Upcoming Black Friday Weekend Sales Planned in my Shops! ALL Welcome!

Come and enjoy the savings on sales that total $35 ,(10%), and sales that total $50 and up, (20%).

SPECIFICS:

Black Friday Sales Planned!!!
This event will take place Friday Novemember 27th through Monday November 30th


Send me an email or convo me through the sites and I will gladly send you an invoice of your adjusted amount.


SPECIFICS:
This event will take place Friday Novemember 27th through Monday November 30th

Everything in Etsy and Primitive Sister's Marketplace . If your sale totals $35 - $49.99 you will get 10% off total price of sales ,NOT BELOW, . If your sales comes to $50 , or above, you will get a 20% discount on your order (This does not include the shipping and handling which will be a combined amount.

Send me an email at pdq [!at] epix.net ...or convo me through the sites and I will gladly send you an invoice of your adjusted amount if your items come to these amounts ONLY.

International Sales are WELCOME! Just email me your location and I will gladly take off the 10-20% off the main price, should these conditions apply to you, and send you an estimate of your total! **Pay Pal payments are accepted ONLY for International sales!



If you have ANY questions feel free to contact me and I hopefully will be able to help you out! I hope to see you there and thank you for for taking a look at my shops.


SEE WHAT WILL BE FOR SALE LINKS;

ETSY; http://www.willowtreetreasures.etsy.com


PRIMITIVE SISTER'S MARKETPLACE; http://www.oldprimitivesisters.com/shops/willow-tree-treasures/aff_11.html

Beat the crowds and do your shopping online! If you have ANY questions feel free to contact me and I will gladly try to assist you and hopefully will be of help! Hope to see you there!

A Few More items.....1 more to get to 90 items...

Hello all! I just wanted to keep you up to date with the items I have added to my Etsy shop and these are the newest items just put in. Feel free to go and and take a look.











I have one more item to get into my shop to hit 90 items! WOW! There is alot to look at in my shop so go today and see the new additions. Christmas is so close you can almost feel it breathing in your ear..."Buy your Christmas items soon! It won't be much longer and gift giving will be happening! Don't be one that isn't prepared!"

Have fun and I hope you enjoy my new additions!


LINK:
http://www.willowtreetreasues.etsy.com

A few new additions to my Etsy shop!

Just a quick note that I have added a few new Christmas items to my Etsy shop and invite you all to come in and see these new additions!










MY ETSY LINK;

http://www.willowtreetreasures.etsy.com

I'm the WINNER!

Hello all! I just wanted to show my readers some awesome things that I have won when entering into some GREAT give a ways! I don't have a large habit of entering into blog give a ways because frankly , foolish as I am, I don''t believe that most of the time I have a very large chance of winning and plus I end up feeling pretty guilty that I am getting something that I haven't paid for. These artists work hard on their items...and out of the goodness of their hearts just give them to the name that is picked out of everyone that tries for them! I'm one that feels guilty during holidays because I am in the position to get and give but feel bad for the ones that are not in that position....so would it be any wonder that give a ways bring out the same feelings? I don't know where the guilt came from...I had a very happy childhood..but just know that this has been a feeling that I have gotten every holiday! I guess it is time to work in a soup kitchen during the holidays so that I know that people less fortunate than myself are having a wonderful holiday too!

I am writing this post to tell the creators of the items I HAVE won ,in the few give a ways I have entered, ....thank you! I am such a fortunate person to have won items from two wonderful artists and am here to share with you, my readers, what they are and show you what I did with the both of them. They have added such warmth and beauty to my home and have these two very talented craft experts to thank!

The first winning was from Bev of Heartland Creations. Bev is a dear friend that I met in the Olde Primitive Sister's Group in Ebay! I had asked Bev if she could make a replica of a dog that my boy owns. I sent her pictures of him and wasn't sure if it was even possible to make anything like Hendrix. Brandon has asked me many times to do it...but I just don't have the know how to put a dog like he has together. He has a puggle dog named Hendrix and is our first attempt at trying to be grandparents to something that is living. We call him our grandpuppy and love him as if he were our grandchild!

Bev took about a week and then contacted me back that she would give it a try and sure enough in just a couple weeks she contacted me back and I was just blown out of my chair! If you look a few posts ahead you will see a picture of Hendrix and what she created! IT WAS A DEAD RINGER! I was so happy and when Brandon and Nicole saw what she had made we all were in disbelief of what talent this gal has! I have been keeping my eyes on Bev's work and she has grown even more with her talents...if that is even possible...she was sooo talented before! Her Halloween doll is FANTASTIC and has a drawn on face that is beyond compare! I'm just a fan of ALL of her work!

Well on the Kindred Sisters site I saw a butterfly doll that was up for a give a way and I saw that Bev was the person who made this awesome doll and, since I LOVE everything that Bev does, I thought I'd try my hand at winnning her! I put my name in to be one of the people to be entered into the give a way thinking that I'd never win her but just loved knowing that ...well it was possible.

A few weeks went past and I forgot about this great doll that I put my name in for and sure enough I got a e-message from Bev saying that my name was picked to be the winner of this beautiful butterfly doll! WOW a second creation from one of my favorite doll artists! What luck! I was so excited and felt so honored for this doll was only a dream if it could be hanging in MY home!

The day arrived and the butterfly doll was on my doorstep! The box was all decorated with beautiful drawings and done with care. That was even a creation I never wanted to part with! It was the present before the present! When I opened the box inside was a perfectly done doll that has a round head, perfectly sewn on facial features and a very feminine lacy top , wings and a pretty little skirt. Her shoes were so dainty and framed with eyelash yarn that just added to her whispy, feminine look and feel! You can tell when a person has put their heart and soul into a creation and this is one of just many dolls that Bev and done that with! I LOVE HER and found a great place to hang her. She is in my back livingroom right next to a lamp to keep the focus on her even when it is dark out! She has added love and beauty to that corner of my home and will always just stand and admire her for she is the greatest butterfly gal I will ever own! Plus my good friend Bev put her together and she is one of the most talented crafters I know!

If you want to see more of Bev's work go to her site to see more and while you their take a trip to her blog and read about her work and learn about her and her craft! These two links will get you there:

BEV'S BLOG LINK:
http://www.heartlandcreations.blogspot.com


BEV'S SHOP:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/heartland-creations*

If it wasn't for the Kindred Sister's I wouldn't be the lucky recipient of this wonderful doll. Thank you Kindred Sister's for picking my name to win this awesome give a way! Visit the Kindred Sister's Gathering Post by going to the following link and read more about them and the other artists that are part of this very talented group!

KINDRED SISTER'S GATHERING POST LINK ;
http://kindredsisterssellingblog.blogspot.com

Here are some pictures of the Butterfly Doll and where she is residing today! You'll see that she is a vision of beauty and adds so much to a place in my home where she is always viewed and admired!





















I have just won in my second give a way and am absolutely thrilled with my second win also! This I won from someone that is a fantastic crafter, creator and friend! I have looked at these in Primitive Amish type stores in my area but NEVER thought I would own one! It is called a Primitive Dough bowl, Dough rolling pin holder and adds so much to a home when you are crazy about primitives! Not only did I get my winnings ..she threw in a candle holder as well! Can you believe that? This gals name is Carol and owns the shop Firecracker Kid in Etsy! I got to know about her and her work through the Olde Farmhouse Gathering Team and am quite a fan. She is also one of the members that I wrote a post about in my Monday Featured Shops For OFG! If you look ahead on my posts you will find a post that shows what Carol makes and other items in her shop. Just look for Firecracker Kid!

Carol's work is fantastic! She has made a business that involves her husband's talents along with her own and together they have created a perfect harmony of creation and finished work! Her shop holds other items as well like wall hangings, dolls and stitcheries. You really should go in to her shop today for she is having an unbelievable sale !!HOLIDAY SHOPPING SALE!!
20% OFF ALL ONE-OF-A-KIND WOODCRAFTS ONLY
10% OFF ALL PRIMITIVE BOWL RACKS
SALES RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 30!

I have one of her Dough Bowl/ Rolling Pin holders and had a choice of colors and accessorized it with a Vintage dough bowl and rolling pin,(ok it is really about 1980's but it works!), and FINALLY found a place that it would look perfect! My kitchen has a theme of roosters and I bought a large wooden bowl with two roosters painted on the front and I am using the this very attractive holder to display this bowl and rolling pin to combine the rooster theme with the rooster bowls I have displayed on a top shelf, the rooster place mats, and the rooster clocks that I have in the room! It is so quaint now and looks like this space was waiting for this great display forever to help bring the primitive look into the mix!(I was a antique dealer a number of years and refurbished old furniture for store sales, myself and for individuals in town and kept many primitive items in the process. There is a primitive shelf in the corner of this room and added a second feeling of antiques along with the roosters!)

Having worked with wood items I could see right away that Carol and her husband have a great talent with all of their wooden items! The wood is so smooth, their finish is flawless and the sturdiness of this item is beyond compare! A little creativity from any of the buyers of their items can make a room complete and add so much to your home decor. I can't even tell you! Wooden bowls and wooden rolling pins can be purchased in Etsy or Ebay. They can be used for combining themes in a room, bring out a theme or just to work on your love for pure primitive! There are so many ideas of what you can put in them and how decorate them! It is fun experimenting and seeing it when it is finished! I was thrilled to see it all together when I had everything on mine! It was the tie to combine all that I wanted for my kitchen...primitives and roosters just like an old fashion kitchen nook!


Isn't the candle holder cute? It has a rusty nail down below to hang those primitiive candles that hang by a rope. One candle to another ...I don't currently have one of those but plan on getting one soon! They have thought of everything to make the most of EVERY primtiive item they make! On top I had a large 22 oz jar candle so it holds a good amount of weight. This also is flawless and is well constructed! I'll be finishing off the look of this item soon and also is being used in my kitchen for an accent piece!

I thought with these winnings I certainly have been won the jackpot! I just love the look of my kitchen with the use of the well designed, awesomely crafted and superbly finished Primitive Dough bowl /Rolling pin holder and candle display! You have helped me create a kitchen that I could have only wished for and am so proud of now! It is amazing how this can change the feel of a room and help it become more welcoming and warm just by adding your items in the right places! Thank you Carol/hubby for your great addition to my home! Here are some pictures of how I have displayed both and plan to accessorize the candle holder soon! It looks great even when there is nothing on it ...but am planning to accessorize it so that it draws more attention! Now this is one of my favorite rooms of my home! I just wish I was a better photographer! It even looks better in person!




















Come in to Etsy and see Carol's store and take advantage of her gracious sale! Her items are absolutely done with the utmost care and can add so much to your home. It is quality that you can't get just anywhere! I know....for I am now a new owner of some of her wonderful work and would never steer someone the wrong way when you are about to purchase something from a shop! I give FirecrackerKid Shop all thumbs up ..plus a few toes!

Come see her items today and read about her art in her blog!


FIRECRACKERKID SHOP LINK:
http://www.firecrackerkid.etsy.com

FIRECRACKERKID BLOG LINK ;
http://www.firecrackerkid.blogspot.com

Hello and Welcome to Willowtree Treasures OFG Recipe Swap!

Good morning all readers! Today you are in for a REAL treat! I have recipes that I hope you have never tried before ..or may not of every heard of before... and will hopefully will find a few recipes that sound good to enough to become a new addition to your fall/Autumn holiday meals, snacks and deserts! Come an enjoy the recipes that I have provided for you today and click on the left banner about the recipe swap and it will tell you of other participating OFG Team members that will have recipes available for you to copy, use and share with friends! Have fun and don't forget your pencil and paper...or these days..just a computer with a copy and paste! LOL Life certainly has changed!

My first recipe is a really delicious dessert! If you love toffee this is a true keeper! The texture of the pecans and toffee is incredible! It is a sweet treat for praline lovers and is a great treat on a cold fall or winter day!
It is easy to make and is a great treat for company or special dinners!

DESSERTS AND TREATS:


PRALINE MINI BUNDT CAKES

CAKE
1 package Betty Crocker SuperMoist Yellow cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup English toffee bits

BROWN SUGAR GLAZE:
1/4 cup butter (DO NOT USE MARGARINE)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbl. corn syrup
2 Tbl. milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup English toffee bits

1. Heat oven to 350. Generously grease 12 mini fluted tube cake pans or 12 jumbo muffin cups with shortening (DO NOT SPRAY WITH COOKING SPRAY!) and Lightly flour.
2. In large bowl beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed for 30 secs. Geat on medium speed for 2 minutes more , scraping bowl occasionally. Fold in peacans and 1/2 pecans and 1/2 cup toffee bits. Divide batter evenly among mini pans.
3. Bake 18-23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes then remove from pans to a wire rack. Cool completely for about 1 hr.
4. In 1 quart saucepan melt butter over medium high heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and milk. Heat to rolling boil over medium high heat stirring frequently and remove from heat. Immediately beat in powdered sugar and vanilla with a wire whisk until smooth. Immediately drizzle about 1 Tbl. glaze over each cake. Sprinkle each with 1 tsp. toffee bits. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Makes 12 mini cakes.
(from Betty Crocker Super Moist Party Cakes edition!)




How about some sweet and buttery homemade carmel corn! I've made this one time and am planning to make it again soon. It is a true people pleaser! Simple to do and quick! This is great gift for a friend or snack for yourself! Smells delicious as it tastes!



CARMEL CORN

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup dark brown corn syrup
1 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 small amount(pinch)
of cream of tartar
salt to taste
1 tsp. of baking soda
8 qt of popcorn popped

Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in saucepan. Bring to boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla, cream of tartar, salt and baking soda. Cook until it turns a lighter color and increases in volume. Pour the mixture over the popped popcorn and toss until the popcorn is mostly covered. Place in roasting pan and bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour stirring 2-3 times while it is cooking. Once finished lay it out on wax paper and separate to cool. Makes 8 quarts.
(author unknown)


I love peanutbutter and have always wanted to make peanutbutter icing that didn't taste like powdered sugar. I have looked and looked and experimented with many a recipes to find one that didn't say "powdered sugar" after I was finished! I then ran into Ina Garten's version, (Barefoot Contessa), of peanutbutter icing and finally found one that is the most delicious peanutbutter icing recipes and you don't just taste the powdered sugar. I've made this many times and it always turns out yummy! Even to the point of having your tongue stick to the top of your mouth ...LOL She has a chocolate cupcake recipe also but I used to put this icing on a boxed cake mix cupcake instead. I'm sure the cupcakes are just as tempting but, haven't as of yet, tried it myself!


The recipes from the Foodnetwork are copyrighted so I have left you a link to take a look at this recipe from the Foodnetwork website. Copy and paste this recipe into the search area and enjoy!





PEANUTBUTTER ICING

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-cupcakes-and-peanut-butter-icing-recipe/index.html
(author: Ina Garten)



The next recipe is from NorthwindStars Blog. This sounds like a delightful Fall dessert and who doesn't go for pumpkin anything...this time of year! I plan to make this for the holidays and just know that is sounds delectable!



PUMPKIN CAKE ROLL WITH TOFFEE FILLING AND CARMEL SAUCE

*For the Cake Roll*
Nonstick vegetable oil spray 3/4 -cup cake flour 1 -1/2 -teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 -1/4 -teaspoons ground ginger 3/4- teaspoon ground allspice 6- large eggs, separated 1/3 -cup sugar 1/3 -cup (packed) golden brown sugar 2/3 -cup canned solid pack pumpkin 1/8 - teaspoon salt Powdered sugar

*For the Filling*
2 -tablespoons dark rum (I would assume, you can use rum flavoring if you prefer) 1 - teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1 -cup chilled whipping cream 3 - tablespoons powdered sugar 10- tablespoons plus 1/2 cup English toffee pieces (or chopped English toffee candy; about 7 ounces) Additional powdered sugar 1 -1/2 cups-purchased caramel sauce, warmed
*For Cake:*
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with vegetable oil spray. Sift flour, cinnamon, ginger and allspice into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar in large bowl until very thick, about 3 minutes. On low speed, beat in pumpkin, then dry ingredients. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites and salt in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into batter in 3 additions. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester is inserted comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Place smooth (not terry cloth) kitchen towel on work surface; dust generously with powdered sugar. Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Turn cake out onto kitchen towel. Fold towel over 1 long side of cake. Starting at 1 long side, roll up cake in towel. Arrange cake seam side down and cool completely, about 1 hour.
*To make Filling:*
Pour 2 tablespoons rum into heavy small saucepan; sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Stir over low heat just until gelatin dissolves. Beat chilled whipping cream and 3 tablespoons powdered sugar in large bowl until firm peaks form. Beat in gelatin mixture. Fold in 6 tablespoons English toffee pieces. Unroll cake; sprinkle with 4 tablespoons English toffee pieces. Spread filling over. Starting at 1 long side and using kitchen towel as aid, roll up cake to enclose filling. Place cake seam side down on platter. Cover with foil and refrigerate if you are not going to use immediately. When ready to serve: Trim ends of cake on slight diagonal. Dust cake with powdered sugar. Spoon some of warm sauce over top of cake. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup toffee. To serve, cut cake crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices. Pass remaining sauce.

Read more: http://northwindstar-primitives.blogspot.com/2009/09/pumpkin-roll-with-toffee-filling-and_17.html#comment-form#ixzz0RNbDCbLn

Visit the below link to actually read the recipe from her blog and visit her site today! She always has a great recipe to copy in her posts and love to see what is next on her list of great new foods!LOL
(author unknown)



This next dessert is from the Foodnetwork website also! I have to admit I have never made this but it just sounds so ooey and gooey yummy. I'm going to have to try it soon! If you like smores this would be a great recipe for you! It is called smore brownies!






BROWNIE SMORES

4) www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/smore-brownies-recipe/index.html

Copy and paste this into your search and enjoy!
(author Foodnetwork staff)



The next recipe if for a Spice cakes that was made into a work of art for us one day for dinner by my sister Amy....Winterberry Creek! With her icing she made her cakes into pumpkins and showed her artistic ability by putting faces on them and making them up as if drawing her idea on a piece of paper. Amy is a great cook and can find recipes like no one else and is always so willing to share the recipes she has with others. A great place to find some great recipes is from her blog. I would love to live in her home for she knows what to eat and bake anything that would make your mouth water. Visit her blog today!

http://www.winterberrycreek.blogspot.com

She is not only my sister she is a very talented artist that I share my ETSY experiences with and we share in our talent for creativity! You'll have to see her altered art works and her doll creations while you are there! Here is a recipe I got from her...



PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKES

Make spice cake from a mix according to box recipe.
Spray inside of mini Bundt cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and pour
into molds, filling about 1/2 full. Bake according to cupcake recipe times.
When done, cool 10 minutes in pan. Put on wire rack to cool.

When completely cool drizzle with butter cream frosting.

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

8 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
3-3/4 confectioners' sugar
3 to 4 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Blend butter in mixing bowl. Add confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla
extract slowly. Blend until mixed. Add red and yellow food coloring until
desired shade of orange. Put in microwave bowl and microwave about 35
seconds or so on HI until desired pourable consistency. Drizzle over cooled
cakes and decorate with green gum drop and green leaves made out of
frosting.

Thank you Amy! This is a fall special that is only seen in the fall...but thanks to you have a new way of making an old favorite!


MAIN MEALS

Do you like comfort food? I know I do and usually go for something comforting that I can make for meals during the changing season. This next recipe is so delicious ..I can't even tell you! When you are done the chicken will fall off the bone and all the vegetables, and meat, won't need one bit of salt or seasonings. It is absolutely the most amazing meal I have ever made! Again, I found this keeper through my sister and can be found on the Foodnetwork. It is called Garlic Roasted Chicken and is the best meal you will ever eat! It became quickly one of my favorites and hope it becomes one of yours!





GARLIC ROAST CHICKEN

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/garlic-roast-chicken-recipe/index.html

Copy and Paste this in your search and make this today! You're family will be glad you did!
(Author Ina Garten)


This second comfort food I just stubbled across. It is nothing really special ...but when I was all done it had become a comfort meal for both my husband and myself! This is a Beef Stew but I added dumplings to go ontop and it was like a meal that just fed the soul and have all the items to make it again this week.



BEEF STEW AND DUMPLINGS



1)What you need is a McCormick stew seasoning mix.
2 lbs stew beef cut into 1" cubes
3 TBL. flour
2 TBL. oil
3 cups water
5 cups of fresh vegetables such as potates, carrots, onions and celery
(I used canned)

1. Coat beef with flour and heat oil in deep skillet on medium heat, add beef until browned on all sides.
2. Stir in seasoning mix and water
3. bring to a boil , cover and reduce heat and simmer 1 hour stirring occasionally . Add vegetables, simmer 45 minutes or until beff and vegetables are tender stirring occsionally. Thicken stew with additional flour if desired.
(author McCormick Co.)

DUMPLINGS:

3 TBL. shortening
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk

Cut shortening into flour, baking powder and salt until mixture resembles find crumbs. Stir in milk . Dorp dough by spoonfulls onto hot meat and vegetables in bloiling stew (DO NOT DROP DIRECTLY INTO LIQUID) Cook uncovered 10 minutes. Cover and cook about 10 minutes longer until spongy and done.
(Author Betty Crocker Cookbook)



I am a big soup eater and love new soup recipes that are easy and delicious! This week I'm making a homemade Cream of Potato soup and is easy and so tasty that you'll
just have to have it again. This recipe is also a great comfort food and I usually make it as the fall season progresses! Add a favorite sandwich and you have yourself a meal!


POTATO SOUP

4 cups chicken stock
2 1/2 milk
1 1/2 cup half and half
1 medium onion
1 cup celery diced
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 lbs of potatoes , peeled and diced
(I use canned potatoes that are diced)

Cook potatoes in chicken stock until soft.(Or just cook the canned diced potatoes in the stock until hot. In separate pan melt butter, add onion and celery and cook until soft. Add a small amount of chicken stock , than add flour slowly and stir until thick and smooth in with the onion and celery mixture. Add mixture to potates in the hot stock, stirring continuously. Slowly add milk, seasoning and half and half. Heat through, but do not boil.
(author Dianne Souders)


Another soup that I would put under comfort foods is my chicken noodle soup! With all the colds and sicknesses that are going around this is the perfect soup to make as the weather gets colder and is a favorite with my family! I used to make it all the time for my father in law that is no longer with us! It used to be his favorite! It also makes a great gift if you know someone is sick! This is a traditional favorite!


CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP


2 1/2 pounds broiler chicken
1 Quart water
4 medium celery cut into 1/2" slices
1 TBL. salt
3 carrots cut into 1/2" slices
1 TBL monosodium glutamate (optional)
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
3 chicken bouillon cubes
2 cups uncooked egg noodles


1) Heat ALL ingredients except noodles to boiling in 4 quart dutch oven, reduce heat.
2) Cover and simmer chicken is done but not dried out! (about 45 minutes)
3) Skim fat if neccessary
4) Once chicken it cooked cut into 1" pieces
5) Put pieces back in with vegetables
6) Cook noodles in separate pan to the directions on package
7) Once done drain and put noodles in with chicken and vegetable mixture and stir.

(I usually just go by taste with how many boullion cubes I add. I find that three makes the soup a bit too weak in taste!)



Get yourself some soup crackers and enjoy! This is an American favorite and has certainly been a favorite of mine too!


My grandmother was always an amazing cook! There is a meal she would always make it we liked it so much I grew up and made it myself. It brings back so many memories of being at her house during the summer and enjoying her great meals. This is an old favorite and is also in the list of Comfort foods. It is called Poor Man's Stew!


POORMAN STEW:

1 regular can chopped potatoes
1 regular can peas
1 lbs hamburger
bisquick
1/2 cup water
2 TBL flour

1)Open can of canned peas and potatoes, drain and put into baking dish.
2) Brown hamburger and put that in with vegetables
3)Add water to come up to about middle of pan and add flour to thicken
4) Make bisquick biscuits from box recipe
5) Place biscuits onto of vegetables and water/flour mixture to bake.
( Or make the biscuits separately and add to top of mixture once everything is cooked)
6) If putting the biscuits directly onto the vegetable, meat mixture put oven on 350 and cook until biscuits are done and meal is hot. Butter the biscuits and your about to taste down home cooking! It is a fantastic meal to make when you want something that will stick to your ribs ...but doesn't take hours to make!


I love homemade bread and one of my favorites is a recipe that my mother has made of years. It is a very simple banana bread. It is a true treat to go to her house when she has made it ....but I got her recipe and it is one that you will need to try for it is the very best!



BANANA BREAD

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 twp salt
1 eggs
1/4 cup butter
3 mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups walnuts


1)In a small bowl combine the flour, baking power, soda and mix.
2)In a medium bowl combine the sugar, shortening, eggs milk and bananas until well blended. Fold in walnuts.
3)Slowly add the flour mixture into the sugar mixture and combine.
4)Grease and lightly flour a bread pan and fill with mixture.
5)Bake at 325 until done, 45-50 minutes, and when a toothpick is inserted, comes out clean.



Another favorite of mine is an English muffin bread! For this recipe you will need a bread machine. This bread is amazing because the texture is exactly like english muffins and has all the nooks and crannies! UMMMMMM! I can almost smell a loaf cooking right now!LOL


ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD


1 1/4 cups Water
2 teaspoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
3 cups Bread flour
3 tablespoons Nonfat dry milk
2 teaspoons Yeast
(This is great to put on the timer to have first thing in the morning)

Follow the instructions for your bread machine for putting each item in your machine. This recipe is a definite keeper!


There is nothing better than an apple dessert during the colder seasons. One of my favorite is making apple fritters! I don't know why when I run into a great recipe I have a habit of making it only once or twice but that is the case with this next recipe. I have only made this recipe once but I remember is well for we bought a bag of our first seasoned apples from a local orchard and I tried this apple fritter recipe and for some reason just haven't made it a second time. My husband is a diabetic and I have greatly reduced how much of the sweets that I make him at home or bring into the house. I know apple deserts are his favorite and don't try to tempt him ...but give this recipe a try! I can see is with a carmel topping and icecream for a pure treat!


APPLE FRITTERS

1 1/3 cup sifted all purpose flour
1 TBL sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBL salad oil
2 eggs beaten
2/3 cup milk
3 cups of apples cut into small strips

Sift dry ingredients together.
Blend eggs , milk and salad oil.
Add dry ingredients all at once and mix just until moistened.
Stir in apple strips
Drop from tablespoonfulls into deep, hot fat (375 degrees)
Fry until puffy and golden (3-4 minutes)
Turn once
Drain on paper towels
While warm sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Serve at once!


These are crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside and are just so tasty! They are a delectable treat!


During the colder seasons...I don't know about you but I get a hankering for fresh fruits and veggies. I know that ranch dressing is a great dip for veggies but I never knew of a really good fruit dip until I went to a home decoration party a number of years ago and the hostess had this great dip. I asked her what was in it and this is the fruit dip recipe that she gave me.


FRUIT DIP

1/4 cup fluffernutter
1/4 cup cream cheese

Cream the cream cheese and add the fluffernutter. It is a lightly sweetened dip that is great on apples, bananas, kiwi or any fruit. Great for parties!




My last recipe is for a all time favorite chocolate chip cookie. I have never tried them but they sound delicious and may get out the bowls and cookware soon and give them a try for when my boy and his wife come home for a visit. Chocolate chip cookies have always been their favorite. I have left you the link to go and see the recipe because of copyright laws. Just copy and paste into your search! Enjoy!


CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Big-Fat-Chewy-Chocolate-Chip-Cookie/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

I have just added a few new recipes for all readers to make note of. I hope you can something here that sounds delicious to you and would be a good meal, snack, or treat to make for your family this fall season. Until tomorrow happy cooking!

OFG Marketplace Tuesday Last Featured Shops!

Hello readers! I'm sorry I'm late I was with my son and his wife this weekend to help them move to a new apartment! What an apartment it is too! My husband and I were so glad to help them move things in from their old apartment and make pickups to different stores ,where they had made other purchases, to fill up their new home! It was turning out pretty nice when we left and they seemed to have things under control by early Sunday morning so we helped one final time and then went on our way to head home! What a time...but it has provided us with memories that we will cherish for a lifetime and are so glad that we are in the position to do these little/ helpful tasks to be able to watch them begin their journey as husband and wife! Makes me feel pretty good!

Well now onto the task of the day. I have two final OFG Etsy shops that I will be featuring today! So ,in other words, I have written something about all of the shops that took place in the Marketplace Mondays and this will be my last post concerning the shops that I have information on. Again, this is a small glimpse of what the OFG team has to offer and invite you all , that come into Etsy, to put OFG in your search and find ALL the others that didn't take part! You will be amazed with the scope of talent this group truly holds!

Ok...the first shop I will be featuring will be Artpod Studio and the second is a new artist that has joined us and her shop is Sugar Mountain Mercantile. My first shop to feature will be Artpod Studio.




This artist features a variety of items such as hang tags, paper art, potion bottles, patterns, party invitations and Ephemera cutouts. Her whole shop is dedicated to Halloween and making your holiday special and truly scarey! I have picked out some of my personal favorites. Come join me as I post them for you to take a look what this, very talented artist has to offer!





































This artist has Halloween down pat and knows what her customers need to meet their home decoration needs to put on any party or to hang on their surroundings to add a feeling of Halloween spookiness! Thinking Halloween? This is the gal to see!

Now spend some time and meet the artist behind the art and findout how artpod studio came about!

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

Art Pod Studios ~ First of all, I love art so I knew that word needed to be
in my business name, secondly, I make such a wide variety and
styles of art that I needed a word that said "serendipity or all kinds"
so I used a trendy word that I thought conveyed that ~ Pod. That is how
the name Art Pod Studios was born.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

Since May 2009

3. What type of items do you offer?

Right now I am featuring my Halloween Items, but I am what you would call
a Serendipity Artist. I love to work in a large variety of mediums and
styles. Creating to me IS art, so everything is a potential art project
waiting to happen.

4. How long have you been crafting?

I have worn many hats during my 24 plus years of art experience.
Designer, Artist, Craftsperson, Vendor, Mentor and Teacher.

5. Who or What inspires you?

The world around me, Family, Friends, Music, Nature and even current
events. Sometimes even a sound or color can cause me to snap into a
creative mood. I have also been using a book called Caffeine for
the Creative Mind. It's a great book with creativity exercises. I have
been awed at how this really does help me put on my creative thinking cap.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

Can't say I have a favorite. All of my art is like my little children
being sent out into the world, I could never pick a favorite, each one
is unique and different, but I love them all!

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

http://www.artpodstudios.blogspot.com


I found her answers to show the mind of an artist , that not only creates ...but puts part of herself into every item she has "given birth to." I found her answers to be personal and definitely original that shows how much using her creativity is so close to her heart by referring to each item as her "children". Creation is a little like becoming a mother because you give birth to an idea, watch it grow and you feel connected to it , because you put so much of yourself into your work as an artist you end up being protective of each and every piece of art that is "creatively born" from your heart and soul and ends up being part of your personality, an expression of who you are and shows your customers a little about you as a person! Strange it must seem to people who work in other areas other than art and creativity...but I understand her on this issue and are very revealing statements of her love for her art!

Please spend some time and visit Artpod Studios Etsy shop and take a look at all the other items she has available! Her ideas are revolutionary to meet her customers needs and all of her art shows the love that she puts into her work.

ARTPOD STUDIO LINK:

Http://www.artpodstudio.etsy.com


The second shop I will be featuring is Sugar Mountain Mercanile is a new member of the OFG team and has provided another shop to the Etsy forum. I will be seeing this shop for the first time myself and am anxious to see what this artist specializes in.

I have gone in and am having problems locating this shop. In the meantime I will give you the portion of this feature where she has answered an number of answers to questions that were posed to her.

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
The name of my shop is Sugar Mountain Mercantile, which I named for the mountain in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee on which I am blessed to have a beautiful log home getaway. I called it a "Mercantile" because I just knew I'd be offering up a wide variety of items, kind of like a general store.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?
Just over a year.

3. What type of items do you offer?
Well, it depends on how the mood strikes me! Nearly everything is holiday- themed, as I adore each and every holiday. I do machine and hand-embroidery, crochet, make primitive soaps, and I may list a few vintage items here and there. I haven’t yet filled my shop with what I really intend to sell. I also have plans to open a second shop in the near future, selling strictly baby items.

4. How long have you been crafting?
Gosh, ever since high school…I started out as a ceramics instructor in an after-school program for grade-schoolers..made me decide really quickly I did NOT want to be a teacher when I “grew up”!

5.Who or What inspires you?
Honestly, I am inspired and rejuvenated each and every time we go down to the cabin. It’s so peaceful and beautiful there, it would be hard not to be inspired. Every season has something to offer..the beautiful Fall colors, the snow-covered mountains in Winter, seeing the Spring flowers begin to bloom..and the beauty in Summer is just amazing!

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I always like listing glass-blocks, because each one has a personality of its own, depending on the graphics I use, and how I choose to decorate it. Plus they seem to sell well!

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)
I don’t yet have a blog, but can be found on the following:
http://twitter.com.SugarMtnMercant http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1639453199&ref=profile


Ok...found it...now meet Sugar Mountain Mercantile:



Again this shop has just been opened and I've looked over the list of items that they eventually have stocked. Look over the list and see what great things she will be creating!

# Hand decorated soaps
# Gift boxes
# Holiday Checkbook Covers
# Holiday Candles
# Vintage wares
# Primitive Fixens
# Prim Decor
# Prim Lighting
# Primitive tags
# Prim Ornies

What a great collection of crafts she will be having in her shop! She does have a few things already stocked and are the following:
















She has a great start of items in her shop and quite a variety of many more things to come. Keep your eye on this shop! I really think she has alot of potential to be a very well recieved shop!

I welcome her to the OFG Team and send her best of wishes starting out her business in Etsy! Make sure to visit her shop and see her shop transform and more things are added!

Sugar Mountain Mercantile's Link:

http://wwww.SugarMtnMercantile.etsy.com



Well, I guess our time here is done with all of the featured OFG Etsy shops and it is a bit sad. I have to admit that I have learned so much more about the people that I share the OFG Team with than I had known before and feel that getting to know about them, what they do, and how they conduct their shops have truly enriched my experience and an OFG Team member and as a Etsy shop owner! I hope you have enjoyed this experience as much as I have and take a look at what I have talked about here! Enjoy your experience and hope it is one that you will remember and invite your friends to visit as well! Take care all and until my next post....bye for now!

Recipe swap will be taking place Oct 25-31st notice!

During the dates of Oct. 25th and 31st some of the OFG members will be doing a recipe swap. I would like to inform my readers where to go so they too can get in on seeing some of these wonderful, down home recipes that the team will be sharing. I don't know about you ...but I always enjoy a new recipe and really could use a list of new foods that I can prepare for my husband...he thinks so too. Funny I guess I'm not alone on this one!LOL As soon as I find out where you need to go to see some of the recipes, by getting a full list of blogs that will be participating and that will be shared, I will pass this information on to you. Be looking October 25th- the 31st. This is when the recipes will be posted! Don't forget to leave a message, make a comment, or follow these bloggers and let them know that you also are a reader of their blog ...and most of all LOVE the work of the Olde Farmhousegathering Team of Etsy!!!!!


This is the list I have so far. I will add to this list as it grows. If you want to participate in the swap ***,and are an OFG member, see the post advertising for the recipe swap on the left and click on for information!

PARTICIPATING BLOGS:
Old Farmhouse Cooking
http://oldfarmhousecooking.blogspot.com/

Bea's Buzz
http://beasbuzzin.blogspot.com

From My Farmhouse Window
http://www.frommyfarmhousewindow.blogspot.com

Future Mrs.K
http://futuremrsk.blogspot.com

Hand-Crafted by Mary Ann Miller
http://handcraftedbymaryannmiller.blogspot.com/

White Sheep Primitives
http://whitesheepprimitive.blogspot.com/

Kim's Country Kitchen
http://kimscountrykitchen.blogspot.com

Willowtree Treasures
http://www.willowtreetreasures.blogspot.com

Originals by Connie
http://origionalsbyconnieione.blogspot.com/

Prairie Rose
http://oldfarmhousegathering.blogspot.com/

Baskets by Rose
http://www.basketsbyrose.blogspot.com

DebT.Primitives
http://debsprimitivecountrykitchen.blogspot.com/

Click on the banner, about the swap, to your left and it will give a full view of everyone that will be participating and will give you all the other OFG members that are to take part in this and where to find them. Have fun and enjoy! I know I will!

Welcome to Marketplace Monday of the Olde Farmhouse Gathering Team!

Good morning readers! We are winding down on the shops that have wanted to be posted in the Monday Marketplace blog posts ..but just know there are so many more members that are so talented and have shops that you just have to see. Put OFG in your Etsy search and see all the shops that come up! Make sure to see ALL that OFG has to offer! I have featured quite a few shops...but believe me this is only a small taste of what this team has as members and shop offerings. Check it out today!

Well now on to today's features! I will be featuring two more shops today....Irish corkies primitives and Icehouse crafts. Two more shops that have items that go into the fabric of OFG's makeup!

The first shop I will feature today is Irish Corkies Primitives:



Amy is one of the amazing sign painters that can make a sign for any season, any occasion , or for any room! Her signs are gorgeous and so well done you will proudly display one of her signs in/or outside of your home with pride and be able to enjoy it forever! One of her signs would be a great gift for you or for a dear friend...and a perfect gift for someone for the holiday season that is almost upon us! She even sells woodblocks that have various sayings on them , when stacked ontop of each other convey a message. These are perfect for a shelf, desk or stand! They all have such a primtive country appeal that they could be put anywhere, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or livingroom or laundryroom and would add a feeling of warmth and tyme of olde that would give ANY ROOM charm! It adds such a country feeling to your home...you'll have to admit it is like revisiting the past!

Come take a look at some of my favorites. She has 9 pages of her fantastic signs so I can only give you a small peek of what her shop contains. You will need to go in and see for yourself! After I'm done showing you a few signs I'm sure you will head right in and see the rest for yourself!








































Aren't these fantastic! Each is so different and would suit any purpose you have to put a sign or message blocks! Spend some time and meet the artist and see how Irish corkie Primitives came about!

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
I named my shoppe Irish Corkies Primitives for my yellow lab Corkie, her full name is Bailey’s Irish Cork.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?
I have been on Etsy since 2006, but really started selling there about a year ago.

3. What type of items do you offer?
I offer hand-crafted primitive signs, primitive shelf-sitter blocks, and peg racks. I hope to expand into more furniture items in the future.

4. How long have you been crafting?
I have been crafting for the past 10 years or so but have really focused on my primitive signs for the past 6 years.

5. Who or What inspires you?
I love the olde look and feel of times gone by and I just love how prim signs and decorating can make your home feel like it is from the 1800’s with a few modern throw ins.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite item in my shop is the Thomas Jefferson quote sign…I made one for my husband and it is proudly displayed on our Americana wall in our great room.

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)
http://irishcorkiesprimitives.etsy.com
http://irishcorkieprimitives.artfire.com
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Sly-Pond-Primitives
http://irishcorkiesprimitives.blogspot.com/


You can see her work can be found in other places and there is a call for great sign creators! She definitely is one that makes GREAT signs and has quite a variety! come in and take a look at her shop today! There may be a sign or message block that would look great in your home!

IRISHCORKIESPRIMITIVES LINK:

Http://www.irishcorkies.etsy.com


The second shop I will be featuring today is Icehouse Crafts:



This artist is also a sign creator and makes the shelf sitter blocks with messages also so you could put her art anywhere and in any room...even some could be displayed outside! She has 24 pages of so many variety of signs you're mouth is sure to drop! There are so many with sayings and conveying messages it is hard to keep track of them all! She is another master of her craft and I'm sure you will enjoy your time looking through the huge collection of woodwork items she has available! Take a look at some of my favorites and then go and look for yourself ...for again there are far too many to post here but I know you will enjoy yourself peeking at ALL the rest!
















































This crafter can meet any need you have to send your message in a tyme of olde fashion and you can have LOTS of fun picking out exactly the message you want to send for every occasion, holiday and intent! Now meet this artist and see the artist behind the art!

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

My etsy shoppe is called Icehousecrafts. I choose that name as when I started selling and buying online we lived in an old farmhouse of which was once an icehouse for the farm that we lived on. The walls in the icehouse part of the house were 24” thick stone. The farm was established in 1905.
2. How long have you been on Etsy?
I’ve been selling on etsy since February 2008.


3. What type of items do you offer?

Mostly on etsy I offer hand painted stenciled wood signs. I have also offered hand painted vintage pieces from time to time.
4. How long have you been crafting?

I’ve been doing crafts since I was a young girl...from crochet to macramé and finally to decorative painting. I’ve been painting fulltime since my middle son was a toddler so about 18 years for painting.
5. Who or What inspires you?

Customers are a great source for inspiration. They give you the framework for an idea and things just go from there.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

I have to say my favorite things in my etsy shoppe right now are my ouija board sign and wrong answer sign. The ouija board sign because as a young girl I was fascinated with “how” it worked. The wrong answer one, well it’s just obvious from looking at it as to why! LOL!

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

www.icehousecrafts.blogspot.com
www.artfire.com/users/icehousecrafts
www.stores.shop.ebay.com/icehousecrafts__W0QQ_armrsZ1
www.icehousecrafts.etsy.com



Come in and see this shop you won't leave disappointed!

ICEHOUSE CRAFTS LINK:
Http://www.icehousecrafts.etsy.com

I hope you have enjoyed reading about these two shop and on next Monday I will be doing my final shop....Artpod Studio! Don't miss it!