But this year I had a plan. I decided I would visit one or two stores a week and get one or two pieces at a time, and only choose things I absolutely LOVE. The first area I tackled was my mantle. It has always looked sad and empty to me and I wanted to cheer it up a bit, especially for the fall.

This is what it looked like before (well, this is what it looks like empty, but you can imagine a few sad pictures and knickknacks, right? Oh, and minus the jumping boys – lol):

And this is after:

I have to say I am in LOVE with these candlesticks (especially the tall one!):

I love that I can put little things for each season in these:

There is still a bit of work to be done – that birdhouse will eventually be black, and I do have some pictures on the sides of this area, but I have a chair project coming up that I want to reveal as well

PS – everything you see here (except for the mirror) either came from ross or joann, and the total cost of all the items was less than $100!

I’m particiapting in Kimba’s DIY day at Soft Place to Land

Mine looks nowhere as pretty as theirs, but oh mylanta was this a tasty pie! I would have taken a picture of the inside once I had cut it, but it was so yummy I was in a haze…(um, yeah, there is supposed to be whipped cream on there, but it escaped my shopping list)

The next recipe was one of my own – well, from my IRL partner in crime Marnie. It has no official name, but we call it “Junk in the Trunk” because of what you would end up with if you ate this too often. It’s kind of a Shepard’s pie, but quick and adaptable to whatever you have on hand.

Junk in the Trunk

(serves 4 plus lots of leftovers)

• 1 pound of ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 can of cream of chicken soup (or mushroom, or celery, etc…)
• 1 can green beans (or any veggie you like)
• Mashed potatoes
• Cheese
• Milk

Cook your ground beef and drain – season well. Add in the cream soup, veggie, and Milk (I used about 1/2 a cup of Carnation Evaporated Milk in place of regular 2% milk). Stir til mixed and let reduce.

While your ground beef is cooking, prepare your mashed potatoes. I use instant for this recipe just for time’s sake. I prepare according to the directions on the box for 6-7 servings, and make in the microwave. I also substituted Carnation Evaporated Milk for the milk in the mashed potatoes as well. Once the potatoes are cooked, add a small handful of cheese.  Mix well.

Put the meat mixture in an 8×11 glass pan (any big casserole will work too), and spread the potaotes on top. Sprinkle with more cheese (optional) and bake in a 350* oven for about 15 minutes, or till bubbly. Let cool, serve with a salad or fruit.

I honestly didn’t think using evaporated milk would make that much of a difference – but I really noticed a richness and creaminess that made an already rich dish over the top – YUM O! I am definitely keeping a few cans on hand from now on when I want to add a bit of richness to casseroles and desserts…

Thanks to Carnation for providing the ingredients for this review – it was a lot of fun and I learned something I didn’t know about your product!

Now what kind of glasses should I get?

Um, no…red isn’t really my color

Ok, any pair of glasses that makes THIS gorgeous girl look dorky is a definite no

Cat’s eye? Rowr!! I wish I could find a pair like the ones on the upper right.  Add in that floofy blue hat? Yowza!

Truth be told, I do like the nerdy glasses – trying to rock the Lisa Loeb/Kennedy, Liz Lemon vibe…

Any favorites? Any Suggestions?

(ooh – looks like he’s gonna put a spell on you!)

This album has everything – great covers, FANTASTIC covers, including “Georgia on my mind”, “All of me” and “Heartache Tonight”. But the song that is on repeat on my ipod – “haven’t met you yet” –has to be my favorite. It’s catchy and happy and…

oh sorry – got a bit hypnotized by that picture

So guess what? YOU have a chance to WIN this CD, provided by One2One network.

How you ask? Well since Michael is a romantic kinda guy, and one of my New Year’s resolutions is to have a monthly date night with my husband (and desperately need good ideas), I thought I would combine the two and make the entry for the giveaway your BEST romantic ideas – food, activities (‘cept THAT one – duh!), themes…I will choose one of the entries at random via radnom.org, and announce the winner Monday. BONUS ENTRY if you twitter, or post this giveaway on facebook or your own blog. Good luck!

…so little energy.

…so much to do.

I have about 50 posts in my head, and can remember about 7, no wait, 5, ok, maybe 3.

We had a visit from the flu fairy last week. Not sure if it was the porcine variety, but it wasn’t very severe either – just one long, dragged out low grade fever fest. But I did discover one of my new favorite things – this adorable little froggy humidifier. Isn’t he cute? Not only did he help my little guys breathe better at night, but it helps my sinuses during the day.

I will have some new designs to share with you here in the next week or two – being sick has put me so behind I have barely had time to begin November projects. So if you are waiting to hear from me, I haven’t forgotten you, just trying to clear my plate so I can give you all of my attention.

Ooh! Next week I will have new recipes, pictures of my shmancy mantel, a giveaway (or 2!) and my new exciting blogging adventure! In the meantime, check out this HILARIOUS video I shared last week on the Apronista – can you believe they had toys like this 50 years ago?

One of my most-useful baby items was the little basket you stick in the top shelf of the dishwasher – I used it for bottle rings and nipples, pacifiers, sippy cup parts, etc…well, no one in this house has had a bottle or sippy cup in years, yet I still have that basket in my dishwasher, and it’s almost always full in every load. Now it holds caps of all kinds, canning rings and lids, measuring spoons, and other small doodads I would lose if I put them anywhere else.

 

Join Works for me Wednesday over at We are that Family to get more great tips!!!

• The sights – decorations like you wouldn’t believe – and more lights that you can possibly count, and a fireworks show that touches your heart.
• The sounds – Christmas music playing, carolers Car-oling, and even the horses that trot down main street USA have pretty bells around their necks.
• The smells – yes, the smells – the tantalizing smell of peppermint from the candy store, the warm comforting aroma of spiced hot cider and hot chocolate.
• The tastes – ever had a freshly made candy cane? There is nothing like it…you can also enjoy gingerbread and sugar cookies in addition to all the treats ordinarily found in the park.

All you have to do is tell me your favorite Disney Memory in the comments below – it could be from the Disney parks, seeing a favorite Disney movie, watching a favorite Disney show with your kids (anyone remember Wonderful World of Disney that used to come on Sunday nights?), or even your wish to see Disneyland at Christmas.

The Rules:

This giveaway is for the VIP Disneyland experience only – winners do NOT need to live in Southern California, but the winner must provide their own transportation and lodging if they live outside the area. The winner and three guests will attend the Christmas party on NOVEMBER 21, 2009 and visit the park as part of the event. Please ask any questions before entering by emailing me at domesticchicky (at) gmail (dot) com

This giveaway will remain open until Friday October 16th at 9pm PST. Winner will be drawn at random. Winner must be able to attend – prize will not be transferred or sold. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

That mean Krista is the winner – congratulations! I will be contacting you in the next 24 hours to give you all the details. Thank you for all of your entries, I really enjoyed reading them all-I wish I could take everyone

We were treated to a day at the park with the fabulous Disneyland Tour guides, featuring the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay to the Haunted Mansion, and the way dark and scary Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy -

Then we were taken to the Big Thunder Mountain Barbeque for great food and family-style dining – what better way to get to know your new friends? Then the group got to see the new Halloween Screams – A Villainous Surprise in the Skies and Fantasmic -

My boys were way pooped out by then, but we are planning a return visit to see them soon!!

Another great event we learned about was Disney’s new promotion – Give a day, get a day

What a great way for Disney to give back to the community!

There’s always something going on at Disneyland and Halloween is no exception – but check back here in the next couple of weeks to see how YOU can join us and be a part of the Christmas Magic!!

For more “Single Ladies” awesomeness: