Winter Roses

The cold weather has been so good for our roses! I wish you could smell them.

Just a little bit of rose heaven.

Nell Hill Christmas Give Away

Just a quick reminder...

There is still time to leave me a comment.

You can leave one on this post or on the original give away post (here) to

have a chance to win a copy of Nell Hill's O Christmas Tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fresh-Cut Friday #16 Poinsettia December Flower of the Month

Welcome to Fresh-Cut Friday Holiday style!

December's flower is the Poinsettia.
Actually there are several beautiful flowers that are considered December's flower. It just depends where you look, who you ask and which one you like the best.

I picked this one up at Safeway... a little pricey at $29.99 ...
but it is huge and very full.
And you are worth it!

It really is gorgeous. Called a Marbled Poinsettia, you can see why.

Variegated pinks, greens and whites.

Shall we have a Poin-se-TEA-a Tea?

Now, sit down with me...

Just we three.

A sweet for you and a treat for me.

A lovely break after a hard day of work!

Which begs the Question: Are they poisonous? Well, I looked it up on Snopes....

Read what it says here.

Okay! Now it's your turn... Please make sure that you add a link from your post back to my post. That way we all get to enjoy the pretty arrangements.

Don't forget to sign up for the Give away in the post below.

I'm joining:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Potpourri Party Friday at 2805

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home

Whats Up? A Give Away, That's What!

Well, for one: This Friday is Fresh-Cut Friday! I will have the linky up tomorrow night.
Probably around 8ish. I hope you will share your holiday arrangements!

Second: Our Christmas tree is here! I'm so excited.

We will be decorating this weekend. YAY! Everything is done, we just have the tree left.

And finally: the first of 2 giveaways. Just leave me a comment letting me know you would love to have this beautiful Nell Hill Christmas book.

So in a nutshell ... There you have it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our little cottage to yours!

Easy Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

If you have been anywhere in blog land you have probably seen these darling little punkins'.
AND I know that there are other tutorial's too. I thought I would show you my little project just in case you haven't seen them. Our ladies bible study made them a couple of nights ago and I just thought that they were so darn cute! Plus they are CHEAP!

Here's what you need:
3) circles of fabric
a bag of beans (probably a 5lb bag would be enough)
some stems from your old pumpkins
some leftover silk leaves
some floral stems
needle and thread
fabric glue

(mine are 10" 12" and 16")

You can get this in the silk floral area of your craft store.

Stitch a fast running stitch all the way around the circle.
Don't fret with this to much. It won't matter.

Gather and fill with beans. Tie the loose ends together.

Stitch the top closed ... nice and tight.

Using your fabric glue, attach your stem and leaf. I put a rubber band around the whole thing to hold it in place until it dried. I also took my wire stem and wrapped it around a pencil to create a little tendril. I then stuck it in the top of the pumpkins (2 each).

Thank you to the creative and crafty ladies of North Phoenix Baptist Church
Women's Bible Study for this fun little project.

Just in case you were thinking of quitting...

A Jar for Pickels!

My mom wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday.
I had already been thinking about it....

I want your old pickle jar.

And my mom,
(who would give me just about anything if she thought it would make me happy)
found it, cleaned it up and polished for me.

I love the detail on it! It is perfect on my kitchen counter.

I love it!

Thank you Mom!

Chocolate Saltine Toffee

Got this yummy recipe from the Ghirardelli website.

I'll be trying it this holiday season.

Chocolate Saltine Toffee

16 servings

• 1 cup(s) 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 2 cup(s) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 5 ounce(s) sliced almonds, toasted
• 6 1/2 ounce(s) (apx. 60) saltine crackers
• 2 cup(s) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoon(s) corn syrup

Directions
In a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper, lay out saltine crackers, salt side down, in a single layer. Set aside.

In a medium-size sauce pot, combine sugar, butter and corn syrup. Place over medium heat until butter melts, stirring continuously. Increase to high heat and cook until mixture registers 350°F on a candy thermometer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and carefully pour mixture over saltines, spreading evenly.

Let sit a few minutes and then sprinkle chocolate over toffee. Once chocolate melts, spread in an even layer over toffee. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top. Freeze until chocolate sets. Once the chocolate is set, break into pieces.

Fresh-Cut Friday #15

Welcome to Fresh-Cut Friday. I'm so glad your here!

See my little tiny arrangement on my side board? Look closer...

See? Star Mums. Aren't they sweet?

Chrysanthemums are the Flower of the Month for November.

These come in so many varieties and colors. And they are a good value.
I paid next to nothing for these and they lasted more than a week.

What will your fall flowers look like?

I'm linking to:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Potpourri Party Friday at 2805

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home