Sweet Potatoes, ya'll!!

Not the finest photography job and this was taken last year at Thanksgiving, hence the mess. But these sweet potatoes are pure heaven! They are my mom's recipe. She has all the best recipes. My husband loves them and he "says" he hates sweet potatoes. My daughter loves them and she "says" she hates most food. People, these are even good the next day! The next week, even! Ok, I won't go that far, but they are yum. And best of all, no marshmallows involved!

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 lb. sweet potatoes 

¾ c. orange juice 

2 large eggs

2 T butter, melted

2 T. sugar

1 ½ t. cinnamon

½ t. nutmeg

Topping:

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/4 c. butter-room temp

½ c. flour

¼ c. + 2 T. brown sugar

Mix potatoes, juice, eggs, melted butter, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Beat till smooth. Season with s&p. Spoon into greased 8x8 pan. Topping: Flour, brown sugar, cinnamon. Add butter and cut in. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Advent Calendars aren't just for Christmas!

A woman in my church, one of the craftiest women of all time, came up with this! She is amazing. I wish I could take credit for this, but I can't!

Anyway, I think the picture speaks for itself, but if not, here's the directions:

1) Get a mini muffin pan (about $7.99 or so at Target)

2) Cut scrapbook squares out and put embelishments on them.

3) Cut up a stickable magnet and put on corners of paper to stick to muffin pan.

4) Put something fun or an activity in each hole.

You could use this for back to school, thanksgiving, easter, halloween, etc, but you would only have to make some new cute covers. My kids loved this and it's great because once you make it, it's done!!

Pumpkin Pancakes

I found this recipe and my family has loved it ever since! For Halloween we had these pumpkin pancakes and with a little bit of mini chocolate chips, they are a yummy treat. Almost taste like pumpkin bars! I dyed the whipped cream so it would be "monsterish". They are great all year round. We had them a few weeks ago and made me wish it was Fall!!

This recipe makes alot!! Like, if you double it, probably 40-50 pancakes. Make sure to smooth them out when you put them on the griddle so they cook evenly through.

1 1/2 cups milk

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 c. mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Pebble's Halloween Costume

My dad is a big fan of my kids and thought that my youngest should be Pebbles for Halloween. Her hair is usually up in a firework ponytail, so much of the time, she looks like Pebbles! I am a sewing novice. I have done blankets and can hem and such, but have never attempted anything from a strip of fabric. I measured using a dress that fit her and after some adjustments, got the dress over her head (just barely!) Probably should have used elastic? I also attempted to make a diaper cover without much luck. She has some seriously chubby legs! So, her diaper cover became a cute hat. I was so proud of me and she was a doll!!

Bathroom redo

Again, I am not a professional photographer OR decorator, but I am trying to learn! This bathroom was the most awkwardly shaped bathroom with horrible flat paint. It was bothering me, so I painted it. I found this mirror on the side of the road at my neighbors. (I have no shame). It was black and red and weathered and just basically crappy looking. Painted it three coats of white and weathered it some. I put it up in place of an oval mirror, you know the standard ones that come with houses. Like it much better!!

Bow board

I am a bow person. I have two girls and LOTS of ribbon!! And up till a few months ago, nowhere to put them. I had a few frames hanging around and took the glass out and painted them black. With the cardboard, I covered with fabric and hot glued the back. I added three ribbons and hot glued them. It has helped organize them and keep them cute!

Stuff you can do with a Pillowcase

I was going through my linen closet awhile back and found a whole bunch of pillowcases that I never use anymore. For the dress, I just added the embellishments that I had hanging around. It was easy, just cut and sew the seam. I also added one to the middle and a bow to the back. For the sleeves, I just cut an armhole and sew in some stretchy stuff in to the collar. The sleeves were so easy too, just cut and sew.

The superhero cape was even easier! Had some free ribbons and sewed them on. Made different letters "H" for my daughter and "S" for my son. They love them! Have given them away for gifts too and it's great!

I am not the best photographer. Would love to be, but my camera is just point and shoot!