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!

I Love Fall

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

-Albert Camus

Fall is definitely my favorite season of the year. Not just for the "bounty" but for the beautiful colors that surround us. The days feel cozy and I am in the mood for homemade soup, hot tea, blankets, fireplaces and curling up with a good book. It is cool outside but the sun is not too distant that it provides daytime warmth to enjoy the outdoors. The earlier darkness also provides some calming and comforting. The cool evenings help to relax my mind. It is a time of year for a cup of tea and a warm bath. It is the time of year I treasure and enjoy because it is so brief.

Coupon Savings

Coupon caddie by: Meadowsweet kitchens

While looking for any internet specials on items our family commonly uses I came ran across a couple of great web sites to download coupons. They are called Coupons.com and redplum.com.

For the month of October there are about 150 coupons available to be downloaded from each of these sites. These are not just ten cent off coupons either...they are pretty good discout coupons!

You can print 2 of each coupon. After you print your first set, hit the back arrow on the screen and then refresh. Go ahead and print the second set.

I hope some coupon clipping can help you save some hard earned money this month. You can sign up to be notified when new coupons are available. Every bit saved helps these days!