MIlitary jacket to vest, How to

A few weeks ago I went on a thrifting trip with a few friends.  I totally need fashion help so I was lucky to be thrifting with Ashley from Flats to Flip Flops and Meg from Brassy Apple. (check out there blogs...Amazeballs!)

I have been on the hunt for a military styled vest.  But have found nothing. Finally while out shopping I found this Military jacket for just $4.  Yipee!  I was so excited!

How to make Grapevine Ball Decorations

I have this crafty friend. She makes all kinds of great things on a whim.  Every time I go to her house she has something new to show me.  She is super talented at painting and jewelry making.  (Both things not my strong point.)  But one day I saw these cool grapevine orbs. She has 2 of them sitting on her porch. The first question out of my mouth, "Where did you get those?"  They were truly amazing.  Then she preceded to tell me she made them.  My heart stopped knowing I was unable to make them because the snow had already begun to fall. So no more grapevines for the season.  So I kept this beautiful spheres in the back of my mind until fall.   

So this year I have been anticipating this project!  I visited family who had grapes and harvested the vines myself and a few grapes too!

Armor of God Youth Activity Idea

In the past few weeks I have been called to work with our local youth.  Each week we hold an activity using the values and teaching of our faith.  A few weeks ago our youth group held and activity called "Putting on the Armor of God". WE decided that this topic was important for all to hear so we teamed up with the boys to make the activity a little more exciting. Here is how it all went down!

We started by announcing the activity was coming up with giving them no clue as to what the activity was.  We only said don't wear your nice clothing. Just stuff you didn't care about getting dirty. 

Next we gathered the supplies we needed. 

Cardboard

Duct tape

scissors or box cutters

several bags of water balloons (1 bag per leader)

We gathered boxes for weeks. Check out your local stores for empty boxes they are throwing away. (Lowes or Home Depot work great. the bigger the boxes the better)

 

Prior to your activity, plan an small obstacle course that your youth will have to get through. We just did yours through the parking lot. Have stations for your leaders to be standing.

 

When the youth arrive tell them they have 20-30 minutes to make themselves an armor. This is where you youth can get creative and build there armor however they want. They can ask for help or work together but each one needs there own armor using only cardboard and duct tape. They boys will love this part and some of the girls too!

 

 

Once time is up take all of them out and line them up.  When its time have them go through the obstacle course as fast or as slow as they like. All the while the adversary (leaders) will be trying to pelt them with water balloons, hoses or squirt guns. He who stays the driest wins!

 

Afterwards we had the youth remove there armor and dispose of it.  We met back in the church for a discussion about putting on the whole armor of God and why all the parts of the armor are important right down to the duct tape.

 

Our youth loved this activity and the message that was shared.  A great activity that was fun and had a purpose!

Linking up! {Here}

Corn Cutting Tips

The other day a neighbor asked if I was interested in making freezer corn.  I was thrilled. So we went out to here garden at 6:30 in the morning and picked 230 ears of corn and headed home. While talking about the best way to cut it off the cob we looked at several corn cob cutters online.  After doing a little research we decided the one that would work the best was unavailable in our area. So we did the next best thing.  We used what we had and it worked great!

Cheesy Chicken & Corn Chowder

A few weeks ago I spent the afternoon preparing and freezing corn.  I was able to get 12 quart bags of corn.  Yummy! I decided to find a great chowder recipe for my sweet corn. I found a few that looked good but not exactly what I wanted. So that means I make up my own.  I wanted mine to have lots of veggies, meat and cheese.  So I came up with this chowder that was delicious and filling.  Add a a slice of my fresh homemade wheat bread and you have the perfect meal on a cold day. 

Maple & Brown Sugar Applesauce {Blender Style}

Apple Season is just about here. I love drying, juicing and saucing them.  My kids love to head to grandma's house and pick bushels of them to eat. So this year while canning with my buddies we decide to make Maple Brown Sugar Blender Applesauce.  

This apple sauce is so easy to make.  Here is how we made it.