CONGRATULATIONS GEN!!
Make sure to check back tomorrow and start entering the December Giveaway!!

DECORATING!!

Don't you just love weekends!!

Yesterday I put up the tree and wrapped some presents to put under it - so it didn't look so lonely. Had to fight with the lights, and ended up using old clear ones, instead of the colored ones, but at least they work. Many of the decorations I have picked up at the local "Ten Thousand Villages" store. It's an amazing place!! The store is run by the Mennonite Central Committee, who go to third world countries and buy crafts (at their market price) from people trying to support their families and then MCC sells them in North America. They call it "fair trade". My aunt and uncle actually get to go meet some of the crafters sometimes - and have great stories to tell. This is the website for Ten Thousand Villages:

http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca/

They do a much better job of explaining how it works.
Here is a pic of the tree and some of the ornaments I have bought at the Ten Thousand Villages store. The pictures don't do the ornaments justice - and they have way more selection then I'm showing you.

Pumpkins!!

Early afternoon was spent baking pumpkins. I grow them in my garden, store them in a cool place, then bake them and use them when I feel like it. Today was one of those days. Four small pumpkins yeild a lot of pumpkin puree'!! By the time I'm done I should have 8 pumpkin pies for the freezer, one pumpkin bundt cake, 2 pumpkin chocolate chip loaves, and hopefully another 18-24 jumbo pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Will be using tried and true recipes that are favorites. When baking with pumpkin many recipes call for ground cloves and nutmeg along with the cinnamon. I only do cinnamon, we don't like the strong flavor from the cloves and nutmeg.

Here are 3 of the recipes I have baked/will bake today. Enjoy!!

PUMPKIN CHIP MUFFINS

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps. baking soda
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fold in Chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin caups 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 16-20 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
Yield: about 24 standard-size muffins. (or 12 jumbo muffins)

CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN BREAD

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 cups canned pumpkin

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into two greased 8 in. x 4 in. loaf pans. Bake at 35o degrees for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

PUMPKIN POUND CAKE

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps. baking soda

1 tsp. gound cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin

Confectioners sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and oil until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cloves; add to egg mixture alternately with pumpkin, beating well after each addition. Transfer to a greased 10 inch fluted tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack. Remove pan and cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Pistachio Eclair Dessert

ONLY ONE MORE DAY TO ENTER

FREE GIVEAWAY!!

I'm excited to see who will win!!

I finished both my glass blocks. Now I'm in the mood to put up the tree!! Might have to wait till the weekend though.

This dessert is really yummy!! A little bit of work - but worth every minute!





PISTACHIO ECLAIR DESSERT


3 cups cold milk

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant pistachio pudding mix

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant French vanilla pudding

mix1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 package (14.4 ounces) graham crackers

1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting



In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2minutes or until soft-set. Fold in whipped topping. In a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in.dish, layer a third of the graham crackers and half of the pudding mixture.Repeat layers. Top with remaining graham crackers. Refrigerate for at least 1hour. Spoon frosting into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on highfor 15-20 seconds or until softened, stirring once. Spread over graham crackers.Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or until frosting is set. Yield: 15-20 servings.

ONE DOWN - ONE TO GO

Here's a pic of one of my glass block ornaments. I will have to take pics when I have the tree up, by then the other one should be done too!!

JOY TO THE WORLD

Only a few more days till I can safely put up the Christmas Tree. When you live in a family of "men" it's hard to get everyone into the Christmas spirit early. So usually I can put up the tree at the beginning of Dec. Luckily the boys are taller now and can help with the lights. This year none of the presents are funny shapes, so we should be able to wrap them easily for under the tree. I'm working on some glass block ornaments to also put under the tree - will post pics when they are done. If you haven't ever seen them check out these etsy shops:

http://www.dragonflycraftz.etsy.com/

http://www.countingmyblessings.etsy.com/

http://www.craftyashey.etsy.com/

http://www.northerlakesdesigns.etsy.com/

http://www.maggiemags.etsy.com/


Mine will look a little different, but this is where I got the idea. Also one of the women in the local craft store is selling them too.

New items I've done:


I am having a new giveaway in Dec. It's a cookbook! I've been trying recipes from it since I bought one for myself. Here's one we tried yesterday and is really good!!

CELEBRATION CHICKEN

A simple "dump & stir" recipe, with ingredients from you pantry, that makes preparation and clean-up easy.

Mix together:

1/2 c. ketcup

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. water

1 package onion soup mix

Pour over chicken pieces. Cover and bake for 50 minutes at 375F (or until juices run clear).

THOUGHT:

Kindness in words creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.

Kindness in giving creates love.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!!

Oh dear, now what!?! First I'd like to thank Cathy at Home Sweet Home for tagging me (I think). Well here goes nothing!






Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.

Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.

Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.

Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.

Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.

Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.

Random Thing #1: I love magazines - doesn't matter what - I just love them. I have piles of cooking magazines and also crafting ones. Could look at magazines all day!!

Random Thing #2: My hubby and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary on wed. Doesn't feel like 20 years (that is probably a good thing). We have 2 boys, and a dog!

Random Thing #3: Quading is fun. We found that out as a family a few years ago. It's sometime hard to find something to do as a family as the kids get older - but for us - it's quading!!

Random Thing #4: Trying new recipes is a hobby of mine. Luckily I don't have any picky eaters in the family. When the boys were little we desided that they should learn to eat everything - so they had to at least try whatever I made. Sometime when I made something new they would ask if they liked it and I would say: "Of course you do, it's your favorite!" (even though we'd never had it before) I know - bad mom!! But now they'll eat almost anything.

Random Thing #5: I can play piano & organ. Have also had a few years of singing lessons, though I haven't done any of the above for awhile now. Miss it sometimes.

Random Thing #6: I don't like to talk about my self - would rather hear about other people and what they are doing!!

Okay - who should I tag - let's see. Hm-m-m-m. Oh - I know!!

Char at The Pickled Pepper Patch

Jody at Prim Gals Primitive Palette

Linda at Linda's Kitchen

Lea at Farm House Blessings

Suzanne at Colorado Lady

Gollywobbles!

Okay - I'm done!! WOOHOO!! Now to let everyone know!

Finished Christmas Shopping!!

CHRISTMAS GIVE AWAY 1 POST DOWN!!

Brad (hubby) & I went to the city yesterday to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary (feels more like 10) and to finish our Christmas shopping. We have 2 sons, Luke (18) and Logan (16). Luke always has a list as long as he is, but Logan never wants anything! After telling Logan that if I didn't get something on a list he would get underwear and socks - he finally came up with a very short wish list. But we're done!! That's all that matters.


I've added some give aways from other sites to the side bar - make sure you check them out!! Also don't forget to enter my give away - a little further down.


Here is something I just finished:

It's the weekend, maybe I'll get a few other things started.

FAVORITE RECIPE:

CALICO BEANS

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup bacon, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (15 ounce) can pork and
beans
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans,
drained
1 (15 ounce) can butter beans
1 (15 ounce) can lima beans, drained
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 cup chopped celery

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
2. Place bacon and ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain and set aside.
3. In a four quart casserole dish, mix together the bacon, ground beef, pork and beans, kidney beans, butter beans, lima beans, ketchup, onion, vinegar, dry mustard and celery.
4. Cover and bake for 1 hour.

THOUGHT:
"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." Kahlil Gibran

NOVEMBER GIVE AWAY!!

Just in time for Christmas delivery!!

To enter my contest and win this set of 4 wood stocking ornaments - add a comment to this post telling me your favorite part of Christmas.

This give away starts today and will run until November 30th, at which time I will have my son pick a name from my santa hat at breakfast. The ornaments will be mailed that day to the lucky winner and hopefully she will have them by Christmas.

Good Luck!! And I hope to see lots of comments.

FAVORITE RECIPE:

LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS (one of Logan's favorites)

2 cups biscuit/baking mix

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant lemon pudding mix

1/4 cup poppy seeds

1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

In a large bowl, combine the baking mix, pudding mix, poppy seeds and lemon peel. In another bowl, combine the eggs, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and lemon juice; drizzle over muffins. Yield: 1 dozen.

SOME NEW SIGNS:

IT'S THE WEEKEND!!!!

The weekend is finally here! I've been busy checking out the Etsy Cottage Style and Can-eh! online communities. It is so much fun meeting other crafters and seeing what everyone is doing. There are such great imaginations out there!! I didn't know about Etsy till 1.5 months ago and now I'm addicted! Everyone is so helpful in the online crafting community - so different then out here - it's wonderful!!

Here are some etsy shoppes you have to see:


http://www.reneesfunkycountry.etsy.com/


http://www.baconsquarefarm.etsy.com/


http://www.lauriesherrell.etsy.com/


http://www.sugarlane.etsy.com/


http://www.geezees.etsy.com/


http://www.matthewhamblen.etsy.com/


http://www.carvelcountrysoaps.etsy.com/


http://www.bovinebubbles.etsy.com/

I can't list all my favorite shops, so I'll stop here. But do check them out!!

It's going to be a very busy weekend. Our oldest is home from College - needs to use my shop to build a project that is due soon. Seems he comes home for food or to use the shop (but apparently that's normal!). And I'm going for lunch with cousin's I haven't seen for 2 years, so I won't get alot of crafting done. But I am working on a few new things that I hope to get done next week.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

I don't have any new pictures of crafts today. So I'll include a picture of Rascal - the family pet!!

FAVORITE RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

CORN CHOWDER:

1 pkg. bacon cut into 1 inch pieces

1 med. onion

6 cups milk

1 large tin cream of mushroom soup

2 tins creamed corn

4 med. potatoes peeled and cut into small chunks

pepper

Fry onion and bacon. While that is frying put the rest of the ingredients into a pot and start to heat on Med-High. You will have to stir often, or the milk will stick to the pot. Add the bacon and onion when they are finished frying, cook till the potatoes are tender.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

"Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives." William Dement

I've borrowed the thought from another blog:http://grannieskitchen.blogspot.com/

She has wonderful recipes - and everyone who cooks knows that you can never have to many recipes!!!

What a week!!

Well the power has been on steady since Sunday but we are getting freezing rain again tonight! Winter in Manitoba Canada - what can I say.

I just joined two awesome crafting communities:
http://canehcanartistry.ning.com/ and
http://etsycottagestyle.ning.com/.

Check them out when you have time! I will also be in the Painted Daisy Craft Show later this month: http://painteddaisycraftshow.com/store.php?id=165

I'm working on new items for my shoppes almost every day. Here are a few things coming up, or already on my site.

These candle holders are made from a solid 3.5 inch block of wood. I have drilled the hole for the candle cup and painted and varnished the blocks. They come with the candle cup and a scented candle. They make great gifts for someone who has everything.

More Crafts

Here are a few more crafts that will be added to my shoppe soon. It's been a zoo here the last few days. Lots of freezing rain, snow and wind - so that means no hydro on and off for the last 3 days!! I think they have it all fixed now, so I can actually up date the blog, etsy and my shoppe!!! Winter is definitely here now!

Each house is different and there are 5 squares with the words "Live Laugh Love", "simplify", "imagine", "dream" and "believe" stenciled on them.





Each heart is different.





Recipe of the week!!

MAMA T'S FAMOUS CHILI DIP
1 8oz cream cheese
1 can Stagg chili
1/4 cup salsa
grated cheese
Soften cream cheese and spread on the bottom of pan.
Spread chili, then salsa and top with cheese.
Place in oven until cheese has melted.
Serve with chips.
YUMMY!!!