For supper tonight I thawed out Pork Loin not knowing what I was going to do with it this morning

and not having a whole lot in my cupboards to work with...I had one McCormicks

Chipotle marinade packet, so I added 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1/4 cup honey mix in

 ziplock bag and let pork marinade for the day.  Put on the grill. 

As we like to say in the Books household "it's so good it made me lick my eyebrows TWICE"

It was so YUMMY spicy and sweet!!!  Need to create recipes more often.

So it doesn't take much to make me happy...I love dishes!  Really I love anything that has to do with my kitchen but dishes might be one of my favorite accesories.  When I came across these beautiful dishes I had to have them and even better they where 70% off which made them only $12.88. 
Joey says my crazy love for dishes reminds him of his grandmother-whom had a set of dishes for all occasions...if I had more cupboard space I would have a set for my every mood :)

I also wanted to share this beautiful fall gourd arrangement that my sweet boy made me.  Chandler came home from school with all these gourds that his teacher had given him.  He wanted something to make with them-so I suggested that he put them in the wooden bowl with a candle.  I got him a candle and ring and he washed and dryed all of his gourds and placed everything the way he wanted them.  I LOVE IT and he is quite proud of his work!!!

Just a sneak peek of my newest project...

Today I made birthday cupcakes for a little girls

8th DIVA Birthday Party! 

I designed the cupcake toppers to look like the napkins and decorations.

I am pretty proud of how they turned out!

I had been asked by my friend Kelli to donate a handmade bag for her 

Art in the Bag benefit

that is held in Omaha, October 15th 2011.  A silent auction of

handcrafted bags-live music and proceeds goes to benefit Cancer Awareness.

I was honered to be asked but was a little worried as

 I am not much of a patteren follower...

so I have been looking and thinking what can

I use to make a different and fun bag???

While cleaning my craft room I had come across burlap that

 I had bought for a table decoration. 

Then thought I love my new sling bag I had bought from New York-

so I just went for it who needs a pattern anyway???? 

Ok Maybe me-but I don't have that kind of time.

So this is the cute bag I came up with today while the kiddos were napping  (I may need to change the name of my blog to "While they were Sleeping") 

http://www.artinthebag.com

Burlap Bottom

Jute Button Loop

 Fun Button-from Prairie Point Junction

 Large over the shoulder bag

I might have to make myself one!

A Whole New Light...

For some time my friend and I have been thinking we would like to

'Renew' our light fixtures.   

Last Friday as Chandler was home sick I did a little blog surfing and had come across a gal who had made a neat candle chandelier out of her old kitchen light (which had looked very similar to my hideous gold fixture above my kitchen table)  I just wanted to get to redoing mine right away-I could not wait much longer I was very close to flippin the breaker myself. 

So this morning Joe took down both fixtures

 in the kitchen and I began painting. 

 After getting them down and clean, I covered the light
socket with painters tape.

Than spray painted Black, I had to do three coats.  I also tried antiquing it with white around the edges but I did not care for i-so painted it back all black.

 Once it was dry Joe hung it back up!

I am pretty pleased with how it turned out-best of all it cost $6.98

for the paint and now I have two new fixtures!!! 

Julie it is a MUST!!!

CAKES...

 

I was asked to make Hannah's 8th Birthday Cake.  I had never used fondant before but I was

so excited to try it.  I am so happy with the way it turned out and even better the cake was tie dyed!



In the same week I also was asked to make Dylan's 4th birthday cake and cupcakes.

The Buzz Lightyear was tie dye and cupcakes where chocolate.

Candy Corn Bars

1 Yellow Cake Mix

1/2 cup softened margarine

1 egg

-Mix together well, press in bottow of ungreased bar pan.  Bake @ 350 for 10-14 minutes you do NOT want it to be golden brown,

cookie bottom will not be soft.

Add 3 cups mini marshmallows, return and bake for 1-2 minutes until big and puffy.

In Sauce Pan-1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

-Stir constantly until it begins to boil.  Remove from heat and add

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter-mix

Pour in 2 cups roasted peanuts

2 cups rice crispy cereal

12 1/2 oz. bag of candy corn

-Immediately spoon warm topping over marshmallows;

spread to cover.  Allow to cool.