No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins

October 10, 2019 By Linda 9 Comments

No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins – Glam Pumpkin Craft Idea.

No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins - Rhinestones on Pumpkins - Bling Pumpkins - Glam Pumpkins - Painted Pumpkins.

My front porch is sad. And empty.

It’s naked.

I really, really want to decorate it. I really, really want to put my terracotta pumpkins out there. I really, really want to purchase some unique pumpkins in various colors, sizes and shapes from Trader Joe’s. Along with some mums.

But I’ve been holding out.

And now the neighbors are showing me up. Big time. They’ve pulled out their A game this year …

You see, I decided early in the summer that this is the year I’d give my porch a refreshing coat of paint.

It’s chipping. And looking pretty run down.

But as the summer progressed, I progressively came up with excuse after excuse of why I need to wait until next week to paint it.

It was too hot.

It was too rainy.

It was too close to our vacation and I didn’t want to potentially leave the project half finished.

It was too close to taking Molly to college and I was distracted with all that entailed.

It was too expensive so I’ll just wait for a Sherwin Williams sale/coupon.

And next week turned into months …

… and eventually a whole new season!

All too soon my next week excuses will include a) it’s too cold and; b) it’s snowing!

But I’m going to be totally serious here: NEXT WEEK I’ll be painting that front porch.

And when it’s dry, I’ll be decorating the bejeezes out of it!

Watch out neighbors.

In the meanwhile, I’ve been having some no carve pumpkin fun. Remember those little orange pumpkins I used for my orange, black and white table setting (see here). I decided to dress them up with some crystals, pearls and roses …

How to Make No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins

Materials*

Pumpkins (found mine at the grocery store)

Paint – White, Off White/Cream, Gray – I used Rustoleum Chalked Paint

Stick-on Rhinestones

Stick-on Pearls

Mini Ribbon Satin Bows

Small White Beads

Glue Gun

Tweezers

*includes some affiliate links.

Tape stems and give your pumpkins two coats of paint. I used chalk paint because a) I like the matte finish and; b) it dries quickly!

Remove tape. At this point I was going to spray them with matte sealant but I forgot. Ah well. Since these pumpkins are real, they’ll be tossed soon!

Grab your stick-on rhinestones …

and start sticking on! I just eyeballed spacing.

The Jersey in my is loving the glam!

Now grab those stick-on pearls …

and start sticking on!

Reminds me of my pearl necklace!

Which reminds me, when is that cardigan and pearls style trend coming back? I think it’s time for a revival!

Next up are the silk mini roses and pearls. I used to sew these onto the collars of onesies for my nieces to dress them up!

You need a hot glue to apply these.

For the little pearls, I used hot glue and tweezers to affix them.

I then I need to do a little paint touch up!

So cute!

If only these were waterproof, I could put them on the soon-to-be-painted-next-week-pinky-swear front porch and really razzle dazzle my neighbors!

🙂

Pin It!

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Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral

October 8, 2019 By Linda 14 Comments

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral – Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas.

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral - Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea - Pumpkin Centerpiece Idea - Pumpkin Table Setting Idea

The weekend before last I returned to New Jersey.

Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea - Pumpkin Centerpiece Idea - Pumpkin Table Setting Idea - Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral -

And, yes, I can hear your moans and groans about New Jersey. The snarky “poor you.” And the “why would you?”

But can I defend my birth state for a minute here?

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral - Thanksgiving Table Setting

Sure, Jersey conjures images of the stinky New Jersey Turnpike. Or crime-addled Newark. Or those Jersey Shore folks from MTV (who, by the way, are not from New Jersey!)

But New Jersey actually has some really, really pretty parts.

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral -

Stop laughing!

Jute Pumpkin DIY - Jute Crafts for Fall - Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral - Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea - Pumpkin Centerpiece Idea - Pumpkin Table Setting Idea

Our adventure began at Newark Airport. It’s quadrupled in size since I last flew in/out of that airport. And stepping off the plane onto one of the new concourses was mind melding.

Seriously.

I thought we may have landed in Tokyo. Or Singapore.

The concourse was super, duper high tech. Tables with iPads at each and every seat replaced the traditional benches you typically see outside gates. The center of the concourse was a giant bar/restaurant with an iPad at each chair.

Did I mention it was mind melding?

You could use the iPads to order food. Or drinks. Or go online. Or shop. Or, or, or …

a hundred other things you could explore based on all the apps loaded on each one.

After we finally figured out (with some airport personnel assistance) how to find the rental car, we hit the road.

And it didn’t take long … as we headed north west to the destination of my niece’s wedding … for me to realize that New Jersey is actually pretty lush.

Lush!

Seriously, stop laughing!

Living in the Midwest for so many years I’ve become accustomed to everything being flat. But New Jersey? Well, at least the northwestern part of New Jersey is hilly. And lakey …

yes, I said lakey as in we were in a region with lake communities.

On the afternoon before the wedding, we joined my sister and her husband for at a lovely (and very Pinteresty) lakeside restaurant. The day was gorgeous. The views spectacular. Yes, the views in New Jersey were spectacular …

I can still hear you snicker …

and the wedding was beautiful. A Pinterest dream. At a remote historic site with multiple barn-esque structures for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.

The bride was beautiful. The groom beamed. And my brother (the father of the bride) was filled with such pride and joy!

And me?

It was so wonderful to reconnect with my family — all together in a single space — after such a long time apart.

And it was wonderful to reconnect with my birth state and remember that New Jersey has some really beautiful parts.

Oh, and we actually caught some early fall foliage in those lakeside towns.

Beautiful!

You can stop laughing now. 🙂

Pin It!

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October in the City

October 5, 2019 By Linda 14 Comments

Fall Front Porch with Pumpkins and Mums – Chicago Front Porch for Halloween.

It’s the first Saturday of the month and you know what that means …

okay, so you probably don’t know what that means since it’s only the second month I’m participating in this blog hop.

But for future months it means it’s time to for me and some of my blogging friends to get all warm and fuzzy for the upcoming month by sharing … well … things that make us warm and fuzzy about the upcoming month! It’s part of a Cozy Living series organized by the fabulous Jennifer at Town & Country Living. You’ll find the links to my fellow Cozy Living bloggers at the end of the post.

There are some years when October is right up there as one of my favorite months of the year: those years when October delivers the most amazing Indian Summer. Perfect crisp-but-not-too-cold temperatures requiring only a light jacket or sweater or hoodie. A month when you can swing open the windows and let all that fresh (city of Chicago) air inside!

And then there are the years when October does me wrong. When it’s day after day of gray skies and rain. When light coats and sweaters are covered by heavier waterproof jackets and rain boots.

But either way … whichever October decides to show up … my all time favorite part of this month is dressing up the front porch for Halloween!

And I gotta tell you, Chicagoans takes dressing up their front porches for Halloween super seriously.

Olympic level serious.

Some with much bigger displays than any Christmas lights show.

Some go super, duper spooky.

Some go super, duper cutsie.

And some (like me) some try to strike a balance in-between.

I’ve changed things up over the years (though the mums & pumpkins combo on the steps has pretty much remained a staple). Like back in 2012 when I had bats flying across the door.

More recently, at my daughter’s insistence — I’m thinking she’s siding with the super duper spooky folks — we’ve recently added some skeletons to the mix.

Our front yard was pure dirt last October (thankfully there is some nice lush grown-from-seed grass out there now). But last year we placed the bones in the yard, and after a few heavy rainfalls, the skeleton looked like it was just unearthed …

and ready for an episode of Bones! 🙂

Be sure to visit my Cozy Living blogging friends to find out what gives them the warm and fuzzies in October!

Duke Manor Farm / Creative Cain Cabin / Sincerely Marie Designs / Town and Country Living

Vinyet Etc. / Finding Silver Pennies / Hymns and Verses / It All Started with Paint

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars

October 3, 2019 By Linda 8 Comments

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars – Jute Mason Jar DIY.

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars - Jute Wrapped Mason Jars - Mason Jar Crafts for Fall - Easy Fall Crafts - Twine Craft Ideas - Jute Craft Ideas

I’ve adopted a new mantra this year: K.I.S.S.

And, no, I’m not talking about the crazy costumed and make-upped 70’s metal band.

I’m talking Keep. It. Simple. Stupid.

And the Stupid is me … not you. Not ever, my dear readers! My wonderful, smart friends!

It’s a reminder to me (the Stupid in K.I.S.S., that is) to stop overthinking and over-complicating things. Because I can be the queen of overthinking and over-complicating things …

In fact, this whole blog started with my overthinking and over-complicating. With paint chips that were taped to wall for months … okay, years … on end as I contemplated the subtle differences between four shades of sage green.

Yes, sage. That’s how old this blog is. Sage was still around. Albeit, on the way out. But still around!

And every project I contemplated (back in time before Pinterest) included notebooks with pages ripped from magazines. And those pages would linger in those notebooks for so long that when I would revisit to add yet another ripped out magazine page, I couldn’t remember what it was I liked in those older ripped out pages!

Sigh.

But I’m done with my drag-my-heels-overthink-over-complicate-things approach to home decor and diy … and even crafts. Yes, I overthink crafts!

Hot glue vs. Mod Podge? Paint brush or Spray paint? Sew it or hot glue it?

Okay, maybe I’m not 100% done overthinking. More like 95%. 😉

Today’s twine wrapped mason jars is the epitome of K.I.S.S. In fact, this project is so K.I.S.S. that I debated if I should even create a tutorial …

How To Make Twine Wrapped Mason Jars

Materials*

Regular Mouth Quart (32 oz.) Mason Jars

Jute Twine

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors

*includes some affiliate links.

Start with a dab of hot glue.

Add end of twine to hot glue. Press down (but be careful! Don’t burn your fingers).

How To Make Twine Wrapped Mason Jars DIY - Easy Mason Jar Craft for Fall

Keep wrapping twine around the jar. About half way through, add another dab of hot glue.

Press in place. Carefully!

Keep wrapping until done.

Add dab of hot glue.

Cut twine and press in place.

And you’re done!

See? Super duper K.I.S.S. 🙂

Pin It!

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars - Jute Wrapped Mason Jar Craft - Fall Crafts with Mason Jars - Easy Fall Crafts - Twine Craft Ideas - Jute Craft Ideas

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Mexican Taco(less) Buddha Bowl

October 1, 2019 By Linda 3 Comments

Mexican Taco(less) Buddha Bowl – Mexican Salad Recipe.

Mexican Taco(less) Buddha Bowl - Taco Salad Recipe Ideas - Mexican Buddha Bowl - Brown Rice and Beans Buddha Bowl Recipe Ideas

This is the salad that started it all.

My obsession with the Buddha bowl.

My obsession with eating everything out of a bowls (how did I not know how wonderful eating from a bowl could be?).

My obsession with trying to eat a plant-based diet.

This Mexican Taco(less) Buddha Bowl is where it all started …

and it’s now my go to lunch. Or dinner.

I don’t even have to stop and think about what I need to make this. Because I always have the ingredients on hand.

Lettuce. Check.

Brown rice. Check.

Canned black beans. Check.

The most delicious and sweetest cherry tomatoes in the world. Check.

Onions. Check.

Cilantro. Check.

Frozen corn. Check.

Avocados. Absolutely check!

And as much as I enjoy the final product (can you say eat the rainbow), I equally enjoy the process of putting it all together.

I find it relaxing as I slice and dice and chop and squeeze and toss and mix …

And then carefully arrange my rainbow plant-based Buddha Bowl so everything has it’s own place.

So when I eat my lunch I can grab a little of this and a little of that and so on and so on to create that perfect blended bite that has a bit of everything on the fork.

Yum!

Print Recipe

Mexican Taco(less) Buddha Bowl Salad

Course: Salad

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1-2 cups lettuce
3/4 cup brown rice, cooked
1 cup frozen corn (heated)
1/2 cup black beans (rinsed, drained & warmed)
1-2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 large avacado
1/4 cup onions, chopped
3-4 small limes
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Chop or shred lettuce and add to bowl. Squeeze juice of 1/2 small lime and sprinkle with tsp of cilantro. Toss together.
Halve cherry tomatoes. Mix with chopped onions and 1 tbsp of cilantro. Squeeze juice of 1/2 lime over and mix.
Add brown rice to side of bowl. Squeeze with juice of 1/4 lime and sprinkle with tsp of cilantro.
Heat corn in microwave (or on stove top) and add to side of bowl.
Rinse and drain black beans. Heat 1/2 cup in microwave (or stove top). Squeeze juice of 1/4 lime on top. Add some chopped onion and cilantro. Mix. Add to bowl.
Add tomato-onion-cilantro mixture to center of bowl.
Slice 1/2 avocado (you can cube also). Squeeze juice of 1/4 slice of lime on top. Add to bowl.
Squeeze juice of 1/2 – whole lime on top of bowl.
Top with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro.

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Jute Twine Pumpkins

September 26, 2019 By Linda 4 Comments

Jute Twine Pumpkins – No Carve Pumpkin Craft Ideas.

Jute Twine Pumpkins - No Carve Pumpkin Ideas - Fall Craft Ideas Using Jute - Fall Craft Ideas for Pumpkins

Not that I’m counting — I’m soooo 1000% counting! — but this is my sixth craft project using what I already have at home.

I’m so amazed at myself!

And, yes, I’m 1000% patting myself on the back!

I seriously didn’t think I could keep this up. That after a project or two I would ultimately give in and dash off to the craft store. But no. I’m really pulling this off.

And, yes, I’m 1000% humble bragging!

Total aside, I’m seriously saving so much in gas money too!

But aren’t these little jute twine pumpkins just glorious?

And when was the last time I ever used the word glorious on this blog? I’m thinking 1000% never.

I’ve been watching some YouTube videos (and when I say watching, I mean binging) of a travel Vlog from a couple who live in Wales. And they generously use the word glorious.

And lush.

And posh.

And delightful.

And I 1000% love all those words and need to incorporate them into my vocabulary. Stat.

In the meanwhile, I’ll just share how you can make your very own delightful, glorious, lush and posh jute twine pumpkins.

And they’re 1000% easy to make!

How To Make Jute Twine Pumpkins

Materials*

Jute Twine

Ruler or Yardstick

Tape

Scissors

*includes some affiliate links.

How To Make Twine Pumpkins - DIY Jute Pumpkins - Fall Craft Ideas with Twine - Fall Craft Ideas with Jute

Cut a length of twine that is slightly larger than 12″

Tape down both ends to ruler.

Tape a new length of twine to ruler (I didn’t cut this piece and just un-spooled as needed from the twine spool).

Wrap twine around the ruler (not too tight or it will be impossible to remove from ruler!).

Continue to wrap until you have a little over 9″

Gently remove from ruler (make sure to first untape all ends and to keep hold of the original 12+ inch length of twine taped to both ends of the ruler.

Like so.

Tie a knot using the two ends of the original length of 12+ inches of twine. Pull tight.

Also tie a knot using the two loose ends of the twine used to wrap the ruler. Don’t pull too tight when knotting to keep the pumpkin “loops” a consistent size.

Use fingers to shape the pumpkin.

Find a stick in your front or back yards and cut a length for the stem.

Hot glue gun in place.

And you’re done!

The finished pumpkin – made using a ruler – measures about 2.75″ to 3″ in length.

I also made some using a yardstick. These little pumpkins measure about 3.5″ to 4″ in length.

I’m 1000% excited to dive into my craft stash to see what else I can make using what I have!

🙂

Pin It!

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Sock Vases

September 24, 2019 By Linda 3 Comments

Sock Vases – Sweater Vases.

Remember when sweater vases were all the rage?

No?

Well, I guess that’s not too surprising. Because if you weren’t living and breathing in the bubble that is home decor and crafting blogs, you probably missed it.

And if Anthropology or West Elm or Pottery Barn – or even Target – didn’t sell a line of cozy sweater wrapped vases, it probably never even entered your orbit.

Honestly, besides the few sweater vases I made for my home — using thrift store sweaters — I never, ever saw a sweater vase in the homes of friends and family.

But I’m thinking sock vases have the potential to catch on beyond the blogoverse.

I know what you’re thinking: There’s something about socks being elevated above your feet dwelling floor and placed atop your table tops that makes you go eew. I get it. That whole stinky feet/stinky socks thing is extremely unappealing.

As an aside, I can assure you these socks were fully laundered before cozying up to those vases.

But hold on a minute. Here me out …

First, who among us doesn’t have a missing sock or two? Who among us hasn’t lost a sock or two while doing laundry?

And where in the world do those missing socks go?

Then you’re left standing there with one sock that doesn’t match any other. And unless you’re Dobby — or my daughter — most people want socks that match.

So what are you suppose to do with that single sock?

Second, what about this scenario: holes in socks. Are you suppose to keep wearing that sock with a giant hole in it’s heel? Or are you just suppose to toss them to languish in a landfill (along with that single sock)?

Ah, see. You didn’t even see the environmental side to this project. It’s my own personal Green New Deal idea. 🙂

Seriously. This idea might just be genius! Two bird in a hand level genius.

P.S. Can we also take a moment to admire those little white pumpkins on sticks?

Aren’t they just the cutest? I’m not even sure what they’re made of but they look like felted wool.

And guess where I found them?

In my grocery store’s floral section! Just $4.99 for a bunch of four.

Score!

🙂

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Fall Table Setting in Orange, Black & White

September 19, 2019 By Linda 8 Comments

Fall Table Setting in Orange, Black & White – Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas.

Fall Table Setting in Orange, Black & White - Black White Striped Table Runner - Pumpkins, Orange Napkins, White Plates, Gold Flatware

I’ve spent the past year or so de-saturating my house. Stripping it of contrast and color.

I’ve said goodbye to the navy walls (which I loved, by the way) and hello to a soothing gray/greige.

I’ve made dozens of envelope pillow colors in various shades of gray, greige & white (see tutorial here).

The bold navy & blue rug was replaced with a natural jute.

And while I’m loving this more calming, brighter neutral palate inside …

I sometimes find myself craving a little color.

And contrast.

And orange!

I mean, if you’ve been around from the beginning it all sorta started with orange when I slathered my son’s favorite color all over his bedroom walls (remember that post from 2012 which you can find here …)

As an aside, those photos make me cringe! If I do say so myself, the quality of my photography has greatly improved over those 7+ years.

So what better way — and what better time of year — to have my cake and eat it too with a celebration of Fall …

with a Fall table setting in orange, black & white!

I mean, Fall is all about the color. And the contrast.

My apologies for the 10,000 photos in this post! I just kept re-shooting the table at different times of the day to capture the right colors.

And contrast! 🙂

P.S. I feel like I missed a funny punny opportunity to play off the whole orange is the new black thing in this post!

Pin It!

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Fabric Pumpkins

September 17, 2019 By Linda 9 Comments

Fabric Pumpkins – Neutral Gray, White Stuffed Pumpkin DIY.

Fabric Pumpkins -Stuffed Pumpkins - DIY Fabric Pumpkins - How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Dear Michaels and JoAnn’s Fabric and Craft Stores,

I would like to extend my deepest apologies. Especially when you see a sudden and shocking drop in sales at your Clark Street (Michaels) and Elston (JoAnn’s) stores in Chicago.

You see, I’m on a mission to craft with what I (mostly) have. Because I’ve (mostly) gathered lots and lots of craft supplies over the years. From both of you. But, sadly, too many of those supplies that have remained dormant for years and years and years (as I explained here).

So when made that lofty statement a few weeks ago about how I’m going to refrain from running to the craft stores and first see what’s in my current stash of craft stuff, I figured I was setting myself up for an epic fail.

I mean, we are entering the height of craft and decorating season. Surely I would abandon that manifesto the first time I walked into Michaels and/or JoAnn’s and caught sight of all those fun, seasonal crafting goodies!

I mean, it assaults you the minute you walk in the door!

But I’ve been putting my blinders on. Aside from a quick peek at the dollar section, I traverse Michaels like a woman on a mission …

a mission to not buy anything that is NOT on the list.

To make this patch of fabric pumpkins, I had the fabric and burlap and thread and embroidery needle and thread left over from other projects (or potential projects that never quite came to be). But …. I did need to pick up one thing.

Batting.

I first toyed with deconstructing an out-of-use pillow from down in the basement to keep this project craft store shopping free. But I wasn’t sure what kind of batting (or what, for that matter) I would find inside those basement pillow.

Annnnnnd … I did have a 40% off coupon at Michaels. So it only cost me about $3.99.

Score!

Fabric Pumpkins -Gray White Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins - DIY Fabric Pumpkins - How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Not too shabby a price for this fun and easy(ish) to make fabric pumpkin patch!

How To Make Fabric Pumpkins Tutorial

How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins - Gray White Greige Fabric Pumpkins DIY

Start with a length of fabric (mine measures 7″ x 14″). Rule of thumb is length should be double the width. Iron out wrinkles.

Fold in half and pin right sides together.

Sew using a 1/4″ seam.

Press seam open.

Thread a large eyed needle (also known as needlepoint needle) with embroidery thread. I actually used string my daughter had to make friendship bracelets.

You’re not sewing the two halves together but instead making spaced out stitches all along the top opening.

Like so.

Then pull the thread to gather the fabric.

Like so.

Use the needle to stitch the two sides together. I gave it multiple stitches in multiple directions. Don’t worry about it looking messy.

Turn it inside out so that the good side of the fabric is on the outside now.

Add stuffing. Pack it pretty full, but leave about 1/4 of fabric on top edge.

Like with the bottom, use the embroidery needle and thread to make large stitches and gather the fabric as you go along.

Like so.

Use the embroidery needle and thread to stitch the top closed.

Now you’re going to take the needle and thread and stick it through the center of the pumpkin, and out the center of the bottom of the pumpkin. (Make sure you create a knot at the end of your thread).

I actually used pliers to pull the needle out of the bottom of the pumpkin.

Now you’ll take the string on the outside of the pumpkin and thread it through the top to the bottom again. Pull tight.

Repeat this process seven more times (giving you 8 pumpkin “slices” separated by thread). I first made two halves of the pumpkin. Then made even quarters. And finished with eighths.

Like so.

For the stem, I cut a length of burlap that measured a 1″ x 12.”

Roll tightly together.

Add hot glue to the end and press (be careful not to burn your fingers like I did!).

I also did some trimming of errant threads and to make sure the length worked for the pumpkin.

Fix the stem in place with hot glue.

Like so.

Rinse and repeat! 🙂

The smallest pumpkins used 5″ x 10″ lengths. The largest used 10″ x 20″ lengths.

I know sewing tutorials can be tough in picture form, but you can find a fabulous video tutorial at this link — though I skipped the whole cutting the fabric on the bias part.

Now I’m going to pat myself on the back for completing two projects using my fabric and craft supply stash! 🙂

Pin It!

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Sweet Potato Fries

September 10, 2019 By Linda 2 Comments

Sweet Potato Fries – Easy Recipe for Sweet Potato Fries.

Sweet Potato Fries - Recipe on how to make Sweet Potato Fries.

This past year has been all about the sweet potato. We can’t get enough.

And when I say we, I mean my daughter and I. The boys are not quite so enthused.

Before last September, sweet potatoes only made an appearance at Thanksgiving. In my mother’s candied sweet potato recipe slathered in so much butter and brown sugar to negate any and all health benefits of eating a vegetable.

But then …

well …

It all started with an eating disorder.

Thankfully my daughter recognized the problem and was open to help.

We both entered therapy … separately and together.

Part of my solo sessions revolved around how best I could encourage her to eat without nagging. Or pestering. Or monitoring what she ate.

It was a challenge.

But she was at least open to eating a healthy dinner, which was the one meal of the day I could control (for want of a better word).

But it needed to be simple. Homemade. Not too many ingredients. No hidden oils. Or fats. Or sauces. She needed to see an understand how it was made.

And that’s how we landed on the sweet potato fry.

I had purchased a plant based diet e-book earlier that summer and in it was a very simple sweet potato fry recipe.

So I made some for myself … and encouraged my daughter to try them too.

And she like them. A lot. So a we created a weekly meal that paired grilled chicken with a very generous portion of sweet potato fries, with a side of my homemade hummus.

This is her most asked for dinner. In fact, I peeled and sliced so many sweet potatoes over the past year that I have a permanent callous on my index finger from holding the knife!

Print Recipe

Sweet Potato Fries

Course: Side Dish

Ingredients

2 medium-large sweet potatoes
1 TBSP corn starch
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
1/2 tsp chopped cilantro (optional)
1/2 tsp sea salt
parchment paper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425.
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/4" fries.
Put sweet potatoes in Ziploc bag. Add corn starch, garlic powder and onion powder. Shake bag to mix together.
Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Lay out fries in a single layer on parchment paper. Make sure they aren't touching one another.
Cook for 30-40 minutes, turning over once half way through.
Remove from oven. Sprinkle with salt, paprika (optional) and cilantro (optional).

P.S. I’m very proud of how hard my daughter has worked over this past year to get herself into a much healthier place! She’s good. She’s strong. She’s positive. She’s confident. And she’s excited about her first year of college in Colorado!

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September in the City

September 7, 2019 By Linda 13 Comments

This is my first entry in a multi-blogger cozy living series where we share what we love about each month of the year on the first Saturday of that month, organized by Jennifer at Town & Country Living.

Have you ever watched Miss Congeniality? It’s a movie from 2000 that stars Sandra Bullock and Benjamin Bratt (remember he was the next big thing?) and William Shatner and Candace Bergen.

It’s a cute movie, but there’s one scene in particular I love. We’re on stage at a beauty pageant (hence the Miss Congeniality title) and William Shatner’s character, serving as master of ceremony, asks Miss Rhode Island to “describe your perfect date.”

She responds, “that’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25, because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket. ”

I laughed out loud.

So what does Miss Congeniality have to do with September in the City? I can hear you asking.

Well, if I was up on that stage representing New Jersey (because I lived in NJ during my potential beauty pageant days), I would most definitely have picked a day in September as my “perfect date.” 🙂

It’s not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.

In addition to the not-too-hot-not-too-cold perfect date weather, September holds a special place in my heart.

My daughter was born this month.

Which is a perfect start to life, because to me September has always been about new beginnings. New possibilities. A fresh start. A second chance.

So much more so than any old New Year’s Day!

I mean who can envision news possibilities with a foot of snow on the ground and two months of gray, cold days on the horizon?

But September? In September you can reinvent yourself. New hair. New shoes. New clothes …

a new school year!

I know, I know I’m not going back to school. That was decades ago. But after 12 years of back-to-school in September in our formative years — plus another four in college — it’s hard to shake that back-to-school feeling.

I mean, you can just smell it in the air!

This September is the first year my children are no longer in the Chicago Public School System …

and honestly, I’m mourning the loss!

A favorite memory is walking the kids to school each morning.

In my mind’s eye, all was orderly and calm. But in reality, it was typically a chaotic race to get out the door in time!

Dragging drowsy kids out of bed.

Packing up lunches as the kids ate breakfast.

Brushing teeth.

Getting dressed.

Finding shoes.

Locating lost homework.

Getting the leash on the pup.

And yet, I miss all that morning chaos!

On Labor Day, with camera in hand, I took a nostalgic walk along the path my children once walked together to their elementary school. My mission was to document the places and spaces I frequented for 13 years …

and perhaps, along the way, capture some of that September new school, new possibilities excitement!

Oh, and I chose Labor Day for my picture taking excursion because, let’s face it, showing up to take pictures of an elementary school after Labor Day when you don’t have a child attending that school is … well … creepy. 😉

This red door is where it all started. That first day of Kindergarten. Sam in his navy & white “uniform.” Playing with 2-year-old Molly on the playground until the first bell rang. And then lining up with his new classmates for the first day of Kindergarten with Mrs. Price.

I’m not crying. You’re crying.

And my picture-taking walk down memory lane will end with a walk down an actual brick paved lane …

with a stop at the brick commemorating my children’s attendance and graduation.

And those two former Chicago Public School elementary students are experiencing a September filled with new possibilities as one embarks on college and the other pursues a grown-up post-collegiate career ... 🙂

Be sure to visit my cozy living blogger friends to discover what they love about September!

Why Fall is Best Season to Enjoy Gardens / Roasted Summer Squash with Orzo / How to Press Flowers in Microwave / How to Hang Onto Summer

September in the City / How to Knit Kitchen Dish Cloth / Fall Dining Table

White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar

September 6, 2019 By Linda 6 Comments

White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar – Painted Mason Jar Craft for Fall.

Today I will share with you all some of the things that are pinging around in my head.

Lucky you! 😉

Let’s start with my love for September in Chicago. I won’t get into the particulars of that love today. That’s a post for tomorrow …

yes, a rare Saturday appearance! I’ll be joining a few other bloggers as we share our thoughts (good and bad) about the month of September.

There’s a fly in the house terrorizing my dog who simultaneously wants to catch it … and hide from it.

At one point while writing this blog post I got up to make a cup of tea with milk and Equal. I then spent the next five minutes searching for my reading glasses …

only to realize they were perched atop my head the whole time. Sigh.

I’m slowly adjusting to not having my daughter (and best friend) here with me in Chicago. Yet, I still get these pangs of sadness (and loneliness) when I realize she won’t be walking through the door at 4 pm with tales of her day at school. Or (like this past weekend) when I see a Yard Sale sign and think that Molly and I should go … and immediately realize, oh.

But she’s loving her new independence and even celebrated feeling like an adult when she did her laundry! 🙂 And we text and talk. A big thumbs up for modern technology!

Finally, don’t hate me, but where are the pumpkins? I’ve been stalking the grocery store all week, but no pumpkins. Yet. I did spot some mums so they can’t be far behind … 🙂

So I had to resort to making my own pumpkins. On mason jars, of course.