Craft Time...

This craft idea came from Pinterest.  You can find it here.  My niece was here and was able to join in the fun!

We read a book about the first Thanksgiving.  Then we set to work making our own Mayflowers.

First, paint your child's hand brown and have them press it onto a sheet of blue construction paper.

Then let them paint the ocean and clouds. 

Next, cut squares from white paper and glue them to the the fingers on the hand print... 

Taylor's.... 

B's... 

And Mel's... 

As usual, she opted out of the whole picture taking thing.  This time it was because her knee hurt.  That is her excuse for a lot of things.

After the Mayflowers were finished, B wanted to make Pilgrim and Indian hats. So we did. 

Pretending that she is using a bow... 

The three girls... 



Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cake...

Only 2 more days until Thanksgiving!!!!  That means two more days until we eat ourselves silly and have to expand our belts!  I have the perfect and most delicious recipe that will have your guest raving!  It's called Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cake and the recipe came from Shugary Sweets.

Beat together butter, applesauce, eggs and vanilla.  Spread in the pan...

Next mix together butter, sugar and add in the pumpkin, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.  Spread over the snickerdoodle layer...

The next step is the most important!  Lick the beaters!  Always lick the beaters!

I told you it was the most important step ever!

Sprinkle a mixture of sugar and cinnamon on top of the pumpkin layer...

Top it with some cream cheese icing once it is cool and Enjoy!!!!

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cake

Snickerdoodle layer:

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup applesauce

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

For the pumpkin layer:

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

5 Tbsp. butter, softened

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 egg

15 oz can pumpkin pie filling

Combine and sprinkle on top:

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

In a large bowl beat 1/2 cup butter, applesauce, 2 eggs, and vanilla.  Add in the dry ingredients for the snickerdoodle layer.  Mix until well blended and spread evenly in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.

For the pumpkin layer, mix butter and 3/4 cup sugar.  Add in the pumpkin, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice.  Mix until well blended and spread over snickerdoodle layer.

In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar with 2 tsp cinnamon.  Sprinkle over top of the pumpkin layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool completely. 

Spread cream cheese icing over top.  Enjoy!!!



Linked to:

Craft Time...

This is a simple fall craft that your kiddos will love because they get to use sparkles!   Just a warning, you will be finding sparkles for the next year, but it's okay because it's fun!  Right?  Right.

Using a hot glue gun, glue leaves to the outside of a jar, vase, etc.

I don't recommend letting your child use the hot glue gun as it gets very hot (hence the name) and can burn your child.

That's my disclaimer.

Over and out.

Spray adhesive on the outside of the jar (you can also use school glue and brush it on with a paint brush).

Adult supervision is recommended while using the spray adhesive.  Another disclaimer.;)

Let your child go crazy with the sparkles. 

Ta Da... 

We put a battery operated tea light in ours!  Have fun and happy Monday!!

Craft Time...

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away!  The girls and I have, once again, been getting crafty.

The first craft that we made was a hand print turkey.  I found this idea on Pinterest.  Seriously, how did I function before Pinterest?

Dip your child's hand in different colored paint.  We only used two different colors...one for each hand.

Stamp the hand prints on the paper for the feathers. 

Cut an oval out of brown construction paper.  This will be the turkey's body.

Glue the oval on top of the hand prints.

Glue or draw on the eyes and a beak.

B's Handprint Turkey...

Mel refused to have her picture taken so here is her Hand Print Turkey...

Have a great weekend everyone!  I'll be back on Monday!

Be sure to stop by on Tuesday as I will be sharing a yummy recipe that is perfect for Thanksgiving!

Fall Beauty....

My goodness what a crazy week this is!  Just when it seems things might slow down for once, our schedule gets crazier! 

Most of the leaves are gone from the trees which makes it hard to believe that just a couple of weeks ago they were full of vibrant colors.

I was driving through our woods on the Kubota one afternoon.  I think I was on my way to retrieve Mel from the tractor cab so she could take a nap.  Anyway, while moving at a somewhat slow pace, I noticed this tree...

I have driven through these woods a bazillion times, but never noticed this tree. It's funny what you notice while travelling at a slower pace!   All I had was my phone, but snapped a picture anyway.  And then my mind began to wander and I wondered what this tree had seen in it's lifetime.

Here are some other fall scenes that I captured with my phone.  Enjoy!!!!  

Hunk of Meat Monday : Mac and Cheese Lasagna...

I feel like it's been forever since I have posted a recipe on here.  If you feel the same way, I am so sorry.  If you don't, then I'm still sorry.

Today I am linking up with my pal, and fellow farmwife, Leah from Beyer Beware for Hunk of Meat Monday.

This is a dish that your whole family will love.  Especially if they are Mac and Cheese lovers.  And this is a fabulous meal to take to the fields.  Although, I won't have to worry about that for at least another 5 months because we finished harvest today!!!!  Just sayin'.

Evidently I was too lazy to take step-by-step pictures like usual so here you have it; Mac and Cheese Lasagna....

It appears as though I also forgot to take a picture during the meal!

Macaroni and Cheese Lasagna

2 (7.5 oz) pkgs. Thick and Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

1 lb. ground beef

1 1/2 c. spaghetti sauce

1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Prepare the macaroni and cheese according to the directions on the package.

2. Brown the beef; drain.

3. Add the spaghetti sauce to the meat and stir to combine

4. In a 9 x13 dish, spread half the meat mixture in the bottom of the pan. Follow with a layer of half the macaroni and cheese.  Repeat the layers with the remaining meat mixture and macaroni and cheese.

5. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the layers.

6. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Enjoy!

Guest Blogging and VOTING!!!!

There's still time to vote for This Farm Family's Life in the Boot Battle between the farmwives.  Voting ends Sunday.  If you haven't voted yet, please go here.  It only takes a minute.  Remember, by voting you are entered to win a pair also!!

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Today I am guest blogging over at The Real Farmwives blog about being thankful for the farm.  Go check it out!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!