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I found a great pinecone craft on Pinterest and tweaked it to make it easier for children. The pictures on my post were created by me. I’ve also included a delicious Autumn Soup recipe.

I purchased a few bags of pinecones from a craft and hobby store. Most stores offer coupons to cut your cost. If you have a yard full of cones, they need to be washed and baked in the oven to get rid of little critters. Just google directions.

Below are items I used to create these pretty cones. Cones without skewers are easier for children. They can fill a bowl or basket with their creations.

If you plan to use skewers, you’ll need a drill and a 3/16 inch drill bit to create a hole in the bottom of the cone for the skewer. I used a flat-edge screwdriver to whittle mine. Hot glue the flat end of the skewer to the cone.

You can fully dip the pinecones in paint or just tip the edges. Dry on wax paper.

I made this delicious Autumn Soup recipe that a friend posted on Facebook. I filled my Crock-Pot with all the ingredients and cooked on high for an hour and half, then on low for six hours. If you are cooking on low, about 8-9 hours.

Retrieved from:  Food.com

Autumn Soup

• 1 pound pre-cooked ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup chopped fresh carrot
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped potato
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes
• 1/4 cup barley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon sweet basil
• 1 beef bouillon cube

Combine all ingredients in a large kettle. Cook until vegetables are tender.

Slow cooker on low: Eight to nine hours.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

When I find an inexpensive and useful craft idea, I like to share it. I found a clothespin clip project on Pinterest. I knew right away this would make a great craft not only for myself but for children too. I also had all the supplies on hand.

These can be made as table favors for showers. I think they would be great in a basket as thank you gifts. I like to take a small gift when meeting friends for lunch. Clips are something everyone can use. If you are thinking about a table favor for an upcoming mother and daughter banquet, this is a terrific idea. And a perfect teacher gift.

Supplies needed:

• Clothespins
• Buttons
• Gems (optional)
• Scrapbook or cardstock paper. I cut mine in advance by measuring the clothespin.
• Ribbon
• Glue  – I used E6000 for the buttons, but Elmers regular will work.
• Mod Podge and brush
• Paper cutter
• Scissors
• Paper punch

You can clip the clothespins to a magnet and place on the refrigerator or attach them to a piece of cardstock paper and add a ribbon.

Directions:

• Glue scrapbook or cardstock paper to clothespin. When dry, brush a coat of Mod Podge over the clothespin. Wait until that is dry, then adhere a button or two to the top. I added a gem to the Christmas clips.

If you plan to gift them on cardstock or a blank postcard, I place a piece of scotch tape over the area I punch. This prevents the paper from tearing.

Have Fun!

July is ice cream month. There are so many ways to serve this favorite treat, and it’s a great refreshment for our warmest days.

Raspberries have been ready for picking in my area for a couple of weeks. They are healthy, delicious, and attractive to serve.

My dear friend, Deb, gifted me with a lovely pie plate and server. I decided to bake a raspberry pie and share. If you’re wondering what to gift a baker, this is a super idea. It’s sure to bring a smile to the recipient’s face. Children can deliver a slice of pie to an elderly neighbor or shut-in and learn about kindness and sharing. If you don’t have time to bake a pie, a quart of berries will do the trick.

Raspberries are high in antioxidants, plant compounds that protect against cell damage. Antioxidants may reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases. Retrieved from:  https://www.healthline.com

It doesn’t matter how you serve raspberries, please don’t forget the ice cream.

Happy Ice Cream Month!

 

It seems every year my neighbor, Ann, adds a unique item to her yard. A visit to her home is like a walk through a garden center.

This year, her husband made a bird bath from chain links. They added a solar fountain pump, and the bath sits in the middle of a perennial bed.

Purple bee balm covers the front exterior of her home. The charming country walkway has a mixture of flowers and garden art.

 

With a warm summer still ahead, children have time to create their own bird baths from items you may already have available. These would make a fun outdoor birthday party project. I made a sample bird bath from a Terra cotta container. Chip and dip bowls will work along with any idea you can come up with.

In 2019, I wrote a blog which showcased a variety of flowers and country items surrounding Ann’s home. To view this charming post, please visit my home page and click on Archives: July 2019 posts–Gardens and Cuts. You’ll love it!

Thanks Ann for always making our lives brighter.

Enjoy!