A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

Yes!  The picture is sideways!  I can NOT get it right!   Waaaay back in 2015, we were moving from Dallas, Texas. Some sweet friends of mine made a "going away" basket for me. It was filled with darling things, that I still enjoy . . . including the cute basket! One of the things in the moving basking was a very yummy and versatile spice mix. One of the girls made it. I've used it on so many things and I'm continually impressed with how it tastes. Of course, I couldn't go without the recipe! So when I asked, she willingly gave! Which means I am willingly sharing with you too! I don't know the name of the mix and I do know she found the recipe somewhere. I've never seen a recipe just like this one . . . and I really dig this one! I didn't know the name, so I named it after my friend. I'm creative that way. This mix does take several ingredients, but would be so good to share with friends. You could give it a Chri...

  With the winter weather still around, I find my skin has that "winter feel."   You know the feeling -- dry, and more dry.   Not only does my skin feel dry, but it looks dry.   My hands look "aged."   I'm sure that's not a winter-weather thing, as much as it is a sun-thing.   But I'd rather blame it on the dry winter weather!   One of the things I like about Imperial sugar are all the recipes they have on-line.   Of those, I love the sugar scrub recipes! I've made several and have loved them.   I've even given them as gifts!   So this morning, while I was lamenting my dry hands, I took a stroll over the Imperial Sugar website.   I found this easy little sugar scrub that I whipped up in a matter of minutes!   I changed the type of oil I used and I omitted a couple ingredients.   There's no "reason" for the changes -- it's just what I had . . .or didn't ...

My girl cherub was invited to a birthday party. I had enough time to order the gift. But, truthfully, I just never sat down to get that job done! On Friday night, before the Saturday afternoon party, we were trying to think of a gift. I had a very cute idea . . .but my cherub had already given that very gift to her friend last year. With a quick thought, we headed off to Michaels and came home with all of the goodies to make the chalkboards! While we were making this, I had 2 thoughts: I hope this works! I hope the wrapping paper doesn't stick to the frame! Supplies Needed: 1 unfinished picture frame, any size Super fine sanding paper, maybe Spray paint, any color; glossy finish Paper sacks, cut open, or newsprint to cover work area Painters tape Super fine glitter, any color Chalkboard spray paint 3M Spray adhesive Clear Protective Sealer Take the picture frame and remove the center cardboard (and glass; we used a cheap frame -- it did...

    While looking through cookbooks, trying to make my grocery list, I saw this recipe.   I remember seeing it a few years ago and thinking, "that might be good."   But I never made them.   Until this year.   I thought, "this might make a great gift."   I bought the stuff and followed the recipe.   And had a small mess on my hands! The "new" crockpots must be hotter than the "old" crockpots.   Because in less time than the recipe called for, my chocolate was beginning to burn.   But I didn't know it until I went to stir my chocolate.   Then discovered that I may have ruined the whole thing.   But thankfully, I hadn't!   I just scooped out the good stuff; left the bad stuff and went on about my business!   The only down-side:  the recipe said it would yield 8 dozen.  I only got 5 dozen .  . . but I'm not complaining!   White Chocolate...

Last week, my cherub went to a birthday party. Here's what stresses me out about 10 year old girl parties:  .  . .the gift! There are so many choices . . . and kids have so much these days . . . Point is this:  I really prefer to give money. But giving "just money" isn't very fun. So, on a whim, my cherub and I came up with this money-giving idea. She decorated an egg carton! Together, we tore up 3 coordinating printed papers into pieces. Not tiny pieces -- just pieces. She then used mod podge to glue the paper on, in random patterns. Once it was glued on, she put another coat over the entire outer surface. She let it dry over night. Then we took colored plastic eggs and filled each one with money. Put a little card in it that said "Happy Birthday" and that was it! There you go! Gift is done! And it was cute! And my cherub did it by herself. This concept can be translated to other means items . . .not just egg cartons...

 Hands down up, this is an easy Christmas project to do with your kiddos! We were at a fantastic school when the cherubs were . . .little cherubs! The teachers were always creative in the gifts they had the children make for the parents! (We're at a great school now, too, but my cherubs are too old to be making cutesy Christmas gifts for me and the Mr.!  But I wish they weren't . . .because I'd still like those gifts a whole lot!) The above hand towel was from our boy cherub in 2006. I love this hand towel. Every year, I'm so excited to get it out and look at those sweet little hands! Aren't they cute? He was 8 years old. He was in the 3rd grade when he made it. The above hand towel was from our girl cherub in 2010. I love this hand towel. Every year, I'm so excited to get it out and look at those sweet little hands! Aren't they cute? She was 8 years old. She was in the 3rd grade w...

Made ya look, didn't I?  You were thinking the sugary orange, yellow and white stuff!  Well, as much as I love that stuff -- I think I like this even better!  This is what my sister-in-law's looked like!  Cute! A couple of years ago, my sister-in-law had some "Candied Popcorn" that she got as a gift.  She's a teacher . . .need I say more?  Anyway, we all enjoyed it!  I kept thinking, "how would you make this stuff?!"  It was so good and crunchy and different! Guess what!  I have something similar!  It's not exact and if when I make it again, I'll make a minor adjustment or two, but over-all, this first batch has the potential of being gone before the kids even get home from school! The ingredients are simple and you've probably got them in your cabinet right now!  Try mixing up this little concoction and see what happens!  Wouldn't this be fun for a party, school treats, or holiday gifts?  Oh, the possibilit...

My littlest cherub went for the homemade Valentine treat this year!  I was glad to help her do something different.  As you know, I'm not real found of the little Valentine cards that kids 'get' to sign and pass to their friends!  She decided on marshmallow pops!  This is a very easy treat to make.  The throw together relatively quick and they are cute when wrapped individually.  I always make extra and give her a little surprise in her lunch box!  After all, what are moms for? In case you're wondering why am I still talking about Valentine's Day -- which is so "yesterday!" -- this is a great treat for any reason! Marshmallow Pops Jet-puffed marshmallows, regular size small sucker sticks (found at your local craft store) almond bark, white or chocolate sprinkles cellophane bags ribbon  Place your stick in the center of the marshmallow, pushing all the way down, but not through the marshmallow.  If you'r...