Thanksgiving

Give Thanks! I decorated our fireplace and table (they moved around a bit) this thanksgiving with these little signs that spelled out 'Give Thanks'. If you have a larger table or space you can make yours to say ' Happy Thanksgiving' or other variations. Items needed:

20 5x5 coordinating scrapbook papers (you need two pieces for each letter, I have 10 letters in 'Give Thanks so I needed 20)

10 4x4 solid colored cardstock
letter stamps or permanent marker, if you choose to free hand your letters

10 (again, depends on how many letters) twigs or kabob skewers

adhesive

ribbon

washable paint

10 votives or juice glasses

decorative peddles, sand, or I used acorns

1) I put my sons hand prints on each 4x4 piece of cardstock before you stamp our free hand your letters on the 4x4 cardstock.

2) Adhere the 4x4 piece of cardstock on a piece of 5x5 scrapbook paper. I choose paper with a fall leaf print.

3) Sandwich the twig or skewer between the 5x5 paper that you adheared the cardstock to and another piece of 5x5 paper. You will only have a letter on one side.

4) Place each sign into a votive/glass of rocks/sand/nuts.

* I hope the pictures explain it better than I.

* I got this idea from a magazine, I believe it was family fun, I did not come up with it on my own sadly.

Bread Pudding

A few weeks ago I went out to lunch with the ladies I work with. We had a wonderful lunch and for dessert we shared a bread pudding. I had never actually eaten bread pudding before and had always imagined it to mushy and not so yummy. But when it arrived at our table it was beautiful plus there were chocolate chips in it, YUMMY. I came home and searched for recipes and made a bread pudding of my own, if I don't say so myself it was very good! I got the bread pudding recipe from momswhothink.com:

2 c. whole milk (or 2 c. half & half)
1/4 c. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c. bread, torn into pieces

1/2 c. rasins (optional)

1/2 c. chocolate chips (my own customized ingrediant, optional)

1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk just until film forms on top. Combine butter and milk, just until butter is melted. Cook to lukewarm.

2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium for 1 min. Slowly add milk mixture.

3. Place torn bread pieces in a greased 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish.

4. Sprinkle with raisins and/or chocolate chips. Pour milk mixture over top.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 mins, or until set. Serve warm.