My "Creative" Oasis in the Desert: October 2017

10/16/17

What's Been Going On?

Happy start of a new week, everyone! I'm scratching my head and wondering how we can possibly be starting the 3rd week of October already! I mean, geez, let's slow it down a bit! I was a bit absent from social media and the blog this past week and thought I'd share some of the things that occupied my time.

First off, I had shared a pic on IG of a new stew recipe I was trying and promised to share the recipe if it was good. Well, it was delicious, so here's the pic I shared on IG.....

Everything is in the crockpot and ready to provide a wonderful aroma throughout the day.

Here is the finished goodness.....and I do mean goodness!

Here's the recipe:

In a 6-quart slow cooker, add 1 1/2 lbs. chuck roast, cut into bite-size pieces (or do what I did and buy stew meat....saves a lot of cutting); 1 large potato, peeled and chopped; 8 oz. mushrooms, left whole or cut into quarters; 2 carrots, chopped; 1 medium onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 Tbsp. tomato paste; 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp. salt; 3/4 tsp. dried thyme; 1/2 tsp. pepper; 1 (32-oz) carton beef broth (reduced sodium if that's an issue). Cover and cook on High until it starts to just bubble, then reduce to Low for 6 to 8 hrs, or until meat is tender. Place 1/4 cup flour in a small bowl. Add a ladle of cooking liquid and whisk until smooth. Pour back into slow cooker and stir well. Cook on High for about 30 min. until slightly thickened. Add 1/2 cup frozen peas and let sit until heated through, about 5 min. Serves 6-8 depending on how hungry everyone is! It's great with an artisan bread or cornbread.

More crafting......

I've seen these swags several times in home tours and decided to make one to go over the chalkboard that has my favorite saying. I wish I had made it longer, but seriously, I got so bored putting little squares, circles & folded pieces of book pages together with a needle and yarn...just had to stop!

This took most of the book I was using....I do really like it, and now that it's finished, I can say I'm glad I did it!

I've been whining about not finding these bead garlands that I keep seeing in blog tours, so I decided to make one. I found these in HobLob in their finished crafting bead section. I really wanted the unfinished wood beads, but they didn't have what I was looking for, but they had the finished ones in lots of different sizes. The ones I used are 3/4 inch, and came in packages of 12 for $1.99. They only had three packages left, so my garland is about 32 inches long (not including the tassels). It was super-easy to make (and fast), and now I want to make another one or two!

Just had to share this cute free printable from Kristi at I Should Be Mopping the Floor. I think you have to sign up for her newsletter for this particular freebie, and you should do just that....she does the cutest things and has tons of FREE printables available on her blog!

Perfect combination for an afternoon break... Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin (you can get the recipe from Tracey HERE)....so delicious; Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (you can get the recipe from Jen HERE)....this is the best "copycat" I've tried; and my creative Bible journal.

I'm always amazed at how much I can get done when I turn away from social media for a little while! One biggie that was on my list to complete this month were my Christmas cards. WHAT? No, I'm not talking about addressing and all that; I make all my cards, not just Christmas!

In the past, I've made them all alike, but I much prefer......

Making them all different.

I have to keep a postage scale handy so as not to add too much weight with embellishments. It's such a great way to use of odds 'n ends in my scrapbook stash!

Some are very simple and some are a bit more detailed.

I've made about thirty-two & may make a few more. Now I have to come up with something clever or profound for the inside....yes, this "lover of words" writes the inside verse. The inside is the same for all the cards; I just adjust the size if needed.

Well, there you have it....my mind and hands have not been idle! I am so grateful to have a dedicated room for my crafting; and fortunately, it's just a few steps away from the kitchen! Otherwise, there might be little or no cooking going on! I hope you've enjoyed catching up with me. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Warm hugs,

Carol

I hope to be joining some of these lovely ladies this week:

Kristi at Making it in the Mountains for The Creative Gallery

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Carol at The Red Painted Cottage for Share Your Style Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

10/1/17

WOW, It's October!

Happy first day of October! I have a love-hate feeling for October. It's definitely the signal for a cool-down here in the desert, but that does not mean "put on the sweaters & pretty scarves" just yet. It is still in the 90's, but cooling down at night and cool enough to have windows and doors open in the early morning hours. October is kind of the "get on your mark, get set, GO" for the race to the end of the year....wish it would not speed by quite so fast, don't you? What I'm really trying to do this year, is slow down, stay out of that race, and savor every single day. I do have all of my decorating finished and love walking through our home filled with all the rich colors of Fall. Today I'd like to share some pics of our kitchen and family room. I'll try not to be too chatty, but grab a beverage & snack just incase!

I adore the scene on the little plate from HobLob several years ago. Almost makes me want to become a farmer...HA! HA!

Flowers from Trader Joe's.

Mums from Sprouts...it's so beautiful! See the wood slice that the mum is sitting on? The Man cut several of those for me from a piece of mesquite. I'll share more about that in another post, but I've decided just about anything looks good sitting on a wood slice!

I wanted some fun new napkin rings, so I made them....empty tp roll, yarn, & some small pumpkins from a few years back that I had already painted!

Got these cute towels from HomeGoods a couple of years ago.

My pompom wreath is back for about the 3rd year in a row!

I don't change things on top of the cabinets anymore, but I haven't grown tired of the things I chose to fill the spaces. I love how those upper lights create interesting shadows.

Awww....the rich colors of Fall!

This is my current coffee station, but it will be getting a bit bigger with a larger tray to accommodate more cool weather beverages....teas & cocoas!

On a whim I decided to combine this leafy-berry swag with these adorable balsa wood leaves

that are lighted.

It is so cute at night when only the kitchen task lights are on.

This always makes me smile.

Now, let's go into the family room.

This is how I had decorated the mantel the first time. I liked it, but it started feeling

too messy.

Then I decided to remove the lighted wreath, and I like it so much better now.

This was the combination of 3 very worn and tattered leaf swags that I cut and blended together.

I also cut some leaf shapes out of cardstock and book pages and then painted them with chalk paint.

I simply hot-glued them into the swag to make it much thicker.

I also added some of those painted leaves to the wreath that has now moved to a new

spot above the tv.

I took a bunch of odds and ends of berries, leaves, & small pumpkins and filled this lantern. To make it more fun, I added in some tiny orange lights.

Well, I'm about to send you on your way, but not before thanking you so much for visiting. I

cannot wait for your next visit!

I hope October is super-special for you, and I hope you get to slow down a bit

and savor all those special moments and the everyday moments as well.

Hugs,