Falling in Love With Fall

I am falling in love with fall, so I thought I would share a few things I have done around the house so far. I hope you enjoy the beautiful shades of oranges, greens, yellows, browns and reds that the fall season has to offer us. Since I live in the deep south...fall can only be found inside the home.




Warm Hugs,
Linda

O Christmas Tree

You can see the MC one here at $795

Before

After

Anyone that knows me, knows I am a

Mackenzie-Childs

addict. I collect it, paint it, design with it...it's everywhere throughout my house!

So......when I saw the christmas tree they made with broken shards

I had to have one! Well, not one of theirs at

$795

for an 8" x 21" !!

Yowza!!

But I shall make one from my own broken shards for

$30

for a 5 1/2" x 19"

I think it turned out great! I am in love with it and it will
stay out all year round.
Tell me what you think!!

I am linking up with Susan at BNOTP for
Metamorphosis Monday

Won't you stop by there and take a peek at what

other bloghers are doing?

Warm Hugs,

Linda

A Video of Ethan 4 Days Old

A video of Ethan....he doesn't like sleeping on his back! He likes his stomach and loves to be swaddled and loves his pacifier!! (8 weeks premature (4 days old).

Welcoming Ethan Brae Into The World

I haven't been on in such a long time as life has been very full for me the past year....but I did want to share with you a precious gift that came to us on Friday.

I have a new grandson!! He came a bit early (33 weeks), so is very tiny. Ethan was born on Friday, September 10, 2010, weighing in at 2 pounds 12 ounces and 15 3/4" long. He is doing amazingly well! He is beautiful and is holding his own. He will have to be in NICU until he gets bigger and stronger. Please pray for him as he grows and becomes stronger so that he can go home to be with his family. Big brother Evan thinks he is the cutest thing and goes to visit him daily. I never knew one child could have so many "big brother" shirts!!! :)

I hope to be writing more and keeping up with my blog. I also hope to having a "Give-away" soon! I do read your blogs late at night while tying to wind down from a hectic day. So many inspirations and ideas out there!!

I will be joining BNOTP for Met Monday soon with items I have been making changes to over the past year. So keep an eye out!

Warm Hugs,

Linda

Fresh Lemons!

Lemons from my tree! Anyone for Lemon Meringue Pie?

Peter, Paul & Mary Lemon Tree Lyrics

When I was just a lad of ten, my father said to me,
"Come here and take a lesson from the lovely lemon tree."
"Don't put your faith in love, my boy", my father said to me,
"I fear you'll find that love is like the lovely lemon tree."

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

One day beneath the lemon tree, my love and I did lie
A girl so sweet that when she smiled the stars rose in the sky.
We passed that summer lost in love beneath the lemon tree
The music of her laughter hid my father's words from me:

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

One day she left without a word. She took away the sun.
And in the dark she left behind, I knew what she had done.
She'd left me for another, it's a common tale but true.
A sadder man but wiser now I sing these words to you:

Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.

Have a Creative Day!

Linda

Red Velvet Cupcakes and Chocolate Covered Strawberries!

Here are photos of cupcakes I baked today. They are the Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting, then topped with a Chocolate Covered Strawberry!! I had to make 148 of them for a customer! Whew...I am tired!

Have a Creative Weekend!
Linda

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes and Recipes!

I made Lemon Meringue Cupcakes for the Superbowl party! YUMMO!! They were a big hit! I guess I'll put these on the menu!

The Recipe:

Ingredients:
Makes 24 cupcakes
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs
3 cups self-rising cake flour
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons lemon zest

meringue topping

lemon pie filling
castor sugar

lemon wedges

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until softened. With the mixer on medium, add eggs and sugar; beat until well combined. With mixer on low speed, add flour in three parts, alternating with buttermilk and beginning and ending with flour. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice.
3. Fill prepared muffin cups three-quarters full with batter. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in muffin cups.

4. Using a # tip, fill the middle of each cupcake with lemon pie filling.

5. Finish off with the merengue topping.

6. Garnish with a thin wedge of lemon that was dredged in Castor Sugar

Pie Filling and Meringue

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, divided
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups cold water
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
grated zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
3 egg whites

Pie Filling:
In a saucepan combine 1 cup sugar with cornstarch. Gradually stir in the cold water until smooth. Stir in the beaten egg yolks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and continue to boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in the lemon peel, lemon juice and butter. Let cool.

Meringue:

Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually beat in 1/3 cup sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Spread the egg white meringue mixture over the fulling, sealing to edge of crust. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Have a Creative Day!

Linda

AND THE WINNER IS.....

Stefanie from Rose Petals and Rust. Congratulations Stefanie...you are the proud new owner of this Sterling Heart Necklace!! Please contact me with your preferences so I can make it and get it mailed out to you!

Have a Creative Day!
Linda

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Photo removed for publication

Because Valentine's Day is on it's way...I am giving away a piece of sterling jewelry. It includes an 18" ball chain, an initial charm along with a swarovski crystal of your choice of color and a heart. The drawing will be held on Sunday, January 31 at Midnight CDT. One entry per person please. So ladies, please leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing and GOOD LUCK!

Have a Creative Day!

Linda

54th Metamorphosis Monday and a Rosey Candelabra

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphorsis Monday!

Bought a pair of these candelabras a fews years back...they were missing something on them....and I could never remove the glue. This weekend I got them out and ,made roses out of polymer clay. I think they turned out pretty nice!

Have a Creative Day!

Linda

Just Playing!

Had a frame and a large plate (picked the plate up for $3). Framed the plate! Saw a lonely teacup...grabbed it and tied it to the frame with pretty ribbon! (Ned to cut the ribbon a bit)I am really enjoying it. It's in my dining room! Simple!


Have a Creative Day!
Linda

Metamorphosis Monday and a Settee

I found this cutie at a thrift shop. It was rusty and broken in some areas. Sorry, forgot to take before pics!

I cleaned and welded the rusty and broken areas, primed it, then gave it a nice shiny coat of red rustoleum paint! Isn't it just too cute? When time permits, I will make cushions for it for the seat and back. I think I have some vintage tablecloths that might work! Stay tuned!

I'm linking up to Susan of Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday Let's al go take a tour and see what the other ladies have been up to!

Have a Creative Day!
Linda

Updated Valentine Tree and a Gift From Blogger!

I really didn't care for the red tree afterall, so I decorated my Radko tree instead. I like it better!! It shows off the ornaments much better! I need to get more checked silk fabric to make a skirt for my tree.

See the black and white candle in the last photo? It was sent to me by Sarah of Hyacinths for The Soul! What a great surprise to find this in my mailbox today! So sweet...I love it!
If you haven't been to her blog, you MUST run....don't walk over and see all the fabulous photos and her writings about her home and life. It is always full of life!

I also changed my blog...borrowed a background until I have time to create my own...I did change my header image a bit...I am liking it better with a little pizazz!! Don't you?

I'll be adding a Giveaway in the next week, so keep an eye out for it. It will be something to do with Valentine's Day!!

Have a Creative Day!

Warm Hugs....Linda

ps...I apologize for the photos...they were taken with my phone

Valentine CC Tree and Ornaments

Here is a peek at my CC heart ornaments. I added them to my red tree along with the ball ornaments and ribbon. The ornaments are 3" with CC and Stripes/CC and some with red glass bead dangles and outlined in 18K gold. All topped off with a red satin ribbon.

Have a creative Day!

Warm Hugs....Linda

Too Much To Do!!?

Well, this morning I started out taking down the Christmas decorations.....did the entrance and the outdoor wreaths...went to retrieve the boxes for storage and saw a box of "to do projects"....nicked the decorations and proceeded to go through the to do box....found a wooden bowl....went outdoors to prime it...went back indoors to get sandpaper...found a candlestick...thought it would look cute redone....went to the bar area...found an old crystal bowl....it sat neatly in the candlestick....went to the scrapbook room to grab my adhesive dots (AD)...put them together...turned out really cute (note to self: pick up more votives).

Went back to get that sandpaper....saw a wooden cake pedestal....took it inside...grabbed a cloche....fits perfect!! Took the non working screw out...filled the hole...waiting for it to dry to sand and prime. Now, back to get that sandpaper!! Finally sanded the wooden bowl...it's on the paint table to be painted B/W checks.

Now, back to get that box for the decorations....oops! found another cute iron candlestick....went to my dining room to my cabinet...found a nice little Homer Laughlin plate....grabbed a tiny cloche...they fit!! Now, to go grab those ADs...put that together..add a Fitz and Floyd rabbit...too cute!!

While in the cabinet...saw tea cups...decided to add china cups to my dining chandelier! Now, let's see...which cups to use? Grabbed the ones displayed under a cloche....wanted more color...went to the kitchen and took....no....borrowed a couple from my canisters (note to self: look for red transferware cups to replace).

Went to sun room to find black and white checked ribbon in the chest...found some..not really the one I wanted...but will do till I order more...went back to dining room....added the cups to the chandy....looks really cute!! Now, the chandy needs some shades...will have to buy clips and make some in near future when I add the sleeve and medallion.

Now, back to the decorations!! Finally, packed most...will wait for housekeeper to do rest...

I am exhausted!!!!!

p.s. will post photos tomorrow!