Mummies, Owls, and more

There are owl cutouts at the "library" here in town, and my little honey loves them--I just found these printable owls. I wonder if you could change the colors for Halloween? They would be fun to hang around the house, in a window, on a garland, etc...


Growing up we used terra cotta pots to make Halloween bats and spiders, so maybe I like this because it reminds me of when I was young. Aren't these cute though? Find instructions here.

ALSO, I found this great collection of Halloween ideas, many of them printable! When you don't have a holiday decor budget, but love holiday decor, I think that is wonderful!

Obsessed with Treats

For the past few years I have been obsessed with the idea of making homemade donuts. I still have never done it, but here is another easy recipe I have found. I'm really hoping this is the year to do this--I think it would be so fun to make these for Halloween!

I am also obsessed with cinnamon rolls--to me they are full of tradition, romance, and one of the ultimate treats ever. This recipe looks amazing, I can't wait to try it!

Several Ideas

One thing I love about holidays is decorating for them! I was so excited to find these fun, easy, and inexpensive ways to decorate from Blue Cricket Designs. Here's to hoping I can whip these up this year to decorate our house!

Bleeding Candles...I was surprised how easy these are! Check out the instructions here.

I love garlands and banners...this one is cute, inexpensive, and could last through Thanksgiving if you wanted! Find instructions for this here.

This idea I absolutely love! I don't have a chandelier, but how fun would it be to put these on your light fixtures or maybe your mirror? Find instructions here. Any ideas how to get vinyl bats (I think spiders would be cute too!) if you don't have a Silhouette or other vinyl cutting machine?

Do you have any favorite decoration ideas?

Pumpkin Carving

Can you tell what I am excited about lately? I am so happy it is Halloween time (well...practically)!! You can find free printable stencils from Better Homes and Gardens for carving your pumpkin here!

Poisoned Apple

I am itching to make these "poisoned" apples! I've never had a candied apple before and how fun would it be to make these for Halloween? Especially since I plan on making an appearance as Snow White...

How fun would this be to have in your kitchen or bathroom for Halloween time? You could change up the colors to match your room decor...or make it totally different for Halloween. :) Find instructions here.

Love Journal

I have been feeling lately like I need to be better at keeping a journal and then I came across this idea. I love the idea of having a journal where you write about only your spouse. Also, this is a great idea for an inexpensive journal of any type--whether it be a journal you write in about your children, your spiritual experiences, or just day to day life. Find instructions here.

Sweet

Isn't this absolutely adorable? You can make one of these sweet little bows for your own sweet little baby girl! Find instructions here.

One More

image found here
Three posts in one day! I'm on a roll! :) I wanted to remember this recipe for caramel popcorn...so I am posting it here. I think this is a fun fall treat...mmm.

Caramel Popcorn:

2c. Brown sugar

1c. Karo syrup

1 cube butter

Stir consistantly, while boiling, until it reaches the Hard Ball Stage. When it reaches that point, remove from heat. Add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. Stir until smooth. Pour over popcorn.


The best popcorn to use is fresh popped popcorn, no extra seasonings or no butter added! If you don't have a popcorn machine, kettle corn works great too!
fresh popped, I just use 1/2 cup of popcorn. If I use the kettle corn bag, I use 2 bags, but then I have extra caramel!



PLUS, if you have extra caramel, you can save it for dipping apples in! Just reheat your desired amount!

Recipe from Family Fun Friday

Halloween Advent

After seeing these pictures, I am loving this fun idea for Halloween! I get so excited for Halloween every year...especially now that I have a little one to dress up and take trick or treating. There are always so many things I want to do and this would be such a fun way to keep track of things you want to do and plan ahead so it works out better, or just give the kiddos treats everyday. :) Find instructions here!

Condensed Milk

Do you know that part on the Winnie the Pooh where he gets stuck in Rabbit's house? Rabbit asks him "Would you like condensed milk or honey with your bread?" Writing this post reminded me of that...hehehe. :)

I recently tried this recipe for homemade sweetened condensed milk and was really skeptical because powdered milk is gross. I used this recipe in a Brazilian Lemonade recipe and couldn't tell a difference whatsoever in the taste. It was amazing. I think I will be making my condensed milk from now on considering how expensive it is at the store! I also love that it makes it so much more likely that I will know how to use my food storage!

You've got to try it for yourself!

* 1/2 C. hot water
* 1 C. sugar
* 1 C. non-instant dry milk powder* or 2 C. instant dry milk powder*
* 1 T. butter

Method:

Blend in blender very well. Use in any recipe calling for sweetened condensed milk.

*Must be REAL powdered milk not a milk alternative!

this recipe is from Crystal Godfrey:everydayfoodstorage.net

You can save leftovers in the fridge or freezer...sorry I don't know how much this recipe makes exactly!

Farewell Summer

Lemonade is one of my favorite parts of summer...since it is officially ending soon, I thought I would post one last summertime recipe. Kiwi Lemonade. It sounds interesting...have you ever had it? Is it good?
Here is a recipe from familyfun:

Ingredients

* 2/3 cup granulated sugar
* 2 cups water
* 5 kiwis, peeled
* 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 10 big lemons, including pulp but not seeds)


Instructions

In a pitcher, mix the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. In a blender or food processor, puree the kiwi. Add the pureed kiwi and lemon juice to the pitcher and stir to combine. To serve, pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup of base into a glass and fill with water. Makes base for 12 servings.


The picture is for this recipe...however I do not like carbonation, so perhaps you could just use water and it would be fine?

Sewing Goddess

Once upon a time I had the best paying job ever--I was a seamstress at the BYU Laundry. My boss was "the sewing Goddess." The only reason I am talking about this is because this dress is called the "Grecian Goddess Dress" and I love it. And it's name reminded me of the Sewing Goddess. Maybe if I had this dress, I could be a sewing goddess too... :)

During the summer I had a photo shoot which was way fun...and it was part of a contest that goes until Tuesday the 14th...it would be really cool to win, but I don't expect to at all. Especially because my shoes were lame. They looked really good online when I ordered them but then when they got to me I didn't like them...but I kept them because my husband liked them, and I bought them specifically for this photo shoot. Oh well. If you would be so kind as to take a minute and vote for me, I would appreciate it! But if not...that's okay too. Like I said, I don't expect to win. But it would be nice. :)
Here's the place to vote.
My shoes are #24. Please don't look at the picture too long...I think my feet look aLOT better un-photoshopped just for the record. :)

A Little Early...

So, I know my last post was about how I didn't want summer to end...but I am seriously getting so excited for Halloween! Maybe because I plan on dressing up this year! I haven't done that in years--I'm so excited! :) Anyway, here is a very cute craft that I would LOVE to throw together before the end of October! Find the instructions here.

Where have you gone?

Today is the first of September!! Where has the summer gone? As much as I love and get so excited for fall, I feel like I was jipped--moving sure makes the summer go by fast! We definitely did not eat enough ice cream this summer. While the days are still warm, I am itching to make this sweet treat. If only I had some Popsicle molds....