Bon-Fire.....

Every year at this time we host a Bon-Fire for our church family, it's always a great time with lots of food, fun and fellowship.  This year we had over 30 people. We simply hung-out and snacked, some fished, used the paddle-boat and the kids played Frisbee tag till dinner when we all stuffed ourselves silly and ended the night sitting around a fire listening to beautiful music by one of our own (you can find out more about her and her music here).   Nothing like sitting around a campfire enjoying a beautiful evening full of laughter, music and friends!

I was not prepared with my good camera and tripod so you'll have to use your imagination,  if you look closely you can see the tiki torches around the circle and some of my hubbies wonderful light orbs.   It really looks beautiful in the dark but alas, I was not prepared.

One of the things I noticed last night was the way the mosaic wall shimmers in the light.... wow!  The glass tile and the paint accents in the white shimmer with the tiki torches glistening in the dark, makes me love my wall even more!

Miss Mariah singing for us,  later as others began to filter down to the fire we had some harmonies going, it really was beautiful.

Frosted Banana Bars.... So Good!

Bars:

 

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream (8oz)

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

3 mashed bananas

 

Bake 350 degree oven.... I bake about 20 minutes and then begin checking it....  I love it nice and moist.... so I watch it close so that it just cooks enough and then pull it out....  soooo good! 

 

 Icing:

 

1 8oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup butter

2 tsp. vanilla

3-4 cups powdered sugar

 

I took my mixer from the kitchen to finish my tile project (my mortar mixin' one burned up... that's hard on them... and of course I forgot to replace it).... so needless to say mixing the icing by hand left it a little "clumpy" but so darn good anyhow!

I was so busy making sure everyone else got everything they needed I didn't get a piece last night.... so I had one for breakfast..... there's fruit in it!

Bon-Fire Fun Prepwork and My Favorite Soup Recipe....

This is last year's prepwork for our annual Fall Bonfire.  Here I am, this year's Bon-Fire is scheduled for Saturday, it's now Tuesday and I'm once again rushing to try and get things prepped and cleaned up around here.  If only I was a little more organized!


My husband's contraption to store Tiki Torches, works pretty good.  Last year he had these brackets made, easy set-up vs. year's past.

 He chopped more than enough firewood.....

 Tiki Torches line the circle driveway and the pathway down to the backyard,  his " light orbs" make their debut as well.   Last year he dug holes and cemented in small plastic piping with caps (look close at the pic on the right), when you want to use the torches simply take off the cap and stick the torch in the pipe.....

Got all the tables set up and ready to go,  just waiting for guests to arrive.

I had trouble sleeping last night, knowing how much I still needed to get done this morning before people started to arrive.

On the Menu:

Chili, Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup, HotDogs, of course,  and my favorite Banana Bars and Pumpkin Cookies.  Chips and salsa, Cheese Ball with Crackers, Hmmmm, Hmmmm,  Good!

This is my favorite soup of all time,  Spicy Chicken Tomato Soup.
Yummy!

2 cans (14 1/2oz) chicken broth

3 cups shredded chicken

2 cups frozen corn

1 can (10 3/4oz) tomato puree

1 can (10oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies

1 diced onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 bay leaf

1-2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. salt

1/2-1 tsp. chili powder

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Dump it into a crock pot and cook on low for 4 hours.  Doesn't get any easier than that!  It also freezes well!   Have I told you that I LOVE this stuff!


This year I am behind, again.  Imagine that!  I really need to get outside and clean up but that is probably not gonna happen.  It is what it is, we'll have fun regardless and hey, if you're critiquing my house and yard you might as well stay home.  

In the Knick of Time.....

I am finally decorating for fall.... a couple weeks ago I'd gotten out a box of fall décor and haven't done a thing since...... nothing like waiting till the last minute.

This weekend is our annual Bon-Fire..... time to get this place in order!

Here's a quick look at what I've gotten done so far.....

Not done out here yet.... I'd like to add some color to the bench and I have a "skeleton" I'd like to hang.... time will tell if any of that gets accomplished or not.....

I tried some paper crafts.... wanted a wreath but didn't like it so I folded it in and around the back.... now I like it but need a little bit more.... not sure what I'm adding yet and need to get them hung (I have two).....

The Dining room.... made the table runner with a simple roll of material (from Wally World) and some leaves.... simply cut it to the shape you want and hot glue leaves on.....

Lovin' the cake plate in the center..... If you turn the base upside down it can be used as a bowl for serving dips.... plan to use it for the party on Saturday....

Just added the bamboo on a whim.... adding ghosts, bats.... something.... if time allows.

 

 

I've still got lots of little things I want to do.... we'll see!  Time is quickly running out.  Bon-Fire on Saturday..... can't wait, should be a great time....

Thinking Ahead.....

Why is it every year at this time.... while I'm rushing around trying to finish up last minute projects before winter...... all I can think about are the many new projects I'd like to start in the spring.... as if I don't have enough to do in the present time? 

For nearly two years now I've had people collecting glass bottles/jars for me.... I have a "fence" project I've been thinking about for the front flower bed....  it's been put off because my husband informed me,

 "You get no help from me until you finish the other wall you've started....".

Can't hardly blame him.... that wall has been in some state of progress for a couple years as well.... it is getting completed and sealed this season if it kills me (I'm quickly running out of time but it's close.....here it is if you'd like to see it).

Here's some of the projects I'm thinking about for spring....  gotta love Pinterest!

Found on lushome.com

Found on bystephanielynn.com

Found on randomcreative.hubpages.com

                                          Found on Flicker  by Gila < GilaMosaics.com

Found on myhomeideas.com

Found on bobvila.com

What fun.... now I've got to get outside and finish this year's projects....  first day without rain in quite a while and I'm losing daylight every second I'm not out working in it.... gonna be a long day!

 

Hope you've got a great day ahead of you.... Enjoy!

 

What a Mess.......

I have been working on cleaning up the basement for days now..... and still have more to do!  I am embarrassed to show you this.... but figure I'm not alone..... So.... here goes:

 
The first winter in our new home my husband built these storage shelves for a corner in the basement.... they are for my "girly" stuff.... mostly! 

I have started to organize and clean out but man.... its almost too overwhelming.  I'd forgotten about some of it, was pleasantly surprised... and others... well... just needed to find their way to the garbage. 

I labeled boxes and tried to organize enough to be able to find things later on.... I now have a section of "to-do" projects that are easily accessible and multiple shelves full of crafty supplies..... if only I could keep it organized. 

It's even spilled out into the entryway.... if you need to get to the water heater or sound system.... forget about it.....













Not only do I have the storage space but I also have a "bedroom" in the basement..... (partially finished) that has been allotted as my "winter" workspace.  My husband will be working in the other areas of the basement so I'm having to get everything cleared out..... it desperately needed it anyhow.  This is after digging through everything for two days..... but still.... wow! 

I have a shop in a local antique mall (The Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, IL) and you've got to have someplace to store merchandise..... right?  I think 
I've gotten a little out of hand. 

Today's job.... finish cleaning this up!  I know it's doesn't look like it but I am really getting down to the finish line..... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Shouldn't be long now and I'll have a great workspace for all my winter projects..... (including tiling the bathroom off this room).....  should keep me plenty busy thru the winter days ahead.

 

Here's the storage space.... swept out and organized.... I can actually find something I need now.  Haven't been able to do that for years!  .... and, I have free shelves..... hard to resist not filling them up!  Must Resist......

 

 

 

My Tag-Along Trip

It's been a great couple days.... I've spent nearly two days beading like a crazy woman.... not leaving the room until dinner.  I could get used to this!

Last night we took a walk down Main St..... very interesting... lots of homeless and people begging.  Sad to see... and very uncomfortable.  Here's a few pics..... I love all the artwork you find in citi-scapes.... lovely:

Love this.... it's made of concrete... of course.  Told my husband, "we need one of these... we could do this"! 
His reply, "of course we could... it's just concrete"!  Love that man!!!

Cool building... I love all the architecture and beautiful buildings.

Aldo's Pizza Pies.... love the décor.  Love the lighting.... easily replicated.... lots of inspiration here.

Love the lights..... love, love, love!

My favorite... ham and pineapple.  Hmmm, Hmmm, Good!

We have a dinner tonight and then bright and early we're heading home..... back to reality.