Fall is here!

The start of fall is often marked with fun festivals and fairs. Snoop around your area for fun fall activities that are easy on the wallet such as pick-your-own apples, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and farm tours. This is also the time of year for craft shows and church bazaars. These are great for getting ideas for your own Christmas projects!

Get a grip

Are you canning apple butter or the last of your tomatoes this fall? Try using a pair of gardening gloves! They are perfect for gripping hot jars to screw on lids and for pulling the hot jars from the canner. Just be sure to have a pair for kitchen use only- no planting mums for these gloves!

Easy Meal Planner

A friend recently shared this website with me and since it was so helpful, I am obliged to share it with you! (For those of you who are ahead of the curve and already know about this, just humor me!) If you are organizing meals for someone who has suffered an illness, surgery, had a baby, etc. then http://www.takethemameal.com is the site for you. The site allows you to create and customize an online sign-up sheet for the recipient with important details such as phone numbers, driving directions, and food allergies. It also allows everyone included to share what they will be bringing so there are no repeat meals. The site is user-friendly and includes sample schedules, menus, recipes, and tips. The best part of all is that it is completely free!

Lavender Stalks Part 2

I've discovered yet another use for those leftover dried lavender stems! Place a bundle or two into your oven and turn to 200* for a fantastic air freshener. After less than 10 minutes, my house was filled with a fresh lavender fragrance. Ahhh... my nose has found peace!

Paint Colors

After painting a room, dip a stir stick in the paint and let it dry. Write the name of the paint color on the stick, drill a hole in the end, and hang on a metal ring. Your paint colors are now portable! The next time you need to accesorize a room, look no further than your neatly organized paint samples. Take them with you to the fabric store or furniture store for a quick reference.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Kids

If you're like me, you have no idea what to tell the grandparents when they ask what the kids want for Christmas. Cheap plastic toys? Clothes? DVDs? Whether you are looking for ideas to give your child or someone else's, look no further than: http://www.fatbraintoys.com/. They offer high quality, educational toys with a convenient search tool that allows you to search based on the child's age and gender. Too easy! Even if you'd rather look for a better deal elsewhere, fatbraintoys.com is a great starting point to gather ideas.

Uses for Lemon Curd

I forgot to include how to use your lemon curd! Here are a few ideas in case there is any left...

• Use as a filling between cake layers
• Fill mini tart shells and top with fruit
• Mix with whipped cream or Cool Whip to top strawberry shortcake or other fruity desserts
• Use as a dip or spread for scones, animal crackers, graham crackers, or cookies
• Top gingerbread with it- the flavors are perfect together!
• Spread onto pancakes or to fill crepes
• Add to cream cheese for a fruit dip
• Thin with water and use to glaze a cake
• Swirl into a cheesecake