An Attitude of Gratitude

It's really easy this year to be discouraged, frustrated and angry but at this time of the year it's important to remember all the things we still have to be thankful for. So take a moment ...

And think of all the big and small blessings you have in your life then nurture that attitude of gratitude. It's like watering a garden, with a little effort you'll see beautiful things start to grow.

And always remember to smile.

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving filled with great food and family. And even if you can't all be together, take time to talk, laugh and remember to nurture an attitude of gratitude. 

THANKFUL THOUGHTS

 Hope is  like a flower

It begins in a small, tentative way...

Then it starts to bud

After a bit, it begins to peek out and show itself

Then it opens up to the world

And with hope, you can't stop it from growing

It soars for the sky and stars . . . 

So, remember to be hopeful and nourish your thankful thoughts

Makeup for Older Women

#DIY Dragon Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween

 

Have you ever wanted to have a pet dragon? Well, this is one EZ way to do it. Simply create your own.

And it's super simple to do.

First, you need to try to pick out a pumpkin that vaguely has  the shape of a dragon head.

After you've selected a pumpkin, start drawing, painting or cutting out the face you envision.

After you've painted/colored or cut the design you want, you begin assembling some thumbtacks to give it the impression of having scales. (I've done this on a previous blogpost for Dragon Eggs).

Then you insert your wings. (If you want to see how I did it, watch this one minute Youtube video)

And in the end, you'll have a fun fairytale character to display in your yard or on your porch.

And, if you make a dragon jack-o-lantern, please let  me know because I'd love to see it. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

#DIY - Bake a Fun Halloween Cake

With an October birthday, I wanted to make my son a fun Halloween themed birthday cake. So, I pulled out some white chocolate to make some ghosts and tombstones for the top and then I made some black and orange buttercream frosting and went to work - well of course I had to bake some cakes first.

I baked four 6" wide and 2" tall cakes - I cake was a fail so this is three of those cakes stacked one on top of the  other. 

Then I did a crumb coating on the cakes and...well, if you want to see how I did it,  check out my YouTube video on the process:

And, let  me know if you have any questions or ideas about how I could have done a better job because I'm not a professional baker but I sure love to make treats, snacks and fun eats :D

Plus, here are a few photos that aren't on my Youtube channel:

Because One Cake is Never Enough

And two cakes does not a meal make :D

Luke was a good sport humoring his old Mom :D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
 

Haunted Halloween Gingerbread House

I decorated this little Haunted Halloween House by myself, when usually I have my daughter and daughter-in-law help me. It turned out sort of cute but it wasn't easy. Now I have a lot more respect for those people on Halloween Wars.

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy this little Trader Joes Haunted House Chocolate Kit but, if you do, you should understand that you might need a little help - at least putting it together. Because you have to hold it until the frosting sets enough to keep the sides from falling down.

But, if you're interested and want to see how I did it, please watch this very short video clip (and if you want my buttercream frosting recipe - you'll want to grab a pencil and jot it down when I talk about the frosting that comes inside the kit).

CRAZY VIDEO OF ME DECORATING THIS HOUSE

If you do make your own Haunted Halloween House, please share a  picture because I'd  love to see it.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

DIY Life-Sized Fairy Garden

I love fairies and  fairytales. Who doesn't?

So, with Halloween being limited this year, I thought why not go all out with my decorations. To tell the truth, I go all out with decorations every year ;D 

And this year I've started early. I've made dragons, dragon eggs, fairies, toadstools, and decorated castles. I still want to make gnomes and do a little bit more.

If you'd like  to see how I made this toadstool/mushroom, check out my video below and check back as I'll be making my gnomes and more ;D

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!