DIY Scrapbook Paper Christmas Cards

I came across some adorable scrapbook paper I purchased several years ago and never used. Folding a couple thicker, plain colored pieces, I cut them into the shape and size of a standard greeting card. I cut the paper patterned with pine trees into pine tree shaped pieces and glued them on front. Decorated the rest with gel ink stamps and scrapbooking stickers.  Altogether, it cost less than $5 in leftover supplies to make 14 greeting cards.  They may not be quite as quality as a $1.00+ greeting card from the store, but they have a personal touch.  Also, lots of blank room to write whatever loving, holiday message I want to fill the card with :) 

Glass Block Holiday Decor

I had never honestly seen or done any glass block crafts before, but was on a DIY spree the day we found these glass blocks for $4.99 as an after Thanksgiving Special at Mangelsen's Craft Store in Omaha. I bought three that day. The next day it only took a couple hours and a few supplies from Walmart to bring life to the glass blocks. I used the remainder of a bag of fake snow I had purchased for another project and sprinkled it along the bottom of the glass block interior. Next, I piled on a couple tiny Christmas ornaments, just small enough to fit in the opening of the glass block. These ornaments were $1 for a package of 10 at Dollar General. After that, I wrapped a $1.98 strand of Christmas lights in some tulle and filled the remainder of the glass block. Between the tulle and the front wall of the glass block, I slid in a thin, red, glittery snowflake shaped Christmas tree ornament ($2.98 for a package of 12 at Walmart). Using shiny sticker from the scrapbooking aisle, I spelled out some cute holiday sayings on the front of the glass block. To complete the look and hide the light cord on top, we wrapped a ribbon around the block like a present and made a bow on top. 

I stuck with a red and silver theme to keep the variety of materials limited and the cost lower, but these would be adorable with blue and silver, or red and green decor also.

Here are my 3 finished products! 

Early Winter Sunset

Today was the last day I get to spend in the woods in my tree stand enjoying early bow season. Although I didn't get to harvest a deer this year, I saw a lot of awesome things while exploring and sitting still in the woods this fall.  Every year around this time, I notice how amazing the sunsets can be.  I think tonight's was the most brilliant of all. The pictures don't even do it justice. Love county life.. it's the little things :)

Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball

It's definitely time to start thinking about Thanksgiving dishes and what you will take to serve your family and friends next week.  When it comes to holiday dishes/appetizers, I don't just like to make mine, I like to make them festive.  Thoguht I woud share the festive turkey cheeseball I made for Thanksgiving last year. To make this cute little critter, I started with a basic pecan cheeseball recipe:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 teaspoons grated onion
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
• finely chopped pecans

I formed it, cooled it, and rolled it in the chopped pecans. Next, I sliced red, orange and yellow peppers to make the colorful turkey tail. They stuck right into the back of the cream cheese ball.  I used orange pepper pieces for his beak and feer, and a red pepper piece for his gobbler. For his head, I used a TownHouse FlipSides cracker pretzel. Little balls of cream cheese with peppercorns stuck in the middle formed his eyeballs. WARNING: never bite into the peppercorns :)

To dip in the turkey cheeseball, I sliced sweet potatoes, salted and baked them to make sweet potato chips. I also served with regular pretzels and crackers. Who couldn't smile about this cute and delicious little critter? Enjoy! 

Plain Kitchen to Aqua Kitchen - A Full Remodel

Since my home was a foreclosure, it had sat vacant for nearly two years before the purchase. The pipes had been winterized, but not in time, so I had burst pipes behind one of the kitchen walls. I knew I wanted to do something different with the large kitchen area, but all I had in mind was turning the middle island around so it was more functional and replacing the floors. Past that, all I'd started envisioning was decorating it with tones of my favorite aqua color.  My dad had a bigger picture in mind, and decided to go all out since we had to replace one of the existing wall's drywall instead. We were able to keep the same cupboards, but modernize them with new handles. New floors, countertops, backsplash, and a new sink all transformed the look of the cabinets and entire room. I couldn't be happier with the finished product. It's such a bright, open, inviting and productive feeling space. Here are some before and after pictures. I will blog more in the future about the remodel process :)

Chalkboard Cupboard Doors

During my kitchen remodel we moved around and replaced a couple of my cupboard sections.  Not only did it make my kitchen bigger, it left behind some unneeded cupboard doors. We hate getting rid of anything that still has a use, so we used my mom's great idea to upcycle them instead. We taped off the edges and painted the middle with chalkboard paint. Painted around the edges with the turquoise color to match my decor. Add some chalk and a cute saying and you've got a cute wall decor or gift to give.

Here is one I ended up hanging in my kitchen:


Here is one I gave as a wedding gift to my friend Jessica:


Easy and inexpensive DIY project :)

American Flag Cheesecake Bites

If I didn't love Christmas so much, I would say the 4th of July is my favorite holiday.  I love everything about summer and during 4th of July I'm always out boating, jet skiing, sunning and floating in the water. Oh and we can't forget the fireworks! 4th of July is already full of delicious summertime grilled food, but here's a fun idea for a refreshing, fruity and festive desert!

• 1 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 F (175 degrees C). Line miniature muffin tine with miniature paper liners
• Crush the vanilla wafers and place 1/2 teaspoon of the crushed vanilla wafers into each paper cup.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Fill each miniature muffin liner with this mixture, almost to the top.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Cool.
• I substituted the vanilla wafers for graham crackers. Love an original graham cracker crust. I arranged my mini cheesecake delights onto this festive flag platter, and arranged the fruit to make the tops of the cheesecakes look like a flag as well. I use blueberries and raspberries (think they were on sale that week!) but this could be done with blackberries or strawberries as well. Enjoy!