Vintage Mama's Cottage

Creative inspiration for your home and family

Reflect Your Home Style Giveaway

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Here’s another great giveaway, sponsored by Katherine’s Corner!

I’m joining Katherine for her “Reflect Your Home Style Giveaway”.

One lucky winner will receive a $75 Birch Lane Gift Card.

Think of all of the wonderful things you can buy for your home!



Please remember to follow Katherine, and all her hostesses so you can earn all of your entry opportunities.

There are daily entries too!

Katherine- Katherines Corner
Karren- Oh My Heartsie Girl
Diane- Mamal Diane Keeping Life Simple
Laura-Everyday Edits
Lisa- Casa Bouquet
Nina- Vintage Mamas Cottage

Disclaimer -from Katherines Corner-Some of Katherines giveaways have sponsors and/or reviews included.
Katherines Corner may receive compensation for reviews and advertising provided through a sponsored
giveaway. However, no compensation will influence the outcome of any review or giveaway win. Katherines
Corner provides reviews to readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase. Katherines
Corner and its affiliate Bobskatie Enterprises reserves the right to not publish a review of a product or
products that do not meet the specified instructions provided to product submission companies or
individuals. Reviews are posted in the appropriate section at Katherines Corner and may also be posted on
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Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in
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To enter please log into the entry form using your email address.

Have fun and Good Luck in the Giveaway!

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Canned Food Recipes and Other Ideas + HM #220

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It's National Canned Food Month! Find recipes and other ideas. Plus, link up at Home Matters. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty

OK so I realize that this week’s theme is canned food . . . but since I’m not much of a cook and would much rather make pretty stuff for my house . . . . I decided that it would be fun to find a few of those recycle / upcycle DIY projects using tin cans that I’ve come across over the past few months and share them with you. Just in case you would rather make pretty stuff than cook, too! There are a TON of amazing and creative ideas for upcycling tin cans into everything from candle holders, wind chimes, robots, pencil holders, wine racks, rocket stoves, a hair brush holder, garden lanterns, planters and pretty much anything that you can imagine. Here are just a few that I found that have given me some creative inspiration as I anticipate the arrival of spring! Hope you can join us for this week’s Home Matters Linky Party #220. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty

It's National Canned Food Month! Find recipes and other ideas. Plus, link up at Home Matters. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty

Gorgeous Embellished Tin Can Storage Containers

from MollyMell

It's National Canned Food Month! Find recipes and other ideas. Plus, link up at Home Matters. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty

Embossed Paper-Covered Tin Can Planters

from Homevestures

It's National Canned Food Month! Find recipes and other ideas. Plus, link up at Home Matters. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty

Pretty Painted and Lace Embellished Planters

from Sow & Dipity

 

It's National Canned Food Month! Find recipes and other ideas. Plus, link up at Home Matters. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty

Burlap and Lace Covered Tin Can Candle Holders

from Redchandelier

It's National Canned Food Month! Find recipes and other ideas. Plus, link up at Home Matters. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty

Charming Vintage Tin Can Storage Containers

from AnnesPaperFun

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Welcome to the weekly Home Matters Linky Party. A great place to come, share your blog posts, and make new friends.

Brand Logo HMLP 2015 ©

Come join the fun and link your blog posts at the Home Matters Linky Party. Find inspiration, recipes, decor, crafts, organize, home, garden, repurpose, upcycle -- Door Opens Friday EST. #diy #recipe #home #lifestyle

We would love to have you visit our blogs and follow us on social media!

Hosts

Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Ashley @ Sweetpea Lifestyle — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Donna @ Modern On Monticello — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Co-hosts

Sahana @ Vikalpah — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Emily @ Domestic Deadline — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

 

Check out more posts from the Hosts and Co-Hosts on our
NEW Pinterest Board, All Things Home Matters!
And, please do follow…

Follow All Things Home Matters Board on Pinterest.

 

HMLP - This Week's Features 2015 ©

Each week, we like to feature some of the awesome posts shared at last week’s party. We hope you will be inspired by these creative and talented bloggers who share their best recipes, DIY projects, crafts, home decor, organization ideas, and more. Enjoy!

Come join the fun and link your blog posts at the Home Matters Linky Party. Find inspiration, recipes, decor, crafts, organize, home, garden, repurpose, upcycle -- Door Opens Friday EST. #diy #recipe #home #lifestyle

Check out this week’s features below.

 

Butter Pecan Pound Cake from Jennifer @ Busy Being Jennifer

PIN here

Spring Wreath Farmhouse Frame DIY from Angie @ Knick of Time

PIN here

How to Tile a Table Top with Your Own Ceramic Tiles from Serena @ Thrift Diving

PIN here

How to Make Faux Crystals from Jenna @ Rain On A Tin Roof

PIN here

Turkey Burger Recipe with Spinach and Cheese from Vicki @ Five Spot Green Living

PIN here

 

Thank you to all who linked up at last week’s party. We look forward to seeing what you will be sharing with us this week!

Remember that every feature is shared on all Host’s and Co-Host’s blogs, as well as on the Home Matters Linky Party Pinterest Board! Don’t forget to follow…

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The linky party starts when Friday begins and closes when Monday ends, EST.

We at Home Matters love meeting new people and discovering new blogs. Help us grow this party by sharing a link on your post or grabbing our party button for your sidebar or party page.

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Home Matters Linky Party Guidelines:

We are thrilled that you came by to link up today! Here are a few rules that hosts and co-hosts of the Home Matters Party follow, and we ask that you follow them, as well.

  1. Please link up no more than THREE posts each week–try to make sure that they are new links that you have not shared here previously. (Exception: Holiday/Seasonal specific posts may be shared once per year.)
  1. Please take some time to poke around and visit some of the other links.
  1. Please take some time to check out your hosts and co-hosts on social media.
  1. We appreciate the variety of blogs on the www; however, the Home Matters Party is for links on matters of the HOME. Please link accordingly.
  1. We ask that you do not add other Linky Parties, Blog Hops, or Giveaways–unless you begin the party with a new project, recipe or post.
  1. On the same note, please do not add links of an extremist, political or strong controversial nature. (The hosts and co-hosts read each and every blog post linked and will contact you directly if you have linked something that does not fit into the realm of the party.)

With your help, we can continue to grow the Home Matters Party! Thank you!

It's National Canned Food Month! Find recipes and other ideas. Plus, link up at Home Matters. #CannedFood #CannedFoodRecipes #HomeMattersParty Click To Tweet

 

Link Up!

By joining the Home Matters Linky Party you are giving permission for all hosts and co-hosts to use and share any part of your post, including pictures, for party promotion, as featured posts, in party photo collages, on blogs, and across social media, etc. All credits will be given to the original source. Also, you will receive a weekly email reminder regarding the new week’s Home Matters Linky Party.

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Thank you for joining in the fun and excitement at the Home Matters Linky Party. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We look forward to chatting with you in the comments.

 

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

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It’s always good to be reminded to express our love for the people God has placed in our lives. I hope you don’t wait until Valentine’s Day to tell them how much they mean to you! But Valentine’s Day is a lot of fun, and it gives us another opportunity to say “I Love YOU!” in special ways. We don’t always give Valentine’s Day cards to one another in our family (mostly because buying greeting cards in the store is just SO expensive), but we do other things together as a family.
 
Of course, we still have all of the Valentine’s Day cards that the girls made in elementary school, with their love for mommy and daddy scrawled in childish handwriting on fading construction paper. Some of them have paper doilies glued on, or cut-out hearts with their sweet picture in the middle. They are all kept safe in scrapbooks, hopefully preserved behind the acid-free page protectors that this mama has so lovingly entrusted with our precious memories. But store bought Valentine’s Day cards are just not of interest to me anymore. 
 
The store bought Valentine’s Day cards are really beautiful, but when I pop into buy three or four of them and the cashier says, “That’ll be $23.75” I try not to faint right there at the cash register. And that’s when I decided that I don’t have that kind of $$$ to spend on pretty pieces of paper. So I’ll make my own! Here’s a fun little printable that I created from ideas and inspiration I found on Pinterest (of course, where else???) to share with you on this Valentine’s Day. I hope you have a beautiful day, celebrating all of the love, friendship, and family that God has blessed you with. I’ll be looking for you at the party!
 

Welcome to this week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party!

Remember you can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. It’s time to party my sweet bloggy friends. You can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. – Inlinkz has implemented a new policy when you add your link to the list you need to click the little square boxes about their policies on the bottom right.

Please subscribe to ALL of your hostesses blogs

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mamas Cottage

Marilyn-Marilyns Treats

Bev-Eclectic Red Barn

Angelina- Petite Haus

Amber- Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Theresa- Shoestring Elegance

Linda- Crafts a la Mode

Pam- An Artful Mom

 
 
 
 

Do all things in LOVE!

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As I’ve been working on updating some of our home decor this time of year, my goals have been 1.) find things that are inexpensive, 2.) find things that will span more than just one holiday and be more seasonal, and 3.) find things that are neutral enough in color scheme that they will fit with the rest of our home design theme. Of course, I’m always trying to find ways to create my own home decor items, so while I was looking for ideas for Valentine’s Day that could extend into spring, I decided to design a few printables that I can just print out and pop in a frame I already have on hand.

Along with a couple of wreaths that I’m working on for our front deck door and kitchen door, I think I will make a bit of progress with updating a few wall hangings, perhaps swap out a couple of throw pillows and maybe a few items on the bookshelves, and I should be good to go for a few weeks, anyway. I love updating the things in our home, but I don’t always have the time or energy to change things up too often. So a few things that fit our family that will be great for after the Christmas holidays right on into early spring will be just what works for us!

If you are anything like me, you just love to see fresh, new colors with the changing seasons, but if you don’t have the financial means to pop into Hobby Lobby every few weeks, this just might work for you, too! Here are a few ways to use this Valentine’s Day printable, along with a couple of other ideas for adding a bit of romantic color to our home. Spring is coming, so don’t let all this cold, snowy weather keep you from enjoying the beauty of your own home. I’ll be back with a few more ideas later this week. Have fun decorating your nest!

 

This design is perfect for my little office, right by the double doors out to the deck. It is bright and cheerful in here, even in the winter because the doors face to the south. I get all the afternoon sunshine . . . well except for on the days when it is snowing or raining . . . . and these soft pastel colors on our light gray walls make for a peaceful place to work on all of my online projects and teaching opportunities. Tomorrow I will be bringing out some of my throw pillows, cozy blankets, and setting up a new bookshelf display in our living room. I’ll be sure to post pictures so you can see what it looks like once I get it all swapped out!

Here’s the printable just in case you want to use it for your late winter / early spring, Valentine’s Day home decor update. And don’t forget . . . you can always “shop your own home” for things that you can repurpose, relocate, and generally recreate a beautiful home environment without spending a lot of money. I’m on my way this afternoon to check out what I already have that I can use to create fun new displays in our home. See you soon!

 

To use this printable for your home, simply RIGHT CLICK on the image and then “SAVE AS IMAGE” to your computer. I also have this design in 800 DPI for higher resolution if you would like to print it out as a poster. Email me at vintagemamascottage@hotmail.com and I will send the higher resolution image to you.

Here’s one corner where I’ve added some fabric and lace embellished old books, along with a bird cage from the thrift shop that I painted white and tied a ribbon around it. I also put a black candle lantern in this little vignette, and now I will add the new printable and it will all go together to welcome the season of love, in eager anticipation of the arrival of spring!

 

 

This design is also now available on a variety of products in my online shop at Graceful Home Studio

 

Winter Blues – Blues Busters + HM #219

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Got the Winter Blues? Check out these awesome blues busters! Plus, link up at Home Matters w/ recipes, DIY. #WinterBlues #BluesBusters #HomeMattersParty

I’ve decided to celebrate the winter blues! Actually, I thought it would be fun to find a few creative and fun projects or activities to celebrate the color blue, trying to avoid thinking too much about the actual, physical winter blues. So here are a few ideas that I came up with that I’m going to try over the next few weeks, hopefully to keep me from being too focused on the cold, gloomy, windy, miserable weather outside. I hope you are finding ways to beat the winter blues, and perhaps you can join me in celebrating all kinds of other “winter blues.” Please join us for this week’s Home Matters Linky Party #219 as we use our imagination to celebrate all things blue. #WinterBlues #BluesBusters #HomeMattersParty

Got the Winter Blues? Check out these awesome blues busters! Plus, link up at Home Matters w/ recipes, DIY. #WinterBlues #BluesBusters #HomeMattersParty

Sit by the fireplace and drink a cup of cocoa

Watch a funny movie

Read a good book

Got the Winter Blues? Check out these awesome blues busters! Plus, link up at Home Matters w/ recipes, DIY. #WinterBlues #BluesBusters #HomeMattersParty

Start a new hobby:

Learn to quilt

Learn to crochet

Got the Winter Blues? Check out these awesome blues busters! Plus, link up at Home Matters w/ recipes, DIY. #WinterBlues #BluesBusters #HomeMattersParty

Create an art journal

Paint a picture

Write a poem

And if nothing else inspires you, try this . . .

Rearrange the furniture in your home

Clear the clutter

You’ll feel better, I promise!

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Welcome to the weekly Home Matters Linky Party. A great place to come, share your blog posts, and make new friends.

Brand Logo HMLP 2015 ©

Come join the fun and link your blog posts at the Home Matters Linky Party. Find inspiration, recipes, decor, crafts, organize, home, garden, repurpose, upcycle -- Door Opens Friday EST. #diy #recipe #home #lifestyle

We would love to have you visit our blogs and follow us on social media!

Hosts

Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Ashley @ Sweetpea Lifestyle — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Donna @ Modern On Monticello — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Co-hosts

Sahana @ Vikalpah — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Emily @ Domestic Deadline — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Check out more posts from the Hosts and Co-Hosts on our
NEW Pinterest Board, All Things Home Matters!
And, please do follow…

Follow All Things Home Matters Board on Pinterest.

HMLP - This Week's Features 2015 ©

Each week, we like to feature some of the awesome posts shared at last week’s party. We hope you will be inspired by these creative and talented bloggers who share their best recipes, DIY projects, crafts, home decor, organization ideas, and more. Enjoy!

Come join the fun and link your blog posts at the Home Matters Linky Party. Find inspiration, recipes, decor, crafts, organize, home, garden, repurpose, upcycle -- Door Opens Friday EST. #diy #recipe #home #lifestyle

Check out this week’s features below.

Grilled Cheese Doughnuts from Liberty @ B4 and After

PIN here

Conversation Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day from Janice & Susan @ 5 Minutes for Mom

PIN here

Wicker Basket Makeover from Jeanette @ Snazzy Little Things

PIN here

Chocolate Valentine Kiss Cookies from Tracey @ The Kitchen Is My Playground

PIN here

DIY Valentine’s Day Button Heart from Paula @ Virginia Sweet Pea

PIN here

Thank you to all who linked up at last week’s party. We look forward to seeing what you will be sharing with us this week!

Remember that every feature is shared on all Host’s and Co-Host’s blogs, as well as on the Home Matters Linky Party Pinterest Board! Don’t forget to follow…

Follow Home Matters Linky Party Board on Pinterest.

If you were featured this week, Please Grab our Featured Button to display proudly on your blog post, featured page, or sidebar! Share the joy…

Featured at Home Matters Linky Party

Are you ready to Party?

Brand Logo HMLP 2015 ©

The linky party starts when Friday begins and closes when Monday ends, EST.

We at Home Matters love meeting new people and discovering new blogs. Help us grow this party by sharing a link on your post or grabbing our party button for your sidebar or party page.

Home Matters Linky Party - Grab Button

Stop by and VISIT as many OTHER BLOGGERS as you can. Leave them a message, and share their talents on social media.

Be sure to Please USE our Registered Hashtag…

HMLP - Hashtag 2015 ©

Home Matters Linky Party Guidelines:

We are thrilled that you came by to link up today! Here are a few rules that hosts and co-hosts of the Home Matters Party follow, and we ask that you follow them, as well.

  1. Please link up no more than THREE posts each week–try to make sure that they are new links that you have not shared here previously. (Exception: Holiday/Seasonal specific posts may be shared once per year.)
  1. Please take some time to poke around and visit some of the other links.
  1. Please take some time to check out your hosts and co-hosts on social media.
  1. We appreciate the variety of blogs on the www; however, the Home Matters Party is for links on matters of the HOME. Please link accordingly.
  1. We ask that you do not add other Linky Parties, Blog Hops, or Giveaways–unless you begin the party with a new project, recipe or post.
  1. On the same note, please do not add links of an extremist, political or strong controversial nature. (The hosts and co-hosts read each and every blog post linked and will contact you directly if you have linked something that does not fit into the realm of the party.)

With your help, we can continue to grow the Home Matters Party! Thank you!

Got the Winter Blues? Check out these awesome blues busters! Plus, link up at Home Matters w/ recipes, DIY. #WinterBlues #BluesBusters #HomeMattersParty Click To Tweet

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We are looking for Co-Hosts. Help us Rock this party!
If you are interested, please

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Link Up!

By joining the Home Matters Linky Party you are giving permission for all hosts and co-hosts to use and share any part of your post, including pictures, for party promotion, as featured posts, in party photo collages, on blogs, and across social media, etc. All credits will be given to the original source. Also, you will receive a weekly email reminder regarding the new week’s Home Matters Linky Party.

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Thank you for joining in the fun and excitement at the Home Matters Linky Party. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We look forward to chatting with you in the comments.

Don’t have a blog, but want to Remember to Party With Us each week?
Forgot to leave your email while linking up your post?
You can still sign up for our Email Party Reminders. Click below for a form…

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Thrifted and Refashioned Valentine’s Day DIY Projects

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Well, that super-duper cold weather really set me back! I was so far behind on all of my online projects, as well as on the laundry and other household tasks, that it has taken me several days of scrambling to get caught up enough that I can actually have fun with this week’s party. I’m also even thinking that I will have time this weekend to get back to some of my creative projects . . . like making a few fun Valentine’s Day DIY projects. So for this week’s Favorite Things Party, I decided to find some creative ideas to share with you in hopes that it will inspire me to get busy again.
 
Actually, it’s not that I haven’t been BUSY, but you know what it’s like when you are so BUSY doing all the other stuff in life that is necessary, you frequently run out of time and energy to do some of the fun stuff. And that’s getting really old! Here are a few ideas I came across (on Pinterest, of course!) that look like great ideas for using up things I already have on hand, or things that I can get at the thrift shop, or even at the Dollar Store.
 
I’m trying to be practical with my creativity these days. Is that even possible? I just don’t need a bunch of “fussy” stuff sitting all around my house because then I just have to dust it, display it, store it, and remember where it is the next time a special holiday or season arrives. So I’ve been looking for ideas of home decor DIY projects that will work for more than one specific holiday. For Valentine’s Day, I found several ideas that would be quite lovely in our family room or dining room for many weeks to come. Right on into spring and beyond . . . until I get ready to try something new!
 
The neutral and muted colors are so versatile, but then there’s the cute display of simple red, white, and pink hearts on plain white / ivory canvas boards that would certainly add a pop of color with very little time, energy, or money invested. And the red and white wreath is so adorable that it could be used for Christmas or even for the Fourth of July! How versatile is that???
 
I hope you can join us for this week’s Favorite Things Party. I missed the party the past two weeks so I’m excited to see what you all will be sharing with us. I promise that, as soon as I get a chance to try my hand at some of these project, I’ll post pictures so you can see what I’ve been up to. Mostly I’ve just been trying to stay warm here at home and now I can’t wait to do something fun and creative! See you soon, 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Welcome to this week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop and Linky Party!

Remember you can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. It’s time to party my sweet bloggy friends. You can add three links until midnight on Saturday. One each day or all at once. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us. – Inlinkz has implemented a new policy when you add your link to the list you need to click the little square boxes about their policies on the bottom right.

Please subscribe to ALL of your hostesses blogs

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Nina-Vintage Mamas Cottage

Marilyn-Marilyns Treats

Bev-Eclectic Red Barn

Angelina- Petite Haus

Amber- Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Theresa- Shoestring Elegance

Linda- Crafts a la Mode

Pam- An Artful Mom

 

The February 2019 issue of RUBY magazine has been published!

by Leave a Comment

Check out the special Valentine’s Day issue of RUBY magazine where you will find creative inspiration for your home and family, as well as inspirational articles, devotionals, poetry, short stories, book reviews, crafts and recipes that will bring warmth to your winter days.

You can also purchase a print copy of the February 2019 issue of RUBY magazine!

Make these Sweet Little Gingerbread Boys and Girls for Valentine’s Day!

by 1 Comment

We traditionally think of gingerbread cookies at Christmas time, but why not dress up a batch of gingerbread boys and girls for Valentine’s Day!  Here’s an old-fashioned recipe for gingerbread cookies that have been loved for generations, only this time they are wearing pretty pink, purple, red, and white garments.  Have fun!

Gingerbread Cookies

  • 1-1/2 C dark molasses
  • 1 C packed brown sugar
  • 2/3 C cold water
  • 1/3 C shortening
  • 7 C flour
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground allspice
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • Royal Icing

Royal Icing

  • 1/4 C meringue powder (or 2 egg whites)
  • 1/2 C water (eliminate if you’re using fresh egg whites)
  • 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 C powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • Food coloring
  • Colored sugar

Combine meringue powder and water, whip to soft peaks (if using fresh eggs, just whip to peaks). Add vanilla, then 4-1/2 C sugar to combine. If icing is too soft, add more sugar, if it gets too stiff, mix in more water by the tablespoon.  Separate into 3 bowls, and add food coloring.

Let’s make it!

Heat oven to 350°.   In a large bowl, mix until smooth: molasses, brown sugar, water and shortening.  Add remaining ingredients (except frosting).

Roll dough about 1/4” to 3/8” thick on a floured board.  Cut out with heart-shaped cookie cutter.  Place on lightly greased cookie sheet – about 1” apart.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.  Cool and decorate with Royal Icing.

I would love to hear from you and tell me how your Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Boys and Girls turn out. I love baking cookies (pies, not so much) so this will be a fun project to do with our girls in the next few days. Now that the super-duper, really, really bitter cold weather is taking a break, I’m finding that I have lots more energy to get busy with my creative projects again. Next on my list . . . my 2019 art / calendar journal. I’m already behind  ;o) but not too late to catch up! Hope to see you this week around the blogosphere . . .

Get Organized Giveaway

by 1 Comment

Happy New Year and welcome to a new and exciting opportunity for YOU to win some great prizes in the upcoming giveaways sponsored by Katherine’s Corner!

I’m joining Katherine for her “Get Organized Giveaway.” It’s her first “official” giveaway of the new year. This giveaway is the perfect way to get your year off to a great start. One winner will receive a copy of the book created by Real Simple, “Organizing for the New Year.” provided by Katherine, and a $75 e Gift Card for the Container Store provided by Katherine and ALL her hostesses.

Please remember to follow Katherine, and all her hostesses so you can earn all your entry opportunities.

Katherine- Katherines Corner

Nina- Vintage Mamas Cottage

Karren- Oh My Heartsie Girl

Diane – Mamal Diane Keeping Life Simple

JT- Bubbling with Elegance and Grace

Lisa- Casa Bouquet

Nancy- Nancy on the Homefront

Disclaimer from Katherines Corner-Some of Katherines giveaways have sponsors and/or reviews included. Katherines Corner may receive compensation for reviews and advertising provided through a sponsored giveaway. However, no compensation will influence the outcome of any review or giveaway win. Katherines Corner provides reviews to readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase. Katherines Corner and its affiliate BobsKatie Enterprises reserves the right to not publish a review of a product or products that do not meet the specified instructions provided to product submission companies or individuals. Reviews are posted in the appropriate section at Katherines Corner and may also be posted on Amazon.com (subject to products availability) . This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To enter please log into the entry form using your email address.
Have fun and Good Luck in the Giveaway!

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Soups, Slow Cooking Satisfying Meals + HM #216

by 4 Comments

Soups, slow cooking make satisfying meals for cold weather. Plus, link up at Home Matters with DIY, recipes, and more. #Soup #SlowCooking #HomeMattersParty

What’s your cooking style? Do you follow a recipe precisely . . . after going to the grocery store to buy all of the ingredients especially for that one recipe? Or are you more of a “free spirit” in the kitchen? Te theme for this week’s Home Matters Linky Party #216 is soups and slow cooking and it got me thinking about how this plays out in our family. I’ll be honest – my husband is the one who actually enjoys cooking and I cook (occasionally) to keep the kids quiet. So we definitely have different ideas about the best way to whip up something yummy in the kitchen. #Soup #SlowCooking #HomeMattersParty

In fact, just last weekend we decided to stay home and put a jigsaw puzzle together. We found a really fun puzzle back in October when we were on our little family getaway so we thought this was a good time to pull it out and get started. It is all about the 80s so of course Daddy and I know most of the people and events featured on this puzzle, but it was amazing how much the girls recognized, too.

It sounded like the perfect day for a big pot of . . . . what? So we talked about what sounded good and kicked around a bunch of ideas. And the conversation went something like this . . . .

Mom: Well, we have some chicken and some hamburger in the freezer.

Girls: Yeah, let’s have meatloaf!

Mom: That’s not quite what we were talking about . . . you know, soup or chili or something like that.

Girls: Oh, OK, how about cheesy broccoli soup? We had that last week and we LOVE it!

Mom: Ummmmm . . . we do like the cheesy broccoli soup, but . . . we have chicken or hamburger in the freezer.

Dad: Hey, how about we cook up a big pot of roast beef and veggies?

Girls: YAY! That sounds great!

Mom: Ummmmm . . . . we have chicken or hamburger in the freezer. Anyone up for chicken vegetable and noodle soup?

Dad: That would be OK, too. We can add some sour cream, and potatoes, and tomatoes, and . . . . . I’ll run to the store.

Mom: Well . . . the idea I think was to pull together what we already have here at home so we don’t have to go out in the snow. Besides, it really is possible to make a big pot of soup using what we have on hand. We don’t have to spend $50 to buy all the ingredients to make soup. Will that work for you all?

Family: Sure! Let’s get that puzzle started!

And so, there’s the scenario that plays out around here on occasion. I’m more of the “find what you already have and toss it in a soup pot” kind of mama, and our Daddy is more of a cooking elitist. Believe me, when he cooks, it is always amazing! But sometimes it’s OK to have a bowl of soup that didn’t cost more than if we went out to a fancy restaurant. Call me frugal or cheap, either way, that’s just the way I cook.

So, as I was looking for recipes for this week’s themed roundup, I was hoping to find some ideas that fit my style in the kitchen. Most of these recipes are versions of old-fashioned, tried and true, homestyle soups that can be tweaked this way or that, using what I already have in the cupboard. Here’s to a great week of slow cooker meals, soups and stews, pasta or potatoes, cooked up any way that makes you happy! I hope you are having a great week and staying warm. We are expecting a BIG snow storm here in the midwest this weekend so I’m thinking I just might run to the grocery story before it starts snowing to pick up a few things to have on hand so we’ll be ready to cook up something warm and yummy while the wind is whistling around the corners of the house. Hope you can join the party!

Soups, Slow Cooking Satisfying Meals + HM #216

All of the images in this post are linked to the original recipes that I found on the website at Taste of Home.

 

Soups, slow cooking make satisfying meals for cold weather. Plus, link up at Home Matters with DIY, recipes, and more. #Soup #SlowCooking #HomeMattersParty

Slow Cooker Cheesy Broccoli Soup

 

Soups, slow cooking make satisfying meals for cold weather. Plus, link up at Home Matters with DIY, recipes, and more. #Soup #SlowCooking #HomeMattersParty

Chunky Creamy Chicken Soup

 

Soups, slow cooking make satisfying meals for cold weather. Plus, link up at Home Matters with DIY, recipes, and more. #Soup #SlowCooking #HomeMattersParty

Tomato Hamburger Soup

 

Soups, slow cooking make satisfying meals for cold weather. Plus, link up at Home Matters with DIY, recipes, and more. #Soup #SlowCooking #HomeMattersParty

Slow Cooker Chili

 

Soups, slow cooking make satisfying meals for cold weather. Plus, link up at Home Matters with DIY, recipes, and more. #Soup #SlowCooking #HomeMattersParty

Slow Cooked White Bean Chili

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