Organization

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I have really tried to get a lot done so that I start 2016  with a clean slate. Last month I went to Dollar Tree and bought some storage bins and bowls to organize my pantry shelves. 

 I love the shelving that we bought several years ago,  but we organize it - then we start putting things on the shelf that don't belong there.  Hence, a total disorganized mess.

 The shelves were so disorganized I did not want my readers to see them (actually I forgot to take a picture before clearing the shelves) We now have a clean palette to work with. 

 My husband and I put up a table in the den and put everything outside the room. It really was a lot of work but I am very proud of  how we organized it - I think it is a system that we both created so it should be easier for both of us to keep it straight.

 This is a picture of the finished product. We are pleased and so far so good. We have been using this for about 2 weeks. Let me know if you have any good organizing tips - please share.

 Everyone enjoy the holidays and hold your family close.

Merry Christmas!

Handmade 2016 Planner

I am just about finished with all the Christmas shopping (2 items left) and my eyes turn toward 2016. I do not believe in New Year's Resolutions but I have set some goals for myself. My goals involve my health, crafting, my Etsy business, etc. As I thought about 2016 I wanted to make myself a planner that was inexpensive and created for my needs.

 Let's face it - I am retired and I am no social butterfly. I do not have a busy schedule and I like it that way.However, my memory is just not what it used to be so I write EVERYTHING down. I chose to buy a little Avery notebook (about 9" tall and 7" wide) and also bought dividers and protective sheets.

 I used some paper and stickers and decorated it to my taste. It does not look business like - it is something I created.

My dashboard has some post-it notes, pens, paper clips, and a small ruler.

 The back contains small tabs, ruled cards, a small notebook, and a piece of cardboard which is the template for the notebook.

 I made copies of a small calendar and put everything in the planner in protective sheets.

 I divided the planner into sections like Things To Do, Medications, Contacts, and needed information ( like what size is the air conditioner filter, etc.)

 I made copies of a shopping list and put a lot of them in this area.

I also have a section for grocery coupons and store coupons. I did not show the sections for crafting, gift ideas, Etsy, etc. I included lots of extra paper in each section and also put in a lot of paperclips. I know when I begin using it I will need to make changes as needed. I plan on taking this little book everywhere I go. What kind of information do you like to include in a planner? Let me know what you think I should include. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It is beginning to look like Christmas around my house. Our local Christmas festival was today and I am decorating the tree tomorrow. I like decorations but I never want my home to look like Pee-Wee's Playhouse. LOL! This is a short post to show you a few items I have made or bought in the last several weeks. I hope all of you are enjoying the holidays as well - share a favorite decoration you have made or bought. I LOVE Christmas.

 I bought an old black purse, one just like my grandmother used to carry. The thrift store is full of old purses. I glued a small frame on the front (no glass) - leaving the top open with no glue and placed a Christmas card in the frame. I hung it on the wall and filled with flowers. I used a rubber band to connect the 2 clasp so it did not open to wide. It really gives a vintage feel. After Christmas I will put some other flowers and a picture of the family. It will work for all seasons and all holidays.

I filled my Tussy Mussy (Yes that is what it is called) with poinsettias. Just a little reminder of Christmas on the dinning room wall.

The above picture is the Christmas frame wreath I made for the front door. I was really pleased how it turned out.

The plant was a gift and I made it festive with Christmas picks and a couple of white candles in Dollar Tree candle holders. There is also a vintage candy dish on the table.

My favorite purchase is my Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I made quite a scene at Hobby Lobby when I discovered the 50th Anniversary tree. Peanuts is my all time favorite and our family always said it was not Christmas till a Charlie Brown Christmas aired. It plays the theme song. I am soooo thrilled.

Not only did I buy the tree, I found the - For Unto Us A Savior Is Born- wooden sign to put in front of the tree. I can just hear Linus explaining to the peanuts the true meaning of Christmas. This little tree has made Christmas 2015 one of my favorites.

Sweet Potato Cobbler

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope all my readers also had a great holiday. Prior to Thanksgiving, Michael found a recipe for Sweet Potato Cobbler. We love sweet potatoes and he was thrilled with the recipe. It turned out to be so delicious and we will be making this again at Christmas.

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Peel and slice 2 lbs. of sweet potatoes - about 4 large ones.

 Boil the sweet potatoes about 10 minutes or until tender. Reserve 1.5 cups of liquid.

 Butter a 13 X 9" glass pan.

 Sprinkle a mixture of flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg on top of the drained sweet potatoes. (See recipe)

 See recipe for very easy pastry. My grandmother Sallie used to put orange extract in her sweet potato dough and Michael decided he would do this next time.

We decided to add pecans on top , but that is strictly optional. Put pats of butter on top. (If a little is good, lots of butter is better - Right?)

 Place pastry dough on top of casserole and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and and brush with melted butter.

 This is what it looks like when cooked. This could be served with whipped cream or ice cream. It is sooooo good.

 We just served ours as a side dish with pork loin medallions and rice and gravy. Michael and I were thrilled with how this came out and he feels this pastry recipe can be adapted to many other pie and dessert recipes.

Let me know if you found a new recipe that you want to share with the readers. I love sharing recipes and working with new recipes. Happy Holidays, Tina.

A Weekend In November

 I thought I would share a typical weekend in November. Michael and I  went to the Les Amies Arts and Crafts show located in the Events Center in downtown Natchitoches. I didn't buy anything but I came away with some interesting ideas. We then went riding the back roads so I could take a few pictures.

 The following photos were taken on the road between I-49 and Powhatan, LA. Michael and I love the scenery along this stretch of Louisiana. The tree above reflects the lovely colors of Fall.

 Pastures, bayous, cypress trees, and a barbed wire fence all in one picture. (All things I love)

 I love to see cattle in open pastures. It always brings a serene feeling - a connection to the land.

 This last photo is my favorite - note the old jon boat on the bank. I love the silos- this one is a keeper. After a long ride we went junking.

 I always start junking at Johnson's Corner at the foot of the Grand Ecore Bridge. Ms. Joyce always has a nice selection of junk.

 Once again I did not buy anything. I have become very picky when junking. However, it is my FAVORITE thing to do. I thank Michael for tagging along - he is very patient junking partner.

 The next stop was the Goodwill - I usually don't go on Saturday (amateur day) but since I had not bought anything I thought I would make a stop. I did find some vintage books and few odds and ends. I did not take pictures, but we visited with my mother-in-law and other family members for quite awhile. After not eating we were starving.

 A trip to El Nopal seemed in order. This is our favorite Mexican restaurant and we find the food and service excellent.  We headed home after a great meal. Some relaxing, then washing and folding  clothes, and minor housework.

I awoke Sunday morning to a lovely fire in the fireplace that Michael had built. The weather has turned cold and it finally feels like Autumn. I know it will not last but I will enjoy it while it remains. The rest of the day involves football, cooking, and crafting. I love this kind of day. Share with the readers what you did this weekend. Thanks for viewing my blog - I really enjoy hearing from my readers.

My First Paper Bag Album

I get very crafty this time of year. My sister-in-law Donna's only grandson is coming for Thanksgiving from Wisconsin. I wanted to make her a little album that she could journal and put pictures in to remember Jack during the holiday. I have been putting off making a paper bag album because it has a real learning curve, but I thought this occasion would be a good time to just do it!

I see all the mistakes I made but now I can begin making them with various themes. They are so fun to make. 

I started with 3 lunch bags (large ones) measuring about 12 3/8" tall and 6 1/8 wide. You fold each bag in half and iron each one well. Place together, alternating the bottom of each bag - so the thickness is evenly distributed. Place 2 holes in the center and run a ribbon - I used jute- tie on the outside. (Make a bow if you like)

 The back of the album is just simple and the first page I did. Notice that the front and back covers have washi tape. (Boys albums are more difficult because you can't use flowers, lace, etc.)

 This page contains a journaling spot and the opposite page is a photo mat. I stamped the typewriter on the journal page.

 This page has 2 tags ( stamped with dragonflies and leaves)  and the opposite page has a framed photo mat on the back of the arrows mat. (J card is for Jack)

 This page says Snapshot and has a photo mat. The opposite page is decorative and says - play.

 This is a page with a train, a coupon and a note card.

 When you remove the note card, I stamped lines for journaling.

 This page shows Jack and Jill and has a tag - the front of the tag is a playing card (the Jack).

 Just another decorative page - Jack jumps over the candlestick. I hope Donna enjoys completing this little album. It is a great keepsake and takes up very little room. I am now hooked on making these little albums - nonspecific albums but easily personalized. I learned a lot and the next albums should be a better version, but I will always remember Jack was the first little album. Have any of you tried this craft? What crafts are you working on? Please share.

FYI - the first page opens and can be used to put memorabilia or extra pictures.