Quick and Easy Table Decor

As the thermostat switches from air to heat, I typically get out my fall decorations and enjoy them for months. This year, however, life got away from me with my trip to Ecuador, and now I am scrambling to highlight our Thanksgiving table with some quick, easy and frugal decor.

Our first step to easy Thanksgiving table decor is to “shop your house and yard.” As much as I desire a Better Homes and Garden look, a simple approach to decorating assures us that we don’t have to be designers to create a welcoming home. I love to add more glamor than what I am showing, but my desire is to encourage everyone that with just a few extra minutes, and no money spent, a beautiful table can be set.

Are you missing out on all the posts at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam?

We're here...almost every day.

Extending our "God Watch"

I watch. I wait. I wonder.
Some call it courage. Some call it foolish.
I call it faith.

Come in and make your heart at home.
That is what (in)courage is all about.
A place where I can feel at home. A place where it's encouraged to embrace the beauty and bedlam of life.
I gushed with you last week about the wonderful opportunity that has been gifted me in collaborating with this amazing group of women.
Well, my first post is up over there, and it's a little nerve wracking.
It's a continuation of my "God Watch" journey, yet it's just the beginning, the end is still being written.
Follow along here as I share more details during the weeks to come.

Here's the snippet of what I have shared.
Six months ago, I wrote a blog post called, “Join me on our God Watch.”
It invited blogging friends to join our family as we entered another “God Watch” period in our lives – my husband’s pending unemployment. Years ago, I coined that phrase for our children as a game, of sorts. It was an intentional way of watching and waiting to see how the Lord would unexpectedly amaze us during a particularly difficult circumstance.

Please hop over and join me at (in)courage for the "rest of the story."

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Since I spent the weekend with the lovely ladies from Dayspring, I begged them to let me share a coupon code with you. It's for their amazing new "Life to the Full" Collection. They agreed.
(You know I just have to get a deal, especially for amazing items that can't be found at yard sales. I'm giving the mother/daughter matching aprons for Christmas. ;).
Use the coupon code LIFEFULL at checkout. This will save you $20 on orders over $60.

Cooking for large groups - meals for the multitudes

What were you doing this weekend?

Were you snuggled up with your main squeeze whispering sweet nothings?
Well, my sweetie was here, but we definitely weren't whispering.
Not when we had a impromptu troop full of "terrible teens."
(Terrible teens? I beg to differ...")
And with that troop came so much beauty and bedlam....

We love to open our home, but it doesn't happen nearly enough during our busy sports season.
Not a good excuse, but just a reality that needs to change.
For some, the aspect of hospitality is overwhelming. I think one major deterrent from opening one's home is the whole food dilemma.
"What should we make? How much will I have to spend; this will be expensive.
I just don't have the time" etc. etc.
We want to create a welcoming home, but in the process, we talk ourselves out of the concept due to an unrealistic pressure to "perform" to some magazine standard.

Since we have now entered the teen years, and will be in the throws of this age group for the next 15 years, we desire our home to be the place they want to gather.
A Welcoming Home/ a Haven of Hospitality is one of those things I passionately pursue, even if it's not alway a reality.

With this desire comes the realization that teens want food....good food....and LOTS of it.
Since this gathering was thrown together at the last minute, I didn't have time to go to the store and stock up on special goodies just for this.
Quite frankly, buying on impulse is something I want to avoid since it eats up the $500/month budget quite quickly.
There are a few main staples that I keep on hand for occasions such as this, and it gives me the freedom to know that I always have something to throw together.
I always have bulk amounts of sour cream in stock to make delicious dips on demand.

This was a great dill dip for the veggies.

Along side the soda I placed this bowl of yummy nutrients, and the first thing that came out of one of the girl's mouth was, "ohh...hmm...healthy snacks?"
I knew I better get it into gear, so I quickly threw together this taco dip.
Yes, I forgot to take a picture until it was almost gone, so just for you I spread the dip around and threw a little bit of cheese back on....hee hee.
Seriously, every single one of my kids (including my five year old) can whip together a mean taco dip and they do it on a regular basis.
This is always a crowd pleaser and served with white corn tortilla chips, it's the best.

And of course, chocolate soothes even the most picky of souls.
These, along with peanut butter cup brownies topped off the evening.

Deciding on the main meal is always the challenge.
Grilling is always a crowd favorite, but depending on the size of the group, it's not always a feasible option. Quite often I go for lasagna, chili or.....

HOMEMADE PIZZA!
I am amazed at how many people shy away from the idea because conjuring up anything with yeast has a scary presupposition.
Trust me...it is not hard to whip up some crust and the price is ALWAYS right.

I can make a large pizza for just a few dollars.
Unfortunately for my guests this week, I was out of pepperoni, and only had a bit of sausage.
So, if cheese pizza is your preference, then the price is really right.

All the moms came up to me the next day and said how the teens were so impressed.
Trust me, this isn't about impressing anyone.
It's about feeding the multitudes, and pizza does the trick every time.

If you have a Kitchen Aid sitting on your counter...unused....get it out.
SERIOUSLY, THIS IS SO EASY, and QUICK!

With a dough hook, homemade crust is a reality in minutes.
Even if you have to do it by hand, it's so fun.
It will just take a bit longer than a few minutes, but only ten...max.

I am in the middle of redesigning my site, and once I do, I will be adding some video tutorials.
Homemade pizza crust will be one of them.

I am completely about making it quick, easy and affordable.
Yes, homemade sauce would be the optimal, but I got this Ragu with my doubled coupons when it was on sale BOGO Free. Yipee...and I know the teens could care less. :)
*One thing I do when I use store bought sauce is to add in a few additional spices to give it that homemade sauce taste (Homemade Gourmet spaghetti seasoning, or basic Italian spices such as oregano, basil, garlic powder etc.).
I sprinkle them right on top of the sauce and sometimes over the crust.

I made four large pizzas that all went quickly. If it was for our family, I would have made 3 of them a veggie supreme, but considering how they initially responded to the raw brocolli, I stuck with 2 1/2 cheese. But guess what, the brocolli and carrots were gone by the end of the night. :)This is another thing I make in bulk. If you are going to make dough, why not triple the recipe? You may freeze the raw dough, or make the pizzas and freeze them before baking.
This recipe will make one large pizza.
Recipes for yeast items scare me....they make it seem SO much more difficult than it is.
I have typed up the real recipe, but I will highlight the reality of just how simple it is.

And yes, I got myself into trouble by telling my friend that she needs to learn how to do this. Now she corralled me into teaching a Keeper's Club girls group how to make it this week.
9-13 year old girls are each going to make one.
If they can, you can.

Crusty Pizza Dough

1 package active dry yeast
I buy this in bulk at Sam's/Cosco...1 tb=1 package
1 cup warm water (105 degrees F to 115 degrees)
I have never ever taken the water's temperature.
Stick your finger in the water. If it burns you, it's too hot. Think NC summer day hot.
1/2 tsp salt
I love to use garlic salt for a little extra umph.
1 tsp. olive oil (or any oil)
2 1/3 cups - 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
(I actually have a grain grinder and can do my own ww flour)

Dissolved yeast in warm water in warmed bowl.
Nope, don't do that either...who has time to warm a bowl.
Add salt, olive oil, and 2 1/2 cups flour.
Attach dough hook, and mix for 1 minute.

Continuing on low speed, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough clings to hook and cleans side of bowl. Kneed on low speed for 2 minutes.
This is where a video may come in handy. Cleaning the side of the bowl means the dough will begin to pull away and lump together in a nice kind of ball.

Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.
Cover, let rise in warm place, free from draft, until doubled in bulk...about 1 hour.
Punch down.
In theory, this all sounds ideal, but when you have a room full of teenagers wondering when their food is coming, I am not about to tell them they have to wait for the dough to rise.
For the first two pizzas, I literally skipped this step. Isn't that awesome to know?
JUST SKIP IT . THEY WILL STILL BE GREAT!
Once I mixed the dough, I just rolled it right out.
While the first two pizzas were cooking, I did "force" a rise with the remaining dough by giving it that extra time to rise a little before punching it down, but not necessary.

Brush 14 inch pizza pan with oil; sprinkle with cornmeal (nope, didn't do that either).
Press dough across bottom of pan forming a collar around edge to hold filling.
Top with desired fillings.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

And look at all these happy campers.
Even though the dough didn't rise, I think they were quite content.
And now Morgan, Katie, and Lindsey...you are all blog stars....hee hee.
Yes, I found out that one of these sweet girls actually read my blogs....yikes.
Now I can't say anything I want about my kids anymore. :)

Posted at $5 Dinner Challenge
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Designer wardrobe on a frugal budget

First Frugal Fashionista post

With frugal living becoming the new buzz word of the year, people are becoming more aware of the many options for
living on less...and loving it!
While some people may be open to saving dollars by eating at home, or possibly cutting a few coupons here and there, wearing someone else's cast away clothes seems like it's crossing the line.
Well, we are going to change your mind about this. Just because you may buy clothes second hand doesn't mean you have to look like it's second hand.

This new weekly series called the Frugal Fashionista will:

1. unpack your reservations about
choosing second hand clothes
(you've told yourself you just can't get past the smell),
2. give you tips on where to look
(all stores are not created equal),
3. teach you how to browse efficiently
(ugh, I just don't have the time to go through all the racks)
4. give you a place to start
(we'll begin with some basic "easy to find" core wardrobe pieces that all thrift stores or yard sales will have),
5. give you the opportunity to share some of your frugal fashionista finds.

Each week I'll show you a designer labeled outfit that was put together typically for $15 or under. That will includes the accessories and shoes.

My desire is that this will peak your curiosity, open up a financial savings possibility that you may never have before considered, and spruce up your own wardrobe at the same time.

Last fall I was interviewed on the news about my Good Will shopping. The reporter took me by surprise with one of her questions.
She asked, "Do you have to shop at Good Will?"
I thought that was a bit bold of her, but for me, that was an easy answer.

At times in our earlier marriage (with four children in 5 1/2 years), I may have needed to, but now that I can afford to buy retail, I would never go back. The quality and variety of clothes that I have become accustomed to would never fit into our debt free living budget if I were to purchase them retail.

Last year, I hit one yard sale in a very wealthy neighborhood. The wife was clearing out her closet and brought out over 75 designer pieces of clothing and 20 pairs of shoes. Her hubby told me after she left that she was just getting started on the first closet. WHAT? Many of these items still had the tags on and some of the shoes had never been worn (yes, I know the used shoe topic is a whole different ball game. I'll save it for a separate post. :)
After you hit one "jack pot" like that, the thought of paying $1000 for the pieces that I purchased from her would make me hyperventilate.

Maybe this season will be your "jack pot."

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I wanted to begin with all the core wardrobe pieces, but this is what I was wearing today and i had the camera in hand. Nothing fancy, but frugally fantastic.
One of the quickest ways that I feel like a "million bucks' is when I wear a fabulous pair of boots. Even though I am definitely a comfort over looks kind of a gal, I can suck it up for a few hours to top off the outfit. :)

And of course, the camera battery died with this shot, so I couldn't retake it.

Leather Aerosols that had no wear on them
( and no, they are not your grandma's brand anymore) -
$6 at Good Will (plus 10% off since I have the frequent shopper card, oh yes I do).
This is about as much as I will spend on footwear.

One thing I love is trying new accessories.
I used to quite conservative with my accessories - small hoop earring etc.
Now I experiment with a large variety of styles, and have fun.
If I don't like them, I can pass them on. I only spent $1.
Perfect example - long brown earrings - $1 (new at yard sale).
Chunky necklace - $2 (ys)

Sheer Anne Taylor blouse - $3.25 (GW)
brown shell under shirt - $.50 (ys)
Banana Republic jeans - $1 (ys)

Let's see how we did:
Earrings -$1
Necklace - $2
Shirt - $3.25
tank top - $.50
Boots - $5.40
Total cost of outfit:
$12.15
Now, that's a good thing!

Next post in the series is done:
Building a Core Wardrobe - Frugally

McDonald's shares frugal delights

Even though I shared my 14 year old Burger of a Lifetime post with you, I also stated that I was back to my old sinful ways.

Somehow, teen boys who devour 4 double cheeseburgers at one sitting without thinking something is terribly wrong with that accomplishment, has changed my perspective. (Hint, guys...does the word gluttony mean anything to you...?) Honestly, the dollar menu can be my best friend - perspective, I tell you.

So in honor of all things frugal, have you heard the news posted multiple places on the web?

Yes, I am off to make sure that every McDonald's within a 30 mile radius is offering these delights, and if not...I will be talking to the manager, ever so sweetly that is. :) I will be buying up MANY coupon booklets...won't you join me?

Here's the scoop:

Many McDonald's around the country now have Valentine's coupon booklets available. Priced at $1 at most locations, each coupon booklet contains 12 coupons for free items:

3 free hamburgers
3 free small cones
3 free apple dippers or small fry
3 free apple juice or milk jug

These are redeemable at any participating McDonald's from February 14 to May 15, 2009. Please note that they are redeemable only by children ages 12 and under with a limit of one coupon per customer per visit.

* And just so you know I am above board, I will be using these for my little ones, AND those teen boys...after I ask if it's OK. They always say "yes". They're nice like that. :)
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Another heads up from Money Saving Mom:

Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 28, 2009) Panera Bread stores across the nation are offering free coffee all day long and free samples of their new breakfast items.

You may want to give a quick call before you drive out of your way to make sure that your local store is participating.

Krispy Kreme for pennies - How could you?

Scouring the grocery store for frugal finds is one of my passions...no...hobbies...umm,
necessities - yes, necessities.

Readers of my blog will know that one of my number one tips in shopping is Be Observant!
I always check to see what items are marked down at the bakery.
Day old deals are delightful, if you ask me.

So when we (yes, all the kids were with me) rounded the bakery aisle corner at 8:30pm, and a buggy filled with these deliciously adorned orange stickered boxes screamed....
SPECIAL
(why... yes, I am, thank you...God made me special),
my teen boys grabbed every last little box.
They were giddy...beyond thrilled at the moment that their mother was such a frugal hacker.
Let's do the math.....
12 donuts per box X 4 boxes = a whole lot more donuts than I need.
BUT PICK ME UP OFF THE FLOOR -
for $1.99 per dozen, I'm there!

Forget needing that Hot and Now sign to be on...stick these mouth melting marvels in the microwave for 10 seconds, and they are Hot and Now in your very own home for 1/5 of the original price.

So one might wonder how I am working out at the gym 4 times a week and not losing any weight?
This may have a little bit to do with it....
those babies went fast.

This was all that was left by the next morning...sick, I know!

Now I just keep one here...memorialized...
to remind me of what will be once again...but not now...NOT NOW!
(Walk away from the picture, Jen...walk away..no - not to the kitchen!)

Frugal tip: When I first found this deal back at Thanksgiving, I thought it was just a hit or miss kind of thing at our newly opened store.
The next time I went back, I specifically asked when they marked down their donuts.
I needed to make the most of these deals..for the kids...it's all about the kids.

Every night at 7:30 pm, the bakery department marks down the left overs from that day.
My down fall came when hubby found out that little fact...he was bringing them home daily. I have since put a ca bash on that treat!
I implement that same frugal tip with the meat/dairy department...I will share about those steals soon.

So go talk to your baker and eat a Krispy Kreme - think of me. :)

McDonald's...free coffee for everyone! :)

This is for all of you who have been so very sad when I post great deals to places that you don't have.

Well, forget my 12 year old hamburger and thank McDonald's for giving all the early risers in the bunch free coffee ALL MONTH LONG!!

Get a Free Medium premium roast coffee or vanilla, hazelnut or regular iced coffee between 5-9 am all month in February. Valid only at participating locations. Only one item per person per visit. Offer good February 1 - 28.

P.S. I am sitting in the hotel room at Blissdom '09. It's 12:30 am and I'm looking at 8 other bloggers, 8 laptops, multiple cameras, and you all....this is just too funny!

Go enjoy some coffee ON ME!

Creative Meal Planning - part two

Eating is a reality.

How one goes about accomplishing this is their choice.
Now, I am not just talking about shoving one's face full of peanut M&M's - unfortunately, that is one of my realities, I mean actual nourishment for our bodies.

When I was single, I lived on Peanut Butter Captain Crunch - seriously, I did (but did you know that it's fat free?) :)
Now, as a mom of many, I have the health of my children on my conscience.
It's pressure, I know!
What I teach them about eating habits, and healthy living choices will stay with them...for years.

Sometimes, it seems overwhelming.
But, it's really just about....that dread "P" word....yes, having a plan, and a tiny bit of food knowledge.
So, if the reality is that we have to feed them, and it can't just be daily Mac and Cheese,
then why not make it memorable?

(New to my blog? Read Creative Meal Planning I -
intro to Kitchen Sister's Club post first.)

Am I the only one who gets caught in the 5pm - what's for dinner rut?
When I don't have a plan, I resort to the same old 3-4 meals, yes, over and over again, and the sad thing is that I TEACH meal planning classes.
That's why I'm always looking for new inspiration and accountability.
Meal swapping offers both of those.
It's a great way to try new recipes, eat healthier, fellowship, and save money at the same time.
I always go home encouraged in my role as Keeper of the Home.
I love to learn from other ladies, and hopefully, they are encouraged by me as well.

(in case you missed the first post :)
As I think back on all the Kitchen Sister Clubs/meal swaps that I have done over the years, I am getting re-energized with my prioritizes in this area.
I'm reminding myself....
It's always a blast, once we're together.
It allows me to connect with friends, and it's a blessing to have real, home made food ready at a moment's notice.

Setting a goal to do make this happen once a month dramatically improves the
quality of my life...or should I say...my family dinner hour's life.
So, if you're a friend in real life, just let me know you want to do one, and I'll get it on the calendar. :)

There are three different ways that I have done my Kitchen Sisters' Club.

1. Make all the meals at home and drop them off at friends' home.
They, in turn, do the same thing for you.
Example: I make 4 lasagnas, salad, and bread, and deliver them to 3 neighbors.
Then the next week, they do the same for me.
(We already know from my previous posts that cooking a main dish in bulk takes the same amount of time, so always multiply your recipes - always.) This option only works well if you're in close proximity to each other, so I don't do this anymore.
I know of ladies who have done this for years with the same 4 friends - now that is a blessing.

2. Host a meal making party in your home where everyone brings the ingredients for their main dish.
I typically did this with 8 ladies.
Each friend was "assigned" one main dish (her preference). She would bring all the ingredients for that entree, and we would them assemble the meal together in my kitchen.
Through much trial and error, I eventually set down some basic ground rules such as everyone has to provide 2 lbs of meat per meal, 8x10 pan etc.
For those with smaller families, they just divided the meal in half.
Lots of fun, and lots of laughter is always had by all.
Down side....my kitchen is a complete wreck when it's done.

3. Host in home/church - one person organizes, sets the menu, and buys the ingredients.
This requires more work from one person, but there is the option of taking turns in organizing it every month.
I incorporated this choice into my Homemade Gourmet business by using my Meals in Minute mixes, so it was easy for me to set up.
I had "stations" with instructions for each meal. I provided all the ingredients (except for 2 of the meals...ladies brought their choice of raw chicken or beef in ziplock bags). The guests then covered the costs of the ingredients.

If starting a Kitchen Sisters Club peeks your interest, and you have questions, I would be more than willing to do a follow up post. Just let me know in the comments.

Just think, next month you could have a freezer full of new meals.
It's as easy as picking a date, and asking 3-4 other friends to join you.
What do you have to lose?
Nothing...trust me...it's a good thing.
Now send those friends to my blog, and tell them...
"Read this...we're doing it."

(edited to add...I have had the most productive snow day baking bulk batches of goodies for the freezer. It's so stuffed, I have things in the ice maker... more to come)

Easiest Ever Sour Cream Banana Cake/Bread

With the holidays approaching, we all want the easiest, most delicious, inexpensive, and oh...let's throw in... the most beautiful recipes, don't we?
That's not asking for a whole lot, is it?
So many of our favorite traditions revolve around food.
The smell of that succulent turkey roasting, the baking gingerbread that Grandma used to make every Christmas Eve, snuggling around the crackling fireplace after caroling with my whip cream dolloped hot chocolate mug nestled between frigid fingers are just a few ways that my senses are stimulated. It's amazing how instantly I am brought back to those special moments by just an aroma.
I can't wait to spend some time sharing our traditions around food, and I'll invite you to share some as well.....but that's for another post. :)
This is a new recipe for me and I am thinking it may become the start of a timeless tradition. Certainly one that will not be regulated to the "holiday" box, but one that may become a once a week kind of tradition.

Something that you might not know is that I am a foodie at heart. I am a frugal foodie that relishes in finding entrees, desserts, and appetizers that taste like they are gourmet, but that any one (with a little guidance) can do themselves.
I don't get around to posting many recipes because those ascetically pleasing pictures never seem to happen before or during the food making process.
I always remember as we're eating, and true to my fashion, just a bit too late.

A food post with out pictures is like cake without frosting, but this time....I have the recipe that meets all those above criteria, eye candy pictures, cake that is too die for (even without the frosting), and it took me only FIVE minutes to whip up.
Yes, people, it's true!!

With company being here for the week, I needed something quick, but show stopping.
I realized that this twist on a box mix (shh...don't tell) could pass for dessert with dinner, and/or breakfast in the morning.
And guess what....it worked.
Typically, I am not a box mix kind of gal when it comes to company, but after this success, I may never again go back to scratch. hee hee.
So go get your pen.................... I am waiting.
You probably have all the ingredients in your cupboard right now, so bless your hubby tonight and he will ask, "What's the special occasion?"
You can decide how cheesy you want the response to be, and right now my mind is flooding with all kinds of hysterical responses, but something centering around the theme of "MY HUSBAND ROCKS" would suffice.

Open up the cabinets/pantry and find:
I pkg. (2 layer size) yellow, white, or butter cake mix
(for those of you who need things to be exact...I am so sorry, but I truly think any of these would work perfectly)
3 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3...although I used 4 1/2 because they had completely turned brown, and totally brown bananas are the best for bread and cakes, if you didn't know)
1 cup sour cream (yes, this is what makes this so incredibly moist)
1/4 cup oil
When ever I use anything like a box mix, whether it be for cakes or even pancakes, I always add a little dash of flavoring such as strawberry or gingerbread...whatever I have on hand.
For this recipe, I added a "dash" of almond flavoring/syrup (the kind you might put in your coffee). This extra magic ingredient is what fools everyone into thinking you made it completely from scratch, and that's the effect we are going for, right?

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream and oil with mixer on low or until moistened, scraping bottom of bowl often. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
This is what nice exact recipes tell you to do, but if you don't have a mixer, it's all good. Do you think Laura Ingalls had a mixer...don't think so.

Now, decide what kind of pan you want to use. A 13x9 greased and floured one would be great, but if you start yard saling like I have been telling you to, you might have an adorable pan like this just calling your name from the back of the cupboard.

Yep, the difference between a yummy tasting cake, and a yummy tasting cake which turns into eye candy, is this $1 pan that I picked up a few weeks ago when I was out treasure hunting.

Bake 35 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. You may also do this recipe in a full size bundt pan and the effect would be equally ideal. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack.

I know, I know, aren't they adorable?

I served these for breakfast with no frosting and called them banana bread....hee hee

Can I tell you how moist and melt in the mouth marvelous they were?
Did I tell you that this only took less than five minutes of "work"?

The above pictures shows a "do as I say, not as I do."
I didn't wait for it to cool completely. I was too excited to make some eye candy . Lack of patience = glass with steam....... :)
I split the batter in half between the mini bundt cakes, and a 9 inch round pan. I then frosted the round cake with a traditional cream cheese frosting.
1 pkg. Cream Cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
1 pkg. powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
Beat cream cheese and butter with mixer until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition.
Spread top with frosting.
If you have used a 13 x 9 pan, then cut cake crosswise in half. Frost the top of one, and then top with remaining cake half and repeat by frosting top and sides. You can press nuts onto the sides or sprinkle with chocolate jimmies. If you are doing this at Christmas time, then green and white sprinkles would be pretty as well.
No lie - I was so excited to photograph a food post from start to finish, but by the time I went to take the picture of the finished frosted product, this is what I found.
Yep, it was a hit, and truly, the frosting is not even needed.

But just in case you need the "finished product" pictures, I had fun searching through Country Living. They came through for me, and theirs look almost as nice as mine.
Too bad you couldn't see my masterpiece....wink, wink.
I love the simplicity of the powdered sugar.

Here they used chocolate cake and inverted two of my mini cakes to form pumpkins...too cute.
Really, I almost thought of that.

Charles Schiller

Yep, this is what mine looked like with the cream cheese frosting.

Even a little bedlam made it into the picture by a bowl-licking Lab named Lola.

Did I tell you that when Country Living suggested where to buy those cute little mini bundt pans, they listed them for $39 plus S/H (see below).
Did I tell you that I paid one little buck for mine, one shamalama, one greenback, one casharo, one coinage, uno dollaro...yes, people that is...

One Dollar Bill to you. No tax or shipping.
I am going to convert some of you non yard salers yet.
Just wait til I start posting all my finds. The photos are stacking up. :)
Since yard sale-ing season is almost coming to an end, I am going to save them for the doldrums of winter, so that your excitement will build up so much that you won't be able to contain yourself. Just wait!

• 

It's a Frugal Fringe Fest

Many of you who follow my blog know that one of the things I passionately pursue is "debt free living where the 'card' is king" (credit card that is).
But what you might not know is that I yard sale.... for a living.
Honestly, my budget as a family manager revolves around what I find during my Saturday excursions, and through that experience, I now have no less than five people who approach me each month during yard sale season asking me to be their "personal shopper." Don't worry, I don't really make money off of them, but it adds to the thrill of the hunt.
I adore that morning time (and only that morning time). I never know the treasures that await my arrival, and I eagerly anticipate hitting the jackpot.
For years, when the children were all preschoolers, that was my sacred time. My husband knew that when he awoke on Saturday morning, the spot next to him would already be cold. Now I trade off my alone time vs. date day with the kids, since they all want to go yard saling.
Start them young, people...it makes all the difference!
For those of you who are avid yard salers,
you understand that if you snooze, you loose.
Well, that motto was obliterated this last Saturday.
Scheduled to sing and do a drama monologue at a local women's retreat, I knew that I could hit some early stops on the way. I had fun conversations at a few houses, since I was definitely not dressed for yard saling, and did find a few treasures, but the jackpot came well after typical yard sale hours had ended. For those of you crafty ladies, you may want to sit down for this.
I am only showing 1/10 of my haul!

Can you tell what was hidden down deep in a dusty old box?
Never judge a box by it's cover...everyone who had come before me, missed all of this.

The boxes and bags of treasures went on...and on....
I spent an hour digging through mountains of crafts to which a mother had never gotten around to finishing.

This .50 wooden bowl is screaming for a little black spray paint, but right now I think I'll show her off as a fabulous fringe holder.

So here comes my fun.
Will you play "I Spy" with me and see how many places we can feather our fringed nest?
Fringe is not just for hot gluing to curtains, pillow and lamps, you know.
How about on a .25 glass hurricane lamp turned up side down?

Or maybe around a candle, mason jar, and tall glass vase?

I believe that did the trick down below (although just imagine it now sitting on top of a beautiful fall runner...)

Oh bummer, I down loaded the picture with the bad lightening, but yes, the fringe still looks go fabulous on both layers of my tiered fruit stand.

Note my book. I am SO counting my blessings.
I keep this journal here at all times. It allows us to grab it frequently and record the beauty in the every day blessings, like FIFTY yards of fringe and material (yes, I am really wishing I sewed). I know you're all wanting to know how much I paid, but I just don't think I can do that. It would be too painful for you, and might cause you to covet.
So let's continue the tour, and see what my little fingers did with what I had on hand.

Yep, it was me....I made it....all by myself.

You thought this creative crafty bone would never emerge , didn't you?
And now that my craftiness has been revealed, I DO know that my little tassel would look much better with some other fun things on top - starting with different ribbon, but it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. :)

And now that you've revealed in the beauty of my frugal fringe fest, what would this experience be if I left it at that...I just wouldn't be true to my balance of beauty and bedlam.
So, these are the deleted scenes. The scenes that none of your favorite beautiful blogs show you, but I bet they have their bedlam as well...it's just pushed to the side for no one to see.

Look at what I did to take this picture. hee hee
I hadn't even cut the fringe to fit the mason jar, vase or hurricane lamp.
Isn't that funny? You can't even tell.

You caught me. I do let those bedlam blessings sit on the counter (sometimes :). See those cute little toes sticking out?

Down below was one of my Good will finds. I had been looking for one for months (ever since I started reading blogs), and hadn't had any luck. Then I found this, but it was priced at $6.99. Too high for my blood, so I just pointed out to the pricer that "someone must have missed the chip in the top, and didn't realize it when they priced it so high."
Make sure you smile real big and use your very best manners.
Bottom line....got it for $1.99...much better, and you don't even notice the top.

Ok, Ok...fabric, bolts and bolts of fringe, 8 brand new baskets with tags still on them that I will spray paint, hot glue fringe around the top, and fill with my Homemade Gourmet Goodies for my upcoming holiday market, three vases, and a few other bowls that I will also fill with my mixes......put it this way. My husband's entire car filled with treasures for....

$15
Friday's Show and Tell fun is found at Kelli's.