Shoes on my feet...

I love love these shoes.  They are comfy, cute and practical--this description fits my day-to-day needs perfectly.  I think I need another pair...note to self...a few are on sale at Madewell now. I shared them here and I've been wearing them ever since.  Try a pair, you'll like love them.

 Last week I posted my desire for Desert Boots this season.  In a brief stop at DSW ( I had a $10 off coupon and was on the hunt for some oxfords) the other day, I stumbled across these.  Oh my, they are comfortable.  And, for $40, they are quite a bit less than my other options.  I will be wearing these with jeans and skirts and I think with a little protective coating they will be great for stomping around in the chilly weather.  

That should do it for shoes this winter.  I dropped off my favorite boots for a little sprucing up at the cobbler; so, I'm nearly ready for the cold. 

How about you, what shoes have you been wearing or what are you lusting after?

*Be sure to stop over at Look Linger Love and check out Cassity's recipe for Chicken Chili and marvel at her lovely kitchen.

**Tomorrow, visit Rebecca at The Reluctant Floridian to see what she's cooking up for fall. 

***Enter to win one of two t-shirt necklaces that I'm giving away at Tales and Trials this week! Here's a peek...

Halloween at Home

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Can you believe this heat??? It's crazy, but I'm grateful for lovely sunny days for park and botanic garden excursions.  I had so hoped to finish this post this afternoon; however, Mr. Man only slept a wee bit and ruined my Master Plan.  Nevertheless, he has been so enjoying the Halloween fun around the house.  Pumpkins and spiders and ghosts, oh my!

First up, several months ago I purchased two pillow covers from Target for $1.24. Yes, you read that right. 

A couple of freezer paper stencils (and a felt stem) later...

 What do you think?  Not bad for $2.48, right?  If you have never freezer paper stenciled before, click here for an excellent tutorial from an excellent blog.

Another fun and virtually free Halloween at Home project is the "Spooky Tree", which I made from three twigs found in my yard and a container that I already had from an old floral arrangement.  I purchased the pumpkin ornaments and spider rings for a total of $3.50.

Here's a bit more Halloween around my house.  The theme was "Boo" because my little man can read it! How about you?  How'd you do Halloween this year? 

*If you're so inclined, you can see my "fall decor" here.  Spy what I modified for Halloween.

Mr. Man and I had a ton of fun making spiders this weekend...I have such wonderful grade school memories of pom-poms and pipe cleaners, don't you?

P.S. If you're new (and old!) to the30girl, I'm so happy you're here. I reached 100 followers today; it's a momentous occasion for my blog! Thank YOU followers!

P.P.S.

I want to thank Abby from Tales and Trials for hosting a giveaway for two of my t-shirt necklaces.  She contacted me a couple of weeks ago about hosting a giveaway, and I really can't be more excited to do it! It started to today and ends on Friday (10/15); so head on over there to enter and check out Abby's wonderfully inspiring blog! 

P.P.P.S (last one, I promise)

If you haven't already entered Erika's giveaway for two of my t-shirt necklaces, go on and do it! While you're at it, be inspired by her post today.

Sharing with...

Get your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog
Made by You Monday at Skip to My Lou
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Deconstructing Doilies

Hello, just popping in for a quick little tutorial on turning $1 store paper doilies into cute muffin wraps.  If you saw yesterday's post for Pumpkin Apple Breakfast Muffins then you know what I'm talking about.  I always think it's wonderful to discover ways to re-use or re-purpose items that you already have around the house for one reason or another--insert "paper doilies that cost $1 at said dollar store and purchased for no apparent reason at the time".  

1. Cut out center of doily.  Do you see that inner fine line there?  Cut all the way around that.  

See.  No center in doily.

2. Wrap around muffin, cut to length and secure in place with clear tape. 

Note: Muffin should already have cup of some kind.  Parchment, like I used is great and gives a "homemade' feel.  Or, any muffin cup is fine...just don't put the doily directly on the muffin.  

 Voila! Cute as a doily.

*I want to mention that this idea did not come from my creative mind; however, I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it first.  Otherwise, I would be giving credit here somewhere.

P.S.  Head on over to It All Started at Mother's today to check out Karen's recipe for a delicious Apple Tart.

P.P.S. Tomorrow, visit Estelle at Under a Pink Moon tomorrow to see what fall-inspired yumminess she is making.

*Oh...be sure and visit Erika at Tiptoe Butterfly and enter to win one of these two necklaces!

Sharing with...
Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest
Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Pumpkin Apple Breakfast Muffins

 Okay, this is my part two for the Fall Roaming Recipe Exchange hosted by Pretty Mommy.  

These muffins are slightly sweet and perfect with a pat of butter in the morning for a healthy, low-fat treat.

Pumpkin Apple Breakfast Muffins

1.5 c all-purpose flour

1.5 c quick-cooking oats

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

dash ground cloves

pinch of salt

1 cup pumpkin

1 egg, beaten

2/3 c skim milk

scant 1/4 c canola/vegetable oil

1 cup shredded granny smith apple

1. Sift or whisk dry ingredients (flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt) in a large bowl.

2. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a separate smaller bowl.  Add wet ingredients to dry and combine until just mixed; it should be a little lumpy as seen in below picture.  

3. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Enjoy!

P.S. Be sure to check out Karen's recipe tomorrow at It all started at Mother's!

Chicken Pot Pie

I'm so excited to share this recipe for Chicken Pot Pie with you today as a part of the Fall Roaming Recipe Exchange hosted by Pretty Mommy (here for the entire schedule).  This dish is a welcome delight in our home during the fall and winter.  It's creamy, indulgent and fills you up with warmth and wholesome goodness.  Below is my recipe, you can vary it with the veggies you use (I think fresh green beans would be great!) and spices (Thyme would be a wonderful addition!).  

 Chicken Pot Pie (ala the30girl)

1 medium onion, chopped

8 oz sliced baby carrots

4 celery heart ribs, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3-4 chicken small-medium breasts or 2 large

4 tbsp butter

¼ tsp salt

1/3 c flour

2 c chicken broth

1 c evaporated milk

½ c half and half

½ c frozen peas

Salt and pepper to taste

1 recipe double pie crust or 2 packaged refrigerated pie crusts

1. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Saute chicken breasts in a drizzle of olive oil over medium low heat until cooked.
2. In the meantime, place onion, carrots, and celery in melted butter in a large ceramic pot over medium heat.  Cook until onions are translucent.  Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. 
3. Add flour, stir together until ingredients form a paste and all flour is included.
4. Add broth, milk, and half n’ half.  Stir together and simmer over low heat until sauce thickens.
5. Shred chicken and add to sauce.
6. Add ½ c peas.
7. Place chicken mixture in a 9/13 or container of your choice. Cover with pie crust, mash sides to dish with fork and brush with an egg wash.
8. Bake in 425 degree oven until crust is golden brown.

P.S. I'm posting another recipe today for Pumpkin Apple Breakfast Muffins, a subtly sweet fall treat in addition to this savory deliciousness.