4 Decorating Ideas - Bring the Outdoors In!

Here are our latest listings of rustic vase and bowl fillers. This is our Tuscon Sunset. The deep purples, magentas, golds and greens of this assortment remind us of our honeymoon - driving through a Tuscon Sunset toward the Grand Canyon - hence the name.

This is our "Caramel Dream" set featuring some found items. Our family loves to go out in the woods and see what loot we can forage. I just love this collection - the caramels, the browns - so delicious.

Bet you can't figure out why we named this one our "Jelly Bean" set!
Visually striking (and definitely NOT edible) – our "Jelly Beans" set features quartz, rocks, and pebbles in colors and shapes that reminds us of sweet little jelly beans. You will receive the assortment of filler items shown -including what we believe is a hunk of green quartz, a piece of grey slate and various metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

And, last, here's our peaceful "Summit Trail" set. Calm, tranquil.

Easy-breasy rustic decorating in a snap.
Bring the outdoors in today.

Slow Cookers - What to Watch For

We're in the market for a slow cooker.
(Yeah, I still call all of them crock-pots, truth be told.)

Good Housekeeping did an interesting review of slow cookers.
Looking at their Top 7 list, their Top Pick was the All-Clad 6.5 Quart Electric Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert.

Now I loves me some All-Clad.
Don't get me wrong.
But, at $180 it had better make flank steak taste like Porterhouse.

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Edited to Add (10/31/11):
There used to be a bunch of info here on models
Good Housekeeping listed as "Not Recommended."
However, GH contacted me, stating:

" 'Since we tested slow cookers in 2008, we have updated our testing procedures. The changes were based on conversations with government and industry representatives. In view of our new methodology, we revised our standards of acceptability and can no longer say with certainty that specific slow cookers that were evaluated using our previous test methods are unsafe and therefore not recommended.'

As a result, we’re no longer listing the slow cookers from that test as being not recommended."

They provided a list of Good Housekeeping's updated recommendations.

Yep, the All-Clad is still #1. ;)

~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~

We almost didn't even get a slow cooker - we use our huge Le Creuset to do all out braising after work. But, I think it would be kinda nice to put some of the same things in the crock-pot, er, slow-cooker, head out to the zoo, and come back to a nice braised meal.

Do you like your slow cooker?
Do you hate yours?
Tell us in the comments!

Homemade Ravioli in Brown Butter - With Recipe

I was watching TV and someone mentioned homemade ravioli. And, I thought to myself, I've made spaetzle. But, I've never really tried a rolled pasta. Since I only had AP, bread, and cake flours on hand, I had to find a recipe that didn't include semolina flour. I grabbed a Food Network recipe, but I decided to forgo the KA Mixer and make it by hand with a fork. I made a well of flour like I've seen Anne Burrell do some many times on Iron Chef.

 I let the dough rest for 30 minutes - hoping it would turn out.

I didn't have too many options for filling - I used what I had - lamb meatballs. (These were leftovers. Hubby made them meatlof-style earlier in the week for a wedding soup. Yum.) Next time I'll add a bit of egg and I'll have some ricotta on hand, too.

I used about a teaspoon of filling which worked well.

 I used just water to seal them and they held tightly. Some I made ravioli ends with fork tines. Some I left natural. Both worked well.

I was pretty excited went they didn't explode in the water. They floated and bounced like pillows.

This is what they looked like naked. I tossed some cheese and oregano and parsley on them. Meanwhile, in the hot pan, I browned some butter.

It was really fun to make these!
I was surprised they turned out so well. I think next time I'll let the dough rest a bit longer so it's easier to roll out. I'll roll the dough thinner, be sure there is more moisture in the filling, and be sure not to overcook them.

Hobby was very happy to get homemade pasta.
And, I was happy to make such a delicious meal out of leftovers.

Have you made homemade pasta?
If so, what tips do you have?
If not, what is holding you back?
Tell us!

Boring Week - Saved Only 37% off My Groceries!

Time and money - Two resources we never seem to have enough of.

I was talking to a friend today about the cost of gas and how it's affecting the cost of groceries. And, if your family is like mine - and the economy has greatly affected your pocketbook, too - there just isn't enough green to pay for the grain.

Couponing.
This word stirs up all sorts of images for people.
Cutting up little squares, endlessly, handing a handful of crumpled scrap to the grocery checker while you balance a toddler on your hip and try to shield your face from the customers behind you because you know you've just made their time in line much longer.

BUT - what if I told you...It's NOT LIKE THAT!

What if I told you the grocery checker at my local Jewel store knows me by name and smiles big when she sees me coming! (Because I'm the one who clues her in on the deals for that week so she can buy them herself.)

What if I told you that people in back of me in line comment,
"I should have YOU shop for me!" And, "How do you DO that?!"

Last week the guy behind me in line said the "I should have YOU shop for me line" and I could see in his eyes he really wanted to learn to do it, too. So, I tore off a piece of my receipt, scribbled a website address, and handed it to him. The checker was ready for his Preferred Card, but he asked her to wait a second.

He smiled at her and said, "THIS, this is important stuff!"
I left the store, smiling at my receipt showing this...
I bought $134.82 in groceries for only $84.85.
Saved $49.97
37% off - and this was a really low, BORING week.

How? I'll tell you.
It's NOT about spending more time planning and cutting coupons.
It's about shopping in a whole new way.
It's easy - here's my secret.

Watch this video from Jill Cataldo.
It will give you a feel of the TECHNIQUE of shopping in the 21st century.
If, after the video, you feel this isn't for you, no problem.

The video is 7 minutes long.
But, in the long run, it could give you back loads of time with your family.
And, money in your pocket.
What do you have to lose?

You can see the video below - or click here to view it on YouTube.

Want more?
Head to Jill Cataldo.com - It's free, don't worry. Yes, she's based out of Chicago. But, this is about technique - not location. Actually, since Chicago doesn't offer double-coupons, you might save even more money away from Chicago.

So, do you coupon?
If so, when did you start?
If not, what's stopping you?
We'd love to hear!

Just Got A Check in the Mail...and Gift Ideas

First, we just listed a whole mess of of new Rustic Vase Fillers (and now Beach, too!) in our shop.


There's our Schoolhouse Set which includes the card catalog drawer.

And, we have our Stroll on the Beach Set which features a 5.5 inch starfish!

Our Pueblo Set reminds us of the petroglyphs we saw in El Morrow and Bandalier National Parks.

We really love this one - our Road to Rushmore set featuring petrified wood, quartz, and reedy do-dads that remind our family of the tumbleweeds we saw on vacation.

Each of these set are available in our Etsy shop.

Now, about that "Big Fat Check!"
Okay, so my check really wasn't fat. But, I've earned $30 with pretty much no effort and Ebates did send it to me with no muss, no fuss. (Notice the quotes, I think they trademarked "Big Fat.")

How?
Well, say I buy online from Land's End, or Ebay, or I want to rent a car from Enterprise (or a bazillion other retailers). First I head to Ebates, then I simply head to Land's End, or wherever and shop. If I buy something, they send me a check for a percentage back. Each shop is different. I've earned 6% back from shopping at Land's End.

Talk about easy, breezy.
Nothing to download.
(They're not tracking you 24/7 and my system didn't slow down or anything.)

And, they'll send you a free $5 gift card of your choice, just for signing up. They just send it, poof!

And, I'm NOT getting paid to say any of this. (But, I will get a referral bonus if you click and sign-up. And, you can get referral bonuses when you see how easy this is and tell your friends, too.

So, do you have your "Big Fat Check" yet?
Go get it!

New Rustic Vase Fillers - Nature in a Snap!

Give YOURSELF a gift this Valentine's day.
We just listed additional rustic vase fillers in our Etsy shop.
Above is our "Caramel Cream" set with hand-selected botanicals focusing on caramels, browns and creams.
Update: Our "Caramel Cream" set is SOLD.
See other sets are still available.

Our "Barn Owl"set is a selection of tans and chocolates.

And, we have our "Emerald Isle" set, featuring a variety of greens in various shapes and textures.
Is there something waiting just for you? What would be in YOUR perfect vase filler set?
Comment and let us know!

What's your Special Day?

Do you have a "Special Day?"
Kelly, over at Modern June has husband who celebrates "I Love You" day. Here's the bouquet he sent her! *swoon*


(BTW, if you aren't familiar with Modern June's oil cloth accessories - well, get out from under that rock! Her products are adorable. I have her placemats and I love them!)

Anyway, she got me thinking about my own sweety. On my desk is the card above, which reads, "Happy 8th Tuesday! Love, Tim."

The florist, understandably confused, apparently asked my then boyfriend to repeat the phrase a few times - until he was certain he heard it correctly.

Knowing that I love daisies, my sweety sent an arrangement of daisies and mums with the card celebrating the 8th week of our dating relationship. (We still wish each other "Happy Anniversary" on Tuesdays...when we think of it. *wink*

A year later we were married.
I know a keeper when I have one.

How about you?
Have a special made-up holiday that means much more to you than Valentine's Day?
Comment below and share it!

Blinking Sign Moments

You know how in the bible - or in the movies - you can see pivotal moments in a character's life where they made a choice to pray, to listen, to try....to ignore?

And, we can see with such clarity how that choice led to something else.

It's only recently that I can see so clearly how God had a plan in September of 2006 when He woke me up and told me to cook. And, how on the next day, He persistently repeated it. "Lord, look, maybe you've got me confused with someone else. I'm Dana - I don't cook." And, like only God could do, He repeated until I cooked. And, volunteered in a church kitchen. And, then worked in the church kitchen.

What I didn't know was that God was arranging the circumstances (well, I did believe that part) and that years later I would meet up with a lost friend and fall in love. He knew that I would marry. And, that my step-son would LOVE to volunteer in the kitchen - using his creativity - getting validation.

And, God knew the customers and the fellow teammates who would empower and challenge, teach and prod the 3 of us making us better people.

If only there were giant signs with pointy arrows and blinking lights pointing out the magic moments. But, there aren't. The prompts and corrections from God come quietly. Almost silently. And, the choices we make in response make all the difference.

This post was inspired by Emily at Chatting at the Sky.

What choices have you made that are "blinking sign moments?"
What blessings have you received because you had the courage to listen?
Comment and share with us!

Is This Easy For You?

It can be so difficult to let go of things that remind us of strong memories.

How about this one?
My mom kept both my original ballet slippers and tiny tap shoes.

She's gone, the shoes remain. But, they're in a closet. I don't want to display them. Yet I can't seem to get rid of them. Ugh!

BTW, this post was inspired by Miss Mustard Seed.   I commend her on her progress. maybe I can do the same soon.   Check out her post if you have a moment.

Do you have anything you REALLY need to part with, but haven't?
Did you manage to part with something difficult?

Rustic Decor - In a Snap!

Wanna bring a little of the outdoors, in?

We just added 3 bundles of natural rustic vase filler to our Etsy shop.

This large grouping of various of shapes, colors and textures brings nature to your home IN A SNAP!

Have Rustic taste? Love Country Style or Shabby Chic?
This is one-stop shopping - especially for you!

You will receive the assortment of items shown. (The bowl and box are not included.)

Visually striking – this assortment includes some found objects collected by my family in the woods of Illinois. Seed pods, acorns, pine cones, and thingamabobs – the technical term *wink*

The twine ball is handmade and additional decor balls in a variety of sizes and colors are also available.

Come visit our Etsy shop see our assortments.

All the best,
.

It's Almost....Giveaway Time!

Giveaway? GiveawaySSSSSS
Not 1... but 2!
Coming soon to a Cafe near you.

While the Giveaway details simmer, what's the nicest thing you've ever won?

Me? I won some really cool vintage-style oil cloth placemats from Modern June. And, I won a gift certificate from the The Vintage Pearl. Those were both really nice.

(Nope, those aren't hints about our Giveaways! You think I'd do that? Okay, I would, but not this time.)

So, what have YOU won?

A trip to Acapulco?

A new car! (Said in my best Let's Make a Deal "Showcase" voice)

Or, pretty much a free X-large T-shirt at the company picnic?

Tell us below!
And, stay tuned :)

Stormbound? Show Us Your PANTRY! (or snow pics...)

Snowvalanche. Snowmageddon. Snowpocalypse.

Whatever you call it...

This is where our driveway SHOULD be ;)

Notice our neighbor's driveway snow blew over onto our driveway. Rats!

View out the front door.

Seriously - who took our driveway?!

Pantry Time!

Well, the weather folks say we still have 50-60 mph gusts are still expected.
And, since the town to the north of us got 22.0" according to the news...

GOOD THING the pantry it stocked.

I resisted changing anything around to make it look healthier.
So, this is how it looks if you just slide the door open.
Yes, we like pasta - especially when it's 25 cents!

Our home is 60 years old and the original warped wooden shelves were cut too short width-wise when they were installed! So, they were never, ever stable.

I got tired of propping them up with other boards, etc. and my hubby ripped them out and started new. We didn't go fancy - just functional. And, I love it!

I thought we would paint the wood but once it was put in, I decided to go au natural.
We can always paint it later.

I think this space was originally intended to be a linen closet. The pantry is only 10 inches deep when you take into account that the sliding doors have to meet in the middle. So, while it's a very wide space, it's not very deep. Since there's a lack of coat closet space, I thought about making half shelves and half a row of coat hooks. But, I decided to just put the hooks on a wall - we really needed the shelf space for the pantry.

We have food on the right side, paper goods, light bulbs, batteries, garbage bags, etc on the right side. And, the best part is that if paper towels are 25 cents I can stock up and we have the room.

Having a small, cramped pantry (with falling down shelves) meant that we never wanted to go into it. The food didn't get rotated. There was way too much waste. Now, I buy 10-12 of something if the price is amazing and I can clearly see what we have available.

So, how are you holding up?

Are you in Florida, so it might even be beach day?

Or, are you on the east coast and this snow really lost it's shine?

Attach your PANTRY or SNOW pics or comment below!
Darn the McLinky is expired. (Oh well.)
Linking up to Leslie's Purge Party at Goodbye House, Hello Home.