Our kitchen is filled with my heart.

It’s one of my favorite rooms and I strive to create an environment where people are drawn to linger.

Stimulating the senses are important to me and I know my children will have fond memories of deliciously baked meals and pleasing aromas, but even though I prepare food that tastes delicious,  I do not create beautiful food.

You know the kind of food I am talking about…food that becomes an unbelievable art form.

That is one of my goals this year…to create beautiful food. Not all the time, but every once in awhile.

Just for my family.

Just because…

Don’t worry, I won’t be giving up my “Save Money by Cooking Creatively”  concoctions, but you I’m hoping that I can actually mesmerize you a time or two during Tasty Tuesday.

(stolen from dear Emily)

Because beautiful food can be an art, can’t it?

And I want you to think of me as an artist one of these days.

(thanks, Dawn, for sharing this centerpiece from Blissdom)

What are you sharing for Tasty Tuesday? If you’re reading this by email, come on over here and see the amazing recipes you are missing. As always PLEASE link back here and share your recipe URL and not your home blog page.

In honor of the Superbowl…

flex·i·ble (flks-bl)adj.

• While I spent a wonderful weekend in Nashville at the Blissdom Blogging Conference, my family defined flexibility without complaining.
• While I was treated to an open menu at a classy restaurant, my family ate Captain Crunch by candlelight.
• While I naively flew into our local Airport, anxious to scurry home, put my feet up and snuggle with the children, I was informed that the power had been out the whole weekend due to our ice storm and that we were camping out on Grandma and Grandpa’s floor.
• While I had to momentarily adjust my bad attitude, my husband shared how proud he was of the kids. I quickly took note.
• While I was sharing and learning about this phenom called “social media,” they toughed out “Little House on the Prairie” living for over two days until the indoor tempt dipped below 45 degrees with no hope of power.
• While I  listen now to my daughter’s soft snore as we snuggle, I ponder just how thankful I am for a husband and children who define flexibility, even in the most inconvenient of circumstances. (’Cuz honestly, I don’t feel like being too flexible right now…)

Creating a frugal, yet elegant tablescape begins with a wonderful centerpiece. I shared how one of the easiest ways to achieve that look is by layering cake stands, yet I realize that many of you many not have any cake plates yet (since you haven’t had time to hit those yard sales). 

Creating your own cake plate stands is as easy as looking in your cabinets or hitting your local thrift store.

Every single thrift store has a glass wares aisle and mismatched, miscellaneous items are their specialty.

Look closely at what constitutes a pedestal cake stand in my picture below – any kind of plate and a candle holder. Do you see what I found at the Orlando Goodwill? Prices to sell at $0.99/piece, I mixed and matched glassware to create a custom look for any themed gathering.

I felt like a kid in art class having such fun with food coloring.

Use just a drop of food coloring in a small vase before putting your plate on top.

This is a quick and easy idea too add oomph when you’re entertaining for a special occasion.

As you can see, it’s not just about showcasing dessert entree’s on your cake plates. The sky is the limit.

It’s very easy to make these cake plates permanent by adding a strong bonded glue to the bottom of the plate/candle holder.

I’ve used upside down bowls and plates for varying sizes, layers, and looks. When you open up that cabinet, have fun experimenting. You may be surprised at the fun you’ll have.

I’ve never been so excited to see strawberry picking time come back around. I’m tired of winter.

I just found this exact wooden cake plate at a thrift store for $2. I was planning on spray painting it some fun teal color until I saw this picture.

May be I will wait till next year until AFTER the fall so I can showcase my apples.

And everyone has to appreciate my bedlam decorating picture.

Note to anyone desiring to use their “short dated” lemons from the produce…don’t. Use bright, fresh lemons (or fake may even be better.)

Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to create some simple,  frugal tablescapes. It all just starts with an easy centerpiece out of some glass plates and candlesticks.

Please send me your pictures if you try these. I’d love to show them on here.

Turn off the TV, step away from the computer and engage in some frugal family fun.

This is the time when I desire a “Yes, Mom” mentality.

Being fully present in their lives is the greatest frugal family tip I can share.

The house will withstand a fort disaster. The mess can be cleaned, but you will never redeem that missed moment.

Remember, it’s the little things that ARE the big things.

Months ago, I shared my new found love for scarves as one of the best ways to spice up a Frugal Fashionista outfit.

Many of you shared that a picture isn’t enough for you “visual learners,” and that you need me to demonstrate how to tie a scarf. Here is the first of two videos that will hopefully encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with my favorite Frugal Fashionista accessory – the scarf.

This is a very simple introduction on how to tie a scarf. It shows  how to take a very basic $1 yard sale shirt and make it extremely versatile by adding a scarf. The next video I will focus on many more advanced ways to tie a scarf. Warm up with these intro steps, and then I’ll take you from basic to beyond in the art of frugal accessorizing.

(If you’re receiving this via email or reader, please click over to see the video. For some reason I couldn’t get it to come through last week with the Goodwill video. )

Sunglasses are on my list of “must have” Frugal Fashionista accessories. Considering that I have two daughters who want to wear mine all the time, I buy cute, fashionable, inexpensive sunglasses and have them in both cars, my purse etc etc….you get the idea. They change up an outfit and give extra personality.

Well, you can find today’s Deal of the Day (Tues) at GRAVEYARD MALL. It  is AMAZING!

They have a grab bag special which features TEN pairs of sunglasses for $9.99 plus $5.99 shipping (Compare that to $220 retail!)

I figure that out of ten pairs, I should be able to find at least four that I love, and the rest will make great birthday party favors.

The site states:

• Sunglasses will be Shipped Feb. 15
• 10 Pair of Ladies Sunglasses
• Styles will be an assortment of those shown
• Can’t name the brand, but maybe the pic will help
• Retail tags may be removed prior to shipping

Save up to 90% off retail everyday at GraveyardMall.com on Videos, CD’s, Housewares, Toys, Tools and much more.

(thx, Keri Lynn)

We have been snowed in for the last two days and it has been a slice of heaven. (Almost as amazing as the multiple slices of Homemade Cinnabons I ate while doing my bulk baking.)

The rat race of life had taken over and having some much needed down time was delightful. Saturday, I spent all day in my new, little apron feeling very domestic diva-ish, especially since I was giving my new Frigidaire range a whirl…OH MY GOODNESS!

I thought an oven was an oven. Did you know they make ranges where you can choose convection oven or regular? Obviously, I didn’t until I started doing a happy dance in my kitchen as I read the manual.

Anyhow, look at all that dough rising…

Here’s what I got done on Saturday during my OAMC in a day :

• 70 “to die for” homemade Cinnabon (like) rolls
• six loaves of Whole Wheat Bread (I tried a new recipe and it was THEE BOMB)
• six pounds of ground beef seasoned and bagged
• two large homemade pizza (one was a taco pizza using taco seasoned ground beef, one was using the left over chicken from our pantry challenge)
• monstrous size Mexican bake (noodles, taco meat, sour cream, cottage cheese, black beans, lots of cheese, salsa, tomato sauce, crushed tortilla chips…YUM

My goal was to get more dinners made for the freezer, but I couldn’t get past eating the rolls.

I am working on a full blown recipe index on here, so I will be posting the new recipes separately in order to categorize them…be looking for the Cinnamon roll recipe. Seriously, it’s unbelievable.

MY REQUEST

***Last week a reader asked if I would post some of the recipes that I have tried and loved from my Tasty Tuesday readers. That has been something I have been desiring to do, but I would like to open it up to you all. Once a month, I would love to feature recipes that you have tried specifically from links on Tasty Tuesday. I will link to you and to the recipe post that you enjoyed and share any changes that you made.

Please email your description with Tasty Tuesday Favorites in the subject. That way I can be assured I don’t miss it in my Spam box. I will collect them and post 2-3 each month.

One of my many bedlam moments this week?

Hint to new oven owners…read the manual before you have mixed up ten pounds of dough. Do you think I should have at least looked at it before the dough started rising over the top…and then some? (That open spot is just waiting for my new microwave. It’s sitting in the middle of the family room floor while my daughter plays in the box/fort. We have to move that silly plug that’s in the way, but no one can get down our driveway .)

I leave for Blissdom tomorrow. If you are coming, please come up to me and introduce yourself so I can give you a big hug. I would LOVE to meet some of you, but know that I will not recognize anyone and that makes me way too nervous.

So what you are mixing up for Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods?
Please link to your recipe post, and not your home URL as well as leaving a link back here so that everyone can join in the fun. Those are my only two requests.

Hearts of Loving Kindness –

A unique Valentine’s Day tradition encourages thinking of others through out the month. Use pretty hearts during the month of February to teach the value of loving kindness to the loved ones in your life. Find a small box or jar and decorate it (invite your children to help) any way you want: with stickers, artwork, photos or a big red ribbon. Place all of the hearts inside and tell your family members what it’s all about.

Every time you see someone doing something kind for someone else or going above and beyond, write their name and what they did on a heart. String it up on a ribbon and hang it in the kitchen or family room for all to see. You can put four to six hearts on a ribbon by cutting a slit at the top and bottom of the heart and slipping each heart up the ribbon and then tie a knot at the top of the heart to hold it in place. The more hearts your family sees dangling, the more they will want to add to the festive display.

You will have plenty of opportunities during the month to talk about how and why we do things for others simply out of the “kindness of our hearts.” Make it a family tradition to focus on the value of loving kindness every February and be sure to preserve those precious memories in a Valentine’s Day Book with a photo of family members holding their Hearts of Loving Kindness.

The Treasure Hunt of Love –

This Valentine’s tradition combines the fun of a treasure hunt with the sweetness of showing love and appreciation, while praising character qualities instead of “talents.”

I had so much fun brainstorming last year when I did this. Cut four or five hearts out of red or pink construction paper, label them 1 to 5 on the backside, and write a clue on the front that describes something you love about the recipient and at the same time leads them to a spot where they will find the next clue.

“I love your cheerfulness in the morning, even before you have had your breakfast. I love when you choose joy.”

“I admire the diligence you showed in order to get an A in Chemistry”

“You have such a big, kind heart when you help your little brother pick up his puzzles.”

“Your great attitude and sportsmanship at basketball games make the whole family proud of you.”

The first clue can be hidden under a pillow, placed on the breakfast plate or taped to the bathroom mirror. Of course, the last clue of the treasure hunt leads them to a present or a treat you have prepared for them.

One year, I made up a corny poetic clue for each “station.” The kids had to figure it out before they headed on to the next destination, and “no,” I don’t think you want to hear it…although it did rhyme quite nicely, thank you (And I admit, one of the things they had to do in order to get the next clue was to scrub the toilet…hee hee.)

You know if wouldn’t be my family if there hadn’t been some bedlam; the cat and the dog both wanted in on the treasure hunt. Yes, the dog got the “treasure.” Right out of my daughter’s hand.

Need some more tradition ideas to get those creative juices going?

Try having Secret Valentines throughout the month,

Or our Hearts of Loving Kindness tradition idea.

Kimba’s DIY

Posted at: Hoosier Homemade