~ My Grandma's Cornbread Dressing~

I just have to share this recipe for my grandma's dressing (it is called dressing because it is cooked separate from the turkey.  I make mine just like hers, except that I omit the celery.  You can also saute the onions if you wish, but I like the flavor of the onions cooking in the dressing mixture.  Another secret is to finely crumble the cornbread.  It takes a while, but results in a more smooth, flavorful dressing.  

My Grandma's Cornbread Dressing

• 1 1/2 cups celery, large dice
• 1 cup onion, large dice
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sage
• 9 cups cornbread, crumbled
• 8-9 cups of super hot chicken broth or turkey broth, I use homemade
• salt, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all the ingredients except stock.
3. Pour hot stock over everything and mix well.
4. Pour into a large casserole or roasting pan.
5. I use a 12 x 14 x 6 pan.
6. Bake for at least one hour, depending on the size pan you use, you may have to bake an additional half hour (until the middle isn't soupy).

Check out the other recipes at Tasty Tuesday

❤❤ A Few New Crafts ❤❤

First, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has served in the military.  My husband spent 7+ years in the service (4 deployments and countless trips) and I am thankful to everyone else who has served (and is still serving).  

Today, I have a welcomed day off of work (whoo-hoo!).  It is gorgeous outside and I decided to share some of my newest finds...

Well, Goodwill had their half off sale this past Saturday.  I went in with the goal of finding a new wreath for the front door and any goodies for holiday gifts.  Here is what I found:

1.  A wreath!  It is a little different than what I was looking for, but I liked that it looks a bit rustic.  

It still has a 24.99 price tag from Joannes.  It was 2.99 (or 1.50 half off).  

I weaved in a bit of the berries I found at the Salvation Army recently- what do you think? Not bad to me for under 3.00! 

2.  An enormous gallon ziplock bag of assorted fruits.  1.99 (or 1.00 half off).  I think I am going to use it for filler in vases around the house unless I find another idea online. 

3.  A big birdhouse!!!  I really don't like birds (if I am being honest), but I love seeing everyone's birdhouses on the interwebs :)  2.99 (or 1.50 half off!)  A group of women had scouted out the store the night before and had made a pile of things they had wanted... this (along with the fruit) were on their list I guess.  They kept making comments about people snatching up things.  Sorry, I was there first (and didn't snatch, just put it in my cart).  Some people! 

Already have a coat of brown on it today (come on, what in my house doesn't have a coat of brown on it right now...).  

Found this huge planter 1.99 (or 1.00 half off).  I have a huge plant at school that has outgrown its home.  Hoping to get it replanted soon.  

Also bought these two goodies for holiday gifts- .99 each (or .50 half off). 

Here is the green container I was talking about last week.  Have it holding my kitchen utensils for now...

Last, but not least- a few coupon deals :)  Kroger was having its mega sale last week.  I ended up getting $130 worth of items  (after sale prices) for $30.00.  The best buy was the Snuggle for free after $3.00 coupons and the gloves for free after $1.00 coupons.  

Food Lion also had their dryer sheets on sale for 2.99.  Free after the 3.00 coupons (well, besides taxes...).  The cashier really really really wanted to find something wrong with the deal- but couldn't :)  She kept looking at the coupons, then looking at the total, then looking at the dryer sheets, then looking back at the coupons again.  

So, that is all for now.  Have a few other things to share in the near future.  Have a great day! 

Linking to Junkin' Monday at Cottage Charm

and

Fresh Cranberry Salad

I had never had a fresh cranberry salad until last Thanksgiving.  A dear friend and I decided to combine our usual feasts to make cooking a bit easier on the both of us.  Then, we decided to throw in some new dishes to jazz things up a bit.  This will definitely be on the table again this year!  For weeks, the two of us have been saying things like, "MMMMMM cranberrrrrry salad" and, "Know what I am looking forward to...".  It is just that good! 

• 1 (10 ounce) package fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries, picked over and washed
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 9 ounces strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert (3 small boxes)
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2 cups red apples, diced
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 (9 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 3 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 1-2 cup green seedless grape or red seedless grapes, halved

1. Cook cranberries in the 4 cups water to a boil.
2. Add soda and stir and enjoy watching it bubble up.
3. Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Stir in sugar, jello, and marshmallows.
5. Stir until melted.
6. Let mixture cool.
7. Add apples, nuts, pineapple, oranges, and grapes.
8. Pour into one 9" x 13" pan and one 8" x 8" pan.
9. Chill until firm.

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Favorite Makeovers So Far...

Hi,

I am going to post my 5 favorite makeovers in my home (so far)... Have about 100,000,000 more to go! Don't forget my upcoming makeover/blog redesign giveaway!!! My followers will have two chances to win :) I will give you a hint... it will make your new year special.

Makeover # 1:

Before:

here is a photo board that I had for about 5-10 years- it was past its time! Dusty and dingy and not my decor anymore.

Here is the after=love!!

Makeover # 2

Before:

The owl and frame were finds at our Goodwill Outlet

Combine them and what do you get???

After:

Makeover # 3

Before:

Boring table from my bedroom (matched the photo holder above)

After= brown and white stripes...

Makeover # 4

.50 Makeover of old picture frames...

Before:

After:

and last but definitely not least... my favorite makeover... # 5

Before: Scary pink kleenex holder

After: Super cute dryer sheet holder! All for .25!

So0000- I hope you check out the Great Ideas post at Infarrantly Creative

Before & After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick!

Also, take a look at all the fabulous makeovers at

Don't forget about my makeover/giveaway! Have a great day!

A Few New Things...

Keep an eye out in the next couple of weeks... there will be a makeover on my blog and expect a great giveaway around the start of the year :)

I have to admit, I have a new addiction.... our local Salvation Army.  Now, don't get me wrong, I haven't given up on my local Goodwill(s), I just haven't found much there lately. Plus, it is about 2 minutes from where I work and I can zip in and out :) 

On a visit during my fall break, I found the following glass bowls/jars.  The smallest was .59, the tall one was .99, and the heavy round one was 1.99.  Not sure what I am going to do with them yet, but I am sure I will find a place for them.  

Then, I went again recently.  I had heard that all of their clothes were .50 a piece that day.  I found my hubby a nice brooks brothers dress shirt, along with the snowman dish for .59, and the berry garland for .59 :)  

To prove I haven't given up on Goodwill entirely, here is a few recent finds...

I haven't decided what to do with this yet.  I love the shade of green... perhaps a utensil holder in my kitchen?  Anyone have any ideas?  It was only 1.99 and is very heavy.  

The next find is going to get a coat of paint soon... thought it had a  cute shape for .99

Last, but not least- something I have had my eye out for...  A set of metal keys.  I am sure they are not real and are only decorative, but for 1.49, I like 'em.  Should I paint them?  Decisions, decisions.  

My favorite thing about the GW- getting a 10% student discount!  

Also, here is my fall makeover to my GW find cloche

 

So, like I said, keep an eye out for an awesome giveaway and my upcoming makeover.