Deck the Halls - Gingerbread House

Susan over at Thoughts from over the rainbow is hosting a Deck the Halls party. Click the link to go to other holiday decoration posts.

I have not started decorating for Christmas yet. I believe I should have Thanksgiving over before I start on the Christmas. However, my little grandson remembered decorating a gingerbread house last year and asked me if we could decorate another this year. Of course, that was our first Christmas project.

The two smallest cousins worked on the house all by themselves while the adults checked out the adds for sales.

The hard part was not eating all the candy before it went on the house.

I'll post more next week.

Alan Grant Poem

I would like to thank Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays. You must click on the link to take you to other spiritual posts. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

The Difference

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task.

"Why doesn't God help me? I wondered.

He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on gray and bleak.

I wondered why God didn't show me;

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly childed, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish, I had to take time to pray.

-Alan Grant

My Favorite Things Party - November 19

Melissa at 320 Sycamore is hosting My Favorite Things party, just like Oprah. What a good idea, Melissa. I love to be able to be tipped off to things you all love, especially if I can afford it. Not having Oprah's income, I like that real people are listing their favorite things. Click on the 320 Sycamore link to check out everyone's favorites. Here are some of mine.

1. Debbie Meyer Green Bags. They really work and pay for themselves by absorbing and removing the ethylene gas which causes fruits and vegetables to spoil. You can buy these in stores, on TV or at http://www.greenbags.com/.

2. Chenille socks. OK, Oprah beat me on listing them, but whey really are wonderful. The plusher and longer the better. Don't make the mistake in getting the really short ones as they come off.

3. Chicken Marsala at Carrabbas Italian Grill - This is a chain with over 200 locations. If you have a Carrabbas anywhere near you, go there and order their chicken marsala. It is my favorite restaurant dish in the world. We went there last week. Kerri was our waitress. I thought I took a picture of the Chicken Marsala, but when I went to upload it, it wasn't there.

4. Stash Chai spice black tea with a spoonful of Splenda and a splash of French Vanilla Creamora. Yum.

5. Velvet covered clothes hangers are on my favorite list. They really keep all my tops secure and they don't take up as much space as the plastic ones.

6. Is there anyone out there that hasn't tried these? They certainly are magic. Things I have tried to clean and though they needed painting or just thrown out certainly have become cleaned. The only thing you have to watch out is that they clean too well, so don't rub your wall too hard or the paint will come off.

Of course my most favorite things are intangible items. Blessings.

To cut an onion.

We often talk about simplifying our lives. Ads will tell us that if we purchase their product, our life will be easier. Others say that eliminating the unnecessary stuff we have will make our life simpler. I thought about this the other day when I went to chop an onion.



Cutting an onion is something I may do two or three times per week. I will grab my chef's knife and a cutting board and chop the onion. I have other options in my kitchen for doing this job. However, even if I choose to use another implement, I still must cut the ends off and take the outer papery skin off.






The Vadalia chopper is my mother-in-law's favorite. She said how much she liked it, so I went out and purchased one, too. I had a very hard time pushing the top down through the onion, so much so that I had to step on the top. That's not my idea of how to use a kitchen utensil. Perhaps it will work better with another type of food. I'll keep it for a little while longer and give it another chance. Again it's taking up room and it's not the easiest thing to clean.







I like a mandolin when I need a lot of nice thin slices. This is a keeper, but I don't use it that much.






The hand chopper is used when I need a lot chopped.



I do not have a food processor. I found it took up too much space and was more work to clean than it was worth, so I got rid of it.

Do you like gadgets or have a lot of utensils? What do you use?

The BBQ Song

This is different than most Foodie Friday posts, in that it's not a recipe, but an ode to southern barbecue. You'll be glad you watched. Enjoy.

Click on the Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday link to see actual recipes.

Second Time Around - 11/3

I'm showing my 2nd hand treasures. If you would like to see other bloggers 2nd hand treasures click the link to go to A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words.

The best find in a long time was this tripod, on half price day. I only paid $3.00 for it. There was a case and a lens, too.

My step-sister collects cobalt blue bottles. I think these are very unique. The horseshoe one on the left was only 25 cents. The guitar shaped one on the right was only 97 cents.

I think this candle and candleholder is perfect for fall. Both for under $3.00. The beads are attached to the candleholder.

The tea cup and saucer for 90 cents.

What thrilled me was that I already had two of these napkins. Now I have enough for a setting for five. They are Pier 1. I think I paid only a dollar or two for all three.

A pumpkin Wilson cookie cutter I got half price for 15 cents.

These wooden candlesticks need some spray paint. The pair was only 49 cents.

Melissa from Melissa's Heart and Home is having a give away in commemoration of her 1 year anniversary. Go check it out and wish her happy anniversary.

Christmas Doll to Halloween Doll

I had two animated dolls which were exactly the same, except for dress color. I only used one in green as a Christmas decoration. I saw all the cute Halloween witches in the stores and thought that I could transform the doll in the dark blue dress into a cute Halloween witch.

I cut off the white fur trim. I purchased 1/2 yard of Halloween fabric at Joanne's for the skirt. I picked up a toddler witches hat at the thrift store and took it in to fit the doll.

A 10 cent plastic pumpkin was put on the candle. The holly sprig on the candle was replaced with a spider.

I made her a little broom using a bamboo garden stake and raffia. I think she make a pretty Halloween witch.

To see other transformations click on the links below:

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Monday

Thrifty Decor Chic - Before and After Party