Urge to Purge

For some reason I got the whim to organize some things tonight.

I went through my closet and dresser and stored away any clothes than no longer fit or I no longer wear. I had clothes in there that were too small all the way through maternity clothing.

It's much nicer only seeing options that I can actually wear.

Then I decided to go through my shoes.

I store my shoes in a container under our bed.

Here's the awful before

And the much better after

Since I mainly wear flats, I just stacked each shoe on top of its mate. This way I can clearly see each pair I have!

I also went through my purse that formerly contained a bajillion test strips, every receipt since 2008 and an entire pharmacy.

It literally weighs 5 lbs. less now.

Whew.

I hope this feeling stikes more often.

Challenge to Readers: Organize one area thats been bugging you (closet, junk drawer, car, etc.)

Report back on what you organized! It does feel great!

Decorating on a Budget: Dining Room

Here's another post about frugal decorating using a single snapshot from my home.

1. Give old furniture a paint job.

The hutch was my grandparents and the small table was my great grandmothers. Both had some water damage and weren't too easy on the eyes. I sanded both down and gave them a few coats of glossy white paint. Now I love them and they make the room feel so much lighter while providing some much needed storage! Cost: $8 for paint.

2. Use seasonal vegetation for centerpieces

Currently we are in the midst of our Apple Harvest, so we have used them as a centerpiece in our dining room. Check with family members who may grow fruits or veggies or the local farmers market. Cost: FREE

3. White dishes

When registering for our dishes as a soon-to-be newlywed I chose white because I figured they could be paired with festive chargers and decor to change the look. 3 years later I am still thrilled with that decision. Pick dishes that are simple and timeless and they will match *everything* for decades. Cost: Varies

4. Family Art

Our dining room is another showcase for Mr. Free's art. It displays many of his pottery pieces as well as a painting. Utilize family members art.... no other home will have it!

Cost: FREE

5. Frame paper

For a little added texture I framed a piece of black and white damask scrapbooking paper. It adds just a little more texture without any more color. We already had the frame anyways. Cost: $.25 for paper.

6. Holiday Clearance

The mercury glass bowl on our dining table was actually 75% off after Christmas at Target. It doesn't even look Christmas-y on its own. When perusing after Christmas sales for discounted wrapping paper, make sure to look at the Holiday decor and think outside the season on pieces that could be used year-round. Cost: Varies

There ya have it....shoot me a comment if you enjoy these little segments or not... I'm trying to figure out if I should continue it into a series.

Thanks!

Carving Party Decor

As I'm thinking through our upcoming Pumpkin Carving Party I figured the best space for carving the pumpkins would actually be outdoors.

I invision a couple of folding tables, all dressed up for fall in the middle of our big, tree-filled backyard.

I also imagine bringing in our round chippy oak table for displaying our proud creations.

We are also planning to have a bonfire for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.

I'm praying for some chilly, cozy fall weather that day! No rain!!!

I've been perusing the internet once again for inspiration and here is what I've found courtesy of Martha Stewart and Country Living.

So I've got to recreate this looks using things I already have or with gift cards I have. Should be interesting!

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Pumpkin Carving Party

This year Mr. Free and I are going to have a Pumpkin Carving Party!

We are so stoked!

Normally we throw an Annual Halloween Party on that night, but we decided to shake things up.

I must admit, our first year married we had a Halloween Party and it consisted of Mr. Free and I sitting in our costumes on the couch waiting hours for any guest to arrive. Needless to say it was discouraging!

Like usual, we have pretty close to a $0 budget for this whole shin-dig but I thought it'd be fun to share the party planning step by step.

First up...

The invitations!

I first perused the inter-webz for inspiration and found these adorable invites on Etsy

So with our budget in mind, I used this as my inspiration and created my own.

Mine aren't nearly as cute, but they cost me $0.

Can't beat that.

Disclaimer: For those that know me in real life, please realize this is a small affair as the Free House is teeny tiny. Hopefully in a few years we will have a home that accomadates all the wonderful friends we have been blessed with!

So now I must ask....does anyone have any great Halloween or Pumpkin carving tips? Ever hosted a bash and have a great tip? PLEASE SHARE!

PLEASE!!!

How Bout Them Caramel Apples

So, again still have quite a few apples to use up and the idea struck.

Caramel Apples!!!

Mmmmmmm......

I hadn't made these, like ever!

And they are SO good and easy!

No need to pay $5 at Rocky Mountain Chocolate!

Also, I didn't want to go buy and un-wrap caramel candies, so I found and used a recipe for homemade caramel.

(It's SO easy and now I can make it for other recipes! Woohoo!!!)

Here it is

2 sticks butter

2 c. brown sugar

1 c. light corn syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 1/2 tbsp. vanilla

Stir and melt the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and condensed milk in a pan (medium-high).

Let mixture come to a boil and stop stirring.

Once mixture reaches between the Soft Ball stage and Hard Ball, remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

After a few minutes it will thicken up and be perfect for dipping your apples.

I also had melted some chocolate almond bark and swirled the chocolate over top then rolled in chopped peanuts and sprinkles.

The possibilities are endless!

And delicious!

Happy Monday!!!

On the Eve of October...

I decided to slowly start adding in my Halloween decor.

Not quite ready for the spider webs everywhere and non-sense, but I'm ready to usher in October!

Here's what I added today

I am so excited for October!!!

What do you think??

Lazy Woman's Guide to Canning

Mr. Free and I ventured into the canning world this past year with some good friends of ours leading the way.

It was a whole new world for me!

And much easier than I had thought!

So far we haven't canned a whole lot, but our list includes:

Mulberry Jam

Mulberry Syrup

Salsa

Apple Sauce

Apple Butter

All with great success!!!

There are many different ways to can, and most involve some specialty equipment.

However, in consulting with friends and family here is the system we do and has worked beautifully.

All you need is

Ball jars

Lids

Rings

Container of hot water

Stuff to put in the jars

First take the jar and its components and submerge it into HOT water.

You can fill a big bowl, or fill your sink or even put them in the dishwasher through a HOT cycle to get them sterilized.

I usually just do the big bowl or sink.

Once your sauce or jam or whatnot is ready to be canned, take jar and lids out (remember they will be HOT!) And wipe them down dry.

Pour in your goods.

Then quickly place the lid and ring on tightly and wipe down the lids dry.

Flip upside down on a dishtowel for several hours or overnight. (The pressure and heat will create a vacuum and cause the the lid to seal. If you listen carefully you will hear a "woosh" sound when it seals.)

Voila! Canning success!!!

Make sure to label your jars for storage so you know what it is! And you can reuse your jars and lids so they really are a great investment!

I hope this offered a little insight for those not yet venturing into canning, but it truly is a lost art! It's such a great way to extend our summer and fall harvest through the long winter!

Happy Canning!!!

P.S This is my 200th post! Crazy huh?! Thanks for reading still!!!

How did I not post about this sooner?!!!

***drumroll***

Kansas City will be getting in 2011....

Not 1....

But TWO!!!!

I know I'm a total dork, but I'm beyond excited.

I love grocery shopping.

It combines my two great loves.

Shopping and food. : )

Happy Monday World.

On a personal note....

My life seems out of control.

Allow me to share.

About 6 months ago I prayed this prayer:

Lord, please don't let my life go according to my plan. I desire at the end of my life to look back and see how the journey was not how I would have chosen, but it was glorious. I truly saw God work through all the twists and turns.

Boy has that prayer come true.

I am a planner.

A huge planner.

And thus far, aside from a couple things, my life has gone exactly how I'd planned it.

But that worried me.

I didn't want to be an old lady and think Yes, Life went just how I'd planned. How would God be glorified through that? How many blessings would I have missed that way?

These past 6 months have sure taken my plans and through them through out the window.

My plans?

Get pregnant last July, have baby in March.

Have Mr. Free finish school, sub for a while and maybe get a job.

Other than that? Same ol' same ol'.

What has happened?

Well, indeed I did get pregant last July but that baby was only meant to be with us for a brief moment. No nursery to get ready by March after all.

We now have an 18 year old boy living with us. We are helping him get on his feet and have the skills necessary for independence.

Mr. Free is finishing school in December and already has a lead on a job.

I can truly say that life is not going as planned.

I know I am just in the midst of one of the twists in the road, but I am completely overwhelmed.

I am grieving the loss of our child.

I am blessed by the opportunity to help a fellow brother in Christ.

I am grateful for the career opportunity for Mr. Free.

I know everything that happens is for my good and His glory.

It's just really hard for a planner to completely let go.

And that's what I've done.

Every day has been incredibly hard.

I just have to let go and give it all to Him.

He loves me so much and has such a great plan for me, why wouldn't I give it all to Him?

He knows my heart is aching yet rejoicing at the same time.

And that is hard.

He knows that and is working it all for good.

My heart aches to be a mom.

I want it so bad.

But I have to let that go and understand that God may not have that planned for me.

And I have to be OK with that.

Sorry for the rambling... it's just been a really hard week yet I am hopeful and at peace resting my life in His hands.

I pray everyone has an incredibly blessed weekend.

Hug those you love a little tigher. : )

Back to your regularly scheduled, more light-hearted postings....

Oh What A Little Paint Can Do....

Here is a set of old nasty shelves that were left in our basement.

Before

After

This is Step 1 of our Trillion Step Basement Makeover project.

What do you think?

Too bold?

I like it.... : )