Happy Halloween!

Where did the time go?

No, this isn't me - this is my bestest buddy - JEN!! WOO HOO!! You never know when I'll show a picture of you!

About ten years ago, I had a root canal, and in that time, that tooth has continued to bother me off and on. Last week I went to the dentist complaining and the x-ray showed that I had a fractured root canal. It was decided that the tooth needed to be pulled and I ended up missing two-and-a-half days of work. I felt better before the tooth was pulled! So needless to say, this past weekend was a take it easy kind of weekend.

But, I still made it to Goodwill (come on - life goes on, right?), I just didn't go running around that I like would normally do. Oops, I went to Hobby Lobby too..

Here's a few of my finds...love this basket - for organizing magazines. I buy used magazines on eBay but need to do an inventory to make sure I don't buy the same one twice.

Got this book for $.75!


There's a ton of Christmas stuff at Goodwill now. I have too much the way it is but I got this for a buck - I plan on hanging it in my kitchen window very soon!

Aren't these so dang cute?

I didn't get this book this weekend, but it was one of my great finds at $1.


And because I was speaking about magazines, here's my newest magazine I got this weekend. This might be the start of another collection and possibly needing another basket? LOL

Posh Porch Party - Scarecrow Style

Because we live in the Midwest, the wind blows just about 365 days a year. And whatever goes outside can take a beating. There's a small corner off the front deck that I can decorate and know that the wind won't blow it away.


The scarecows all came from Goodwill and they look so cute.

Stop over to Posh Pieces for more That's One Posh Porch!

DH came into our marriage with his wonderful dehydrator. I've listened to his stories about making jerky and taking it to work to share.

And this weekend, is the first time he's made jerky since we got married eight years ago!

He's making some jerky with hamburger and other jerky with a lean roast.

And of course, there's always Gilmore, ready to help when and if needed!

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

It's been awhile since I've posted on Foodie Friday but I check weekly and there's always some great recipes. I had some left over pumpkin in my freezer and made these muffins, and they are so yummy!

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

2 1/2 c flour
2 c sugar
1 T pumpkin pie spice
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 c solid-pack pumpkin
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 c peeled, finely chopped apples

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, soda & salt; set aside.
In medium bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin & oil. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients, stir until moistened. Stir in apples. Spoon bater into greaset or paper-lined muffin cups, filling 3/4 full. Sprinkle Streusel Topping over batter. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Streusel Topping
In small bowl combine:

2 T flour
1/2 c sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
Cut in 4 t butter until mixture is crumbly.

Now it's time to enjoy with a cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Life is good!



Be sure to stop by Foodie Friday for more great recipes!

Recipe Party - Hot Chicken Casserole

Here's one of my family's favorite casseroles when the weather turns cold.

Hot Chicken Salad

4 cups chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup plain slivered almonds
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cans water chestnuts
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 cups potato chips

Cook chicken in salt water until done, and chop into bite-sized pieces. Combine all ingredients except potato chips in a large casserole dish. Crumble potato chips or chow mein noodles and sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly, about 45 minutes. Serves 6-8.

Make sure to head over to Rhoda's the recipe party!

Flea Market Style Party

Do you ever get tired of me bragging about what I find at Goodwill? I know I don't get tired of finding great things each Saturday and Sunday. It's probably good that I work full time, or I would be at Goodwill all the time and my house would be really full of personality!

Yesterday,they had just brought out a big tub of things to set out and then walked away leaving everything just sitting there. So I started sorting through and found this wicker briefcase.

It was really dirty and I stuck it in the dishwasher for a couple of minutes and got all the grime off it. It looks like new now. (Yes, Jen - I still use my dishwasher for cleaning more than dishes! lol)

Check out the other flea market finds at "I'm a Flea Marketeer Party"!

Happy One Year Anniversary

Today is Crystal and Stuart's one year wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe one year has passed. Less than one month after getting married, Stuart accepted a position in his hometown, which is 90 minutes away. Their home was put on the market and they moved in February. In May, they became the parents of a beagle named Bailey.

I'd like to share some of my favorite wedding pictures.

Happy Anniversary Crystal & Stuart!

Wishing both of you a lifetime of love!

I'm linking up to We Are That Family Blogoversary Carnival.

Pheasant Hunting Season Has Begun

My DH is a gunsmith and this time of year it's so busy that it's comparable to Black Friday. The local news did an interview, he certainly does look busy!



But he loves what he does and can't imagine doing anything else. How many people can say that? Happy Sunday!

Rolling Pin Heaven

I collect a lot of things and I never know when I'm going to add to them.

One of my collections is old rolling pins, and someone must have donated their entire collection to Goodwill.

Check out these rolling pins I got today for $2 each!


And I found a breadbox too - not so exciting. I'm sure the people at Goodwill must wonder what my house looks like.


But I plan on updating it like Joyce did at Cheap Frills Blog.
Today is certainly turning out to be a good day! Side note - my window find on Craigslist turned out to be a bust. I got a email back that the picture isn't what they look like. Turns out the windows are aluminum and not wood. I'll keep looking... besides I found another clever idea for my future windows(s) @ Recaptured Charm. Isn't this so cute????
Time to get back to spray painting my new bread box!

Window Love on Craigslist

Every once in awhile I scan Craigslist to see what's for sale. I've been looking for old windows to redo like I've seen in a lot of blogs. And tonight I found my windows! (I'm possessive already!)They want $2 a piece and but if you take a bunch, they'll sell them for $1each! (They're speaking my language!)

I have no idea how many they have, I said I'd take all of them. That's just the kind of gal I am, a fire sale type of gal...if one is good, then ten are even better...

Now I get to patiently wait and see if they respond back. I'll even make the drive tonight to pick them up. Won't we DH?!

Think good thoughts for me......

Ready to go to Work and Rest

I've been on vacation since Friday and tomorrow I'll be going back to work to rest. I still need to exchange my summer clothes for winter clothes. Where I work is generally so cold, that we wear long sleeves all year long.

I used the same fabric that we recovered the dining room chairs and added it to the length of the curtains in the dining room. Actually, the curtains are shower curtains - but you would never guess it.

The curtains before weren't quite long enough and I really wanted this pattern.

Now, I have to say - I don't have a sewing machine, nor do I know how to do much other than sew a straight line. I used fusible web & then the fusible web stopped working, (how is this possible?) so I just got out my liquid stitch and kept on going.




And I did this one all by myself! WOO HOO! (Heck -I usually have operator error issues - this might be a miracle that I completed this by myself!)

DH - I want to get new curtains for the living room and add fabric to them...

And, in case you forgot - I'm going to work to rest!

I'm linking up to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land and to Procrastinator's Party atThe Inspired Room. Make sure to stop over and check out all the other great posts.