Friday, January 30, 2015

Yet Another Category

As I was looking through my blog, I realized yet another category was missing.  I recently came across a Pinterest pin for Valentine's Day that I decided to try to make because of its low cost and few materials involved.  It was a cute crystallized pipe cleaner heart.  So appropriate for my Valentine's Day table theme and this cute little heart would embellish the table with more interesting details.  All that was required to make this precious heart was white pipe cleaners, water, powdered borax (1/3 C), string, a wooden dowel and a medium size mason jar.

I love the thought of adding sweet little details to a table arrangement for so little cost.  So when I thought it might be something fun to share with others, I thought of my blog.  However, in reviewing my categories, it didn't quite fit into any that were there.  So.......ta da.....another category.  This one will be Frugal Frittering.  I think it will be used specifically for these type of art/home decor projects unless they are related to the Christmas, Fall or Spring theme.  In that case, it will be under Christmas Decor, Autumn Treasures or Spring Decor.  This category will allow me to concentrate on things that were created for next to nothing.  So, hopefully, you will find things in this category that will have a big impact or a wow factor, but won't be detrimental to a budget.  Enjoy....Frugal Frittering.



Thursday, January 29, 2015

Decadent Chocolate Covered Aronia

What better way to start off my new category, Kitchen Creations, than to create a post for my chocolate covered aronia.  Just in time for Valentine's Day too.  Since my son, Julius, is looking at selling his 100% organic, bottled and pasteurized aronia juice, I have been looking into ways in which one could use it besides for medicinal purposes.  And what better way to use it than mixing it with chocolate!  Since aronia has been an overlooked and under valued berry, it is time to bring it to life.  It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes and has such wonderful health benefits.  I can't wait for summer when we can pick the berries and I can try it in a salsa recipe.  Yum!  For now, enjoy the sweet and tart mix of the chocolate aronia.





Monday, January 26, 2015

Welcome to the New Category of Kitchen Creations

I am going to take another leap and add another category to my blog-Kitchen Creations.  This post will open up an opportunity for me to post in an entirely new subject--food.  I am excited since I haven't been able to share what I have already been dabbling in for years which is my cake creations among other foods.  So in keeping with the upcoming Valentine's Day theme, I am posting a picture of a little bit of love in a jar--my homemade canned low-sugar strawberry jam.  The berries were picked and purchased from a local farmer, Wilfert Farms, in Mishicot, Wisconsin and made into this wonderful jam which is enjoyed throughout the winter months by many people.  (The decorated jars were part of Christmas gifts to many family and friends.)  A little bit of home-sweet-home and a little of bit of my heart (and Valentine's heart) goes into each fruity jar.  So welcome to my new category.  I hope you find a little bit of home and love with each post.

Friday, January 23, 2015

A Simple Change to Valentine's Day

Well, the Christmas holiday is over and it is time to put all of the Christmas tablescape decor away, except for some items.  What was once the Christmas plaid tablesetting has now turned into the Valentine's Day 2015 tablescape.  I know I don't necessarily need to use red and white to create a Valentine's Day tablesetting, but I thought I would put this up and concentrate on something entirely new for Easter.  You can be the judge as to whether it makes a romantic tablesetting.  (I am still looking for white lace doilies that can be used as place mats.  I think it will add more interest to the place setting.)  Perhaps I could add some soft violin music to my post and it might add even more expression of love to the piece.  Hugs and kisses XOXOXOXO.......Marsha















Sunday, January 4, 2015

Another Christmas Tablesetting in Plaid


I can't let the Christmas holiday go without putting up my Christmas plaid tablesetting even though Christmas has already passed. I love plaid. It is so welcoming. There is always something so warm and cozy about setting a table with elements of plaid. The rose folded napkins are something added in preparation for Valentine's Day. I watched a video clip from Martha Stewart showing the step-by-step instructions on how to fold the napkins into a stunning rose. For lack of any place to put them in the mean time, I added them to this tablesetting. Perhaps, with a few changes, it can be a "winter" tablesetting instead of a Christmas tablesetting. (It would be nice to find any way possible to keep the plaid tablesetting up for a while longer.) So until February 1st comes around, I am going to enjoy the plaid setting and stay as warm and cozy as I can be in the frigid January weather in Wisconsin.

Many wishes for a happy and healthy New Year! Curl up next to the fireplace and enjoy the warmth!