Thanksgiving Pumpkin Candle Holder / Floral Arrangment Centerpiece

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1452559_727376160625808_984816409_nI have always enjoyed decorating for the holidays and Thanksgiving just does not have many options available in the means of store bought decorations to choose from. So I am always so very happy to find cheap and really cool ideas to decorate with – and ones that do not take a lot of time.

This decoration uses small small pumpkins just big enough to put a clean soup can in and dried or fresh flowers and/or a pillar candle. Place the can on the top of the pumpkin and trace around the can to make a guide for cutting. You will want this to be tight so cut just within the line. Cut the pumpkin and remove the guts and seeds (don’t throw those seeds out – see how to prepare them as a delicious snack below) so the pumpkin will last longer. You will also want to scrap the insides of the pumpkin to not leave any wetness that prompts rotting.

Now gently push the cleaned can down into your hole you cut. You want it snug so that the can will not push through into the pumpkin. It will defeat your end design of the arrangement.

FLORAL: If using fresh put clean water in and place your fresh flowers in. Place a wide bow around them at base next to pumpkin to finish off the look. Is using dry do the same without water.

CANDLE: Place the candle within the can and place flowers and filler around base. To keep the candle from going to far into the base wad up aluminum foil to fill in to make the height of the candle where you desire it.

SEEDS: Rinse in a strainer and remove any slippery substance and also the strings or guts of the pumpkin. I actually soak them for a few hours in water I have brought to a boil and added salt to so they absorb the solution to make a nice salty seed. You do not have to if you don’t want to. Bake them spread on a cookie sheet at 350 and turn every couple minutes until you smell that nutty smell and see teh edges of the seeds turning brown. Turn oven off and let them cool with the oven. When cool bag and eat as a delicious healthy snack.

Thanksgiving Treat Snacks

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1395281_677472558937450_1020748483_nYou will need Oreos, chocolate chips (for melting), Flipz chocolate covered pretzels, candy corn, royal icing and black gel food coloring

-sort pretzels to pull all the whole ones and put them in a triangle fashion just like the picture shows so they are ready to go – you will need to act fast and a second pair of hands will be very helpful because you will have to do this before the chocolate cools

-put the candy corn (or what you will use for the nose to one side to have easy access

-melt chocolate or candy melt in a candy melting pot or follow instructions for microwave. Try the richness of using real chocolate – once you are successful you will realize how easy (and better tasting) it is and will never go back to using candy melts again

-dip and roll the Oreo so all sides are covered and place one on top of each triangle of pretzels and push down

-quickly push down the candy corn

-pipe on white royal icing to form whites of eyes

-Pipe on black of eyes

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Mummy Halloween Lanterns

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1185694_696994683663956_242399836_nWhat a cheap way to add to your decorations. Use old mason jars, mayo jars, pickle jars (bigger the variety of size and shapes makes this project pretty neat). Use gauze and wrap until you have a doesn’t covering over the jars using hot glue to hold into place if you need to. Tie and leave some overhang. This can be left nice and tidy or messy – mummy’s don’t care what they look like right? For the light source use an electronic candle or small flashlight and place in mason jar. Done – great party decorations or table centerpiece. You could also have these in various places around a front porch for the Trick-or-treaters. Have a great Halloween and stay safe!

Nutter Butter Halloween Ghosts

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nutter butter ghostsSo simple and so cool – your kids and party guests are going to love them.

You will need a package of Nutter Butter cookies, bag of white chocolate chip cookies (or almond bark) and small chocolate chips.

Melt chocolate/almond bark in chocolate melting bowl on stove and dip one end of the Nutter Butter cookie into it. Let these rest in a mini cupcake pan with the melted chocolate leaning to the top. Have a pair of extra hands stick two mini chocolate chips (or you could use mini M&M’s) for the eyes.

Use at a party or for munchies while passing out the candy! Have a Happy Halloween and stay safe.

Review: MicroTouch One

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I have used various shaving products over the past few years in the search for the one product that suits me just fine. I came across the nothing of single and double edged safety razors and was hooked. No more disposable razors that never work just right and no more expensive razor head replacements – do they think we are made of money?

It is funny I never tried this type of razor before since I saw my Dad use it every morning before he went to work. People would buy him razors from electric to expensive and he never used anything but the standby of a double edge safety razor.

So now I am hooked – but little did I know that my journey was not over yet. I had no idea the variations and expense I was getting myself into while I found just the right one. Yes, there are a multitude of different styles, looks, and feel – not to mention the costs. The blades can be found at a dollar store for ten for a dollar but the razors are like a good pair of shoes that you never want to give up on.

I came upon a little beauty called MicroTouch One. It is sleek and the size is perfect. It has a very impressive design and is so easy to use you will be thinking where the heck have I been.IMG_20131018_082447_0

After receiving my MicroTouch One razor in the mail I could not wait to try it. It comes in this really cool black hard case which snaps open to reveal the razor in a red velvet lining and a mirror on the inside lid. The razor itself is perfect size for my hand (and I have average sized hands). I lifted it up and felt that it was the perfect weight. For those of you who never never used a double edged safety razor before know that weight has a lot to do with it – shaving with a double edged safety razor requires balance and weight must be perfect to allow the razor to glide down your skin without having to put pressure with your hand against the razor (which will result in razor burns).

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IMG_20131018_082518_0For my use I used a gel based shave cream that you can get at any store. I find the gel based is better then the foam base but it does not matter when using this type of razor – it is personal preference. I slid out a razor blade from the cartridge and unwrapped it. I unscrewed the butterfly head using the twisting portion of the handle and slid the blade down and tightened it up and was ready to go.

I put the shave cream on my face and placed the razor below my sideburns and let the razor glide down my face which felt like butter. A beautiful glide with no pressure needed and no nicks to my face. I continued on my face and my neck problem free.

UntitledbI opened the butterfly compartment up and rinsed the blade under the tap water for one additional use. I was impressed with the mechanics of the butterfly compartment – nice and tight and easy to twist. I have used ones that are flimsy and feel like they need to be tightened.IMG_20131018_082546_0

I have now recommended the brand to many family members and friends and thought I would share it with all of my readers as well. Since Christmas is coming up I know a few people that will be getting these as a gift with some special shave creams and shaving accessories.

One of the impressive features i still have not told you about is the cost. These razors are just $19.99 – a great deal if you do some comparison shopping on the internet.

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Manufacturers Website: https://www.onerazor.com/