Let the countdown begin!

     WOOT WOOT!! Tomorrow starts a very special day for the Lowry household, The start of the major holiday decorating as well as the countdown till each one. I love it. Tomorrow, ok, ok today I'm going to start putting up the Halloween decorations. I'll start designing the costumes and getting the costume trunk out donating all the old too small ones to make room for the new totally awesome ones. What are we going as you ask? I plan on being Anne of Bolyen while the hubby will be an executioner... get it LOL. Cadence and Tydan are letting me fully make their costumes and the even let me choose them, Cadence is a tornado and Tydan a clothes hamper monster. I plan on doing a post for each of them before Halloween. Daytona, my pretty princess for once isn't going to be a fairy. She got to get a store bought costume so she can be Rapunzel, now I just need to find her a Pasquale. I love Halloween, dressing up, sharing candy with the kids, being able to act like a kid myself sometimes. Even planning next years costumes.
   

  As I posted before our family is setting up a fall bucket list, it's been so rainy here that we really can't do anything that requires being outside. Though on Saturday we had a brief shining moment of no rain and was able to go to our state historical museum for a wonderful day with History Comes Alive. There we're games, and demos all throughout the ages.

Tydan told me he was sure but not positive this was Abe Lincoln. We got to see a cannon demonstration though we missed the war reenactment due to the boys having to watch the Knights fight. 

They played hoop rolling 

And of course loved all the different cars. My favorite being the prohibition truck.

Planning to go again next year and of course take more pictures. It was hard to do this time with only my little cell phone camera. Maybe by then Daytona will get over her shyness and participate. I have no pictures of her at all that day because she would hide whenever the camera came out LOL.

Next week I hope to take the kids to the Nampa Historical Museum for more wonderful history.

Next up on our personal bucket list is to make S'mores in a fire pit when the rain stops, drink cider, and make yummy Halloween treats. 

Are you ready for Fall? Stay tuned for more from this Susie's Life.

Southern Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Sometimes you need something a bit different than the same old, same old box of mac and cheese. Some days it's just not worth it to open the box because the kids are screaming they want it.  if you're a mom like me and just can't take it anymore here's a recipe for you. Why? The crock pot does pretty much everything for you. Dry noodles, pre shredded cheese, and on dish. You may ask yourself, how is this Southern? Well my friends it comes out like a custard you can cut, which is great for picnics, gatherings, and home. It doesn't have to stay piping hot to scoop.

 

  Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

Cooking oil spray

2 cups skim milk

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

1 egg

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 1/2 cups pre-shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

Directions:

Spray the pot of the slow cooker or if using a liner bag, spray the bag well.  In a mixing bowl whisk together milk, evaporated milk, egg, salt and pepper. Pour milk mixture into the crock pot.  Add cheese and uncooked macaroni. Stir gently to mix.  

Turn slow cooker on low and cook 3-4 hours, or until the custard is set and the macaroni is tender.  (Do not cook more than 4 hours, or the sides will begin to dry out).  Serve at once. 

FALL IS HERE!!!!

I love fall, the color changes, the nippy air, all the fun things to do. This year our family has a bucket list planned for all kinds of things to do. I got the idea from Tinker Lab and her wonderful bucket list printout. Last year we did a few but this year we plan on doing them all. Which made me wonder, how others do fall? Is it your favorite season? Can you live without it? Do you have any family have to do's? For us it's have to have pumpkin pie and make pumpkin cookies. Do you have any special crafts you like to make? Or recipes to use? Let's hear it from you, make your own bucket list and have a great 1013 fall y'all! I'm gonna make like a leaf and blow.

Stay tuned for more fun from this little Susie's world.

Some of the best sandwiches you'll eat

Called funeral sandwiches, the only thing mournful about these are when they are all gone. Great prep ahead snack for parties of all kinds. Small enough to be finger food, large enough to be filling, and sure to be the 'life' of the party.

{Funeral Sandwiches}

1 package of King's Hawaiian Rolls

1/2-1 lb. good ham deli meat

Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

1/2 c. butter, melted

3 T. worcheshire sauce

2 T. mustard

2 T. brown sugar

dash of onion powder

METHOD:

1. Cut the rolls in half and line the bottom of a baking pan with the bottoms of the rolls. Layer the ham slices, then cheese and place the top half back on.

2. Mix together the butter, worcheshire, mustard, brown sugar and onion powder. Pour the whole works over the buns, drenching each one. Cover tightly and marinade anywhere from 4-24 hours.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes,uncovered,or until cheese is melted and bun tops are a bit golden.

Making your own dehydrated shredded potatoes

The hubby bought me a new fancy for me food dehydrator after telling him you can make your own egg powder and such with them. So of course the first thing I really want to try and do is make dehydrated meals for camping and emergencies. Taking the base instructions from here. I set out the night before to do my potatoes.

Instructions

1. Peel potatoes.  I always peel mine before cooking so I can see where all the bad spots are.

2. Boil your potatoes. Use a large pot and cook them thoroughly. Place your potatoes in the refrigerator for  5 hours to cool and firm them. Mine were left over night.

3.  Spread the potatoes onto your dehydrator tray. Place each potato slice at least 1/4 inch apart. With shreds put on tray in a thin layer. I started out with plastic wrap and switched to parchment paper about a quarter of the way.

4. Now eHow says on thing but I wanted to do it my way so my shreds were dehydrated for about 8 hours at 130 degrees.

5. Use a glass jar or seal able plastic bag and store your potatoes for up to six months. Vacuum pack your dehydrated potatoes to store them for up to three years.I used my vacuum sealer jar attachment and love it!

First craft in my new room...

I painted mini birdhouses to hang on my wall after I finish painting my living room. I set up a tripod to snap pics as I paint and enjoy my day.

Painting the roof reddish brown

 Painting the walls barn red

 And lastly white trim

 And VOILA! I have a cute barnesque bird house to hang on my wall tree.

After this I pained a simple slanted roof house in bright yellow, green, and blue.

First foray into gumpaste...

Mix it yourself he said... it's cheaper that way he said... I think next time I'll just buy the pre made stuff and be done with it. I must have washed half of it down the drain just to get it off of me. I still have chunks of it between my fingers and apparently on my face. But here's hoping at least the half that's sitting on my table is usable. Good thing I'm only using it to try out my new Cricut machine.

Edit for pics:

 

Not much for the pain it was to get the gumpaste mixed and the machine figured out but now that I know what to do watch out world I have goodies to make!

DIY gift wrapping paper

One of the greatest joys of giving a gift to someone you love is wrapping it up so prettily and watching them ooo and ahhh over it. So today I thought I'd get a jump start on Christmas buy making my own hand stamped paper.

I'm gonna cut open a normal paper bag (size is up to you)

If you're fresh out of paper bags you can buy a roll of mailing paper. Dollar Tree usually has some.

Lay it out flat,I didn't care if it still had fold lines if you do iron it out on a dry setting. Then gather your stamps, pads, pens, and other writing implements.

I chose white & red stamp pads with snowflake and do not open till December 25th stamp.

Next step is simple, just stamp, draw, or write on your paper. Any idea works for whatever you need it for.

Since this is for Christmas and I have no presents to wrap I can't show you my pretty wrapped gift. But just think of all the endless possibilities there are with this idea. no more will you have to run out and get wrapping paper for the only wedding you've been to. No one will ask if you used the same paper for birthday's year after year, and everyone will be talking about how AWESOME you are.  So go on now and get your wrap on!

Mini meatloaf

 Makes 8.

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound ground beef
•  2/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the egg, milk, cheese, oats and salt. Add the ground beef, mixing well, and form this mixture into eight miniature meatloaves. Place these in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Stir thoroughly and spread over each meatloaf.
4. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 254 | Total Fat: 14.3g | Cholesterol: 77mg

My family loves these. We bake them in muffin pans for quick Monday night dinner, they freeze well, and you can put almost any kind of side with them. I honestly don't know how I got by in life without eating meatloaf like this. I love to mix up the cheeses and use Red Mills 5 grain hot cereal as well as the quick oats. Comes out a bit more dense but so very filling.  I hope your family enjoys as much as mine does.

Want a chalkboard?

But the price of one or that special paint is too expensive? Well here's a great DIY recipe. I was checking our pins on Pinterest and came across this site the idea room, and found the recipe. I followed it and had a success with just doing basic colors. 

All you need is 1 cup of paint and 2 Tablespoons of non sanded white grout.

  Now me being very excited to try this out I didn't look at the link to the recipe and steps she used till today, I found I missed a few but that just means I'll have better pics for next time. Also they never talked about the stench, very strong ammonia smell so make sure you have a window open. I also found that doing 2 or more coats works best and they are tougher if dried for at least 12 hours each time. Knowing that I can redo my kitchen cart so that my grease stains don't show and when I paint my fridge and the rest of my freezer it will be nice and even with no chunks. And what's better than making your own paint? How about making your own chalk? Which I will make later on this year. I have big plans for that post.

Stuffed Sweet Peppers

While most people stuff bell peppers we thought to stuff a small sweet pepper, and they were a HIT!

Ingredients:
Sweet peppers
Cheese (we used organic feta and swiss)

 Directions:
1. Grate your cheese, it helps to grate a little at a time and to use the small holes.
2. Cut tops off peppers and hollow out any extra seeds (usually there are none)
3. Stuff the peppers. How full they are depends on you.

Tips:
1.You can stuff with any cheese you like.
2. Don't limit yourself to just cheese.
3. Great appetizers or veggie side for a party or dinner.

                                                                            ENJOY!

German Pancakes and *drumroll*

Buttermilk syrup. While the family loves German pancakes more than the normal ones we have found that the buttermilk syrup is the epitome of AWESOME!!! Our family has said it needs to be in the fridge and ready to heat at all times. So without further I give you our favorite recipe.

Ingredients: Makes 8 small servings

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• BUTTERMILK SYRUP:
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• confectioners' sugar

  Directions:

1. Place the eggs, milk, flour and salt in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Pour the butter into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish; add the batter. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the first five syrup ingredients; bring to a boil. Boil for 7 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Dust pancake with confectioners' sugar; serve immediately with the syrup. 

Tips:
1. Make sure all the pancake ingredients are well blended.
2. Use butter in the syrup, comes out a bit thicker, but not much.

We have this for breakfast and dinner at least twice a month. We double both recipes and place the left over syrup in the fridge so we don't have to make it each time. It should stay fresh for 2 weeks if your family hasn't begged you to make breakfast all the time.

 Christmas morning the first time we made it. So yup that's a bottle of normal maple syrup on the table and it was never used.

Ringing in the New Year - Champagne cupcakes with buttercream

Hey there, found this totally AWESOME recipe on Cafe Mom for New Year'sand thought this HAS to be shared! So let's dig in and get a little bubbly!

The New Year is upon us, but before we head into 2012, we've got to get the party started! No matter what you're doing at midnight on New Year's Eve, at least a toast of champagne is probably part of your plan. Why not complement that sparkly flute with a pretty little cupcake made with champagne?
This recipe comes complete with a champagne buttercream frosting, which sounds like the ultimate, sweet way to ring in the New Year! Yum -- now who wouldn't drink to that??
Champagne Cupcakes with Sweet Champagne Buttercream Frosting from GimmeSomeOven.com, adapted from AllRecipes.com



Ingredients:
For cupcake:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup champagne (the sweeter the better)
• 6 egg whites

For frosting:

• 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons champagne, at room temperature

Directions:
To make cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then blend into creamed mixture alternately with champagne.
3. In another large clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into batter to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites.  Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

To make frosting:

1. With an electric mixer, beat together sugar and butter. Mix on low until well blended, and then on medium for another two minutes. 
2. Add vanilla and champagne, beating on medium for another minute.

Will these yummy goodies be gracing your party table?

Pegging me for a crafter

I needed a new space to hang my ribbons that was easy to change out when either A. I ran out or B. needed to take it with me. The hubby had some old peg board and posts from the garage and I had the frame and paint.

 1. First step was to cut the board down to the right size and then I painted it a nice matt black.

 2. To add a bit of cuteness and to use some of my nifty ribbon I glued lengths of it to the outer edge. It over laps a bit where the frame goes but I though it made it look more finished.

3. I sanded the edges down a bit to take off some of the stain and then it was off to paint the frame. Since I have GALLONS of left over house paint (gee I really should finish painting my kitchen) I used my red to brush on and slightly wash the frame. Then i used a paper towel and rubbed some of the paint off to give it a used look. Put the frame and back together and look at it now.

I plan on gluing some little strawberries and bows to cover up the screws holding it to the wall. When I find the one I really want I'm putting up a ruler under it so I can measure just what I need.

It's sew easy to fall in love...

I found this totally awesome cute half apron at Goodwill one day and we I didn't buy it cause I just knew I could make one. I was excited when my hubby told me he'd get me a sewing machine for my birthday next month, so I thought hey I have time to get everything I need together... I about killed myself jumping for joy when I got one from my Mom for Christmas instead. I was in a whirlwind of ideas but alas no thread to do anything with, so last week I finally bought some and VOILA!

I started sewing again. And as you can see I have a pair of pants that are getting a ruffled edge... Is it a skirt? NOPE it's a cute apron!

My lovely daughter is modeling her new cooking apron. It's made from the butt from a pair of her old jeans, a bit of ruffled lace and a ribbon belt to tie it on.

Working on one for me that will  have a button hole to place changeable hand towels while I work.

After this I made a couple quick throw pillows to add some color to my living room and bedroom, can't wait till I get a chance to do more.

Crafting and more crafting OH MY!

I don't have any pics to show off right now, but I have been crafting up a storm using ideas from Pinterest.
- I made a Felt rose  headband.
- I made some paper plate baskets.
- I made some pretty awesome twine/yarn covered vases.
- Since I seem to have a decor ball fetish, I made my own.
I have also had a great time playing with stamps and learning calligraphy. And last Thursday I went to my first The girls meet up group and made some cute plant stakes for my house and got a jump on 2012 ornaments.
But my week hasn't been just crafts. I took my very first leap into DIY laundry items. It started with wanting to make dryer sheets since my kids go through them like crazy!  Then I decided if I do one thing Homemade I might as well try all that I wanted to so I went to Wal-Mart, to get what I needed & made my very own fabric softner, which led to making my own laundry soap, and febreeze. I did all this which should last around six months for under 20$. I spend that every 2 weeks on the store bought stuff. I feel pretty accomplished right now, so much in fact I went shopping for some new craft items and some much needed shirts. Stay tuned for all the other items I plan on making, and this time I'll make sure the camera batteries are fresh LOL.

A Lowry family Christmas tradition.

ASince this is the first Christmas in our very own home We have started buying new ornaments and such. One thing I have been wanting to try is to make my own. I started with making mini cinnamon gingerbread men to hang on a garland, that slowly progressed into wanting to make glass ornaments. It seemed to be fate when a trip to Michael's craft store and their clear glass ones we're 2.49$ each package. I picked up 2 of the smallest size and got to work today. I took pictures of my steps making a ribboned 'present'

 gluing the side ribbons on

 Making the bow to glue on the top.

 TADA!!!! Isn't it so pretty. this was ornament 5 in a row of 8.

 Here you have me painting a winter wonderland scene on one.

 Aren't they all pretty?

Next up after this is to let the kids make their own after a hike in the hills. each year I think we shall make more that are elaborate and special, as well as make special ones for friends and family. What a great way to remember the years both present and past.

Phase 2 of craft room is started and in progress.

I spend a better part of today cleaning, and storing my craft room. It's not much but better than it was before my project started.

Here I cleaned and shut the door on my table and re opened the second bathroom door.  Yes I know that the spare table and the floor is a mess but at least I don't have to deal with the heat from the furnace any more.

Now my room is all clean. Started personalizing it, till i can get it painted.

Everything I have will have it's own spot, but for now this is what I've done.  The middle shelves are for food items such as cake decorating, specialty pans, cookie items, and such. The very top shelves that are empty will be for fabrics and sewing crafts. The bottom shelves are for home decor and simple crafts.

Over at the table I have hooks for various items on the inside of the door. I will be putting in the shelves for small items and tools next. Under the table I have room for my stool, a sewing machine case, and my Cricut cake cutter. I do believe that I'm going to go start work on a project right now. Wish me luck.

2 weeks of Thanksgiving, Day 4 ~ one handed fried apple pie

You can skip the peeling and slicing with this recipe -- these yummy fruit pies use dry fruit instead of fresh.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dried peaches, apricots, and/or apples (6 ounces)
• 1 1/4 cups apple cider
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2/3 cup buttermilk or 1/3 cup buttermilk and 1/3 cup whipping cream
• Water
• 4 tablespoons shortening
• Sifted powdered sugar
  Directions
  1. For the filling, in a saucepan combine dried fruit and apple cider. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 20 to 25 minutes or until fruit is tender (cider should be cooked down). Mash slightly. Cool.
  2. Meanwhile, for the pastry, in a bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in the 1/2 cup shortening until pieces are pea-size.
  3. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the buttermilk or buttermilk mixture over part of the flour mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon of the buttermilk at a time, until all the dough is moistened. If pastry seems dry, add a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time. (Do not overhandle.) Form dough into ball.
  4. Pat or lightly roll dough into a 15-inch circle. Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut the dough into 12 circles, rerolling dough as needed. Place about 1 tablespoon fruit on half of each circle. Moisten edges of circles with water. Fold over into half-moon shape. Seal edges with tines of a fork.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Make Ahead Tip Cool pies completely and wrap securely in foil. Place foil-wrapped pies in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Freeze pies for up to 3 weeks. Reheat frozen pies, wrapped in foil, in a 350 degree F oven about 25 minutes or until heated through.) Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Makes 12 individual pies.
  • Variation Chocolate Fried Pies:Omit fruit filling. Prepare pastry as directed. For chocolate filling, in a small bowl combine 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir in 4 tablespoons melted butter. Spread a scant 2 teaspoons of mixture onto each pastry circle. Fry pies as directed.
  
  
  Don't forget to check out today's craft idea, pumpkin candles