These Mini Apple Tarts are certainly what they meant by an apple a day… I made these little snacks the to celebrate the arrival of Fall. I used Granny Smith apples because I love their mild tartness and their crispness. I recently read that they are also high in antioxidants and potassium. By the way, did you know that Granny Smith apples were first propagated in Australia? So I guess… Continue Reading
20 Minute Dollar Store Decor
Hello Friends! Even though the temperatures here have been in the mid-eighties, I am hereby declaring it fall in our home. It’s time to bring out the fall decorations and now that football is starting, it might as well be here already. I am watching some football and putting together a dollar store fall wreath. I am using a tv tray for my craft table. Not ideal, but sometimes I… Continue Reading
Fall Trail Mix
I’m making every effort to truly live a mindful life and enjoy and savor each season. It’s the little moments in the day that make our attitude and today I am sharing a fun fall trail mix recipe with you. I have been working on some fall decorating and although I really do not want summer to end, I do enjoy celebrating the arrival of fall. I was making some… Continue Reading
Dollar Store Thanksgiving Decorations
Will someone please tell me how Thanksgiving is nearly 2 weeks away already? I honestly feel like each year goes faster than the next. I have been working on ideas to design my holiday table with some dollar store Thanksgiving decorations. By utilizing some tools to lower the stress of Thanksgiving, I am enjoying the free time by creating something for the table. Each year, I like to change things… Continue Reading
How to Have A Stress Free Thanksgiving Dinner
At this time of year, if you’re like me you are contemplating your blessings, preparing for Thanksgiving, and probably making tons of lists of things to do, make and buy for the holidays. Sooooooo many things right? Having (thankfully) been through decades of holidays over the years I know that not everyone loves the holiday. Sometimes the holiday is exhausting and family dynamics are less than expected so people do not… Continue Reading
Tailgating Essentials and A Tailgate Checklist
This weekend will be busy for us. With several football games and tailgating on Saturday, I need to be organized and ready for all of the activities. We have season tickets for UCLA football, so we go to all of the home games which are held at the Rose Bowl. Luckily, we typically have great weather for the games here in Southern California. At the Rose Bowl, there are hundreds of… Continue Reading
Scary Bottle Labels Free Printable
This weekend I had some extra crafting time because my husband was out of town. I don’t know about you, but when I sit down to do crafts I need several hours at a time because I like to spread all my supplies out in front of me. I like to see all the supplies so that I can start playing with stuff and deciding what I want to make…. Continue Reading
Dollar Store Halloween Wreath
I have been getting the Halloween decorations out and this weekend I did a little crafting. I made a spooky Halloween wreath almost entirely out of dollar store items. This post is sponsored by Dollar Tree, one of my favorite stores. I always love scouring the Dollar Tree aisles for so many great decorations and supplies. There were so many fun Halloween things and these are the items I bought. … Continue Reading
My Fall Favorites
Happy September! I am amazed at how quickly this summer went by. Although summer is my favorite season, I also love fall. There is something about getting back into the school routine that feels well, productive. We just came back from a great weekend in Las Vegas. Even though it is still technically summer, the switch to school mode makes it seem like fall. I am sharing my fall favorites… Continue Reading
My Dollar Store Thanksgiving Table
This Thanksgiving Table scape is made almost entirely of dollar store items. I meant to write this earlier this month but got a little busy so I am getting this up since Thanksgiving will be here soon. I am sharing my dollar store Thanksgiving table with you. First I bought a couple of these cool vinyl table clothes for a dollar each. I cut one of them to make a… Continue Reading
Fall Mantel Decorating
It’s finally fall y’all and that means it is time for a little decor change. You may recall that I just added a few simple decorating ideas to my home last year to bring the colors of autumn inside. Today I am sharing a few more simple fall decorating ideas, that can me made in minutes. The best thing is, that I made these with things I already have around… Continue Reading
Simple Caramel Apple Cupcakes
These simple Caramel Apple Cupcakes are made from a mix. But you don’t have to tell! Topped with a simple homemade buttercream frosting, they make for a quick dessert idea! A few years back, I shared easy semi-homemade cupcake recipes. I shared Caramel Pecan Cupcakes, Pumpkin Cupcakes and Peanut butter cup cupcakes. With the first day of Fall being less than a week away, I am excited to bake with… Continue Reading
Celebrating the Coming of Fall and a {Birthday Giveaway}
Now that Labor Day is gone we are heading into Fall. It really does not feel like it here because we are still maintaining a heat wave and it is very humid out. School has started and another summer is coming to an end. Nevertheless, I am excited about what comes with fall including these things: Football Season – I love watching my UCLA Bruins and going to tailgate and… Continue Reading
Knott’s Halloween Haunt
Recently I attended a complimentary preview event at Knott’s Berry Farm for their upcoming Knott’s Scary Farm Haunt. If you visit Southern California, Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the area’s entertainment center and amusement park. In the eventings during Fall, the park transforms into a very scary place. This year is the 41st year that Knott’s Scary Farm returns, the Knott’s Scary Farm Haunt attraction is attended by thosands… Continue Reading
Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies
These fun and festive Thanksgiving Turkey cookies are so much fun to make and they really do put a smile on everyone’s face that sees them. This photo is from the first year of blogging, and it really doesn’t do these cookies justice, but you kind of get the idea. Be sure to check out our other Thanksgiving dessert ideas. These are just so much fun to make. I have… Continue Reading
Thanksgiving Countdown
I hope that everyone enjoyed their weekend. We went to see Skyfall and if you are a James Bond fan, you will not be disappointed. Today I am busy working on finalizing my Thanksgiving menu my Thanksgiving To Do list items. I am sharing my list of things that I have to do to get dinner on the table next Thursday. This week: Borrow chairs/card tables for extra guests Clean… Continue Reading
Pumpkin Blondie Bites
These Pumpkin Blondie Bites are made from a recipe given to me by my dear friend Katia. Katia and I have a lot of fun when we get together to shop, eat or just catch up. I think our favorite thing is probably is hitting the outlet malls together (especially the shoe stores). But today’s post is about a fun pumpkin dessert that is easily made from a mix. You… Continue Reading
Thanksgiving Holiday – Make it Memorable
With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, I am planning my Thanksgiving dinner menu. I have been hosting Thanksgiving for my family for over 20 years. We have hosted in different locations and states due to our moving around a bit, but each one is special. I still remember my first turkey in our first home 27 years ago. The day takes so much planning and work, and before you… Continue Reading
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Thanksgiving is coming soon and for my Canadian friends, that means this Monday! So I made these cookies to celebrate the season. I adapted a recipe from Sandra Lee, from Food Network, who is one of my heroes as she has inspired me to take recipes and streamline them when possible. So here is my recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies: 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 stick of butter or… Continue Reading
Easy Recipe For Apple Dip
This easy recipe for apple dip is made with just two ingredients! Great with apples and pears! and perfect any time of year! Hello Friends! How is your week going? Are you feeling all the fall this week? This weekend I was busy catching up on my reading (email, magazines, blogs). My to do list was super long and halfway through my items, I started to get hungry. Grocery shopping was on… Continue Reading
