Cuddly Teddies

I love these vintage inspired Mohair teddy bears by Ellifolks.

20% Off In My Shoppe

This week only, I am discounting all merchandise in my etsy shoppe! December 27th - Jan 2nd, all items are 20% off! It is the perfect time to pick up that piece you have been wanting to wear in the new year. Check it out!

Happy Holidays!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Just Gotta Do it

I am almost done with my shopping this year. I do have a couple of last minute items to pick up. I have tried very hard to avoid the malls this year and to this point, I have not set foot in one. However...today, for one item, I have no choice.

With my spend less- enjoy more attitude this past year, it literally has been about 12 months since I have been in a mall. I don't even know what stores are still in business in the mall. There was a time when the kids were small and still in a stroller that we would venture to the mall for an ice cream cone in the winter to pass the day. But as the kids have gotten older and busier...we have not had much need to waste precious time and money there.

With a reluctant heart, I must venture into the enemy territory. I will go with my blinders on. I will go for what I need and nothing more. To this point I am coming in below my holiday budget. I am so proud of myself and I do not want to blow it on this one step into the mall. I am planning my entrance and my exit strategy so as to alleviate any temptation to spend unnecessarily.

I will let you know how I do. Wish me luck.

Focus!

Trying hard to focus on the things I really need to do today.

Our family is hosting my husband's side of the family tomorrow for an early Christmas. Besides my boys swim meet today, I need to prep for the dinner and set up our dining room table in our livingroom. With a small home, the few rooms we have serve many purposes at the holidays.

What to do...what to do...? Focus!

Sugar Scrub

Homemade Sugar Scrub!
Why spend alot of money on sugar scrub when you can make your own? It is very simple and only takes a few minutes. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift.

White Cane Glimmer Sugar Scrub

1 C. Granulated Sugar
1 C. vegetable oil
Oil from 1 vitamin E capsule
1 or 2 drops of lavender or orange essential oil
1 16 oz. glass container with lid
Ribbon, optional

Combine all of the ingredients in a med. Bowl until well blended. Using a spatula, transfer mix into the container and secure lid. Tie a pretty holiday ribbon around the neck of the jar.

* Contents will settle: mix well before using. Scoop a teaspoon or two of the scrub on your hands and gently massage in circular motions onto your skin. Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes, the scrub will tighten your skin. Thoroughly rinse off the sugar scrub. Scrub can be stored at room temperature covered tightly.

Festive Drink

Peppermint Drop
(makes 1 drink)

Peppermint Schnapps
Crushed peppermint candies
¼ C. half and half
3 T. chocolate flavored liqueur
2 T. crème de cacao
1 ½ t. peppermint schnapps

1. Pour a small amount of peppermint schnapps in a saucer. Place crushed candy in another saucer. Dip rim of glass into schnapps and then into candy, coating edges. Let stand to dry.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add half and half, chocolate flavored liqueur, crème de cacao, and 1 ½ t. peppermint schnapps. Shake mixture vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds. Strain mix into prepared martini glass.

Think Warm

It is getting COLD here in the Chi Town suburbs again. It has me thinking warm thoughts. This beautiful black and white hand knit cowel from crazyjaneknits's shop look indulgent.

I would have warm toasty feel with these snuggly knit slippers from eykelila's shop

What a fun and practical was to stay warm! A great conpromise between a mitten and a glove! Find these at kittenmitten's shop.

Stay warm!

Someone Special

The passing of a very dear Friend is very hard for anyone. Andy Rose was one very special dear Friend. His passing will leave a very profound void in my families lives. He was my children's swim coach and a mentor for the past 5 years. My husband and I have always thought of a coach as someone who helps us to instill life lessons, values and ethics in our children's lives. It takes a village...

We will all miss him dearly...Rest in peace Andy.

Cause Key Chains

Great DIY. gift idea for the kids to make...or for yourself! How cool are these key chains made out of all those "good cause" wristbands! All supplies can be found at your local craft store. Perfect for a scout or religious class. (It must me the Daisy Leader in me coming out again :)

To make:

Slide a key ring onto the rubber bracelet and then pull the bracelet all the way to one side.

Pinch the bracelet close to the key ring and pound a decorative grommet through with a hammer covered with a dish towel.

That's All Folks!

Hard Core Cleaning

Ha! I love this picture I found on flicker. (Wish I could remember who posted it)

This is sooooo the case today though. My "boys" bathroom has been "gross" for too long. We are hosting Christmas for my husband's side of the family in a little over a week and I panicked when I went in the "boy" bathroom. Sooooo gross! I used every toxic cleaner known to man, but it is finally clean! I may have to go out side in the sub-zero weather and shovel, just to clean out my lungs after that! I just have to spruce it up a bit now before the big day. Just thought I would share. :)

Cheap and Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas for Your Home

It's the holiday, and we all want our homes to be decked out with holiday spirit. However, we want to save our bank accounts as well.

Here are some great ideas that anyone can use to decorate your home for the holiday season and still be able to buy gifts for under the tree.

Create a Theme. Have a theme for your holiday decorating. This keeps you from blowing your budget on impulse purchases. It will also keep your decor tied together for a more elegant, and streamlined look. The theme can be anything from a color to a decorating ideas as a woodland theme.

Use what you Have. The holidays are about making memories. Use mementos from past memorable holidays as anchors for your newer decorations. Our family nestles the first doll each member of the family received as a baby in our Christmas tree. You could also hang Grandma's cookie cutters on the tree or even baby booties. Whatever brings back memories as you decorate with your family./

Focus Your Decor. Since most of us do not have enough decorations to decorate every corner of our homes, so concentrate your holiday decor on the focal areas of the room. Focal areas can bee the fireplace, entryway, or the tops of cabinetry. Keeping the decor in one area of the room will also save you the trouble of un-decorating the whole house after the holidays.

Light up the Night. Adding lights to your holiday decorating will add warmth and fantasy. Use inexpensive light strands to dress up windows and doorways, as well as the tree. Use candles to add sparkle to the room.

Dress the Tree. Instead of investing in expensive designer ornaments, create your own elegant look this year. Fold decorative paper into fans, and tie them on the tree with ribbons. We did this when we were first married because we did not have many ornaments. The tree was beautiful.

Wall Art, Holiday Style. If you are throwing a party and don't have much in the way of Holiday decor, wrap pictures on your walls with wrapping paper like a present and add a large bow...re-hang the "present". This is a great way to add instant holiday impact!

Quick Tips:

* Use wire edged ribbon to add bows all around the house. Choose gold or silver and you can reuse the ribbon through the New Year.

* Add Epsom Salt to glass containers to resemble snow. Tuck in pillar candles for a winter wonderland effect.

* Make inexpensive holiday wreaths by cutting a base from cardboard, and use a glue gun to completely cover the base with wrapped candies.

* Create holiday glassware by using glass paint from the craft store on clear glass. Stamp or stencil on your favorite holiday motif.

* Make paper trees our of a square of pretty paper, preferably use a paper that is a little stiff. Roll the paper into a cone, and glue the edge with a hot glue gun. Add some gold glitter or swirls of paint to dress them up. They will be beautiful on your mantle or as a centerpiece with greens.

No matter what your holiday budget this year, you can make your home a warm, welcoming place for your family and friends. So, pour the hot cocoa, stoke up the fire and start dreaming of sugar plums!

Enjoying the holidays- no stress!

I am soooo not organized for Christmas this year. I think I am going to just "show up" for it.

I am buying for those that I really need to buy for. I want to have fun this Christmas. I don't want to spend extra money I will just fret over after the holidays. I will gather with my friends and family and enjoy the holidays, the way I think they were meant to be enjoyed.

In many years past, people did not make "perfect" arrangements, or worry about who spent the most money on a gift. They enjoyed a few days off of work, and spend time with those they loved. That was the best gift of all.

I don't want want to forget the true meaning of Christmas this year. I have felt this way in years past, but got caught up in the "we have to do this for it to be Christmas" attitude. Not this year. I will not be distracted by all of the preparations, and I WILL enjoy the holiday. I swear!

This year I am skipping the stress... I am having fun with the things that matter to OUR FAMILY. Traditions that we WANT to carry on. I think it may be the best Christmas ever!

I am keeping things simple this year. We will think about how Holidays in the past were celebrated, and focus on the simplicity of baking a pumpkin pie in my favorite pie plate, baking cookies for my kids, and decorating the house so when the holidays are over, I do not regret doing so in the first place.

I am looking forward to Christmas more this year, than in years past. I really am!

Is anyone else taking a "less is more" approach to the holidays this year?

Turkey Pot Pie

Yesterday, I was in culinary heaven. Only once a year do you get to have Thanksgiving dinner. It is the most glutinous day of my year. I do not hold back as everything made on Thanksgiving seems to be my favorite dishes. But what do we do with the leftovers after the big meal? We could do the whole meal over again, but it just is not the same...I made Turkey Pot Pie today with our leftovers. It is a favorite of all of my kids. It is hard to find something that the entire family actually enjoys. Pot pie is a family favorite.

Here is my recipe:

6 T. butter
6 T. flour
2 C. turkey or chicken broth
1 C. milk or heavy cream
salt, to taste
2 cloves of garlic, pressed
1/2 t. black pepper
4 C. cubed cooked turkey meat
1 lb. frozen peas and carrots
1/2 C. chopped onions
1 Pillsbury Pie Crust or 9" home-made
1 sheet of Puff Pastry

Pre-heat oven to 425 F.

In a med. saucepan, melt butter over med-low heat w/ the pressed garlic and chopped onion. Whisk in the flour and cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally. Gradually stir in the broth until absorbed. Add the milk/cream slowly, stirring constantly so that lumps do not form. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered, over low heat until the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.

thaw the frozen vegetables for 15 minutes. Lightly butter or spray a pie pan or an 8 X 8 pan. Line the bottom of the dish with the pie crust. Add cooked cubed turkey and vegetables. Pour in the gravy mixture. Cover with pieces of puff pastry.

Bake for about 40 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!!!

Thanksgiving Greetings

Picture by terr-bo

Just thinking how thankful I am to all of my family and friends for all the support

they give myself and my family.

I am thankful for the great new people I meet everyday through my basket biz.

I am thankful for my wonderful and very talented children.

I am thankful for my fun job and for the great kids and teachers

I get to work with at the school district everyday.

I am thankful for the most wonderful, supportive and best husband in the world!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Smile

When your instant coffee smiles at you in the morning, you know it is going to be a good day...and it was! Connecting with friends, sharing stories and laughing the day away. Nothing more to be said. I love days like this!

Mini Casserole

WEDS. 11.18.09 2:00PM-------- SORRY, THEY ARE SOLD OUT------------------------

This really great Longaberger Bonus Buy is only available today only, Weds. Nov. 18th! It is an online special so you can either go to my website to order it ( www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito ) or e-mail me today, and I will order it for you. I suggest you order early, as quantities and colors are limited.

This product had never even hit the regular line. If you have seen the Mini-Pie Plate, they are sized similarly (6.75" d X 2.5" h)

This would make a great hot dip holder or an individual covered soup bowl! With the lid it will keep hot things hot for a very long time! Pair it up with the soup and salad plate and you have a really functional match. They also make really cute candy dishes! More ideas:

Fits great on top of the Woven Traditions Chip and Dip Bowl
Candy dish
Hot and cold dips
Cranberry jelly during the holidays
Perfect for French Onion soup Desserts
Create your own chip and dip platter by placing it in the middle of a large platter
Personal size apple crisp
Breakfast soufflés
Chicken pot pie, stews, chili
Great for gift giving
Fondue

Your favorite Longaberger Consultant:
Jeannine Zito
www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito

Date Night on a budget

With the kid's schedules, work and volunteer commitments and the lack of extra money, personal time together with my husband always seems to get pushed off. A few weeks ago, we decided that we needed to find the time to go out and spend a few hours together. After all, the kids are getting older, can stay by themselves, and we need to get to know each other again- as the "young-uns" will be leaving us in the next few years for college. The budget problem will not go away soon for us, so I thought I better strategize and investigate how to do this "Date Night" thing with the hubby on a regular basis. (dating is cheaper than marriage counseling)

I have been collecting coupons like a fiend. I rip up the Weds. and Sunday newspapers and harvest coupons and stash them away for future dates. My plan is to go out with my husband once a week from this point on... I think the budget can handle $100/month. Sound impossible? Here is how I think it will work...

*Plan Ahead- We will pick one night a week that we can go out. Weekends are general eliminated as our schedule is too tough on weekends with the kids. Weeknight also affords better deals at the restaurants as well. If you need a babysitter, try trading babysitting services with another couple that also has small children. One week you sit for their kids, and the next week, they sit for yours. You get regular dates, without having to pay for a babysitter.

*Use Coupons- Seemed too good to be true, but Restaurant.com is a God send! Pay just $1-$10 for $25 coupons! Last Holiday season, my husband and I used a couple of these coupons to take friends out. Make sure you read the fine print, as there are sometimes limitations, like days of the week you can use them, or perhaps have to spend a certain amount to get the discount, but hey!...plan ahead! A nice dinner at a new restaurant could cost less than $20!

Costco offers discount movie tickets. For only $16 you can get 2 tickets for an evening movie. Using your cinema reward card can get you an even deeper discount. Check your local theater for membership or rewards card benefits.

A movie and a dinner on the same night?! No, I don't think we will make the $100 budget for the month doing that, but a movie one week- and a dinner on another- we can do.

*Do it anyway- If the babysitter can't come, or you overspent on previous weeks, don't scrap the date! Even if there is no cash for a cheap date, keep one night sacred. Make a pact to make sure you stay connected. With dinner at home, open a bottle of wine, start a fire in the fireplace, and treat each other as if you were on a date...after the kids are in bed. :)

Two weeks ago, I made a beautiful Pot Roast that I got on sale with root vegetables, dill and my favorite spinach salad. (Recipe in a future blog) Since I RARELY make a roast, as it usually does not fit in the budget, that was a special occasion to him- even without the quiet time together that we were able to enjoy.

Reconnecting with one another is important for every couple. Don't let the hectic pace of life or a tight budget put it off.

Any date night tips out there? What do you do to keep the romance?

Go Green Use A Basket!

As we all strive to become environmentally conscious, I have come to realize that our ancestors "got-it" long before us. They did not use Paper or plastic bags at the market. They used environmentally friendly and sustainable items like wooden baskets. Don't use paper or plastic, go Basket!

I have just ordered this beautiful hardwood maple Large Market basket for my grocery shopping. Why should I use the store's small plastic basket when I can use my own?

The best part, is when I am not using it for groceries, I can use it for holding toys, kindling, craft projects, magazines, guest towels, or poolside.
I could use it to hold newspapers, games, hanging folders, telephone books or cook books.
It makes a great Library basket, knitting basket, quilting or crocheting basket.
Oh, and with the holidays coming, don't forget it makes a great basket to carry small gifts to their destination!

It has 2 swinging handles, sage green accents and a reinforced bottom for "super strength". It is 16"l X 11.25"w X 8.63" h and can hold up to 30 pounds! I would give out before the basket does!

Since this basket is Sale priced today Weds. Nov. 11th only, I suggest you get yours now. OR, you could wait until tomorrow, and pay $30 more. Just a thought.

Don't miss out on a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful basket!

Muffin Pan Pies

Images from Eggs on Sunday

One of my favorite places to visit while visiting Door County, Wisconsin is a wonderful little shoppe called "Sweetie Pies". They make the most delicious pies. I buy them frozen, so all I have to do is to pop them into the oven and bake. They are homemade and are made to look that way. No one knows the difference. Ha!

My husband does give me a bit of a hard time in that I do not attempt to tackle the daunting task of making a flaky crust. Mine always turns out pretty tough. What can I say? I am not a baker by nature. I did however, find a really good recipe for a pie crust using butter and not lard or Crisco. It is wonderful! To make your own wonderful Muffin Pan Pies using the butter crust pie recipe click here. To find the beautiful glazed pottery muffin pan shown in the top picture to make your Muffin Pan Pies in, click here.

Need a Tissue?

Everyone I know seems to be getting sick. The change in weather brings on the common cold but others are getting the s_ _ _e Flu. I have managed to avoid it for the moment. (I am knocking on my hardwood maple baskets as I speak.) Good transition because...this Weds. Nov. 4th, Longaberger is having a sale on the Tall Tissue basket and Lid.

This basket can solve your gift-giving, decorating or storage solution dilemmas. Here are a few things I have found to use this handy basket for:

*Utensil caddy
*Pens, pencils, desktop organizer
*Scissors, rulers
*Snack basket- chips, pretzels, nuts
*Combs, brushes
*Bread sticks
*Holds rolled fingertip towels in the guest bathroom
*Keeps remote controls and game controllers handy
*Keeps envelopes, postcards and stamps at your fingertips
*Even makes a beautiful planter with a protector.


How can you live without this!?

Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

Tomorrow is Trick-or-Treat. Are you ready with a costume? If you are like our family, we kind of "wing-it". Our costumes seem to be last minute inspirations. Check out this link to be inspired. Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

Have a fun filled Halloween and eat all the candy you want!

Measuring Cup

This great and sturdy measuring cup is being offered at an $11 discount tomorrow, Weds. 28th at www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito. Get yours to whip up those wonderful holiday cookies! I think it would also make a great vessel to measure out dog food, bird seed and cereal!

While you are at it...visit www.longaberger.com/CookieExchange.aspx to submit your favorite holiday cookie recipe for Longaberger's national cookie exchange coming in December. At the site, you can even grab a couple of new recipes for your own family.

Bewitched Apples

Aren't these gorgeous apples just decadent? I can't wait to make them! I found the recipe at The Garden Apartment. (www.virginiafoodie.typepad.com/gardenapartment/2008/10/index.html ) This recipe almost begs me to go to the apple orchard again! What is with me and food recipes lately?

Halloween Glam

I love to make jewelry for people. The truth is, I rarely make anything for myself. I love Halloween and wanted something fun to wear to celebrate this "creepy" time of the year.

I found some time along with some stray Sterling Silver charms, in my stash of supplies and decided today was the day! I was inspired by this Twilight rage and made a beautiful yet scary charm bracelet.

My charms included scary themed objects like a poison apple, a witch on her broom, a scary cat, and a tiny ghost. The remaining "glam" charms are hand made by me. I used AB clear crystal, AB "bloody" garnet crystal, crystal rondels and Sterling bead caps. The pictures do not do the color justice but believe me, I am so excited to wear it and make all those Twilight fans jealous! Ha!

Longaberger Pizza Anyone? Weds. 10/21 Only!

This one time only offer is for a brand new Longaberger Pizza Pan and Pizza Plates! Wow! These are so cool! These are not in the Wish List or the feature flyer. Take advantage of this exclusive online offer on Weds. October 21. E-mail or call me to order yours for you on Tuesday or log on on Weds (early) if you want to order a set yourself! This offer is first come, first served. When they run out...they are gone. :(



Here are some other ideas for these items:



- the Pizza Plates are perfect for serving pumpkin pie or birthday Cake throughout the year!

- For a great shower or holiday gift, wrap up a set of the Pizza Plates and Pizza Pan with ingredients for making homemade Pizza. (or include a gift card for a take and bake pizza place)

- Give a set or 2 of the Pizza Plates (depending on the size of the family) with a gift card to a favorite pizza place.

- Arrange several of the Pizza plates in a circle as a unique way to serve your favorite cheeses, etc. at a buffet.

- the plates would make great individual appetizer plates at a party.



Fruit Dessert Pizza:



1 8oz pkg of refrigerated sugar cookie dough

4 oz. cream cheese softened

4 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 1/2t. sugar

1 16 oz. can of light peaches, drained reserve juice

7 Large fresh strawberries

1 to 2 medium Kiwis

1 T. cornstarch

1/3 C. sugar



- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.



- Cut cookie dough into slices and arrange on the Woven Traditions Pizza Pan. Press slices together to form a solid crust. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Crust is done when edges begin to brown.



- Beat cream cheese until smooth in the Woven Traditions Batter Bowl: add sugar and whipped topping. Spread evenly over cooled crust. top with peach slices, strawberries and kiwi.



- Combine 1/2 C. reserved peach juice, 1/3 C. sugar and 1 T. of cornstarch. cook until thick and drizzle over the pizza and chill.



Enjoy!

Autumn Garden Clean-up

Ok...It has been a gorgeous fall day. The temps have finally reached 60 degrees and I took the time to get outside and clean up a bit. What to do...what to do? I checked out HGTV to see where to start. Here was my game plan:

I started where I could see progress right away...the grass. I mowed and bagged all the leaves. They are ready for pick up. Yea! One thing done...

Since most of the perennials are already "past their peak", I cut them back and added some mulch to protect the roots. As I cut them I took a bamboo stick and marked where each plant was. Makes for easier planning in the spring. I did leave some of the cone flowers so there is some winter interest in the garden, once the snow falls. Yea! Two things done...

I did not plant very many annuals this year as in previous years I have been adding a few perennials to the garden. Those I did have, I pulled. In areas where the garden is sheltered by the house, I merely cut them back and marked them the same as I did with the perennials. In years past, some varieties of annuals have come back the next year in these sheltered areas. Yea! Three things done...

Well, the vegetable garden was next...truthfully, it is NOT done. :( I did pull out all the "crispy" vines and "floppy" plants. Weeding though, is going to have to wait for another day...not enough time in the day to weed all of the garden. It has gotten away from me here late in the summer. Still... Three and a half things done...

Since I am exhausted from all the work today and the wonderful fresh air...I am done for this day. My next day off of work, I plan to finish weeding the vegetable garden, cut down and share some of my perennial Sun Flowers, winter fertilize the grass, and add mulch to the perennial garden. On still another day, I plan to prune all the neglected trees and shrubs. They have not been pruned in 3 years...since the Cicada invasion in our area.

I always love to spend the day outside "playing" in my yard when the weather is nice. I get my exercise, and my yard looks fabulous!

I hope to finish my yard list in the next week. Next, I want to paint my house. More on that in another blog. Enjoy your yard!

Fruit Filled Muffins

With the cooler weather upon us, I have become a Martha Stewart "wanna-be". I am becoming very domestic. I have the overwhelming urge to nest and cook and bake. (My husband is in heaven!) :) I think I just love the smell of something in the oven. Using some of the newest products on sale this month, from Longaberger shown above, I am baking some wonderful fruit filled muffins today. I thought I would share the recipe with you so you can try it as well.

DELISH! As Rachel Ray would say...

Fruit filled muffins:

3/4 C. all purpose flour

1/2 C. packed brown sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 C. unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes

1 tube (17 oz) canned flaky biscuit dough (6 biscuits)

nonstick cooking spray

1 can (21 oz) of apple, blueberry or cherry pie filling

1-1 1/2 C. whipping cream

Cinnamon/sugar blend for garnish

Pre-heat oven to 350

In the Longaberger Batter Bowl or med. bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Separate dough into 6 biscuits. Split each biscuit in 1/2 to make 12 rounds. With floured fingers flatten each to make 4" round. Press each buscuit round into a Longaberger Muffin Pan sprayed with non-stick spray. Top each biscuit with 2 T. of pie filling, and sprinkle each with about 2 T. of flour mixture (cups will be full). Place Muffin Pan on a sheet pan.

Bake 15-22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and place on a wire rack to cool another 5 minutes.

In small bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Top each muffin with whipped cream and garnish with cinnamon/sugar blend. YUM!!!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Common colds are plentiful at this time of the year, but in our house, my 18 year old just came down with Mono. YUCK!

She cannot swallow much due to her inflamed throat, so the challenge is to find something that provides sustenance as well as fluids. Yea! A whole turkey was on sale in the supermarket the other day for only .79/lb! I decided then and there that the first meal provided by that turkey would satisfy the rest of the family and be a traditional baked turkey with all of the fix ins while that same turkey's left-overs would provide the protein for my daughter's chicken/turkey soup! Her is the basic recipe that I followed after making the stock with the bones...


Serves 4 Hands-On Time: 15m Total Time: 1hr 05m
Ingredients
· 1 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken
· 6 carrots, peeled
· 4 celery stalks
· 1 large yellow onion, quartered and 1 garlic clove if desired
· 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
· 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
Directions
1. Place the chicken/turkey in a large pot. Cut 3 of the carrots and 2 of the celery stalks into 1-inch pieces. Quarter the onion. Add the cut vegetables to the pot with the salt, peppercorns, and enough cold water to cover (about 8 cups). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the top, until the chicken/turkey is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
2. Transfer the meat to a bowl and let cool. Strain the broth, discarding the vegetables. Return the broth to the pot. Thinly slice the remaining carrots and celery. Add them to the broth and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat and add it to the soup. Cook ditalini pasta in a separate pot of boiling water to add to the soup bowls along with the soup itself. Ladle into individual bowls.

The good news...she can SLOWLY eat the soup with only a little pain.

Weds. Bonus Buy: Potluck Basket

Longaberger's Round Potluck Basket is available on sale for only $42 Wednesday October 14th Only. Log onto www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito on Weds. 10/14/09 to order yours. It is perfect for toting warm casseroles in the Woven Traditions® 2-Quart Covered Casserole to your next family gathering … or even a scrumptious pie in Grandma Bonnie's™ Pie Plate.

It measures: 10½"d x 5½"h; Rec. Wt. Use: 15 lbs.

*This beautiful and practical basket is available in Warm, Rich and Deep Brown.

*It has two swinging handles and a Kerf (solid wood) bottom.

*Available Separately: Over-the-Edge Liner and Protector.

*Here are just a few great use ideas: fall centerpiece with small gourds and pumpkins fruit bowl on the counter.

-Rolled utensils in napkins for your buffet table.

-Extra large muffin or dinner roll basket with handles to pass it easily

-Small paper plates and cocktail napkins.

-Bath and body products in your bathroom.

-Trick-or-treat basket.

-After school snacks on the kitchen counter.

-Tie the handles together, attach helium balloons and fill the basket with birthday cards or treat bags.

-Fill the protector with ice and use as a mini ice bucket

Don't miss out, order yours Weds. This makes a beautiful holiday gift as well for the Longaberger collector in the family!

Affirmation Day

Success is not measured by heights attained but by obstacles overcome. We're going to pass through many obstacles in our lives: good days, bad days. But the successful person will overcome those obstacles and constantly move forward.

-Bruce Jenner
American Olympian

New Etsy Listings

In honor of Breast Cancer Awarenss month, I have created some very special new pieces. Please check them out at http://www.jmszito.etsy.com/ Several other unique item have been added as well. Enjoy!

Utensil Caddy

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE TOMORROW! WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7thWROUGHT IRON UTENSIL CADDY!ONLY $19.00 GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS! WEDDING SHOWER GIFTS! HOUSE WARMING GIFTS!

It’s perfect for:

*Holding hot curling and flat irons
*Organizing scrapbooking and art supplies such as scissors, rulers, paint brushes, pencils and punches
*Use in the bathroom for toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss or disposable cups
*On the nightstand, use it to hold glasses, pens/pencils and a bottle of lotion
*Makes a great condiment station holding ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise
*Place dried moss in the bottom and add artificial greenery for an instant planter
*Grilling caddy – put all your grill spices, tongs and forks in one place to carry out to the grill

ORDER THEM ONLINE ONLY AT: www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito

Apple Picking

The boys and I took a day trip out to Edward's Orchard in Poplar Grove, IL. today. It was a beautiful fall cool, but sunny day. We could not pass up the opportunity to pick and I am all for spending time with the family.

Nicky and Damon ate almost as many apples as they put in the basket.

The beautiful Jonagold apples are a crisp tart apple perfect for baking or snacking.

While we were at the orchard we decided to pick up a couple of pumpkins. Nicky was going for the "perfect" pumpkin while Damon I think has a plan for his "irregular" pumpkin. Perhaps some Jack-o-lantern pics coming in the future?

The orchard had hay rides...

A band....

Food and lots of fun! We will certainly return again next year!