Giving and Receiving

We baked up a storm and made candies galore! We gave baskets of food and much much more! Our lives are abundant and the blessings are full. I was so happy to share with others this Christmas.

 I know that receiving is fun, but I find giving so much more! The children and I had so much fun together creating love with food and crafts. 

We listened to Christmas music and danced and sang. 

It was fun putting our love in gift form.

Thank God for giving us the the gift of His Son, and the joy of giving!

With giving also comes receiving!

That is a blessing as well.

 Speaking of giving and recieving, that reminds me of Swaps! Swaps are such a fun part of the blogging community. We make new friends and share ourselves in really fun swaps. 

Debby at Cozy Blanket had such a fun swap called Cup Of Kindness. I hope you are following her blog already, but if not, she is a sweet woman with lots to share. She is a great crafter and she is a grandma and she is one of the nicest people ever!

My partner was Erica from Golden Egg Vintage and she also has a blog that you will want to follow if you are not already. Erica is one of the best vintage crafters and collectors and she specializes in Christmas theme!! I sent her my present and she sent me mine! Just look at her wonderful Cup of Kindness for me.

All so very Christmas Vintage!

Details! Make the cup even more fun! 

  I thought this was a lot to fit in one cup!! 

Erica, you must possess some Elf Magic!!

Vintage pipe cleaner Santa and cute Snowman, and decorated wreath! A vintage hand stitched Chicken /Scratch embroidered gingham apron!! Oh, Erica, you pay attention to what I like. You are such a sweetheart.

 See the pretty corsage that she made! 

Everyone loved this when I wore it for Christmas.

Thanks again Debby for being so kind in hostessing this 

Cup of Kindness Swap 2012.

Thank you Erica for being a wonderful Swap partner!

 Thank you to all my readers. So many have become friends and I am so happy and grateful for that! 

It was a good year and I am looking forward to seeing what blessings are waiting in 2013.

Live. Laugh. Love.

God bless you,

Little Susie Home Maker

Sandy Hook Elementary Prayer Chain

Christmas Treats Table Decorated

Hello everybody! I am so glad you have stopped by to visit. To all my new followers, I am just so pleased that you have decided to hop on board. It is about one week until Christmas and things are a bustle around here!

Today I wanted to share with you my new little white tree that I decorated for the top of my goodies table. Yes, I have a goodies table and it it set up from Thanksgiving for all the pies and desserts, etc. Then I change the theme over to Christmas. I just fell in love with my moms little table top fiber optic tree, so I went and picked up a white one! I decided it would be so fun to get out some fresh cranberries and string them up on a nice heavy embroidery string. I used an upholstery needle and they just slid on effortlessly!

Then I had to add candy canes! And yes they are for decoration, but feel free to take one off and eat it, or use it to stir your coffee or tea! Yumm!!

Then to help with my pretty red and white theme, I had to add my pretty little handmade felt birds that I love to make. I also added a few others that I have purchased and some stuffed little animals. A fox, lion, puppy, owl, and a pony!!! Doesn't it just look so happy!

Do you see the pretty rake hanger with the hearts just above and behind it? That was from my sweet friend Cindy at Old Time Farmhouse. 

She made it so pretty with the hearts. I had to adorn it with a few more ornaments and my copper choo-choo-train cookie cutters.

To add to the cookie theme, I have these pretty assortment of Christmas cookie cutters both new and vintage that I added to my big pickle jar. 

Also, the pretty cupcake liners that I am addicted to buying displayed in another pretty jar.

So you get the idea.. Stacks of Christmas plates and mugs, add in some cookies that are being eaten at a pretty rapid pace by my hubby with a sweet tooth, and my kids and me. When people stop by they know that they can dig in to the peanut brittle and enjoy!

My daughter has turned out to be such a good baker and is baking constantly! Seriously, her father and her brother and her uncle are in heaven with the treats. I am thinking I better keep the fruit bowl full! Come January, this Mrs. Claus needs to work on reducing her middle! LOL!

But for now, the lights are lit, and the treat table is wishing all a very Merry Christmas! I am so thankful for all my family and friends, and all the wonderful people that I have made through blogging.

Christmas Blessings to all,

Little Susie Home Maker

Sharing with
 Creating Christmas Party 2012 

Thanksgiving Past and Christmas Present

Hello to you and hope you all had a very Blessed Thanksgiving. Our guests were happy, the food was divine, and I was so blessed! But I was so busy that I did not take even one picture. Kind of funny since I used to be the one in the family with the camera glued to my finger tips. But for an idea of what it looked like here is a great substitute picture.

source

Okay, I admit this is a little bit of an old picture, but couldn't this be anyone's family? We don't carve the turkey at the table, we put it on a platter and then serve. How about you?

source

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is time to get cranking on all those Christmas projects. I see that countdown banner is ticking away!

Nana's Quilt Cottage

I did not do Black Friday. I am planning on strolling down in the Old Colorado City stores. This is a historic district filled with antiques store, art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. The historic century old atmosphere is just so charming this time of year!

Santa in Old Colorado City

No, This is not a paid advertisement, just a look into my local area. I do love this instead of the hustle and bustle of the malls, and big box stores. I always try to support the small business owners and artisans in my area. I would include my fellow blog buddies in that group of home town Blog Town!

I hope you try to do the same!

Blessings,

Susie

Getting ready for T Day

Today I am starting to get out all my extra dishes and serving bowls and platters. Got to wash the stem ware and clean out any thing I don't need in the refrigerator for extra room for the Thanksgiving Feast! I am so thankful to God that I can be in my home and cook a Thanksgiving dinner to share with loved ones.

I have not had a kitchen that I could cook a big meal like this in for years, and this will be a first in a long time! My husband has worked so hard putting together my new kitchen and I am so proud of him, and to be able to use it!!

Now here is how I am going to be cooking my turkey:

 Doesn't that just seem dreamy?

And I won't do this with out stuffing the Turkey.

Oh, no, can I stuff M.C. Turkey?

 Well, I will do my best!

Smiles and love to you all!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Homemade Putz House Swap 2012

 I had never heard of a Putz House until Erica came up with the idea for a Putz House Swap over at Golden Egg Vintage. I was really intrigued by the idea and had to start researching what one was? So I started a Pin Board and have so many on it now it is funny!

For me, Putz house is a mixture of the love of miniatures and doll houses, and Christmas, and vintage, and mostly GLITTER!!! I had a blast making my house that I sent to Debby! I do hope she loves it as much as I love the one she sent me!!

My partner for this swap was Debby of Cozy Blanket. If you haven't been to either of these blogs, I urge you to go follow them after you read my post!

Debby made me this Putz house

 This is the beautiful Putz house that Debby adorned and worked on for me! Isn't it just so cute? I love the pale blue and the snow on the roof! Look at that little fence!

Putz house details

I cracked up when I saw Santa peeking in the window! There is a vintage deer hanging out along side the pine tree in the front yard. And a pretty glass stepping stone path to the front door, where a Christmas wreath hangs above the door! The freshly fallen snow givs this Putz house the wonderful feel of Christmas Eve!

Putz house details

But wait.. what did Santa bring? It looks like Hershey's kisses! Those won't last long! And a cup of Hot Cocoa mix! Gee, Santa knew how much I love Chocolate!!

Debby had a fun guessing game on her blog, too. Guess what? I won!! How blessed can I get? She sent this darling little bell ringer!! I think she is out Christmas caroling on her way home to put up her Christmas wreath!

Thank you Debby for being such a wonderful swap partner! She also sent me that pretty vintage Christmas handkerchief that you see the house sitting on in the photos!! I am so happy!!

Thank you Erica, for hostessing such a fun swap! I think I am addicted to Putz houses, now!

I am off to make more for my new collection!! Haha!

Bless you all!

Little Susie Home Maker

Little Susie Home Maker's Thanksgiving Menu Printable

It is one week until Thanksgiving. I am planning a dinner at my home this year. 

 I am planning a very Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. This has come to be our family's favorites on this day.

Here is my menu.

  You can find my recipes for Peach Cobbler and  Pumpkin Pie, by clicking on my links. I would be so happy to share.

I had fun putting together this artwork that I made. I can print it out for the day, and also now to get me motivated and excited about visualizing the meal.

So I would like to make it available to my blog readers, because I am so thankful for all of you.

If you would like to have a copy of this please feel free to use it. 

I also made it a blank printable for use with your own menu.
(Right click on picture and save to your computer)

 Enjoy your holiday planning!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

I am joining these fun parties, please come visit them.

Share Your Cup Thursday 

Thrifted Vintage Cosco Step Stool, Vanity Seat and more

Rooster Figurine

 I went out hunting for some fun at the local thrift stores, and I found it! 

Two thrift stores and four really neat items that make me grin from ear to ear! 

The first one is this lovely little rooster chicken pottery figurine! He sits about 5 inches tall and is the prettiest creamy color. There is a hint of yellow left on its legs and more on his beak. The red is a little worn on his comb and wattle, but for me it just adds to his farm house fun look! The little sticker on the front reads, "Carlsbad Caverns". That leads me to feel safe in assuming it was made as a gift store tourist item. I think he will fit in with my other chickens and roosters that I collect! He looks good in front of my cast iron cookbook holder, don't you think?

Vintage Cosco Step Stool

The next smile I got on my face was really big! 

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this little  vintage Cosco kitchen step stool! 

Look at that pretty pale yellow. This stool is in such good shape! 

If you look at the ways it is constructed, you will see that it is not a reproduction, but a vintage one! This is completely metal with no plastic. If you look at the bottom legs, there are 6 not 8. If I understand correctly all the reproductions have eight legs. But I am not claiming to be an authority on this. They do have some really cool reproductions that you can get on Target online in red, yellow, and black for about $70.00. Etsy and E-bay have Costco step stools going from $60-$150 (Vintage or not).

 But I got mine at the thrift store, and only paid $10 for it! It only needed a quick wipe down with Windex!

Now that is something to smile about!

Vintage Cosco Kitchen Step Stool

 But the biggest reason to smile is I have wanted one of these for years. When I was growing up we had the phone in the hall. And me and my sisters spent hours sitting on my mom's stool just like this for hours talking with our friends! Remember those days? Unfortunately, my mom decided that she was tired of her old stool and threw it out for a new chair for the hall. "Mom, please don't throw any more out without asking if one of us wants it!" LOL!

My next smile that I found was another nice place to sit. I spotted this lovely little vanity seat. The silver circular swirled wire construction is just so feminine! The pretty little soft cushion looks pretty in gold velveteen out in my fall yard! I think it will be recovered though, not sure just how yet! Do you have any suggestions! I would love to hear any you have. 

This is something I will use for my kitty in front of the window to lay and look out the window. 

Or maybe as a seat in front of my large closet doors to sit and put on my shoes. 

So pretty!

Retro Vanity Seat

Then my last thrift store smile for the day would be this. 

A cute little garlic bulb baker. It has a terra cotta base and has never been used. It came wrapped and with the instructions. As much as I love baked garlic, I couldn't pass up using it as a little decorative cloche! 

What do you think? Cute again, huh!

Garlic Baker Made Cloche

I just hope you are smiling as much as I am, because all these goodies are something I can love in my home. They only cost me a grand total of  $25

Big Smile!

Have you found anything that has made you smile lately?

Bless you,

Little Susie Home Maker

Now be sure to follow the links to check out these really fun party hops! 

Old Time Party at Cindy's Old Time Farm House
Share Your Cup Thursday at Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Thursday Favorite Things  at Katherine's Corner
Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado Lady

Striped Crochet Scarf & Dachshund Puppy

This week I was working on a really cute scarf. I crocheted it with orange and black yarn for a really great October look. Being that my daughter's favorite color is orange this scarf was perfect for her!

I found the free pattern  here which you can use by clicking on the link from Red Heart. They call it the Super Easy Scarf Crochet Pattern, and it really is pretty simple to make.  (*updated 11-12-12 : I have since figured out that this is simply what is known as a moss stitch. Two rows one color, two rows the next. That is what creates this cute zig-zag. After your base chain, you simply do a single crochet in second third chain and then a chain, single crochet in space, chain, repeat ending in a single crochet, chain two and turn, repeating working the single crochet in each space.
For a tutorial there are many U-tube videos, or Google Moss Stitch Crochet.)

I am happy I can make this for my girl!

We chose it because of the zig zag look to it. Looks great Orange and Black!

I added a black border all the way around and an extra row of black on each end. It really needed that to give it a more polished and finished look.

So did you notice the puppy?

Yes, we have a new puppy in our lives.

His name is Hunter and he is 11 weeks old! Isn't he just a darling!

His big Brother Bear is so happy to have a new little brother!

Today the weather is just a perfect Fall day here in Colorado!

 I am going to go outside and spend it with family and pooches. 

What a blessing indeed. Hope you are having a great and wonderful day!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Give Aways and Party Fun

Monday morning is a good morning! Today I went to visit one of my favorite new blogs, Old Time Farm House. This is Cindy's new blog she also has Old Time Pickers which is her other blog about her wonderful finds she picks up. Cindy is such a wonderful craft designer and transformer of old items into new treasure! And to prove my point look at this!

 

Isn't it beautiful? I have to announce that I was the happy winner of her first give away! Yes, this is what Cindy made and will be sending me! Now, I know you must be thinking.. "Why can't I win something like that?" Well, you can, because her new blog, Old Time Farm House has a new monthly party and give away! Yes, not just a party, but a give away!

 So if you want to join in, it will be on the first Monday of every month. See, I told you Mondays were good! I had so much fun at this party hop, and there are three catagories! So I am sure you can fit in!

• Pickers - flea market, thrift shop, curbside, any other thrifty outlet!
• Crafters - Your projects, involving glue, scissors, paint, and other creative tools!
• Healthy Home Makers - Show your healthy recipes, going green, gardening, homesteading, and maintaining a healthy balanced home skills!

So see what her rules will be next month for the giveaway, and maybe you could be a winner, too! If not, Cindy, has lot's of fun by just visiting as well. Thanks Cindy for letting me join in on your first party. I also, am so excited that I won the very first give away!

If you would like to make this pretty rake hanger, she also has a tutorial here so you can make your very own!

Bless you, Cindy!

Speaking of give aways, I have another give away that I would like to have you go visit and enter. If you don't already know Donna at Donna's Lavender Nest you have to go introduce yourself! She is a sweet lady that loves to quilt and collect vintage pretties, and do other pretty paper crafts! This week she posted about a new give-away from her Etsy Store! This is where she sells her wonderful quilting items, and this includes her very own Quilt pattern called Scrappy Love.

Donna is going to give away some Lecien fabrics from her shop and here quilt pattern! so if you want to win you have to go Follow her and leave her a comment. I want to support my friend Donna, because she has just been such a good friend to me. She is a wonderful quilter, and go see what it is all about. You won't be sorry!

Thanks to all of you for reading this post today!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker