October brings pumpkins, leaves that change color and start to fall, Halloween, and autumnal crafts! Capture the magic with the randomness of this month’s photography challenge.
I can’t wait to see how you interpret the following prompts and #captureoctober.
Something That Starts with O
Chocolate
Warning
Leaves
Hour
Football
Hay
Front
Brown
Skeleton
View
Boots
Ghost
Pumpkin
Trick
Purple
Candy
Moon
Lime
Jack-O-Lantern
Treat
Black & White
Broom
Negative Space
Low Light
Magical
Black
Orange
Cute
Spooky
Halloween
Take it literally, take them as suggestions. Play word association, or even photograph the opposite. Go in order, go backward, or randomize! Whatever you do look for good in the world. Look at things from a different perspective…try a new angle.
If you decide to post your challenge photos on Instagram, I would love to see them – please tag me so I don’t miss your creative shots!
Interested in taking your photography to the next level? Check out Evan Sharboneau’s 295-page eBook on Trick Photography and Special Effects. In this book he shares the secrets of light painting, levitation photography, trick photography, infrared photography, and more.
Project Linus is a non-profit organization that “provides security through blankets” to children who have suffered trauma.
On Christmas Eve, 1995, an article titled “Joy to the World” appeared in Parade Magazine. It was written by Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist, Eddie Adams. Part of the article featured a petite, downy haired child named Laura:
“Laura has unusual compassion for others,” Charlotte Barry-Williams of Oceanside, California, says of her daughter, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. “I guess part of the reason is that she has experienced so much pain herself.”
A special “blankie” has helped Laura, 3, get through more than two years of intensive chemotherapy. She takes it to the hospital with her when she goes for treatment. When she was first diagnosed, 97 percent of her bone marrow contained cancerous cells. Although chemotherapy has helped eradicate the cancer, she has had to endure nausea, high fevers and the loss of her hair. An allergic reaction at one point caused her to lose vital signs.
“She doesn’t understand what cancer means,” her mother says. “She’s a very joyous and happy person, very curious.” Her mother hopes Laura can start preschool next spring.
After reading the article, Karen Loucks decided to provide new handmade security blankets to Denver’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Cancer Center, and Project Linus was born.
Project Linus’ National Headquarters are located in Belton, Missouri, and there are now chapters in all 50 states! Project Linus continues to grow. Blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. Local Sheriffs deputies around here keep a few Project Linus blankets in the trunk of their cars to distribute to children when found in a traumatic situation.
“Rarely a month goes by that Project Linus is not featured in a national magazine or program. Parade, People, Reader’s Digest, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Quiltmaker, Quilters Newsletter, Guidepost, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day and many others have helped to spur interest. (You may have seen or heard segments about Project Linus on the NBC Nightly News, Today Show, or even your local newscasts.)”
Project Linus’ Mission
FIRST – Provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
SECOND – Provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
For more information on Project Linus visit their official website.
My Experience with Project Linus:
I first heard of Project Linus back in 2019. I had just recently taught myself how to crochet, and I had a year before my thirtieth birthday. I created a “30 Before 30” list one of the items I wanted to mark off was to make and donate 30 blankets before my next birthday.
I accomplished my mission, and joyfully took them to one of the local donation drop off sites.
It was a perfect goal because it allowed me a creative outlet while also doing good – bringing comfort and security to children in distress.
This summer I started attending the Wednesday work days for my local chapter (which includes four counties here in North Texas). We gather together to trim selvages off the donated tied blankets, cut fabric for quilts, sort donations, and crochet borders on fleece blankets that are cut with a really nifty rotary tool called a Skip Stitch (it is like a regular rotary fabric cutter, but with parts of the blade missing to that it makes small slits along the edge of a piece of fabric into which a crocheter can crochet the foundational round for a unique border).
How Can YOU Get Involved?
You can help in several ways – whichever fits you schedule, budget and skill set!
1) Make and donate your own blankets. Project Linus takes blankets of all sizes. Crochet, knit, quilt, tie together fleeces… It just has to be new, and handmade. It is a great opportunity to learn a new skill, hone rusty skills, or justify your yarn addiction.
2) Join your local chapter on their workday(s). Check their website for information on your local chapter. (Simply click on your state in the map at the bottom of the page to find the chapter that serves your county for more information.)
3) Create your own group! If you don’t have a chapter close enough to you to feasibly to join, you can start your own – like a book club – to gather together to chat and create blankets, then donate completed projects to your nearest donation drop off site. This idea would make a great community service project for schools, and especially high schoolers. It passes on the timeless skills of olden days (crochet, knit, quilting), while instilling a heart for others and service. “Blanketeer” looks great on college applications and resumes (it also makes a great conversation starter).
4) Monetary donations are appreciated go to buying supplies (fabric, yarn, thread, etc.) for more information on making a financial donation click here.
Together we can make the world a little safer and more comforting to children in need.
We are rapidly approaching the end of another month, and I must confess, I am excited…
Oh September, how I love thee! Okay, I might be a bit biased because September boasts of the first day of Autumn, and my birthday (which happen to be the same day), but I don’t really see anything wrong with that.
I can’t wait to see how you interpret the following prompts for the September 2022 Photography Challenge and #captureseptember.
Wire
Toes
Light
Lock
Pole
Zipper
Word
Balloon
Pin
Knot
Window
Encouragement
Stripes
Vast
Apple
Hanging
Wish
Smell
Breeze
Hobby
Sleep
Smile
Autumn
Silly
Favorites
Currently Reading
Sour
Creative
Unplug
A Gift
Take it literally, take them as suggestions. Play word association, or even photograph the opposite. Go in order, go backward, or randomize! Whatever you do look for good in the world. Look at things from a different perspective…try a new angle.
If you decide to post your challenge photos on Instagram, I would love to see them – please tag me so I don’t miss your creative shots!
Interested in taking your photography to the next level? Check out Evan Sharboneau’s 295-page eBook on Trick Photography and Special Effects. In this book he shares the secrets of light painting, levitation photography, trick photography, infrared photography, and more.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
I inherited my craftiness from both my parents. My Dad was a professional photographer for the Texas A&M University Veterinary Science School when he and my mom met. He is also a wood worker and furniture restorer when he has the time.
My mom made money as a stay-at-home mom when I was little by making crafts and selling them at local craft shows. Like me, she is interested in a wide array of crafty and creative things…she sews, she knits, she crochets, she paints, and more!
Earlier this year I used a pattern from the Whimsical Stitches amigurumi crochet patterns book by Lauren Espy to create a fun little succulent garden pin cushion for my mom.
I love Lauren Espy’s crochet pattern books. In fact, the first thing I ever crocheted from a pattern was the sunflower in a pot (followed by the daisy), which I gave to my sister and mom as Christmas presents (before thinking to photograph them). I also made a cute little jellyfish – I think it would make a great component for a baby’s mobile.
I have tons of Post-It notes stuck on the pages of both Whimsical Stitchesand Crochet Café marking things I want to make.
The succulent garden was fairly easy to make. It is made in multiple pieces sewn together in the end. I used some birdseed to weigh down the bottom of keep it from tumping over. The succulent garden features a crocheted pot, dirt, Prickly Pear Cactus, Barrel Cactus, String of Pearls, and two Lady Finger Cacti.
Lauren’s books are filled with pictures and explanations that make reading a pattern so easy, complete beginners can do it – I can say that because I did it!
If you are wanting to learn how to crochet, or if you want to find cute patterns to make for friends or family, I highly recommend Lauren Espy’s books. They make great gifts too!
If you want a little more help reading crochet patterns, I wrote a post last year about how I taught myself to read them, and how I help myself keep count. You can find that popular post here.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
I love Chinese/Asian inspired food. Beef with broccoli is a great way to use that head of broccoli that has been forgotten in the back of the refrigerator. This recipe is really easy and is has no added sugar. Being made in the Crock Pot makes it an easy set-it-and-forget-it recipe for busy people.
Crock Pot Beef with Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients:
1 ½ pound beef chuck roast 1 cup beef broth ½ cup soy sauce 1 TBS olive oil 5 cloves of garlic – minced ¼ cup cornstarch 3 cups fresh broccoli (chopped into bite sized pieces) Rice (optional)
Directions:
Start by slicing the chuck roast into thin strips. Place them in your slow cooker.
In a mixing bowl, combine the beef broth, soy sauce, olive oil, and garlic.
Pour the mixed sauce over the meat in the slow cooker, and gently stir so that each slice of meat is coated.
Turn your slow cooker on the Low setting and it cook for 6 hours.
An hour before it is done, use a measuring cup to remove about a cup of the sauce. Add the cornstarch to the liquid you removed, and slowly stir it back into the slow cooker. (This thickens the sauce.)
About 40 minutes before the 6 hours is up, add your chopped broccoli – you don’t want to add it too soon because it will cook to mush, but you don’t want to add it too late or else it will still be raw and very crunchy. (Wait until the last 30 minutes if you are using frozen broccoli.)
Serve over rice.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
NOTES:
Serving with rice is optional. It is tasty without the rice, but rice does make the dish go further (serve more people/make more leftovers).
You could leave the cornstarch out – it will result in a runnier sauce, but it will be primal/keto/low carb if you eat it without rice or with a substitute like “cauliflower rice”.
A garlic press is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets.
Looking for a great Crock-Pot? You can’t beat the original slow cooker brand!
Today is World Photography Day! (According to the Celebrate Every Day Calendar.)
So I thought I would share some of my all-time favorite photos I have taken.
If you are interested in learning more about photography, how to hone your skills, add more wow factor to your pictures, or even how to shoot video using your DSLR, check out the e-book, Lightroom Presets, and video course below:
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
Want to take amazing “trick photos” like the ones below? Look no further for help than the e-book from Evan Sharboneau. Check out the amazing this he can teach you to do with your DSLR camera!
FroKnowsPhotos has a new bundle of presets where you get 15 (or more depending on the bundle you chose) Lightroom presets that will make editing your photos easy, and take them to the next level.
FroKnowsPhotos has a 6 hour video guide (an Instant Digital Download) that teaches you how to shoot amazing videos using your DSLR camera.
Laundry detergent is so expensive these days. It is also generally a mystery as to what is actually in the mixture…
Today I’m sharing the DIY eco-friendly super easy laundry detergent I have been making (and using) for years. It is made with three ingredients. Borax, Super Washing Soda, Dawn Dish Soap.
Here is a little more information on each of the ingredients:
Borax – Borax is a powdery white substance, also known as sodium borate. It’s widely used as a household cleaner and a booster for laundry detergent. It’s a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen. Borax is often found in dry lake beds in places like California’s Death Valley, where the water evaporated and left behind deposits of minerals.
Super Washing Soda – A powdery white substance composed of sodium carbonate, made by the Arm & Hammer company, and all natural, since 1874. It is a natural detergent booster that is 100% fragrance and phosphate free.
Dawn Dish Soap – We all know about Dawn’s commitment to the environment (we know about them helping animals after tragic oil spills), while also providing safe and effective products. If you want to see a full list of the ingredients used in Dawn products, simply click here to learn more. Growing up, we always kept a small bottle of Dawn in the laundry room to treat oil stains on clothes.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
DIY Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Recipe
Disclaimer: While the ingredients in his laundry detergent recipe are eco-friendly, they are not for consumption. If ingested, they are likely to cause nausea, and or diarrhea, or other unpleasant side effects. (Ingested in large quantities, they could lead to kidney failure.) For those tempted by Tide Pods, resist the temptation of guzzling this recipe and go for a Dr. Pepper instead.
Pour in 4 cups of boiling water. Swirl until the ingredients have dissolved, then let cool.
Fill the remainder of the jug with cold water.
Use 3 ounces of detergent per load of laundry (or more as needed based on how soiled the clothes may be).
NOTES:
– I like to reuse/recycle so I had an old jug of All liquid laundry detergent that I had used before making the switch to homemade detergent years ago. Any gallon container will work, but I personally prefer one with a spout for easy decanting. If you want something prettier, a lovely beverage dispenser with a spigot could be a cute option.
– This is a low sudsing formula, so it is a septic safe option.
It is a little crazy to see how much my ideal life has changed over the last ten years.
When I was on the cusp of graduating from university I wanted a high paying executive job. I wanted to live in an ultra-modern house – sleek, angular, windows galore. I said I didn’t really want kids, but that I figured I’d change my mind when I find the right guy to marry and start a family with. I had grown up with a backyard garden, and even had a small herb (container) garden in college.
Fast forward nine years post-grad and I hardly recognize myself regarding those old aspirations.
Now a days I want to be a homemaker, a homesteader, a wife and mother. I want a modern farmhouse, with land for big gardens, chickens, and a milk cow or two. I want to live a simple life. I want to eat and preserve what I grow, and live off the land.
I’ve made strides in my efforts to make my revised dreams reality. I expanded my garden by three times the area it used to be. I’ve become adept at canning tomatoes, pickles, and meat. I’ve increased my gardening knowledge tenfold. I’ve learned more about edible plants (such as dandelions, and all the parts of a sunflower).
By law, I’m not allowed to have chickens where I live (I’ve checked – they must be 150 feet away from any neighbor’s house and that simply isn’t feasible right now). Milk cow? Forget it! Don’t worry, I haven’t given up on having them someday (much like a husband and kids).
Community really helps aspiring and beginner homesteaders, and in this case, social media can be a true asset!
Having people to learn from (like mentors), is invaluable – that’s why I follow several on Instagram.
April lives in Florida, and I have learned so much from her – like that there is marrow in the stalks of sunflowers (and that it is edible and has several health benefits). I’ve learned about making homemade vanilla extract (and now I want my own vanilla orchid). She is so sweet (a human ray of sunshine in her reels), and a wealth of knowledge.
Steph lives in Canada, and it was from her basic instructions that I made my first batch of homemade apple cider vinegar. She posts to her stories her daily homesteading activities, and it is so fun to watch and glean new knowledge. She recently launched an app for homesteaders – “Hello Homesteader” helps connect homesteaders to each other for various purposes.
Noah at Shiloh Farms is from Nebraska (a little closer to Texas). He is humorous, and very knowledgeable – especially when it comes to gardening (as well as chicken raising). It is from Noah that I learned the head of sunflowers is edible – like corn on the cob! With his Instagram reels he delivers a quick video that will brighten your day and expand your mind.
I discovered Armen from his viral “Don’t Throw It Out” videos on Instagram/TikTok. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to gardening. He shares tips and tricks – everything from how to grow/re-grow plants, as well as how to get rid of fruit flies, how best to use things you were going to throw away (like chicken bones, and sour milk) to nourish your plants and garden.
My Favorite Homesteading Books
Books are a priceless resource. In terms of things evolving and changing some might say the internet is so much better than books…but what if there is a storm and you are without power? When it comes to homesteading – gardening, raising livestock, canning, general self-sufficiency – the basics are fairly constant.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
Some of my favorite homesteading books include:
Armen/Creative_Explained’s two books:
These two books, “Don’t Throw it Out!” and “Don’t Throw it Out! 2” are amazing resources for gardeners (both beginners and old pros). These books are both packed with information, pictures, and the second one even has QR codes you can scan to watch videos with more information. These two books are only available through the Creative Explained website. If you use code: therenaissancetexan you can save 10% off your order!
Not handy with tools? Don’t really know how to construct small functional buildings & or gardens? This book is great! It includes homesteading structures with pictures and step-by-step Instructions (and even a list of the tools needed for to complete each project). Things from a rooftop gardens, fences, sheds to chicken coops (which I will need someday)! Whatever your homestead needs may be, this book covers it!
Looking for a catchall book/a great place to start, this book has it all! This book starts with how to pick out land. Then moves onto digging a well and building an entire house and barn (by hand). Then there’s the section on growing and raising your food, plus how to preserve and cook with it (including meats and dairy products). And other useful things for the house like candle making, soap making, herbal remedies, sewing, weaving, quilting, and so on. There is a nice overview of various ways of cooking with wood, then sections of woodworking. It shows you how to make the tools and furniture you need for your house.
If you are thinking about starting, have already started or are a life-long homesteader, I hope some of these resources help you along your journey of self-sufficiency.
Now, I’m not a big fan of marshmallows. I’m onboard with the graham cracker and chocolate part of s’mores, but the marshmallow part has always kept me from being a big fan.
On the other hand, there are people like my sister who love s’mores, who likes the marshmallow lit on fire not simply toasted (yuck!). As they say, “Different strokes for different folks.”
Anyway, I’ve been trying my best to partake in each day’s celebration according to my wall calendar… National Lipstick Day (July 29th) – check, National hammock Day (July 22nd) – check, World Water Day (March 22nd) – check, National Spaghetti Day (January 4th) – check! These little celebrations help me look for the joy in daily life.
Now, Wednesday is National S’more Day, as I said earlier and I’m not a big fan of them, so I was trying to brainstorm a way to like them. I also don’t care for pie (actually, what I don’t really like is pie crust) so naturally my brain thought, “S’mores PIE!”
I know it sounds odd, but I gave it more thought and created this recipe by adapting the recipe for my beloved Peanut Butter Pie.
This recipe hits the three requirements for s’mores: graham cracker (crust), marshmallow (creme), and chocolate!
It is a super simple, no-bake pie – sorry for all you scorched marshmallow s’mores lovers out there (Casey)…this may not be the recipe for you, but you might still want to give it a try.
S’mores Pie
Ingredients:
1 graham cracker crust 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature) 7 oz Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme ½ c powdered sugar ½ c Nutella 8 oz Cool Whip 1 Hershey’s Chocolate Bar (optional)
Directions:
Start by mixing the cream cheese and the marshmallow crème together with a mixer.
Add the powdered sugar to the mixture (make sure to turn off the mixer while adding the powdered sugar).
Then add ½ of your Cool Whip – fold it in until evenly distributed.
Once mixed, add half of the mixture to the graham cracker pie crust.
Use a normal vegetable peeler to shave the chocolate bar and top the layer of cream in the pie crust with your shavings.
Return the other half of the cream mixture to the mixer and add the Nutella and mix well.
Once the Nutella is mixed in, fold in the other half of the Cool Whip.
Add this filling to the top of the first layer in the pie crust. Spread evenly with a spatula.
Refrigerate overnight – this allows it all to set up well for cutting into slices.
Remove from the refrigerator when ready to slice and serve.
Notes:
If you really love marshmallows (like my neighbor, and my grandma) you could fold some mini marshmallows into the first/”marshmallow” layer (you could fold them into the chocolate layer too if you’re really mad for marshmallows!
You could save your shaved Hershey’s bar to top the pie if you wanted it to be more decorative.
You could also top the pie with mini marshmallows, or some more marshmallow creme (I must warn you that it does have a tendency to move like The Blob – I know because I used it as snow on top of a gingerbread house one Christmas…that snow turned into a sticky avalanche). If you topped the pie with marshmallows, you could then use a brulee torch to flame kiss the marshmallows.
You could also chose to reverse the layers so that the chocolate is on the bottom and the marshmallow creme layer is on top.
If you try this new take on the classic s’more, let me know in the comments below what you think!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
Yesterday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to dig out my old copy of my mom’s classic recipe.
One of the reasons I love my mom’s chocolate chip cookies best is because the sugar is divided in half – half brown sugar, half regular sugar. This gives them a rich golden color and a scrumptious taste!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
2/3 c butter flavored Crisco ½ c brown sugar ½ c sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 ¾ c flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 6 oz chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°.
In a mixer combine the Crisco, sugars, egg, and vanilla.
In a separate bowl sift together the flour, salt and baking soda.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low.
Once the dough is combined it is pretty stiff. Remove the bowl from the mixer, and fold in the chocolate chips (you can use a spatula, but over the years I have learned that clean hands work even better).
Once the chocolate chips are folded in, use a cookie scoop to evenly scoop them onto a greased or silicone lined cookie sheet.
These cookies don’t spread, so in order to achieve an even bake (no raw dough in the center) you will need to use a jelly jar/mug/hand, to press them a little flatter.
Put them in the oven to bake for 8 minutes.
After the 8 minutes, remove them from the oven and set them aside to cook for at least 10 minutes.
After they have cooled a bit you can enjoy them – they are great with a glass of milk!
I was responsible for supplying treats to the nonagenarian Sunday school class at my church yesterday. For them I got some cello bags and some ribbon. I used my Cricut machine to make some little tags that read “Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!”.
I then threaded the ribbon through some slits that were cut in the tags and tied up two cookie per bag.
These cookies make crowd pleasing goodie bags.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links (and pictures), I may receive a small commission – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It will not cost you anything. I only share products and services that I truly believe in and think are great.
