Savvy Advent Garland

It is so hard to believe that December 1st and Christmas are Upon us.

This year I wanted to create an Advent Piece that would be fun, practical, and appealing. When I saw this Pottery Barn Advent I fell in LOVE. The problem is that it costs $299 and is not practical with 2 3 year olds. So I kept the image tucked away in my ever foggy mind and continued on with my crazy life.

Then Anders Ruff posted their Advent Cones and I knew exactly what I wanted to create.

With the Pottery Barn Advent as my inspiration I headed to our Local Dollar Tree. There I was able to get all of the materials I would need to complete my Savvy Style Advent Garland. I purchased the following items:

25 Pails (in sets of 3 so 9 sets) for $9

Twine $1

Clothes Pins $1

Santa Ornaments $2

Fillers $3

Anders Ruff Printables

Total Cost $21

Here is how I created the Advent Garland

I printed out my Anders Ruff Advent Cones and cut them to fit the Dollar Pails.

Then I hot glued the printable to the pail.

I wanted my advent to be a spiritual one (but you can always just use the idea as a countdown). One that would have teachable activities for my children. It just so happens that My Insanity had just shared her Advent and printable list. So in the spirit of Christmas I accepted her gift and am using her list for our advent. I filled each pail with snacks and treats, which coincided with each number, and the Action that each day inspires. I then hung the 25 pails evenly with the clothespins on my twine line.

And there it is...My Advent Garland.



I hope you find some inspiration and tips from my Savvy Seasonal project.

Smiles~
Bri

A Savvy Thanks~

With so much that goes on day in and day out in our lives, it is so important to take the time to stop and think of how much you have and are thankful for in this crazy thing called Life. But no matter how crazy things may be, we can always find something to be thankful for. I am reminded of the gifts in my life every day when I wake up to a loving and supportive husband, kiss the faces of my two beautiful children and share the laughter and memories with great family and friends.

Amy

In one word I am Thankful.

Thankful that the Lord thought enough of me to bless me with this life. The life of a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. I am reminded daily of how truly lucky I am to call this life mine. Even when things get rough, life gets crazy and I want to cry I am reminded that I am blessed.

Blessed beyond words, beyond measure and for that I am grateful...Thankful.

Bri

And to you.....How can we say Thank You?

Thank You for following Us.

Thank You for joining us on this journey.

Thank You for the Support, Kind Words, Comments and Warm emails.

Thank You for helping us realise our Dream.

Smiles~

{Guest Blogger} Great Grandma's Sour Cream Apple Pie and Inkspot Workshop Savvy Savings

November 22, 2010

We were so excited when Stacy of the Inkspot Workshop agreed to be a Guest Blogger for us.

She is so FABULOUS......

Her designs and creations are one of a kind.

And she has a Culinary Degree.

We knew you needed to meet her!

Hello everyone! I'm Stacy, owner and imagination behind InkSpot Workshop . I was thrilled to be asked by The Savvy Mom's Guide to be a guest blogger today and share a super special family recipe with you, choc-full of "how to" photos and even a down loadable file for you to print. Also be on the lookout for a special discount promo code for all of you SAVVY readers to enjoy at my shop. If your tummy is rumbling by the end of this post.....I've done my job well!

Today I am showing you how to make a "not so typical" apple pie and this tradition was handed down to me by my "not so typical" great grandmother Emma Geiger LaGorin. I was lucky enough to have my great grandmother alive and well until I was around 20 years old. I called her "great grandma on the farm" because...well... she lived on a farm of course! She was a first generation American, born of German immigrants who migrated to a very heavily German populated, rural area of Ohio, called Defiance (in the area of New Bavaria, Ohio). She grew up speaking German until WWII then everyone ceased speaking the language during those times. Grandma on the farm then married my great grandfather Albert, who was a first generation American, born of Swedish parents. Together they had 4 children (including my grandfather) and raised them all on the family farm. Without reservation I can tell you this bunch was seriously fed well.

By the time I came around there were no more animals on the farm, only crops. My grandfather would take me on the long drive from Cleveland to Defiance, a couple times a year and what educational car rides those were, even included smoking cigars together on a few occasions. I will forever treasure those rides, especially when I came to realize years later there was something called the Ohio Turnpike, which grandpa never took and cut the drive time in half! I grew up believing Ohio was huge and full of dirt roads only!

Each visit to grandma on the farm's house would begin with a huge dinner, farmer's wife style. When we arrived and walked through the back door, instantly you would be welcomed by the smell of her fresh baked Sour Cream Apple pie cooling in the pantry. I would rush through dinner just to get to this sweet, tangy, creamy pie! Till this day when I bake this pie I'm transported to grandma on the farm's house.

It wouldn't be until many years later that I would develop an interest in cooking, even obtain a culinary degree. Although I'm not really a baker, this is one pie I can't seem to tire of. Sure wish I would have spent more years in the kitchen with grandma, but I think she tried to get all the baking out of the way before we arrived so we could spend 100% of our time visiting:) Which is exactly how we spent our visits. My grandfather told me she would make this pie with peaches in the Summer! Wow. As a young adult I started making this pie for Thanksgiving and now this holiday is not complete without great grandma's Sour Cream Apple Pie.

Thanks for letting me go down memory lane with you today and share a recipe which is very near and dear to my heart. I hope this posting sparks a new tradition in your family for years to enjoy!

Gather All Ingredients
aka, Mise en place.

A little culinary lingo for you:)

fill your favorite pie pan, lined with your favorite crust, with enough cored, peeled and sliced apples (I prefer Granny Smith's)

I've included a recipe for my favorite pie crust
click here to download

beat together eggs, sugar, salt, lemon juice then sour cream


Pour sour cream mixture over apples and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
Then combine crumble topping, sprinkle over pie and bake at 350 degrees for another 35 minutes or until bubbly and yummy.


your house should be smelling amazing by now


Mmmmmm!

Hungry?
Click here to download your pretty recipe cards.

These cards will match your TOM Free Printable Thanksgiving Set
also from InkSpot Workshop by clicking here

SUPER SPECIAL
for all Savvy Mom's Guide readers!

From now until Monday, Dec 6th
receive $10.00 off your order
at InkSpot Workshop
just use coupon code SAVVY

Enjoy,

Stacy

The Cupcake Camp IE

November 18, 2010

Last week we had the great privilege of being involved in the 1st annual Cupcake Camp IE. This event was one that brought hundreds of people together to fight against breast cancer while enjoying some yummy cupcakes .

What a fun day it was!

Jamie of Kolby Kakes and Nicole of Sweet Things Kids shared in the day too. Christine Racz of Racz Phototgraphy captured the details through her lens.

It was a great way for us to support a wonderful cause, spend some girl time together and share in an event that brought awareness and passion to our community.

We did all of the styling and tablescape for the fabulous day. Since it was an event to support Susan G Koman we had to think Pink. Right away we knew we needed to turn to Kim of the TomKat studios to create the perfect printables for the event. And she did. Believe, Courage, Love and Thank You were more than fitting words and feelings for the day. For the fight that those diagnosed with Breast Cancer endure.

Kolby Kakes debuted her delicious Sweet Geraldine cupcake. It was delicious. And enjoyed by several hundred guests.

Nicole of Sweet Things Kids made adorable cupcake Aprons for us. And added the final touch to our table....an adorable Pink tutu and cupcake pillowcase dress.

We wanted you to enjoy the apron too so Nicole is hosting a GIVEAWAY for an adult Apron and a yummy cupcake mix. Enter to win.

We look forward to next year's event and hope that you will all come out to support The Cupcake Camp IE.

Smiles~
Amy & Bri

Savvy Savings.....Photo on Canvas Complete!

So those of you who Follow our Facebook Page know that we are always sharing Savvy Savings with you.

Remember those Canvas Savings we Shared from Canvas on Demand????

I cashed in!

Goodness I love these 2...They make my heart melt

They were taking the modeling thing very seriously.

Especially Miss Bean....

I am so happy with the way these Photos on Canvas turned out. I can not think of a better way to display these Amazing images Ella B captured at the Sweet Things Photo Shoot.

I think I might be addicted to putting my Photos on Canvas' instead of in frames......

And guess what?

There is a special going on now.

Save 22% through Thursday the 18th with Promo Code THXGIVING.

Smiles~

Bri