October 2018 – Loving My New Simple Life

30
Oct
2018

Junky Pumpkins!

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

My goodness, I cannot believe it is almost November!

I feel as if I blinked and missed September and October.

Today I want to share a fun wood project using various 2 x 4 pieces.

“Junky Pumpkins”.

My son cut the 2 x 4 we had in our garage, I sanded, painted all orange, using a sponge brush and simple craft paint.

Now the fun begins!

I gathered up all the small junk drawer pieces I could find, buttons, tacks, screws, washers, handles, knobs, to create whimsy, quirky, and maybe a bit scary, faces.

Played with all the pieces, moving them from one wood piece to another, until I found just the face I loved.

Simply glue the pieces in place, using wood glue, or in some cases, for the heavier pieces, E6000 glue.

Here they are, my “Junky Pumpkins”!

As I say when sharing most of my projects, “love them”, so much fun to put together!

These two are my favorites.

Just simple!

I used thin wire, curled, a knob, and also a stem from an old plastic pumpkin, on the tops.

Love the smile made by using an old handle. So cute!

What a great project for older kids on a cold rainy weekend day.

Just a happy simple project!

Have fun with your junk drawer finds!

Love you folks!

16
Oct
2018

Painting Faux Pumpkins

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

Just love the simple look of white pumpkins in the fall!

I especially love using the mini ones here and there throughout my home.

My preference is to use faux pumpkins inside, and real ones outside.

Unfortunately, really nice faux white pumpkins can be a bit pricey, so this year I tried painting my own.

Found these foam type mini pumpkins at Walmart for 98 cents each. Two cents cheaper than the dollar store, and the selection was really good, so many different shapes. Every penny saved is a good thing!

I did splurge for a larger one at $1.98!

Using my favorite paint for the look I love, Rust-Oleum, Linen White, chalk paint, I simply removed the stems and painted each with several coats, using a foam brush.

Replaced the stems, after painting each one with a dark brown craft paint, to finish this simple project.

Love them!

Quite a difference, don’t you think?

So lovely in a wood bowl with a bit of greenery.

Also love the farmhouse look in my thrift store wire basket.

White pumpkins can be mixed with others, like these grapevine ones, surrounded by traditional fall leaves.

Love that I can just pack up my painted pumpkins and use again next year.

So many ways to display this time of the year, and into Thanksgiving.

Cute to place one on each plate at Thanksgiving.

Just a fun, simple, project!

My pumpkins may be faux, but the joy I received from putting this project together was real!

So thankful for you folks!

14
Oct
2018

Caramel Cream Cheese Apple Spread

categories: Autumn, Simple Recipes

There are so many wonderful apples everywhere right now, so today I thought I would share an apple snack recipe.

So simple, just 5 minutes to put together.

Please don’t let the simpleness of this recipe fool you, it is so yummy!

Perfect for a quick afternoon snack, or maybe a light after supper sweet, caramel cream cheese apple spread!

Also would be a great tailgate treat, or an appetizer on Thanksgiving Day.

Peanut butter with apples is usually my husband’s choice of snacks, but this recipe is now also a favorite in our home this time of the year.

So colorful on a plate surrounded by beautiful apples slices.

Simply place a slab of cream cheese on a serving plate, spoon on caramel sauce, and top off with nuts, toffee bits, or a bit of peanut butter granola, our favorite.

I told you it was simple!

Be sure to use a large spoon to make a well on top of the cream cheese so all the caramel sauce doesn’t drip off.

That’s it!

I have also used this recipe in individual mini Ball jars for fall favors, something fun for anyone in your life that deserves a treat!

Fill mini Ball jars with the cream cheese and caramel sauce, top the jar with a beautiful shiny apple, and place in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon.

A cute, sweet fall gift!

Enjoy!

Sweet love to all you folks on this Sunday!

02
Oct
2018

Sometimes We Need Flowers

categories: My Simple Offerings, Random Thoughts

It is rare that I buy flowers for myself.

Yesterday, as I passed the floral department at my local grocery, I could not resist picking up a bunch of fall colored flowers.

I decided the beautiful, vintage Mason jar, that belonged to my momma, would be perfect to hold my flowers.

As I carefully washed the Mason jar, thoughts of a one day trip I took with my momma came to mind, just momma, just me.

We shared a love of homemade crafts.

My mom did the sewing, and I painted.

We loved to shop for new ideas, new patterns, trying to have something wonderful to sell at the many craft fairs I participated in, displaying our items.

Momma always supported me, and loved to help me in whatever way she could.

Our one day trip was to Nashville, Indiana, not too far from where we lived, only about 2 hours.

The drive gave us time to be together, just momma, just me.

We talked, and smiled at each other, enjoying our time.

Nashville is just a lovely little town in a beautiful setting, lots of shops, and yummy places to have lunch.

Nashville in the fall time of the year is just heaven.

Our family has been there so many times over many years, renting cabins, or staying in the lodge at the Brown County State Park.

As we shopped, mom found a wire Mason jar holder in one of the country type shops. She had wanted a holder to display her vintage jar, given to her by her sister.

Mom loved the wire holder with the sweet wood handle.

She kept her jar in the holder, and displayed it lovingly in her kitchen, it is now in mine.

My flowers in momma’s jar are beautiful, so pleased with this simple arrangement.

Added a few fall leaves as a finishing touch.

The end of our loving day together was me dropping momma off at her home, and as she always did without fail, stood and waved to me until I was out of sight. Oh my, it hurts to write this!