Hello blog friends.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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This year I will be giving out mini chocolates to the trick-or-treaters.
My dog Bosco likes dressing up in his super dog costume and he'll be my helper!
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Hope you all have a fun time and don't eat too much candy!
Julie xo
Hello blog friends.
I have been working on crocheting a baby blanket and I'm happy to say that I have finally finished this crochet project.
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I started working on this project back in the middle of the summer. I would crochet a little bit on the blanket each week until I finished it.
This baby blanket I am going to donate to our church for their holiday sale. We will be having our annual holiday sale the weekend before Thanksgiving.
I chose a beginner baby blanket pattern that was simple to make.
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Some of you may remember seeing this photo on my Instagram feed @brklynhousewife.
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I used the double crochet stitch and half double crochet stitch to make this blanket.
The details to make a similar blanket are shown below.
I hope I have inspired you to make an easy crochet baby blanket. These make great baby gifts.
PURPLE CROCHET BABY BLANKET
DETAILS:
YARN: Caron One Pound - Lilac 577
CROCHET HOOK: US Size I
STITCHES: Ch - Chain, Sk - Skip, St - stitch, SC - Single Crochet, DC - Double Crochet,
HDC - Half Double Crochet
DIRECTIONS:
Ch 57.
Row 1: DC in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn 55 dc.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in each dc across, turn.
Repeat Row 2 until blanket measures 21 inches. This is for a small blanket. For a larger blanket 30 inches from the beginning. Do not fasten off.
Border:
Round 1: HDC all the way around the blanket. For the corners add 3 HDC.
Round 2: 3 DC in 1 St, Sk 1 St, SC in St, 3 DC in 1 St. Repeat this all the way around the blanket.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
NOTE: I did not follow the exact pattern from the book I used, the yarn, or crochet hook. Above is for the baby blanket I made. The book pattern is Leisure Arts, Crocheting for Baby, 16 Adorable Baby Accessories. The blanket measures 21 inches x 21 inches before the border is added on the blanket.
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| PURPLE CROCHET BABY BLANKET |
Happy crocheting!
Hello blog friends and Happy Friday.
I'm happy to be sharing my Friday Favorites with you!
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1. Recent Book Read
I recently finished reading the book Sula by Toni Morrison. I enjoyed this book and the books I've read by this author many years ago. Toni Morrison tells the story of two girls who become friends and how their friendship ends in an unforgivable betrayal - or does it end?
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2. Maybelline Dream Urban Cover
I recently purchased at Walgreens Dream Urban Cover foundation for $12.99. I was so happy and excited to try out this new foundation. Dream Urban Cover also has an SPF of 50 but a smaller tube at 1.0 oz. The coverage is lighter than the It foundation and not as thick which is perfect to use in the summer. It Cosmetics CC Cream has an SPF of 50 and 1.08 oz. but the price tag is $39 at Sephora.
3. Halloween Candy
I am all set to give out this bag of candy to the kids in my neighborhood for Halloween. Are you all ready for Halloween?
4. Breakfast Date
Mr. JCL and I recently had another breakfast date at our local Italian eatery. I had the zucchini frittata with a toasted everything bagel and the hubs had an egg sandwich on a bagel. It's a nice way for us to get out and enjoy a nice breakfast together.
5. Organizing
I am constantly organizing different areas of my house. I bought these three baskets to keep hats, scarves, and gloves organized in our coat closet.
6. Fall Flowers
I love decorating the front of my house with mums and pumpkins. The squirrels have been enjoying themselves chewing on my pumpkins. UGH!
7. Bosco's Birthday
We just celebrated Bosco's 12th birthday on Tuesday. He has been such a delight and joy to our family. He is playful, affectionate, and loving to us and everyone he meets. We celebrate each of his birthday's with a McDonalds hamburger without the pickle and onions, which he LOVES. His burger was eaten within minutes.
8. Blogger Makes Basic Overnight Oats
I posted on the blog last week my easy recipe for Basic Overnight Oats. Oliva from Creative Quest made the oatmeal and posted about it on her blog HERE and her version of making the overnight oats. It makes me so happy that I've inspired some of you to try my recipes and crafts. Thanks Oliva for making the overnight oats and glad you enjoyed this breakfast recipe.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a Happy Friday and weekend.
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Hello blog friends.
I love decorating my mantel for fall.
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I love using the different items that I have collected throughout the years.
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I used faux fake leaves that I bought many years ago at a local dollar store in our neighborhood.
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Many years ago I crocheted these orange and creamed colored pumpkins. I shared how to make them HERE.
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This happy fall sign was a purchase from Michael's many years ago.
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I also purchased this be thankful sign at Michael's.
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I love using cute decorations and this scarecrow was from the dollar store.
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I purchased these pumpkins from the Dollar Tree store. You might remember seeing them in my Dollar Tree Haul blog post HERE.
I have it in my kitchen.
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On the other side of the kitchen, I have this pumpkin that was gifted to me by my sister-in-law.
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For those of you who love baking, I posted in 2013 this pumpkin cake recipe. It's so easy to make and perfect for entertaining during the holidays. I'm sharing it again!
PUMPKIN CAKE
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The recipe calls for 1 box of spice cake mix but I couldn't find it in the store, so I used yellow cake mix instead. I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix. The recipe also calls for a small can of pumpkin, so I used 16 oz. can of pumpkin. I sprinkled powdered sugar on top too.
I decided to make this into a cake and used a bundt pan. You can also bake them into muffins.
PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKE
INGREDIENTS:
1 Box of Spice Cake Mix or Betty Crocker Moist Yellow Cake Mix
1 small can of pumpkin
DIRECTIONS:
For Bundt Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix all the ingredients into a bowl.
Grease bundt pan with cooking spray. Add the mixed batter to the bundt pan.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until done. Test with a tooth pick to see if it comes out clean.
For Muffins:
Preheat oven the same as above.
Add mixed batter to greased muffin tins. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Hello blog friends and happy Friday!
I am happy to be sharing some of my October favorites.
I am happy to be sharing some of my October favorites.
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1. Fall Candles
I spotted in Bath & Body Works these awesome fall candles. I love burning candles in the evening during the fall and holidays.
I spotted in Bath & Body Works these awesome fall candles. I love burning candles in the evening during the fall and holidays.
2. Book I Read
I bought this book many years ago at a sale at the library. I love reading books by the author Nicholas Sparks. I'm so glad I FINALLY got the chance to read this book.
3. Wishlist Makeup
This Maybelline Dream Urban Cover foundation is on my wishlist. I am hoping to use it once I have used up my It Cosmetics foundation. It is supposed to be good and the dupe to using It Cosmetics foundation.
Have any of you tried this foundation yet?
Have any of you tried this foundation yet?
4. Steak & Lobster Restaurant
My husband and I recently went out to eat on a Friday night at a local restaurant. It was so good and I enjoyed eating the steak and lobster dinner shown in the right photo. The restaurant wasn't busy since it was a rainy night. We were able to meet and talk with chef Steve. We will look forward to going back to this restaurant again.
My husband and I recently went out to eat on a Friday night at a local restaurant. It was so good and I enjoyed eating the steak and lobster dinner shown in the right photo. The restaurant wasn't busy since it was a rainy night. We were able to meet and talk with chef Steve. We will look forward to going back to this restaurant again.
5. Bosco Enjoying the Sun
Bosco enjoyed catching some sun in the yard during some warm days last month.
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6. Fall Decorating
Below is a preview of my fall decorating at my house.
Below is a preview of my fall decorating at my house.
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7. Downton Abbey Movie
I saw the Downton Abbey movie two weeks ago and I loved it. I watched the whole series and it was fun to watch a continuation of everything again. I really enjoyed all the funny one liners from Maggie Smith. Have you seen this movie yet?
Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy Friday and weekend.
Hello blog friends.
I have been trying to eat a healthy breakfast lately and one the ways is by eating oatmeal.
I'd love to share with you my easy and basic overnight oats recipe.
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What you'll need to make the oats.
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I usually set up the two bowls the night before for Mr. JCL and myself. I like that it's ready to eat in the morning. I usually use whatever fruit we have available.
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I hope you enjoy this breakfast as much as we do.
BASIC OVERNIGHT OATS
Serving Size: 2 Bowls
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/3 cup almond milk
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon chia seeds
fruit - I use blueberries, cut up banana or strawberries.
granola or nuts
DIRECTIONS:
Stir together almond milk, rolled oats, and chia seeds. Spoon into 2 small bowls. Add in any fruit you like. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight. Before eating, top with granola or nuts.
Yummy Overnight Oats!
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Hello blog friends and Happy October!
How many of you like Lentil Soup? We do in my house.
I usually make this type of soup at least once a month during the fall and winter months.
I also make lentil soup in the crockpot and you can see my recipe HERE.
How many of you like Lentil Soup? We do in my house.
I usually make this type of soup at least once a month during the fall and winter months.
I also make lentil soup in the crockpot and you can see my recipe HERE.
One evening I decided to make it in the Instant Pot. I didn't have time to make it in the crockpot so this was the perfect solution.
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This lentil soup tastes so good and the best part is that it cooks fast in the Instant Pot.
Your soup can be ready to eat in 23 minutes!
I hope you'll enjoy this Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe as much as my family does. You can serve this with any kind of bread on the side and a salad.
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INSTANT POT LENTIL SOUP
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Instant Pot Cook Time: 16 minutes
Serves: 12 bowls
INGREDIENTS:
1 package of brown lentils - rinsed clean with water
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 - 8 oz. can tomato sauce
6 carrots, diced
2 large potatoes, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 small onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Mrs. Dash seasoning to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
6-7 cups water
4 cups vegetable/chicken stock broth
4 cups fresh spinach or kale
DIRECTIONS:
Place olive oil, garlic, and onion in the Instant Pot. Turn on Saute setting and let vegetables saute for a few minutes. Add rinsed lentils, carrots, potatoes, fresh spinach or kale, tomato sauce, seasonings, and broth in the Instant Pot. Turn off Saute and Turn on Manual setting and set for 16 minutes. Do Quick Release of steam. (Follow directions in your Instant Pot Manual for Quick Release).
NOTE: This recipe makes a large batch of soup. I will sometimes divide this up into a large container and put the rest into the freezer for another meal. I made my soup using kale.
Click HERE to see the great parties I will be linking up to!
Julie
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