Hair Bows

Last year I started making hair bows for my daughter.  I just googled for a tutorial to see how to wrap the clip and make the bows. We don't have many places to buy nice bows.  Last year she barely had any hair and I had to use the really small clips.  Now that she has more hair I can use the bigger clips.

Tonight I made two Christmas for her.  She doesn't have bangs, but they aren't as long as the rest of her hair, so I like to pull it back a little bit on one side.  She was so excited about these.

I also made three sets for one of my friends little girls that is turning one.  It's her birthday this weekend and I wanted something a little extra to add to the gift. I hope she likes them.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Last week I tried baked potato soup for the first time. I had run across this recipe a couple of times (both online and in the Kraft recipe magazine). I thought it sounded good and very easy to make.

You can get the recipe by clicking on the link above. It was really good. I wasn't sure if I would even like it. My husband said he wouldn't try it and then after he saw it and what was in it he ended up eating two bowls.

I attempted to add a picture from the Kraft website but was not able to get it to load.

Cheesecake Bars

I made some cheesecake bars for my chex party last weekend. I got the recipe from The Sisters Cafe http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/2010/09/cheesecake-bars.html






These bars are so good and very addicting! I actually doubled the recipe and made it in a 13x9 pan.

Book Reviews

I have read a couple of really good books in the last few weeks.

The first was The Scent of Rain and Lightening by Nancy Pickard.

http://www.amazon.com/Scent-Rain-Lightning-Novel/dp/0345471016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286164375&sr=1-1

This book was really good. A little mystery, a little romance, twists and turns. I just stumbled across this one when I was on my librarys epub site and thought it looked good.

I just finished Summer's Child by Diane Chamberlain yesterday.

http://www.amazon.com/Summers-Child-Diane-Chamberlain/dp/0778328414/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286164555&sr=1-1

This author wrote The Secret Life of CeCe Wilkes, which I've also read and was good.

This book had so many twists and turns. I think my jaw hit the floor at the end when I found out what really happened. This one was about a baby that was found on the beach and was adopted by a family. It's about her life and the families life that she was adopted into.

Both of these were really good and I would recommend them to anyone.

Fall Decorating

I have been busy pulling out some of my fall decorations. Many of the things I have put up have been things that I made in the last couple of years.



This table is in front of my kitchen island. I strung up my BOO banner that I made last year. I added the Autumn gourd that I also made last year. The tree picture my daughter made in daycare a couple of years ago. She sponge painted the paper and the teacher cut out the tree. I put it on some scrapbook paper and framed it. I made the candy corn topiaries a couple of years ago. The little glass pumpkin I bought at Walmart last year, I believe for $3. It is filled with mini pumpkin shaped potpourri that I got from a friend. Next to the topiaries are two leaf tea light holders from Party Lite.

Here's a close up of the items on the table. My little lamp I bought at Pier One last year. I have some ribbon that I'm thinking about adding to the shade, but I'm not sure yet. I have it sitting on top of the book, The Help. The colors fit into the fall decor. Plus it is one of the best books I have ever read.



I have linked up to Southern Hosptality and Tatertots & Jello

Chex Mix Party

I was asked by General Mills Psst to host a Chex Mix Party through My Get Together. I had a few friends over and we tried the Chex and watched a couple of movies. I also made pepperoni/cheese pinwheels, deviled eggs and cheesecake bars. I also served cheese, summer sausage and crackers.




Me, Beth & Ricci. My almost 4 year old took the picture after she put a puppy sticker on me :)

I received three kinds of Chex Mix (Original, Honey Nut & Toffee), a Chex Mix bowl, napkins and plates from My Get Together.

Elmer's / X-Acto

I just received the best package in the mail today through BzzAgent. I was able to participate in their Elmer's X-Acto Campaign.

The package includes various glue items like dots, runner, and sticks. There are a couple different kids of scissors and a very cool corner punch.



I'm so excited to try all of the goodies. I used to scrapbook a lot and haven't in quite awhile, pretty much since Addison was born! This kit is really making me want to create something soon. I'm thinking maybe some homemade cards.

Once I finally use the items from the kit I will be sure to come back and share my projects!