Who wants to win something???

Hello Friends, Happy Monday! Today, I want to share with you a fun giveaway that I am participating in. My friend Barbara from Chase the Star is celebrating 500 facebook likes - Whoohooo - way to go Barbara! In honor of this accomplishment, I've donated one of my necklaces to Barbara to giveaway to one of her lucky readers. There are a number of other bloggers that are also contributing to this giveaway and I would be so happy if one of you won!! Over to you Barbara....Good Luck everyone:)

Easy Warm Apple Cider

Earlier this month, I promised more apple recipes....so today I'm sharing one of the easiest apple cider recipes in the history of time.  I had a batch simmering in the crockpot all afternoon and once the kids went to bed, my husband and I threw on a fire and devoured all the apple cider while catching up on the lastest episodes of Sons of Anachary.  It was the perfect (albeit odd) combination - I highly recommend it!! 

So without further delay, here's the recipe:

Half of Jug of Apple Cider
3 Cinnamon sticks
2-3 dashes of Nutmeg

Mix all ingredients in the crockpot and let it heat for 4 hours. 

That's it!  Not only will you be able to enjoy a delicious fall drink, your house is going to smell AH-MAZING!!  Have a wonderful weekend.

Easy Fall Vignette:)

Happy Friday and Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all my fellow Canadians!!  Today I decided that it was time to start decorating my house for the fall....I've put out fall mums on our porch and a few outdoor decorations, but I hadn't started on the inside yet. 

This year, I've been admiring all the white pumpkins and neutral home decorations for fall that have been popping up in blogland.  Most of my fall decorations are vibrant oranges and reds, so I had to start from scratch...but I didn't want to break the bank doing it.  So, while the girls napped this afternoon, I decided that the foyer would be the perfect place to start.  It's not a big area, so a little will go a long way;)

When I think of fall, the first thing that comes to mind is pumpkins!  I remember seeing somewhere that someone made their own pumpkins out of fabric, twine and filing.  So, I headed to my scrap fabric pile and pulled out some cream fabric that I have left over from another project, cut out three different sized circles, stuffed them them with polyfil and secured the top with twine (I used my glue gun to secure it).  Easy, peasy and cute to boot!

Next, I headed outside to find some sticks.  There was no shortage of those in the yard, so I grabbed a handful and put them into a vase that I already had.  This is such an easy and best of all FREE way to decorate your home.  I raided my basement and found the black star and shiny silver pumpkin candle holder.  I think that these three items look great together.

And here it is!!  My Fall/Halloween Vignette!  I love how everythings works so well together and also, didn't cost me a thing!!  I think that I deserve a treat for that...who'd like to join me for a Pumpkin Spice Latte?!  

And another view of the whole area....I purchased the mirror decals from Michael's last year.

Have a great weekend everyone:) 

Apples, Apples and MORE Apples!!

When I was in highschool, one of my part-time jobs was working on an apple orchard. It was a huge apple farm that let people pick there own apples, purchase baked goods and had loads of fun activities to keep the kids entertained and busy. It was a real weekend hotspot for families that lived out of town - mostly families from the city, most locals (who didn't work there) did everything they could to avoid the farm on a weekend.  I'm not sure if my experience at the farm and then later job of baking the pies in the pie factory has something to do with it, but cooking or baking with apples isn't something that I do that often...which seems strange since baking is one of my favourite things to do?!?!

Today, I decided that I would step back in time and bake something with apples in it. And let me tell you, I'm so glad that I did! I found this recipe for Apple Bread on Today's Creative Blog. If you've gone apple picking or (like me) purchased a bag of apples this is a quick and easy little recipe to do.

Doesn't it look delicious and it tastes phenomenal!

And here's another view, just because I like it soooo much!

Since this recipe only needs two apples and because I bought an entire large bag of apples (that's how I roll!)   I'll have to make be trying out more apple recipes and sharing them with you.  Have a happy Monday!

Another Closet Staple - The Chambray Shirt

My monthly guest, Christine is back to share another fashion trend - Chambray shirts.  I, for one, love this staple and look forward to wearing mine once the cooler temps start.  Over to you Christine...

Hello Jessie Street readers, I'm back once again to continue on my theme of "staple pieces" for your closet, I have created a few looks working with the classic Chambray shirt. First, yes you can pull this off at the office, a good way to make it office friendly and professional is with a black pencil skirt and pumps. Second look is for weekend wear, the possibilities are endless. Here I have paired it with a bohemian sandal and fedora to make the look trendy and ultra stylish. And last but not least, the third way to incorporate a chambray top into party wear is to pair it with a sparkly skirt. Once again the rule of contrasting pieces of clothing works here. The casual chambray shirt with the uber- glam skirt. Right now the stores are full of chambray shirts. My favourite is the JCrew Chambray top at $80 but you can find a cheap one at Forever 21 for less than $30. Either way the possibilities are endless and it is sure to be a great piece to have in your closet for years to come!

 

Ready, Set...READ - Month #3

Welcome Back!! I decided to take a little break from the blog this past month to enjoy the last bits of summer before the kids start Kindergarden (gasp!!) and Preschool! We had a great month and I can't remember a summer where we have had such amazing weather!!

I was able to read a ton of books this month and today, I've decided to review the most recent book that I finished...."Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J Watson. Holy cow, it was good and I may or may not have put on a movie for the kids to watch so I could read more;) It's mystery that will having you hanging off every page.

The main character, Christine, wakes up every morning unable to remember anything from her past or present...she doesn't even know where she is. Every single day, her husband, Ben, has to re-tell the tale of who he is and how she lost her memory. Her doctor encourages her to start a journal to help her recall her memory...but the first entry "Do NOT trust Ben" leaves her confused and determined to find out why this was written. This is a true page turner and you won't be able to put it down.

So, tell me, what did you read this month?? Did you do a craft inspired by a book that your read? Kadie from Seven Alive and I want to know. Be sure to link up your review or craft to the party below. Next month, I'm reading "The Pilot's Wife" by Anita Shreve.

 Alright, it's time to link up but before you do, a few housekeeping rules for the party:


1. PLEASE....No spoilers!!!
2. Keep it family friendly
3. Link back to our party in your post
4. Following us would be nice (but not mandatory!)

Ready, Set.....READ!! Month #2

Happy Happy Day!!  It's that time again - Ready, Set....READ!

Today, I'm sharing my review of the book that I read last month....Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. 

I just finished reading this book on the weekend and I am still thinking about the story and characters - it is a MUST READ!!! 

For fifty years, Anna Schlemmer has never spoken about her life in Germany during World War II. Her daughter, Trudy, was only three years old when she and her mother were liberated by an American soldier and went to live with him in the United States. The only thing Trudy has of her past in Germany is an old family portrait showing her mother Anna, a three year old Trudy, and a Nazi officer, the Obersturmfuhrer of Buchenwald. Written from the perspective of Anna as a young woman in Germany during WWII and a now adult Trudy who is now a professor of German history, this book tells the story of a heartbreaking and passionate romance, mother-daughter drama and the extreme loss and struggles of WWII.

So, what have you been reading this month....did you do a craft based on a book or what are your kids reading...I'd love to know, so be sure to link it up:)

Only a few housekeeping rules before we get started:


1. PLEASE....No spoilers!!!
2. Keep it family friendly
3. Link back to our party in your post
4. Following us would be nice (but not mandatory!)

One last thing before I sign off...Remember EVERYONE that enters is automatically eligible to win a little prize package that Kadie and I are putting together - WHOOHOO!!  I'm please to announce the winner of our Ready, Set....READ last month is Rachel from Adventures of a DIY Mom!  Congratulations Rachel!  Click below to link up your book or craft this month!  Can't wait to see what you've been reading this month:)