Monday’s Minute Makeover: Painting without Permission!

How many of you have a mantel that looks like this one?…..

If you do, I’m talking to you!

What? You can’t even see the mantel? My thoughts exactly!

It’s simple and serves it’s purpose, but it just blends into the brick. So, I thought I’d remedy that real quick before decorating for Halloween. And while dad was out running errands.

My life motto has always been: “It’s easier to get forgiveness than it is permission.”

Then, dad came home. (I held my breath. Prepared for the worst.)

And…nothing. He. Never. Noticed.

It’s now mid-January and he’s never said a thing. And neither have I.

 

That Heather made me a cute “thankful” garland for Thanksgiving. Love it.

Do you have something you want to desperately paint? Take the plunge and do it! You’ll be glad you did 🙂

Have a great Monday y’all!

 

 

 

 

De-Christmas-fication {lights solution}

If you’re a Facebook fan or my follower on Pinterest, you’ll have noticed I mentioned/pinned an article from Real Simple on lighting your Christmas tree vertically, real or not. We have a faux tree in case you’re wondering, and it’s all white.

We planned on buying a non-pre-lit (got that?) tree, I had to find a good way to put on those pretty little lights. Enter vertical lighting. PIN!

Looks pretty dang good, if I do say so myself!

Then came January. Christmas has come to an end, and pretty decorations must go into storage. I had a box all prepared for Christmas tree lights. I started taking them off the tree and it was beginning to look like a huge mess. Luckily I came to my senses quickly ….

I started small piles around the living room. All in all, I had 11 strands – 10 for the tree and 1 I used above my front door. There may or may not have been a text message to my dad in a small panic of what I was going to use to keep from have a huge Clark Griswold ball of lights.

SOLUTION – pipe cleaners keeping them tied together. Bonus that they’re white so they’ll be easily visible. Being the crafter that I am, I normally have extras of most supplies. I’m always prepared! 🙂

I made a circle first, then after tying one side. I could have stopped there, but I went on and tied the other side to one already tied. Making something like a figure 8. Then I had more piles …

and DONE. I owned those lights like a BOSS!

Do you have any storage solutions? Or in need of some solutions for your holiday decorations?

My Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

Oh, how I love to bake. Usually. I just can’t get into it this year. Between the ridiculous exhaustion and the nausea (and the recent start of morning sickness–at 12 weeks!), I just don’t have the energy or stomach to handle baking. Which kills me because that is one of my favorite holiday traditions.

But at least I can share my favorites with y’all and maybe that will get me motivated to attempt it as well.

This first one was discovered on Once A Month Mom and was an instant hit. I just found it last year but it is definitely a keeper since I got several requests for the recipe and/or more cookies.

Source: onceamonthmom.com via Tricia on Pinterest

 

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies
makes 3 dozen

3/4 cups butter or margarine, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses (original, not blackstrap)

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

additional granulated sugar for rolling cookies

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Add egg and beat well.  Add molasses, mix well.  Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices; add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Chill dough overnight {I have found that even just chilling for an hour or so seems to work fine}.  Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar.  Place two inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown.  Allow cookies to cool for two minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Allow to cool completely, then transfer cookies to gallon freezer bags or freezer safe containers.

******

The next recipe is one that I found in the newspaper a few years ago and have kept the clipping ever since and made them every year. I really like them but you have to like shortbread. They are crumbly but addicting.

PS…this Pinterest link isn’t the exact recipe but I wanted to give you a picture and this is very close…just doesn’t make the same amount basically.

Source: delishhh.com via Lacey on Pinterest

 

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

(serves 90–AKA makes a BUTTLOAD of cookies)

2 cups margarine, soft

2 cups powdered sugar

2 t. vanilla

4 1/2 cups flour

12 oz. mini chocolate chips

Cream margarine, sugar, and vanilla. Gradually add flour and then chips. Roll into logs and chill (I have left the extra logs in the freezer and pulled them out to bake as needed throughout the season). Cut and put on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes. Cool on racks.

******

My last recipe (I have several favorites, but I am limiting myself) is one that I have made for many years. Nestle used to have mint chocolate chips that were just chocolate flavored with mint instead of the green and chocolate mix. I preferred the original, but they are no longer around. They are still excellent cookies that get gobbled up quickly…so double or triple the recipe.

Source: stapleyfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

 

Deep Chocolate Mint Cookies

makes 1 1/2 dozen

1 1/2 cups (10 oz) mint chocolate chips, divided

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 t. vanilla

Melt 3/4 cup of chocolate chips in small saucepan over lowest possible heat (I have also just used the microwave). When morsels begin to melt, remove from heat, stir. Return to heat for a few seconds at a time, stirring until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar in small mixer bowl. Beat in egg, vanilla, and chocolate. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are puffed (don’t overbake). Cool 5 minutes.

 ******

I hope y’all enjoy my favorite holiday cookie recipes and make some for your family. Come back and let me know what you think!

What are your favorite holiday cookie recipes? Share with us!

Pin there. Done that. {Kids craft}

I know! I know! There wasn’t a Pin there. post last week. Were you sad?? You better say yes.

This week’s is Christmas + craft + kids = Mommy might need a drink. 🙂

Source: lovingmynest.com via Tarah on Pinterest

You need ….

paper plates
cotton balls (Hello, Dollar Tree!)
red construction paper
glue
scissors

I saw this neat craft and figured it would be SUPER easy for a 3 year old and 1 year old to do, along with an almost 5 year old. I was right. The key though, have every thing ready to go. I cut everything out.

I cut the center out of the paper plates and attached the cute little Santa hats I cut with the red construction paper.

This is clearly my OCD child. Every cotton ball is perfectly lined up and he nearly freaked out when I suggested adding a second row on the bottom.

Then there’s this one. Oh, this child. He just threw the cotton balls on there with no rhyme or reason. My kind of a dude … sometimes. He DID allow the suggest of a second row to make the beard thicker.

And finally, her. I had her in my lap so I could help. Yeah, I put a ball down, she took it off. I put another down, she took 2 off. FUN times!

Yes, those are my kids in shorts … on December 19th. The shorts/t-shirt combo scream Santa Claus completely, don’t you agree? Obviously, Little Miss thinks it is a fancy pearl necklace. I’ll just let her keep thinking that.

RCHOTX Christmas Par-TAY!!! {recipes}

We had our first Real Cheap Housewives Christmas party. Let me tell you, it was excellent. Its always great when we can all get together, its always great when we can craft together, but just sitting around a dining room table talking and laughing is fantastic! The 8 kids running around didn’t even bother us … too much.

As Heather mentioned, we had food. LOTS of food. There was some wine as well. If you’re having a party of any kind, these recipes and foods would work great.

Mini Sausage Wreath
Mini sausages
Refrigerated crescent dough rolls
Red bell pepper
1/3 cup butter
Rosemary for seasoning
½ cup BBQ sauce
½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce

Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the crescent dough rolls package.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate at the perforations to create 4 rectangles. Press together the remaining perforations in each rectangle.
With a knife or pizza cutter, cut each rectangle into 8 strips (for a total of 32 strips).
Wrap each mini sausage in a strip of dough. Lay out the crescent-wrapped sausages in a wreath formation with their sides touching on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 11-15 minutes or until golden brown.
While the wreath is baking, combine the BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until heated through. Serve with wreath for dipping.
Melt butter and brush the butter on top of the wreath. Sprinkle with rosemary.
Cut a red bell pepper into a bow shape for garnish.
________________________________________________________________

Strawberry Fluff fruit dip
Strawberry cream cheese spread – softened
Marshmallow fluff

Mix together, refrigerate or serve.
________________________________________________________________

Candy Cane Chex mix
Rice Chex® cereal
White Almond bark
Crushed peppermint candy canes (about 8 regular size)

Line cookie sheet with foil or waxed paper. {I just put wax paper on the counter top} Place cereal in large bowl.
In microwavable bowl, microwave almond bark uncovered on high about 1 minute (microwaves vary, could possibly do 1 min 30 seconds), stirring every 30 seconds, until the bark can be stirred smooth. Stir in half the crushed peppermint candy.
Pour over cereal; toss to evenly coat. Spread mixture in single layer on cookie sheet. Immediately sprinkle with remaining candy. Let stand until set, about 20 minutes. Gently break up coated cereal. Store in airtight container.
________________________________________________________________

Pizza Balls
1 (13.8 oz) can of Pizza Dough
2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregeno
2 cups shredded Mozzerella cheese
Pizza toppings of your choice (pepperoni, pineapple, ham, veggies)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease either a glass pie plate or a square 8×8 glass baking dish.
Take dough out of the can and let sit out for a little bit to get room temperature so its easy to work with. While your waiting for the dough to sit out this is a perfect time to grate your cheese.
Once dough is ready, grab a pizza cutter and cut out into 12 squares.
Take a square and fill it with the cheese and any other toppings you desire. Be careful not to fill it too full. Eyeball this.
Next, take each four corner and pinch all together, making a ball. Pinch together to seal, and then place the ball, seam side down into the glass dish. Repeat with all the other squares.Once the balls are placed in dish, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with the oregeno, garlic powder and parmesen cheese. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown! Let cool 5 minutes before eating. Enjoy by dipping in ranch dressing ormarinara sauce

source: Life as a Lofthouse

________________________________________________________________________

Sars’ 7 layer dip

Find a grocery store that has it and buy it.

________________________________________________________________________

Sausage Balls

Pork Sausage – regular and sage (or if you prefer hot, go that route)
Grated cheese of your choosing (I used Colby Jack)
2 1/2 cups Bisquick
2-3 TBSP Mustard
2 tsp Garlic powder
2 TBSP Worchestire sauce

Preheat oven to 375. Pull out 2-3 cookie sheets. DO NOT grease them. I never have good results when I do.
Mix all ingredients together, leaving out Bisquick to add after everything else is well blended.
Roll 1″ balls and place on cookie sheets.
Place in the oven for 20 minutes (depending on how your oven cooks)
_______________________________________________________________________

Crockpot Brisket Sliders

2-3 lb brisket
BBQ sauce of your choice (I always look for the ones without HFCS)
Hawaiian rolls
mustard
pickles

Throw the brisket and BBQ sauce in the crockpot for 6 hours on low. Serve with Hawaiian rolls.
_______________________________________________________________________

Cream Puffs ala Whitney

Find your nearest Costco.

_______________________________________________________________________

Target Cheesecake provided by Brittaney

 

Better Than Sex — Christie brought and cooked. 🙂

_______________________________________________________________________

A picture of all of us together? NO WAY!! 🙂 Those cute little aprons we’re wearing? Christie gave those to us. (Close up in next picture!)

 

and just because y’all know we like to keep it classy up in here ….

 

 

 

Easy change velcro wreath – Christmas Edition

My grandparents recently moved into an assisted living facility, and everyone has a wreath on their door. I’m the crafty one in the family, so that job was left to me. However, I also work full time in retail – and it’s Christmastime. You know what that means – no time, no energy, no desire to craft after work or on my days off.

I had this thought in my head before Thanksgiving, so you can see how long it took me to actually make it happen. I knew that once Christmas was over, my grandmother would want a different wreath (and rightly so, says the wreath freak) for different seasons/occasions. I had the bright idea to make a velcro wreath – and just switch out the attachments according to the time of year! (Disclaimer: I’m sure I am not the first person to think of this, but just let me think I’m creative for once!) That way, she can keep the different attachments with her in her apartment and switch them out whenever she wants to.

I knew I didn’t want to make anything too complicated, since I also knew I would have to make 10-12 of them to fill up the wreath. I found a template from Better Homes & Gardens and used that. You can freehand if you want, but I’m not about that.

I purchased 1/2 yard each of dark red, red, and dark green felt (FYI, that is WAY too much, but the smallest amount the store would cut was 1/2 yard, so whatever). I also picked up yellow buttons, squares of self-adhesive velcro, and an 18″ flat wooden wreath form.

I printed out the template onto cardstock so it would be sturdier, and then I got to tracing. With the dark red, I cut out 10 large and 10 medium flowers. For the regular red, I cut out 10 medium flowers. For the green, I cut out 20 large and 10 small leaves.

Once I had all the shapes cut out, I fired up the hot glue gun and assembled them. I put the large dark red on the bottom, the bright red in the middle, and the medium dark red on the top. I placed 2 large leaves and 1 small leaf on each flower. I glued a yellow button to the top.

Okay, the tedious part is over (and it wasn’t even really that tedious!). You can breathe now. Place the “loop” side of the velcro on the back of each flower.

(There’s a picture of the kind of wreath form I’m talking about – the only place I’ve found them is at Michaels – unless I’m just looking in the wrong section at Joann & HobLob!)

Next, attach the “felt” side of the velcro to the wreath form, making sure you space them out. I did it one at a time – put the velcro on, stick the flower on, put the next velcro on, stick the next flower on, and so on.

Continue until the wreath form is covered!

 

That’s it! That wasn’t too bad, was it? Now I have to come up with something for every holiday/season. My grandmother will love it, and it’s simple enough for me to do – it would be a nice gift for anyone!

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Printable Roundup #4: Kid Stuff

Christmas would be so boring without kids. My nephew MAKES Christmas for our whole family – his excitement, happiness, and overall energy just radiate all month long! This is his last Christmas as the “only child” in our immediate family, so it will be interesting to see how next year goes… there will be a 6 month old to share the attention with.

Logan loves to do crafts with me, and I have no doubt that he would love all of the things I am about to share. I’m sure he will get to do them too!

Wild Olive – Printable ornaments! There is also a nativity set to print.

Scrapbook Scrapbook – Printable 3D nativity set that can be colored!

Sweet Little Parties – tags, placecards, paper chain… the list goes on!

Babalisme – Paper dolls!

Mr. Printables

Lauren Makes

That wraps up this printable roundup! I need to go decorate my OWN Christmas tree now!

One more! {Giveaway}

It’s here! Our last giveaway for the year. We have been so fortunate to have so many giveaways in the few months we have been in the little blog community. We are definitely excited to be able provide our readers with some fabulous things! This one will not disappoint.

Do you have a friend or family member that would enjoy in some fabulous beauty products? Or even yourself!?! Well, if so, let me introduce you to BeeSilk Naturals.

Jennifer Spurlock, the owner and creative force of BeeSilk Naturals, has some fantastic ideas, products and scents! Jennifer has a Master’s Degree in Chemistry and have been working in the field of organic chemistry for the past 10 years.  Handcrafted natural products have always piqued her interest, especially since she is surrounded by toxic chemicals in a research chemical environment.  It was a natural progression to blend her love of chemistry with natural ingredients to make handcrafted bath and body care products without synthetic chemicals.  She started BeeSilk Naturals to help provide affordable bath and body care products using quality natural ingredients without unwanted synthetic fillers.

Her philosophy is “Less is More”.

Are you ready to see what is up for grabs? Oh, who am I kidding?!?! I know you are!

This lovely basket is BeeSilk Naturals CLEANSE Facial Pampering Set. It’s overflowing with so many things – cleansers, toner, creams!

Product description is as follows –

2 fl.oz. Facial Cleanser { ORANGE & GERANIUM: Normal/Dry Skin }
Orange and Geranium cream cleanser is specially formulated to keep the moisture in, so skin retains resiliency, and suppleness. Blended with 100% pure essential oils of geranium and orange which will balance oil levels in the skin, leaving it soft and healthy looking.
2 fl.oz. Facial Cleanser { GRAPEFRUIT & LIME: Oily Skin }
Specially formulated to balance oily skin and remove impurities leaving skin fresh and revitalized. Our facial gel contains natural extracts of Aloe Vera and papaya that help balance and protect your skin’s natural moisture, while scented with refreshing tones of grapefruit and lime.
4 fl.oz. { CITRUS TWIST} Facial Toner
Our alcohol-free toning mist is specially formulated with aloe vera, rose floral water and the twist of grapefruit, Bergamot and lime essential oils.
The mild astringent properties of the combined citrus fruit will minimize pore appearance, lock in the moisture and leave your face feeling fresh and revitalized. This gentle formula is suitable for all skin types.
1 fl.oz. { LESS THAN 5: NOURISHING FACIAL SERUM }
Passionfruit Seed Oil is a light, penetrating oil that is excellent for sensitive and inflamed, normal/dry, combination and mature skin types. Rose Hip oil is high in Vitamin C, which is considered to be beneficial to skin cell regeneration. Red Raspberry is high in alpha and gamma tocopherols (Vitamin E), Vitamin A and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Roman Chamomile promotes relaxation, calmness and is considered to be an excellent an anti-inflammatory. Finished by the richness of ylang ylang, seduced by the tease of jasmine.
2 oz. { CACAO-COCONUT MILK } Facial Mask & Exfoliant
Our facial mask and exfoliant is good enough to eat, but beneficial for your skin. Excellent to restore dehydrated and dull skin to a rejuvenated healthy glow without harsh abrasive chemicals. Key ingredients include ~ Colloidal Oatmeal, Coconut Milk, Honey, White Clay and Organic Cocoa Powder.
2 oz. { ROSE SILK } Facial Cream
Ultra-silky cream helps rejuvenate the skin while it moisturizes.  Evening Primrose and Rosehip help promote new cell regeneration while AHA sloughs off dead skin cells, leaving your complexion brighter and improve skin elasticity.
*Not for super sensitive skin*

I am a personal customer of BeeSilk Naturals. I have purchased her Ouchless Detangler for myself and my daughter, and also her NightCap Bath Cubes. Both are fabulous.

Source: etsy.com via Tarah on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Tarah on Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pin there. Done that.

Y’all remember the painted plastic balls from last week? Yeah, those pesky things. They didn’t make it. I pulled them up today (4 of 6 of them, because 2 blew away), and they were STILL not dry. I’m not kidding.

This week’s Pin there. I just pinned 13 days ago. There were two versions I had to decide between. While the other one says “May your Christmas be merry and bright”, which is a little saying I’ve fallen in love with. However, I went with the one below for the more rustic feel and my husband loved the quote.

Source: megduerksen.typepad.com via Tarah on Pinterest

 

During the summer, I made the rounds around our neighborhood that still has new houses being built. I went on a pallet hunt. I found 3 decent ones at one house that had just been shingled. SCORE! They sat in the garage and Jody decided to break them down and picked out the best pieces. I showed him the above pin and he loved it. Loved it so much that he helped. He cut the pieces for me. I’ll admit, I’m a little leery of power tools. I’m kinda clumsy and I’m deathly afraid of cutting myself … or deathly afraid of pain, I’ve decided. The first step is admitting it right?

Nice and rustic, don’t you think?? We (meaning Jody) cut the 1×4’s into 7 pieces. The back piece is 24″, then the others are 4″-14″. Also, I found that using our trash can as a table is AWESOME. See the blue paint, I’ve clearly made it multifunctional. No one can say I’m not resourceful.

Sooooo, when we went to screw in the top pieces (and when I say “we”, I really mean we), each one split. After about 20 minutes of trying to get the wood glue to come out of the bottle (totally not kidding!), we got some wood glue! I’m a total over gluer. I had it dripping over. And then I needed something heavy. Enter a can of paint.

I made my own stencil with my Cricut. I’m pretty awesome, don’t you think?!? Go ahead .. “yes you are Tarah.” I had a nifty little can of white Valspar paint. I have no idea where I got it at, but it came in handy!

And … we’re done! I absolutely LOVE it!

AND … someone else *coughHEATHERcough* loved it too. I made her one as well.

I think y’all should know my dedication to doing this. I sat in my living room working on these while I watched on of my new favorite shows, Duck Dynasty. If you haven’t caught an episode or even heard about it, you’re totally missing out. Yeah, sure it’s about a family of bearded men and their duck call business. But … they are hilarious. HILARIOUS, I tell ya!

Are y’all ready for a giveaway? I know you all just said “YES!” You’re in luck! We’re going to have a quick little giveaway from BeeSilk Naturals. I’ll have more info for you soon!

Christmas Printable Roundup #2 : Gift Tags

A few years ago – BP (Before Pinterest) – I ran out of gift tags while wrapping Christmas gifts. It pretty much takes an emergency situation to get me dressed and out the door again if I’ve already come home and gotten comfy/removed the bra. Don’t roll your eyes at me, you know you do it too.

In the spirit of laziness, I turned to Google. I didn’t really think I’d find anything. WRONG. Just google “printable gift tags” and cancel your plans for the next 24 hours, because there are a TON of them out there.

AP (After Pinterest), I just found more and more. My “Printables I Love” board is the most pinned board out of all of mine, so that tells me I’m not alone in my unhealthy obsession! It’s been a long time since I have wasted money (yes, it IS a waste) on gift tags – why do it when I can print my own? If you’re cheap like Whitney and never have ink in your printer, then upload the files to Staples and have them printed on cardstock. Easy as pie.

Here goes! Click on the pictures to be taken to the original blog!

Martha, Martha, Martha.

Mom’s Crafty Space

The Celebration Shoppe

Kelli Murray

Living Locurto

Today’s Mama

Domestifluff

Nest of Posies

Lemon Squeezy

Eat Drink Chic

I’ll be back with some more tomorrow. Happy printing!