Sun Dried Tomatoes

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I don't know about you guys, but I had great luck with my tomatoes this year.  Here we are in the final week of September and my tomatoes are still going strong.  Even after bringing tomatoes in to work, and giving away to family, I still had more than I could eat.  I decided to try making sun dried tomatoes so that I could enjoy them later on this winter.  It was so easy - I'm really glad I tried it. 
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Slice tomatoes in half and place face down on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
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Bake at 150 degrees for 4 to 6 hours or until tomatoes are dried.
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Sorry - these aren't the most appetizing pictures!
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After the tomatoes cooled, I placed them in a single layer in freezer bags and put in the freezer.  They should last through the winter in the freezer.
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I'm looking forward to using these in pastas, pizzas, and salads this winter.
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You Capture.....Flowers

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This week's You Capture challenge was flowers. 

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I bought these dahlias from a roadside stand last Friday.  It was the best $2.00 I've spent in a while!

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It may officially be Fall, but I don't think these dahlias got the memo. 

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Simple Wrappings

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In my last post I showed you the wedding gift I bought for my friend's wedding last weekend.  Here's how I wrapped it up.
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I like using plain, brown kraft paper to wrap presents.  It's inexpensive, heavy-duty, and easy to find.  You will find it in the mailing supply section of Target or any office supply store.  Best of all, the kraft paper is the perfect base for dressing up to match any occasion.
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After the present was wrapped, I decided to make a tissue paper flower for the top.  My friend's wedding color was plum.  I couldn't find any plum tissue, so I ended up using purple.
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1.  First you will need to determine how large you want your flower to be.  I decided to use 8" squares.   The number of layers you use will determine how full your flower is.  I used 12 layers.
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2.  I wanted a white center for my flower.  I cut two layers of tissue paper a bit smaller than the purple tissue and scalloped the edges.
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3.  Accordion fold all layers of tissue together.
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4.  Wrap a wire around the center of the tissue to hold all the layers in place.  Twist a few times to secure.
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5.  Hold the ends together and use scissors to scallop the ends.  You could also cut a point at the ends for a different look.
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6.  Starting at the inside, peel back each layer of tissue until your flower is complete.  Sorry - I didn't take any pictures of this part!
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That's it!  Simple and easy and it will definitely stand out among all that silver and gold wedding paper, don't you think?
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Want a little more tissue paper flower inspiration?  Visit:
- Cottage and Vine
- Martha Stewart
- Lillyella
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Linking to:

Somewhat Simple
Life as Lori
Lucky Star Lane
The Blackberry Vine

Wedding Gift Idea

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One of my best friends, Ann, is getting married today!

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I wanted to share with you part of what I am giving her as a wedding gift - a customizable print from Fancy Prints, a seller on Etsy.  I think it's just adorable!

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What I love about it is that their initials & wedding date are on the tree trunk.  I was also able to select the color for the tree and the birds.

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Isn't it cute?

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I found a simple frame at Target and the print was good to go!

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Here's a couple of pictures of me with Ann and our other friend Sandy.  The three of us have been friends since our freshman year of high school (that's 19 years!) and lived together during college at Michigan State. 

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San, Ann (the Bride), me

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At Michigan State for Homecoming, Fall 2009

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Isn't Ann going to be a beautiful bride?

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Well, I'm off to get my hair and make-up done and then I'll be squeezing into my Bridesmaid dress!

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Simple Fall Mantel

Today I am reposting my September guest post from Remodelaholic.  I apologize if you've already seen it!

Well, it's hard to believe, but Fall is upon us and I though it was time to switch out my Summer mantel design for one more fitting of Fall.

I used the same apothecary jars I had on the mantel in the Summer.  I usually keep them up all year and just switch out the fillers to work with the season - makes it easy!

One jar is filled with wheat.  I bought a bunch, split it up into four parts, and then made little bundles by twisting a piece of raffia around it.

Another is filled with Indian corn I picked up on clearance at Pottery Barn last year.  I love all the colors!

I filled the last jar with artificial pears that came from Target.

I took one of the branches out of the vase (shown above) and glued on a few dried Japanese Maple leaves.  I dried a whole bunch of these last year just by placing them between the pages of my phone book.  They have been there all year!  I guess I don't use the phone book too often.

Just use a glue gun to attach the leaves.  I love how this looks!  I think I might dry a whole bunch more this year to use next year!

Last year I used a few of the dried leaves and put them in a frame.  This is so easy and doesn't cost a thing!

I also have a dried ginkgo leaf in another frame.

I used acorns as a vase filler around a candle.

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Happy Fall!
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I'm linking up to these great parties: 
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Fireflies and Jellybeans
Somewhat Simple
The Shabby Chic Cottage
Life as Lori
Beyond the Picket Fence
The DIY Showoff
Finding Fabulous
Funky Junk Interiors
Lucky Star Lane
.My Backyard Eden
The Nester

Cottage and Vine
This Blessed Nest

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