Candle Crafts

Snuggly Sweater Candles- Repurpose old sweaters as candle wraps. Use sharp scissors to cut cuffs off sweaters. Slide the cuff pieces over glass votive holders, leaving some of the glass exposed for safety

Candle Greeting- Share greetings anywhere in the house. Stick adhesive scrap booking letters to small candles. Line up the candles to spell a message

Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes

Dress up an all time favorite comfort food with savory fixings. This is an easy recipe that delivers big flavor.

You need

2 1/2 pounds potatoes peeled
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter melted
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion
5 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

How to

Boil potatoes and drain

In a large bowl,mash potatoes. Add the sour cream, milk, butter, and 1 cup cheese. Stir in onion,bacon,salt and pepper. Spoon into greased 2 qt baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until heated though

Mexican Bubble Pizza

In this easy casserole style pizza,strips of biscuit dough bake right in with taco seasoned ground beef

You need

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 package seasoning mix
3/4 cup water
1 can tomato soup
1 can Grands refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
2 cups shredded cheddar
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 medium tomatoes chopped
1 cup Salsa
1 can sliced ripe olives
1 container sour cream
3 green onions sliced

How to

Heat oven to 375 In skillet cook beef and drain. Add taco seasoning water and soup mix well. Heat to boiling. Reduce to low and simmer 3 minutes

Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 8 pieces. Add pieces to beef mixture;stir gently. Spoon mixture into ungreased 13x9 pan

Bake 18-23 or until sauce is bubbly and biscuits are golden brown. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 8-10 minutes longer

To serve cut pizza into 8 squares. Top each serving with remaining ingredients

Gourds and Pumpkins for Fall Decorating

Hollow out tall squash and use them as vases for your favorite fall blossoms. White gourds make a beautiful pairing with pink and orange flower

Create a vase with a gourd that stands upright. Slice off the stem and use a long,slender knife to widen the opening if necessary. Add a handful of bright mums.

Tuck a dainty nosegay of mums into a tiny gourd or squash for each guest at your table. Cut a small opening in the top of the gourd,add a little water to extend the life of the flowers and fill with a few stems.

Hook a swan gourd over a balcony rail to create a hanging vase. Cut a 1-2 inch hole near the neck of the gourd,remove a bit of the pith, and insert mums, black eyed Susan's, and a length of Virginia creeper

Illuminate a fall night with candle holders fit for the season. Carve a small hole in the top if a miniature pumpkin-wide enough to hold a votive candle and deep enough so the can can be nestled in securely.

Helpful Tips

Embroidery Organizer- When working on a project you will save time if you keep the needles and threads you're using neatly sorted and separate from the rest of your sewing supplies. File them in a clear 9 inch loose leaf binder with plastic pocket envelopes to hold various threads, small scissors, patterns and instructions. A hole punch is used to make a page of heavy felt to hold needles. Choose a larger loose leaf binder for your more elaborate projects.

Measuring Table- Any table or counter top used for crafts or sewing projects will be improved by the addition of a measuring tape along the edge, just as you see in fabric stores. Purchase a metal measuring tape backed with peel off adhesive from a home center. Apply tape around the perimeter of the work surface, uncovering the adhesive as you go. Snip excess tape with utility scissors.

Easy Decorating with Pumpkins

Pretty Pumpkin Garland - Use a small drill to pierce a hole though an assortment of mini pumpkins. Use a toothpick to pierce fall leaves. Next, string several leaves through twine, followed by a single pumpkin. Make sure to tie a knot after each element so it stays in place.Display your creation above a window, across a mantel or around a banister

Pumpkin Presentation- Place pumpkin candles along the inside of a rake hanging upside down for a simple and unexpected presentation that is sure to be a hit all fall.

Natural Touch - At the dinner table, delight guests with an easy and unique alternative to a place card. Use a paint pen to write the names of dinner guests on fresh or dried fall leaves. Then punch a small hole in each leaf and tie them individually around the stems of green striped cushaw pumpkins

Puffed Pancake Brunch Casserole

This sounds like a good Sunday breakfast!!

You need

1/2 cup butter
2 cups Bisquick Mix
2 cups milk
8 eggs
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 lb cubed cooked ham
1 package precooked bacon chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard

Heat oven to 375 Spray a 13x9 glass baking dish. Place butter in dish:place in oven until melted.

In bowl, mix Bisquick mix,1 cup of milk, and 2 of the eggs with whisk until tiny lumps remain.Pour over butter in baking dish,. Layer with Swiss cheese, ham, bacon, and cheddar cheese. In large bowl, mix remaining 1 cup milk, remaining 6 eggs , the salt,mustard and nutmeg. Pour over casserole

Bake uncovered 35-40 minutes