I ❤ October!

So the past month has been busy!  Pictured is a little something I made for my Mother-in-law's birthday.  It's a recipe book stand I found on one of my shopping outings, and I needle punched the pumpkin and attached it.  Now she has a little Fall decoration for her countertop!

I've already started working on more projects as Christmas time is a comin'!  Can't wait! 

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves one of my favorite holidays has to commence - and that is Halloween!!  We've watched all the shows, carved the pumpkins, bought way too much candy, planned out the yard and house decorations, procured all the costumes...and then the winter weather advisory hits this week.  Boo!  It is looking like we will have a cold but dry Halloween.  Ok fine!  

Of special note, today my husband and I celebrate 14 years of marriage.  Where in the world has the time gone?  Truth is, I can't imagine a better partner to have by my side for the last 14 and future years.  Love you Hubby!!

Wishing you all a Happy Halloween!!

-Tam

Hiatus!

I've been on hiatus.  I actually forgot all about this blog until today.  As I was scrolling through all the blogs about various things on Pinterest, I realized that I have a lot of potentially useful life skills that I could be sharing if I had my own blog...oh wait!  I DO have my own blog that's been sitting dormant for too many years now.  So, I'm back! 

I've been through various transitions these past few years.  These transitions placed me into situations where I had to throw out everything I thought I knew and relearn how to live...especially how to eat!  I've had to do all this while continuing to work, mother, wife, life...and it hasn't always been easy.  I've felt alone, trapped, frustrated and worst of all, absent.  I've read certain life changes can make you grieve for your former self.  I quite honestly never imagined that possible until I found myself there, in that mindset.  With that comes a journey to self actualization and discovery.  Who am I now?  Is this what I've become?  Is this my new 'normal'?  I am still figuring me out, but I do have hope to move forward with all my newly acquired knowledge and be better. 

With all that being said, I'm learning and making lifestyle choices that promote less stress and better health all within particular parameters to achieve success, for me.  Nothing is one size fits all.  I am not an expert.  But I plan to start using this blog (more) to share ideas and stumbled upon information that you may be interested in as well.  Stay tuned!

Mother's Day

Where to begin?  I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend and I hope all the other Mom's out there did too!  I was spoiled to an entire Saturday without cooking or cleaning (Thanks Hubby!!), and received the cutest flowers from my son,  Sunday was spent visiting with my Mother's for a little while.  It was a beautiful day and I got to spend all afternoon outside enjoying the lake and then "The Farm".  

I wanted to post my craft project that I mentioned last time.  It is a punch/embroidered design that I modified from a design I came across in a magazine.  As I mentioned, it was for someone special and that was my Mom!  Happy Mother's Day Mom!  It certainly was a learning experience and a test of my adaptability considering I didn't quite have the right materials.  Hope you like it! 

Living Frugally

Alright, I know it's been forever since my last post...but I plan on doing this whole blogging thing and it really shouldn't consume that much of my time to jot down a few things and post them, right??

So here is the topic of today:  living on less or frugal living, self sufficiency and sustaining.  I love the idea of it all.  But frankly, when you live in town and rent, there are some things that are just out of your control.  I do still have choices though.  I choose to 'repurpose' 'reuse' 'recycle' 'reclaim' 'repair' whenever possible.  I love 2nd hand finds.  I garage sale, shop the Goodwill, Consignment Shops, Craigslist and even participate in a free kids clothing swap twice a year.  I use coupons, scour ads for the best deals, buy generic and sometimes go without to save money.  We recently changed our cleaning methods to include more eco-friendly solutions.  Apparently you don't always need chemicals to get things clean and now I do not buy those things.  Our next step is to dabble a little in the self sustaining field by growing our own garden.  In previous years, our gardens have flopped.  This year we hope for different.  I love the idea of growing, eating and maybe even canning our own food.  This year I hope to hit up the Farmer's Market much more than in previous year's.  Will definitely be looking for fruit since I cannot grow the trees myself, plus I really want to learn to make homemade jelly.


There are certainly many ways to cut cost and live more frugally, even eco-friendly.  How are you reducing expenses in your household?


Oh...almost forgot!  In stitching news, I am working on a little something for a someone special.  Will reveal the final project after it has been gifted!!          

A new recipe I have to share!

Cherry Limeade Poke Cake

Looking for a layer cake using Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix? Then check out this delicious dessert recipe.

(5 Ratings) Member Reviews (3)

PREP TIME

25 Min

TOTAL TIME

2 Hr 15 Min

SERVINGS

12

INGREDIENTS

CAKE

1	box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix
1 1/4	cups lemon-lime soda
1/3	cup vegetable oil
3	egg whites
1	tablespoon grated lime peel
1	box (4-serving size each) cherry-flavored gelatin
1	cup boiling water

Frosting

1	container (12 oz) Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting
1	teaspoon grated lime peel
	Maraschino cherries, if desired
	Lime peel twists, if desired

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1. 1Heat oven to 350°F (325°F. for dark or nonstick pan.). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour.
2. 2In large bowl beat cake mix, soda, oil, egg white and 1 tablespoon lime peel with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into prepared pan.
3. 3Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes.
4. 4Meanwhile, stir gelatin into boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes to completely dissolve gelatin. Poke cake every inch with tines of meat fork or table knife. Pour cherry mixture slowly over cake, allowing mixture to fill holes in cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour longer.
5. 5In small bowl, mix frosting and 1 teaspoon grated lime peel. Spread evenly over cake. Top each serving with cherry and lime twists.

It's been awhile...

So, it's been awhile since my last blog, and I'm sorry to report it has not been due to me being freakishly busy...but rather lazy. I guess this winter weather has got me in hibernation mode. The weather is warming up this week, and I must be coming out of my slump! I am very excited to report that I have my next needle punch design all drawn up on the material and in the hoop! As soon as I finish writing this, I will finally finish off my last project, and get started! I know, I know...I should have had my last project finished by now! Quite honestly...I think finishing projects is hard for me because I lack the creativity to do something great with them. So I find myself in a rut, pushing aside my problem, and finding something new and exciting to focus on. I'm not a psychiatrist...but I'm sure there's some sort of 'label' to this sort of mindset or behavior haha! I have even tried to bargain with my Mom that I will punch and she can finish them off and we can split the profit of the sale. That's not a bad idea is it? Again I laugh at myself...but she has the creative means to my ends :)

My next punched design is inspired by my wonderful Aunt Betty. She gets the 'primitive' ways and has beautiful patterns. I, however, do not have quite the 'eye' for the prims. So I tend to borrow parts of patterns, and then blend another pattern or my own artful additions. I hope Aunt Betty likes how I have 'tweaked' her freebie pattern. Pictures coming soon!

Slacking!

Hey there!

So I admit, I've been slacking off lately...and horribly!  I haven't touched my needle punch in a week...all I need to do is attach a small embellishment on the front, and my name to the back.  I also purchased thread and a small paper mache box to make my next craft and haven't started it yet.  I need to get out of this lazy slump!  In my defense, I've been busy at work (surprise!) and at home we have been rearranging a few rooms which has kept me very busy the past few nights.  I'm not a big fan of throwing anything away.  If I can find a way to make something work somewhere else, I do.  So when we made the decision to upgrade our old clunky 29 inch tv to a flat screen...we quickly realized that the armoire that housed our old tv simply wouldn't do!  I have always loved armoire's in the bedroom...and our's is a simple enough design and style that it fits just perfectly with our envisioned bedroom theme.  So last night the hubby and I muscled the 7(ish) foot armoire up our stairs and into our bedroom (not without a little bickering and scuffed walls mind you).  And it looks great!  For now....LOL!  My goal is to someday refinish it.  It is cheap pine, but still solid wood.  I can't decide whether to paint it or use a darker stain.  I really would like a distressed look.  I'm afraid that the quality of the wood will keep it from absorbing the stain to give it the look I hope for.  Looks like I'll be consulting the woodworking master (my Stepfather) for his expertise :)
Hope everyone has a great weekend!