Welcome to the 35th edition of MIFS!
This edition is rich with recipe entries which include canning and preserving, apple pie sandwiches, cozy casseroles and more - all befitting the time of year.
We'll start off with Heidi's recipes at Butterfly Mama for Taco Seasoning and how to make Super Sloppy Joes - definite family pleasers.
The ever smart and frugal Stephanie at Stop The Ride gives us a very autumnal recipe using wild grapes to make grape ketchup (although you don't have to forage for your grapes, you could buy them instead.) This condiment is recommended for poultry, might also suit wild game - like duck or pheasant.
Laura Williams' Musings has given us a method for making sauerkraut which looks so simple it'd be crazy to ever buy it pre-made again. Laura also shares a ketchup recipe that yields seven quarts worth - a house with seven children might go through that quite quickly!
Joanna at Sunflowers in my Kitchen reveals this very hearty refried bean casserole dish that's easy on the wallet too! A perfect winter warmer, and simple too.
Summer at Wired for Noise shares her homemade bread recipe - this one you knead by hand, great for those of us who haven't got a bread machine. Baking it from scratch is a good reminder of how few ingredients bread should include.
Bridget at "...And Miles To Go Before We Sleep" presents a tasty apple pie sandwich that would be a wonderful dessert or breakfast. She has also tested different apple varieties and gives some great suggestions.
Delilah from The Miller Way introduces us to a pumpkin scone recipe and gives a rave review to the accompanying spiced butter - yum!
The following two desserts give this weeks post a truly global feel.
Jimmie checks in from China at her site One Child Policy Homeschool to give us this light, Japanese cheesecake. Looks scrummy and must taste great as she says she'll double the recipe next time.
And Revka at The Porch Light shares this Pastel de Tres Leches (Three Milk Cake.) A Guatemalan friend taught her how to make it and she has kindly passed it on to us.
On the lighter side of our culinary submissions, Melissa at A Penny Closer passes along six salad dressing recipes that cost just pennies to make.
The parents that present HowToMe give some helpful hints on how to select fresh fruit.
And on the craft front, GreenStyleMom Kristen gives us this beautiful Tinker bell costume idea and link to a tutu tutorial - say that 5 times fast.
StarXLR8 of Midwest Neurotica shows off her new digital sewing machine and shows us a cover for a heating pad, a nice way to warm up cold feet as the nights get cooler.
I'm posting a dancing scarecrow template - great little project for varied age groups. This year I teach five and six year olds so I've made this project for them, but it could easily be made more challenging for older children. Also, visit this Halloween party piñata - email me or leave a comment if you'd like a simple tutorial for it.
Honoring Veteran's Day on November 11, Cindy from My Recycled Bags shares a very special project. Cindy has been making these useful wheelchair/walker tote bags for a local VA hospital. She shows us these amazing bags and as usual, generously gives brilliant instructions.
Delilah shows her handmade thank-you cards and packages at Junky Love In Freehand, so much nicer than shop-bought.
Amanda from She's Has Moxie shows us how to make beautiful framed silhouette pictures and some classic Halloween decorations.
Other items include Michael from Traveling Stories Magazine announcing a Fall Writing Contest. This contest will not only give the winning author valuable publicity, but also a $125 prize.
Zam from Verb, tells us how she introduced her 22 month old son to the flags of the world (he now recognizes 17 of them!) A fun, visual introduction to geography led by the child's own desire to know.
Karen from At Home With Grandmother Wren gives us a story in pictures, showing how Maya carves her Halloween pumpkin.
And Phil, from Phil for Humanity is speeding on towards Christmas looking at the importance of recycling Christmas trees.
Lastly, if anyone else is already thinking Christmas, I found this item at Simply Green. Danny Seo shows how to reuse last years Christmas tree instead of recycling.
Fantastic submissions everyone. Next week Bridget at "...And Miles To Go Before We Sleep" will be hosting the 36th MIFS. Submit your post here.
