Monday Morning Musings

'Autumn Harvest'

 
 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9 niv

Apple Cupcakes . . . The way to a teacher's heart.

You all know the phrase 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach . . .' ?

That actually applies to all of us doesn't it? I mean, is there anything better than something delicious and homemade, that's been cooked or baked for us by someone else??? I don't think there is. Or at least, very few things are.

Kim and I wanted to do something fun and tasty that kids could bring to school for their teachers or that moms or dads could make for their kids, to brighten up the long school day.

Kim found some cute ideas on Pinterest which we adapted to our liking and made some really fun, yummy cupcakes.

I used the 'Classic White Cake Recipe' from Rosie Dyakin's 'Butter Baked Goods' cookbook as well as her 'Butter's Famous Butter Cream' icing recipe.

Click to go to Butter's website

I hate to say it (because I love Rosie's recipes) but I think I still like Martha Stewart's 'Italian Cream Wedding Cake' recipe better. (But I love Martha too, so it's all good!)

Click to find cookbook

I love my cake to be soft and moist and Martha's has buttermilk in it so the flavour's a little more complex as well. But, that's all about personal taste.

So, without further ado, I give you my 'Apple cupcakes' . . . video tutorial.

Enjoy! And if you make them, I would love it if you would head over to my Facebook page and post a picture or two or your creations!

Something's cooking in the kitchen for back to school week!

Going back to school can be pretty crazy and hectic for everyone, parents and kids alike! All the rushing around making sure lunches are made, back-packs are packed, and kids are ready in time to catch the bus can make even the most efficient and organized super-mom feel a little frazzled. And we can't forget the homework, sports practice, and various other extra curricular activities that happen after school! Who really wants to make a super fancy dinner with all that going on? I know I wouldn't! Which is why we've done a little research and found (and tested!) a quick and easy meal idea!

Scrolling through Pinterest counts as research, right!?

Introducing the Chicken Pot Pie Braid!

What really appealed to me about this recipe is that besides being quick it's also a really good grab-and-go dinner, and it doesn't make a ridiculous amount of dishes dirty so its relatively easy on the clean up! Another added bonus is that there are plenty of short cuts you can take to make it even more hassle free. For example, we used a pre-roasted chicken from the grocery store instead of cooking our own, and we used pre-shredded cheese.

I would add some salt and pepper to the filling when I make this recipe again, but I like my food to be thoroughly seasoned, so that's just my preference!

All in all,  I have to say that the simplicity and tastiness make this Pinterest recipe a winner!

Click the find recipe Here

We'd love to hear what you think of this recipe!

Kim

Back to School and a little Gift

I can't believe the summer is over already! I had so many things I was going to do, so many new things to learn, fun places to go, new plants to try in the garden.

 Some of those things happened, but my 'To Do' list always seems to be based on desire and enthusiasm rather than any kind on realistic possibilities.

It's not just me is it? Please tell me you also get to the end of your summer with a list you've hardly put a dent in, wondering how in the world 8 weeks could go by so fast . . .

It's gotten even odder for me in the last few years, now that I no longer have kids in school and I'm not driving the school bus. (I used to be able to calculate exactly how many days I had before school started based on how vivid my 'First day back to bus driving' dreams were. Got to school a little late . . . still had a good four weeks of holidays left. It took me a day and a half to get from where my bus was parked to dropping the kids of at the school's front door . . . Only one sleep left . . .)

So, to celebrate all those kids getting back to school tomorrow with their crisp new notebooks, binders and newly sharpened pencil crayons, Kim and I had fun last week with a few 'Back to School' week projects. I've started things off by making some cute little cards you can put in your kid's lunches these first few weeks. I even left a few without words so you can add your own 'love note'.

These are original sized images so they should print just fine if you copy and paste

These are original sized images so they should print just fine if you copy and paste

I'm attaching them in two images. One with lines and one without. The one with lines you could use to just print them out on regular paper and cut out yourself. The other without lines can be printed on 'print your own' business cards (I used the Avery Template) if you want to fancy things up a bit.

And, because there is something so fun about the first day back to school, I've printed up two sets on business cards to giveaway tonight on Facebook. All you have to do is leave a comment and I'll be drawing at 10 tonight for the winners . . . (Facebook post is here: Back to School note card giveaway.)

Happy Back to School!

A Fall Moss Wreath

After my sale and classes at the Pics' Ladies Aid, 'Ladies Night Out', I was left with nearly half a bag of live moss.

I didn't want to waste it, but gardening season was over and Christmas was still a ways away.

What to do, what to do???

While we were at the wholesale florist getting the moss, Holly and I also happened to see wire wreath forms for an amazing price and grabbed a few.If we had a little extra time before the sale we would make a couple wreaths to sell.

As usual, I barely had enough time to get the needed  stuff done and no wreaths were made.

Hmmmm. . .

Moss, wreath form . . . what else did I have on hand?

There were feathers left from the terrarium class, acorns from my walk with Jada, pretty little pine cones from my visit with Audrey and, some of my rose bushes had  developed the most glorious orange rose hips . . .

A fall wreath! I had never made a wreath for fall but I was eager to try it out.

Here's the result:

I love how it turned out!

Do you ever decorate with wreaths?

A Fall Visit To Wellington Garden Center

I have to say, when I  first started toying with the idea of joining the 31 Days challenge and choose '31 Days of Looking for Beauty in the Everyday', I envisioned many posts that would be no more than a picture showcasing the ordinary beauty I had found that day.

 Some thing simple.

Something that would not take up a lot of time. . .

 I did not expect to find myself writing more than showing. . . .

 I expected to blog about things like a pretty sandwich, beautiful farm eggs or even just the beauty of light shining through a bubbly glass of ginger ale.

And I notice those things. . .

Somehow though, I've come to realize that I don't just notice the small beauty, I also seem to seek  something out of the ordinary almost everyday as well.

I've found myself blogging about creating,

 About special dinners,

 About adventures with friends,

 And about goats!

None of these things are a part of the everyday really, but it seems that they are often a part of my everyday.

So, if you've come over from the Nestor's 31 Days hoping to find beautiful little bits of everyday and have been disappointed with what you've found, all I can say is. . .

Who knew???

I certainly didn't!

Last week was filled with some pain, a lot of discomfort and the attention span of a gnat. (I didn't watch one DVD or even read a book until Saturday!)

If I hadn't pre written blog posts for the week, I would never have managed to keep up with the 31 Days challenge.

Last night was the first good night's sleep I've had since  the surgery and I woke up feeling like myself this morning. (for which I am entirely grateful.)

I had developed quite the case of cabin fever by Friday, so, as Morgan and Holly had the day off, we went out for breakfast and made a quick stop at Canadian Tire, before heading home for a nap. (Me, not the kids. . .)

Because that wore me out!

 How crazy is that??

I was still pretty restless on Saturday and Morgan suggested I head out with my camera for a bit.

Which I did. . .

(*As always, if you want to see these pictures at their best, just click on the first one and you will see them  as larger images in a gallery. . .)

Nothing perks me up like a visit to Wellington garden centre .

As you can probably tell by the sheer volume of pictures posted. . . .

And now I'm off to take a nap.

Blogging is exhausting, isn't it???

Getting Ready For Halloween. . .

It's rather far down on the 'To Do List' but I can't let this pass without a few pumpkins to keep my mums company. . .

If the kids want more they are going to have to pitch in. . .

Beauty in Fall Leaves

Today's post is a pictorial one.

Because I've spent most of the afternoon playing with concrete in the greenhouse. . .

No reason Jada should be the only one having her picture taken. . .

And one to let you know that fall in Alberta is not entirely gold. . .

This last one's just because. . .

 I love this mouse (a Christmas gift from my mom) and I thought the striped rock I found in the driveway was meant to be displayed along with my little friend .  (an exotic cheese perhaps?)

Happy Thanksgiving weekend !