There's No Place Like Home

It's Beginning to Look alot Like Christmas!

2011-11-21T07:50:00.008-05:00

Fall Sightings!

2011-09-18T09:47:00.009-04:00

Happy Birthday America!

2011-07-01T13:31:00.004-04:00

God Bless America but more importantly,

America Bless God!

The Joys of Slipcovers!

2011-06-19T08:47:00.009-04:00

Take two great quality chairs, in perfect condition minus the obvious design flaw, the dated 90's fabric and colors!

Find fabric to your liking and have a very talented mother and daughter design team make slipcovers for them!

Fill up the blank walls that were left after selling all of the pictures that were gracing the walls in the neighborhood yard sale and you have this!

It makes me smile everytime I walk by and see the makeover!

Road Trip Time

2011-06-12T18:27:00.006-04:00

Mark your calendars for our annual TWO Day Road TRIP to Longaberger and Berlin Ohio!

This two day adventure is September 16 and 17th!

Space is limited, reserve your seat today!

For more info contact me!

Another Use for Pitchforks!

2011-05-20T12:03:00.003-04:00

Who knew.....pitchforks could be used as banner poles!

Makes me want to go flea marketing and pick up some pitch forks and then throw a party!

Thanks FarmChicks for the idea!

You can check out more fun stuff at http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/

Longaberger's Answer to Picnic Condiments Served Beautifully!

2011-05-07T11:19:00.011-04:00

Can you believe it is May already! Time flies, seems like we were just celebrating the New Year!

As the temps warm up, and hopefully the rain stops we begin heading outdoors for cookouts and family gatherings!

Where there are cookouts there are hot dogs, hamburgers, and other summer time favorites and than means, ketcup, mustard, mayo and relish jars on the buffet table in plain site!

Well, no longer to we have to look at those unattractive jars and bottles, thanks to Longaberger and the adorable new Condiment Set!

Talk about functional, there is a little container for each of your condiments and they are clearly labled along with matching spoons for each condiment!

The best part is it Longaberger's world famous Woven Traditions pottery, which means it is made of the stongest materials available which adds to it's durability, function and beauty!

And if that weren't enough, even better yet, it's on sale this month only (May) for only $45.00!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

But wait, there's more....anyone who places an order by contacting me, your name will go in the magic hat for a chance to win a 1/2 price selection from the Longaberger Wishlist or May Flyer!

The offer is good thru May 14th, so don't delay contact me today!

P.S. If you have already ordered one from me I will put your name in the hat too!

Longaberger's Great 8!

2011-03-13T20:13:00.008-04:00

As March Maddness begins, Longaberger is getting in on the action and skipping round 1, 2 and 3 and going straight to the Great 8!

Check out what $8.00 will get you this Wednesday, March 16th!

Your choice of the following:

Woven Traditions Divided Plate in your choice of colors!

The adorable Summer Stripe Travel Mug

Woven Traditions Lotion/Soap Pump in your choice of colors!

The choice is yours!

What a great time to stock up and save on some items that make incredible gifts!

The sale begins at noon on Wednesday and lasts until midnight and is while supplies last, so don't delay, order early!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

I hope your team goes far in the tourney and you have a GREAT 8 on Wednesday!

Sizzling March Savings from Longaberger!

2011-03-08T12:45:00.005-05:00

Can you believe it is March already! Where oh where does the time go!

Longaberger is making sure your March is a Sizzling event with savings galore, on some great new baskets!

Simply place a $35.00 order and you can order any of these beauties at the low price listed above!

Often times the protector and liner will get you to the $35.00 mark and then the basket is yours at the special price!

You can check out these beauties, up close and personal at www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

I hope your March Sizzles!

Weave Your Troubles Behind Road Trip

2011-02-19T09:48:00.004-05:00

It's Road Trip Time!

As Spring quickly approaches, our first Road Trip of the year to Longaberger is planned and we would love to have you join us!

Please join us Saturday, April 9th for the Sisters Road Trip!

It's a jam packed day filled with fun, food, laughter and shopping!

Contact me for more details!

Longaberger January 2011 Retirements!

2011-01-23T18:34:00.009-05:00

Can you believe January is almost over! Time flies! And that means, there's only a few more days left to get some of the incredible Longaberger items that are retiring at the end of the month!

Here's a quick snapshot of those soon to be gone items:

Tomato and Eggplant Woven Traditions Pottery

American Home Pottery

Deep Brown Stained Baskets

While it's sad to see these great items go, there is still time to get them before they are gone and the best news of all, is that many of them are on sale through the end of Janaury!

Click to view: http://www.longaberger.com/resources/1/flyer/jan11/

Don't miss out, you can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

Happy Shopping!

Happy New Year Longaberger Style!

2011-01-04T08:57:00.004-05:00

Longaberger is ringing in the New Year will an incredible special!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan 5 beginning at noon EST you can get the functional Woven Traditions chip and dip bowl and 2 jars of Longaberger's yummy sweet and spicy salsa for only $40.00! That's a $70.00 value, so you save $30.00!

This handy platter can be used for way more than chip and dip! Here are so other uses:

Bagels and cream cheese in the center vessel

Fruit tray with fruit dip in the center vessel

Cheese tray with toothpicks in the center

Shrimp with cocktail sauce in the center

Sandwiches with mustard or mayo in the center

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

Don't forget to check out Longaberger's 40% off specials in the January flyer. You can check out all of the deals by visiting my website listed above and clicking on the link to the Jan flyer, which is on the right side of the page!

What ideas do you have for using the chip and dip bowl? Send me your ideas and one lucky random winner will receive a jar of Longaberger's Sweet and Spicy Salsa!

Can't wait to see your ideas!

Another Year!

2011-01-01T09:03:00.002-05:00

May 2011 find you Divinely Favored and Abundantly Blessed, as you continue to follow the STAR!

The Clock is Ticking!

2010-12-30T07:19:00.010-05:00

Can you believe another year is upon us? Where oh where does the time go! I remember my dear old MOM telling me when I was young, to stop wishing my life away becasue when you get older time will fly by! Boy was she right!

While I don't dislike a New Year, I don't like what it brings....

All of my favorite, deep rich colors, twinkly lights and memory filled Christmas Decorations get taken down and stored away until next year!

I will miss you dear old treasures! See ya' next year!

Longaberger's After Holiday Sale

2010-12-28T07:35:00.005-05:00

Some great deals you can stock up on for next year, or use some of that Christmas money that was under your tree to treat yourself to something you have had your eye on!

Hurry, supplies are limited and the sale ends Friday, Dec 31st at 11:59pm!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

Happy Shopping!

Merry CHRISTmas!

2010-12-25T00:48:00.004-05:00

Giving and Receiving Part 2!

2010-12-23T13:49:00.005-05:00

I have some many wonderful, generous, kind hearted and talented friends that I like to share the Christmas Spirit with by giving them a little something I love, that is homemade!

So, I packaged up 48 of these little cuties for each of them!

It's Christmas Tea, sometimes known as Russian Tea, Wassil, etc.

It's sooo good! It's an orange cinnamony tea that hits the spot on those cold winter days and nights!

I even gave the FED X driver one as he carried 6 large Longaberger boxes up my snow covered driveway last week!

When he returned today to carry two more boxes up my freshly snow covered driveway, he said "Man, was that tea good!", thank you again!

What homemade gifts or store bought do you like to bestow on your friends at CHRISTmas time?

Christmas Giving and Receiving!

2010-12-22T13:41:00.001-05:00

It's better to give than to receive....of course that was said by someone who didn't receive this!

This oh so perfect primitive tool caddy filled with so many goodies, including local honey, a varitey of teas, bayberry candles, pomegrante lotion and D. Nau's world famous cinnamon sugar covered almonds and pecans! What more could a girl ask for!

Who needs Santa when gracious, kind hearted, ultra giving M. Nau presents this little beauty to you!

Thanks M, I couldn't have picked out a more perfect gift for me!

Hope, Peace, COOKIES!

2010-12-21T13:23:00.007-05:00

My Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange was last Saturday! This is the 11th year for my exchange here in the bluegrass state!

There were 17 sweet and oh so Talented women who attended with 10 dozen cookies in hand!

The varities included cranberry shortbread, cranberry bars, Lynn's famous pizelle's, Aunt Mary Dillion's praline cookies, clothespin cookies, rootbeer cookies, white chocolate cranberry popcorn and oh so many more tasty treats!

They each departed with 10 dozen assorted cookies to enjoy during the CHRISTmas Season and a recipe book with each cookie recipe to make them throughout the year!

What are some of your annual Christmas traditions?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2010-12-14T14:26:00.003-05:00

Countdown to Christmas!

2010-12-10T08:00:00.004-05:00

Longaberger's Perfect Serving Set

2010-10-12T10:42:00.007-04:00

Just when you think the deals can't get any better, Longaberger manages to up the ante!

Starting tomorrow, you can get the Retired Woven Traditions 3-Part Server and one each of the three new Longaberger Seasoning Blends for only $35.00! That's right only $35.00! That's a $65.00 value for less than half price!

The dish comes in your choice of colors and is perfect for:

serving dips!
holding toppings for tacos, baked potatoes, salads, ice cream and more!
holds teas, creamer and sweetener packets for your coffee station!
holds your keys, spare change and cell phone near the door!
holds jewelry!
great on your desk for paper clips, stamps and more
perfect in the craft room to hold beads, safety pins and more

The uses are endless!

For only $35.00 this multi-functional cutie can be yours! This deal won't last forever, you can take advantage of this offer for 12 hours only, beginning, tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct 13the from noon til 11:59pm EST!

To order visit www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or contact me!

What would you use the 3-Part Server for?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2010-10-03T19:23:00.004-04:00

Can you believe it is October already?

Before you know it, it will be Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving and then my beloved Christmas will be upon us!

Don't get caught off guard with the arrival of Christmas! Let Longaberger help you deck your halls, cross those names off your gift list and entertain like a pro!

October is a great month to start your Chrsitmas prepartions from decorating to shopping Longaberger can take care of it all!

In October with any basket purchase you can purchase this little darling for only $19.00! That's a two for one off the old gift list!

Check it out here www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

Longaberger's Online Specials featuring the Chestnut Oval Diamond Basket and the new Extra Large Metropolitian Basket!

2010-09-06T20:34:00.014-04:00

The temperatures have cooled off a bit, and that means fall is right around the corner, thank goodness, this summer was brutal!

With fall just around the corner, that means it will be Halloween, then Thanksgiving and before you know it Christmas!

It's not too early to start thinking about those Christmas Gifts! The sooner you start, the sooner you finish and your budget will thank you as you can spread the expense out over several months. You will also have time to sit back and enjoy the season and not have to fight the crowds!

Longaberger can help you get some of that shopping done, this week with their incredible online specials!

On Tuesday, you can get the beautiful Chestnut Oval Diamond Basket for only $24.00! That's right, a made in America handmade basket for only $24.00! That's 50% off the regular price of $48.00!

Now that's deal! It can hold almost anything from a vegetable bowl, to a catch all of cell phones, wallet's keys and more!

This is an online only special and is while supplies last. It starts at 11:59am on Tuesday, September 7 and you can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

As the temperatures get cooler, we begin moving indoors and start pulling out those cozy throws! We also begin looking around our home for ways to refresh and renew our space!

On Wednesday, Longaberger is offering the sleek and stylish extra large Metropolitan Basket for only $149.00! It is normally $249.00!

It works perfect as a side table next to your favorite chair and doubles as a storage container for throws, books, games and more.

This little beauty will help you conquer the clutter and have your house organized and tidy in no time at all!

It's available in 5 incredible stain colors, sure to fit every one's decor!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams on Wednesday, Sept 8 beginning at noon or by contacting me!

These baskets come in several sizes and look at this adorable snowman made from various sizes of the Metropolitan baskets.

How do you do your Christmas shopping? Throughout the year, in November or do you wait until the last minute to get it done?

Organizing With Longaberger Baskets!

2010-09-01T23:03:00.006-04:00

Check out The Domestic Chick's incredible idea for organizing recipes in, whatelse, a Longaberger Basket! http://thedomesticchick.blogspot.com/2010/09/recipe-box.html#links

Thanks for the tips Domestic Chick!

How do you organize your recipes?

Weaving Dreams - Tami Longaberger's New Book

2010-08-29T16:56:00.004-04:00

Tami Longaberger, CEO for the Longaberger Company has just released her new book, Weaving Dreams, The Joy of Work, The Love of Life, and it's available in bookstores everywhere!

Weaving Dreams is the Longaberger Story of today. In it Tami graciously shares a personal side of herself that we've never heard before.

With great tenderness, transparency, and candor, this book opens her heart, offering readers a glimpse of her unique "American Dream" - the kind not handed down or given freely - but earned by hard work and fierce tenacity.

This book is a story of inspiration and motivation in both business and life. It's truly a new chapter in the Longaberger Story!

The Longaberger Company is a great American success story, and continues to employ thousands of American Craftsmen and Women!

Don't miss out on a great read, get your copy today!

Longaberger's Weekly Online Specials

2010-08-23T20:28:00.004-04:00

Hold onto your socks! This one is going to knock your socks off! The beautiful new Signature Weave in several classic shapes as well as a new design!

The signature weave baskets feature warm, rich and deep brown stain colors, perfect for any decor. And perfect for those of you who can't decide which stain you like best! This collection makes the decision for you!

This Wednesday, August 25th beginning at noon you can add these beautiful baskets to your collection. From all time favorites like the Cracker, Bread and Cake basket to the new Hold it all Basket! Prices start at just $36.00!

This is a one day, online only special. Don't miss out on your chance to own these beauties!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

Longaberger's Woven Traditions Candy Corn Travel Mug another Must Have!

2010-08-16T15:21:00.006-04:00

Check out this little cutie! Who doesn't love candy corn? It's such a happy little site!

It brings back memories of childhood and crisp fall days and evenings! And, when mixed with dry roasted peanuts it is irresistible!

You can have your little piece of candy corn goodness, with no calories when you "treat" yourself to Longaberger's woven traditions candy corn travel mug!

For only $16.00 you can get one for you and one for a friend! You will be all the rage with coworkers and friends when you carry this little goodie around filled with your favorite hot or cold beverage!

You better act fast, this little treasure is only available through the end of August!

You can check it out here www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

Happy Fall!

Longaberger's Woven Traditions Appetizer Plates a Must Have!

2010-08-16T15:02:00.006-04:00

Here's another indispensable pottery piece from Longaberger! The new Woven Traditions Appetizer Plates!

While they are called appetizer plates their uses go far beyond just appetizers! Here are some that come to mind:

Perfect as a spoon rest while cooking or alongside the crock pot!

Perfect sandwich plate!

Makes a great small plate for a cheese ball or block of cheese!

Perfect gift when accompanied by a dip mix and spreader all tied up in cellophane with a great big bow!

Works as a small message center or greeting board when you use a dry erase marker and place it on an easel!

Perfect for loose change, keys, cell phone etc!

Perfect on the nightstand for reading glasses and lotion!

I could go on and on! But I won't, as I know you have the perfect use for these little darlings!

While the uses are endless, the availability isn't!

The set of 2 Woven Traditions Appetizer Plates are only available through the end of August and then they are gone!

You can add them to your list of Go To's for only $29.00! But don't delay, August is flying by

You can order by visiting www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me! Once on my page, click on Bittersweet Autumn to see all of the incredible colors the appetizer plates are avaialbe in.

I am going to order some to keep in my gift stash! How would you use your appetizer plate?

Longaberger's Indispensable One-Pint Pottery Crock

2010-08-11T16:39:00.008-04:00

Ok, you know there are several items in your kitchen that could be called "your go-to's", right?

You know, despite the zillion items in your kitchen, from plasticware to serving pieces, the go-to's are the items that are always the first you reach for and often times you have more than one of them because you find them so versatile!

One of my all time favorite go-to's is Longaberger's one-pint pottery crock!

This little guy is perfect for serving, storing, baking, containing and almost anything else you would want to use it for!

It's made by Longaberger, which means it is vitrified, and that means it can take a licking and still keep on ticking! It is dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe!

All of that from this little beauty!

My go-to's are used for:

Hiding the Land o Lakes graphics on my whipped butter tub when company is over. Just pop the lid off the butter container and it fits perfectly inside the little crock and looks oh so charming.

One sits on my sink and holds the sink stopper, brillo pads and my pampered chef plastic scrappers!

Perfect for holding salad, ice cream, baked potato, chili or taco fixings!

Your picnic will be the talk of the town, when you use a red one for your ketchup, butternut for your mustard and an ivory one for your mayo! Your guests will ewe and ahhh over it!

The perfect dip server, where cold or hot! Place it in the center of your favorite platter or basket, filled with your favorite dip with crackers or veggies spread around it!

Perfect to hold jewlery that you take off in the kitchen while cooking!

Holds kosher salt near the stove so it is within arms reach!

Bakes the most delicious jumbo muffins, cupcakes or chocolate molten cakes around and can right into the dishwasher for easy cleanup!

Works like a charm for baked french onion soup, put an english muffin in the bottom, pour your favorite canned french onion soup over the muffin, top with shredded cheese and into the oven it goes!

A catch all for change, keys, and cell phones by the entry door!

I could go on and on, but I won't as I know you can come up with your own list of uses for this little beauty!

The sad news about this little gem is that Longaberger is going to retire it on August 31st! The good news is that there is still time to get one or two for you! You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

The even better news is that I am giving one away in your choice of color to one lucky random winner when you drop me a comment that tells me how you use your one pint crock or how you would use it if you are the lucky winner!

You have until Sunday, August 15th to leave your comment! I will announce the winner on Monday!

Good luck and good-bye oh faithful one pint crock!

Longaberger Basket's Weekly Online Special

2010-08-01T16:36:00.004-04:00

Wait until you see this week's Longaberger Basket online only special!

An American Classic! Designed to replicate the Paul Revere Bowl from the mid 1700's, the classic lines, combined with the contemporary colors, provide you a modern spin on this American Treasure.

Orignally commissioned as a gift for the House of Representatives, today it continues to make a beautiful centerpiece, a decorative floral arrangement and of course a cherished gift for every special occassion.

This is an exclusive Longaberger design, never offered before. It is available on Wednesday, August 4th and is an exclusive one day online only special. It is on sale for only $69.00 (a $31.00 savings).

Don't miss out, you can order yours by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me.

Please note protectors for this item will not be available until 8/13. If you order a protector with your basket, the basket and protector will ship after 8/13.

Longaberger's Annual Horizon of Hope Campaign

2010-07-28T08:21:00.010-04:00

It's July and that means it's way too hot and it's time for Longaberger's Annual Horizon of Hope Campaign!

Longaberger teamed up with the American Cancer Society several years ago with the introduction of their Horizon of Hope Campaign. The Horizon of Hope Campaign features various Longaberger baskets, pottery pieces and often times a cute little fabric tote or handbag!

The best part is that a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of the Horizon of Hope items is donated to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Education and Research! Since the program's inception Longaberger has donated $14 Million Dollars to this worthy cause.

You can help increase this donation by purchasing a Horizon of Hope Basket or Pottery piece this July!

It's the perfect way to celebrate a survivor and help a worthy cause at the same time.

You can check out the collection by clicking on this link. http://www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

How many survivors do you? Let's celebrate them all!

Longaberger Lifestyle

2010-07-25T18:51:00.012-04:00

I just returned from the Longaberger's National Sales meeting known as the Basket BEE or just the BEE!

I had an incredible time as usual! 9 of the ladies in my Abundantly Blessed Branch attended as well as one guest (AG) who came all the way from Chicago to join in on the fun!

We laughed together, ooohed and ahhhhed together and had some great sisterhood time!

We even had a BEE Boy help wish KC a Happy Birthday while at the BEE!

The new product is going to knock your socks off! From new pottery shapes and a new unbelievable chocolate color to an unbeliveable Christmas collection. If you haven't checked out Longaberger in awhile it's more than just your Mother's baskets!

All of these goodies will be available September 1st! If you are on my mailing list you will receive your catalog in the mail, if you aren't on my list and wish to be, feel free to contact me and I will add you to my list!

This week Longaberger is featuring a flash from the past, the classic and multipurpose canisters in three sizes! These canisters are available in 8 amazing colors and work perfectly in every room to tame the clutter. Canisters aren't just at home in the kitchen!

To order click here http://www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

Stay tuned for more specials, recipes and product use ideas that will make your home uniquely yours!

My Favorite Things Part 5

2010-07-16T08:27:00.003-04:00

BEE TIME! Longaberger's National Sales meeting occurs every summer! It is sooooo much fun! Spending time with consultants from around the globe, meeting new people, hanging out with the girls in my Branch, seeing all of the new baskets and pottery designs and best of all it all happens indoors in an air conditioned arena!

My Favorite Things Part 4

2010-07-09T19:04:00.003-04:00

Hanging out with my Basket Buddies indoors of course!

Come on inside the air conditioning is wonderful!

A Few of My Favorite Things Part 3

2010-07-08T20:39:00.009-04:00

Indoor almost No Cost Home Improvements!

Indoor, because the air conditioning makes me forget about the hot humid temps outside!

Here's the before shot of my staircase, complete with yards and yards of bland beige wool carpet, complete with coffee stains from my DH (he's says its not him but he is the only one who drinks coffee), dirt from his shoes and year of wear and tear!

BEFORE:

Here's the after shot! No more stained carpet, no more vacuming and it welcomes me everytime I climb the stairs!

AFTER:

What are you doing to beat the heat????

A Few Of My Favorite Things Part 2

2010-07-07T18:14:00.004-04:00

Entertaining in a cool air conditioned cozy home!

There's nothing better to help beat the heat! Good food, good friends and wonderful air conditioning!

A Few of My Favorite Things!

2010-07-06T10:01:00.004-04:00

To beat the heat, I am going to take my mind of it by thinking about some of my favorite things this week!

Here's the first one! Anything made of fabric!

What are your favorite things?

Stay cool!

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-05T21:52:00.003-04:00

Hope you had a Happy 4th of July!

March Happiness!

2010-03-27T22:47:00.004-04:00

Let's hear it for the Mountaineers!

2010-01-26T08:34:00.007-05:00

Better than paper towels and a lot less expensive... COFFEE FILTERS

Coffee filters ..... Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing even the large ones.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter..

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing.. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies...

saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21.. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds.. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book..

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

OH YEAH THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS TOO.

25 Thoughts for the New Year!

2010-01-17T13:17:00.011-05:00

2010-01-14T07:26:00.004-05:00

YOUR DAILY SURVIVAL KIT FOR THE NEW YEAR

Today, I am sharing a DAILY SURVIVAL KIT to help you each day............

Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

Eraser ... to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our mistakes..... eventually!

Candy Kiss ... to remind you that everyone (including you) needs a hug or a compliment everyday !!!

Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.

Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings. This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day

Wishing you love, joy, inner peace, gratitude, friends to cherish, someone to care for, someone to share life with, laughter, blessings, and warm feelings in your heart in 2010!

Thursday's Terrific Tips - Winter's Here!

2010-01-07T10:55:00.008-05:00

As Winter settles in, here are some terrific tips to make you and your car a little happier this Winter!

Keep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.

Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol! Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity.

Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing water from freezing!

Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray! Spritz cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.

Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream! Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer! Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!

Who knew, some simple solutions to make life easier! Enjoy the Winter!

Christmas Throughout The House

2009-12-30T17:08:00.027-05:00

To say I love Christmas would be an understatement! My grandfather was a huge Christmas Fan and he obviously passed the Christmas gene onto me! I remember we would get a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving when we had real trees and once they invented Mt King artificial trees the tree went up Thanksgiving night!

We would decorate the tree with loads of old fashioned glass ornaments that he and my grandmother had for years, we even had the huge old fashioned light bulbs that I still cant' believe didn't catch the real tree on fire, they got sooooo hot!

Anyway, I digress, in honor of my grandfather's love of Christmas and all that the season stands for (birth of our savior, magic in the air, giving, caring and sharing and so much more)I now decorate everything! My husband is afraid to stand still to long as I may just decorate him! For those of you who don't know him, he is the biggest Grinch ever....he tolerates Christmas at best, and my decorating makes him crazy. He thinks the tree is too bright, but that doesn't stop me, I just add more lights!

So, here it is in all it's glory!

I love Snowmen and have them everywhere! This is a snowman head candle from the store that I can't bring myself to burn but he glows when you do!

More snowmen on a shelf in the family room.

My seasonal wall in the kitchen....this wall changes with the seasons. After Christmas it will sport snowmen until March and then out comes the springtime treasures and so on and so on, season after season!

A shelf in the dinning room with more you guessed it snowmen!

A shelf in my kitchen window with snowmen and my collection of antique graters turned luminary!

Another shelf in my kitchen window. I get to look at all of the beauties when I am doing dishes!

Check it out, I really do have something other than snowmen! My primitive Santa's and one of my kitchen trees decked out in kitchen utensils and tools from sifters and rolling pins to mason jars and whisks!

What would Christmas be without candy! These jars are here year round, but the candy changes as do the punch needle designs on the front, crafted by yours truly.

My entryway, sorry, I forgot to turn the little tree in the corner on!

My family room! Sorry about the image on the TV. My husband was watching something and wasn't happy when I tried to close the doors on the armorie to hide the TV! The crooked tree topper is thanks to WII Fit and the numerous people who have been in my family room on the balance board causing slight movements and jarring of everything not nailed down

One of my newest additions. Isn't this the coolest door you have ever seen. A very kind lady gave it to me! We stained it, my husband built a stand for it and I adorned it for Christmas. It will stay all year, but it's adornments will change.

There's still more, a tree in each room, a hall bath filled with Santa's and a second floor with lots of treasures!

I hope you have enjoyed the tour! Now, it's time to start taking it all down, which makes me oh so sad. I think the house looks so empty and cold when it all gets packed away!

2009-07-08T07:47:00.006-04:00

I stumbled upon a blog entitled Not Quite June Cleaver and it just so happens the host of the blog loves aprons! If you know me well, you know that I too love aprons and in my opinion you can never have too many.

From the comments posted it sounds as though she makes some pretty incredible aprons and the giveaway is for one vintage apron and one handmade apron....I would love to have one!

She is having an apron giveaway so go check out her blog, leave a comment and you will be entered into the giveaway.

It doesn't get any easier than that!

Best Kept Secret for Exterior Wood Surfaces

2009-06-28T21:14:00.001-04:00

As the warmer temps arrive we find ourselves moving from the warmth of our homes to the outdoor living spaces we have created.

As the temps rise so too does our workload outside. From weeding, to planting to mulching to watering and don't forget about the arduous chore of treating those wood surfaces like decks, fences, swing sets and siding. While I enjoy being outdoors (as long as it isn't hot and humid) I dread some of the chores that go along with moving outdoors and the number one chore I put off is staining our screen porch.

I like many other Americans thought that water sealing was the best thing for my pressured treated wood structure especially if it is Thompson's and those great commercials that show the water beading on the wood and not penetrating the surface of the wood! Well, I recently learned the error of my ways and once again was reminded that not everything I see on a commercial is 100% correct. You can read for yourself more on the water beading myth on http://www.flood.com

As luck would have it I was introduced to a wood care system of products from an Ohio company who has been around since 1841, that company is called Flood.

They offer a full range of wood care products including a Wood Cleaner that will remove dirt and brighten the wood, and surface prep is the most important step of the process as it helps the stain adhere to the wood and you will get maximum penetration and life if you clean first. Please don't use a pressure washer to clean your deck as it actually can drive the dirt and mildew into the pours of the wood and can cut the life of the deck in half. in addition, you will also cause your deck to splinter and then will have to sand it, which removes a layer of the wood. Use a cleaner instead.

In addition to the Wood Cleaner, they make a Wood Stripper, which will take paint, stain, and almost anything else off of wood. So, if you want to change the color of your deck, fence, play set, this is the product to use. It will strip off all of the old and get you back to clean wood that is ready to accept the new color.

If you enjoy the look of natural wood, you should use Flood's CWF line of products. CWF stands for Clear Wood Finish. It has UV protection, since the sun is as damaging as the weather. It also is fortified with Penetrol, which has been used since 1934 and is exclusive to Flood. Penetrol penetrates the core of the wood and essentially protects the wood from the inside out. This product is so thick compared to other stains in the market and nothing penetrates like Flood. It comes in a range of colors including clear/natural, cedar, redwood, honey gold, chestnut and walnut. For those brown lovers out there, walnut is really rich looking.

If your wood surfaces (decks, play sets, fences, outdoor furniture, etc.)are showing a little age or if you want a little more color and only a little wood grain to show, then Flood's TWF(semi transparent wood finish)line of semitransparent colors are for you. The colors run the spectrum from lights to darks and include colors like Dessert Sand, Falling Leaf and Chocolate to name a few. The TWF line has this great additive included in every can called E-B Emulsa Bond, E-B Emulsa Bond™ is an additive found exclusively in Flood brand products. It provides unsurpassed adhesion to wood surfaces where other finishes may fail. No other exterior wood care brand but Flood has this unique technology. The SWF product is guaranteed to last 3 years on the horizon surface of the deck (part you walk on and rails) and 5 years on the vertical surfaces (spindles). The best part is that it only requires one coat.

If your wood surfaces have seen better years or you just want a burst of color try Flood's line of SWF products(Solid Wood Finish). This is a line of Solid Colored Wood Stains that look like paint, but wear much better. Again, they are designed for wood and have all of the protection you could want for your wood, while giving you more durability than paint and are fortified with E-B Emulsa Bond, just like their TWF product is. It comes in a range of colors including Sand Dollar, Winter Sky, Cedar, Espresso and more. In addition you can have a custom color made or you can have a color matched. I just had our house trim color matched and we will be using Flood's Solid Stain on our screen porch, I will post a picture when it's complete. The SWF products are guaranteed for 5 years on vertical surfaces and 15 on horizontal. You can even use this product in place of exterior paint on all of your outdoor trim on your house. While it's thinner than latex paint, it wears better. This product has been rated #1 by consumer reports for the past three years in the 3 year test and beat out Behr!

The best news of all, is that Home Depot carries Flood and the TWF and SWF products are on sale until September 20th and are $4.00 off at register per gallon, which means no rebates to fill out and then wonder if you ever received them. In addition there is a 2.5 gallon can of the CWF UV 5 on sale for $39.97, which is about $15.99 per gallon. This is called a deck in a can as it is enough product to cover the average size deck.

You can check out Flood on their website http://www.flood.com.
Try it you will love it and will look forward to the approach of summer!

Amazing Low Cost Transformation

2009-06-01T09:38:00.011-04:00

Finally, I convinced my husband that painting our kitchen island was a great idea! Ok, great might be stretching it a bit!

The reason for the need to convince was two fold, first he thinks it is a disgrace to paint solid oak, which is what our cabinets are made of and second he really wasn't interested in painting. I always told him I would paint it and he wouldn't have to.

As usual, I just kept bringing the subject up and if he doesn't respond to my statement/question/comment then that is my green light to go ahead and do it!

So, I painted and distress it and he made the wood top for it.

Since he is an incredible woodworker, he was able to make a solid wood top for the island to replace the lovely 80's shade of grey lamanite that graced the top of my island. The wood for the top cost around $22.00 and we already had the paint, so the whole project cost less than $25.00!

Here's the lovely 80's version of my kitchen island,

Sorry about the white spots, my camera isn't the greatest.

And here is the amazing transformation costing less than $25.00!

There is an incredible product called Liquid Sandpaper (they may have changed the name to) Liquid Sander/De-Glosser, that you can get at Home Depot and probably Lowe's. It's in the paint section and costs about 4.00 per bottle, I had 8 doors and 4 drawers on my island, as well as the base and I used less than 1/4 of the bottle.

This product allows you to avoid the mess and dreaded job of sanding the piece. You simply wipe it on in a circular motion and let it dry 10 minutes and then paint away! It removes all of the poly that is on the cabinet doors and base.

We always use semi-gloss latex paint on all of his painted wood pieces so when we sand the painted piece to distress it the finish comes out matte. We have never primed any of our wood pieces and have never had a problem with the pieces peeling, chipping or showing wear and he has been building for almost 16 years.

The hardest part of the project is waiting for the coats of paint to dry! Patience is truly needed on any furniture painting project.

I have now convinced him to replace the top of the desk in the kitchen with the same wood top and I will paint those cabinets above the desk and the drawers on the bottom of the desk as well. I'll post that as soon as I complete it.

What do you have around your house that could use a little face lift? A coat of paint and some sanding and distressing will do the trick!

Crafty Friends

2009-05-26T15:12:00.005-04:00

I recently signed up for a sewing class and my friend Kathy, who can do just about anything made an adorable cloth bag for me to carry my supplies in. Check it out: www.candlebarncrafts.blogspot.com

It has my initial on it and has a ladybug on my initial and is lined with matching ladybug fabric!

Look how organized her sewing room is and oh how I dream of having a machine like that someday!

Thanks Kathy, I love my bag!

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

2009-05-22T08:27:00.007-04:00

Sorry I have been MIA for several weeks. I have been busy with yard work, preparing for a two day yard sale, redoing my kitchen island(I'll be posting before and after pics once my husband finishes his part of the project) and interviewing for several jobs! I don't know how I had time to have a job before!

Last night, several members of my Longaberger branch (Sallie, Kate, Shonda, Sherry(aka)Shirley and Linda), as well as, several members of another branch (Maria and Karen) and three of our customers (Debbie, Linda and Kirsten) traveled to Louisville for an evening with Longaberger!

The event was held at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel in downtown Louisville and featured great product displays and ideas, several incredible inspirational speakers (like Sallie and Tami Longaberger) and just some good old fashioned fun!

There was even a BEE Boy there giving out door prizes! Both Maria and Debbie won door prizes!

The best part of the evening was getting to see Tami Longaberger and have her sign my Branch Basket!

She is such a sincere and gracious lady! She does an incredible job running Longaberger, an American Company who makes products made in the USA and employs thousands of American craftsmen and women! Thanks Tami for all that you do, becasue Made in America Does Matter!

If you haven't met her, you don't know what you are missing! If you haven't seen Longaberger's products you truly don't know what you are missing! You can check them out at www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

Sewing 101

2009-05-01T10:25:00.010-04:00

My first intro to sewing was in the 7th grade in Home Economics, I am now showing my age, as Home Economics is no longer a part of current educational curriculum, which personally I think is a shame! Girls took Home Ec and Boys took Wood Shop, do you remember those days?

Home Ec sewing projects were basic and simple, the 7th grade project was an adorable gigham hostess style apron, complete with a pocket and then we embroidered a simple X pattern on the pocket....the 8th grade project was a bean bag frog, which was a little more complicated.

Over the years I have dabbled in sewing, mostly straight stitches and lots of appliques. For complicated projects like bedding, window treatments, cushions, slipcovers etc, the Good Lord has blessed me with friends and family( My mother-in-law Pat, Aunt Debbie, Kathy V., Kathy H and Kim B.) that have incredible sewing skills, who I could trade or barter with to make the complicated things for me.

I had some adorable rooster valances that were given to me ,as I always try and reuse things or pass them on to someone who can use them...here is what they look like

To make a long story short, someone spotted them in my craft room folded flat and sitting in a pile of fabric and told me they knew someone who could use them. So I of course agreed if they wanted them they were theirs, I did this before I knew there were three windows and any of the window sizes, big mistake!

After my commitment I learned only one of the three valances that were complete and ready to be added to a board, was the correct size and that the other two would need to be added to, altered etc. The challenge was that the rooster fabric is a discontinued fabric, the good news is that the black check fabric in the valance is still available and I thought no problem we will simply use the rooster panels as the gussets and the check as the large front panels, no problem! And since two windows shared one wall the other window was on a wall by itself, it would be ok if the valances were different as long as they incorporated the same fabrics.

Boy was I wrong, the rooster fabric is like a tapestry fabric and is very stiff and not overly flexible, so there was no way it was going to cooperate and lay flat to allow me to create a gusset, in addition, the gusset in the valance is so small you couldn't even tell it was the same rooster fabric on the completed valance.

What to do, what to do....as I tweaked and tweaked, I came up with two options, of course, I was leaning towards one more heavily, but since they weren't for me, I sought the opinion of my dear husband, who at times has a great eye (it's great when he agrees with me!) he actually picked the one I was leaning towards without swaying him, which was all the reassurance I needed.

So, the sewing began....which shouldn't have been a problem except my basic Singer is 15 years old, I have never had it serviced, oiled, etc and the tension is majorly goofed up and it will no longer wind bobbins, so I get to wind them by hand, talk about a pain!

I would get in a rhythm and the thread would break from the goofed up tension or the bobbin thread would run out. It was a true test of patience.

After about 4 hours of assembling, sewing, riping out seams and resewing, here is what the finished product looked like.

I actually amazed myself....please all you great seamstresses out there don't look closely at my seams, I used clear thread to try and hide as many non straight stitches as possible.

I am taking an intermediate sewing class starting this Thursday to try and improve upon my limited skills and learn some new ones! Can't wait and I need to get my sewing machine to the repair shop!

I'll keep you posted on my future projects.

I would love to hear your comments, don't be afraid to post a comment, it's really easy....let me know if you took Home Economics and what you remember about it, both good and bad!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2009-04-30T07:42:00.005-04:00

Sorry I have been remiss in posting...I have been busy! With the warm weather here, I have been in the yard, weeding and planting and spent two helping a lovely 82 year lady named Betty with her numerous but incredible perennial beds.

We weeded, deadheaded and put down some mulch. She is unbelievable, she doesn't look 82 and I can tell you she doesn't work like she is 82, I think she outworked me both days!

I learned a great deal from her on gardening, marriage, life and much more....it was a pleasure spending time with her!

Happy Feet

2009-04-20T09:15:00.011-04:00

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge:

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not purge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.

I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $35 or $45 and worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

Don't keep this to yourself!

Courtesy of pairofbartletts.blogspot.com and she said not to keep it to yourself, so do your girly duty and pass it on!

Spring Giveaway

2009-04-14T07:25:00.005-04:00

The Farm Chicks have a great Spring Giveaway on their blog! It's your choice of 2 fabrics, 1 yard each from Pixie Dust Decor. The blog gives you all of the details to enter the giveaway!

If you haven't met the Farm Chicks they are so creative. They have been fetaured in Country Living Magazine and now have their own cookbook. These are the Farm Chicks!

Go check out their blog http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com

Jars, Jars and More Jars

2009-04-14T00:07:00.006-04:00

There's something about jars that I just can't seem to resist. Not sure if it is their shape, original purpose or how I plan to use them, but my collection is ever expanding. From Mason jars, to decorative non-food safe primitive ones, I have more than I care to count.

Some of my jars are purely decorative and the contents change seasonally, while others are purely functional and hold flour, sugar, candy, bread crumbs, etc.

While looking at some of my decorative ones and growing a bit bored with them, I set out to add a little something to them and I ran across this great site http://www.yankeelaneprimitives.blogspot.com/div>

My plain early lighting jars went from this

To this, by simply gluing a label on the front of the jar!

Here are the Keepers of the Light Candle Jars, that I simply cleaned out once my candle was gone and added the label to the front of the jar. I will have some of these for sale at Burlington on Sunday. Stop by and check them out!

Show Time

2009-04-12T12:10:00.004-04:00

Spring is here and that means it is show time!

Come see us at the Burlington Antique Show on Sunday, April 19th.

Show hours are 6:00am-3:00pm.

Our booth number is D8.

We will have loads of goodies including screen doors, shutters, wheel barrels and more!

For more info on the show visit http://www.burlingtonantiqueshow.com/

Hope to see you there!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:08:00.000-04:00

Before and After

2009-04-11T14:42:00.007-04:00

Here's a less than exciting drafting chair, that is perfect for use at the computer, sewing machine, crafting table and so much more.

While the chair is perfectly functional and comfortable, it is rather plain and stark, or at least I think it is.

Solution, find a fabric that you like/love and a dear friend who can sew and you will end up with a drafting chair that looks like this!

Don't you just love it! My dear friend Kathy used her wonderful creative sewing skills and made a slipcover for my chair! She is so talented and always willing to help me create what my mind dreams up! I count her as one of my many blessings!

Now, each time I walk into my craft room I have this lovely chair to look at and Kathy comes quickly to mind!

What do you have around your house that is truly functional but less than exciting that you can perform a before and after on?

Road Trip to the Big Basket

2009-04-01T11:11:00.024-04:00

Now that Spring has arrived it's time for some road trips! My first of the year was to my favorite spot, Longaberger! We traveled to Longaberger on our first bus trip of 2009 and got to help Longaberger kickoff their Spring Fling weekend!

We traveled by chartered bus and had a blast with 43 fun loving ladies! The weather was perfect, no rain and in the mid 60's!

We drove past the breath taking 5 story market basket building, which continues to thrill and amaze me no matter how many times I see it!

Our first stop was Longaberger Homestead, an unbelieveable shopping and entertainment destination. Home to the World's Largest Apple Basket!

We shopped the incredible factory store filled with retired baskets and pottery at unbelieveable prices!

Had lunch in the Crawford Barn, yummy lemon almond chicken salad!

And then it was on to the quaint little town of Dresden, home to many independently owned shoppes.

Our last stop of the day is one of my new favorties, The Retired Basket Shoppe, located directly across the street from Longaberger Homestead. Lisa and her Mom, the shop owners are such sweeties, they come out to greet the bus with a Longaberger Basket full of cookies and each person on the bus receives a discount on two items!

Here's a shot of my buddies inside the Retired Basket Shop: Ginger, myself, Sallie and beautiful little Kylie, who is officially hooked on baskets! She has already woven two baskets and this is only her second trip to Longaberger! Sallie has an adorable slate tile in her hand to go on her WI stand that's in her yard to replace her Christmas one she got at the Retired Basket Shoppe when we were there in Decemeber.

If you haven't ever joined us for a trip, you don't know what you are missing! It's such a great Girls Day! Our next trip is Saturday, June 20th, the 2009 American Summer Celebration Tour and I would love for you to join us!

Apron Appeal

2009-03-25T15:41:00.007-04:00

I'm not sure who the author is, of the following, however several people (mom, sallie and pat) have sent this to me via email as they know how I love aprons!

They bring back fond memories of my Grandma, who made everything from scratch, as she always wore one when cooking. I can see her now! I don't own any vintage aprons, but own several new ones that I wear all the time. If you come to my house I am usually wearing one, as they save your clothes from stains when cooking.

Photo: BHG

History of the Apron:

Aprons, I don't think kids today know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

Photo: Jessica Steele

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Photo: SCAD

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

Photo: Jessica Steele

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Do you wear aprons? What memories do aprons conjure up for you?

Check out www.tipnut.com for 52 free apron patterns.

Greeting Spring

2009-03-15T15:23:00.013-04:00

Spring is right around the corner! I love the change of seasons and am thankful I live in an area that truly has four seasons!

Things are starting green up, from the grass to the swelling buds on the trees, soon it will be time to move outdoors and enjoy all of the colors of nature.

It's time to start thinking about the garden, whether it's flowers or vegetables, and remember to consider the unusal but eye catching containers you can use to make your outdoors as welcoming as your indoors.

Take a look at a few of these incredible ideas:

A Bucket with drainage holes, with hand painted lettering or vinyl letters featuring words of your choice, from your monogram, last name to your address, it makes the perfect container for an herb garden, annuals or even a tomato plant. The skys the limit!

Photo: Cherry Hill Cottage

A great old chair with a fresh coat of paint and a bucket or pot (remember to add drainage holes) to greet your guests or liven up a boring spot in your yard.

Photo: Cherry Hill Cottage

What a great use for an old sifter. So unexpected and so fun! A great way to bring some color inside!

Photo: Cherry Hill Cottage

On old drawer from a chest, night stand, etc painted with chalboard paint!

Photo: Cherry Hill Cottage

Those flea market and yard sales will be starting now that the weather is getting warmer, be on the lookout for unusual and unexpected containers for your outdoor space!

I can't wait to see what you find!

The Difference is in the Details

2009-03-10T17:43:00.004-04:00

As the saying goes, it's the little things in life that really make a difference. Whether it's at dinner, at home, in the garden or wherever, it's the little unexpected touches that truly make a difference.

How many times have you seen something and thought, wow, what a difference a simple touch makes. Things that get our creative brains (or even those non-creative brains) churning and visualizing how you could replicate it with something similiar you already have! I especially love the little details when they utlize things that have been repurposed.

Here are some of those very things, that make me say WOW, what a great idea. Where and how can I use that idea:

What a great use for an old door... whether it's leaning against a wall, hung on a wall or supported with brackets, it's not something you expect!

Two old shutters simply leaning against a brick wall, with a plain grapevine wreath.

Old flatware framed and placed in an area of prominence...use baby spoons, family silver, old monogrammed flatware found at a flea market, etc.

A set of nesting tables used as a coffee table!

Old Sunday School classroom chairs hung from a large wall.

What do you have stored in your garage or basement that can give you that "WOW I would have never thought of that" comment from your guests? Drop me a post and let me know what you come up with!

Punch Needle 101

2009-03-04T09:37:00.013-05:00

I have always loved to create things with my hands! From jewelry to applique clothes, you name it, I love to create. It's what I do instead of reading, I do of course read my Bible! I love the satisfaction I get from starting and finishing something!

My latest craft addiction is Punch Needle! You can create some beautiful things and it is relaxing and most importantly so easy! One of my dear customer's Karen introduced me to punch needle, she is so talented, she quilts, makes pillows using her quilt and punch needle creations, makes wool runners and candle mats featuring handmade pennies. Her work is incredible, I long to have her skills! Maybe if I hang around her long enough some of her skills will rub off on me!

Here are some of the things I am working on or will be working on in the coming weeks and months!

My sweet friend Ginger found this little cutie online and I will be working on this one for Easter! Design by: Threads That Bind

This was my first Punch Needle Pattern, there is a different design for each month and you switch the punch needle design and the wool background out each month. Design by: Buttermilk Basin.

This little cutie is going to get attached with buttons onto a little black boiled wool shoulder purse I have and will get toted around next winter. Design by: With Thy Needle

I love snowmen and want to get this one done for Christmas. I have plenty of time and it will take my mind off of the oppresive heat of July, which is when I will be working on it! Design by: With Thy Needle.

I have started a punch needle class and Karen has graciously offered to teach others this wonderful craft. We meet monthly and it is so much fun, we of course eat, laugh and punch. The fellowship is wonderful and it's so much fun to see what each other are working on.

If you are interested in learning to punch needle, just drop me a comment! Happy Punching!

Girl Meets Vinyl

2009-02-27T08:31:00.009-05:00

It never fails, I think I have found the greatest thing since sliced bread and then I discover something new! One of my latest favorites is vinyl lettering and images, sometimes called wallart, walltalk, etc. I sold it in the store and had primarily quotes, sayings, single words etc. in the beginning and then my creative juices took over. We began applying it to anything and everything to add that personalized or special touch to various items including walls, doors, mirrors, cars, chairs, cabinets, cookie jars, beverage tubs and dispensers, vases, candle holders and more! Here are some examples of what we've done with vinyl:

An interior door, an exterior door, a label for a door, laundry, bathroom, etc.

As featured, on a chair!

Even on tired kitchen cabinets....

On a vase or any non-pourous surface, like mirrors, frames, glass and more!

The possibilities are endless with this incredible stuff! The Good Lord blessed me when he allowed my dear little friend Emily to wander into the store and introduce me to her vinyl skills and abilities! Emily has her own little company complete with her own industrial vinyl cutting machine, and loads of creativity! She has added so much to my life and I count her as one of my blessings!

Got something you want to add a little personal touch to? Emily can help! Just drop me a comment and we can help you personalize whatever it might be, the sky's the limit!

Delicious Dinner in a Flash

2009-02-26T22:43:00.020-05:00

I love dinner time, however I have to say the hardest part of dinner time is deciding what to prepare! What sounds good at 7:00am when I am usually trying to decide on dinner, so I can take the appropriate items from the freezer to thaw, doesn't always appeal to me at 6:00pm when the cooking begins!

I am a subscriber to Everyday Food Magazine from the editors of Martha Stewart. While I have found a recipe or two in the magazine from time to time, this month's issue is packed with many recipes that I can't wait to try!
I prepared my grocery list and off I went in search of some pretty basic items and last night was Chicken and Artichoke with Angel Hair night! Talk about delicious! It was easy to assemble, prepare and the results were incredible. I will make it again and may even have friends over for dinner to treat them to this amazing dish.

What you'll need:

course salt and ground pepper

1/4 cup all purpose flour

8 thin chicken cutlets (about 1.5 lbs total) - can use boneless chicken breasts, just place between plastic wrap and pound thin with meat mallet or rolling pin.

2 TBSP Olive oil

1 cup reduced - sodium chicken broth

1 can (14oz) quartered artichokes packed in water, drained and quartered

2 TBSP rinsed and drained capers

2 TBSP butter

8 oz angel hair pasta- can use whole wheat

1/2 cup parsley leaves (optional)

Set a large pot of salted water to boil. Place flour in a shallow dish, and season with salt and pepper. Dredge cutlets, shaking off excess. In a large skillet, heat 1 TBSP oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches, adding remaining oil as needed, until light golden, 1-3 minutes per side: transfer to dish.

Add broth to skillet, and bring to a boil; cook until reduced by half. Add artichokes, capers and chicken with any juices. Gently swirl to combine, bring just to a boil. Remove skillet from heat. Swirl in butter and cover to keep warm.

Add pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente; drain. Serve chicken and sauce over pasta, topped with parsley.

It's that easy, and again the flavor is incredible. The small amount of butter thickens the sauce and makes it so creamy!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Recipes and Photos: EveryDay Food

Organized Living

2009-02-24T19:28:00.006-05:00

Wow, isn't it amazing how quickly clutter and chaos can take over our homes. Ok, at least for some us! While I always try and live by the motto "A Place For Everything and Everything in It's Place" it seems that Christmas, or should I say the days, weeks after Christmas seem to be when my motto flies out the window.

It happens because of all of the parties I am throwing or attending, the gift making and giving and the anticipation of the blessed birth of Christ that throw me into overload and I can't seem to get it all done and something has to give and it always seems to be my closet and craft room!

My closet ends up with summer sandals mixed in with winter boots and linen pants mixed in with cords and down vests. The craft room has scraps of wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue, tags and numerous other materials used in making the holidays merry and bright strewn about the room.

I will admit, I am a mood cleaner when it comes to my closet and craft room! The mood has to strike me and when it doesn't, while the mess makes me uneasy it is something I can block out of my mind, until one day I just can't seem to take it anymore!

Well, yesterday was when the cleaning, purging, organizing mood hit me and I got so much accomplished and now have a sense of peace! Of course it took some work and a good number of trash bags for the clothes and shoes I am parting with (haven't worn them in 3 mos, move them out) and various craft materials strewn about that had no purpose.

A trip to the Organized Living Store was in order and helped instill that sense of Ahhhhhh when I open my closet and enter my craft room! My dear friend Sallie told me they were closing the store, so we headed to Kenwood to take advantage of their OOB sale. I ended up with some great plastic totes that have sliding drawers to use in the closet of my craft room for ribbon, rubber stamps and more. They worked perfectly! Sallie ended up with a cool organizer to hold her shoes and another gadget that hooks to the back of the door that organizes purses!

We were both elated and couldn't wait to get home and put our purchases to use!

So, now I will live by my motto until at least November when the Christmas Maddness begins!

I would love to hear how you organize and tips for beating clutter in your home!

Happy Organzing!

Staircase Makeover

2009-02-20T11:44:00.016-05:00

My creative juices are flowing, it happens every winter when I am trapped inside. My Christmas decorations are down, my house looks oh so empty and boring and all my attention focuses on something in my house that makes me crazy. Remember, I am unusual, odd, different and as my husband would say in need of medication!!!

Are any of you like that? If you are like me, and it's ok if you aren't, I can't rest, until I change whatever it is that is making me crazy and even uneasy! Right now, my stairs in the front foyer are making me crazy!

See what I mean! Ok, if you don't see it that is ok!

The first thing I notice is the bland and boring color, not to mention the wear on the center of each step and if you look closer you will see coffee stains, that magically appear each morning and there is only one of us who drinks coffee and isn't me. Can you guess who it is? He says it isn't him, so I guess we have a ghost that lives here that loves to drink coffee and spill it on the way upstairs!

My stairs are the first thing you see when you enter my front door and I want that site to be a pleasing one! So, I think I have the husband convinced to help me rip the carpet and padding off the stairs and then I will stain the treads and paint the risers and add some decorative vinyl elements to some of the treads, probably every other one.

I say I think I have him convinced as he is at least willing to go look at a neighbors house who indeed removed the carpeting, stained the treads and simply painted the risers, when I told him about it 2 years ago he told me all the reasons we couldn't do it, which is what he normally does when he wants to get out of doing some work, he makes me think it is impossible but little does he realize after 16.5 years of marriage, that if you tell me something can't be done, I am going to figure out a way to do it. I am not even going to tell you all of the reasons he said it can't be done, all that matters is that it can!

Check out some of cool stair makeovers to give you some creative ideas! I love the one at the top of the post with the black and white design and while it doesn't work in my house it is pretty amazing! I can't remember where I found these photos as I have been thinking about the stairs for several years, but I believe the black and white design is actually wrapping paper!

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I'll keep you posted on my progress! I would love to hear your thoughts and what areas of your home make are less than desirable to you!

History of the Welcome Chair

2009-02-18T21:49:00.003-05:00

Can you believe this chair was a trash find? One of my dear friends rescued it from someones trash and proceeded to add her touches to it, including a coat of white paint, complete with yellow and white stripe sunbrella (outdoor) fabric. She used it on her front porch for several years and then grew tired of it! So of course being the saver I am when she offered it to me I was thrilled to have it. It sat in the basement of the store for a couple of months until a customer told me she was looking for a chair for her guest bedroom, a simple chair for her guests to use to read, put their shoes on etc....when I showed her the chair, she trusted me when I told her we could make it fit her decor! We simply gave it a coat of paint to match the linens in the room, had a chenille skirt made for it and added some vinyl letters to the back to serve as a Welcome symbol to all who enter the room! Now, think about those chairs you have in your house, basement, garage or wherever that could become works of art with some paint, fabric and vinyl!

Welcome

2009-02-18T20:52:00.007-05:00

While this isn't our little yellow house, it is the next best thing! We have created this blog as a way to stay connected with all of you who have supported us these past 2.5 years! We were so blessed to have had such wonderful patrons who entered as strangers and left as friends! Thank you for your kind words and support and we hope you will check our blog regularly for some creative and inexpensive ways to make your humble abode a place where you long to be!