Here’s an easy project for you to do this winter on an “I’m stuck inside” afternoon!

Supplies:

Tacky Glue (or other clear drying craft glue)

6 pieces of coordinating scrapbook paper sheets (12″ x 12″)

4″ wooden letters spelling “F A M I L Y” , painted

6 framed canvases

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My Hobby Lobby had a 2 pack of canvases (in the art supply section for only $3.99!

I bought 3 packs, I wish I had used my 40% off coupon and saved even more!

These pieces of paper only cost $.59 each!

I actually got ALL of the supplies needed for this cute little project at my local Hobby Lobby.

Instructions

Day 1: Paint your wooden letters & allow to dry over night Day 2: Turn the canvas upside down and place on top of the WRONG side of the scrapbooking paper, and fold it like you’d wrap a gift, however, place GLUE onto the back of the canvas to secure the paper in place.

Hold the paper in place until it begins to adhere to the back of the canvas boxes

Set each aside and allow to dry.

Once they are completely dry, glue a letter onto each one
HOW EASY and cute is this project?

I recently painted my hall stairway wall a matching purple color, and am going to hang these going up the stairs

(this is the pic from the wall painting project)

TA DA!!! All done! Let me know if you attempt this project by leaving a comment up above under the title of the blog post! Total cost for this project: $15.51 (plus the glue)
xo, Goose
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I haven’t been feeling too well lately, so I wanted to make something yummy and EASY that I knew my kiddos would eat. Here’s 2 easy peasy penne recipes straight from Goosie’s kitchen. I made both in one night, to give the kids an option of what they wanted to eat (and to experiment with different tastes)
Ingredients:
1 box whole grain penne (cooked and drained)
1 bag frozen california blend veggies-cooked (cauliflower, broccoli and carrots)
2 cups pre-cooked chicken pieces/shortcuts

Chicken Penne Alfredo
Stir the veggies, penne and chicken pieces together and split in half
in one bowl, add
1/8 tsp lemon juice

1 jar alfredo sauce
1 small can mushroom pieces

1 TBSP chopped parsley
Black pepper to taste
Stir all together & serve with garlic bread, or a salad

Cheesy Cajun Penne
In the other bowl,
Stir the veggies, penne and chicken pieces together
add 1 cup shredded mozerella cheese
add 2 dashes tabasco /hot sauce
black pepper to taste
2/3 c. salsa con queso (I buy the Aldi brand for cooking like this)
Stir all together & serve warm with crusty bread or a salad

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I recently found a fantastic recipe on Pinterest that I wanted to try. Strangely enough, I had all of the ingredients on hand at home~ AND it was my mom’s birthday so it gave me a wonderful opportunity to try it out!

The recipe was originally found on Chef In Training and I’ve liked a lot of her recipes lately~ they look very yummy!
I loved the cake portion of the recipe, but the icing was SUPER thin and I didn’t want it to soak into the cake, so I felt it needed to be much thicker, so I tweaked the amount of confectioner’s sugar when I made it. I also used a deeper pan, so that is why mine looks “taller” than the picture on her blog.

Here’s the cake recipe (and ya don’t even need a mixer!! I used a wooden spoon!)

ALMOND SHEET CAKE
recipe from: Sweet and Savory by Sarah

1 Cup Butter
1 Cup Water
2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
2 Eggs
1 1/2 tsp. Almond Extract

Preheat oven to 375 F

In a small sauce pan, add the water and butter and bring to a boil.

In your mixing bowl, add the flour and sugar.

Pour the boiling water and butter mixture over the flour and sugar mixture. Beat well.

Add the baking soda.

Add the Almond Extract.

Add the Sour Cream.

And the eggs

Mix again, scraping down the sides at least once.
Pour the batter into a 9×13 or larger pan.

Bake at 375 F for 20-25 minutes until the middle is set.
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** I used probably 6-8 cups of confectioner’s sugar because I wanted it to be thicker like a light frosting, rather than a glaze. I also added a tad more of the almond extract.**

Here is the recipe as originally published by Chef in Training:

ALMOND ICING

1/2 Cup Butter
1/4 Cup Milk
3 1/2-4 Cups Powder Sugar
1 tsp. Almond Extract

Bring the butter and milk to a boil in a small sauce pan.

Add the remaining ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Once the milk and butter are boiling, pour into the mixing bowl. Stir until well mixed.

Add more powder sugar if you need a thicker consistency. It should be pourable though.

Pour onto the cake and let sit for 20 minutes.

*we also added 3 drops of red food coloring to give it a pink tint, and sprinkled some colored sugar into a “J” (for Grandma Judy) on the top

Let me know if you try the recipe & what you think! I really liked it, it was VERY moist and tasty!

Let the cake cook for 20-30 minutes before starting your icing.

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I must admit I am quite smitten with Gnomes of late. It all started with the idea for a Halloween costume, and festered to almost an obsession after seeing the super cute kids movie, Gnomeo & Juliet (if you haven’t seen it, you totally shoud! It’s really cute! and Goose LOVES the Flamingo in it, he totally cracks me up!)

I recently purchased a really cute felt tutorial (for a GREAT price) on Etsy

Click on the picture to get your copy. It’s really easy even for novice seamstresses such as myself! Aren’t they super cute?

I got some of this fabric to make a whimsical top hat from, it’s so fun, I not only love the gnomes, but the vintage airstream campers ROCK!

The Airstreams remind me of my trip to Austin,Texas a couple of years ago!

If you haven’t been to Austin lately, here’s a recap…

In the trendy downtown district vendors have cool vintage, re-styled airstreams set up and they sell food from them~this is becoming a HUGE trend nationwide too!

Check out this cool foodie article on Airstream Cuisine. Ihappen to be a girl who is a little obsessed with food you can get out of a truck. I’ve seen a lot of different things such as tacos, cupcakes, and more.

so getting back to gnomes… I think my lil’ obsession started when I saw the cover of the September 2010 issue of Earnshaw’s Just take a peek at these adorable little hats! in the issue online … Aren’t they to die for cute?
Once I saw them, it was downhill from there! (Styling by Michel Onofrio, Photography by Amanda Pratt)

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I am utterly addicted to Pinterest . For those of you in the know, you totally get what I’m sayin…
for those of you unfamiliar with the website that is a virtual cork board of ideas that inspire, encourage, and motivate. Basically, you create “pin boards” or “boards” and virtually “pin” links and pictures to them. I am collecting ideas to use in the future, such as recipes, ideas for crafty and DIY projects I find interesting~ as well as, great ideas for home organizing, kids crafts, fitness (he he, yeah~ even I get motivated to be healthier when browsing pinterest, LOL!) and just about any idea you can fathom.

I’d like to invite you to follow my pins! Click here to follow me on Pinterest
Here are some of the latest & greatest projects in Goosie’s world, originally discovered on Pinterest

which have inspired me…

Inspiration found on Pinterest, originally posted on:
The Birds Papaya

The color is “Belladonna” found at Ace Hardware

The trim, when finished will be semi-gloss white

I’m going to get a decal with a witty saying in white (because it’s a dark color) for the wall~and then I’m gonna paint several mismatched picture frames white and hang them going up the wall

Here’s another…(a feeble attempt at becoming healthier… I believe I am destined to be unhealthy, because truth be told… I wasn’t a very big fan of the “green monster spinach smoothie”~ LOL!

Luckily, The Coupon Kid of Chicagogoes along with my impulsive decisions to put bananas, peanut butter and SPINACH in a blender and attempt to consume it… LOL, she’s such a good sport! Some people just LOVED this smoothie idea, I don’t know… I think it’s the consistency that made me gag rather than the actual taste or flavor. I’m not a smoothie girl, and this was probably NOT the best recipe to begin my “let’s get healthy” experiment with. Ha! Ha!

In really cool news, The Coupon Kid was recently contacted by a producer who works for TLC and the television show Extreme Couponing!! The producer found her website and emailed her, encouraged her to apply to the show and told her she would be a great fit! Needless to say, we are JUMPING at that opportunity!! He he, I am SO proud of my daughter!! She has overcome so many obstacles in her life. You would never know in a million years she struggles daily with Asperger’s Syndrome, a faction of Autism

In other news, I’m sporting a new do these days… a little extreme, dontcha think?
Eh… it’s only hair… ya only live once, right? Why not be creative & make a statement…

I am getting used to it… what do you think? I’d love to hear what YOU think about pinterest. Have you tried any ideas you’ve seen on there? PLEASE share a link in the comments at the top of this blog!

I have a collection of books in my studio which I constantly find myself going back to for reference.

These books have been an invaluable tool to me for building the Goosie Girl brand.

Some of these books provide tools and knowledge

Some of these books provide inspiration

I like to surround myself in business with positive and encouraging words.

Positive In… Positive Out!!

One hour left in the Goosie Girl for Good Auction!!!

Score some wicked cool items at GREAT prices, and 100% of the monies will be donated to a family in desperate need this holiday season.

I have set up an album on Facebook with the items (OVER 100!!) in it, read the descriptions and terms, and then BID or BUY IT NOWclick here to view:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150590773254782.479483.69478224781&type=3

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!!

Dear Santa,

Hi, it’s Me, Goose. You know that one you sent Hercules the Elf to? I know it’s been many years since I’ve actually written you a letter myself. I hope the wife is doing well~ and I hope your reindeer are all in good health. My kids will be writing their own letters to you like usual, but I had to take a minute myself to sit down and jot a few things down for you.
I’ve been organizing an auction/sale to help someone I know who is in a really hard place right now. She has been out of work for quite a while~ and although she has been on many interviews & filling out applications to do nearly everything under the sun (within reason of course ) she still hasn’t found a job. Her unemployement has run out, her money has run out, and she has a 6 year old daughter, Santa. I am very worried about my friend, she’s grown to be like a sister to me~ and I feel horrible about her situation. I have been coordinating a fundraiser to help her pay her rent so that she is not out on the street with her child this Christmas. If there is anything you can do, Santa, I would be super appreciative. Even if it means sending boutique shoppers to the fundraiser on facebook~ or maybe even asking people to share it on facebook, and blog about it to help us spread the news? I’ve been able to gather up over a hundred fantastic items from over 70 awesome designers, there is something for EVERYONE in this auction~ and I am amazed at the generosity of the women who have been so willing to donate their wares, time and talents to help another Mom out.
I can’t imagine the pressure this Mom must feel, Santa~ to not only be in such a bad situation, but to also have it happening at the holidays, must be terrible stress for this woman. She keeps a very brave face to her daughter, and I think she’s a fabulous mom, it COULD happen to any of us, in this economy. Santa, can you pull some strings and help us out? I really would appreciate it, and to sweeten the deal, I’ll make you some of those oatmeal cookies I know you like so much.
The auction runs until Friday, Dec. 16th and closes at midnight, central time so if Mrs. Claus (or anyone else you should happen to run into) would like to donate something for the auction, we can still take donations!
Thank you very much,
Love,
Goose

If I were to write a letter to Santa, telling him all about what I’d LOVE to have for Christmas~

I believe the it would go a lil’ somethin’ like this:

Dear Santa,

Hi, it’s Me, Goose. You know that one you sent Hercules the Elf to? I know it’s been many years since I’ve actually written you a letter myself. I hope the wife is doing well~ and I hope your reindeer are all in good health. My kids will be writing their own letters to you like usual, but I had to take a minute myself to sit down and jot a few things down for you.
I’ve been organizing an auction/sale to help someone I know who is in a really hard place right now. She has been out of work for quite a while~ and although she has been on many interviews & filling out applications to do nearly everything under the sun (within reason of course ) she still hasn’t found a job. Her unemployement has run out, her money has run out, and she has a 6 year old daughter, Santa. I am very worried about my friend, she’s grown to be like a sister to me~ and I feel horrible about her situation. I have been coordinating a fundraiser to help her pay her rent so that she is not out on the street with her child this Christmas. If there is anything you can do, Santa, I would be super appreciative. Even if it means sending boutique shoppers to the fundraiser on facebook~ or maybe even asking people to share it on facebook, and blog about it to help us spread the news? I’ve been able to gather up over a hundred fantastic items from over 70 awesome designers, there is something for EVERYONE in this auction~ and I am amazed at the generosity of the women who have been so willing to donate their wares, time and talents to help another Mom out.
I can’t imagine the pressure this Mom must feel, Santa~ to not only be in such a bad situation, but to also have it happening at the holidays, must be terrible stress for this woman. She keeps a very brave face to her daughter, and I think she’s a fabulous mom, it COULD happen to any of us, in this economy. Santa, can you pull some strings and help us out? I really would appreciate it, and to sweeten the deal, I’ll make you some of those oatmeal cookies I know you like so much.
The auction runs until Friday, Dec. 16th and closes at midnight, central time so if Mrs. Claus (or anyone else you should happen to run into) would like to donate something for the auction, we can still take donations!
Thank you very much,
Love,
Goose

P.S. ~ Can you please send me a new Elf, that Hercules guy is BAD news!! My kids are gonna need therapy by the time Christmas comes!!

We are 2 days into our Elf on The Shelf Assault and I must admit I am having a BLAST with “Hercules” our little Elfin friend!

Our lil’ fella is quite the mischievious guy! ~ and he doesn’t just wait until night time for the shennanigans & tom foolery; oftentimes, he moves around during the day. You should see my son’s face when he looks up at the shelf and realizes that “hercules” is on the move again!

Herc having some hot tub time in my new Scentsy warmer!

Playing Hide & Seek

Apparently our Elf is a closet gear head… who knew?

Poor fella got a little homesick for the North Pole and we found him in the freezer, complete with a pair of earmuffs & scarf!

Hercules has quite the sweet tooth~ he got into our candy stash and got a pretty bad tummy ache after a tootsie roll bender

Elf Under Glass, Trapped in the China Cabinet

Hercules thought he would help me out in the studio, thanks but no thanks, pal!

making snow angels

Just hangin’ around

A Hercules Original Design!

I’ll be posting some PG-13 versions soon, so don’t go away!