Tasha Tudor's Gingerbread

There are so many resources available online, sometimes I forget about my local library.  Recently though, in my never ending quest to find recipes that include molasses, Tasha Tudor's Cookbook caught my attention. 

Sure enough, her recipe for gingerbread included one full cup of molasses.  The book was checked from the library and the recipe was followed. 

It was delicious!  Happy baking!

;-)  -Marci

Guest Post at Homegrown & Healthy

Hello, Sweet Friends! 

 

I have the most exciting news!  Today my post about Aunt Linda's Soapmaking Class is a guest at

 

Homegrown & Healthy

 

Will you please join me over there?

 

;-)  -Marci

Noel's Beautiful Life

Would you like to help a family that was impacted by Hurricane Sandy?  There is a wonderful shower being hosted by Noel.  Learn all the details over at

Noel's Beautiful Life

What Noel is doing is so lovely.  Thank you, Noel!

;-)  -Marci

I Won at The Chicken Chick!

This is so exciting!  I won a giveaway at

 

The Chicken Chick 

 

I feel like Daffy Duck when he shouts WHOO HOO WHOO HOO and turns cartwheels!

 

Thank you, Kathy!  What wonderful news!

 

;-)  -Marci

"I Never Win Anything"

Well, I can't say that anymore!  You're not going to believe this.  I can hardly believe it myself!  I won at

 

 Homegrown & Healthy

 

How exciting!

 

If you haven't visited Aubrey at Homegrown & Health , hop over and say, "Hi"!  The number one goal of her blog is to promote fresh, healthy eating by supporting our local farmers.  'Pretty awesome, huh?

 

;-)  -Marci

Sprouted Bread

Have you tried making bread using sprouts...  and your bread machine?  It's delicious!

 

Here's a recipe that got me started.

 

Sprouted Bread 

 

It's from cook.eat.think . 

Mmmmm...  Fresh, homemade bread!

 

;-)  -Marci

Polka Dots... They make me smile!

Don't you love polka dots? Minnie Mouse has worn them for years!  Polka dots definitely work for her!

 

 

 

 

So, you've been hearing about my bathroom makeover.  This was my bathroom trash can.

 

 

I liked it when the shower curtain was a soft yellow with embroidered rose buds.

 

These days, I'm thinking polka dots. Do you remember Gobblin' Gus ? He's the inspiration.

 

So, simply using round stickers, I made a pattern on my trash can.

 

It took three coats of purple spray paint to get an even color.

 

 

The stickers were peeled away to reveal the polka dots!

 

 

Yup!  It makes me smile!  Do you think Minnie Mouse would approve?

 

This lil paint project is being entered in

at Silo Hill Farm.  Hop over there and join the fun!

 

 

;-)  -Marci



From the Greenhouse

Carrot seeds were planted in my greenhouse right at the end of Summer.  Look!

It's time to harvest!  These landed in a nice big pot of home made chicken soup.

What is your favorite carrot recipe?  Do you grow carrots?

 

Do little chihuahuas ever sneak into your photos?  There's Ivan!  Again!

 

;-)  -Marci

Ozark Corn Maze

 

These photos are from a couple of weeks ago...  the weekend after Halloween.

 

We were driving through Cave Springs and there was a corn maze still open!

 

For whatever reason, it was something that had not been checked off our "Things To Do in Autumn" list.



This particular maze is snuggled into a gorgeous Ozark valley.  The golden color of spent corn was surrounded by blazing Fall foliage.

The gentle animals in the petting zoo completely understood where to find snacks!

 

As soon as Mr. Big Stuff and Lil Fashionista entered, the animals softly moved toward them.

 

The day was cool but sunny.

 

 

Perfect for navigating through a golden labyrinth.

 

We had a sweet afternoon filled with joy!

 

I hope your week is overflowing with love and laughter! 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!  ;-)  -Marci

Patterns Galore @ Threading My Way

Have you visited Pam at

 

Threading My Way ?

 

She has compiled a wonderful library of sewing patterns!  Anytime my sewing machine feels a little lonely, I hop over to  Threading My Way  and cruise thru the very well organized pages of tutorials.  It is my GO TO place for sewing instructions.

 

 

Right now, my tutorial for  Chubby Fashionista's Bandana Skirt  is being featured!!  WHOO HOO!!  What an honor!!  You might remember it was sewn when she was just a baby!

 

 

'Need a pattern?  Try  Threading My Way  first!

 

Happy sewing!  ;-)  -Marci

Featured at Adorned From Above!

How exciting!  My sweet friend, Debi, of 

 

Adorned From Above

 

has featured my post about My Favorite Tools ! 

 

Debi hosts a wonderful linky party every Wednesday!

 

 

I have to tell you something that Debi and I have in common.  We both have someone in our lives who LOVE jalapenos!  Jalapeno recipes are frequently a topic for our conversation!

 

 

Thank you so very much for the feature, Debi!  What an honor!

 

;-)  -Marci

I WON @ City girl Gone coastal!

The give away winners were just announced at

 

City girl Gone coastal

 

and get this...  I'm one of the winners!!



 

WHOO HOO!  WHOO HOO!

 

Thank you, Amanda!  I'll be smiling all day!

 

;-)  -Marci

Featured at God's Growing Garden!

Angie of
God's Growing Garden

 

 

featured one of my gourd decorating posts because I received the most "Likes"!  What an honor!

  Thank you, Angie!

 

Take a look around  God's Growing Garden !  She hosts themed blog hops!  It's tons of fun!

;-)  -Marci

I met Fellow Blogger, Danni!

You may already know Danni from Silo Hill Farm  or  Inspiration Cafe !   You might have noticed one of her recipes  HERE  and how she rescued me from "no reply" status  HERE !

 

Danni has been such an encouragement to me.  Her infectious laughter brightens any room!  I was so excited to meet her in person!

 

 

Sandstone Gardens was the location we chose.  If you are anywhere near Joplin, Missouri, visit this stunning shopping extravaganza.  (Call Danni and me!  We want to go, too!)  These photos are mine, all from Sandstone Gardens .  They showcase their products brilliantly.

Let me tell you about Danni!

 

Her favorite color is green, any green except regular green.

This delightful gal is an early riser, usually awake before dawn.



 



 

Cross country skiing is one of her favorite past times.

 

From the skiing skill set, Danni likes to picnic in the snow!  How cool is that?!

 

My sweet friend from Silo Hill is not a big fan of glitter,

but is very drawn to the natural shimmer of branches

and old world beauty.

 

Originally from Chicago, my kindred spirt has lived in Montana and now resides in Missouri.

 



 

Here we are in one of the three greenhouses.  It was a wonderful afternoon. 

 

Please visit Danni at  Silo Hill Farm  or at  Inspiration Cafe !

 

We hope to have ongoing Blogger Play Dates each quarter buzzing around Missouri and Arkansas.  Please join us!

 

;-)  -Marci

Veteran's Day

Honoring and thanking those who serve, as well as those who wait.

 

 

This is a photo of our son when he served in Ghana.  After returning home, he talked alot about the children there.

 

I met a remarkable veteran this week, James G. Littlepage.  It was a surprising interaction.  As our conversation was closing, he asked if he could recite a poem, then another, and just one more.  All three of the poems touched my heart.  Two brought tears to my eyes.

 

Jim has been honored with such awards as 1st Place - Patriotic Poetry, Veteran's Creative Arts Festival.  His book is titled Of Fire, Wind & Spirit.  If you are curious about this poet, visit his website by clicking  HERE .

 

Please pause in gratitude this week for our service men and women, as well as those who love them.  If there is a veteran close by, please remember to say "Thank You".

 

-Marci

 

 

Gourd Decorating

Join me! 

Upcoming classes at Ozark Folkways in Winslow: 

 

www.ozarkfolkways.com 

Adult Gourd Jewelry Class, Saturday Nov. 17 from 10:00-1:00 at Ozark Folkways

The class will be making gourd jewelry from gourds, dried pourable paint and found objects.

All supplies furnished. $30.00

Kid’s Gourd Ornament Class, (Ages 10 and up) Saturday Nov. 17 from 2:00-4:00 The class will be decorating ornamental gourds for Christmas ornaments.

All supplies furnished. $20.00.

 

(I'm hopin' they let me stay for the children's class!)

This will be the second class I've taken from Linda Ashmore !  'Can't wait to see her!  I'm still a novice when it comes to gourd decorating, but there seems to be some progress with my skill set.

You can  click here  to read about the first class.  My completed project always makes me smile! 

 

Linda crammed so much info into that class!  It was amazing.  Here are attempts on my own!

 

Just click on the title if you would like to see the entire post.

 

Cleaning and Dying Dried Gourds

 

'Gotta be honest.  I was over-the-top frustrated with my second project until the antique agent was used. 

 

"Antique" Gourd

 

 

Lacing and Beading

 

 

The pine needle weaving still needs practice! 

 

If you have time next Saturday, join me at Ozark Folkways near Winslow, Arkansas!  Linda is an absolutely delightful teacher! 

 

(Maybe we can sneak into the children's class!  ;-)  -Marci

One Year, 20 Wishes

Thank you,  Kassi and Kayli at  Truly Lovely , for hosting a wonderful link party all about one year of fulfilling twenty wishes.  The idea is to make a list of what I  WANT  to do, not have to do, or need to do, but what I  WANT  to do next year!

So, what would I like to accomplish in 2013?

 

1.  Celebrate 27 years of marriage!  I know, right? 

2.  Vacation in Colorado.
 

3.  Attend concerts.

4.  Increase my herb collection.

5.  Create a new presentation on herbs for when I am asked to speak. 

6.  Complete 5 hypertufa projects.

7.  Learn soap making.

8.  Create my own herbal bath salts.

9.  Create my very own herbal lip balm.

10.  Learn to quilt.

11.  Sew one quilt for each of my children. 

12.  Take a photography class. 

13.  Learn Photo Shop...  OK, so I bought the program last year and still have not opened it.  EESH! 

14.  Organize leadership at Herb Society of NWA.

15.  Run a 5k.  This is an interesting one.  In  2002, I ran a half marathon.  Just a few months later I was diagnosed with an early stage of cancer.  Returning to distance running is therapeutic on so many levels.

16.  Successfully complete a Warrior Dash with a respectable time.  I have already registered!  Isn't that exciting!! 

17.  Create my own herbal salad dressings.

 

18.  Get really good at making artisan cheese.  I'm just beginning to learn right now.  If you have any recipes or can recommend any sites, that would be awesome!

19.  Learn bloggy, techy things.  OK.  I don't really know what those things are, but I would like to!  Can anyone help? 

20.  Monetize my blog somehow.  'Dunno about that either.  Any advice?  Anyone? 

What do you WANT to accomplish next year?  Please join the fun at Truly Lovely !

;-)  -Marci

Buttoned Up Plaque

To Everything There is a Season.  Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 

 

It appears to be a season of blogging for me.  I feel blessed to have met so many interesting, capable, creative women.  The talent pool in blogland is remarkable.  I am grateful to call some of these fellow bloggers my friends. 

 

 

Last year, this little plaque hung on my porch just like it is. Now that I've begun blogging though, I just can't leave anything alone!  I've seen too much!  ;-)

 

This denim pinwheel was added first.  I attached it with fine gauge wire threaded through a dark button.

 

That's better!  Next a garland made of layered buttons was created, again using fine gauge wire.  I kept the color palette neutral with a touch of blue and orange.

 

 

Are you familiar with Mary Engelbreit's flowers?  I love their simple beauty.  (This orange polka dot button just makes me smile!  Polka dots always do.)

 

Mary's flowers were the inspiration for this garland made with buttons.  A few tabs were added for a little movement in Autumn breezes.

 

Beginning on the pinwheel side, the button garland was wrapped around the jute hanger in an effort to hide the wire as much as possible.

 

Here's my completed project.

 

This project will be joining

 

I'm not sure I'll get to move forward in the challenge, but plan to complete a project in each of the catetories.  It's so fun to try something new!  Please join me by clicking H E R E !

 

Thank you to all the inspirational bloggers!  I hope this season is filled with joy for you!  BTW...  What's your favorite project with buttons?

 

;-)  -Marci