Check this link to get the directions on how to make and cut the watermelon for the example in the photo.

Here’s a cute idea used for a 16th birthday party from Pen + Paper flowers!

More examples of fruit and vegetable cake ideas.

I can’t help but love the look. Click here on charcuterie board to find out more…..

Use a large tray or long piece of wood to create these beautiful displays of food.

few favs for future reference …

Note to self—- remember the Ploughman’s lunch or a birthday breakfast/ brunch all beautifully displayed on a long board or tray?? Soooo cute!!

Here’s the cold meat/ cheese/ fruit style

The Reluctant Entertainer created all these round Charcuterie Board examples: Be sure and visit her blog for all the how to’s and even video examples!!!

This is the beautiful 28″ wooden round tray from Pier 1 that reluctant entertainer used in all the above examples.

There are no limits on what you can use to make food displays….. boards, mirrors, trays of any kind, or simply a clean surface.

Here is a Pinterest link that shows many more ideas.

Food boards come in all shapes and sizes.

Going up with the food displays… don’t forget you can elevate too.

video link

If you are looking for something fun and easy to make for friends

and neighbors, you may consider this edible wreath made from clementines.

It was so much fun putting together these little healthy and affordable gifts.

I originally saw this adorable wreath idea a few years ago on this blog Omiyageblogs.

Jump over to their site for all the DIY info on how to construct this wreath.

Below is the original inspirational photo. They used Red bakers twine. Cute!!

I changed it up a bit and used what I had on hand. (Raffia, sprig of fresh greens from

our yard) Tip: you can find rolls of cellophane at Michael’s Craft store.

Have you ever tried 15 bean soup??

I was at the grocery store last night and the bag of beans was calling

my name!! It just seems like a yummy sorta soup kind of day.

I’ve made it a few other times and it’s always a winner.

The bonus is it takes very few ingredients.

I followed the traditional method in the first recipe and added Italian Sausage.

The only thing left to do is make homemade cornbread.

Here’s a little note to anyone reading this blog post

It has been forever since I posted on this lil’ old bloggy blog!!

I don’t think I shared this with you all…. but I prayed about blogging and asked the Lord

to take away the desire to blog if it had become some sort of idol in my life.

I felt like I was out of balance with my time and the amount of

time I spent blogging. Ask any full time blogger and they will probably share the challenge.

Time management is something I have always struggled with so blogging created a challenge.

Whatever I’m doing I seem to go all in.

I never want to go all in and leave God out, but I think many times

He was taking the back seat.

Slowly the desire to blog left me. After blogging 3 years full time it was time to take a break.

So that’s why I’m rarely on here.  I just wanted to share a bit from my heart.

I hope all of you are doing well and staying strong in the Lord.

We need Him now more than ever before and we need each other too.

Until next time~

Love you all and God Bless xoxo

interest in store bought food makeovers.

Here’s the “faking it” makeover Challenge:

Change a high quality frozen store bought apple pie into something

that doesn’t look mass produced.

I used Marie Callender’s pie.

Note: Their crust is made from scratch.

Also noted- This is NOT sponsored by Marie Callender’s

Here’s what happened….

I Thawed the pie and removed the filling. (The instructions say not to thaw the pie)

I’m not telling anyone else to disobey this recommendation if you are concerned about the health risk.

I  gently rinsed the crust from any pie filling remains.   Here’s what happened after that.

I had to push the pie crust around a bit to make it fit in the ramekins.

Then I filled them up with the apple filling….

Cooked as instructed or until the apples are done.

The results:

Mini apple cobblers topped with cutout piecrust hearts.

Hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Next up… a frozen cherry pie makeover.

-Why do this? What if you kept a few Marie Challenger Frozen pies in the freezer for a time

when you are in a time crunch and you….

A. Don’t  have time to go to the store.

B. Don’t want to purchase all the ingredients needed for apple cobblers

C. Don’t have time to peel and slice apples

D. Want to serve something that doesn’t look store bought…. etc.

Find this Paper Garland at ~ Sweet Things Easy.

Find at~ Thoughts From Alice

Find at~ Funkyshique

Paper Garland

funky Junk

To learn how to make your own birdseed ornaments

please visit my original How to post here….

Not only is her salad lovely, but the message on her blog touched my heart.

Please visit her to get the complete instructions on how she constructed this Winter Berry Salad Wreath and learn about her meal ministry.

For salad recipe instructions click here.

Such a fun craft for kids!! Check out Lia Griffith’s site for complete instructions!!

This first wreath is a simple cotton wreath. I purchased  it last
year from a local floral shop.

I’m loving the real cotton clusters…they remind me of snow.

These are so fun to make…. just look for those perfect colored and patterned sweaters that fit with your color scheme.

Make your own cone bases or purchase cones from your local craft store.

For more ideas-

Check out our sweater cone trees shown in Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Craft Magazine.

Scroll down the page and click on the magazine image located on the bottom right.

up cycle some sweaters into Christmas trees

Tape together patterned paper

napkins to create a table runner.

Thanks! BHG