Trash to Christmas Treasure

I love taking trash and turning into a treasure...and a Christmas treasure is even better!

I made a trip to ReStore a few weeks back when they were having a 20% off sale.  I love these sales...they make a good deal even better!
I found this old tool box (for just over $2) and if you've been following me, you know I like tool boxes (like this one and this one on my porch too).

I know...it's not much to look at...but, DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE???

Using a little bit of greenery, a string of lights, some dollar store raffia, berries from this thrifted arrangement that I've been cannibalizing, it began to look better.

But, the icing on the cake was of course, a burlap bow.

It's like a Christmas miracle...just kidding!

I LOVE IT!!  

Blessings,

 

 Don't miss out on any of my upcoming posts...Follow along!

Linking to some of these fun linking parties:

Sunday:

  Under the Table and Dreaming ,  DIY Showoff ,  Nifty Thrifty Things,  Homemaker on a Dime , Embellishing Life,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff

 Monday:

  Skip to my Lou ,  Craft O Maniac ,  Keeping it Simple,  Creating Really Awesome Free Things,  Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms  Between Naps on the Porch ,  The Girl Creative     ,  Mad in Crafts , I'm An Organizing Junkie,  Sew Can Do, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Cherished Bliss, Making the World Cuter, The Gunny Sack, Mrs Happy Homemaker, DIY Home Sweet Home

Tuesday: 

  Coastal Charm,  A Bowl Full of Lemons ,  Tip Junkie ,  Sugar Bee Crafts ,  Not Just a Housewife ,  Today's Creative Blog ,  Balancing Beauty and Bedlam ,  5 Minutes for Mom ,  Funky Polkadot Giraffe ,    Hope Studios ,  Reasons to Skip the Housework , Time Warp Wife , Chef in Training Home Stories A to Z, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  Vintage Wanna Bee, The Blackberry Vine, Carolyn's Homework, The Kurtz Corner,Mommy By Day Crafter by Night,  Growing Home,  Cornerstone Confessions, Mercy Ink, Ginger Jamboree

Wednesday: 

 Raising Homemakers , Crystal & Co. ,  We Are THAT Family ,  Women Living Well , The Trendy Treehouse ,  Handy Man, Crafty Woman Someday Crafts ,  Fabric Bows and More ,  This Chick Cooks ,  Seven Thirty Three,  Sugar & Dots A Creative Princess ,  Dragonfly Designs , The Thrifty Home ,  Creations by Kara, Gingersnap Crafts ,   Uncommonly Yours, My Girlish Whims, DIY Crafty Projects

Thursday:

  Shabby Creek Cottage  ,  Delightful Order ,  Somewhat Simple ,  House of Hepworths,   The Frugal Girls ,  Miz Helen's Country Cottage ,  The Thirty Sixth Avenue,  Thrifty 101, Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, Beyond the Picket Fence, A Glimpse Inside, 

Friday:

The Shabby Nest ,  Fingerprints on the Fridge ,  Chic on a Shoestring, Life as Mom ,  Miss Mustard Seed ,  Tidy Mom ,  Whipperberry ,  At the Picket Fence ,  French Country Cottage  30 Handmade Days ,  Finding Fabulous ,  Stuff and Nonsense ,  Naptime Crafters Tatertots and Jello,My Romantic Home , While He was Napping , Comfy in the Kitchen,  Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hippo,  The Country Cook, Pocket Full of Pink Six Sister's Stuff, Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons, Ann Kroeker Writer, Grocery Cart Challenge, Simply Sweet Home, Craft Junkie Too, Simply Designing, Happy Hour Projects, A Little Knick Knack, Young and Crafty

 Saturday:

  Funky Junk Interiors,  Young and Crafty ,  Be Different, Act Normal ,  A Vision to Remember, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, Positively Splendid, It's Overflowing, The Artsy Girl Connection, Craft Envy, Too Much Time On My Hands,  Or So She Says, Something Swanky 

Welcome to Think Tank Thursday #7

Are things looking a little Christmas-like at your house??  I bet you have tons a beautiful projects and I can't wait to see them.

If you're new here, my Sister and I work together at the Think Tank, so anything you link up here will show up over at her blog as well.
Once again, we are both featuring some of your creativity, so here are a few of my favorites from last week's party.

Tart Cranberry Cheesecake with Macadamia Nut Crust by Sweet Boutique

Grapevine Thanksgiving Napkin Rings by Simply Creating Home

If you were featured, grab an "I Was Featured" button for your blog.

<br><br><center> <br><br><a href="http://saving4six.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyjM6JntfSU/UIbmImyMkaI/AAAAAAAAHtM/1O3Xx815Hcc/s1600/I+Was+Featured.jpg" alt="saving4six"/></a><br><br></center> <br><br>

Now, grab a "Think Tank" button and lets get started!

  

 

<br><br><center> <br><br><a href="http://saving4six.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Of4N0gNSPH4/UG8rbrC2hmI/AAAAAAAAHMg/P3NUm5ZLjOE/s125/Think%2520Tank%2520Thursday.jpg" alt="saving4six"/></a><br><br></center> <br><br>

Feel free to link up anything family friendly that you've made.

-Please no Etsy shops, giveaways or advertisements.

-A link back to one or both of our sites would be appreciated, either with a text link or blog button.

-We look forward to featuring a few favorites each week, and remember that by submitting a link you are allowing us authorization to feature your fabulous work.  We will always provide a photo and link back to the original post.

My Christmas Porch 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house!

I was a bit absent from Blog World at the end of last week, but it was for good reason...I was busy decorating!  I still have boxes, pine needles, and clutter everywhere but I'm making progress.  I wanted to give you a little sneak peak into my decor...starting with my front porch.  My decor is similar to last year but with my new porch, it looks so much better.

Anywhoo, bear with me and all the pics. We got a few inches of snow and I love the look with the fresh snow but then I decided to add the burlap (which is my new theme throughout the house too) and so I have more pics as the snow was melting.

The sled in the above picture was a curbside find.  You can read about that here.

The chair, toolbox, lantern, bucket, and saw were all either ReStore or garage sale finds.

Don't forget to think outside the box when decorating, being sure to use things you have lying around your house and garage.

Also, use greenery or branches you may have in your yard or find a neighbor or friend that is willing to share.  Fresh greenery adds much!

I hope as you are preparing your home for the holidays, that you continue to be careful with your finances.  Remember a warm, cozy, well decorated home does not have to be expensive.

Blessings,

 

 Don't miss out on any of my upcoming posts...Follow along!

Linking to some of these fun linking parties:

Sunday:

  Under the Table and Dreaming ,  DIY Showoff ,  Nifty Thrifty Things,  Homemaker on a Dime , Embellishing Life,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff

 Monday:

  Skip to my Lou ,  Craft O Maniac ,  Keeping it Simple,  Creating Really Awesome Free Things,  Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms  Between Naps on the Porch ,  The Girl Creative     ,  Mad in Crafts , I'm An Organizing Junkie,  Sew Can Do, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Cherished Bliss, Making the World Cuter, The Gunny Sack, Mrs Happy Homemaker, DIY Home Sweet Home

Tuesday: 

  Coastal Charm,  A Bowl Full of Lemons ,  Tip Junkie ,  Sugar Bee Crafts ,  Not Just a Housewife ,  Today's Creative Blog ,  Balancing Beauty and Bedlam ,  5 Minutes for Mom ,  Funky Polkadot Giraffe ,    Hope Studios ,  Reasons to Skip the Housework , Time Warp Wife , Chef in Training Home Stories A to Z, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  Vintage Wanna Bee, The Blackberry Vine, Carolyn's Homework, The Kurtz Corner,Mommy By Day Crafter by Night,  Growing Home,  Cornerstone Confessions, Mercy Ink, Ginger Jamboree

Wednesday: 

 Raising Homemakers , Crystal & Co. ,  We Are THAT Family ,  Women Living Well , The Trendy Treehouse ,  Handy Man, Crafty Woman Someday Crafts ,  Fabric Bows and More ,  This Chick Cooks ,  Seven Thirty Three,  Sugar & Dots A Creative Princess ,  Dragonfly Designs , The Thrifty Home ,  Creations by Kara, Gingersnap Crafts ,   Uncommonly Yours, My Girlish Whims, DIY Crafty Projects

Thursday:

  Shabby Creek Cottage  ,  Delightful Order ,  Somewhat Simple ,  House of Hepworths,   The Frugal Girls ,  Miz Helen's Country Cottage ,  The Thirty Sixth Avenue,  Thrifty 101, Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, Beyond the Picket Fence, A Glimpse Inside, 

Friday:

The Shabby Nest ,  Fingerprints on the Fridge ,  Chic on a Shoestring, Life as Mom ,  Miss Mustard Seed ,  Tidy Mom ,  Whipperberry ,  At the Picket Fence ,  French Country Cottage  30 Handmade Days ,  Finding Fabulous ,  Stuff and Nonsense ,  Naptime Crafters Tatertots and Jello,My Romantic Home , While He was Napping , Comfy in the Kitchen,  Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hippo,  The Country Cook, Pocket Full of Pink Six Sister's Stuff, Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons, Ann Kroeker Writer, Grocery Cart Challenge, Simply Sweet Home, Craft Junkie Too, Simply Designing, Happy Hour Projects, A Little Knick Knack, Young and Crafty

 Saturday:

  Funky Junk Interiors,  Young and Crafty ,  Be Different, Act Normal ,  A Vision to Remember, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, Positively Splendid, It's Overflowing, The Artsy Girl Connection, Craft Envy, Too Much Time On My Hands,  Or So She Says, Something Swanky 

Welcome to Think Tank Thursday #6

...and Happy Thanksgiving!!  I have so very much to be thankful for and am looking forward to spending the day with my precious family.  I hope you get to spend the day with those you love!!  If you have a few minutes and would like to link up, the Think Tank is open and we would love to have you.

If you're new here, my Sister and I work together at the Think Tank, so anything you link up here will show up over at her blog as well.
Once again, we are both featuring some of your creativity, so here are a few of my favorites from last week's party.

Let's Make a Gift Basket by My Crazy Beautiful Life

Quick and Easy Hand Lettering on Signs by Curb Alert

How Using Cash Makes Me a Better Couponer by Couponing & Cooking

Homemade Snowballs and a Christmas Lantern by Alderberry Hill

If you were featured, grab an "I Was Featured" button for your blog.

<br><br><center> <br><br><a href="http://saving4six.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyjM6JntfSU/UIbmImyMkaI/AAAAAAAAHtM/1O3Xx815Hcc/s1600/I+Was+Featured.jpg" alt="saving4six"/></a><br><br></center> <br><br>

Now, grab a "Think Tank" button and lets get started!

  

 

<br><br><center> <br><br><a href="http://saving4six.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Of4N0gNSPH4/UG8rbrC2hmI/AAAAAAAAHMg/P3NUm5ZLjOE/s125/Think%2520Tank%2520Thursday.jpg" alt="saving4six"/></a><br><br></center> <br><br>

Feel free to link up anything family friendly that you've made.

-Please no Etsy shops, giveaways or advertisements.

-A link back to one or both of our sites would be appreciated, either with a text link or blog button.

-We look forward to featuring a few favorites each week, and remember that by submitting a link you are allowing us authorization to feature your fabulous work.  We will always provide a photo and link back to the original post.

Pumpkin Pecan Bars

I've got a pumpkin recipe for you, just in time for the holidays.  It is a combination of pumpkin pie, cheesecake, and a bar cookie.  The idea came from the Kraft website but I changed up this recipe quite a bit to come up with these goodies.

Here's what you'll need and how I made them:
Printable Version
2 cups flour
1/3 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 cup chopped pecans

8oz. pkg. cream cheese
15 oz. canned pumpkin or sweet potato
1 1/2 teas. cinnamon
1/4 teas. cloves
1/2 teas. ginger
1/4 teas. nutmeg
3 eggs 
3/4 cup white sugar


Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 pan with foil.  Spray the foil with cooking spray.

Combine flour, 1/3 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar and then cut in butter. Once these have been combined, add the quick oats and pecans.

Set aside 2 cups of this oat mixture and press the rest of this mixture into the bottom of the 9x13 foil-lined, greased pan.  Bake this crust for 15 minutes.

While this is baking, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, spices, eggs, and 3/4 cup white sugar.
Pour this mixture on top of the baked crust.  Finally, sprinkle the reserved 2 cups of oat mixture on the top and bake for 50 minutes.

After baking, use the foil to remove bars from pan and cool on cooling rack.  Cool completely.  Store in the refrigerator.

These were really good the night I made them but they were great the day after!

Blessings,

 Don't miss out on any of my upcoming posts...Follow along!

Linking to some of these fun linking parties:

Sunday:

  Under the Table and Dreaming ,  DIY Showoff ,  Nifty Thrifty Things,  Homemaker on a Dime , Embellishing Life,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff

 Monday:

  Skip to my Lou ,  Craft O Maniac ,  Keeping it Simple,  Creating Really Awesome Free Things,  Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms  Between Naps on the Porch ,  The Girl Creative     ,  Mad in Crafts , I'm An Organizing Junkie,  Sew Can Do, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Cherished Bliss, Making the World Cuter, The Gunny Sack, Mrs Happy Homemaker, DIY Home Sweet Home

Tuesday: 

  Coastal Charm,  A Bowl Full of Lemons ,  Tip Junkie ,  Sugar Bee Crafts ,  Not Just a Housewife ,  Today's Creative Blog ,  Balancing Beauty and Bedlam ,  5 Minutes for Mom ,  Funky Polkadot Giraffe ,    Hope Studios ,  Reasons to Skip the Housework , Time Warp Wife , Chef in Training Home Stories A to Z, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  Vintage Wanna Bee, The Blackberry Vine, Carolyn's Homework, The Kurtz Corner,Mommy By Day Crafter by Night,  Growing Home,  Cornerstone Confessions, Mercy Ink, Ginger Jamboree

Wednesday: 

 Raising Homemakers , Crystal & Co. ,  We Are THAT Family ,  Women Living Well , The Trendy Treehouse ,  Handy Man, Crafty Woman Someday Crafts ,  Fabric Bows and More ,  This Chick Cooks ,  Seven Thirty Three,  Sugar & Dots A Creative Princess ,  Dragonfly Designs , The Thrifty Home ,  Creations by Kara, Gingersnap Crafts ,   Uncommonly Yours, My Girlish Whims, DIY Crafty Projects

Thursday:

  Shabby Creek Cottage  ,  Delightful Order ,  Somewhat Simple ,  House of Hepworths,   The Frugal Girls ,  Miz Helen's Country Cottage ,  The Thirty Sixth Avenue,  Thrifty 101, Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, Beyond the Picket Fence, A Glimpse Inside, 

Friday:

The Shabby Nest ,  Fingerprints on the Fridge ,  Chic on a Shoestring, Life as Mom ,  Miss Mustard Seed ,  Tidy Mom ,  Whipperberry ,  At the Picket Fence ,  French Country Cottage  30 Handmade Days ,  Finding Fabulous ,  Stuff and Nonsense ,  Naptime Crafters Tatertots and Jello,My Romantic Home , While He was Napping , Comfy in the Kitchen,  Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hippo,  The Country Cook, Pocket Full of Pink Six Sister's Stuff, Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons, Ann Kroeker Writer, Grocery Cart Challenge, Simply Sweet Home, Craft Junkie Too, Simply Designing, Happy Hour Projects, A Little Knick Knack, Young and Crafty

 Saturday:

  Funky Junk Interiors,  Young and Crafty ,  Be Different, Act Normal ,  A Vision to Remember, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, Positively Splendid, It's Overflowing, The Artsy Girl Connection, Craft Envy, Too Much Time On My Hands,  Or So She Says, Something Swanky