My Fall Kitchen Table 2011

Hi all,
  Well, here's my fall kitchen table decorations.  The tall basket stays on our table all year round.  It normally has ivy in it.  For this  time of year I just put in some fall foliage that I picked up at Michaels last year for 50% off. :)  I picked up the runner at our local Dollar General two years ago.  It is so colorful and vibrant,  you should really go check out the Dollar General in your area. You won't believe the cute holiday decor you can find there!














The little scarecrow was picked up at Big Lots about 7 years ago for a dollar I think.  Added a great smelling red candle in a beautiful glass jar.

 The bronze leaf pedestal bowl was a great outdoor market find.  I just fill it with some leaf garland and faux gourds and jeweled fruit.  I took some of the remaining leaf garland and wrapped  it around the bottom of the bowl for color.













  This cute little terracotta bunny also stays on the table all year.  For the fall decor, I just gave her a cute little bow (left over from that purple ribbon I mention in my front door post) and added a sprig of the fall berries in the center.   Doesn't she look cute?


How are you decorating this fall?  I can't wait to start decorating for Christmas!!


Happy Decorating!
Jennifer

My Fall Front Door Picture for 2011

Hi all,
  I've had my front door decorated now for almost a month, and I'm just getting around to posting the pictures.  Better late than never! :)  I usually stick with a more fall theme then the Halloween theme.  That way I can keep it up until Thanksgiving.  Well, up until the weekend before Thanksgiving, which is when I normally decorate the outside for Christmas.

  After Halloween, the jack-o-lantern will be replaced with a mum.  The small pumpkin on the mini bale of hay is faux.  We got it a Michaels a couple of years ago.  My daughter painted a ghost on one side, a happy jack-o-lantern face, and a girl jack-o-lantern.  She just turns them around when she sees fit. :)

  I finished off the look with a spotlight so that the whole display can be seen at night.

  My front door needed something, and I didn't have a nice colorful fall wreath.  So my thrifty decorating wheels starting turning in my brain.....I had two of those cinnamon brooms, that no longer smelled of cinnamon, some leaf garland, and some purple checked wire ribbon that I got on sale at Dollar General last year for $.25.  I just criss crossed the brooms, wired them, wrapped the leaf garland around and secured with wire.  Then tied a bow with the purple ribbon and well-ahhh!  A nice colorful fall door arrangement!  I was quite pleased.

 The bale of hay was lacking something, so I put a cornucopia at the scarecrow's feet.  I stuffed a small yellow towel in the bottom and filled the top with leaves that fell from the garland, and some faux fruit.  I think it filled in that space nicely.  If you look at the bottom of this picture, you can see the girl jack-o-lantern my daughter painted.....green eye shadow and all. :)



I hope you all have been enjoying your fall so far!

Happy Decorating!
Jennifer

Save Your Wallet While Helping Save The Earth Tip #1

Hi all!
  I haven't been posting very often lately.  Been waiting for some inspiration.  I've got some great posts planned and hope you will be sure to come back to see what I've come up with. :)

  While we are definitely not the greenest family....I have been trying to slowly find ways to help reduce our carbon footprint.  In doing so, I have found that I am also increasing the green in our wallet.  Woo Hoo!!  In discovering this revelation, it has inspired some great ideas for blog posts.  Yipee!  This is just a win, win, win situation! :)

Hence was born...."Save Your Wallet While Helping Save The Earth" tips.  For those of you who are super green heroes, bare with me and don't laugh to hard at this newbie, as we are just easing our way in.  For those of you who are new to this whole idea, wait until you see the discoveries I've made! ;)

Save Your Wallet While Helping Save The Earth Tip #1:

Recycling!  Duh! Duh! Duuuuuuhhhh!  (Insert low piano key tune here!)  Don't worry...great tips coming up here:

 Our garbage pick up service did not offer recyling, so for years everything has been tossed in the garbage. I mean who has time to:
1)Buy containers to sort, then
2)Find space for all the containers
3)Actually sort them, and finally
4)Make a trip to the recycle center, that is not convenient?

Not me!  I found a solution!  Another trash service left an advertisement on our mailbox.  I called, they offer recycling AND were a couple dollars cheaper per quarter. Save Your Wallet part 1.  Hurray!!!  No brainer there.  I just switched services and well ah....

Nice big recycling can!

  No sorting, just rinse, and all the newspapers (ahem...couponers, myself included!!), junk mail, cardboard (cereal boxes), plastic, and cans (not just soda, but veggie too!)  I was SHOCKED at how fast that recycle can filled up!  I am utterly embarrassed and ashamed to think of all the things that we have just tossed that could have been recycled.  Lesson learned, so I guess that's the whole point.  

  Now onto the Save Your Wallet part 2....I'm not using as many garbage bags.  We all no how expensive those can be!  Not to mention, less bags in the landfill.  Yes, I know there are biodegradable bags, and that I can buy products with less waste...baby steps here! ;)  

  So call around, see if other garbage services offer recycling in your area.  If they are not cheaper or the same price, don't be afraid to ask if they will match your current service price.  If you have no luck, then maybe you could just recycle a little at a time, by filling up your plastic grocery bags and taking them back to the grocery store.  I've noticed most of them have recycle bins there.  You know you are in that store at least twice a week! ;)  Even that small baby step will make a difference in how often you have to buy more garbage bags.  

I hope you found this post helpful and will check back for more posts on how to, "Save Your Wallet While Helping Save The Earth."

If you have tips or a blog post on this subject to share (especially for those who don't have a garbage pick up that offers recycling), please share in the comments.  I'd love to hear ways to improve. 

Happy Recycling!

Jennifer

Thrifty Peach Blog Hop #10

Hi all,

   Just Peachy in Dixie and the wonderfully whitty "Thrifty Crafty Girl"  have combined our two blog names to create....

<a border="0" href="http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a><a border="0" href="http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z422/justpeachyindixie/ThriftyPeachBlogHopButton-2-1.png" /></a></center>

  We will be hosting this blog hop every Tuesday. We welcome all family friendly links.  We would love to hear about your homemaking tips, frugal living ideas, crafts of any genre, recipes, homeschooling or encouraging inspiration.   The rules are simple, follow the two host blogs, "Just Peachy in Dixie" and "Thrifty Crafty Girl" in spots one and two through GFC.  We would love it if you could put our button either somewhere on your sidebar, the post you are linking, or your blog hop page to help spread the word.  Then link as many posts as you would like.  

Link up below, and I hope you all have a blessed day!

Happy Hopping!

Jennifer

Thrifty Peach Blog Hop #9

Hi all,

   Just Peachy in Dixie and the wonderfully whitty "Thrifty Crafty Girl"  have combined our two blog names to create....

<a border="0" href="http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a><a border="0" href="http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z422/justpeachyindixie/ThriftyPeachBlogHopButton-2-1.png" /></a></center>

  We will be hosting this blog hop every Tuesday. We welcome all family friendly links.  We would love to hear about your homemaking tips, frugal living ideas, crafts of any genre, recipes, homeschooling or encouraging inspiration.   The rules are simple, follow the two host blogs, "Just Peachy in Dixie" and "Thrifty Crafty Girl" in spots one and two through GFC.  We would love it if you could put our button either somewhere on your sidebar, the post you are linking, or your blog hop page to help spread the word.  Then link as many posts as you would like.  

Link up below, and I hope you all have a blessed day!

Jennifer

Crochet--Lion Brand Yarn creations

Hi all,
  I just had to share with you the projects my DD and I made with our Lion Brand Yarn we received for review.  I used my Vanna's Colors-Violet for this "Crosshatch Cowl" that I found on Crochet Pattern Central.  The picture really doesn't do this pattern justice!  I am definitely not a photographer, and probably should whip out the nicer camera instead of my mobile phone. :)

  This pattern was a lot of fun to work on.  I just love the scalloped edge and I can't say enough about the yarn.  It is soooo soft, fluffy, and easy to work with.  Just pure luxuriousness as my DD would say! :)  I can't wait for the cooler temperatures so that I can wear it.

My daughter took her Vanna's Colors-Marina and made a scarf.  She decided she just wanted to do a simple half double crochet this time.  She too looks forward to some nice cold days to wear our handmade softies!  She enjoyed this yarn very much as well!  I think we both are going to hint around for some this Christmas! ;)


  So, what have you been crocheting?  I'd love to know! :)


Happy Crocheting!
Jennifer

Angel's Dance Book Review/Giveaway Ends 10/16/11

Hi all,
  I just recently finished reading another great book from Whispering Angel Books.  Angel's Dance by Lynn C.  Johnston is a beautiful collection of poems.  This book of poems is full of love, encouragement, friendship, family and much more.  


  There are so many wonderful poems in this book like, "Sleep Tight, My Little Darling," which is about a child cuddled up asleep.  This one made me think of so many times I have checked on my daughter while she's sleeping so sweetly.  "Winter Days," about a wonderful snowy day, reminds me of the walk my husband, daughter and I took last winter in the woods after the snow.  Everything was so perfectly untouched, quiet, and pure.  Snow like that happens so little here in Georgia.  Ahhh....thank you Lynn for whisking me back to all these beautiful memories!


 Before each poem, Lynn explains the inspiration in which it derived.  I just loved how that made it so much more personal and relatable.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading these poems!  If you love to read poetry or just uplifting inspiration, I think you would enjoy this book as well.  Don't forget, the holidays are right around the corner....this would make a great gift for the poetry lover you know. ;) 


  You can buy Angel's Dance here.  Or, you could win your own copy in the giveaway below.  Just follow the directions in the Rafflecopter. 

Time 4 Learning Review--Homeschool Resource

Hi all,
  Well I had almost 4 weeks for my daughter to try out the Time 4 Learning online curriculum.  I have to say that I am impressed.  Even better than that....my daughter is impressed.  That's the key to happy homeschooling!

   Just a little background, we have been homeschooling from preschool through 4th grade.  She is now in the 5th grade.  In the past we have always used Abeka books.  They worked just fine for us, but things were becoming stagnant.  So, this year I thought we would look into some different curriculums and/or methods of homeschooling in hopes of bringing the fun and excitement of learning back into our day.

  Time 4 Learning   has definitely fulfilled our goal in bringing back the fun of learning.  The lessons are easy for my daughter to independently work on her own, then take quizzes afterwards.  She has never been so happy about being quizzed on information.  Some of them are set up as interactive game shows.  She thinks this is fantastic!  She is really enjoying doing her learning on a computer rather than just reading textbooks.  She just clicks on Language Arts, Language Extensions, Math, Science, or Social Studies, then just follow the arrow to the lesson plan.

  I would have to say that the cartoon characters/graphics within some of the lesson plans are a little hokey to me, but my daughter gets the humor and laughs out loud sometimes.  Ahhh!  Did you hear that?  She's laughing....WHILE LEARNING!  Jackpot!  

  After her daily lesson, I can go online to the parent login to check her progress.  I can see what she has completed and I can see her grades on quizzes and tests.  If she doesn't do so well on a quiz, no problem.  We can go back over the lesson together, clear up any questions, then take the quiz again.  

  Feeling a little lost, or overwhelmed?  They have that covered too!  There is a great "Getting Started" page on the website to cover most of the initial questions of how this works and how to use it.  There is also a fantastic "Parent Forum" that you can join to get to know others who are using the curriculum.  There are plenty of parents there who are more than willing to share their knowledge or help you with any questions/concerns, or to just make friends with others who are taking this homeschooling journey right along with you.

  Still have questions or need help?  You can email or call Time 4 Learning for fast responses to all your needs.  I myself had a question, so I emailed and got a response within a couple of hours.  Impressive!  

  

  Here's what they have to offer for one low monthly fee. 

Time4Learning includes the following:

• Online curriculum for grades Pre-K through 8th
• More than 1,000 interactive animated lessons
• Self paced lessons that kids will enjoy working on
• Math & algebra tutorials & printable worksheets
• Language arts, phonics & grammar lessons
• Interactive, project-based reading activities
• Science (grades 1st - 6th) & social studies (grades 2nd - 7th)
• Detailed reporting for easy record keeping
• Extensive lesson plans & teaching tools for parents
• and much more...

Time4Learning is web based, so there is no software to download, no CDs and nothing additional to purchase. Members can access the program 24/7 from anywhere with a computer and an internet connection.

  Go check it out.  I know I am very happy with what I found!  I hope you all are having a wonderful school year.  I know things are looking brighter here. :)  Yipee!

Happy Homeschooling!

Jennifer

Disclosure:  I was given a free trial for my review.  All the opinions are my own.

Note:  I would love it if you would email me for questions and my referral information if you choose to give it a try! I do get compensated for referrals. ;)  

Thrifty Peach Blog Hop #8

Hi all,

   Just Peachy in Dixie and the wonderfully whitty "Thrifty Crafty Girl"  have combined our two blog names to create....

<a border="0" href="http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a><a border="0" href="http://justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z422/justpeachyindixie/ThriftyPeachBlogHopButton-2-1.png" /></a></center>

  We will be hosting this blog hop every Tuesday. We welcome all family friendly links.  We would love to hear about your homemaking tips, frugal living ideas, crafts of any genre, recipes, homeschooling or encouraging inspiration.   The rules are simple, follow the two host blogs, "Just Peachy in Dixie" and "Thrifty Crafty Girl" in spots one and two through GFC.  We would love it if you could put our button either somewhere on your sidebar, the post you are linking, or your blog hop page to help spread the word.  Then link as many posts as you would like.  

Link up below, and I hope you all have a blessed day!

Jennifer