Winter Salad and Tasty Tuesday Party

Or as I like to call it:

MY NEW FAVORITE!!!

 I have had this for several lunches in the past week and am still not sick of it, I love it!!!
Its really easy to and doesn't use vegetables which are usually expensive this time of year. You will need:
Leaf lettuce
Granny Smith Apple
Feta Cheese
Caramelized walnuts
Craisens
a balsamic vinaigrette (I use the make your own Italian dressing packs from the grocery store)
Chop and put on lettuce... Add dressing and you have yourself a delicious salad! I just finished this for lunch.

 

Now for the great features from last weeks party. THANK YOU so much for all the links! It was the largest party yet and I had several new people link up, SO exciting for me. I hope it continues to grow over the holidays as people are making lovely Christmas goodness.

I decided to stick with Fall/Thanksgiving features for this week because you all linked up around Thanksgiving.

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup-Jane Deere

Sweet Potato Pie- 5 Minutes Just For Me

Pumpkin Cream Oreo Tart- Crumbs and Chaos

Turkey Cupcakes- The Seven Year Cottage

Pumpkin Tea Bread-The Sweet Swiper

Linked up here!
Meatless Mondays-My Sweet & Savory

Mangia Monday (Food Only) @ Shine Your Light

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday (Food Only) @ Blessed With Grace
Delectable Tuesday (Food Only) @ Home Sweet Farm
Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box

Making the World Cuter Mondays-Making the World Cuter

Just Something I Whipped Up-The Girl Creative

Made By You Mondays-Skip to My Lou

Market Yourself Mondays-Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Motivate Me Monday-Crafts Keep Me Sane

Show Off Your Cottage Monday-The House in the Roses

Craftastic Mondays-Sew Can Do

Motivated Mondays-Becolorful

Made it! Mondays-Ninth Street Notions

This Weeks Cravings-Mom's Crazy Cooking

A Marvelous Mess-Marvelously Messy

Creative Me Monday-Southern Institute for Domestic Arts & Crafts

Making Monday Marvelous-C.R.A.F.T

Take a Look Tuesday-Sugar Bee Crafts
Tell Me Tuesday-Me and My Boys 
Talent Show Tuesdays-Chef in Training 
Strictly Homemade Tuesday-Strictly Homemade 

Thanksgiving Jars

 

I feel like I have to post this while it is still Thanksgiving weekend, because after this I know people are going to be in full swing Christmas! I've seen so many versions of the thankful tree around and also people doing cool things to jars...

Here's my version!

Jars with the sticks (tree) coming out of them!

I used this for decoration at out big Thanksgiving dinner on the dessert table, so nice!

 

Shared at these fab parties!

Weekend Wrap Up Party-Tatertots and Jello

Feature Yourself Friday-Fingerprints on the Fridge

Friday Fun Finds-KojoDesigns

Look At Me-It's Fun to Craft

Home and Family Friday-Home is Where My Story Begins
Make it Fantabulous-Mommas Kind of Crafty

Friday Brag Fest-Fun on a Dime

Fresh & Frugal Friday @ Curly Willow DIY

Catch as Catch Can @My Repurposed Life
Friday Flair-WhipperBerry

Simple Creations Friday-Simple Home Life

Tickled Pink@ 504 Main

Inspire Me Fridays @ Joyful Stamper

TGIF- Craft Junkie
Friday Favs Party-Nap Time Crafters 
feature Friday Linky party-Blissful and Domestic 
Sshine on Friday-One Artsy Mama  
 Just a Girl Blog - Show and Share Day
  Small Fine Print - Friday Link Party
  Simply Designing - Simply Link Party
 Tidy Mom - I’m Lovin’ It Fridays!
  A Few of My Favorite Things – Favorite Things Friday *
  Truly Lovely - Fancy This Friday
  Southern In My Heart - Inspiration Friday Party
  My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

our Thanksgiving

While visions of thanksgiving beauty may have been running through my head, reality was much different. Let me say this up front though... it was all perfect!!!

So, while this card is beautiful...

 

Source: papercraftsmag.com via NTCreations on Pinterest

We settled for and evite... as there were over 100 on the guest list!  (I love that you can create a list of things to bring and have the guests choose one)

And instead of lovely place settings...

Source: marthastewart.com via NTCreations on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via NTCreations on Pinterest

We made do with paper and plastic (don't worry, we wash and reuse again!)

The centerpieces wasn't these GORGEOUS creations...

Source: ciaonewportbeach.blogspot.com via NTCreations on Pinterest

Source: simplyvintagegirl.com via NTCreations on Pinterest

Source: celebrationsathomeblog.com via NTCreations on Pinterest

Source: familycircle.com via NTCreations on Pinterest

But, I did take all the fall decorations from my home to the room we met in.

The food may have not been gourmet...

Source: livinglocurto.com via NTCreations on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via NTCreations on Pinterest

It was pretty good, if I do say so myself!

And in the end... it doesn't matter what anything looks like... when you are surrounded by family and friends, its perfect... just the way it is! Happy Thanksgiving!

 Shared Here:
Strut-Your-Stuff-Somewhat Simple

Hookin' Up Party-House of Hepworths 

It's Stinkin Cute-It's Sew Stinkin Cute

Show Off Your Stuff-Fireflies and Jellybeans

Eats & Treats Thursday-Bargain Hoot

Doggone Dirty Crafting-Rhinestone Beagle

Everything but the Kitchen Sink-A Little Knick Knack

Beyond the Picket Fence - Under $100 Party *
 Life as Lori - Get Your Craft On Thursday

I'm Blank Becuase....and an award!

Looking for Tasty Tuesday? go HERE

 

Saw this on Along for the Ride and thought I would do the same!

I'm weird because...

Pickles are one of my favorite foods

I don't mind sticking my finger in a diaper to check for poop

I sit for 7 hours every few months to have the curl taken out of my hair with a straight perm

I'm awesome because...

(this one is hard for me)

My faith and family are the most important things in the world to me

I make sure my kids eat vegetables :o)
I travel half way around the world (15 hr flights) alone with my two kids

I'm a bad friend because...

I moved 8,000 miles away from my childhood, highschool, and college friends

with the time difference its hard to make phone calls, so we don't talk often

I have two little kids so deep conversations are hard

I'm a good friend because...

I would do anything/give anything for a friend

I am good at e-mail/facebook and blogging

I can ignore my kids and have a good conversation even with them around

I'm a bad wife because...

blogging and crafting often takes priority over cleaning

I don't always have the house cleaned up when the hubs comes home

there are little threads and bits of material everywhere from my sewing projects

I'm a good wife because...

I make healthy meals for my family

I eventually do get around to the laundry, dishes and cleaning

I love my husband no matter what and appreciate all he does for our family

I'm sad because...

I won't get to spend thanksgiving with my family

many people around the world don't have the bountiful food and "stuff" that we do

I have been on hold all afternoon (the phone is at my ear right now!) and can't talk to anyone!

I'm happy because...

 Tomorrow we will be celebrating Thanksgiving here in Hong Kong with 90 wonderful friends and colleagues

We are going home for Christmas in three weeks

Husband has Friday off so we are going camping as a family.

and an award!!!

Janny from Que Linda passed the Liebster award on to me, so I am going to keep the love flowing!

The word "liebster" actually comes from the German word for love, friend, or dearest.  Isn't that sweet?  I love it!  

The goal of this award is to spotlight up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers 

The official rules for this award are:

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog

2. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you

3. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog

4. Hope that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers

Now I get to spread some friendship and love to 5 blogs~

Adventures of a DIY Mom

The Brown Eyes Have it

The Adirondack Chick

The Creative Vault

Happy Whimsical Hearts

  

I am SO excited to (almost) be ineligible for this award as I am nearing 200 followers.... wahoo! 

Broccoli Cheese Soup and Tasty Tuesday Party

 I used to make this soup often. Then I made it while I was pregnant four years ago and the smell made me sick and I didn't make it for four years! Its my husbands favorite so he has been asking me to make it again. Last week I braved the smell and made it again. It didn't bother me at all and I think we are back in Broccoli Cheese Soup making mode! Heres our best recipe (so far!)

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

3 cups ckn broth

3 cups milk (I use skim or 1 percent)

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 cups broccoli (fresh or frozen) I use a bit more than called for

1/2 pd processed cheese (Velveeta or American)

1 cup cheddar cheese.

Makes 6 servings: 

Melt butter in med. pot, mix in flour, reduce to low heat and cook for 2 min. Stir the whole time. Mix in Broth and milk, add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low heat to simmer for 10 min. Boil broccoli (if using fresh) in salt water for 2 min or until just tender then finely chop. If using frozen defrost and chop. Add cheeses to milk mix, stir until melted, add broccoli cook for 5 min. Can make ahead and reheat, freeze or keep in fridge for a few days. Works great with the clover rolls I shared last week!

 

Onto the fabulous features from last weeks party. There are SO MANY amazing recipes/ideas to choose from. I have such a hard time picking a few. Here are some that stood out to me!

A Little Bit Crunchy-Green Beans with Shallots and Garlic

Homegrown Beanes-Apple Krispy Treat

Lucy Janes Best-you don't want to know dip (I love the name!)

The farm girl recipes-Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Kristi's Kitchen Kreations-Pumpkin Creme Pie Cookies

Simple Sweet Home-Mini Pies

linked to:
Get Your Craft On-Todays Creative Blog
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday-Coastal Charm

Take a Look Tuesday-Sugar Bee Crafts
Tell Me Tuesday-Me and My Boys 
Talent Show Tuesdays-Chef in Training 
Strictly Homemade Tuesday-Strictly Homemade
Show Me What You Got - Not JUST A Housewife
Handmade Tuesdays - Ladybug Blessings
Anti Procrastination Tuesday - New Nostalgia
Get Your Craft On - Today's Creative Blog
Too Cute Tuesday - Funky Polkadot Giraffe
Tuesday Time Out - Reasons To Skip the Housework
Tip Me Tuesday - Tip Junkie
A Little Birdie Told Me - Rook No. 17
Anything Goes - Type A
Creative Creations Tuesday - Nothing But Country
One Project at a Time - A Bowl Full of Lemons
Inspiring Creativity - Dragonfly Designs 

Host a Recipe Exchange

All you need:

 FOOD: We had everyone bring around 15 small portions. Everyone just needs a taste!

 

Make sure someone supplies the plates and cutlery...

 RECIPES:We had everyone bring around a dozen print outs of their dish.

 GOOD FRIENDS: this is our weekly moms group meeting. Our last meeting was a recipe exchange. It was great, I walked away with several great new ideas, and having had a taste was even more enticing to try them out later.

 

Optional...some sort of cooking demonstration or instruction. We had a friend demonstrate how to make Sushi Rolls.

Hope this helps you to host your very own eating  recipe party!

Shared here:

Foodie Friday @ Little Brick Ranch
Foodie Fridays @ Designs By Gollum

Sshine on Friday-One Artsy Mama

Check Me Out Saturdays-A Vision to Remember

Saturday Spotlight-Craft eNVy

Once Upon a Weekend-Family Ever After

Service...

Yesterday I had the oppotunity to give back a bit. I love doing this, especially around the holidays when I feel So blessed, its nice to do something for others. A moms group that I attend did a service morning for organization here called Crossroads. Basically they collect used goods from Hong Kong and then match those with needs all over the world. They send out a shipment or two every week! They also have a beautiful coffee shop and fair trade store.

 They provided childcare, so it was a perfect opportunity for me! My son Jack is checking out the ox cart with his friend. First, we had beautiful cappuccinos at the Silk Road Cafe.

 I was assigned to the local distribution office where goods are given to the needy of Hong Kong. I spent the morning contacting social workers to remind them of the appointments of their cases. It wasn't quite was I was thinking I would be doing, but was a need, so I was glad to help. I took a few pictures on the base. LOTS of containers waiting to be shipped out or filled.

 The ministry has expanded in recent years to also provide simulation experiences about life in poverty. I have seen a few of there programs and they really make you appreciate your blessings and see poverty through the eyes of those who live it each day.

 We were were finished I got to make a quick run through the store. I LOVE that place... I really just needed one thing for a Chirstmas gift, but I did snap a few pictures. They have handicrafts from around the world.

 

I'm also really excited for another project we will be doing soon. Crossroads is partnering with the store Lane Crawford to make blankets. you can go into any store here and pick up a kit with needles and yarn to knit a 8x8 square which will then be sewn into blankets. I'm going to go pick up enough for our entire moms group to knit during our Christmas tea. What a fun way to give!

What ways are you serving this season? Do you know any crafty projects that are going on right now for charity?