Hostess Gift - Coffee

Oh, January! You are so good already. 2015 looks like it's going to be a great year for the Kinsauls.

Alright, so I meant to share this before Christmas but never did. I will probably be blogging a few other things that I didn't get to last year and the seasons might be a little off but I'm okay with that. I hope you stick around to see what's going on over here in my little corner of the world. I have some big plans for this year and I would love to have you join me on this journey.

Giving gifts are a passion of mine. I love to see how the thoughtfulness of a gift makes the recipient smile and know they are loved. So, with that thought, I hope to blog more about some of the different gifts I give throughout the year and a few that if put together last year. I always like reading what other's give for gifts and hope you are inspired to bless someone in your life.

My sister and brother-in-law hosted Liam's 1st birthday party in their home and I wanted to do something nice to say thank you. They are both coffee (and hot cocoa) drinkers so, I started simple with a Starbucks gift card. Then I tucked it in a red berry basket (I found mine at Michaels.) along with a bottle of Torani Salted Caramel Syrup, and a mini bottle brush Christmas tree.

Using a strip of red and white checkered fabric I already had, I tied it all up with a bow. Then I added a little personalized tag and a note of thanks and called it good. Until I remembered the sweet printable I purchased from the ever wonderful, Hannah of Wifey Singer Prints.

 It was the perfect addition to my gift. I clipped it to a clip board that I picked up from Walmart and included it with the berry basket of goods.
Simple. Thoughtful. Sweet. These are a few of my favorite things. :)

Do you have any tried and true gifts that you love to give? I'd love to know what your favorites are.

Simple October Workshop - Christmas Edition

We had the best time crafting at the Simple October Workshop.
These nights are filled with good conversation, growing friendships, crafting pretty things, treats and coffee.
Some of my most favorite handmade shops sent some goodies for the ladies that attended. Each one unique and so very talented. I'll be posting all the details about them soon.

We crafted festive felt banners, faux Christmas tree snow globes, hand stamped muslin bags, and creative paper gift tags. Seeing all these creative ladies bring their own style into each one of their crafted items is my favorite. I am so sad that I didn't get a photo of all the finished projects together this time. They were all amazing!

Vintage trucks with tiny Christmas trees and sprigs of evergreen decorated little parts here and there. Oh, my heart!
Thanks to my mom for trucks. They are all from her and are so cute. I'm sure some of them were my dad's when he was little.

One of my sisters made the chocolate layered bars and my mom made thin twice baked potatoes and spinach artichoke dip. I only made the white chocolate peppermint tarts but everything was delicious!

 

One of my sisters hand cut each one of the paper snowflakes that were hanging from the ceiling. They made the room feel magical with the twinkle lights. Also, I have to mention that my brother in law, Kyle, helped us so much by hanging everything from the ceiling. We would not have made it without him.

And seriously, I would have been so over my head with trying to get everything done without help from my mom, sister, brother in law, and my husband for watching our twins the entire day. Liam still stays with me and he was such a trooper hanging out with us while we worked.

I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Thanks to all who came, you are such a blessing to me and your support is immeasurable. Thank you!
You can see more photos from the night on Instagram using the hashtag #simpleoctoberholiday

Caramels for the Holidays

During the Holidays, I always think it's nice to give special treats to those you appreciate.
This week I went for my final haircut of 2013. Since I knew I wouldn't be back until sometime next year, I wanted to treat my stylist to something sweet.
Enter the Homemade Caramels.......they are so amazing!

You can find the recipe here at Inspired Taste. This is the same recipe I used for the baby shower I co-hosted at the beginning of this year. Only this time I chose not to dip them in chocolate. Instead, I wrapped each piece in a small bit of wax paper. Perfect! These caramels practically melt in your mouth.
All wrapped up and sitting pretty in a mint blue mug from Target. The red and white polka dot cozy is handmade to add a little extra charm.
It's so much fun to come up with little gifts to give. What are some of your favorite things to treat your friends?

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Sharing my version of cooking a pumpkin, roasting the seeds, and my recipe for mini pumpkin pies.
Oh, how I love pumpkin!

Cooking a Pie Pumpkin from the grocery store:

Wash your pumpkin and dry. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds and extra string-y-ness.
Wrap each half with foil, just like you would for a baked potato. Cook in a 350 - 375 degree oven for about an hour. Remove pumpkin from the oven and let cool enough to handle. Scrape out the soft, cooked pumpkin with a spoon and mash with a fork on a plate, or pulse through a food processor until it's the consistency you desire.

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Separate the seeds from the stringy core. Rinse pumpkin seeds under running water. In a small saucepan, add the seeds to water, about 2 cups of water to every half cup of seeds. Add a tablespoon of salt for every cup of water. Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

Spread about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a four sided sheet pan. Spread the seeds out over the pan, all in one layer. If desired, sprinkle seeds with a little kosher salt to give them a little extra crunch. Bake on the top rack for 20 minutes or until the seeds begin to brown. When browned to your satisfaction, remove from oven and let the pan cool on a rack. Let the seeds cool all the way down before eating.

Mini Pumpkin Pies:

Crust recipe:
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. plus 2 T. shortening
3 to 4 T. cold water

In a medium size bowl, mix flour and salt. Add shortening and cut in using a pastry blender until the mixture resembles crumbs. Stir in enough water to make a nice dough and mix just until incorporated. Scoop out 1/2 T. size balls of dough and press into mini muffin pan to create the mini crusts for the pies. Repeat until you run out of dough. Set aside.

Pumpkin Pie Filling:
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 c. pumpkin puree
1/2 c. plus 1/3 c. carnation sweetened condensed milk
1 egg

Whisk all ingredients together until nice and smooth. Pour into mini crusts and bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for 20 -25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool and enjoy with whipped cream or all by themselves.

*NOTE: If you wish to make a larger pie, double the filling recipe. I only make half when making the mini pies since you don't need as much for them. The crust recipe above will create one large pie crust.

Birthday Celebration Week

It's my birthday week and I want to celebrate by giving you some amazing sales in preparation for all the Christmas gift giving that will be happening oh, so soon!
To start this week off I've restocked the chapstick cozies. They make fantastic stocking stuffers, happy mail to a friend, or a great addition to a teacher's Christmas gift.
I don't know about you but with the cooler weather comes chapped lips for me. Which means I like to keep my chapstick with me where ever I go. With the key ring on top, you can slip it onto almost anything to make sure your chapstick is ready to hydrate your lips at any time.

Our super birthday sale means that you can get three (3) of our adorable cozies for $9 (plus shipping).
Don't wait, we have a limited number of cozies available and I would hate for you to miss out.
Check out our Facebook page for this amazing deal!

Easter Sunday

One went to service.
Three stayed home.

This mama stayed up late making little fabric baskets.
I decided to go ahead and make them, since I want them for their room.
Also, I was being lazy about pulling their Easter baskets out of our storage closet.
The irony..........making these took a lot more time than getting them from the porch.
Oh, well!
They are sweet and adorable with their navy polka dot fabric and herringbone ribbon handles.

Filled with a few special treats for two little boys. Perfect.

We had dinner (lunch) together.
Roast beef, roasted carrots and brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, and homemade rolls.

Boys and cloth napkins = something silly.
This is the life.

The four of us took a wonderful afternoon nap while it thundered and poured outside.
Best nap in a long time.

Ready to welcome April. We have six weeks till graduation. The days feel so long and yet speed by.
Onward we go!

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The winners from our weekend giveaway!

1st - personalized notecards - Leanne Schaffhauser
2nd - mini felt gift bag - Becky Ross
3rd - mini zippered bag - Kristin Laurel Rippy

Please send me an email at ekinsaul@yahoo.com with your shipping address.

Thanks for joining in the fun!

*All entry winners were chosen using random.org.