KimCraftyOne

Dear Readers, First of all I want to wish everyone a late Merry Christmas. With all the hustle and bustle of the Holiday, I was a little M.I.A. from my blog, I decided to take a little break and focus on the family. As most would know that the holidays are time to spend with family and enjoy the time you can spend with them. This year was a lonely time for my family. With us being in Pennsylvania away from all family, we have come to appreciate all the chaos that goes with getting together for the holidays with the extended family. Boy, we missed the kids running around, all the noise that goes with a house full of people, especially the looks on the faces of all our nephews, nieces and cousins as they open their gifts, sitting around with siblings, cousins and parents enjoying the food and conversation. If you have a big family and you feel like here we go with another holiday and dreading it. My advice is to appreciate what you have and enjoy that time. It may not always be there....

This may help your day, if you could be baking or shopping. Merry Christmas, Kim

It's beginning to look like Christmas.

Here are some wonderful pictures taken by my husband.  Our first fallen snow that has stuck around. I just love this time of year, it is so beautiful outside.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!! 

Since I shared with you a little about traditions, I thought I would share, one of my special memories.  Every year my mother makes each of her kids and their families a special ornament.   She has  been doing this for many years.  This is one of the traditions that I am so excited to see what she has painted for the current Christmas.    Here are some pictures of the  ornaments that I cherish. I would like to give a shout out to my mother. "Mom, I love all the ornaments you make each year and I will cherish them and share memories with the family each  time that I unwrap one to trim the tree."   Thank you Mom, they are beautiful....... Happy Holiday to all and I hope you enjoy  viewing these special ornaments.

A Santa Tip Start wrapping gifts, or they  will pile up!!!!!!

My thoughts to share with you all on this Friday night.  A s we all know, some would say this is the crazy time of year.  It is turning cold in places.  Snow is falling on many and others have rain. You may be living in the area of the world that the weather is warm. Christmas time to me; it is cold outside, you sit by a fire, drink hot cocoa and watch classic Christmas movies. There is millions of traditions that families have, even if it is playing in the snow or sipping tea by the pool. Christmas is all around, no matter where you are in the world, we all bless this joyous time of year.  Have you done your shopping? Are you one to wait til the last minute, start on black Friday or maybe you are one to shop all year. Believe me when this time of year comes, I am always saying " I am starting my shopping early next year", OK it hasn't happened yet. My holiday decorations are out. The trees are up, this year we have a 10 foot, with a mixture of ornam...

Last Minute Shopping! Checking My List, Twice!!!!!

Santa will be here soon! Checking my list!

More cards and details on the Craft Page

A path out on the property. More pictures on the Outdoor Page...

Five Halloween Cards Details on the Craft Page

Gather Recipes for your Christmas Cookies My favorite is frosted sugar cookies!

Thanksgiving  dinner tip from Kelly McCants: "I trace each dish onto a chalk cloth runner, then label it. During the mad dash to get the food out, the stuffing always ends up in the right place!" This is a fun, creative idea!!!!

Painted Fork Painted Spoon Gather old silverware and invite family &  friends over for a paint party.  Have some holiday treats and hot chocolate.

New Tradition Idea What a great tradition to start.... Have family put money in mason jar throughout year. At Christmas time, choose someone to bless (anonymously). On Christmas eve, deliver by Ring and Run. Must read the book "The Christmas Jar" it explains how it all started. Great Read!!

Gift Idea Cute neighbor gift idea! It's wrapping paper & tape, and the tag reads "Since November you've been  shopping, barely sleeping, hardly stopping. Now it's late, you're in a scrape, out of paper or out of tape. Hope this wrap helps save the day! Have a Happy Holiday!"

54 Days til Christmas Add the special people to your gift giving list. Jot down gift ideas for each one.

Happy Halloween  Trick or Treat

Helpful tips for the perfect turkey meal: Go to your butcher weeks in advance and order a fresh turkey instead of buying a frozen one. The difference in taste is incredible. Make it all from scratch- from the gravy to the cranberry sauce to the stuffing. Your dinner will be tastier and even more memorable. Serve a couple of dishes that you know how to make, just in case  you mess up the turkey. That way you will still have something good to eat. LOL Leave your turkey unwrapped in the refrigerator overnight. You'll get crispier skin when you cook it. More tips to come!!!!!

First item,  start your list today. List Of Ideas To Help You Get Started How many guest will be attending? Organize the seating arrangement. Will you have enough room? Will you be using your china or paper? Make sure you have enough. Don't forget the silverware. Plan your menu. Will it be a potluck style? If so, start your food list and ask for help in plenty of time for all to prepare. Don't forget the dessert. *Planning a large dinner party takes a lot of planning, but it can be a happy thankful time if you plan* More tips to come soon, Kim

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! What a great Tree idea for a library or a study. Start planning, pour yourself some coffee, and start your list and don't forget to check it twice. Happy Planning, Kim

Hello Readers, Halloween is in a couple of days, then we fall right into Autumn. Time to give thanks for all our blessings. Planning the big Turkey dinner can be a handful. I have made a couple of turkey dinners since my family and I have moved to Pennsylvania. Before our move I was blessed with having Turkey day with family and was asked to bring a couple of sides. So being on both ends, I think that helping with ideas for all through this time. I will be on the hunt for simple recipes and easy preparation ideas for the big dinner. Visit the blog for these ideas to be posted for you all. Happy Autumn, Kim

Here is two great thrifty ideas.  Ready to tackle a thrifty project. You can look for old plates, candle holder, & frames at the goodwill or flea markets.  Grab the chicken wire at your hardware store. 

This is so true!!!! Happy October to all my readers.  Try some pumpkin spice coffee & spice up your morning. Duncan Donuts sells the grounds in pumpkin.    

Apple & Peanut Butter Cookies Detail are now on the Recipe Page. These cookies are extremely moist and have scrumptious taste. You taste the peanut butter, then apple. Yum!!!

Sorry for the delay, the details are  now on the Recipe Page. Thanks for following my blog! FYI- If you don't like tart apples, use your favorite kind.

Personally made cards: Happy Fall!!!!! "More pictures on the craft page."

Apples & Oats Breakfast This is a breakfast my mom made for  me and I have made it for my kids.  You don't  need that instant oatmeal.  Apples & Oats made from scratch!!! I will be making this for breakfast and then I will update  the recipe page. I make this just by sight. So I need to make sure that the measurements are persist for you all. So check back for soon!! 

Spinach & Apple Salad Details on Recipe Page

Apple Stuffed Pork Chops Details on Recipe Page

Caramel Apple Bars Details on Recipe Page

October 17th, 2013 Old Fashioned Apple Pie Details on Recipe Page ****Note**** If you are following the challenge and tried to view the Apple Cake for day 1 of the challenge. I would like to apologize, the recipe was not uploaded yesterday. Silly me, I must not of hit the update button. I didn't realize until I logged on today.  It is now there!! Thank you, to all my readers for following. Happy Fall, Kim