Great Gift Giving

Give the gift of Longaberger.

Order these products and more by Dec. 15th and the

Longaberger Elves will deliver in time 

to put under the tree.

http://www.longaberger.com/cindygoff

Who's your Santa?  Longaberger!

It's a Wrap

I love simple gift wrap.

Purchased at the Dollar Tree, this Star paper works well all year long.

I grubbied up the snowflake ornament with stampers ink, also 

at the Dollar Tree and sold in packages of 8 .  

Added twine, the snowflake and it's a wrap.

Perfect for the Ornament Exchange.

Leslie Ann's Killer Cornbread

Leslie Ann Akin of LO Graphics is a woman who never ceases to amaze me.

This time it's her Killer Corn Muffins. Can't wait to try it and it will be on the menu for

Christmas and probably before. She also makes killer print ads and business cards for clients around the world. You can connect with Leslie and share in her other talents 

at Lake Oswego Graphics.  Love you Leslie.

Budding Baker in the House

5 year old Lincoln likes to spend time in the kitchen.

 We made Sugar Free Brownies by Pillsbury.

Super tasty and of course super easy.

You would never know they didn't have sugar in 'em.

and they didn't last long at our house.  

A little bit of Pam.  Now that was fun!

Lincoln:  Grandma I really think it would work best with a spoon AND a spatula.

Lincoln:  I can't wait to lick the spoon.  oh and the spatula!

Lincoln: I bet I could eat these with just one bite.

Lincoln was pleased and Hendrix just wanted to dig in.  Another fun day with the grands. Perfection.

Gather Round the Table with Longaberger

Longaberger Consultants are so creative! 

Debbie Condon sets her table for every season.

Isn't this just so festive?!

Makes me want to dig right in and start decorating!

That's the plan this weekend as I have my first

Christmas Party next week.

Can't wait to see what she does for other holidays...

Thanks for sharing Debbie.  Simply beautiful!

 

 

 

Road Trip

I'm going on a road trip and taking my basket with me.  Love you to pieces Hendrix!

Fill It Hurricane

The Longaberger Fill It Hurricanes have been such a big hit with customers.

 I like 'em too and have fun coming up with creative things to fill it.

I suggest changing them out for the seasons, and sometimes 

I do it more often that that.  This time it's an Autumn theme.  In the top part,

I used the Halloween Night Grooved Pillar I got from Sarah and PartyLite. 

Surrounded the Pillar with dry tri-colored pasta spiral noodles.

In the bottom, a few little pumpkins and gourds finished the look. 

Can't wait to change it out for Christmas!

Small Fill It Hurricane

  Great price point at $30!

  Holds a 3" x 6" Pillar Candle. 5"d (base) x 9 5/8"h; 6 1/2" opening at top.

Suggested fillers:

• Use as a snack bowl and fill with Gold Fish in the top.  Add water to the bottom and a few small sea shells.
• Baby Shower - Fill with animal crackers and either pink or blue paper shred in the bottom add a small rattle or pacifier for the wow factor.
• Pine cones and greenery
• Cinnamon Sticks and Oranges
• Pillar Candle with berry wreath on the top. Potpourri in the bottom.
• Flags and Stars
• Christmas Ornaments
• Use your imagination to create your own.

Medium Fill It Hurricane*

Great price point @ $35

 Holds a 3" x 6" Pillar Candle. 6 1/8"d (base) x 11 3/4"h; 8" opening at top,

*so popular it's on delayed shipping

Senior Moments

Crazy to think I'm turning 60 in just a few short weeks.

Saw this on facebook and while I don't know who to credit,

I  like what I see.  Sometimes having a "senior moment" is

A-OKAY!

As I was waiting in line behind an older gentleman at Wendy's recently, I heard him ask for his senior discount. The girl at the register apologized and
charged him less. When I asked the man what the discount was, he told me that
seniors over age 55 ...get 10% off everything on the menu, every day. 

(But you need to ASK for your discount.)
Being of  'that' age myself, I figured I might as well ask for the discount too. this incident prompted me to do some research, and I came across a list of restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, travel deals and other types of offers giving various discounts with different age requirements. I was actually surprised to see how many there are and how

 some of them start at the young age of 50 . This list may not only be useful for you, but for your friends and family too.
Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over  55 . If you're paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for FREE.
YOU must ASK for your discount !

RESTAURANTS: Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+) Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +) Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+) Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+) Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+) Boston Market: 10% off (65+) Burger King: 10% off (60+) Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+) Chili's: 10% off ( 55+) CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+) Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +) Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+) Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+) Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+) Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+) Golden Corral: 10% off (60+) Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+) IHOP: 10% off ( 55+) Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+) KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+) Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+) Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+) McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+) Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+) Shoney's: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+) Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+) Subway: 10% off (60+) Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+) Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+) TCBY: 10% off ( 55+) Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+) Village Inn: 10% off (60+) Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+) Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +) Whataburger: 10% off (62+) White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one again.
RETAIL & APPAREL : Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +) Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +) Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +) Big Lots: 30% off Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +) C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+) Clarks : 10% off (62+) Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+) Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location) Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location) Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+) Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+) The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+) Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)
GROCERY : Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +) American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +) Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+) DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+) Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+) Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +) Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+) Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+) Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+) Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location) Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location) Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+) The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +) Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +) Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+) Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)
TRAVEL : Airlines: Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+) American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount) Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount) United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount) U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount) Rail: Amtrak: 15% off (62+) Bus: Greyhound: 15% off (62+) Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+
Car Rental: Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+) Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Overnight Accommodations: Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+) Best Western: 40% off (55+) Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+) Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +) Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+) Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+) Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+) Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+) InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+) Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+) Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+) Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+) Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +) Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+) Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT ;: AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +) Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+) Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +) Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+) Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +) U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+) Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +) SeaWorld, Orlando , FL : $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS : AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+) Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +) Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).
MISCELLANEOUS: Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts (60+) Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)
NOW, go out there and claim your discounts - - and remember -- 

YOU must ASK for discount ---- no ask, no discount. I know everyone knows someone over 50 so please pass the one on!

I have not checked the facts on this but figure  

it's worth ASKING anyway.

Secret Santa

Omgosh!  I was out all day and just arrived home late

tonight to a big surprise on my doorstep. 

Santa arrived early!  And what a treat!  Thank you to whom ever you are and 

please don't keep me in suspense any longer.  I love it!

Gold Sparkly Lantern w/battery tea lights and faux snow.  So dang cute! I'm one lucky girl!

 

American Country Mercantile Christmas Open House

Put a little jingle in your step.  Yes, it's that time of year again...

the first of many Holiday Bazaars.  This elf has been busy

pulling together junking finds as well as crafting and 

creating for the season.  Today is Day Two of 

American Country Mercantile's Christams Open House.

The Shop is ready and full to the brim with holiday finds.

If you're in the area it's worth the time to stop by.  

If not...it's worth a road trip. 

One Creative Chick

My friend Marilyn has done it again.  She is so creative in her designs and

loves the cottage shabby look.  Here are just a few of her

Christmas treasures available on Etsy

and at American Country Mercantile in Keizer OR.

Baked Potato Bar

Once again Longaberger Products made my Baked Potato Bar

a fun 'n easy spread for our monthly gathering.  Love entertaining with products that 

serve multi uses as well as look awesome from prep to table.  

First up Baked Potatoes

Preheat oven to 400

I used BIG russet potatoes.

Covered with olive oil and roll in coarse salt. 

For "crispy" skins do not wrap in foil.

Prick with a fork ALL over.

Put on the rack of your oven with a 

pan underneath to catch any drips.

Bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until

 easily pierced with a knife.

After baking, I put them in the Cake Insulated Cooler that kept them nice and hot while serving.  Made to fit into the Cake Basket for carrying.  The maple baskets also help retain the temperature of what it holds.

 Assorted toppings to choose from:

Cheese

Chili

Broccoli

Mushrooms

Sour Cream 

Salsa

Olives

Bacon

Cooking with the new Flameware the healthiest cookware on the planet!

9 x 13 Lid/Tray with Toppings

The retired Appetizer Plates were perfect size for the potatoes.

Always use a dash bowl for butter.

Weaving Friendship peeps. An awesome night.  Must do Baked Potatoes again soon.

It's all about the Boys!

Lincoln attends kindergarten in our neighborhood and a trip to the 

park is often on our afternoon agenda.  The big discussion on picking him 

up from school, "Will we go before or after Hendrix's nap?" 

Today it is after.

Lincoln was trying his hardest to make a funny face. 

Hendrix just wanted to say "cheese."

We're all going to be so sad when our "real" fall arrives.

Fans for my Fans

Crafting with my friend Marilyn of Marilyn Gossett Designs is always a delight.  I learn so much from her and she is blessed with a creative talent that just needs to be bottled up and sold.  Last week we got together and made these cute fans for my "fans" of Longaberger.  Shared them at Weaving Friendships last night and everyone went home with one.  You can find these and more at  stuffandthingsandco, Marilyn's Etsy Shop.

Made of fall card stock paper.  Can't wait to make some for Christmas!

This was our center piece last night. 

 

Pumpkin "Vase"

Apple Cider Syrup

Who loves breakfast for dinner?  This recipe shared by a friend is super on Belgain Waffles, French Toast or Pancakes.  So yummy for fall.

APPLE CIDER SYRUP

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
• 1 tbs lemon juice
• 2 tbs butter or margarine

In a small saucepan, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Then stir in the apple cider or juice and lemon juice. Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Then cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter or margarine until melted. Makes 1 1/3 cups. 

Happy Fall Y'All

Doesn't this just make you feel like Fall is in the air? 

pumpkins galore.

family gatherings.

cool mornings.

apple cider.

better yet...apple cider donuts.

sweater weather.

wool blankets.

football.  go broncos!

harvest time.

bountiful blessings.

 

 

 

 



A Special Birthday Salute

A memorable day to honor so many. Grateful to have a little boy who has no clue what this day is all about.  He brings such joy to so many and while we won't forget, we are blessed to celebrate life every September 11th.  Happy Birthday Hendrix! 

 

Longaberger Seahawks Basket Drawing

Look at all these Entries! 

 

Watch the VIDEO and see who the LUCKY WINNER is!

 

Thanks to all who entered to win!  I'll be doing another drawing soon
so be sure to stay tuned! 

Eat Dessert First

I have been known to make a dessert or two now and then

and this PIE is so yummy and so easy. 

 

LEMONADE PIE

• 8 oz Cool Whip
• 6 oz Lemonade Concentrate (thawed)
• 14 oz Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 Prepared Graham Cracker Crust

Mix well and pour into Graham Cracker Crust

Chill at for 1 hour (I like to make a day ahead and chill overnight)

 



I almost forgot to take a snapshot.  So here is what's left of the Lemonade Pie.
But not for long....

Got to love this quote I found on Pinterest!

 



Front Porch

Summer flowers are still going strong...

but I'm ready to change to pumpkins. 

 

Seeing so many sunflowers around the neighborhood and must plant my own next year.

 

Perfect Pears

My friend Marie lives the simple live in the country, but living on a

working farm keeps her busy and sometimes she works way too hard. 

This week it was pears, pears and more pears. 

Today she stopped by to share her harvest with me, and 

I in turn, shared pears with my Bunco peeps too. Yummo!

On the hunt for a few recipes from Pinterest and will share as I go.

 

This is the first one I thought I would try.

 

Falling for Autumn

The Pacific Northwest is gearing up for fall with cool mornings and hot days.
Can you feel the change in the air? 

Always fun to change it up a bit at home too.

 Pumpkins*Autumn Roads Award Basket*Fall Wreath

 



 Cottage Pitcher*Pumpkins*Fall Wreath at Longaberger at home

(formerly the Factory Store)



Longaberger Pumpkins return for September

 

Summer Harvest Keeps Getting Better

Another friend shared her harvest with me today. Beautiful tomatoes with Salsa in mind. Dear Hubs makes the best!  Between the peppers from Sue and the tomatoes from Marilyn, we're just about set.  

Cherry tomatoes are hiding the BIG Ones. 

These tomatoes are multiplying!



I got the pepper tree mostly for decoration...
Perfect in a fall display.
 

 

Summertime Bounty

Summer fruits and veggies.  I'm so grateful for friends who share.

Live is abundant.

 



Best Trifle Bowl Ever

I have never owned a Trifle Bowl before but now I know my food truly

tastes better when there's a beautiful presentation.  Don't you think so?

This time it's a summer fruit salad.  Simply tossed together my favorite

fruits and placed it in the Trifle Bowl. 

Enjoy the fruits of the season and seriously...

if you don't have a trifle bowl...you need to get one!

 

I just mixed and dumped, but you could layer
each type of fruit for a different look.

This Trifle Bowl is perfection. The bowl separates from
the base for easy storage.  Plus the rubber lid is convienent for putting the
bowl into the fridge till you are ready to serve or for leftovers.