Paint Chip Flower

This Christmas I have decided to make most of the gifts I give.  Not only is more economical but a handmade gift is better, at least in my opinion.  I mean, who doesn't love something that someone actually made?!

Those that know me know that I have this weird obsession with paint chips.  First of all, they're free.  And second, they come in every color imaginable.  This! I love.

I think my favorites are the chips that have several colors on them and these were the ones I used for this project.

If you have an aversion to 'taking' paint chips from the store, just ask if they have discontinued chips laying around.  I don't mind taking a few each time I go to the store.  In fact, I asked the manager of our local Walmart about them before and he said, (and I quote) "They don't have a price so I can't actually charge you for them".  So yay!

What I Used

Approx. 20 Paint Chips
8x10 Frame
Black Button
Glue

How It's Done

I cut hearts out of the paint chips and started at the center.  Glue your hearts down and start your next layer by placing the hearts behind the previous layer until you get the size you want.  The best thing about this project is that you can let your creative side take over - use whatever colors you want.  Once I had it filled in, I stuck a button in the center.  I didn't have regular white glue and I tried using hot glue but it seemed to dry too thick so I grabbed my trusty Mod Podge.  It worked great.

Banana Bread

Today's Great Thing was not about me, considering I hate (yes, I used the 'H' word) banana bread.  I guess it stems from the fact that from the ages of 4 to 9 all I ate was bananas.  Seriously.  

At any rate, my husband loves banana bread.  He and the kids are off to the hunting cabin this weekend - it's youth hunt weekend in Alabama, and their special prize was a warm loaf of Banana Bread.  They even paid me with a happy dance!

Of course they think I slaved all day preparing this but I didn't.  It was a mix!  You know, one of these mixes...

And the best part:  It was only $1.96 at my local Walmart.  Using my trusty $1 off coupons, I was able to score these mixes for only $0.96 each.  Not too shabby, eh?

Moral of the story:  It doesn't have to cost much OR be homemade to be a really Great thing!

If you need coupons, Leonard at American Consumer Services offers the most helpful and affordable options.  Just contact him here and do me a favor - tell him Heather sent you!  

Something Good

Pumpkin Gooey Cake

One of the reasons why I love this time of year is the fact that pumpkin puree is readily available.  And this cake is one of my most favorite things to make.  Super easy, your family is going to love this ooey, gooey, pumpkin goodness.

When I first tried this recipe I had all kinds of horrible problems, but since I'm not one to give up easily (especially when it comes to yummy pumpkin goodness), I worked and worked (actually googled, and googled) until I figured out what the problem was...

Tips

DO NOT USE PUMPKIN PIE FILLING. YOU MUST USE PUMPKIN PUREE IF YOU WANT THE CAKE TO BAKE CORRECTLY.  (Smitten Kitchen has a great tutorial on making your own pumpkin puree, just click the link.)

The cake mix + pumpkin puree version of pumpkin cake may not be for everyone. I like it just fine, especially when it’s soaked in SCM and caramel. But if you’re not sure about it, feel free to substitute your own pumpkin cake recipe as the cake base.

DO NOT mix together the pumpkin, cake mix, and the other ingredients on the back of the cake mix box!!!! ONLY mix the cake mix and the pumpkin puree.

You must let the sweetened condensed milk soak in all the way. Letting it sit overnight will yield best results.

Use the bottom of a wooden mixing spoon to poke the holes in the cake.  

What I Used

1 box yellow cake mix

1 - 15 oz. small can pumpkin puree

1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 - 8 oz. tub cool whip

1/2 bag Heath Bits

Caramel Sundae Sauce

How It's Done

Mix together the cake mix and the pumpkin puree (DO NOT add the other ingredients on the cake mix box).

Pour batter into a well greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350º according to the directions for a 9x13 cake on the cake mix box.

Let cool for about 10 minutes after baking. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the top of the cake.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, filling the holes. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Spread the cool whip over top of cake. Sprinkle on the heath bits, and drizzle caramel over top (just to your liking). Refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or overnight (best).

This cake gets really gooey.  But, it's sooo yummy.  If you make this, comment and let us know how you liked it.

The original cake recipe posted at Something Swanky.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Six

Of all the people in my life, I never have as much fun as I do when I'm with my little brother.  

We are polar opposites in some ways...  He's a bleeding heart liberal, I'm a more conservative Independent.  

This can spell trouble for most families but not with ours.  We are both very outspoken in our beliefs and though I may not agree with everything he thinks, I do honor him and his opinion.  I mean, how crazy would this world be if we all agreed with each other?

He loves furiously, works hard, and is the epitome of life and love.  He shares his heart willingly and truly believes that love will win out in the end.  Jamie is probably one of the strongest people I know - overcoming odds that would make most people curl up in a ball and want to die...yet, he remains strong and steadfast in his beliefs.  Even though I may not agree with some of them, I appreciate that he is true to himself.

It's no coincidence that I chose today, Election Day, to honor my brother.  As a political junkie, I tend to overstate my opinion a lot.  Especially on Facebook and Twitter.  And, there are times when I want to throw the computer in the yard because of a comment my precious brother makes in regards to my opinion.

But that doesn't change my love for him.  In fact, I think it makes me love him just a little more each and every time.  He has not had an easy life.  He struggled all through his teenage years, fighting discrimination and being judged for who he was but he is an overcomer.  I learn so much from him every single day and I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing life friend in him.

He truly does rock my world.  I love you baby bro.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Five

I can't begin to tell you all the wonderful things about my husband.  Jay & I have been married for 10 years and no, it hasn't always been rainbows and roses...but it has been full of love, mutual respect and compassion.

He does everything in his power to make me and the kids feel safe and secure, never letting us get to the point where we are filled with worry or grief.  He takes time for me, and for the kids - and we never have to question his love for us.

Jay is also the hardest worker I have ever met in my life...sometimes working 2 or 3 jobs when it was needed, and with NO complaint.  Sometimes those jobs would include odd jobs for neighbors, working in a steel plant in 100 degree weather, & working 12 hour days 7 days a week.  

This is not my first marriage.  In fact, I had never truly known a relationship that didn't involve yelling, screaming, and even a little kicking.  But not with Jay.  His heart is pure and in love with Jesus and that spills out into his life, and into our children's lives.  

His desire is to love us as Christ loves the church and some days I'm so humbled by that.  Some days I can't believe how incredibly lucky I am.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Four

Today, I am thankful for Provision.

Just a year ago, my husbands business went under.  There was no saving it though we tried everything we could.  We suffered through months and months of zero pay, our bills were piling up and I was ashamed.  

I was ashamed because I felt like it was our fault, like it was a failure on our part - I spent many sleepless nights going over the books, trying to see where we'd messed up.  Our marriage was suffering and I honestly didn't know how much longer I could handle it.

In the end, the business did fail.  But, I now know that it wasn't anyone's fault - it was simply the economy.  

Through the whole debacle, I kept my faith in the One who Provides and a funny thing happened - He did!

Every single month, our bills would be paid.  Sure, there was some we had to 'let go' - our house was one of those things.  We just couldn't afford it anymore.  But God.

In His rich mercy and grace, He brought us through the hardest year of our married lives...he refreshed our spirits, kept His extravagant Love an ever presence within our hearts and minds and He provided in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

We may have lost our income for 6 months, and lost our home but we gained an even better job than before.  AND, He GAVE us a house for a VERY discounted rate.  In fact, this house is a much better house than we ever could have hoped or wished for.

Sure, things are still somewhat difficult - we live by a strict budget and I'm not able to go to Kohl's or Wal-Mart as much as I'd like but that's okay.  God has made us better budget'ers and has shown us very creative ways to make money that don't involve working our fingers to the nubs.

Friend, if you need provision - supernatural provision, I stand as proof that God WILL SUPPLY YOUR NEED.  Don't give up, don't lose faith - provision is there.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Three

Attitude of Gratitude

Last year, my sister in law Leslie used the month of November to cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude by posting one thing she was thankful for on her Facebook wall.  The response was extraordinary   Of course, she was already very thankful for many things in her life but this offered her a greater chance to recall those little things - those things that we don't necessarily think of every day.  

I want to do the same thing this year.  This year has been quite hard financially for our family but in the midst of it, I can see how God has provided.  He has never let us down.  Not ever.  

So, starting November 1, I hope you'll join me in cultivating a more grateful spirit.  Leave us a comment of what you are most thankful for, or like us on Facebook and share your story there.

Day One

Day Two

Day Three
Day Four
Day Five