Affordable Halloween and Fall Decor

So we all want to have ghosts and ghoulies and all things spooky this time of year. Frankly, decor isn't really in our regular budget. Once in a while, when I find something practical, useful and affordable we add it to our  Little House of Love. But switching out decor for every season, isn't quite something we've chosen to spend our money on, so I have to get creative. Utilizing nature and sales and craftyness when at all possible. So here's what is on my list of things to do for the Fall/Halloween season!

Oh yeah. I'm excited about this one! We are having to make a couple modifications, but I think it will turn out great! If you wanna see the details here's the site! I'm not too sure on the lighting aspect of the whole thing, but we'll see. And I will do my best to get some detailed pics up after the weekend! But we're planning to use an old pickle jar, the four dollar head and about 2 dollars worth of hair gel. And if we had gone to Dollar General I'm sure we could have gotten the hair gel for much cheaper. Not sure tho. I don't use gel.

These lil' creepos are in the oven as I type. Oh my goodness it was so much fun! And the fact that you can eat what you scrape away made it that much more enjoyable. A great activity to do while listening to some spooky music with the kiddos! Easier than carving pumpkins, and a good way to get them into the decorating aspect of it all. We bought the cheapest apples and all we had to do was carve them and soak them in some salted lemon water. Super duper easy, and super duper cheap! Also I have a little trick I'll share when I do the tutorial...it lets you eat more of the apple, and well. I think it will help with the display aspect of the project. The great tutorial I used is here.

Okie dokie, so those were the kind of easy schmeezy ones, right. Well....the other ones I'm planning on doing are too! I know...get on with it, right? Okay.

So we're planning on doing a little party for the spookies. Really, we just want to hang out with our friends and enjoy some time together. So yeah... I want some decorations to make the house a little more festive. I have tons of construction paper laying around the house, so I'll be utilizing some of the huge stack to make this guys:
.

Aren't the precious!?!? They come from a sweet little blog that I've gotten some great advice for organizing from: Organize Your Stuff Now She has a no-nonsene, budget friendly way of organizing and decorating that I love. Maybe I should join one of her link parties. ^_^  She used scrapbooking paper, but I will use construction paper...because I have the motherload from my education classes. >.<

What else...goodness if I had the time I'd be doing all the stuff I pinned to my new spooky board. So fun!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot these guys. I still have to find some glow-in-the-dark paint...

I think they will be cute lining our walkway to the house! Hello Lucky provided this idea! Again, I'll be changing a few things up in hopes that they will be something we can use next year too!

And to revisit a couple things I've done in the past....

This was a lunch for Shi, and it had bones, ribs, and pumpkins made from carrots! He loved it!
I think I'll have to make him one or two to assemble this year. 

How could I forget these!?! They were so fun! And simple with things we have at the house. Always!

Let me know what gets your spooky bone crafting! I will have plenty to show next week! Time to go check on my shrunken heads!

~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss!

Nostalgia on a Thursday Night

I was reading an article I found online about what to buy a person when they first get a new home. It was broken down into lists depending on culture and regions. I was intrigued at the simplicity of the list for the new German kitchen, and had most of the items on that list, whereas on the "American" list I didn't have even half of the list.

Of course, we aren't the typical U.S. or "American" family. One income, small house, no credit cards...living in our means...if you are familiar with my blog then you know. I try to make our pennies stretch and our dollar, well it gets around.

So...back to the list. For the American household the list was:

Cast iron skillet
Dutch oven
Charcoal grill
Heavy-Duty food processor
Kitchen cart w/built in butcher block
Sandwich press
Roasting pan
Deep Fryer
Knife Set

Now, I am no gourmet cook...but none of these things were in my kitchen when I first started out on my own. Not a one. I didn't get a Cast Iron Skillet until this summer, and we just bought a dutch oven a week ago. I have a measly two cup food processor that I rarely use, which screams like a banshee if I put more than two frozen bananas in it to make my Banana Ice Cream. I have some knives, only one really nice one up until my Birthday when I was gifted a couple more. We do have a grill, it is propane...I think of Hank from King of the Hill every time I think of grilling on propane.

I don't think I ever want a fryer in my home. I can fry things in my wok...and well, fried is not a word I want in our weekly food rotation. A roasting pan would be nice, but frankly I'm not sure I want to store something I would only use once in a blue moon...our space is so limited. Which brings me to the kitchen cart. Yeah...no room for that. But once we finish our porch I think I will get one so that it will be easier to take things outside. Do I really need to discuss the sandwich press?

Yeah... didn't think so.

So the list for Germany:

Einkaufskorb- a Shopping basket
Frühstückbrett- small breakfast board used for breakfast or snacks
Potato Masher/Ricer
Cheese & Fruit Knives
Coffee or Tea Pot
Salad Bowl
Beverage Tools
Cloth Napkins & Napkin Rings
Pots & Pans

I have everything on this list except the Breakfast boards and the Cloth Napkins and Rings...both of which I would love to have, just haven't found ones that I like yet.

Well...scratch that. I have found some Breakfast Boards that would be really awesome...

Haha, so true. Nothing beats coffee or breakfast brought to bed, tho.
(For my Non-German Speaking readers:
It means; If you want breakfast in bed, then sleep in the kitchen!)

I think this one is just pretty! Even though I'm not a surfer...

And this one...oh my. A bit harder to explain in English, but here goes.
The first part says "Men are easy..." but if you add the anders it changes the meaning to
"Men are just different"
Get it?
Got it.
Good.
Now I want to buy it! ^_^

So as I'm looking over the options on google, I see something that I didn't realize. A dear friend of mine actually sent me one, and I didn't even realize it! I have a Frühstückbrett! From Germany! That makes me so happy. And...another wedding gift might just work as one too. ^_^ We received a cute little cutting board with an engraving on it. Awh...soo scratch that too! I do have a couple. Now I just need to find some good, affordable napkins and napkin rings. Then I will have a proper German Küche (kitchen).

Daily I use the tea kettle, and my knives...I don't think I would regularly use a sandwich press or a dutch oven. That's more for restaurants and camping, respectively.

Of course this is coming from the woman who doesn't have, nor want a dishwasher. Our water is so hard it would spot everything and that would drive me crazay!

What are your necessities in the kitchen? If I left something out let me know. I'm always up for a new idea for making life simpler....I think an immersion blender or dough hooks for my hand blender would be fabulous!

Thanks for reading! I hope you'll share your ideas and blogs with me!
~Cassie

Bad Bad Blogger.

Oh I have been so bad! Where did September go!?

I was working on my posts with the Challenge...and BAM! Happy Birthday to me. Then the world got crazy busy, and well...I haven't blogged.

So I guess I can do a bit of an update....

First I will finish the questions. I will give the short version and not go too far into them because, well...the main reason I lost steam on it was the last questions weren't really that intriguing for me.

So here goes, and then I'll be back to my blogging self...

Day 26 : Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why? No, I don't think giving up was ever an option.

Day 27 : What’s the best thing going for you right now? The best thing going for me? Well...life. I love my life, and all the people that make it better.

Day 28 : What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?Day 29 : Something you hope to change about yourself. And why. Luckily I can't get others pregnant....um but if I was to become pregnant, well I think I'd worry about having space in our cozy little house of love. We don't exactly have the set-up for another kiddo!

Day 30 : A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself Everything I love about myself? Um well, self...I think you are creative, and love the logic mind that overpowers all negative emotions. I love that you are a natural bullshit detector, even if that creates issues with those who like to spew B.S. like nobody's business. I love that you are real, and let people know what you think, because the only people that get upset about you telling the truth are those who live in lies. I love that you like to try new things, all the time-even if that means you get a little scared something might not work out. I also love that you are a teacher at heart and are always looking for ways to try and make others lives better. If only you could figure out how to reach those who don't think they want your help... I love that you are in a boot camp now, and whipping  your booty back into shape. Be sure to keep it up, and love that body more! ^_^ Keep on writing, even if you are the only one reading it and be sure to keep writing down those crazy awesome dreams of yours! 
That is all for now...recipes and other stuff coming soon! Yeah buddy!
How about a Montage Monday, Tell it like it is Tuesday, and a Foodie Friday? Or perhaps a Delicious Donnerstag? Well....I'll figure it all out soon enough!

For now, this lil stone is rolling to bed!

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 25

Day 25: The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

I often wonder the reason. I have heard people say it's because they have some big thing planned for their life, or because they haven't lived a full life...

I'm really not sure. But if I had to say there was a reason it would be my soul mate. My love. I stayed alive long enough to meet him, and I hope to share a long life with him. I know how much he needed a strong, resilient, loving woman to be a Mother to his son. He needed a partner that understood and encouraged him, and he needed a soul that matched his to share his life and great love with.

I want to be that couple who's love is so deep they pass into the next within hours of each other. I want to see our children grow up into wonderful people full of life, love and spirit.

Yes, I also want to have my dream of a novel published, read and loved...but as long as my family knows they meant more to me than any pipe dream, I feel like my life is worthy and well lived.

30 Days of Truths: Day 24

Day 24: Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

Ok. This is all about being true. And even though I grew up in the age of tape cassettes and CDs I wasn't one to make playlists. I have one that I remember making and it was for myself. It was my nighttime music.

Not for anyone else, but for myself. So I'm not really sure if I should go ahead and make one, or just talk about the one I made for myself.

Oh wait. I take that back. I did make our lil guy Shi one when Jon and I first started dating...it was a bunch of soothing nightimey music to help him relax at bedtime. :)

So, I've made a couple.

I'll start one for the Hubs.

1: Landon Pigg: Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop
~We met at our local favorite Coffee Shop, and so naturally this song is one of "Our Songs"

2. Moldy Peaches: Anyone Else But You
~Because you are my full time best friend, and I don't see what anyone can see in anyone else but you, my love.

3. Elton John: Your Song
~You request this at our favorite Piano Bar, and anytime else it is romantic. Life is so wonderful while you're in the world...

4. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: Home
~Because I've never loved no one more than, nothing is sweeter than, nothing pleases me more than, I've been everywhere with, and Home is when I'm alone with; YOU.

5. Dave Matthews Band: Crash
~The song is just hot and so are you.

6. Colbie Caillat: Bubbly
~You make me feel this way.
7. Michael Buble: Haven't Met You Yet
~I remember watching this video right when we met, and thinking: How many times were we just an aisle in the grocery store or a room in the coffee shop away, while living a block away from each other!?

8. Adele: Someone Like You
~Because I know all the girls that lost you are wishing they just might be lucky to find someone like you. But I got you. Lucky me! <3 <3 <3

9. Stevie Wonder: You Are the Apple of my Eye
~I think of my parents every time I hear this song, and I am reminded of how strong our love is because of those before us that showed us the way. Forever you'll stay in my soul.

10. Ellie Golding: Your Song
~We heard her version on that night. Yeah, you remember. <3


So that's my playlist....for my love. I liked this challenge. Reminders of our love. Those are always good. I am sure he can think of more. ^_^ Sorry if I forgot a few that were more meaningful.

Just a few more days! I think I can, I think I can! 

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 23

Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.

Getting towards the end of this challenge...it has been fun, but I really am missing posting some recipes and things I've found. I think next time I blog a challenge it needs to be more along the lines of things I would normally do.. but OK. Here I go!

When someone is talking about something they wish they had done in their life, it reminds me of an older person talking to a young'un reminiscing and encouraging the young person to be sure and follow their dreams. So let's get this straight: I'm not an old person, and I know I have lived quite suitably for a person my age and seen and have done a lot. I am not complaining about what I wish I've done and in any way remorseful of my choices or decisions. They have put me in a wonderful place and I would not want to be anywhere else right now. I love my life.

So I'm not wishing for a different place, or a different experience, no. That would mean I would not be sitting here in my favorite coffee shop with the love of my life and maybe more. It would mean I wouldn't have a sweet child that, while the pains of birth were not my own to know yet, but the joys and challenges of parenting are a wonderful experience I've been given the pleasure of knowing.

Something I do wish I had done...I've lived in another country, I've learned another language and have knowledge of a couple more. I've had good relationships and bad ones. I've had family issues to work through, and I've had the typical experiences I think make us human. Joys and fears, loves and losses, heartache and exuberance, sorrow and lust...I've worked hard and hardly at all. I've studied to ace an exam and learned the perils of failing. I've picked myself up from the depths of despair and learned to create an endless light in my life to keep me going. Romance, longing, travel, hermititude, partying....gosh. The more I think about it the more experienced I feel. So if I were to be at the end of my life and look back on the whole of my experiences...I would feel pretty fulfilled. The one thing I wish I would have done is journal more.

I recently found a few journals from when I was a bit younger. I'm still young. I know that...but it was so interesting to see my thoughts from times when it is hard to remember the daily occurrences. Hearing me talk about my friends and my family, about what made me happy then and my hopes for the future. Seeing a different person in the books of my life altogether.

So that is my one thing I wish. I wish wholeheartedly that I had written more of my memories down. I have a few from when I was in Fourth grade, more from middle school and many from high school. But college, it was rare for me to make time to journal. Maybe I can find my old stuff from myspace and facebook and make some sort of journal from that. I wasn't always as positive as I am now. I wasn't always the optimist, nor the happy-go-lucky gal I feel I am now. But one thing that rings true in my current life experience is that I've always enjoyed writing, poetry and prose. And the other thing that is still true is I think no one is ever really going to read any of my stuff either. Haha. One of my first poems I found written in my 8th grader writing, scratched out, and written in my 9th grader handwriting "Yuk! No one wants to read this!"

haha...Oh old self...current self understands. And loves your honesty. Thanks for the *cough* encouragement. Tee hee.

Thanks for reading- I'd love to see if anyone else is willing to do, or has done this challenge. Leave me a message with your thoughts! <3

<3 <3 <3 Cassie Stone
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 22

Day 22: Something You Wish You Hadn’t Done In Your Life

I like to say that everything happens for a reason, and if something terrible does happen there is something to be learned from it. BUT... IF I had a wish and that wish was to take something back in my life I think it would be a moment of weakness on my part.

I had just broken up with my boyfriend of twoish years (he was a big lying, manipulative, controlling, cheating....I should have broken it off at the lying part...ti name a few of his attributes) Well I had just broken it off, and he ended up convincing me to go on one last little trip with him since we had it planned already. It was just for a day and I figured I could at least flirt with some hotties there. I know. Bad.

Well, against my better judgement I went. With a few ground rules. We weren't supposed to hang out with his friends (since they knew he was a scummy guy and helped cover his lies) we weren't there as b/f & g/f, and if we did see any of his friends we were supposed to say hi and move on. Well, of course...we ran into some of his friends and ended up hanging out with them. I was spitting mad, and made him take me home.

As we were leaving this big car show- an idiot driver tried to pull a u-turn in front of us and we tboned his big dual-lie truck going 50 miles an hour.

I ended up with a terrible concussion, a broken nose and many bruised bones (the doctor couldn't believe I didn't have more broken bones)

I missed so much work and it affected my classes quite a bit. I still wish I could take that day back. For months if I over did it I would have a nose bleed and I had such terribly swelling and bruising and cuts that I looked like a Klingon Clown with Down-syndrome for quite a while. Not to mention I couldn't wear a shirt or sweater that had to be pulled over my head for 6 or 7 months unless I wanted a nosebleed.

Of course the one thing I learned from that experience is that anybody who tells you and YES I QUOTE: "Your face is broken, not your arms and legs" in response to you asking for help with some laundry because you are in so much pain you can't even cry or sit up in bed without hyperventilating and having blood spewing grotesquely from your nose...is not somebody you want to waste your time and energy on.

Of course I did get a nice study abroad experience from the settlement from the jerk that hit us. The nice officer/sheriff that was at the scene, and witnessed the whole thing wrote him quite a few hefty tickets that proved his guilt in the matter. Thank goodness. And that trip showed me there were plenty of nicer fish in the sea!

So yea. That is definitely a day/experience/thing I wish I hadn't done in my life. Maybe I should sum it up with that set-up that first introduced me to him. Ugh.