Burda patterns here: sewingpatterns.com

Simply Charlotte Mason

Today I came across a new (at least new to me!) homeschooling website, Simply Charlotte Mason.

I really like the planning section. It has a early years guide for the 3-5 age group and a curriculum guide for grades 1-12. The timesavers section has information and ideas for scripture memorization, book of centuries, narration, copywork, and a list of handicrafts and life skills.

Grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

Another great book resource: Yesterday's Classics

On the nightstand: Wuthering Heights

I went to Barnes and Noble the other day to let the kids pick out a book and got a little present for myself.

I came across their line of Collector's Library books. These little books are about 4"x 6", perfect size to keep tucked away on a little table or in a purse or diaper bag. They are hardback with a cloth cover and dust jacket. The series includes many classic writers and poets. And for only around $6.00 try something new.

I chose 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. I wanted something I was familiar with but had not read or seen a movie version.

I'm going to start reading tonight. I would like to read for at least 15 minutes each day.

Chessy Hashbrown Potatoes

26-oz. pkg. frozen hashbrown potatoes
2 cup shredded Colby cheese
1/4 cup onion, minced
1 cup half-and half or milk
1/2 cup beef broth
2 Tbs. butter, melted
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Garnish: crisply cooked & crumbled bacon

Combine potatoes, cheese and onion in a large bowl; set aside. Mix remaining ingredients except bacon in a seperate bowl; stir into potato mixture until well blended. Spoon into a greased 13"x9" baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes. Garnish with bacon.

Serves 8 to 10.

from Gooseberry Patch catalog

Pumpkin & Apple Butter Recipe

15 oz. can pumpkin
1 cup applesauce
3/4 cup apple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Chill; keep refrigerated.

Makes 2 pints.

from Gooseberry Patch catalog

Autumn

These just remind me of Autumn.

Celebrating Christmas Magazine

Celebrating Christmas has their 2005 magazine available for free download, HERE

The magzine has 90 pages and is in full color, it downloads as a PDF file. It has some really nice recipes and the pictures are great for decorating ideas.

They also have an e-book of 20 Christmas cake recipes, HERE.

The Children's Room is this weeks project at Holiday Grand Plan.

A flushed and boisterous group

I found this wonderful print in a box of "junk" someone gave my mother. It's an original from 1915 matted and framed. I would love to find some more of his prints. The funny thing is Shelby wants me to make her a dress just like the ones the young ladies are wearing in the print.

Background:

Originally written in the 1840s by Charles Dickens, the prints shown here are from the first American edition featuring illustrations by Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) published in 1915.

Rackham's artistry captured and documented the Victorian age in which he was born. The popularity of his work was due to the calm feel and good humor of his drawings, and his preservation of a lifestyle that kept the modern future at bay. Working as a clerk while attending Lambeth School of Art in London, his work originally appeared in magazines. Rackham's first book illustrations were published in 1893.

Holiday Grand Plan 2006

The Holiday Grand Plan has started. It's a 18 week program to help you get organized for Christmas. It may seem early, but starting now for Christmas will be less of a strain on the pocketbook.

Each week there are Christmas related tasks and a area of your home to get in order and declutter. Slow and steady wins the race!!

So far I'm on track, but is the only the first week!!

Antique Clipart

Dish Soap Apron

I wanted to share this great link. It was posted on the S&S message board. It's a pattern for making an apron for your dish soap bottle. How cute is that?!!!

Super eggplant
Main Page

Dish Soap Apron
Opens as a PDF

Treasuring the Gift of Tea Time

Guess who called me today?!!!

Julie Peterson! She is the author of a wonderful Tea party book, "Treasuring the Gift of Tea Time: Tea Parties for Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, and Friends".

I placed a magazine order and she called to let me know she just received the newer issue. She asked if I wanted her to send me the new one.

I can't belive I haven't written about this book before. The book has a hardcover and 128 pages. My favorite part of the book besides the great ideas and recipes is the beautiful photography. She has a page with lovely samples from the book, here is the link, when you click on one of the samples it will open to a new page.

Besure to check out her tips & recipes page and when you buy the book you get free shipping and she'll sign your copy!

A Backyard Celebration for Dad from Old-Fashioned Living

A Backyard Celebration for Dad
by Brenda Hyde

I think it is safe to say that one of the ways to a Dad's heart really is through his stomach. Knowing this, I took some quick opinions of the fathers I know and came up with a dinner menu to please even the pickiest of Dads. I also have some quick ideas for jazzing up your celebration. The best memories are created not by fretting over perfection, but by the laughter and love that is present as family members join together to make Dad's day a special celebration, whether it's Father's Day, his birthday or you just want to say "Thanks Dad!".

The Menu:
Country Style Ribs
Homemade Cornbread
Sweet Coleslaw
Corn on the Cob
Crumb Apple Pie

The Recipes:

Country Style Ribs

Ingredients:
4 pounds country style ribs
BBQ Sauce-Dad's favorite
salt and pepper to season
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder

Combine the vinegar, water and spices in a shaker bottle or a bowl (use brush to baste).Cut ribs into 1 rib portions. Place a large piece of foil over the coals to catch drippings. Place ribs on grill about 6 inches above coals, or gas grill unit. Season with salt and pepper. Close hood and cook for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the ribs, turn them, and sprinkle or baste the other side. Repeat this every 10 minutes; closing the hood inbetween basting. Cook a total of 50 minutes, then brush on the bottled sauce the last 15 minutes or until the ribs are done. Makes 8 servings.

Sweet Cole Slaw

Ingredients:
1 large head green cabbage, shredded
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise or salad dressing
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
optional: one handful of chopped chives or green onions

In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, carrots and green pepper. In another bowl, mix salad dressing, or mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Spoon the dressing over the cabbage mixture. Store, covered, in the refrigerator. Add chives or onions just before serving. Makes 8 cups coleslaw.

Homemade Cornbread

Ingredients:
3 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1/4 cup oil
4 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups creamed corn

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9x13 baking pan. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in mixing bowl. Combine the milk, yogurt, melted butter, oil and eggs in another bowl. Add to the cornmeal mixture. Stir until just combined. Stir in creamed corn. Pour batter into the greased pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on rack. Note: You can make this the day before, and store covered.

Corn on the Cob

Allow 2 ears per person. Choose fresh green husked corn without blemishes. Put on a large pot of water to boil. Husk the corn and remove silk. Place in pan so it is just covered with water. Cook 3-5 minutes. You can also start with cold water and cook until water reaches boiling, then remove corn. Serve with butter, salt and pepper. For a special treat mix a stick of butter with a tablespoon of finely chopped chives the night before, so the flavors have time to develop.

Crumb Apple Pie

Ingredients:

Crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/4 cup ice water

Filling:
7 medium Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt

Topping:
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup chilled butter or margarine, cut into pieces

Place rack on lowest position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

To prepare crust; in a medium bowl mix together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives (I also use my fingers) cut shortening into flour mixture until course crumbs form. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until a dough forms. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes. On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 12 inch circle. Fit into a 9 inch pie plate. Trim dough, leaving a 1 inch overhang; pinch a decorative edge.

To prepare filling; peel, core and very thinly slice the apples. Mix together with other filling ingredients. Spoon into crust.

For topping, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture until course crumbs form. Sprinkle apple filling evenly with topping. Bake pie until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbly, 35 minutes. If pie is overbrowning, cover loosely with foil. Cool on a wire rack. 8 servings.

Recipe for corn relish

This is the recipe for my mother-in-laws corn relish. After years of begging and whining she finally shared it with me. I can't wait to make this my self!!


Corn Relish

10 cups whole kernel corn
1 ½ cups chopped green peppers
1 ½ cups chopped red peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion, (use white or sweet)
4 cups white vinegar
2 ¼ cups sugar
1 cup water
1 tbs. + 1 tsp. mustard seed/powder
1 tsp. celery seed
½ tsp. turmeric

Makes 6 to 7 pints

Put corn in large pot and combine all ingredients. Boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Make sure jars are warm. Put water in canning pot, enough to cover top of jars. Take out when warm.

Fill jars ½ inch from top. Use non metal spatula to remove air from jar.

Put lids and rings on jars. Make sure lids are warm as well.

Put jars back in water, boil 15 minutes. Remove, let seal and cool. You should hear lid pop as it is sealing.


Here is a link to some canning information:
Successful Home Canning

Canning Supplies:
Lehman's

Bed In Summer

Ruth Sears Bacon,1887

By John Singer Sargent

Bed In Summer

*

In winter I get up at night

And dress by yellow candle-light.

In Summer, quite the other way,

I have to go to bed by day.

*

I have to go to bed and see

The birds still hopping on the tree,

Or hear the grown-up people's feet

Still going past me on the street.

*

And does it not seem hard to you,

When all the sky is clear and blue,

And I should like so much to play,

To have to go to bed by day.

*

'A Child's Garden of Verses'

By Robert Louis Stevenson

*

'A Child's Garden Of Verses' Online