Blackberry Freezer Jam using Frozen Berries
Earlier this year we picked blackberries at a local Georgia farm. It was a fun, family day in 90+ degree heat! 😉 Instead of using the berries right away, they all went into the freezer using this method for freezing berries. After facing a near outage of jam (it was a close one, there was rationing happening on the lunch sandwiches), I decided it was high time to bust those blackberries out of the freezer and make some delicious Blackberry Freezer Jam. Since the berries were in the freezer, I spread them out on a cookie sheet and let them sit on the counter for a good 30 minutes while they…
Lettered Wall – Work in Progress
Do you collect things? The only thing I “collect” are playing cards from places we’ve traveled. I throw them in a big basket in our living room and they are a great conversation starter. They are also a practical reminder of places we’ve been and experienced. The irony is that I really don’t care to play cards…I just like to collect them. But let’s not delve into my issues! Lately, I realized that I have the beginnings of a collection of the letters “A” and “J” for the first initial of my name and my husband’s name. Here’s how I grouped them in our last home. I kind of miss…
Halloween Countdown Lunchbox Notes – Free Printable
Update: A sweet reader told me there were some font problems with the PDF. I’ve converted the PDF to Jpeg files. This should fix the problem. If not, please let me know! Who loves Halloween? My kids sure do! I love how much fun you can have with this holiday. The anticipation is already building around our house! The costumes have been selected and now it is time to start the countdown! I made some printable lunchbox notes that I can use to start counting down Halloween. It will be a fun switch from our day-of-the-week lunch box notes that we’ve been using. (Those things are still working so…
Spiced Apple Cider Baked Donut Holes
So, the calendar says it’s fall. I’m not entirely sure the temperatures in Georgia got the memo though. Hello 80 degrees! It was time to take matters into my own hands oven. These look like muffins since I made them in mini muffin pans. They did have more of a baked donut (or is it doughnut?) texture though. Whatever their technical classification, they were so darn good. And remember how I said that a glaze makes everything better? Well, I think I’ve changed my mind. A dusting of cinnamon and sugar…delish! The recipe came from a site I just discovered, Sally’s Baking Addiction. The recipe calls for buttermilk,…
Step Stool (from High School Shop Class) Makeover
Did anyone take shop class in high school? I didn’t. I also did not take Home Economics. Coincidence? Eventually I did learn to cook (necessity for the win), but I still haven’t mastered power tools. My hubby took shop class, so thankfully someone around here is handy with the tools! So, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Somewhere around 1989, my hubby made this stool in shop class. Anyway, the poor thing was looking a little worse for wear (I’m master of the understatement), but man, that thing is sturdy. I give him an A+. I decided it was time to give this stool a little makeover. I bribed the…
Chatbooks
I think the chances are slim, but just in case I ever give you the impression that I’m the person that has detailed scrapbooks of every milestone in my children’s lives (ha!), let me set the record straight. That’s not me. Sadly, printed photos rarely make their way into our albums…or house. My poor children do not have finished baby books. I’m repressing A LOT of guilt about that one. Eventually, I’m going to have to make up information. “First tooth? Oh, that must have been October 14. Yes, I’m sure of it, son. I was there! I would know! The year? Uh….”…
A Sweater Vest + Knitting Practice = Pillow
A million years ago, when I had a corporate job and wore heels with nylons and had to get up at oh’ dark hundred, I had a sweater vest. I loved to layer it with a pantsuit and a while collared shirt. Fashion mavens, watch out. Turns out, I don’t miss heels, pantsuits or getting up at oh’ dark hundred, but I still do like layering. Clearly, I have my priorities. 😉 Somewhere along the way of having babies and owning a business with a “business casual” policy (emphasis on the casual), I realized that styles had changed and this vest wasn’t working with my long waist. However, I loved the colors…
How to Get the Sweat Smell Out of Workout Clothes
I’m airing my dirty laundry today. I’ve mentioned before that my husband runs to work. I do mean that literally. He runs 6.5 miles each way. Maybe once or twice a week I have mercy on him and offer him a ride, but he usually prefers to round-trip it. That’s 13 miles per day in the Atlanta heat and humidity. When he gets home, he looks like he has jumped into a lake during a rainstorm. He’s that wet. There is not a dry spot on him. He leaves sweaty footprints on the floor if I don’t have a towel out for him to stand on. It’s gross. …
Hand-Knitted Dishcloths
This is not a “look at what I can do” post. The actual accomplished knitters out there would bust-a-gut laughing. This is more of an “I’m learning to knit and you should try it too” kind of post. Last year I wanted to learn how to knit. My aunt showed me the basics and then I watched a lot of how-to-knit YouTube videos, which were so helpful. I liked this one from Good Knit Kisses. I’ve made a couple of headbands, a scarf, a pillow back (more about that in another post) and now I’ve tried dishcloths. This is the first time I’ve used a pattern and I have to…
Going Green-ery
I have a small confession to make. At present, I have ZERO live plants in my house. I have planted many plants outside in pots on our deck and front porch, but nothing inside. Not even a succulent garden. I’m sure I’ll jump on that trend way after it has passed. I know how much “life” plants add to a space. Case in point – the deck. I just haven’t felt compelled to grow anything inside for awhile. *cough* Uh, I mean, ever. I don’t need the guilt that comes when I forget to water it. 🙂 Another confession. Living in a rental is a good way of challenging me…
