NaBloPoMo End of the month results

I did it! I actually did 37 posts this month. It was a challenge yet so much fun. Count me in to do this again.

Happy Blogging Everyone,

Nancy

Basket Weaving, Basket Making Video - Mini Muffin Basket - Weaving the Braided Rim Part 5

We finish our basket! Today we do the final step to our braided rim and we put the bow on the front. Enjoy your basket! If you've made this basket I'd love to see a picture of it.

As always, this and all my videos are on my youtube channel HERE.

Happy Weaving,
Nancy

Basket Weaving, Basket Making Video - Mini Muffin Basket - Weaving the braided rim part 4

The next step here in our braided rim.

Happy Weaving,

Nancy

Living a DIY Lifestyle - My Life

Dear Friends,
One of my husband's favorite quotes throughout our 21 years of marriage has been, "It's not brain surgery." He would say this to anyone feeling self doubt about whether or not they could perform a specific task. He would encourage anyone to learn and figure out how to accomplish their project. "You can do it, it's not brain surgery or it's not rocket science."
This has saved us literally thousands of $$$ over the years. We've done all our own home and vehicle maintenance projects. We've built many things in our home and have done our own major remodeling projects. If we can avoid hiring out the project, we do so. Mike and I married at the early ages of 21 and 23. He knew and was never afraid of taking things apart to find out why it was broken and then to replace the broken part.
Bring this down to a more domestic level and I cook for my family and have done much sewing in the past although now it is more cost effective to purchase some ready made clothing for a couple of dollars than it is to buy fabric and a pattern along with zippers, buttons and other notions. I still sew most all the curtains in the house as well as other home decorator items and an apron as you saw HERE. As you all know, I enjoy basket weaving (of course) and scrapbooking as well as all forms of crafting.
I enjoy gardening and do what I can in my small space. (We live on just under 1/4 acre).
There are times when we know our limits and must hire out some work or the amount of time involved is just to great. Sometimes we don't have the proper tools to do a project.
Doing it yourself gives a great sense of accomplishment.
It is satisfying to say, "I did this."
Blessings,
Nancy

Creative Ideas for the Holiday Home

You all know how much I truly enjoy FaveCrafts. Let me tell you. I like them so much because their projects are crafty, not artsy. It is crafts I can do in an evening. It is crafts that are beautiful and many times I have the supplies already at home to make them. The finished projects are simply sweet. Well, they've come out with another free e-book for the holidays starting with Halloween and going through Christmas. The projects are for decorating your home as well s gifts.

FaveCrafts Creative Ideas for the Holiday Home can be downloaded HERE. It has some charming projects in it. I hope you enjoy!
Blessings,
Nancy

Happy Thanksgiving

Cornucopia with rewoven border. The spokes in this basket become the beautiful rim.

Dear Friends,
As with every year on this day it is a chance to really reflect on what we have to be thankful for. I try to always remember to give God thanks each and every day for my blessings. It is easy to be generically thankful. Lord I'm thankful for all my blessings.
I've been thinking of the specific things I'm thankful for. Yes, some are material things, but I'm still thankful for those material things because some make my life easier, some are fun, and some are just pleasing to look at.
Below is my list. What are you thankful for?
With love and blessings on this special day.
Nancy
My list of blessings I'm so thankful for.

1. That Jesus died on the cross to erase our sins and give us everlasting life.
2. My dear sweet husband Mike.
3. My three beautiful children.
4. My extended family.
5. My friends.
6. My internet and blogging friends. (That's YOU!)
7. That Mike has a good job.
8. Our home.
9. My backyardand garden. (I love spending time outdoors)
10. My health.
11. Our vehicles.
12. Our church and church family.
13. My computer and the internet (I learn so much here)
14. Our library.
15. That I know how to cook.
16. That all my shopping and errands are only 10 minutes from home.
17. My neighbors.
18. Food to eat.
19. Farmers.
20. That we have medicine for many of our ailments.
21. Comfortable and warm clothing.
22. Our onery yet very loving beagle Cindy.
23. Online schooling for my children so they can be home with me.
24. Pretty flowers
25. Butterflies
26. Airplanes and Amtrak
27. Duct tape
28. My list keeps going on but I figure after saying duct tape that you will think I'm just being silly. I really am thankful for all the small things in life, even duct tape. I'm thankful for the person who invented it. One time I was able to hold my car together and drive it home just because of it!

Point being, remember to be thankful even for all the small things in our lives.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving,
Love,
Nancy

What's on Your Thanksgiving Table?

I've been a busy cook these last few days.

Here is our Thanksgiving menu for tomorrow:

• 
  
  Turkey
  
• 
  
  Dressing
  
• 
  
  Gravy
  
• 
  
  Cranberry Salad
  
• 
  
  Texas Potatoes
  
• 
  
  Green Beans
  
• 
  
  Rolls
  
• 
  
  Pecan Pie
  
• Pumpkin Pie
  
• Chocolate covered pretzels and nuts
  

What will you be on your table?

Love and blessings,

Nancy

Thank you God for this food and for the family we have to share it with. Amen

Copycat Recipes

FaveCrafts has partnered up with Recipe Lion to create this free e-book of copycat recipes. Below is the link to download the recipes. The recipes are listed below.

http://www.recipelion.com/Restaurant-Recipes/27-Secret-Restaurant-Copycat-Recipes-eCookbook

Hard Rock Cafe Twisted Mac 'N Cheese

Applebee's Bourbon Steak

Chili's Boneless Buffalo Wings

KFC's Coleslaw

Pizza Hut Original Pan Pizza Crust

Boston Market-Style Squash Casserole
Wendy's Frosty
Cheesecake Factory Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
Melting Pot Green Goddess Dip

Red Robin-Style Bonzai Hamburger

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Hash Browns

T.G.I. Friday's Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Panera Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Pizza Hut Dessert Pizza

Chicken Fried Rice Benihana Style

Cinnabon's Cinnamon Rolls
McDonald's Big Mac Sauce
Panda Express-Style Orange Chicken
Ruby Tuesday Chicken Quesadilla

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Fried Apples

Pizza Hut Thin Crust Pizza Dough

Enjoy!

Nancy

Candy Bar Box - Stocking Stuffer - Craft Video

This is a fun, easy, quick and frugal craft. It is making a candy bar box. What a great stocking stuffer this would make. Make several of these and put them in a basket as a gift. Write peoples names on them and use them as place cards at your holiday dinner. They could be made for any holiday. I hope you enjoy.

Below is a picture of the template for cutting and scoring to make this box. I've made about 20 of these little boxes now. You can easily make one box in about 2 minutes.

Enjoy!

Nancy

Share a Basket Sunday - Basket Making - Doorknob Basket

Dear Friends,
This is the fifth basket I first made about 15 years ago. I've come a long way. (Look at that hole in the twining!) The French randing was fun and is still fun to do. I painted the little flowers on the large strip near the top.
I no longer have this basket, but it was fun to find a photo of it.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Nancy