Frugalista Married- Come check her out!

Have you ever visited Frugalista Married?  If not you definitely need to!  My favorite thing about Frugalista Married is how real Cece is!   It is all Real Life.  

Let's get to know Cece and Frugalistia Married a little better...  We asked Cece to write a little something up about her blog and this is what she said,
"So, you want to find out how to get more hours in a day, loose 10 pounds and keep it off without dieting, and earn money from home in your spare time?  Well so do I!  I'd love to tell you that you can find those answers along with the secret to eternal youth on my blog but that would be false advertising and once you realize that you would leave me a mean anonymous comment and unfollow me so fast my head would spin.  What you will find is a fun and real blogger who loves being a part of the blogging community and interacting with others.  I write about life, love, the pursuit of happiness and anything else that pops into my head.   

I consider myself to be part of the "old school" generation of bloggers.  I've been at it for going on 4 years so I started before link ups, Rafflecopter, giveaways, Passion Fruit and blog sponsorships were even thought of.  In fact, this is my first sponsored post which I was lucky enough to win and I've only done 2 giveaways.  But not to worry, I plan to do more because giving something away was so much fun.  With almost four years under my belt you may wonder why I don't have 2,000 followers.  I mean, isn't my blog cute enough?  Haven't I come up with enough funny things to say?  Getting new readers does make my heart happy but that's not my motivation for blogging.  I do this because I love to write.  I always have and I have a good feeling that I always will.  Come find out if I'll ever finish that novel I've been working on for years, what reality TV shows I refuse to watch and my latest confessions.  You may not discover the the secret to making your hair look like the girls in Pantene commercials but you might find some other things you like and it might be worth the visit anyways."
Head on over to Frugalista Married and get into Cece's world.  You will not be disappointed!  You can also follow Cece on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Friday Feature: Third Sunday Dinner Blog

 Years ago, my family lived a few houses down from an amazing family!  My kids were little then.  I had only my five boys.  And my boys loved their kids.  They would talk about them all the time.  Every time we would pass their house, which was all the time, my kids would look out the window to see if they were outside.  The father of this family is a Chef.  And an amazing one if I do say so myself. 

 His name is Chef Brad. When we moved away from that neighborhood, Chef Brad made our family dinner as we were packing.  And I will have to say that he made the most amazing salad I have ever had!  Even to this day, my husband jokes about me eating the whole thing.  And the salad was huge.  In my defense, I only finished eating it when everyone was done.  :)  And I still have cravings for that salad even after seven years!

My husband stopped by their house one evening and Chef Brad just made brownies.  He gave my husband one and when he came home that night, he couldn't stop talking about them!  He said that the brownies tasted like he was in heaven!

 He teaches people how to cook with all different types of grains.  Grains that I have never even heard from!  And he can make everything taste so delightful! And he also has a cooking show on BYUtv called Fusion Grain Cooking.  The reason I am telling you all this, is because he has recently started a blog called Third Sunday Dinner.  He shares recipes, stories and tips.  The most recent post he did is on Lemons.  He talks about all the health benefits of lemons.  It's very information and you don't want to miss  it!  So head on over to Third Sunday Dinner and check out everything Chef Brad has to offer and you will be wishing that you are neighbors with him too!

A Mrs. and A Mama: Pumpkin Rolls

We have another fabulous guest post today!  Jen from A Mrs. & A Mama is here to show us how to make Pumpkin Rolls.  But first let's get to know her...

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Let me start off by thanking the girls at Babblings & More for giving us the opportunity to be their guest today. I'm Jen; my mom and I recently started A Mrs. & A Mama as a way to motivate us to accomplish our creative projects that we are always dreaming up but not always following through with. We enjoy crafting, sewing, and baking and are usually chasing my two toddlers around all at the same time. Please take a moment to stop by our blog and see what we have going on each day from home decor projects to food adventures to time with our family.

With the holidays quickly approaching I am already getting requests to bake a few of my pumpkin rolls. I was a little intimidated the first time I attempted this recipe but the results turned out amazing and now each cake I bake turns out better than the last.

Ingredients:

Cake

• Powdered Sugar to coat tea towel
• 3/4 C. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 C. granulated sugar
• 2/3 C. pumpkin puree
• 1 C. walnuts, chopped (optional)

Filling

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 C. powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 T butter or margarine, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan, or a cookie sheet with fairly tall sides; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper; be sure to do this thoroughly because you will want the wax paper to peel away from the cake without tearing it. Coat both sides (yes, both) of a thin cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick then beat in the pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture.

Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Remove from oven and place sugar coated towel over the cake then place a cooling rack on top of the towel and flip over removing the cake from the pan. SLOWLY peel away the wax paper being careful not to tear the cake. Roll up the cake and towel together (the cake will actually be rolled inside of the cake, strange, but trust me).

Let the rolled up cake and towel cool on wire rack.



Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake.



Reroll cake.



Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour before slicing. I like to slice the ends off before presenting it, to clean it up a bit (also, because I love to sneak a taste). If you like you can dust the cake with powdered sugar but I find that the rolling process leaves a lot of powdered sugar on the cake already, but it’s your choice. I also have a few family members that like it with whipped cream too.

Are you a pumpkin fan? Take a stop by our blog, I am pumpkin obsessed and have already tried 5 other pumpkin recipes this season. Enjoy!

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Thank you Jen!  My mouth is seriously watering.  I have been craving pumpkin rolls and this recipe will do the trick!  Now everyone head on over and check out all the other pumpkin recipes these ladies have at A Mrs. and A Mama...you will not be disappointed!

Mandy Jean Chic: DIY Ring Holder

Today we have Mandy from Mandy Jean Chic guest posting for us.  She is going to show us a simple way to organize our rings, but first let's learn a little about Mandy....

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Hi everyone! It's Mandy from the blog Mandy Jean Chic.  As my blog description states I am a proud law enforcement wife, blogger, Mom to a rowdy bunch of Bloodhounds, fashion loving, make up wearing, shoe obsessed, 4x4 enthusiast, gun shooting, DIY project kinda gal.   

I started Mandy Jean Chic about a year ago. I love following blogs, checking out projects, trying the latest make up tutorial and the joy of connecting with others.  Mandy Jean Chic reflects me, my style, home, projects, shopping trips, make up fails, product reviews, DIY crafts, organizing, cleaning.  If its chic I will try it. 

I hope you enjoy my DIY ring holder and please stop by my blog to say hello.  

Am I the only gal who spends wwaayyy to much time on Pinterest and YouTube??  I see all of these great projects and I pin or like them but I never do them. I am on a kick to organize my craft room/woman cave/dressing room/studio/filming area/no boys allowed room.  With the holidays around the corner I wanted to keep my projects fairly budget friendly but begin this daunting task. 

After gathering inspiration from many videos I decided I had the items laying around my craft room to make a ring holder.  Before making this my rings were stored safely in a small bowl on or around my dresser. The only supplies I needed to purchase were the hair curlers and more glue. 

SUPPLIES

Box- large enough to hold rings but small enough for storage.  I used an old BirchBox

Hair curlers- enough to fill box tightly

Contact Paper

Felt

Glue

Scissors

Creativity

#1- Start by flipping your contact paper over and measuring your box.  Remember to allow for the paper to come over the sides and into the box
#2- Remove contact paper and lay flat
#3- Carefully place your box in the middle of the paper and begin wrapping the box
#4- Wrap as you would a present.  Fold edges and top into the box

#5- Remove curler from plastic clip. They should open at the clip and pull off. You can cut them off if you need to as we will be covering the curlers with felt

#6- Fill box with curlers. Make sure they are tight but not tight enough the spring out.  You can see I had to cut some to make them fit snug. 

#7- Wrap curlers in felt.  I purchased these felt sheets from the Dollar Tree

#8- Spread glue around the bottom of the box and start tucking your felt wrapped curlers in

Once you have all the rows tucked you can jazz up your box with ribbon or leave it as a drawer box.  For just a few dollars I think this ring box is a wonderful way to keep your precious rings organized and safe! 

If you make a ring holder or have any DIY organizing crafts please head over to Mandy Jean Chic and leave me a comment. I would LOVE to check them out!  I am now off to organize my necklaces, bracelets, and make up.  

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Thank you Mandy for sharing!  What a great way to organize!  My jewelry is in some serious need of organization, I really need to try this!

We are over at Pocket Full of Pink!

Hey Everyone!  We had to opportunity to guest post at Pocket Full of Pink this week!  We shared a tutorial on how to make a Fall Burlap Wreath.   Head on over there and check it out!!

Love It Sew Much: Fall Scrappy Table Runner

Today we have Julie guest posting from Love It Sew Much .  You are all going to love this tutorial!  But first, let us learn a little about Julie...

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Hi my name is Julie Snow.  I am thrilled to be guest posting here today!  I run a sewing business called "Studio Julie Snow" out of my home where I do custom clothing, sewing lessons, alterations, costumes and home decor.  I started my blog "Love It Sew Much!" almost a year ago as a showcase for my client projects and a creative outlet for me!  I also post updates on my sewing classes, showcase my students' projects, and share fun sewing projects and tutorials that I love!  Feel free to visit!

 This table runner could be a casual and pretty addition to your Fall table settings!

And if you do not want to go out and buy a bunch of yardage to make a table runner, this is perfect because it just uses a neutral base and SCRAPS!

 I got inspired by a craft I made last year!  (And this one was inspired by my friend over at Landee See Landee Do)  Fabric balls are made from skinny scrap strips of fabric - they are wrapped around a styrofoam ball and pinned into place.  So simple!  I love them!

 So I had a bunch of those strips left over ( I think I was waiting for another coupon to go buy more styrofoam balls...)  But this year I had a great idea how to use these strips in another way!

 I happened to have an approximate yard of 45" wide black fabric in my fabric storage, so I used that for my base.  I laid it out with selvages together and cut it in half along the folded edge.

You could make your table runner to any dimension you need to fit your table surface.  This is just what I had and it will fit my table pretty nicely.

 Then I took one of the halves and cut it in half.  I centered the larger piece in between the two I just cut in half.  Then I sewed them right sides together to form my long table runner base.

(So my finished table runner will be approximately 2 yards long when all sewn together.)

 Now to my strips.  These strips were simply cut along the width of the fabric in about 1" increments.  It hardly takes any yardage at all if you did want to go buy some and make scraps.  But this is what I had leftover from making fabric balls.

I cut them all exactly in half.  Because that happened to line up to my table runner base (remember I cut it in half too?)  Then they fit perfectly from edge to edge.

I lined them all up in an arrangement that I liked.  I made sure I left the center section blank so I could add centerpieces, etc.

 

 

 

 Then I pinned them all into place.  One pin at the top, middle and bottom.  You could do more if you like.

 Then I rolled up one side and pinned the whole side down.  This will keep that whole section out of the way while I sew the unrolled-up-side strips down. 

 Then I just stitched all those strips down!  Yes, I left the edges raw!  It gives it a rustic cool look that I really like.  I made sure I backstitched at the beginning and the end of my strips.

(If you prefer a cleaner edge - you could turn the raw edges under and press them before you stitch them down).

 You can see on the right that I rolled my edges that were done over to the left as I went.  Keeps the bulk out of the way.  Very handy.

 When all my strips were finished getting stitched into place, I laid it on the table and cut off the ends to make it all flush with the raw base edge.  

 Now all you have to do is hem the edges of your table runner!  Turn them all under 1/4" or so.  Press in place.  Turn again the same amount.  Press.  Pin corners in place so they are nice.

 Topstitch that hem!

 Here is what the hem looks like when you are all done sewing!

Then I threw it in the washer and dryer.  This fluffed up my ragged edges and made them nice and frayed.

I trimmed off a few off the raggedy edges, but only the ones that were a little tangled.  You can decide how much you want to trim off, but go easy on it - remember it's meant to be a little frayed!

Here's how I left my edges.  Nice and a little frayed.  Now press it with your iron!  This will make it nice and crisp and pretty!

You are finished!  Now go add it to your table and accessorize it!

I just love this Fall addition to my table!

And here is the new home for my fabric balls this year!


Do you have any fabric scraps you can use?  



Thank you for joining me today here at Babblings & More!  Feel free to visit me at LoveItSewMuch!  Hope to see you there!

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Thank you so much Julie!  I love the table runner!  I really need one of these on my table!  Now everyone go and check out her blog...You won't be disappointed!

Guest Post at Blissful Bucket List

Is everyone ready for Halloween?     We had a Truck or Treat on Saturday that my kids loved dressing up for.  My oldest boys are 12 year old identical twins and they didn't have time to dress up because they were at a Boy Scout Merit Badge University all day, so they painted the other one's name on their heads and went as the other twin.  They confused people all night!  Funny boys!

  Last week we did a guest post over at Blissful Bucket List.  If you are wanting to check it out, we made some yummy Peanut Butter Spider Cookies that you are going to want to make for that Halloween party you are planning on attending!

And Sarah has such a cute blog!  You are going to want to become a follower! So head on over there and look around!

Winkerdoodles: Blowfish Pumpkin

Today we have a fabulous guest post from Deena over at Winkerdoodle's World of Whimsy.  She is going to show us how to make a Blowfish Pumpkin.  You really have to see this one!  But first, let's learn a little about Deena.

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Hi Babblings Friends! 

My name is Deena and I blog over at Winkerdoodle's World of Whimsy (http://winkerdoodles.com). My blog is a place where you can get some awesome recipes for easy and delicious sweets and EASY dinners. We're all busy... why not let me help you find something yummy for dinner... AND DESSERT!  (I mean... who doesn't need a little "Sugar Therapy") I also share some fun and unique ideas for crafting for holidays. Oooo... we've got some really NEAT things coming up!!!

Today, I'm excited to share a fun and unique idea with you for Halloween. 

Is there a Halloween pumpkin carving contest at your office? Wanna win?? Then you've got to try this! 

I've made a fun pumpkin and, though it's a bit time consuming, it's really fun and looks awesome! You will be the winner of any contest... HANDS DOWN!

Blowfish Pumpkin

You will need:

• 2-3 bags of candy corn
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• small "silica" packets (the ones that say "do not eat" when you buy shoes, etc.)- Optional
• sturdy base to put your pumpkin on (I covered a round cookie sheet with foil)
• a drink holder from a fast food restaurant. (You could use anything... but this made it easier to turn
• Cardboard or poster board cut into "fins" and a tail. (I went one step further and made mine out of sugar... but, the moisture from the pumpkin melted the candy after a while. Cardboard or colored poster board will work great. 
• brown paper sack

The Process

Begin by cutting a hole in the BOTTOM of your pumpkin and cleaning out the contents. Now, cut out two eyes.  I left a section of the eye and colored it black to look like the blowfish is looking off to the side. (see picture). Before you color the eyes... clean the outside of the pumpkin with an all-purpose cleaner, like 409. 

Now, you will want to cut out slits in your pumpkin for the tail and fins. Test the fit and make sure the fins and tail will fit in the slits after putting hot glue on them. (Make the slits a little roomy) Set the fins and tail aside. Don't put them in until the end. Your pumpkin will want to "ooze" like pumpkins do... and it will get all over your fins and tail. 

At this point, you'll want to turn your drink holder upside down and cover it with your crumpled brown paper sack. This is your stand. Place your stand on your sturdy base. Use hot glue to attach the stand to your base. (Again, I covered my round baking sheet with foil and glued to that). Color your eyes black, if you do your eyes like I did.

Now... the FUN part. Heat up your glue gun and begin attaching candy corn in rows on your pumpkin. This will take a while, so relax and have fun with it. It's neat because you can see your pumpkin transform into a blow fish in front of your eyes. 

Just keep going until your entire pumpkin is covered. When you're done,  cover the ends of your fins and tail with hot glue... one at a time... and insert them into the blow fish. 

YOU DID IT! Now, take photos of your pumpkin blowfish and carefully transport it to your pumpkin competition!! Soak up all the praise! 

Thanks again for letting me come and show you a fun Halloween craft! Please head over to my blog and check it out! I'd love to have you join me as we explore lots of new and fun ideas for the holidays! We've got LOTS in store!!! 

*****************************************************   Thanks Deena!  Your pumpkin is fantastic!

Wayward Girls' Crafts: Pumpkin Smoothie

Today we have Jaime visiting us from Wayward Girls' Crafts.

We love keeping tabs on the ladies there, they are so creative and fun and have so many neat ideas!

They will be sharing with us their Pumpkin Smoothie. 

But first, lets get to know Jaime...

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Hi everyone! I'm Jaime, with Wayward Girls' Crafts! Thank you to Babblings and More, for having me! I blog with my mom and three sisters and we are a Wayward group! Wayward Crafting means flying by the seat of our pants and biting off more than we can chew but making it work. I love home decor, baking, jewelry making, and trying new things.

I'm so excited to be posting at Babblings and More today. I just love these sisters' blog! Today I'm posting a fun fall recipe, especially good for us in the south where it's still warm out (80 degrees yesterday)

This is a really easy recipe, great for breakfast. I like to think of it this way: I'm getting a vegetable before 9 am! Plus, there is no refined sugar in this recipe!

Pumpkin Smoothie:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup pumpkin

3/4 cup milk

1 frozen banana

Dash of pumpkin pie spice, to taste

Directions:

Blend all ingredients well. Serve and enjoy!

Like this recipe? You might enjoy some of my other fall recipes and crafts:

3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

and my Fall Leaves Monogram

And my Autumn Orange Glitter Vase

Thanks Babblings and More for having me!!

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Thanks Jaime for the wonderful recipe!  I know that my family will love it!