Rx in a Bowl.

I am currently getting over a cold (one of the downfalls of Autumn time). Soup and rest seem to be the best medicines. Rest is harder to come by in a house full of children, so a hot bowl of soup is the next best thing! The few that stop by my blog, are probably aware that I love Olive Garden. I've had their "Zuppa Toscana" recipe for quite a few years.

The recipe calls for Kale, which is not something I usually have on hand. So I substituted frozen spinach. The last time I made it, I had some of the "Hormel Little Sizzler" breakfast sausages that have bacon in them. Since I don't usually have bacon around either. I like bacon, but I don't like how the entire house takes on its aroma after you cook it, or how the stove becomes a complete greasy mess! The little breakfast sausages worked great. I defrosted them in the microwave and finished cooking them in the pot where I later added the rest of the ingredients. The perfect amount of bacon flavor, without the huge mess!

The amazing medicinal power of comfort foods. I think I'm feeling better already.

It's Official!

The last couple of weeks, I've been spending my "spare" time working on my kid's Halloween Costumes. They're going to be "Harry Potter" characters. So I decided they would look more official if I they had knit scarves.

I've only ever crocheted one blanket quite a few years ago. My grandma was an expert in these matters! She could make the most intricate dainty little collars, blankets, booties, and more. I wish I would have actually learned. But I guess simply making chains and practicing this technique along with her, has come in handy.

When hubby saw me crocheting the scarf, he said I was insane! I actually found it relaxing. A couple of days later. . .

Voila!

A few days after that . . .

A total of 3 scarves! After all, I have three "Hogwarts" wanna be students!

I decided they needed an "Official" patch. This is where insanity has started to set in . . .

Only two more to go!

Not to mention I still have to make the robes, and a little "Hedwig" Owl costume for littlest girl.

I'm officially insane!!

Apple Sunday

I have this frame in my family room. Rather than adding several more large frames to my storage, I decided I would use the same frame, and just switch the scenery to fit the season.

This was my Spring view:

If you think you might be having a dejavu moment...I have used this block before. It's a block from the last quilt I made and posted in May. (To see it click on this link: http://mycozycubby.blogspot.com/2009/05/labor-quilt.html ).

Here's the same block, yet again. Except this one is in my craft room all year long.What can I say? When I like something, I don't just stop at one. I guess it's another issue I have.

I took this "Apple Orchard" block, used fabric I already had, changed it a bit . . .

. . . and on a Sunday afternoon, changed the scenery from Spring (I totally skipped Summer, too many other projects) to Fall.
I intended to have done this for September, but I seem to be a month behind.
Where does the time go? Before I know it'll be time for the Christmas Tree! I better get back on track!

Check this out! On my last thrifty stop I found this plate that goes with the little plate I have for my fall decor! I was so excited!

Now if I could just find the rest of the set! . . .

Frugal Fall

Even though it's officially been fall for several days, it's hard to believe it when it's still 90 degrees outside! Today it's nearly 40 degrees cooler than Tuesday. What a difference a day makes! Fall is finally here! Perfect day for chili, or soup. Fall is just the perfect time for those hardy stews and soups. That is one of the reasons I love fall weather. It may seem I have an obsession with food, I really don't (Chocolate however, is another story). I just love the throw-everything in one pot meals. Perfect for a mother of four busy bodies!

I found the perfect square plate for .50 at the thrift store to go under this bowl (which my four year old spotted at the thrift store as well).

I just replaced the grass with the seed balls.

This vase, (actually a canister missing the lid) another thrifty find: $1. The realistic looking branches, with the dry leaves . . .

. . . are actually real, from our tree that unfortunately died (last fall and we haven't had time to remove it. So to my neighbors, I apologize for the eyesore, but we will eventually replace it.)



I had to make a new embroidery to kick off the new season. So here's the embroidery I came up with and previously posted about, next to the fall "vase".

Isn't this such a pretty plate?
Fifty centaroos! Love the design . . .
. . .and the fact that is red.

This cute little twin set . . .
. . .(they were actually quads, one of those times I later say, "I should have gotten them) 50 cents a piece. I just added the little pumpkins I had.

And these other little plates . . .well . . .you get the picture.

So, to get into the spirit of fall, I finally put the greenery away, and brought the apples, pears, and pumpkins out of storage.

Hubby bought me these glass jars for Valentine's Day.
That was seriously what I wanted. The catch was that I didn't want him to buy them full price. They were a seasonal item at one of those "Warehouse" stores. I was keeping my eye on them since before Christmas. When hubby bought them a couple of days before Valentine's Day. He picked up the last box! I don't know if I was more excited about the jars, or the fact that he got the last prize for the perfect price! Funny thing was that when he was carrying the box on the way to the register, he ran into a co worker that had come back to the store to get them. "Was that the last box?", she asked. "Yea, sorry!", replied hubby. Normally he might have given up the box, but he knew better than to give my present to someone else! (Not to mention he would have had to go shopping for something else) He was so pleased with the fact that he not only got the last box, but he bought them for the price I had been keeping my eye for! "The apprentice has become the master!"