St. Patrick's Day Decorating on a Dime

Thought I'd share some of the little things we did to decorate for 

St. Patty's. Just to brighten things up a bit.

I found these silk carnations at the Dollar Tree

Also found the vinyl clover stickers there-placed one on this mirrored window

Also got the garland below from Dollar Tree as well.

More Carnations from them below--can you see they even have

a little sparkly clover in them.

I saw these cute glittery clovers, we used a hole punch

and put ribbon that we already had through the hole.

We hung them on the living room valance.

More of the vinyl cling decorations.

A little ribbon around our white taper candles.

Just be careful if you burn the candles that you do not

let the flame get too close and burn the ribbon-it

could start a fire.

Hope you found these ideas fun and helpful!?

We spent $7 on decorations shown :)

Snow Day Baking

We always bake on a snow day-which we had today!

Bri made gluten free corn muffins, and I made these:

Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies

credit

Ingredients

• 5 1/3 ounces (1 1/3 cups) white rice flour
• 2.5 ounces (1/2 cup) sweet rice flour
• 2 ounces (1/2 cup) cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (this prevents the cookies from spreading)
• 7 ounces (14 tablespoons) butter, softened
• 5 1/4 ounces (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedures

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 300°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In small bowl, whisk together white rice flour, sweet rice flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and xanthan gum. In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter, sugar, and vanilla extract together, on medium-low speed, until a thick paste forms, about 30 seconds. Shut off stand mixer. Add dry ingredients. Turn on mixer and mix until a dough forms, about three minutes.
2. 2
   Lightly white rice flour your countertop. Turn dough out onto counter and shape dough into a disk. Using a rolling pin, roll dough out, about 1/4-inch thick. Cut using a round cutter and place cookies on prepared baking sheet, about two inches apart. Bake until cookies are lightly golden brown on the edges and aromatic, about 30 minutes.
3. 3
   Allow cookies to cool on the pan for five minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool. Repeat using remaining dough.

We made these today and did some cinnamon, some plain, and some chocolate chip. YUMMY!

1. 
   
   
   
   
   

Almost Spring....

Well ladies, I did indeed start my Spring Housecleaning!

It kind of happened by accident :)

My son went on a road trip to visit a friend, so I took the opportunity to tear his room apart and

clean and organize it!

That led to more cleaning of other rooms, and before I knew it, I had officially begun my

Spring Housecleaning!

My focus while cleaning this year is to remember to be thankful for my home.

I think of the ones in NJ who have been out of their homes for so long because of Hurricane Sandy and

my heart goes out to them.

I am very thankful to have a home to clean--and family members to clean for!

I'm also thankful to God that He has allowed me to get well enough to clean!

Oh, and  I'm so thankful for being able to stay at home to clean!

I am blessed!

Celebrating March

March has been a good month so far!

My honey celebrated his birthday...

My sweet friend and neighbor let me cut some forsythia to force indoors

It only took about 3 days

(Thanks Lisa!)

I am really enjoying them, and

I hope that you have found many things to be thankful for and to enjoy in March!

It sure is going fast, it is already almost 1/2 way over.

March Madness!

What kind of madness you may ask is happening around here in March? Well...above is the great breadmaker I got off of craigslist for $5 (it even ejects the bread when it's finished!) :)

Also, I am trying to lose weight, and eat healthier...I'm doing this by using the awesome Vitamix that I won!

I'm juicing breakfast and lunch, but eating a sensible dinner...

Below are some shots taken from our yard today--spring is happening here!

The first Dandelion! (my husband is thrilled) LOL

The wind was blowing as you can see by the flapping of the clothes on the line...

I love feasting my eyes on these flowers that have been hidden for a whole year!

What have they been doing all that time anyway? :)

My sweet hubby bought me flowers--so I get to feast my eyes inside too!

And, my son picked daffodils and put on the living room shelf too...

On top of perusing the yard, we're getting ready for a yardsale on Sat. I'm hoping we sell every last item! :)

Yep, I'm a true optimist!

Hope you're enjoying Springtime in your little corner of the world!

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant;

if we did not sometimes taste of adversity,

prosperity would not be so welcome.

~Anne Bradstreet