Festive Fall Decor

Welcome to my home!

I'm getting into the fall decor a little late as here in Canada

we're already in the -minus temps.

and it's popping up Christmas everywhere

However,

We had a Dinner Party at our home and a fall theme it was!

Our porch and entry way were full of pumpkins and gourds...

Hubby did this display all by himself!

Isn't he a regular Martha Stewart?!

The centrepieces were a trio of filled antique canning jars...
The large ones were 1/2 gallon size.

I filled them with chunky pot pourri,
dried apple slices and
some faux berry twigs from the dollar store.

All on a bed of coffee beans.
I love to use coffee beans in decorating
and they fit the theme perfectly!
We wrapped the cutlery in a napkin and then tied them with twine.

So cute!

I had been racking my brain on that one and my very creative cousin came to the rescue with that idea that she had seen in a magazine.

Our place cards were mini pumpkins (gourds) with a small slice cut in them off to one side.
We slipped in some handprinted name cards and

VOILA!

My friend MO made the cards
and made short work of helping me set up!

She is a fabulous friend and I couldn't have done it without her!

Tanya had a great snack idea
of mixing candy corn and peanuts
on her blog the other day so I filled some bowls for the tables.

YUMMY!
What a success!

God has inspired me with these fabulous colours

Now to find fabric that does them justice

Give your kids "crepe"

OOOH!

It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday!

I've been barking orders,

breaking up fights

snapping at the drop of a loaded spoon of yogurt

and just...well...

It's been crappy.

So instead of giving your family--well--

um... a poor attitude...

try giving them "crepe" instead!

Start with your regular old Aunt Jemima Pancake mix and water it down so it offers a skinny pancake type.

You may need to experiment to get the right consistency...

however I use enough to just cover the bottom of my large skillet.

You want these babies plate sized.

To one side spoon on a generous helping of sliced strawberries or fruit of your choice.

Mine were frozen and then thawed so they were extra juicy.

Dollop on some Cool Whip over the strawberries.

If it's been a particularly hairy week then adjust your serving size to suit.

As you can see it's been a bad week for me so I'm taking my comfort in Cool Whip.


Now gently roll up and place seam side down on the plate.


Trickle or smother
(totally up to you as to how much comfort you're needing)

in Hershey's Chocolate Syrup

Hershey's really is the best but i totally understand if you have to cheap out :)
Add a layer of maple syrup and dig in!

Not only is it comfort food but your family thinks you're a star for making such a fun and yummy supper.

And who can't take comfort in that!

Go on and give your kids "crepe"!
They'll thank you for it :)

One: getting a photo of oneself is not an easy task
Two: one should always clean one's mirrors prior to attempting to take a photo of oneself


Three: one should always be sure one's shirt is clean before attempting to take a photo of oneself

Well--here I am.

I've lost 11.2 pounds and am returning to Curves on Monday.

He SAID IT!!

Hubby helped me clean up my sewing area over the weekend.

(I told you he's a cleaner)

I think he now "gets it".

He looked around and felt totally overwhelmed at first but then dug right in.

I organized, boxed and labeled.
He vacuumed and sorted.

We folded the piddly little stash I have.

It's embarrassingly small.

Not even a diaper box worth-

-but someday....

then he said it....

" We might need to get you some shelves."

That was it. One sentence.

But it was an acknowlegement that summed up all that I have been trying to accomplish down there with my 17 year old Kenmore boring straight stitch sewing machine.

I don't know if my fabric obsession will ever be completely understood but my ability to sew and need to do it has been acknowleged and even accepted!

In his defense,

up until now,

my life has been a lot of starts and not so many finishes--

so I think I have now proven how much I enjoy starting and finishing sewing projects!

Big steps in this house!

You can see a bit of my tidying in this pic.

My sweet fabric basket from Jodi holds my bobbins and seam ripper.

I also toss whatever I need to take upstairs with me for hand sewing in there so it's portable.

So...

fresh off the sewing table is an apron that I zipped up for Pumpkin.

I made it from a tea towel and used this quick tutorial from A Spoonful of Sugar.

As you may notice, it has a stain already.
She wore it yesterday and wiped her hands all over it.

Apparently this is what you do with an apron.

"you do it all the time mom"

I guess I do.

Oh well. I made it to be used.

This is the one I'm making for Bubby.

Almost done.

Maybe hubby will let me buy a little more fabric...

you know...

to fill the shelves?

* Hee Hee *

Saving my pennies...

I {heart} the grey.

My dad's favourite colour was grey.

Possibly because he was colour blind...

but still,

since his passing grey has a special place in my heart.

The polka dots make my heart race!

Fabulous!

If this is the future it will be worth the wait!!
Make Life... by Sweetwater

Take a peek!
You can win some too!

Sicilian Sausage Pasta

Ingredients:

8oz extra-broad egg noodles (1/2 pkg.)

2 cups ripe cherry tomatoes or tomates coursely chopped

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 onion finely chopped

1 clove minced garlic

1 tbsp. crushed dried basil

1/2 tsp. salt

pinch of black pepper

parmesan cheese to taste

3 grilled Oktoberfest sausages

Bob Evans Wild fire BBQ sauce

(or your favourite sauce for grilling)

Skill:

1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water for 7 minutes.

Meanwhile cut cherry tomatoes in half

or chop large tomatoes

(the dish pictured above used chopped large tomatoes--it is sooo much better using cherry tomatoes)

2. Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.

Saute onion and garlic,

until onion has softened. (5 minutes)

4. Place sausage on BBQ or grill to heat.

When nearing their finish,

brush lightly with BBQ sauce.

Slice sausage and set aside.

3. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil to onion mixture.

Stir occassionally until tomatoes soften. (3 minutes)

Add hot drained pasta and sausage.

Toss until well blended.

Serve immediately sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

adapted from Sicilian Pasta by Chatelaine Magazine 1995

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This meal is incredibly good!

and best made with cherry tomatoes

from your neighbour's garden!

(thanks Vic)

It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

My kids eat it well too!

Enjoy!