I still love Buckeyes...the candy that is

One Saturday afternoon phone call. One sunny Saturday in January...

My home number happens to be linked to a now defunct (at least I believe it to be) Amusement Vendor/Contractor. I receive many calls on a daily (sometimes), weekly (usually), monthly (always) basis. Calls range from renting a dunking machine to replacement parts for Laughing Sal...the latter was a message left today by a man named "Bob."

I listened to his message. I shook my head. The words played over in my head just like they normally do..."I am not an Amusement vendor, no Laughing Sal here, and no I'm not calling you back..." at this point I normally delete the phone call from my voice-mail and listen to the next. Today I didn't delete, I left it. I went on to listen to message number two. Once again "Bob" in search of his Laughing Sal parts. So I thought; wow this guy must be adamant, he really wants to revamp this Laughing Sal! I went on to message number three. Not Bob, thankfully. I left the message on the VM and went about my business. I could not help but think of this guy Bob and his message. "Maybe I should call him back," "he really sounded like this Laughing Sal thing is a big deal." So what did I do? I decided to look up this Laughing Sal guy, from Santa Cruz beach. THIS is what I found!

Oh boy-If you know me and the enjoyment I get from Antiquing and weird quirky things- (e.g.The love of the "Talking Christmas Tree" from the old LS Goods in Wheeling, W.Va.) well you know I probably watched this video several times over AND I called Bob! Someone needs to save Sal, or Bob because he needs info on Sal! So I dialed (push buttoned) the number. Here goes nothing...

Ring...Ring...Me:"Hello? Bob?...Hi, my name is Michele, you called about replacement parts for Laughing Sal?" HA! Did I really just call a guy to tell him he had the wrong number? Yes I did! I felt bad for him and Laughing Sal. My conversation with this guy lasted 20 minutes. I had no forwarding information to give him just a genuine;I'm sorry I don't think the company you are trying to reach is in business anymore. I went on and explained that I never call anyone back normally but in this case I just felt like I should, otherwise I may hear from him again and frankly I felt bad for the guy (and Laughing Sal). He thanked me for the phone call and I replied with the usual- no problem. I mentioned I was in Ohio and I hoped that there was someone in California that could help him in his quest for replacement parts.

Bob then questioned back "You are from Ohio?" I said "Yes Sir that is correct, I'm from Ohio" What I heard next left me laughing like Sal. Bob said; "I'm not from California, I'm actually from Oregon and do you know what people from Oregon think of People from Ohio right now?"  In all of my sarcastic manner I replied "That we are National Champions and your Ducks are not?" Bob, laughed...thankfully. I went on to assure Bob that I was not really a Buckeye fan (not a hater, just not exactly a die-hard buckeye fan). Bob was actually an Oregon State Beaver. I added; "I still love my Buckeyes, the candy that is!" Little did I realize yet another turn in the conversation. Bob: "So what exactly is a Buckeye?" Me: "It is a nut that grows inside of a soft shell on a Buckeye tree." Bob:"So you have Buckeye Orchards? Are these nuts edible?" He then explained how Oregon is famous for their Hazelnuts and that they have Hazelnut (Filbert) orchards in the state of Oregon. OH MY...lol. Me: "No Bob we have Apple Orchards not Buckeye Orchards, I'm afraid you can not actually eat a buckeye, the buckeye I am referring to is a peanut butter candy with a chocolate coating made to resemble a Buckeye nut." Wow did I really just call a guy to tell him he had the wrong number and end up explaining to him what a Buckeye was? Yes that is correct, I did. Bob: "Well thank you for clearing that all up for me." Apparently,it was quite the issue between he and his friends during the game. Me: "Well Bob if you would like to give me your address I will gladly send you a buckeye (a real one, from Ohio)." Bob laughed and said "no, no, no-but I do have a story to tell to my friends and I will tell them I met a real Buckeye over the phone and I do have to say a really nice one at that!" Me: "Well thank you Bob. I'm glad I could be of some help to you today. Good luck on your Laughing Sal restoration, take care." Bob: "Thank you, I really appreciate you calling me." 

Funny the way two people, states apart, who will never meet each other (possibly), can make an odd connection all because one had the wrong number. 

For all curious non-Ohioans reading this...Brutus the Buckeye (mascot for The Ohio State Buckeyes)

and the real Buckeye "nut" and if  I was a an OSU fan I would conclude with GO BUCKS! But I'm not so...GOD BLESS! :)

Clean (out the clutter) in 2015

CLEAN in 2015

Two weeks into 2015 and I am cleaning out the clutter in my home and in my life. I'm in dreary Ohio and quite frankly January can be quite cloudy, cold and depressing! I spend most of this grey month catching up on a bunch of nothing...that is code for watching TV. Although January brings a new year it also brings new episodes of must see TV to the screen like-THE Bachelor (yawn-bad TV at it's finest-great name for my next blog...stay tuned for that one) and a new season of  my new favorite show Fixer Upper on HGTV. 

I seriously can't get enough of this show, http://magnoliahomes.net/ look it up. It has inspired me to get clean in 2015! I am filling garbage bags full of clutter. I am overwhelming myself daily with new projects. I want to sell my beloved, fairly new, 10 year old home and buy a "fixer upper." I want Joanna to decorate with me. I have so many projects for Chip (ahem Kevin) to complete. Seriously I love this show, their fresh style, their light-hearted humor, their adorable family and their bright personalities. Ok, ok I know I am totally gushing and I only know them from a big rectangular box I see them on once a week. They are that influential on me. 

I have a Home project to-do list that I started and it just keeps getting longer every episode I watch. This could be a real problem. So, I guess I should really get to work. Maybe I will start small. Conquering one messy room at a time. I will (try and) blog my Journey. 

I will you leave you with this little excerpt from Joanna's blog-

With all the busyness, why not simplify in the home? Let your rooms breathe, and let your mind rest.

LOVE!

Happy New Year! My first project-to re-create this look in my own living room :)

Yummy Guacamole Dip and more

Avocado, avocado and more avocado...I love this SUPERFOOD!

I have recently had a love affair (in the food sense) Yes I admit it, I love food! Food is love...

This recent obsession of mine is blowing out of proportion. It's so good I feel the need to share it! Shouting to the rooftops I LOVE AVOCADO! I can't get enough!

I was once intimidated by this so called super food. I usually topped off my Chipotle Vegetarian Taco with it and thought I could never recreate a Guacamole that could live up to the Chipotle kind. Well I don't think that anymore! In fact Chipotle who? Yes it is that good!

Ingredients:

3 ripe (key word ripe, must be a little soft to touch) avocados; cut; take out seed;spoon out pulp

Guacamole dip mix-in this case I used Ortega (you can make your own with spices but I like to make my life easy :)

2 Roma Tomatoes, cut up (again personal preference, I have also used a can of Ro-Tel)

A few drops of lemon juice

Using a fork mash avocado; mix in dip mix; add tomato and a few drops of lemon juice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and it is good to go as a dip. Now this is a Guacamole dip...but really it's not, it is in fact so much more. I use it a base like mayonnaise on just about everything right now. Tuna salad? No problem just add a little vinegar or even a spoonful of mayo for extra flavor and Tuna and viola Tuna salad! Egg Salad? Chicken Salad? Pasta Salad? I'm telling you it's a love affair I just can't shake! I'm so intrigued by it I just can't stop. I think I may have to try and grow my own avocado tree...for my next blog...

Semi-Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

I like to call this my semi homemade Chicken Pot Pie-really none of it is homemade but no one needs to know that ;)

1. A can of Chicken pot pie soup (Campbells and Progresso sells this variety)

2. Add a bag of mixed veggies (frozen, but I microwave them to know they are cooked) mix them together in a bowl.

3. Pour into a soup crock

4. Top off with biscuit dough (I use whatever I have Loveless cafe, Bisquick, Jiffy, Pillsbury)

5. Bake at 350 until the biscuit is done soup is normally bubbling around the side.
Serve with salad for a delicious easy meal with a cute presentation.

Easiest dessert you will ever make TWO ingredient dessert!

Okay so you think you can't bake anything? Think again...

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cake mix and pie filling together in a large mixing bowl
2. Spread mixture into greased 9x13 baking dish.
3. Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden.
4. Top with powdered sugar

You are welcome!

I will let you in on a secret:

If you combine cake mix (Devils food and Spice work best) and a 15 oz. can pumpkin pie filling bake according to package directions you will have one of the tastiest low cal desserts ever! They come out more like a dense muffin or even cookie, but you can also make as a cake. Two thumbs up!

AND another...Cake Mix and A cup of plain greek yogurt
Directions:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cake mix with yogurt in a large bowl and add 1 cup water. Whisk thoroughly and pour into a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray; bake in the oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. (Refer to cake-mix box for pan size and approximate bake time.)

YUM!

Burlap Wreaths for any occasion

Well ever wonder how to make those awesome looking expensive burlap wreaths?  Well it's not that hard. I buy a wire wreath from the craft store as my base (if you are lucky the Dollar stores sometimes carry them if not they run about $3) and "stuff" it with the Burlap (rolls at Walmart $3 Depending on the size of the wire frame, I use 2-3 rolls for each wreath). I have seen it done many ways thanks to you tube. I don't have a true method other than stuff, twist and secure every so often around the wire frame. I secure using floral wire. You can also tie the burlap onto the wire frame. I use coordinating ribbon cut to desired length to fill and personalize the wreath. In these two the top picture is a fall wreath adorned with acorns and fall leaves. The  bottom was yet another housewarming gift for my daughter in her new home. Vintage keys were secured simply by using twine. The Chalkboard is clipped on to the wreath.

DIY drink coasters

Shopping with my girls I stumbled upon these cute little Ohio stickers. I had no idea what I would do with them, but I bought them anyway. Months later my middle child flew the nest and I just could not help but make her a few little housewarming gifts. One being drink coasters, with none other than those cool little Ohio stickers. I simply modge-podged them to plain glass coasters. She is a graduate of Ohio University so it was fitting that she can look at these coasters and be reminded of her roots. I took it one step further and traced the state of Ohio to Green felt and made two additional coasters in Bobact green :)

A gift when someone loses a loved one

Not all occasions are Merry. I like to think of funerals as "celebrating life." Hope, that someday we will be reunited with that loved one someday by the Grace of God. It brings me comfort. I came up with this idea when we lost my Mother-in Law and a kind friend gave me a garden ornament. I took it one step further and began adding a gift of plant life (bulbs in the flower form). Depending on the time of year the flower can be different. You can even choose a small tree, or peace lily and such. In this particular case I gave daffodils, springtime, The "Hope" garden ornament is on a small shepherd hook to display year round in the garden. I chose a scripture verse to accompany. The recipient can plant the bulbs (tree) in the garden and be reminded of the loss loved one every year when they come up in the garden. Or in the case of an indoor peace lily when it blooms. It just brings Hope of New Life :) Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Family Dollar and many other stores carry these types of Garden ornaments from crosses to stars and such.

Pete the Cat felt playboard

Ahhh Pete the Cat. Love this little cat. I made this for my great nephew. I was sending the book in the mail to him and could not help but make him this little felt board for story play. I searched the internet for a template to trace. I realized my printer was down so ended up just drawing him, not hard at all. I went through the book and coordinated the felt "lunch" you can use what ever you would like from the books you choose to personalize. I sent it all in a ziploc bag. with the book. If your children or daycare kids or classroom kids who love this little cat you could add this to everyday play. Felt boards were one of my kids favorite when they were small.

NO-Sew easy deer pilow

Pillow fun. No-sew easy peasy deer pillow. As much as I would like to take claim that I actually sewed each pillow. I would be lying if I did. I bought these pillow covers from my local Hobby Lobby about $3 for each one. If you check their adds they often have 50% pillow forms and pillow covers. They carry a variety to chose from at many different prices. I choose neutral. Next I picked coordinating flannel fabric (one yard is plenty for four pillows) to be my subject.

Step 1: Use fusible webbing (bought by the roll at any craft dept.) and ironed it to the flannel. Follow the directions of the webbing it is quite simple.

Step 2: Place the wrong side of fabric against the webbing and iron it. Ironing the paper side I use a flour sack towel (to keep from scorching) on top of the paper. Let it cool.

Step 3: Cut out subject (the deer and trees).  I used a cardboard template of a deer and the trees. I traced that onto the paper backing of the fusible webbing.

Step 4: Peel away paper backing and then place where you would like on the pillow cover.

Step 5: Iron it to the pillow cover. I like to put cardboard inside the pillow cover to keep from adhering to the other side of pillow cover.  At this point if you want to keep it a no sew project you can be done and stuff with a coordinating pillow form and put on display in your own home or give as a gift.

Step 6: If you want you can sew the outer edge of the flannel to the pillow cover. I chose not to but have done so in the past for durability.

Step 7: If you look closely the deer are sporting jingle bells. I hand sewed those to the pillow cover. I loved the look and it is simple you can use anything from buttons to bells :)

Again this is another one where the ideas are endless. Snowflake template, flower template, a cross...happy crafting!

Banana Bread gifts

Banana Bread gifts made in mini loaf crock pan. I do have to say, these were one of my favorite little things to give out this past Christmas. Instead of giving the typical cookie plate to neighbor and friends, I whipped up these lil cuties in no time. I paid $1-$2 for each loaf pan. I whipped up my favorite banana bread recipe but doubled it and made 8 crocks. If you are feeling lazy (or crunched for time or ingredients) just buy two boxes of banana bread (or use your favorite pumpkin, cinnamon,  etc.) and add ingredients. If you are not a baker just buy Pillsbury refrigerated bread dough, really it works just do not over fill. Pour or place into greased (I like to use canola spray) loaf pan. Fill loaf pan less than half full. Bake according to directions (usually 25-30 minutes) Just test for done-ness with knife/toothpick. I wrapped mine in cellophane bags tied off with the twisty tie provided with the bags (25 for $1 at Dollar Tree). I added red yarn to make a bow. And there you go a gift for many occasions not just Christmas!

Rainy Days and Mondays off...a good time to blog!

A half a year has almost passed by and I feel like I need to catch up, and start blogging again. So here goes...

I don't claim to ever be a writer. In fact I started this blog (in 2007 prior to Pinterest boards, I should have started that ;) because quite frankly, I just love to craft, and make many things. I wanted to share how I did it. I enjoy throwing parties and sometimes it just too cute not to share. I am an entrepreneur at heart, my motto: "I can make that!"  So today is BLOG catch up day. You will notice I seem to do that a lot! Most of my posts are done in one day. If you have ever shopped in a store with me, you know how many things I plan to make :) I love God, love my family and love my friends and making "merry memories"-get it the name of my blog... Merry Memories!  If you are still reading this and interested in my little love of crafting, baking, cooking, partying, gift giving and so on...well just want to give you a genuine "thank you" for stopping by and visiting. Hope you come back.