What I should Be Doing...

Is it really and truly almost December?! Where did this year go? My mother WAS telling me the truth when she would say, " As you get older, you'll see... The years just fly by." She was right!

Every Christmas I swear I'm going to wrap my presents as I buy them. NOT stay up all night Christmas Eve into the early morning of Christmas Day (Santa Claus even asks me "why I haven't been to bed yet")  ~ that's what I have done for the past 21 years! So today was my first day of wrapping and making my little gift tags. What I should be doing is some major cleaning in this house of mine!
First... I had to remove a little black snake that was hiding in the cat's scratching post. He was alive and very very wiggly. UGH! As I was writing this post ~ I see one of my cats tip~toeing across the living room like he is hunting for something. In my head, I'm thinking it probably is just a little lizard, NOT a snake.

Ok... Let's get back to something fun and cute. Todd always seems to be around when I'm making something. So of course, I had to dress him up, just a little. He was NOT happy! And yes I know... The water is icky in the vase. Sorry about that! But Todd looks cute and very grumpy!

This would be Lauren Olivia's puppy. His name is "Mowgli," from the Disney movie "Jungle Book." He was NOT having anything to do with playing dress~up! Poor sport...

Ok... Seriously now. Let's get back to my cute little gift tags, But first let me show you just two more crazy pictures! Why is it I have to make a complete mess, NOT just a little mess, but a undeniable complete mess. Whenever I am making anything?!

Oh Yea... I almost forgot what this post was suppose to be about. I'm thinking I've had way too much coffee!

We did go and get our Christmas tree today ~ so I have no excuses of not wrapping as I buy and putting directly under the tree. Hopefully... this year will be different from the last 21 years! Though I must admit. I do enjoy having cookies and milk with Santa Claus...

What a sweet smile Lauren Olivia! Thank you for always loving me...
XoXo,

A Fall Napkin Ring...

First things First... I have to say I'm very very sorry for posting this 3 days before Thanksgiving! Not very nice of me, I know... Because really ~ who has the time now to make cute little napkin rings?! But here is my thinking on this. These would be so cute for your Christmas table. NOT with fall leaves silly ~ you would use Christmas cookie cutters. Duh! 

These are so simple to make and you just need a few items. If you are a crazy "Save every little thing or I need to buy this now because I might need it one day"  You probably have what you need without going out to the craft store. Here is one example of my craziness ~ See the cute little rolling pin? I bought that last Spring on one of my trips to Goodwill (here is that post.) I'm not saying you are as crazy as I am. BUT...

Here are your very simple instructions... Roll out your white bake able clay, cut out the shapes you like. I have mini cookie cutters by Wilton for every season/holiday. Hi my name is Katie Foss ~ I am a craft addict!

Next... take a skewer or tooth pick to draw the little veins/designs on your cut outs. Don't forget (like I did) the little hole to thread your raffia through. Then bake at 275 degrees F for 30 ~ 40 minutes. Once they have cooled down. Paint away in your favorite colors!

After the cut outs are painted and dried. It did take me 2~3 coats to cover, depending on the color. I then took white paint and outlined on the veins/designs. Last step... thread raffia through the hole and wrap around the cloth napkin several times and tie. That's it~so simple right?!

Ok... Here we go again. Hi my name is Katie Foss ~ I save empty soup cans! For what reason?! Because you never know when you might need one... Look how simple and cute they are with baby's breathe and glittery netting?!

I do Hope you have a fabulous and fun Thanksgiving...
XoXo,

Garlic Seasoned Oven Fries...

I really have to confess here... That I could eat potatoes anyway, all day and everyday! Potatoes are right at the very top of my favorite foods list. Yum Yum and one more Yum is all I really have to say...

Ingredients...
     Printer~Friendly Recipe...

•  6 medium russet potatoes, cut into wedges (and/or sweet potatoes)
•  2~2 1/2 tablespoons garlic olive oil
•  3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste (I used sea salt)
•  1/4 teaspoon black pepper, optional
•  1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
•  1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Directions...
Place the potato wedges in a large bowl and fill with cold water. Let soak for 60 minutes, occasionally dump and refill with fresh water. Drain the potatoes. Spread the wedges out on layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Pat dry with additional towels.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Wipe out the now empty bowl so it is dry. Return the potatoes to the bowl and drizzle with the garlic olive oil. Using your hands, toss until the potatoes are well coated. Then sprinkle with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and toss again. Lay the potato wedges in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Laying the potatoes directly on the parchment paper makes for a soft french~fry (which is what we like). If you are one of those people who like more of a crispy fry, then place a wire rack on the baking sheet and spray the rack with a non~stick spray, then place your potatoes on in a single layer.

Bake for 25 minutes, then flip and bake another 25 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with the fresh grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

We had some left over the next day. I took to work and reheated in the microwave, they were still as good....

Serves 2-4
XoXo,

Thank You Mom...

We (that would be my mom and me) had such a nice time at the World Quilt Show, this weekend! So much to see and lots of fun things to buy, and dream of buying. Of course I needed and wanted everything. Have I mentioned to you before that I love to shop?!

 I have now added a few more projects to my never~ending list. Thank you mom for a very nice time! Hope to see you soon...
XoXo,

Going To The World Quilt Show...

This weekend I'm going to the World Quilt Show, with my mom, in West Palm Beach. I can't wait to see all of the creative ideas, fabulous fabrics, notions and just plain ole` everything! Hope it's the type of show you can buy what you see and love. Like I need to add more crafting/sewing supplies to my collection. Well... my thinking is you can never have too much or know when you might need something for that next project. Right?! Have a great weekend and I will post some fun pictures of the show next week...

XoXo,

Ps... The roses are from my next door neighbors bush ~ but the vine comes into my yard. So I figured I could cut whats on my side. Right?