DEAR SANTA.....

I have been a VERY good girl this year and if you could possibly get this in my backyard that would be wonderful.  You wouldn't even have to try and get this down the chimney {which I don't even have}.  Pretty please?????

I love you sooooo much Santa,

Connie

NOW HOW DID SHE KNOW?

OOPS!  I have been caught.  I don't know how the person who created this knew me so well.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!

Hubby and I got the Christmas stuff down from the attic.  I thought he was NEVER going to stop handing down Rubbermaid's.  There were 18 bins full of Christmas STUFF!  That doesn't even include two artificial trees, a box full of small lighted fake fir trees and even more STUFF in my storage room that can't go into the attic.

I think I need an electrical charge attached to my behind and every time I am tempted to buy MORE STUFF it  would send a "shocking" reminder that I don't need any more STUFF!!!!

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TOUGH TIMES

I CAN'T HELP MYSELF

Pinterest went and did it to me again.  I mean seriously, how can I ever keep up with all the adorable and fantastic ideas? 

Here is a set of blocks inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.

My version:

Inspiration from Pinterest:

 Source

Here are some cute snowmen that my daughter Natasha made from some she had found on pinterest.

Here are the inspiration snowmen.

Source

What did we do before blogs and pinterest?

I am also participating over at Creations by Kara.

PINTEREST INSPIRATION

Man I LOVE Pinterest. 

There are so many fabulous ideas floating around it makes a crafter go NUTS!

I have always loved this saying, I even installed it directly on the wall of my friend Jane's house.  Go here to see how hers looks.

Here is the inspiration piece I got off of Pinterest via Etsy on Sweet Designs Boutique.

Here is my version.

My project consists of an old calendar holder, you know the ones everyone had a few years ago to hold all those adorable calendars?  Well if you check at Goodwill they have those in all the time.  The only thing I did was lightly sanded it and spray painted it black.  I then glued down some pretty scrapbook paper and then applied vinyl lettering on top of it.

Oh Pinterest, what did I do before discovering you?

For more Pinterest inspiration there is a linky party going on over at 5 Minutes for Me.

GEORGIA PRALINES

I made these GEORGIA PRALINES from a recipe I found on Pinterest

They turned out very well and were easy to make.  I may be adding these to my Christmas baking.

The only thing I would caution on is that they are EXTREMELY sweet and rich.

For the recipe go to TASTY KITCHEN.

TREE INSPIRATION FROM PINTEREST

Oh how I love the inspiration to be found on Pinterest.  

Here is my version of a Christmas tree that I found there.

THIS IS THE INSPIRATION I GOT OFF PINTEREST.  IT IS FOUND HERE.

HEARTY AND DELICOUS SOUP FOR A COLD WINTER EVENING

Do you have a family favorite soup, stew or chowder that you make and especially look forward to fall and winter so you can make it?

I do and it is called Vegetable Chowder.

It is funny when I tell people that it is a vegetable chowder, you should see the looks of doubt and sometimes disgust on their faces...that is until they taste it.  I have never had anyone taste it that didn't like it (well except for a few picky grandchildren).

In a large pot you cook the vegetables in chicken stock.

While the veggies are cooking you melt the butter in a medium to large sauce pan then add the flour to make a roux.

 After the butter and flour have cooked about 5 minutes over medium heat you add 4 cups milk.

You bring this mixture to a boil over med/high heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.

You then pour the milk/butter/flour mixture into the simmering vegetables and bring to a boil.   

 Stir to mix well and put heat to med/low.

You then add cubed ham...

 followed by shredded cheddar cheese.

Stir just until the cheese is melted and serve.  Recipe is posted at the bottom.

 Serve with some nice hot rolls out of the oven and you have a meal that will comfort you for hours.

VEGETABLE CHOWDER

3 CUPS POTATOES, CUBED

2 1/2 CUPS FINELY CHOPPED BROCCOLI

1 CUP CHOPPED ONION

1 CUP CARROTS FINELY CHOPPED OR SHREDDED

2 STALKS CELERY, FINELY CHOPPED

4 CHICKEN BOUILLON CUBES

5 CUPS WATER

3/4 CUP BUTTER

3/4 CUP FLOUR

4 CUPS MILK

1-2 CUPS CUBED HAM

1 CUP SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE

Now here is proof that I don't spend ALL my time on Pinterest.  Although I did make some excellent chocolate chip cookies with a SECRET ingredient that I will be posting soon that I found on Pinterest.

THIS WEEKS PINTEREST PICKS

This is what caught my attention on Pinterest this week.

Love this idea for an old shutter.  Wouldn't it be perfect for the bathroom?  Or maybe in the bedroom? You can find a great tutorial on how to make this on

My Repurposed Life.

This is a must for me to make for Thanksgiving. 

Recipe is found here.

Love, Love, Love this pillow idea.

Tutorial found The Gunny Sack blog.

Now all I need is to set aside some time to make these.  I really need to budget my Pinterest looking time.

WHAT HAS ME INSPIRED FROM PINTEREST

OK, I need to explain why there hasn't been much posting going on with my blog. 

IT'S CALLED PINTEREST!!!

I have been spending lots of time cruising and browsing around on Pinterest and noticed that there are starting to be more and more Christmas ideas out there.

Here are a few really cute ideas that have inspired my crafting bug.

I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THESE.

If you would like to know more about any of these pictures I have listed their sources for your convience.

1.  LEARNING TO BE ME

2. SWEETOPIA

3. YOUR NEST DESIGN

4. CHRISTINE'S FAVORITE THINGS

5. DANA CAROL DESIGNS ON ETSY

6. SARA AND SOFFIE BLOG (invited readers only)

Or you can go to my Pinterest here.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY