Fireplace mantle with seasonal decor

Isn't this lovely? This pic came from Mary Ann, or annielinz at HGTV message boards. I think this works because of the simplicity in the use of the mercury ornaments and the frame surrounding the organic wreath. This looks homey to me. (click to enlarge)

Wedding dress

Look at how lovely this bride's gown is! Her MIL made the sash and stiched in the lace. A very nice touch.

My very lovely Sugar Bear

Beauty on 4 paws.

More senior discounts

Check out the very useful site: seniordiscounts .

Here are just some of the discounts they list for the "just turning senior" people, like me. (Heck, I'm ready for seniordom! I think I've earned it.)

Hancock Fabrics:
Guests 55 and older receive a 10% discount on the first Wednesday of each month at most locations.

Goodwill Industries:
Customers 55 and older receive a 10% to 20% discount at most store locations. Discount may be valid only on certain days of the week, most commonly on Wednesdays. The age requirement, discount amount and participation will vary by location, so it’s a good idea to call your local Goodwill for details.

Salvation Army:
Most locations provide discounts from 15% to 50% off to people 55 years of age and older. Discounts may only be available on certain days of the week, Wednesdays being the most popular discount day. Participation, age requirement and discount amount will vary by store location so call ahead or ask when you get there.

Another cup of the most dangerous cake in the world

Made the 5 minute start-to-finish chocolate cake tonight. Added some glazed icing and my chocolate craving was fed! This plate shows how much a cup of cake is - actually enough for two people - but I don't share, so it's all mine. ;-)

My family's youngest and grandest

My youngest grandson, Ian, turned 8 months old...
and my dear grandmother turned 102 years young this month!

Baked Squash

Tried my hand at baking a dark, green squash. (What are they correctly called?)

Baked in my toaster oven for 80 minutes at 350 degrees.

Washed and dried the seeds for my bird friends.

I had put some butter in the cavity before baking.

When the squash is done, add some sugar and cinnamon and mash it up.

If you like pumpkin, you'll love this, too!

Faux Pumpkins - 75% off!

Got these babies at Schnucks today for 75% off ($1.74 each) and that's my kind of bargain! These are just in time for Thanksgiving centerpieces. Might even paint a few white.

Outside our home today

We're having nice weather today and I'm sprucing up things before winter. Love the fall!

Homemade Halloween Costume - Spider Web

Started with a vinyl tablecloth. Cut a hole for the head. Glued the sides to make arm openings.
Took an old veil, glued to a headband, added spider web and hot-glued on silk leaves and critters.
A nice, big stuffed ladybug sits on top of the head piece.
All kinds of pesky varmits got caught in Shannon's web.

The final touch was to add the very neon garland that is laced with little black spiders!

Our new maple trees

Whee! I love trees and we finally, after 6 years, planted 2 in the backyard. And we got them at a nice discount - 60% off because they were the last 2! These are Red Sunset Maples - an award-winning hybrid that is strong and disease resistant. They are about 12' tall and will grow fast, about 4'/year. I'm so happy with these!

Movie Critquie - 40 year old virgin

Totally bad. Yuck. Adolescent boys probably love this one - if simply for the raunchiness.

Movie Critique - Friends With Money

Tale of four west coast, life-long friends, who have achieved a level of comfort in their lives and have now settled into a life of designer clothes, charity events, and caring for the men (and offspring) in their lives. But as they approach 'a certain age,' unsettling things are starting to throw their comfortable lives off balance.

This is a nice chick-flick, rated R because of sexual content and drugs - both of which were totally unnecessary to show on-screen. Not for children, but ok for mature adults, which that alone could leave out 1/2 of the adult population, if ya know what I mean. ;-)

My Clown Girl ready for the dance

Had to show off my clown who went to the Halloween dance tonight.

Pie Filling Cobbler - So Easy!

I'm always up for an easy dessert recipe.

1 stick butter - melt in 9x13 pan

In another bowl, mix:
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup flour

Pour in pan

Pour pie filling over mixture and do not mix.
Bake at 350 for about 45-50 minutes or until done.

Easy to remember because there is 1 of each of the ingredients!

EDIT NOTE: WAY, WAY too sweet and dense. Because the apple pie filling already has a thick syrup base, the dish was too sticky. So, ......NEVER MIND...... (wink)

Movie Critique - Dan in real life

LOVE this movie! But mostly, I "heart" that magnificent house in Rhode Island. The movie is totally a chic-flic and that's ok by me - I enjoyed every minute of this and you will too.

A Tea Party For ME

Thank You Sherry! Today I received the very lovely gifts from Sherry at Edie Marie's Attic and I totally love them! I will be using my tea cup and saucer in my new home office. And look at that sweet pair of ribboned-tied silverware! And the gift tag she made for me says on the back: "A Tea Party For YOU!" This really made my day!!

Senior Discounts, here I come!!

I'll be turning 55 next March and so naturally, I'm looking forward to being "senior discount qualified." I've been doing some checking around, and here in the midwest, I've come across some sweet deals on the website, Senior Discounts:

Goodwill:
Receive a 10%-20% discount varying by store. Discount may be valid only on certain days of the week.

Popeye's locations provide a 10% discount or free senior drink with food purchase to people 55 and older. Some locations are franchised so age requirement, discount and participation may vary by location.

Applebee's locations provide a 10%, but may ask that you apply for the Applebee's Golden Apple Card. Note: I called my local Applebees and the age minimum is 55! Whoo-hoo!

Kohl's Department Stores shoppers 62 and older receive 10%-15% off on select days at participating Kohl's locations. To locate the specific days and discounts available, check your local paper for the Kohl's advertisement or ask a Kohl's associate.

Taco bell Many locations nationwide provide either a free drink or senior drink with the purchase of a meal, or 10% off the order. Participation, age requirement and discount amount vary by location. Note: I called the nearest Taco Bell and they told me that Seniors get 15% off, or a free soda, age requirement is about 60 - and they don't ask for a I.D. All you have to do is ask and they will give it. Cool, huh?

Shoe Carnival gives a 10% discount to shoppers 55 and older every Tuesday, its Senior Discount Day.

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) some locations provide a 10% discount on all orders. Many locations provide either a free drink with the purchase of a meal, or 10% off all orders. Age requirement is usually 55 years of age and older. Participation, age requirement and discount amount may vary by location.

Spidey of the Corn

I couldn't grow corn worth a darn, but.... put up a birdfeeder and neglect to clean under it during the summer and voila'! Corn stalks. Itty-bitty corn stalks. With a spider hiding in it. (Can you spot the spider? Click on the pic to enlarge and look again.) Spiders are everywhere - see post below. I went to open my car door and my hand felt a little fuzzy thing under the door handle. Out dropped yet another spider. Why do we see so many this time of year?

You got big spiders around your house, too?

They seem to get bigger and bigger every year!

Happy, Fat and Sassy Scarecrow

I've been down on my mom's farm for the last 2 weeks and during that time, my daughter and I made this fella. So much fun to do! I think we'll make a family of these! Click to view it larger.