Toothpick Ornaments

Toothpick Ornaments Cut the picture in a house shape. Glue the toothpicks to the outside edges of the picture, overlapping the ends of the toothpicks, crossing the top toothpicks in the middle of the picture (point).   You may need to trim the side pieces a little to fit the house shape.  You can use … Read more

Putz Houses

Putz House These Putz Houses were by my grandkids. (First two photos) I helped with the cardboard houses (made with repurposed cereal, tissue, butter, or cracker boxes or any other lightweight cardboard that you can find), and they took it from there.  The instructions can be found on the website www.abeautifulmess.com. Click on crafts and … Read more

Cranberry Nut Bread

Cranberry Nut Bread 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup whole raw cranberries 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Hot water 1 tablespoon grated orange peel ½ cup orange juice 1 egg, slightly beaten Heat oven to 325 … Read more

Ways to Repurpose Christmas Trees

Christmas trees can be put to good use after the holidays. Here are some tips for repurposing a tree. Begin by removing all decorations, including tinsel. And of course, don’t do this with an artificial tree! The first thing is to get it out of the house. Dragging a no-longer-fresh Christmas tree outside after the … Read more

Treasurer’s Reports January 2021

As Treasurer of the Garden Club, the last time I had an opportunity to present  the Treasurer’s Report was back in March for the month of February 2020.  Thankfully our bank account was strong. When everything came to a halt, there was great concern not so much about income but about not retaining our membership … Read more

Beth’s Corner January 2021

With the start of the new year, our theme of starting anew, we are re-using and re-purposing items we might already have around the house. I have two crafts and a great recipe to share! Crafts Christmas Card Ornaments Don’t throw away those gorgeous Christmas cards that you got this year (actually last year, now).  … Read more

Reblooming January 2021

While the 2020 holidays were unlike any others in memory, one tradition in our home endured. Celebrated every year on the day after Christmas, it’s called Wing Chair Day. I highly recommend you plan one for yourself. The idea arrived years ago. Faced with a marathon run of shopping, wrapping, cooking and entertaining, I would … Read more

Presidents’ Points January 2021

Where to begin? At the end? Yes, it’s finally the end of the old year that brought us so much turmoil and turned our lives upside down. So let‘s happily wave good-bye to 2020 and look forward expectantly to 2021. There is much hope in the air now with vaccines on the horizon so that … Read more