Fall Fashion Day and Days 18, 19, and 20

There is one last Fall Fashion Day going on here:

Here is my outfit:

Plaid Shirt: JCPenney. I paid $18 for this shirt, and that's about the most I have ever spent on one shirt. :)

Dress Pants: Hand-me-down

Argyle shoes: Payless

I apologize for not posting yesterday or the day before, but I didn't have time yesterday and on Tuesday I auditioned for the district chorus {which I made, by the way. :) }

So, on to the 31-Day Challenge.

Day 18 - A Photo Experimenting with Water Puddles

I didn't have any photos of water puddles and we don't have any puddles here, but this is water, so I figured it was close enough. :)

I am also entering this photo in Ashlyn's photo challenge. The theme is sooc - straight out of camera.

Day 19 - A Photo of Whatever You Want

I was editing this photo

And I couldn't decide which edit I liked best. Which is your favorite? 

(Oh, and I edited all of these on Picnik)

#1

edits done: boost, cinema scope with out letterbox

#2

edits done: boost, 1960's

#3

Day 20 - A Photo Involving a Tree

This photo makes me laugh. My sister was putting her shawl on during our photoshoot (see my post on that here) and it got caught on some little branches and then she almost fell down the little hill behind her.

How was your Thursday?

Oh, Knitting

Miss Grace over at Grace's Garden Walk had a lovely post about knitting. It inspired me to write a little bit about knitting and include some tutorials in my post.

I love to knit. 

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I go through phases where I will knit constantly and then slack off for a little while, but I almost always have at least two projects going on at the same time (and very often more than that). 

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Right now I have about four projects in my room a more portable project in my school bag. Yes, I am the nerd sitting in the school library knitting and reading. :)

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I love sitting and letting myself fall into the rhythm of clicking needles. The smooth yarn slides through my fingers as I count stitches. I enjoy watching the knitted work grow little by little the longer I sit.

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For me, knitting is not work or a chore. I knit to make things for others.

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I knit because it is cheaper to make handknits than buy them.

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I knit because it feels old-fashioned and feminine.

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I knit because I love to be creative.

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But more than all, I knit just for the pure joy of knitting.

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Now, for some tutorials.

Gabby over at Ambitious Homemaker posted this lovely tutorial on her blog a little while ago. I think these bows are so sweet! Gabby also posted a crochet version of this tutorial the other day if you are a crocheter.

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Isn't this such a sweet headband?

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This little pumpkin is just perfect for autumn!

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I love these even more because they are purple. :)

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Wouldn't this idea be perfect for a yarn-lover's Christmas or birthday gift?

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Grace is also holding a lovely giveaway for knitters and crocheters here. The prizes are simply lovely!!

This post by Lizzie is simply amazing. Do yourself a favor and read it! If you do, leave her a sweet little comment letting her know you stopped by.

Do you knit or crochet?

Day 15 and some giveaways

Day 15 - A Photo of Your Favorite Shoes

Some of you may remember these shoes from this post.

I spent $5 on these shoes. Happiness!

There are quite a few giveaways going on this weekend!

The first is over at Lily's Blog, Belle Fleur Photography.

Next, there is another giveaway over at Grace's Garden Walk as a part of this program:

Third, Natalia is hosting a giveaway with a bunch of prizes.
Head on over and check out the giveaways, not to mention the lovely blogs.

Day 13 and Fall Fashion

Day 13 - A Photo Experimenting with Bokeh

Sorry. I know this isn't bokeh, but I have never really been able to take a photo with good bokeh. So, I went with macro photography. :)

The linky isn't working on the latest Fall Fashion Post over at Grace's Garden Walk, but here is my outfit anyway:

Please pardon the mess in the background - this was taken in my little sister's room.

Shirt: Goodwill

Tank Top: Old Navy

Skirt: Made by Me from a hand-me-down pair of jeans.

Here is another look at my skirt:

My sister (the one with the messy room) and I made this skirt a while ago. We based it off of Ashley's skirt in this post over at Bramblewood Fashion. I wear it all the time because it goes with everything! It didn't take us very long to make this; the hardest part was the pinning in the back.

There is a giveaway going on here:

This is the lovely prize:

Isn't it so cute and funky? I just love hair accessories. :)

Apple Pie

After making a note to myself in this post, I finally made apple pie.

It is delicious.

Good, flaky crust +

Cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg coated apples +

Butter, flour, and brown sugar on top = yummy deliciousness.

Here's the recipe.

Note: The crust recipe makes enough for the crust on the bottom of two pies for this recipe because it is not a double crusted pie.

French Apple Pie

Crust: 

(recipe from Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook)

Mix together...

2 cups sifted all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

Cut in...

2/3 cup shortening

Sprinkle 4 Tbsp. water 1 Tbsp. at a time, mixing lightly with a fork until all the flour is moistened.

Gather dough together with the fingers so it cleans the bowl.

Press into a ball.

Roll out.

Divide crust into two equal portions and place in two 8" or 9" pie pans.

Pie filling:

Note: this is enough for both pies.

Mix together and pour into crust:

8-12 sliced apples

1 1/2 cup white sugar

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Topping:

Mix until crumbly:

2/3 cup margarine or butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 cup flour

Spread evenly over both pies.

Bake at 365 for 50 minutes.

Enjoy!

While I was taking pictures of my pies, Natalia was being adorable.

Hope you have a good day!

I am linking this up to Grace and Johanna's Walk Through the Orchard event.

There is also a giveaway going on over at Grace's Garden Walk. You should go on over and enter!

Fall Fashion Day 3 and some giveaways

I was gone and unable to link up to Fall Fashion Day 2 in time. However, I can still link up to Day 3. :)

Here is my outfit:

(please pardon the mess in the background. these were taken in my sister's room.)

What I am wearing:

Sweater: Old Navy

Blue t-shirt: Kohl's

Skirt: Goodwill

Shoes: hand-me-down

I thought that this was the perfect fall skirt. I love wearing it. :)

Now for the giveaways. The first is over at:

These are the prizes:

Aren't these headbands just sweet? They would make the perfect fall outfit accessory.

The second giveaway is over at Grace's Garden Walk as a part of the Walk Through the Orchard event. The prizes are:

This lovely painting

and this gorgeous ring.

Thirdly, there is a giveaway over at Giveaways of Blessing. The prize is the winner's choice of set/colors of bobby pins!

{this set is my favorite}

Lastly, there is a giveaway over at A Little Etsy Love. The winner will receive a pillow cover of their choice. My personal favorite is this pillow cover:

Go on over and enter!

Oh, and I won last week's Sparkling Saturday Photo Contest. I was super excited. :)

How was your weekend?

Autumn Delights

Autumn

By Emily Dickinson

The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;

The berry's cheek is plumper,

The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,

The field a scarlet gown.

Lest I shall be old-fashioned,

I'll put a trinket on.

I love autumn. It is my favorite season. Why?

~Leaves - I love living in New England because the leaves turn such vibrant, bright colors.~

~Cooler weather - the temperature drops, sweaters are taken out of closets, scarves looped around necks, hats are pulled over heads, fingerless gloves begin their journey from knitting needles to hands...ahh.~

~Hot chocolate - I love hot cocoa. It is soo warm and cozy on cold days. I have some favorite mugs that I like to use, including a Holly Hobbie mug.~

~Fall decorations - driving is such a pleasure because it gives one an opportunity to see everyone's autumn decorations. Pumpkins sitting on steps...scarecrows set on poles...wreaths hanging on doors...need I say more?~

I am linking this post up to:

Why do you love autumn?