Frugal Fine Living

Many Blessings

2012-01-16T20:54:00.005-05:00

I haven't had much time to blog lately. In addition to the busyness of the holidays, life has been so full over the last few weeks. Our family has been rejoicing over many blessings. Here are two of the most exciting ones:

Our son, Rob, and his girlfriend, Sarah, became engaged the week before Christmas. Sarah is a lovely girl, and we couldn't be more thrilled about their engagement!

Rob actually designed Sarah's engagement ring himself. He also secretly made plans to meet her whole family at a restaurant at the Gaylord Opryland Resort after he proposed, as they were already in town to attend Sarah's graduation from nursing school. He proposed to Sarah in front of one of the ice sculptures--how romantic! Rob is a 2nd lieutenant in the Army National Guard, and Sarah is a 2nd lieutenant in the Army. They are both waiting to receive their military orders before they set a wedding date.

In other exciting news, last week, I was chosen to be a contestant on LIVE with Kelly's Travel Trivia. I received a call from Laura, a representative from LIVE at 7:55 AM last Wednesday. How it works is potential Travel Trivia contestants are typically called early to let them know they are a contestant, then they call back when the show starts. Although I hadn't seen the show from the day before, fortunately I had recorded it on DVR. The hour between the first call and the second one gave me enough time to watch the show and take notes. I was ready when the second call came in. However, unfortunately, the host chat went a bit longer than usual, and they didn't have enough time to play Travel Trivia. I was told it was possible I could get a call back the next day.

On Thursday morning, I waited by the phone. I was thrilled when the call came in. I had been unable to participate via Skype the previous day, as the webcam on my laptop doesn't work well using Skype. However, I had remembered my son downloaded the Skype app on the ipad my family bought me for Christmas. I figured it would be fun to participate as a contestant via Skype using my ipad.

One of the show producers called me back about a half hour later to check the Skype connection. I set my ipad up on the table in our breakfast nook. I figured it would be a good idea to be close as possible to the wireless router, so that I didn't lose my connection during Travel Trivia.

While I was waiting for the show to begin, I got a firsthand, behind-the-scenes look at how the show is produced. I watched as executive producer Michael Gelman warmed up the audience before the show. It was just like being there in person and was fascinating!

As far as my appearance on LIVE, the video below tells the rest of the story. (Before you hit play, scroll down to my playlist at the bottom of the blog and stop it, so you can hear the audio on the Travel Trivia video.)

If you watched the video, you know I won the trip to Antigua, but there's more to the story. The reason why I was so excited when the wheel landed on the trip to Antigua was because that was where we really wanted to go for our 20th anniversary vacation. I had been entering every day and praying I would win. After several weeks of entering and waiting, I received an e-mail from Groupon for an all-inclusive deal at a resort in Antigua. The price was right, so I ended up booking it. However, the Groupon resort wasn't quite as posh as the St. James's Club.

After winning the trip on LIVE, I called Groupon. I explained the situation and was told they normally don't give refunds, but they would make an exception in my case. I appreciate their understanding and will forever be a Groupon fan!

The moral of the story? It's always best to wait on God's timing, because His blessings are far better than anything we can ever do on our own!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:14:00.003-05:00

My husband and I rang in the new year in our favorite way, with a quiet dinner at home. I set a romantic table for two in the dining room, complete with candles and soft music.

I draped the table with a plum damask tablecloth from The Christmas Tree Shop, $5.99. I reused the centerpiece from Christmas dinner, along with gold metallic candles from The Christmas Tree Shop.

I layered gold basketweave chargers with ivory and gold thrift shop plates. I used our everyday flatware and plum napkins with gold napkin rings I found on eBay a couple of years ago. The champagne flutes were a HomeGoods find a few years ago.

I also spreaded a few gold stars around the table for some New Year's Eve sparkle.

The dinner menu included shrimp ceviche, seafood casserole, rice pilaf, Italian green beans, with chocolate cream pie for dessert.

The shrimp ceviche was a refreshing change from our usual shrimp cocktail. It would be wonderful as a cool appetizer served with Sangria punch on a hot summer day. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 pound medium cooked shrimp
3/4 cup lime juice (juice from 4-6 limes)
3/4 cup lemon juice (juice from 2-3 lemons)
1 cup finely chopped red onion
1 chile pepper, ribs and seeds removed, minced (optional)
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 cucumber, peeled diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 avocado, peeled, seed removed, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Squeeze the juice from the limes and lemons in a glass or ceramic bowl using a strainer to remove the seeds.
Remove tails from shrimp and add to the lime/lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for a half hour.
Mix in the chopped red onion, chile pepper, chopped cilantro, cucumber, and avocado. Refrigerate for an additional half hour; add salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Happy New Year!

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Christmas Tablescape 2011

2011-12-24T10:31:00.004-05:00

I like to set my Christmas table a couple of days ahead of time.

I started with a gold acanthus tablecloth ($5.99) from The Christmas Tree Shop.

I layered a favorite Christmas tablerunner I bought a few years back on eBay. I love the sparkle the gold sequins on the runner and the candle rings ($2.99 each) from Michael's add to the table.

For the centerpiece, I filled a gold sleigh from The Christmas Tree Shop ($4.99) with a poinsettia plant from the grocery store and greens from the backyard. I wired together three ornaments and added them to the center.

A large loopy bow made from the same ribbon as the garland on the Christmas tree finishes my frugal table centerpiece.

I alternated plum and gold chargers, layering them with white and gold holiday china and plum napkins. Small gold boxes filled with homemade holiday candy top each napkin. Grandma's silverware and Irish crystal goblets complete each place setting.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Home Tour 2011

2011-12-19T16:26:00.002-05:00

exterior

breakfast nook

kitchen

living & dining areas

my great grandmother's nativity set

master bedroom

office/mom cave

Directions for making the feather wreath can be found here.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year!

Budget Designer Holiday Cards

2011-12-17T10:14:00.000-05:00

I have always admired those expensive designer holiday greeting cards. You know the ones I am talking about. These cards have a festive family photo on the front with a detailed holiday border. They are a bit more high-end looking than the photo cards you can order from the drugstore.

Ordering designer greeting cards can be expensive. The cheapest I've seen them for is about $1.00 a card. My goal was to get a similar designer look for my holiday cards without the hefty price. First, I found a box of 40 blank photo cards I had in storage, which I purchased at the Christmas Tree Shop for $5.00. They have a great retro looking the border on the front where the photo is inserted. The inside is blank, so I can write my own greeting or a personal note to each recipient.

Next, I searched my computer for a digital family photo I could use in the cards. I found one we had taken of our family at the Nashville Zoo. With the help of Photoshop, I made it look a bit retro, to go with the cards. First, I converted the photo into a black and white photo, then added red Santa hats on everyone's head. Across the bottom of the photo, I printed my holiday greeting in red outlined in white.

Walgreens had a special on photo processing .   I was able to order 50 4 x 6" prints for $5.00. Best of all, I upload the photo onto their website and was able to pick up my prints that afternoon! My designer cards cost only for 25¢ per card.

Although the packaging on the cards said to use a 4 x 6" photo, when I inserted the photo, the frame covered part of the photo. If I had to do it all over again, I'd keep the photo size, adding a solid border on the photo that was the same size as the photo on the card. That way, the entire photo would be visible. Other than that, I am happy with how they turned out.

Seasons Greetings!

Snow-Frosted Pinecone Wreath

2011-12-12T08:39:00.001-05:00

Before Thanksgiving, I picked up a copy of BHG's Christmas Ideas special publication to get some inspiration for my Christmas decorating this year. I was immediately drawn to the snow-frosted pinecone wreath on the cover. The silver glitter over the snowy white appeared to glisten just like real snow. I also love how the red cardinals and ornaments pop against the snowy white. I knew if I made one craft item this holiday season, that wreath would be the one.

Also in BHG's Christmas Ideas, titled Simple Elegance, Centsational Girl Kate's lovely home & holiday décor is featured beginning on P. 92. As an added holiday treat, Layla & Kevin's Lettered Cottage is also featured on P.118.

Supplies:

hot glue gun
glue sticks
styrofoam wreath form
pinecones
floral moss
spray snow
silver glitter
cardinal figurines
red ornaments

Directions:

Assemble all materials and plug in glue gun.
Cover the wreath form with moss, attaching it with hot glue.
Attach the pinecones to the wreath with hot glue.
In a well-ventilated area, spray the entire wreath with the spray snow, then sprinkle the silver glitter liberally over the wreath. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Determine the placement of the cardinals and ornaments, then attach them with hot glue.
Remove any residual dried strings of glue.
Hang your wreath and enjoy!

Frugal Tip: If you gather pinecones from the yard, buy the cardinals and ornaments at a dollar store, and purchase the additional materials at Michael's using a discount coupon, this wreath can be made for around $15.00!

Thanks for stopping by!

Keeping Christ AS Christmas

2011-12-11T18:57:00.001-05:00

I want to tell you about a wonderful eBook, which was released just in time for the holidays. It's called Keeping Christ AS Christmas by blogger Jennifer Walker of Smelling Coffee.

I bought a copy of Keeping Christ AS Christmas on Kindle. I've been reading a few pages every day since then and finished reading it last night. There is so much good information in this book that will help you keep Christ as the center of the season.

Keeping Christ AS Christmas is divided into four sections: Prepare your Heart, Prepare your Household, Prepare your Home, and Preserve your Sanity. Each section’s content builds on the other.

I found the advice in Chapter 3, "Ten Minutes a Morning with Jesus" especially helpful. As a result of applying Jennifer's tips, my morning devotional times have definitely been more focused. I also printed them to share with my husband and daughter.

In addition to advice on preparing your heart by strengthening your relationship with Jesus, there are tips on everything from gift-giving to preparing your home for the season--all with Jesus as the center.

Keeping Christ AS Christmas will definitely help to preserve your sanity while filling you with the joy and peace of Christ this holiday season.

Keeping Christ AS Christmas can be ordered at christaschristmas.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Mantels

2011-12-07T09:56:00.005-05:00

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I delight in decking every inch of our halls, and the fireplace mantels are no exception. Of course, as with all the projects on this blog, the following three mantels were decorated on a budget.

In the family room, pine garland and white lights are embellished with plum, gold and green ornaments, silk leaves and ribbon that mirror the Tuscan color palette in the room.

The plum and gold wired ribbon and the ornaments were purchased using a 20% off coupon at Michael's Crafts. White lights wrapped around the pine garland give off a warm glow and make the ornaments sparkle. The stockings were purchased at HomeGoods several years ago.

In my home office, which is decorated in a color palette of coppers, browns and spa blue, the mantle sparkles with glittery copper poinsettias and ribbon along with spa blue hydrangeas against a backdrop of pine garland.

The ribbon and florals were purchased using a 20% off coupon at Michael's Crafts

A brown velvet mantel scarf from The Christmas Tree Shops conceals the wall-mounted television's set-top box.

White lights and candle hurricanes from The Christmas Tree Shops give everything a romantic glow.

The fireplace mantle in the master bedroom is decorated in the same romantic rose and white theme as the Christmas tree in the room.

Two Victorian tapestry stockings from The Christmas Tree Shops flank either end of the mantle.

At the end of a long day, it's wonderful to be able to lie in bed in front of a romantic, cozy fire, drinking hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shepherd''s Pie

2011-12-02T11:09:00.002-05:00

This easy-to-make casserole is a family favorite at our house. During this busy holiday season, I like to prepare it ahead of time and refrigerate it. That way, I can just pop it in the oven 30 minutes before suppertime.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey
1/2 envelope dry onion soup mix
1/3 cup of water
4-5 potatoes, cooked and mashed
1 can creamed corn
1/2 cup frozen corn
nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Brown ground turkey in a frying pan on top of the stove; drain. Stir in dry onion soup mix and water. Simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes.
While ground turkey mixture is simmering, mix creamed corn with frozen corn in a small bowl.
Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Add ground turkey mixture to the bottom of the casserole dish. Smooth out with a spatula so it's level.
Spoon mashed potatoes over the ground turkey mixture and smooth out.
Spoon corn mixture on top of mashed potatoes and smooth out.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

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Thanksgiving Eve Preparations

2011-11-23T18:38:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted, as I've been busy as a bee preparing for the upcoming holidays.

It seems hard to believe today is already Thanksgiving Eve. We'll be traveling to my SIL''s home on Cape Cod for dinner tomorrow.

In preparation for Thanksgiving, I baked an apple pie and a pumpkin pie to take with us for dessert. Whenever I bake pies to take to someone house, I like to use disposable, aluminum pie tins. That way I don't have to worry about bringing home a pie plate (or any leftover pie, which I really want around the house tempting me.)

To add a festive, fall touch to the pies, I made three leaf shaped cutouts on the apple pie, which I then applied randomly on the crust of the pumpkin pie, after brushing them with a little beaten egg.

Here's my pumpkin pie recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 box (1 crust) Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 eggs

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin purée

1 1/2 cups milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Prepare pie crust according to the one-crust directions on the package.

Combine brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg in small bowl.

Beat eggs lightly in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin purée and sugar/spice mixture. Gradually stir in milk.

Pour pumpkin mixture into the prepared pie crust.

Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F. Reduce temperature to 350°F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

You can find my apple pie recipe here.

In addition to the pies, I am also bringing a broccoli & cheese bake with me. You can find the recipe here. Today, I put everything together in the casserole dish from my Pyrex Portable Carrier and just popped it in the fridge. Tomorrow morning, I will bake it right before we leave, then I'll pop it into the insulated carrier. The hot pack will keep it warm on the drive to the Cape.

I'm looking forward to spending time with family and enjoying a wonderful meal together. We have so much for which to be thankful!

Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving!

That Perfect Holiday Top

2011-11-11T09:08:00.003-05:00

Every year around this time, I begin my hunt for that perfect holiday top. You know the one I am talking about. It has to be gorgeous and festive looking. It needs to have long sleeves and should be made of a lightweight and comfortable fabric. And, it must look and feel fabulous on. It should also look great paired with either jeans or dress pants.

Every year I search for that perfect holiday top but end up disappointed. However, this year will finally be different. At last, I have found my perfect holiday top at dressbarn.com. I was so excited when I saw it that I hurried down to my local Dress Barn to grab one to try on. Unfortunately, it was not yet in stock. I quickly came back home and ordered one online using a 20% off coupon code.

My perfect holiday top arrived yesterday afternoon. I quickly ripped open the package, and it is every bit as gorgeous as I thought it would be! It is done up in a lavish lace and paisley print and is finished with a filigree of metallic embroidery and sequins at the neckline. The front of the top has fluid pleats down the center. It has ruched sleeves and is finished with a dramatic sharkbite hem. I tried it on. It fits perfectly and is so comfortable.

I am doing the happy dance and can check that one off my holiday shopping list.

Thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Bark

2011-11-08T09:08:00.001-05:00

This sweet treat is perfect to set out on the coffee table for your guests to enjoy on Thanksgiving.

I also like to whip up a couple of batches to give as gifts at Christmastime. I've already bought some holiday candy jars from the Christmas Tree Shop for $2.99 each, which I'll fill with homemade holiday bark. I think they'll make sweet gifts!

Ingredients:

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sliced unsalted almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

Slowly melt chocolate chips in a double boiler, stirring frequently. (If you don't have a double boiler, you can use two nested saucepans. Just be sure to add water to the bottom pan.)

Stir cranberries and almonds into the melted chocolate.

Spread the mixture onto the lined baking sheet.

Chill in the freezer for 20-30 minutes until set.

Break into pieces and place covered jars.

Refrigerate jars or store them in a cool place. You can also make holiday bark ahead of time and freeze it. Just remove it from the freezer a couple of hours before you're ready to serve it or give it as a gift.

Enjoy!

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Holiday Planning

2011-11-02T13:35:00.008-04:00

Over the years, I've learned to take the stress out of the holidays by careful planning and getting my gift shopping done early. I think the key to successful holiday shopping is good organization. To help me stay organized, I use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of my holiday gift purchases. It keeps my shopping within budget, so I don't end up with credit card debt after the holidays are over. You can download the spreadsheet template here.

I also do quite a bit of gift shopping online. Many online sites offer free shipping and other discounts this time of year. For example, right now, if you're an Old Navy cardholder, you can enjoy a 30% discount on your entire order at oldnavy.com. Just enter the coupon code ONSTUFF30 when you check out. Plus if you spend over $50.00, your order will ship free. Also, many items are on sale now. I found some great deals for the family and saved $47.06! Of course, in addition to getting great deals, I was able to shop from the comfort of my sofa wearing lounge pants. Now that's my kind of shopping!

Once I have purchased my holiday gifts, I note it in my holiday spreadsheet. As I buy the gifts locally or when they arrive, after purchasing them online, I wrap them. This eliminates spending hours wrapping gifts all at once. My goal is to have the holiday shopping done and wrapped by Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, I can focus on the holiday tasks I enjoy, like decorating, baking and planning our holiday celebrations.

Speaking of decorating, right now is a good time to add a bit more sparkle to your holiday décor. Stores like Michael's are well stocked with gorgeous holiday decorations. Wreaths, florals, themed ornaments and holiday ribbon are 40% off this week at Michaels! And, if what you're looking for is not on sale, Michael's has a coupon on their website for 40% off one regular priced item.

I also like to plan my holiday tablescape ahead of time, right down to the the centerpiece, table linens, dishes, and napkin rings. Right now, Michael's has their holiday chargers on sale for $1.99 each. I picked up a few of the plum ones. They coordinate with the colors in my dining room, so I can use them throughout the year.

With some careful planning and frugal shopping, it is easy to keep the holidays stress free.

Thanks for stopping by!

King Richard's Faire

2011-10-27T13:14:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday, I visited King Richard's Faire with a couple of friends, Marie and Lavette, pictured above. If you're not familiar with King Richard's Faire, it is an annual New England renaissance festival held on an 80-acre parcel of land in Carver, MA.

This was my first visit to King Richard's Faire. My longtime friend, Fran, pictured with me above, was one of the performers at this year's festival.

Lavette enjoyed the festival.

Marie & Fran

Marie, posing with some of the entertainers

We enjoyed listening to the bagpipes.

Fran, talking with the other performers

fire eater

jousting match

knife throwing event

Marie and Lavette enjoyed the knife throwing event. While the knives were flying, I made sure to keep my distance when snapping their photos.

Several characters were on stilts.

We had a great time at King Richard's Faire. Although the cost of admission was a bit on pricey side at $25.00 per person, I was able to find discount coupons online with AAA.

Thanks for stopping by

Staying Warm with Electric Fireplaces

2011-10-24T09:22:00.097-04:00

There's definitely a fall chill in the air here in New England! When I woke up this morning, it was a brisk 35°F outside. My husband set the thermostat to 65°F before we went to bed, and I turned on the electric fireplace in our bedroom.

If you're considering buying an electric fireplace, I highly recommend them. They add the warmth and ambiance of a real fireplace without the soot or mess. I am so crazy about them that we have four of them in our home. If you're a regular visitor here, you'll recognize the Dimplex electric stove, pictured above, in our breakfast nook. It has a fabulous heater and its warm glow makes the room feel so cozy on a cool day!

A few years ago, my husband had bought me one of those gel fuel fireplaces for the living room for Christmas. However, we quickly found out the gel fuel is very expensive. Instead of throwing money away on fuel, I invested in a Dimplex electric fireplace insert to use in the mantel. After measuring the opening, I ordered one online, and it fit perfectly.

I've always wanted a fireplace in our bedroom, so I found this old mantel on eBay. It was a local auction, and I picked it up for only $50.00. Once it was home, I painted it and added a tile surround. I then measured the opening and ordered this Dimplex 30-inch electric fireplace insert along with a trim kit. It is definitely a frugal alternative to the expensive electric fireplaces I have seen in local furniture stores.

When my sister-in-law moved to Texas with her family a couple of years ago, she gave us this electric fireplace. I was thrilled because I had just started decorating my mom cave/office at the time, and it was a perfect fit below where the television is mounted on the wall. Before moving it into the room, I removed the firebox and painted the mantel surround black. It looks great in the room. When I turn on the heater and close the door, my office is toasty warm within minutes.

The best thing about having electric fireplaces throughout the house is we definitely save on our heating bills. We keep the thermostat down low in the winter, then turn on one of the fireplaces in whatever room we are using.

We are planning on remodeling our finished basement in the spring. Our daughter will be using the area much of the time, and she prefers more of a contemporary style than what we have in the rest of the house. It can get a bit drafty in the basement, so an electric fireplace would keep it toasty warm down there on chilly days. I found this Dimplex wall-mounted electric fireplace I will likely order; its contemporary style will work well in the room.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay warm!

Fall Fashion Deals

2011-10-20T21:47:00.009-04:00

It's that time of year again; time to swap out the summer clothing and accessories for the fall and winter threads. I was on the hunt for some fall wardrobe updates. Being a frugal gal, naturally I didn't want to spend a fortune. After scoping out the bargains online, I headed out to our local Payless Shoe Store, armed with a 20% off coupon. There was a cute pair of cozy, fur-lined Airwalk Myra boots on their website I liked. They were regularly $44.95, but this week, they were on sale for $34.99. With the 20% off coupon, they were $27.99! These boots are super comfy; they feel just like slippers on and will keep my feet toasty warm on those chilly New England days! I think they'll look great with a pair of tucked-in straight leg jeans.

Next, I found these Airwalk Blizzard Cozy Slip-On shoes in gray plaid. They're fur-lined, so they're super comfy! There's also a tab on the back, so I can add a piece of black ribbon to each as ankle ties to give them a different look. They were originally $24.99, but were on sale for $16.99. With the 20% off discount coupon, I paid $13.59 for them.

While I was at Payless, I went over to look at their earrings. Since I have a nickel allergy, I can only wear nickel-free earrings. Many of the earrings were on sale, and I found a three-pack of nickel-free earrings, two pairs of hoops and a pair of medallion earrings for $5.99. With my 20% off discount coupon, I paid $4.79 for the three pairs!

If you want the Payless 20% off coupon, which is good until October 31, click here.

After leaving Payless Shoe Store, I headed over to my local Dress Barn armed with a 25% off coupon. As soon as I walked in the store, I fell in love with this tweed pointelle cascade long cardigan that was on display! I just HAD to have it. However, when I went over to the rack, they only had size extra-large left, and I usually wear medium. I asked the salesperson if she would check the one on display, to see if it was a medium. Sadly, it was a small. However, she encouraged me to try it on anyway, which I did. To my surprise, it was quite roomy for a small and fit perfectly! From now on, I will look further than my usual size, if I find something I just can't live without. However, then I looked at the price tag, and it was $59.99--ouch! I would never pay that for a sweater, as much as I liked it, although this one was more like a coat than a sweater. However, with my 25% off coupon, I paid $44.99 for it! You can find the 25% coupon on Dress Barn's Facebook page.

I am thrilled with my bargains. I definitely think today's shopping trip was a huge success!

Apple Crisp

2011-10-19T15:13:00.002-04:00

If you've been apple picking recently and are wondering what to do with all those apples, this is a quick and easy dessert the whole family will love!

Ingredients:

4-6 medium tart cooking apples, sliced (4 cups)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
ice cream or frozen yogurt, if desired

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease the bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with shortening.
Spread apples in pan. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients except ice cream until well mixed; sprinkle over apples.
Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm with ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Enjoy!

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Harvest Hoedown at Smith Farm

2011-10-14T13:19:00.007-04:00

It's been such a busy week, between homeschooling and work; I've barely had time to catch my breath, let alone blog. Anyway, I started this post on Tuesday, but my camera battery died before I could finish downloading all the photos from our visit to the Harvest Hoedown at Smith Farm on Columbus Day. I did manage to recharge the battery on Tuesday. However, this is the first chance I've had to finish the post.

We had a blast at the hoedown! The weather was warm and beautiful; it felt more like the middle of the summer than fall.

There was so much to see and do. We started with a tour of the farm animal area.

There were goats...

and sheep...

and chickens...

and horses...

and ponies.

There were beautiful fall displays throughout the farm.

That's my husband and our daughter in the photo above.

There were many fun, family activities.

We're just a couple of friendly ghosts.

I warned him not to feed the creatures.

The gift shop, located next to the farm stand, had wonderful fall displays.

There was live music...

and lots of pumpkins...

and, of course, hayrides.

My husband was enjoying the hayride...

as was our daughter and her friend, Lauren.

We stopped at the pumpkin patch looking for white pumpkins, but they were all gone.

When the hayride was over, we headed over to the farm stand to buy some cider and a few autumn goodies before heading home.

I snapped a photo of this barn on the way out of the farm.

We had a great time at the Harvest Hoedown at Smith Farm. I was inspired by the fall displays. When we came home, I put together my own fall display to welcome visitors near our front door. Once it stops raining here, I'll take a few pictures.

Thanks for stopping by!

Easy Apple Pie

2011-10-07T09:23:00.001-04:00

Ingredients:

Filling:

10 medium apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Crust:

1 box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box

Directions:

Heat oven to 425°F. Place 1 pie crust in 9-inch glass pie plate, pressing firmly against side and bottom.
In large bowl, mix filling ingredients, then spoon into crust-lined pie plate. Top with second crust. Wrap excess top crust under bottom crust edge, pressing edges together to seal; flute. Cut slits or shapes in several places in top crust. Cover edge of crust with 2- to 3-inch wide strips of foil.
Bake 35 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes, until crust is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Tablescape Thursday: Cozy Autumn Dining

2011-10-05T21:40:00.001-04:00

It was a beautiful autumn day here in New England today. The crisp weather has put me in the mood for a cozy autumn meal. To set the mood, I added a maple leaf garland to the chandelier in the dining room.

I began by layering round, rattan placemats over rust rectangular placemats, then added leaf napkins. Next, I layered stoneware bowls and plates, all of which I purchased inexpensively at the Christmas Tree Shop for between $1.99 - $2.99 each. The rust placemats & leaf napkins came from T.J. Maxx; they were $12.99 for a set of four placemats with napkins.

I kept the centerpiece simple by adding some bittersweet to a white resin pumpkin and a couple of clear votives. All were inexpensive purchases from from the Christmas Tree Shop.

Now that the table is set, I think some Olive Garden-style minestrone soup would be perfect for our cozy autumn meal.

Thanks for stopping by!

My Favorite Fall Crafts

2011-10-04T11:53:00.015-04:00

I've had an outdoor craft project in the works, and the materials have been sitting out on my back deck for a week now. Between homeschooling and work, I just haven't had time to get to it. I was hoping to get it finished in time to link up with Kate's Fall Crafts party over at Centsational Girl. However, as of this morning, I knew that wasn't going to happen, so instead, I am sharing two of my favorite fall craft projects from years past, a fall mailbox swag and pumpkin topiary.

I originally got the idea for the fall mailbox swag watching HGTV's Room by Room a few years ago. (By the way, if you haven't heard, Room by Room's Matt & Shari have a new show and a great website featuring lots of fall craft projects this month. For more information, visit mattandshari.com.)

Fall Floral Mailbox Swag

Materials:

floral hugger
Spanish moss
floral pins
1 silk fall leaf garland
3 silk fall floral bushes
1 large silk sunflower stem
hot glue sticks

Tools:

wire cutters
scissors
hot glue gun

Directions:

Cover the foam on the floral hugger with hot glue and attach the moss. Add some floral pins to hold it securely in place.
Cut the leaf garland in quarters and attach two pieces on each side, so that they're trailing.
Cut the fall floral bushes into stems and arrange them in the floral foam, making sure both sides are even.
Insert the stem of the sunflower into the top of the foam, in the center.
Use any extra leaves from the sunflower stem to fill in the exposed areas of the foam, securing them hot glue and floral pins.
Bend the floral hugger and the branches into the shape of your mailbox. Place it on top of the mailbox and enjoy!

pumpkin topiary

I had a blast making this pumpkin topiary a couple of years ago. Two of these would look great flanking the sides of a front door or the entry of a front porch.

You can download the directions and material list to make it here.

Thanks for stopping by!

It's Fall Y'all: Door Décor

2011-09-29T09:48:00.006-04:00

Fall is definitely my favorite season, and I enjoy decorating this time of year. I've been busy as a bee feathering our nest for the season.

I began my decorating at the front door, so I would be ready to join Rhoda at Southern Hospitality blog for her fall door décor linky party.

I hung this pretty Melrose International twig and berry wreath on the front door. I ordered it on amazon.com, and you can find it in our Amazon Store here. Did you know you can save a bundle when you order seasonal wreaths off-season? I ordered this one over the summer and saved 50% off the current price!

Adorning the coat closet in the entryway is an oval grapevine wreath made out of recycled items from around the house. It originally had silk flowers on it that had seen better days.

I removed the old flowers from the wreath and wrapped a maple leaf garland around it. This garland is one of my favorites because the leaves are so realistic. I finished the wreath with a bow I recycled from a mantel arrangement I made a couple of years ago.

Here's another option for autumn door décor--a wall basket of bittersweet. This one came from my mother-in-law's home. It brings a smile to my face when I look at it and remember how much she enjoyed fall.

I still have a few more things to do in the yard and will be posting some photos the rest of my fall decorations, so come back and visit next week.

Thanks for stopping by!

You're Being Watched

2011-09-28T13:37:00.000-04:00

If you're starting to feel like you're constantly being watched while surfing the web, you're not alone. While browsing online lately, I've noticed more and more ads for websites I have visited on other sites. For instance, one evening, I was shopping on Old Navy's website. The next day, when I visited some unrelated websites, I spotted ads for Old Navy on many of them. This was no coincidence. It is obvious my web browsing was being tracked, and those targeted ads are designed to entice me back to the sites I visit while shopping online.

I also notice when I use a search engine, it isn't long before spam for products and services related to my search start cluttering my e-mail inbox. For example, well over a year ago, I had searched online for area assisted living facilities for my mother-in-law, who has since passed away. As of today, I am still receiving information about assisted living facilities, as well as other products and services for the elderly. At first, I wondered how these people were able get my e-mail address, name and other personal information. I know I didn't sign up for anything related to my online search. After doing a bit of research, it appears to have been done using third party tracking cookies.

All the unwanted spam and targeted ads have made me determined to protect my privacy online. I already use a program that removes tracking cookies, which I run once a week, but that doesn't seem to be enough. Today, I was excited to stumble upon a browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox and Safari that blocks online tracking by major third parties and search engines. It's called Disconnect, and it's free. You can download it at http://disconnect.me. I just installed it on my computer in both Google Chrome and Firefox. I'm more than ready to say goodbye to targeted ads and search engine generated spam.

Thanks for stopping by!

Coping with Facebook's Recent Changes

2011-09-25T20:12:00.001-04:00

If you're a Facebook user, I am sure you've noticed all the recent changes they've made. I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of several major changes all at once. Personally, I find the changes make the Facebook interface too busy, and you can't find things where they used to be.

Anyway, there are some things you can do to bring back the Facebook you know. If you want your feed to go back to normal, go to your Account Settings, then Notifications on the left side. At the top right, uncheck the E-mail Frequency box. After that, your feed will show all the posts again. Then, go to your home page and anything in the Top Stories, click on the down arrow in the upper right and unmark as top story; now your newsfeed will be set up by timestamp rather than randomly picking "top stories". Continue to click on the down arrow in the upper right any other top stories you see on your feed. Keep doing this to all the top story posts and eventually, your feed will be back to normal.

Also, you want to get rid of that annoying live feed in the upper right-hand corner, there's a free browser extension that can do that . You can download it at http://betterfacebook.net/. It also has a lot of other cool features to customize your Facebook.

Oh, and by the way, Frugal Fine Living is on Facebook; if you're not a fan already, go and check out our page.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Fall!

2011-09-23T14:08:00.005-04:00

Today is officially the first day of fall, but I couldn't wait to start my fall decorating. So, one Saturday, a couple of weeks ago, I dragged out my big, plastic tote of fall decorations, lit an apple cinnamon candle in the kitchen, turned on some music and had a blast feathering our nest with autumn splendor.

Tomorrow, I plan to decorate outdoors to welcome fall. I've already hung this pretty fall twig wreath on the front door. I ordered it on amazon.com, and you can find it in our Amazon Store here. Here's a frugal tip--order seasonal items off-season and save a bundle! I ordered my fall wreath over the summer and saved 50% off the current price!

When I am finished with the outdoor decorating, I'll grab my camera and take pictures of everything, both inside and out, and will post them soon. I plan to participate in these autumn linky parties:

I can hardly wait to see everyone else's autumn goodies! If you have yours up already, please leave me the link. I'd love to see them.

Happy Fall, and thanks for stopping by!

Tablescape Thursday: It's Almost Fall Y'all!

2011-09-21T20:38:00.001-04:00

We enjoyed lovely, crisp fall weather here in New England last weekend. It really put me in a fall mood, so I decided to create a fall tablescape for Sunday's dinner.

At each place setting, I layered some round rattan placemats and red leaf placemats. I then topped my everyday stoneware plates with some colorful leaf plates. All were from The Christmas Tree Shop. The plaid napkins are from Kohl's..

A couple of years ago, I found this rustic lantern on a clearance shelf at HomeGoods. The light was broken, so I removed it and added a battery-operated LED candle. I placed a grapevine and berry wreath around the lantern. Underneath it, a crocheted doily is layered over a gold matelassé placemat.

I love this cute trio of resin pumpkins I found at The Christmas Tree Shop last year. The bottle was one of my father's yard sale finds from a few years ago.

Thanks for stopping by!

Black Beans & Rice Chili

2011-09-19T21:17:00.000-04:00

The weather was crisp this weekend, so I made this on Sunday. It's perfect for serving on a cool, fall day with some skillet corn bread.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound ground turkey (or ground beef)
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 package Zatarain's Black Beans and Rice
2 cups water
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with chilies, undrained
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
assorted toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

Heat oil in large pot or cast iron skillet on medium-high heat. Add ground turkey (or beef) onion and bell pepper; cook and stir until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat.
Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon oil, Rice Mix, water, tomatoes, corn, chili powder, and garlic powder.
Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 25 minute or until most of the water is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent rice and beans from sticking. Garnish with assorted toppings, if desired.

Enjoy!

Linking up with

Frugal Mom Cave Updates

2011-09-18T19:27:00.022-04:00

If you're a follower of my blog, you may have read the post about my mom cave last fall. This past weekend, I made a few changes in the room.

drapes before

I replaced the thin, velour drapes (pictured above) with some silk taffeta drapes. I had a yard sale with a friend over the weekend and spotted them in with her items. They were brand new and still in the package. I traded her for one of my yard sale items I had for sale, so they didn't cost me a dime.

drapes after

Although the color of the drapes is the same, I think the fabric's embroidery and sheen add a touch more glam to the window. Also, unlike the others, they're lined, so they'll help to keep out any drafts this winter.

chandelier before

The chandelier in the room was originally installed when the room was used as our daughter's bedroom. Instead of replacing it, I decide to give it an updated look with a new shade. I found this tufted, taffeta drum shade at The Christmas Tree shop for only $14.99.

chandelier after

The wall-to-wall carpeting in the room is original to the house, and there were several paint stains on it. We had planned on replacing all of the upstairs carpeting last year; unfortunately, some unexpected expenses related to extended family members caused us to postpone this. As a temporary fix, I had placed an area rug on top of the carpeting. However, it slid around on top of the carpeting. As a result, it eventually became permanently creased in several places and would no longer lie flat.

As a temporary solution until we replace the carpeting in the spring, I found this area rug at The Christmas Tree Shop for only $39.99. We removed the carpeting underneath it using a utility knife. We then added double-sided carpet tape to the back side of the area rug and pressed it in place on top of the original carpet padding. I am pleased with how it looks, and it doesn't slip around like the old area rug did.

The room also needed some additional artwork. When we were cleaning out my MIL's condo after she passed away, I found this pretty, framed fall scene. It's perfect in the room, as the colors are exactly the same as those in the fabric I used to make the Roman shade. Cost: free

I think these few thrifty treasures have really helped to freshen up my mom cave. Total cost for updating the curtains, rug, light fixture and adding some artwork: $58.42 including sales tax.

I have also ordered an architect's lamp to provide some task lighting for the desk area; it should arrive sometime next week.

It's a good day for to turn on the fireplace in my mom cave. I think I'll watch some HGTV for inspiration while blogging.

Thanks for stopping by!

Remembering 911: 10 Years Later

2011-09-10T09:22:00.008-04:00

It's hard to believe tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the 911 attacks. I don't think I will ever forget that morning, when 19 terrorists hijacked four airplanes and attacked our country. We were living in Plymouth, Massachusetts at that time, and my husband was at work in Boston. Our children were attending a small, private school, which was located about 4 miles from our home.

After driving the kids to school, I came home, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed downstairs to my office to work. At one point, I checked my e-mail, which is how I initially learned of the attacks. The announcement came in the form of a work-related list server post. I couldn't believe what I had read and turned on the television to find out some more information.

After watching the news on television, I became concerned about the safety of my family. I called my husband, who worked in a federal building at that time. I was relieved to hear his voice and know he was okay. (Later that day, all employees who worked in federal building were released early as a precaution.) I also briefly considered driving to my children's school to pick them up early. However, I decided against doing this, as I didn't want to cause them to worry. I remember that day seemed like it would never end, and I just wanted my family home, so I could hug them.

Like me, I am sure you remember exactly what you were doing on the morning of September 11, 2011, when you learned about the attacks. It was a day that forever changed our nation.

As I watch the 911 memorial coverage on television this morning, I am reminded of this image. Its message will endure forever.

Bargain E-Reader Books

2011-09-07T13:21:00.003-04:00

I have always been a voracious reader. I have more books than "you can shake a stick at" (in Eastern Kentucky speak!), and I have at least one stashed any place I might want to read for couple of minutes. I have books beside my bed, books in my car, books in the living room, books in the kitchen, and, of course, books in the bathroom. :-) Knowing this, my son and daughter-in-law gave me a Kindle as a gift this past Christmas. Even though I love real books and cannot imagine life without them, I adore my Kindle. Some of you may remember the blog I wrote about it not long after I got it.

One of my coworkers, Karen, also has a Kindle, and she is as crazy about hers as I am mine. She found a great website with tons of free and bargain priced books for e-readers like the Kindle and Nook. You can sign up for a daily email from this site with suggestions for downloads through Amazon's Whispernet for the Kindle and through Barns and Noble for the Nook. It's super simple, and the variety is great. I've downloaded everything from how to teach Algebra to romance novels to Christian stories to fantasy. Out of curiosity, I've even downloaded a couple of books written in the late 1800's on etiquette for ladies. It's really quite amazing how much things have changed for women since then!

If you would like to explore this website and perhaps sign up for the daily email list, click here. The site is called Pixel of Ink. I think you'll be pleased with what you find.

Enjoy!
Sherry

Note: You can also read Kindle e-books on your PC. Just download Amazon's free Kindle for PC app.

Home for the Long Weekend

2011-09-06T13:30:00.006-04:00

Rob & Sarah at the Public Garden in Boston

We were blessed to have our son, Rob, and his lovely girlfriend, Sarah, home for Labor Day weekend. It was such a treat to have them home! In addition to living 1200 miles away, their lives are super busy. Rob is currently in army training and is working on a second master's degree. Sarah is in her last year of nursing school in Nashville.

We had a wonderful visit with them The last night they were here, they decided to cook us dinner. They went shopping for the ingredients, then came home and got to work. The house smelled terrific!

What a feast we had--lobster bisque, bang bang shrimp, stuffed mushrooms...

After supper, we played several rounds of Catch Phrase, then had a yummy dessert Rob & Sarah whipped up. I believe it was called chocolate chip cookie dough smash. It was baked in a cast iron skillet in the oven. While it was still warm, they added scoops of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup on top. Everyone sat around the table eating it with spoons. It tasted heavenly!

This morning, I looked around for the recipe for the bang bang shrimp online, as I didn't want to bother them for it on their first day back at school. This recipe I found looks about right:

Bang Bang Shrimp

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise (You can substitute plain yogurt.)
1/4 cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
3 drops Tabasco or Red Hot sauce
1 pound shelled and de-veined shrimp
white corn meal
olive oil for frying
romaine lettuce

Directions:

Mix mayonnaise (or plain yogurt) with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. Add hot sauce to taste. Dredge the shrimp in corn meal. In a large skillet, fry the shrimp in olive oil until lightly brown. Drain on paper towel, put in a bowl and coat with the sauce. Serve on top of a bed of romaine lettuce.

Nutrition Facts: 288 calories, 24 grams fat, 1 grams carbohydrates, 19 grams protein per serving.

Enjoy!

Linking up with

Anzac Biscuits

2011-08-31T10:59:00.002-04:00

If you remember, I believe I promised a recipe of an authentic Australian dish that my new nephew Stuart made for his and my niece's wedding reception. Anzac biscuits are actually what we would call "cookies" in this country, and let me tell you--they are yummy! The guests were certainly enjoying them. I saw folks with three, four, or even more on their plates, and there were no leftovers at the end of the evening! These are easy to prepare, use basic ingredients, and would be excellent to serve at any kind of celebration or as a simple family treat.

In case you'd like a little background on this tasty bit of indulgence, Wikipedia says, "An Anzac biscuit is a sweet biscuit popular in Australia and New Zealand, made using rolled oats, flour, dessicated coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda and boiling water. Anzac biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I. It has been claimed the biscuits were sent by wives to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation."

This recipe is slightly different than the original. Many variations have been developed, and you can find recipes with ginger or an assortment of nuts, macadamia or almonds being the most common that I've seen. And I imagine it might be simple to make a healthier version using low-fat margarine/butter and sugar substitutes. All I know is, I'm definitely going to have to get Stuart to make another batch!

Ingredients:

1 cup regular oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup stick margarine or butter, melted
2 tablespoons golden cane syrup (such as Lyle's) or light-colored corn syrup
Cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Add water, margarine, and syrup; stir well.

Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 325°F for 12 minutes or until almost set.

Remove from oven; let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

Enjoy!
Sherry

Linking up with

The Calm After the Storm

2011-08-29T15:07:00.001-04:00

Well, we are thankful to be able to get through Hurricane Irene without any injuries or property damage. There were lots of branches and leaves in the yard, driveway and pool, but nothing we couldn't clean up ourselves after the storm passed. Our electricity did go out for most of the day yesterday, but it came back on last night around suppertime.

At our house today, things are pretty well back to normal. The weather is beautiful, sunny with no humidity. As I'm typing this, my daughter is entertaining some of her friends out on the back deck.

Our friends, Maggie and John, on the other hand, were not as fortunate. Their house is set back in a wooded area. A couple of trees came down in their yard during the storm, blocking their driveway, so they couldn't get their cars out. As of an hour ago, they still do not have electricity. After successfully moving a portion of one of the trees, they were able to get one of their vehicles out of the driveway.

It's during times like this that I really appreciate having a wonderful church family. Our pastor and a couple of men from church went over to help at Maggie and John's house.

Also, thankfully, my husband had emptied the freezer in our basement before the storm hit, so Maggie came over earlier today with the contents from her freezer. I was able to easily fit everything into our freezer.

In preparation of the storm, my husband harvested the vegetable garden. We have given away some of the vegetables, and this is what's left. I can definitely see some Italian food in our future, maybe some eggplant parmesan and bruschetta.

I hope all you east coast bloggers are safe and sound after Hurricane Irene.

Hurricane Preparedness

2011-08-26T11:03:00.001-04:00

Here in Massachusetts, we have been busy preparing for the potential impact of Hurricane Irene. The National Hurricane Center suggests having the following supplies on hand before a hurricane hits:

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days, including non-perishable packaged or canned foods/juices, food for infants or the elderly and snack foods. Have a non-electric can opener on hand, as well as cooking fuel.
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Flashlight - with new batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (with some small bills) / Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Important Documents - such as insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. Store in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle Fuel Tanks Filled
Pet Care Items - proper identification / immunization records / medications, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, muzzle and leash

It is also important to check around the yard and put away items that could blow around during high winds, such as potted plants and lawn furniture.

Finally, if you have well water and lose power, your pump will not work. Therefore, it is a good idea to fill up a bathtub with water, in case the power goes out.

Stay safe!

Alternative Uses for Lemons and Lemon Juice

2011-08-25T12:23:00.004-04:00

I like the scent of lemons, and I really love the simplicity (not to mention the low calories) of ice cold water with lemon slices. More often than not, that's what I have with a meal in a restaurant. And there's nothing like good, cold lemonade in the summer, is there? How many of you spritz lemon juice on sea food? And lemons are loaded with vitamin C. Lemons are just as good for you as they are yummy!

A lemon and its juice are more than just basic food elements. You can do so much more with them! Plus, using something as cost-effective as lemons and lemon juice in place of more expensive products just makes good economic sense. Check out these ideas...

In the Laundry: To brighten, whiten, and freshen your clothes, add a half cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle and hang the wash outside to try. Ink can be lightened or even removed by soaking the spot in lemon juice before washing. Be sure to check for color-fastness on fabrics and other surfaces before using lemon in an obvious area.
In the Kitchen: To remove strong odors like onion from your counter tops and cutting boards, rub a lemon over the surface. This will work for your hands, too. You can also use to to freshen your drains. Just pour lemon juice in periodically to keep them smelling clean and fresh. Rubbing a lemon on your faucets (kitchen and bath) will help remove lime scale and grime. Lemon and salt is excellent for cleaning your stainless steel sinks, too. You can also freshen your garbage disposal by grinding up left-over lemon peel. To keep fruit from turning brown, spray it lightly with a solution of lemon juice and water.
Around the house: Lemon is a wonderful glass cleaner. Rub a cut lemon over mirrors and windows, then scrub dry with newspaper. You can also use lemon to clean and shine many metals. Use straight lemon on copper and a paste of lemon and cream of tartar on aluminum and brass. One cup of olive oil mixed with one-half cup of lemon juice makes a super all-natural lemon furniture polish.
Personal: Add highlights to your hair by streaking lemon through it and sitting in the sun. A weak lemon and water solution poured over your hair and scalp after shampooing will keep dandruff down. Lemon juice can be good for the skin--use it as an astringent to tighten pores or as a quick energizing facial. Lemon and honey combined to taste can ease a cough, soothe a sore throat, and help you relax if you aren't feeling well.

One word of caution: Additionally, some people are allergic to lemon and other citrus fruits, so be aware of that when using lemon on your hair, skin, or if you take it internally.

Give the colorful, fresh-scented lemon a try in more than lemonade. You'll be glad you did!

Enjoy!

Sherry

Mary's "Second" Wedding

2011-08-23T10:37:00.003-04:00

This past Saturday, my niece, Mary Beth, and her husband, Stuart, had their second wedding in a small church in a nearby town. It was lovely, and they were surrounded with family and friends to celebrate with them. Stuart’s dad, David, and Daniel, one of his brothers, flew in from Australia to support him and to meet our family—Stuart’s new in-laws.

The wedding was so pretty! The arch, the bride’s bouquet, and all of the other flowers were in purple and white with greenery. Although I was given the honor of decorating the arch, all of the flowers were done by Mary’s mom, Mae, who is amazingly talented and creative. As you can see in the photos, they are incredible! The men wore dark tuxedos, and Mary’s attendants wore purple. The little flower girl, Halley, was all in white, and the little ring bearer, Koda, even wore a miniature tux. Mary’s brother, Chris, was in charge of all the music and he played his guitar and sang "The Road that Never Ends" as part of the ceremony.

Mary was absolutely beautiful, and she was escorted up the aisle by her dad, Dave, and Chris. Stuart’s best man was his dad, and his brother was his groomsman. The same minister who conducted the first wedding, Dave’s friend, Ronnie, also conducted this one.

The reception was held in a large meeting room at a local hotel. Stuart’s dad David, and Mary’s dad Dave both made beautiful, heart-felt speeches. The bride’s maid-of-honor Diana also spoke of her long friendship with Mary and of her wishes for the couple. And then the feasting began! Mae and her niece Becky had made nearly all of the refreshments, and Stuart had made a yummy authentic Australian dish. Mae also made the chocolate groom’s cake decorated with Stuart’s favorite Australian football team’s emblem and the three-tiered white and purple wedding cake. Needless to say everything was super tasty and very pleasing to the eye!

Chris was in charge of the music for the reception also, and he chose beautiful music for the special wedding couple dance, the father/daughter dance, and the mother/son-in-law dance. Then the rest of us joined in. Now we can tell Mary and Stuart, “I danced at your wedding,” and really mean it! What fun!

Because her college classes begin again this coming week, Mary and Stuart have decided to wait a bit before they take a honeymoon trip. However, her parents took Mary and Stuart, David, Daniel, Chris and his wife Meranda, and yours truly on an overnight trip to Great Wolf Lodge and Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a great opportunity for our two newly united families to get to know each other and strengthen our bond. We had a fabulous time!

It was definitely a grand, happy celebration for two dear people who love each other very much, and it was also a nice way to welcome our new Aussie family members. Now Mary and Stuart can settle into a long and beautiful life together. I wish them both as much love and joy as their hearts can hold, plus a whole bunch more!

Sherry

(If you would like to see more wedding photos, you are welcome to visit my Facebook page! And the lyrics to "The Road That Never Ends" can be found here on Weddings by Rhiannon. Photos courtesy of David Morgan.)

A Few More Kitchen Improvements

2011-08-21T20:41:00.012-04:00

The rooms in our home have evolved over time. The kitchen is no exception. We've made improvements to it over the last two years as our budget permitted.

old light

My husband recently replaced the flush-mount light fixture with a Royce Lighting pendant light I found on sale a couple of weeks ago on amazon.com for $24.95. When I looked it up on amazon.com today, I noticed the price has increased almost $10.00, so I am glad I bought it when I did. However, even at $34.71., it is still a great deal.

new pendant light

old television

We also replaced our 13-year-old kitchen television with a 15-inch flat screen television I bought on eBay for $82.99 including shipping.

new television

My husband mounted it to the wall using an inexpensive, articulating wall mount.

Kitchen Before Redo

The above photo shows how dated our kitchen looked two years ago, before we started making improvements to it.

Kitchen Now

These two photos show how it looks today. I am pleased with the progress we have made over the last couple years.

Best of all, because we did it in stages, it didn't break the budget.

Thanks for stopping by!

Frugal Fashionista Finds at TJ Maxx

2011-08-19T13:26:00.005-04:00

Wednesday afternoon, my daughter had an appointment out of town, and I drove her there. Since I knew she'd be awhile, I decided to go poke around in the TJ Maxx Store across the street while I waited for her. I am so glad I did! There was a clearance sale going on. There was one clearance rack that said everything was $7.00.

On the $7.00 clearance rack, I found the cute, olive Willi Smith jacket pictured above. I love styling, with the ruffle at the bottom and military cuffs. I also like the comfy, cotton fabric it is made of; it reminds me of wearing sweats. It will be perfect for wearing on those upcoming crisp fall evenings.

I also found this adorable, floral peasant top on the $7.00 clearance rack. The fabric is lightweight and comfy, and it looks and feels terrific on. With the olive jacket, tan cargo capris and a pair of rope espadrille wedges I have in my closet, it will make a great outfit!

I also found these French Country napkins , which I used in yesterday's tablescape, at TJ Maxx; they were $6.99 for four of them.

I left TJ Maxx spending only $21.00, and I had a blast finding my great bargains!

Today, my daughter and I are off to our local TJ Maxx, to see what bargains we can score there.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerful Breakfast Tablescape

2011-08-18T10:39:00.001-04:00

Today is Tablescape Thursday, so it's time to play with dishes. The table is set for breakfast in a cheerful, French Country style.

These cute French Country napkins, which I found at TJ Maxx yesterday, were the inspiration for today's tablescape. Taking the color scheme from the napkins, I began by layering gold matelassé placemats over brick red braided placemats. On top of the placemats, I layered ivory and green stoneware dishes with Susan Winget country plates from the Cracker Barrel Country Store.

At each place setting, I added matching Susan Winget country mugs from the Cracker Barrel Country Store. I love the sunflower detail at the top of the handles.

The pewter coffee service was a gift from my father many years ago.

When I saw this guy at at the Cracker Barrel Country Store, I knew I had to take him home. I especially liked that his sides are painted with chalkboard paint, making him perfect for holding fun messages.

No breakfast would be complete without the eggs. I found this cute chicken egg basket at a yard sale.

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by!

Alternative Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

2011-08-15T11:07:00.026-04:00

Apple cider vinegar is not just for salad dressing. Here are a few other ways you can use it:

Chrome Polish: Apple cider vinegar can help clean buildup and grime on chrome pots, fixtures and even wheel spokes and hubcaps. Just dip a clean cloth in vinegar and gently scrub. If extra cleaning power is needed, add a pinch of baking soda.

Facial Toner: Combine 1 part apple cider vinegar with 4 parts water for a homemade facial toner that restores the delicate pH of your skin. Apply gently and avoid the eye area.

Rust Remover: Soak a clean cloth in apple cider vinegar and try scrubbing away the rust. To remove a large amount of rust, soak rusty items in apple cider vinegar overnight.

Soap Scum Scrub: Spray items with stubborn soap scum with apple cider vinegar to help dissolve soap scum, mildew and other grime, then wipe with a clean towel or cloth. This remedy also works well for your dishwasher – pour 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in the bottom, let it sit for a few hours and then run the (empty) dishwasher on a hot water cycle to remove soap scum and food buildup.

Ant Repellent: Deter ants from invading your home by spraying doors, windows, and crevices with a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. It's all natural, so you can use it indoors without worrying about dangerous toxins.

It can also be used as the base for bait in hornet & wasp traps.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary's "First" Wedding

2011-08-12T10:47:00.000-04:00

I know I haven’t blogged much at all in the past few months, but there has been quite a lot going on in our family. One of the more special and spectacular things is the marriage of my amazing niece Mary to a wonderful young man named Stuart.

Stuart is from Australia, and he and Mary met online many years ago. They were casual friends for a very long time, but as they got to know each other through many long conversations, their friendship grew into a truly beautiful love. Finally, last fall, Stuart was able to fly to the U.S. to meet Mary (and us, her family) in person. He stayed a month, and during that time, we all grew to care for him, too. He fit in well with our family, and seeing how happy Mary was with him and how good they were for each other solidified our fondness for him. They became engaged during his visit, and plans were begun to help him move to this country.

The visa process is a long and complicated one, and it was seven months before it was completed on both sides of the “pond”. In the meantime, Mary and her mother Mae were able to make a trip to Australia to see Stuart again and meet his family. They had a wonderful time! Stuart’s family is just as warm and friendly as he is, and Mary and Mae felt very welcome there. Both dads have gotten to talk by phone and email, and they’ve also become friends. The lines of communication are very open between the two families, and that is an incredibly positive and helpful thing.

Stuart’s visa was finally approved, and he flew to the U.S. on July 30. Because of the requirements set by a “fiancé” visa, the wedding had to take place soon after his arrival here. Additionally, they needed to be married to live in married housing on Mary’s college campus, and she was in the midst of summer classes and couldn’t leave. So, on Monday evening, August 1^st,we held a simple, sweet wedding with family and friends present at Mary’s home. The photos you see here are from that wedding.

On August 13^th, Mary and Stuart will have a more traditional church wedding with all the accouterments, and, like most other important things we do, it will be very much a family affair (and yes, I’ll share those photos with you, too!). Mary’s dad, my brother David, has a best friend who is an ordained minister, and he performed the home ceremony and will be conducting the second ceremony in his own church. Mae has done all of the flowers herself (she has an incredible flair with flowers) and will even be making the wedding cake. Mary’s brother Chris is a talented musician and will be taking care of the music for the church wedding and reception afterward. Other musically-inclined family and friends will also be contributing their skills. Rather than have caterers and professional wedding planners involved, a multitude of relatives and friends will be taking part in everything, including the decorating and food preparation. Stuart is even going to make a few authentic Australian dishes for the reception dinner, and his visiting family will certainly not be left out of the fun. It’s going to be a true family celebration for Mary and Stuart!

Stuart’s dad David and brother Daniel will be making the trip from Australia for the wedding on the 13^th and spending a few days before and after with the newlyweds and visiting with us. We will show them a little Kentucky hospitality and provide them with some (hopefully) genuine American experiences.

Not many couples can say they had two weddings within two weeks, but these celebrations will give Mary and Stuart some beautiful memories that will last their entire lives. They are expressions of caring and support by the people who love them best, and that’s what family is all about.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sherry