I'm Gettin' Crafty!

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.  I spent the holiday at my brother's house with my sister-in-law's family.  We had a wonderful time, ate far too much food, and closed out the evening sitting by the bonfire.

Today, I spent most of the day finishing my Christmas decorating.  I'm really not into the "formal" look.  I like the to keep it simple.  Here are a few pics of the finished product:

Yes, the tree if artificial!

I made the wreath and the stuffed trees on the hearth.  

Since I started working night shift again, I've been on the internet WAY TOO MUCH on my nights off.  However, I've found LOTS of craft ideas to keep my busy.  Tonight I decided to take on a few projects.  The first one is the Lima Bean Wreath.

This is all I could get done since I ran out of hot glue

Here is what it is supposed to look like (at All Things Thrifty).  I think it's a really cute idea.  I plan to spray paint it white and I have some red velvet ribbon to attach it on a hook on my front door.  I'll post more pictures when it is complete!

My second craft project of the night is what I like to call The Rice Bag.  Many, many years ago, I had a Rice Sock.  It was essentially a sock with rice in it.  You heat it up in the microwave and then use it like a heating pad.  I've seen these sold in specialty stores for upwards of $35.  INSANE!  I had seen a tutorial and thought I would give it a shot.  The one I made is probably too large and contains way too much rice (almost the entire 80 oz. bag.. cost me less than $3 at Wal-Mart) but it's working wonders on my tight shoulders.  Here's the finished product:

And while I'm on the subject of sewing, I thought I would include pictures of my sewing machine.  It's OLD and it weighs about 75 lbs.  It belonged to my aunt and she always kept it serviced so now, years later, it still works well.  It serves it's purpose to sew straight (ish) lines.  I always say I want a new sewing machine but I really don't sew enough to justify the expense.  

Nothing digitalized!  

It even fits in it's own table (which is a BEAR to move)

And who decided these things should be shaped like tomatoes?

I've Been Busy

I've been busy in the kitchen this weekend.  Here are a few pictures:

This is a basic pumpkin bread in BUNDT form

This is another pumpkin bread recipe with pecans and dried cranberries.  DE-LISH-US!

I also tried my hands at some candy making.  Word to the wise, don't do this if you are in a hurry or in a bad mood.

The Christmas edition full of great recipes

Ina's Fleur de Sel Caramels.... not as easy as they look.  

Hot Sugar!

Waiting for it to turn "dark, golden brown"

Very close to 248 F

Attempt#1:  you can see that I scored the surface.  That's about as far as the knife would go.  These were TOO hard!

Attempt #2:  No Go!  Even harder! More like toffee than caramel.

Attempt #3:  I actually just melted the two previous batches with a little half and half  then heated the mixture right to the soft ball stage (I think once you've hit the firm ball stage, you've gone too far).
YUUUUMMMM!  Sweet and Salty Perfection!

And now for some funny pictures I wanted to include:

The Pilgrims are protecting the pumpkin bread

These were my mom's.  I think they are precious!

Hope you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Commercial Break

I won't be discussing DIY for a while.  Like I mentioned in my prior post, I'm out of $$ for any big projects.  I do have a few decorating projects I'd like to pursue so I may post a few of those.  One of which involves these:

These are old family photos.  Mostly from my mom's side of the family

That's my dad and his brother.  My dad is the one with the dirty feet!

My mom and grandmother. 

 And this:

I bought this at the Brooklyn Flea Market when I was in New York last month.  I love it even more now that it is framed but I am having a hard time finding the perfect spot for it.  The artist is Michelle Han.  She has an Etsy store if you love the look of the wood block prints as much as I do.

I'm also very excited about decorating the house for Christmas.  While I'm appalled that one of the local radio stations is already playing Christmas music, I am looking forward to getting festive after Thanksgiving.   Here are a few pics from last year's tree.

One of my favorite ornaments

My childhood Winnie the Pooh ornaments. Yes, Eeyore is missing an eye.  

Stuffed trees like these are very sentimental.  My mom always had one out when we were growing up.  As an adult I took it upon myself to find a pattern and make a few of my own.  

My tree from last year.  I have a LOVE for the REALLY BIG colored bulbs

What Now?

I've been a little bit at a loss since completing my last project.  I've had so much spare time on my days off. I've spent LOTS of money on this and that.  For whatever reason, I decided I wanted to change my makeup.  I ended up buying not only makeup and the three step program but also three additional steps.  I was regretting it the next day, but last night at work Laura told me my skin was "peaches and cream".  I figure, whatever I can do to keep people in disbelief that I am actually 34, I should stick with it!

I've also been reading.  I've started the Sieg Larson "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" series.  The first book was really good.  The second one is OK but doesn't keep my attention as well.  For some reason, the first 1/3 of these books are hard to get through but once you get to the body of the story, it sucks you in.  I'm waiting for that moment with book 2.

For now, I have no other home improvements on the books.  There is plenty I would LIKE to do but I'm out of energy and CASH to do much of anything.  Alas, I will fully enjoy my free time without any complaints!