Candle Decorating Ideas

It has been a couple of days since I have posted because my daughter has had the stomach flu and with VERY LITTLE sleep I couldn't get my creative juices flowing until today. Glad to be back! 

My first winter here in Wyoming has not been that bad considering it has been a VERY mild winter compared to usual. Having a wood burning fireplace gives a special feeling when it is cold outside. I am sooooo grateful to have one. In addition to the fire I have to have candles. I just have too! There is something about a luminating Candle in the room that just brings a little peace.


One thing that there is never a short of at the THRIFT STORE is candles. You can find new candles, used candles, funky candles, all colors and smells. I like to buy the cheap used ones and melt the wax for another project.


This is some of what you will find at the Thrift Store for used candles. You may even have some around the house that you normally would throw away!

You can turn the old ones into these! SOURCE

SOURCE - CROCKPOT CANDLES

DECORATING YOUR HOME WITH CANDLES

 TEA CUP CANDLES

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You can usually always find cute mismatched tea cups at the Thrift Store.

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I love these. You can buy a bag of the rocks at the Dollar Tree for $1 plus they have the candles and jars.

MASON JAR CANDLES

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Oh how I love anything to do with a Mason Jar!

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CUTE FOR VALENTINES

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SOURCE

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MY FAVORITE!!!!

 ADORABLE WITH THE FLOWERS!

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LOVE LOVE LOVE!

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I find silver plated items all the time from the THRIFT STORE. I can buy some wax at the Dollar Store or use old candles and save $29. 

CUTE FOR EASTER

SOURCE - This is the source but I couldn't find it within the website. Pretty self explanitory though. :)

 SO CLEVER, WEDDING?

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 WEDDING AISLE

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If you have little kids and want to do something without a frame don't forget about the Flameless Candles. They are wonderful for certain projects and flicker just like a real candle. You can get them at the dollar store for usually three for a dollar. 

Pottary Barn sells them for $8.50 plus shipping. I think the Dollar Tree would be better.

Candles add so much and I hope you enjoyed today's blog and that you find some inspiration in adding some new decor to your home with CANDLES!

Thanks again for stopping by.

Dori

*NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF CHEAP*

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS!

Superbowl easy party ideas

The SUPERBOWL is approaching quickly and lots of parties will be happening all over the United States. Sadly the Packers will not be advancing. :( My second team would have been the 49ers but that ended as well.  

For those still celebrating the game with a Superbowl party I want to share a few ideas with you of some appetizers and dessert that you can serve. There are so many great recipes out there but these are just some simple ones. I am all about simple and these are tested and approved! If you have the Martha Stewart gene than this probably will be just to easy but if you don't like me than you will love it!

BAKED POTATO BAR!

This is such a great idea to feed lots of people for cheap. They are filling. Try doing this for dinner for your family one night. It is a big hit at my house on baked potato night. The easy part is the potatoes! Use your CROCK POT to make them! If you are having a big party you might need two crock pots depending on how many people you have coming. 


It is so simple. Wash the potatoes, rub them with Olive Oil and coat them with Kosher salt (the salt will contain the extra moisture), wrap them in foil and put them in the crock pot on low for 8 hours. DONE! Now your oven is free and you don't have to heat up your house (unless you live in WY and that is a plus!)

Here are just a few ideas of some TOPPINGS that can be put on the potatoes.....

• Butter
• Chives
• Sour Cream
• Ranch Dressing (Hidden Valley Ranch recommended from the package)
• Grated Cheddar Cheese
• Chicken 
• Bacon crumbled (Real bacon is much better than bacon bits.)
• Kosher salt and Peppers

Check your local Dollar Store for some matching dishes for your toppings if you don't have any. 

APPETIZERS

DORI'S FAMOUS BEAN DIP


This is my famous BEAN DIP RECIPE! Whenever I need to bring an appetizer to something this is what I bring. It is always a huge hit and people will ask who made it and what the recipe is. Before I would say "If I told you I would have to kill you" but now I am willing to share it all with you so can enjoy and be the hit of the party. Be prepared to hand out the recipe. I would suggest doubling this recipe if there is lots of people. I usually double it for family parties or large gatherings.

It's not the best picture but I promise it is good.

This is another crock pot recipe...Use a medium crock pot. 

16 oz. can of refried beans

1 Cup of Salsa (I always use Picante)

2 Cups of Jack and Cheddar Cheese bag mix

1 Cups of Sour Cream 

3 oz. package of Cream Cheese

1 T. Chili Powder

Throw it in the crock pot and put it on high or low depending on how much time you have. Stir it every once in a while until it is all melted together.

BAGEL CHIPS AND ARTICHOKE PARMESEAN DIP

These are my weakness. You don't have to make anything, just buy it. I bought both of these at Smith's. It is addicting and a quick way to serve an appetizer. Have a platter with a nice center and dump the chips around. Done. 

I got this cute Crate and Barrel dish at the Thrift Store for $2 a while back and it is perfect for this. 

This picture was taken cold, It is amazing cold I can't imagine how it might taste hot but here is a picture....YUM

 HEATING INSTRUCTIONS 

DESSERT

So now you have a filling Potato, some yummy appetizers. Now how about a quick yummy dessert or two??

These are really good and add some color to your display of yummy foods.

SOURCE - Pretzel Dessert Recipe

These are a good idea to have for kids at the party.

SOURCE - Football Cupcakes

DON'T FORGET THE DRINKS!

I just saw one like these at Smith's for $19.99 about a week ago with a stand. These are from   Pottery Barn and cost a whopping $79.

KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL BUT ARE GOING TO A PARTY?

Read this handy football primer before you watch the Super Bowl, and learn everything you need to know about football before the big game.

  Football 101

Have a great time whatever your plans are for Superbowl Sunday. Hope you enjoyed these few simple ideas. Thanks for stopping by.

Dori

*NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF CHEAP*

Homemade Fire Starters with items you already have.

FINALLY! DIY HOMEMADE FIRE STARTERS WITH ITEMS YOU ALREADY HAVE!

You might have seen on my blog before some Fire Starters I was excited to make with the Pine Cones that I got in a basket at the Thrift Store. Well, on my search for what else I needed I found out that NO WHERE in Rock Springs, WY can I find the items that I needed to make them. We don't have a craft store here that I apparently really took for granted when I lived in Utah. So, I have been on a mission to make my own. I have tried several things that I thought would be great ideas that didn't work.

I am so sick of using paper that doesn't work and makes a HUGE mess in the Fire Place!!!!!!  Last night was the last straw, I had had enough. I went to the Internet to find Fire Starters I could make with the things I already had and didn't require a trip to the craft store. After searching I FOUND IT! Thank goodness for the website Wisdom of the Moon that shared this great idea and can be used for CAMPING as well! I had everything in my house already that I needed to make these great Fire Starters and it was so easy! Are you ready??????  OK, here is what you will need.

• Empty Egg Carton - Already had on hand. FREE
• Lint - Pulled it out of dryer. FREE
• Old Candle - FREE

That's it!  I normally would just use an old candle that I got from the Thrift Store that is already in a jar which I will use next time, but I was out so I just grated this old one I had in storage and it worked fine. You can ALWAYS find new and used candles at the Thrift Store for super cheap and you can melt it right in the jar. You can't get any cheaper than that!

So here's how I did it. 

Take pieces of dryer lint and stick them down into the egg holders. 

Put the jar in a pan of water but make sure you keep it on a bare simmer. Just wait until it melts....

Pick up jar with a hot pad (one that fits your hand will work better)

Pour over lint....

Let dry......

When dry, you can cut them or rip them apart. 

That's it! You are done. Is that simple or what? I put them in this bowl to take a picture but I will put them in something with a secure lid by the fire.

Of course I had to test it out immediately, I had a war to win!

I let the egg carton portion......so far so good...

The prices are ridiculous on Firestarters in the stores. Almost everyone eats eggs, has a dryer and a candle. If you don't have candles grab a bunch at the Thrift Store. 

I will be making several more batches of these. It is cold here in WYOMING! I will also store some away in a ziploc bag for the summer when we go camping. These would also make a great gift if you fancied them up in some cute basket! 

 Thanks for stopping by!

Dori