After almost 15 months, we can finally share our son with the world!  His adoption was finalized a couple weeks ago & we couldn't be happier.

It was a perfect fit from the moment he entered our home in September 2020.

The week the judge terminated parental rights was the same week we found out James had cancer.  We didn't know what the future would hold for us but we were still dedicated to adopting Braxton.

I'm so thankful that Braxton got to know James.  I'm also so angry that we didn't have more time together as a family.

Even though life has thrown me a devastating curve ball, I'm dedicated to raising this little boy.

Here are some Amazon deals & Black Friday deals for November 25, 2021!  This post will be updated throughout the day as more sales become available!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sales go until end date or while supplies last.

Be sure to click on "Read More" to see the full list of deals! 

- 38% off on Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker ($49.99) Black Friday deal

- 50% off Fire TV Stick ($24.99) Black Friday deal

- 55% off Blink Outdoor 3 Cam Kit bundle with Echo Show ($149.99) Black Friday deal

- 66% off The Highlights Book of Things To Do ($8.46) Black Friday deal

- 58% off Awesome Science Experiments For Kids ($6.29) Black Friday deal

- 40% off The 2022 Almanac of Fun ($9.02) Black Friday Deal

Here are some Amazon deals for November 24, 2021!  This post will be updated throughout the day as more sales become available!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sales go until end date or while supplies last.

Be sure to click on "Read More" to see the full list of deals! 

- 45% off 5 pack women's winter socks ($8.24 at checkout).  Ends 11/24

- 50% off scratch paper art for kids ($8.48 at checkout).  Ends 11/24

- 30% off jumper cables ($15.39 at checkout).  Ends 11/29

- 55% off 43ft outdoor string lights ($22.50 at checkout).  Ends 11/27

- 70% off battery powered night lights ($6 at checkout).  Ends 11/26

- 42% off electric patio heater ($98.59 at checkout).  Ends 11/28

- 60% off garden hose nozzle sprayer ($8.80 at checkout).  Ends 11/29

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sales go until end date or while supplies last.

Be sure to click on "Read More" to see the full list of deals!

- 50% off plus sized aprons ($4.99 at checkout).  Ends 11/21

- 60% off mini drone ($38 at checkout).  Ends 11/26

- 50% off Christmas ornaments ($3.82 at checkout).  Ends 11/24

- 60% off leggings ($5.99 at checkout).  Ends 11/22

- 50% off maple string lights ($7.99 at checkout).  Ends 11/30

- 55% off 6ft flocked Christmas tree ($38.25 at checkout).  Ends 11/28

- 50% off writing tablet ($10.49 at checkout).  Ends 11/24

As a blogger, I've been able to receive a few coupon codes to pass along to my readers.

Here are a few codes I currently have:

- $10 Verb Energy Starter Kit
- 15% off Brewsy Wine Making
- $5 off WallCutz
- 15% off The Book Bundler :  TIFFANIE73021

I'm also an Amazon Associate which means I link things I love & receive a small commission from the sale.

I started noticing that Amazon has some great deals sometimes so I wanted to pass the news along to my readers.

I first started a Facebook group but I want to expand the savings to everyone so I will be sharing some Amazon deals here on the blog!

I was super excited last summer when we had a few volunteer pumpkins come up.  I love decorating with pumpkins in the fall & homegrown pumpkins are the best!

I was then super disappointed when the pumpkin vines died early on & never produced a single pumpkin!  

I know it's early, but I'm determined to grow pumpkins next year!   

I'm always looking ahead & planning for next year's garden.  Adding to the excitement is that Burpee released their 2022 catalog already! 

Picking the stain color for the greenhouse was quite the task!  Because the greenhouse was made with untreated wood, it needed to be stained. 

It took me a long time to decide the stain color...& I'm technically still deciding.  Let me explain...

I really wanted to paint the greenhouse green but I wasn't sure how well that would vibe with the rest of the buildings on our property.  Our house is stained super dark but it's not really a color I want every other outdoor structure to be.

After going back and forth for what seems like forever, I finally went to the paint store to get more ideas.  At the time, I was thinking of just putting a natural color type of stain on the greenhouse & repainting it next year.

I went over what I wanted at the paint store & mentioned I wanted a super light stain.  They happened to have a gallon of white stain that someone didn't end up using & I thought it would work great for the greenhouse.

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Happy Halloween!

I'm back with another edition of my Sunday Stuff series, which is a life recap of sorts!

Let's get into it!

- Our kiddo had a great Halloween!  He went as Woody from Toy Story!  We went to a trunk or treat last weekend & regular trick or treating this weekend.  We have so much candy!  We still have to keep his face covered because he's in foster care but that should be changing very soon!

- I'm still really into working on my blog.  I love that it keeps my mind occupied.  I need an outlet & this is working for me right now. I love coming up with new things to post throughout the week.  I want to thank you all for your support of this little blog!

See previous updates:
- Cancer
- Update #1
- Update #2

In my last update, James had just started the BRAF inhibitors to try to slow down his cancer.

Since then, James had scans to see what was going on with the tumor & if his cancer had spread.  Thankfully, his cancer is still contained in the same area.  

We were transferred to a new doctor who went over the scans with us.  It looked like on the scans that the cancer wasn't growing as rapidly as before, which meant the BRAF inhibitors were somewhat working.  James was going to continue on the BRAF inhibitors for the near future.

We're back again this year with the pumpkin carving!  (Here's a peek at last year's pumpkins!) We had a lot of fun again this year carving pumpkins.

I even carved my own pumpkin this year!  We received some pumpkin carving supplies at a trunk or treat we went to & I could totally tell the difference with carving!  We normally just use knives & they are so difficult for me to cut with.  Having the right supplies helped me out so much.  (If you're still in need of supplies, I wrote a blog post with all my Amazon picks for carving!)  I also chose a small pumpkin so my carving was super easy!

Our kiddo drew out his design & my mom cut it out for him again this year. My mom managed to get her own pumpkin carved out this year.  She missed out on carving last year because she was carving our kiddo's pumpkin.

 

Hey, Besties!

Are you in the mood to elevate your Halloween decor game? If so, you're in for a treat—or should I say, trick? Today, I'm sharing our hauntingly clever Dollar Tree Ghost Hack that took our Halloween landscape to the next level!

The Backstory: A Ghostly Dilemma

I discovered these irresistibly cute ghost decorations at Dollar Tree a few years back. Budget-friendly and oozing with Halloween charm, they seemed perfect. But hanging them up? That was a whole different story.

The Challenge: Ghosts on Strings? Not So Easy!

We initially tried to hang these adorable ghosts using strings, but let's just say it was more trick than treat. After several years in storage, we brought these spectral friends back to life.

The Solution: A Driveway Marker Makeover

Enter my ingenious husband, who had a brilliant idea. Why not use a driveway marker as the spine for our ghosts? It was a simple yet game-changing solution.

How We Did it:

1. Insert the driveway marker into the Styrofoam head concealed beneath the ghost's fabric.
2. Gently drape the fabric back around the ghost.
   
   

The Result: Ghosts with Personality!

With their new "spines," our ghosts took on a life of their own. They billowed and flowed in the wind, adding an extra layer of spookiness to our Halloween decor.

A Minor Hiccup: Windy Woes

We did face a small challenge: strong gusts occasionally caused the fabric to slip. But no worries—our setup ensured our ghosts stayed put!

Final Thoughts

Our Dollar Tree Ghost Hack was a hauntingly successful venture, and we couldn't be happier with the results. So, if you want to add some extra spook to your Halloween, try this hack!

Ready to Join Me in the Spookiness?

If you're as thrilled about Halloween as I am, why let these cute ghosts go unnoticed? Try my Dollar Tree Ghost Hack and add some extra spook to your yard. I can't wait to see how your ghosts turn out! Tag me @OnTheCreekBlog on social media to share your creations. And if you've got your own Halloween hacks, I'd love to hear about them in the comments. Let's make this Halloween one for the books! 🎃👻

c

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I bought a couple corn husk wreaths for my doors from Pat Catan's many years ago.  Over the years, they have accumulated a some mold from being outside year after year.  They weren't very pretty looking anymore.

I was just going to throw the wreaths away this year but since I'm all about reusing & repurposing, I decided to give them a makeover!

I wasn't sure if it was going to work but I wanted to spray paint them.  I had some gold spray paint left over from another project.  I thought the corn husk wreaths would look good in that color so I decided to give it a try.  

Hey there, my fellow thrift enthusiasts and autumn aficionados! 

Today, I'm sharing a cozy fall centerpiece that warms my home and heart. It features a ceramic pumpkin that I stumbled upon in a thrift store years ago, and it's been a cherished piece ever since. But before we dive into the centerpiece, let's talk a bit about the history of these adorable ceramic pumpkins.

The Timeless Appeal of Handmade Ceramic Pumpkins

Ceramic pumpkins have a nostalgic charm that's hard to resist. Originating from the tradition of pottery and ceramics, these pumpkins often find their way into thrift stores, passed down from generation to generation. Their handmade nature gives them a unique, artisanal quality that mass-produced decor can't replicate. So, if you spot one in a thrift store, consider it a little piece of history!

My Growing Collection

I added another ceramic pumpkin to my collection a few years back—a delightful jack-o-lantern. It's as if these pumpkins are whispering to me, "Start a collection; you know you want to!" And honestly, they're not wrong.

Crafting the Perfect Fall Centerpiece

This year, I decided to give my original ceramic pumpkin the spotlight it deserves. I paired it with faux sunflowers I've had for years, originally from Dollar Tree. It took about 4 or 5 bunches to achieve my desired full, vibrant look.

Budget-Friendly and Heartwarming

Being budget-conscious, especially during the holidays, has led me to shop my home for decor. Over the years, I've accumulated some fantastic finds I'm weaving into my home's aesthetic tapestry. And speaking of decluttering, we've been downsizing quite a bit. While I'm far from a minimalist, I'm honing my decor collection to include only the pieces that truly resonate with me. And you bet ceramic pumpkins are here to stay!

The Joy of Simplicity

There's something incredibly satisfying about the simplicity of this centerpiece. It's a blend of thrifted history, personal sentiment, and the warm hues of fall—all coming together to create a little oasis of joy.

So, as you decorate for the season, consider the charm and history that a simple ceramic pumpkin can bring into your home. And if you're like me, you'll find that these pumpkins are more than just decor; they're tiny vessels of cherished memories and future traditions.

Call to Action

If you create your own ceramic pumpkin centerpiece, tag me on Instagram @OnTheCreekBlog so I can see your beautiful creations. I can't wait to be inspired by all of you!

Happy decorating, and see you in the next post for more thrifty finds and creative inspirations! 🎃🍁

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My fall sign collection is complete!

I had a lot of fun creating these signs.

I used three different wood cutout sayings & put them on to boards.

The most difficult part was coming up with a theme.  At first I was just randomly painting the signs whatever colors I wanted.  As the deadline for posting my signs for sale came closer, I knew I had to do something different.

I finally came up with a system that worked great for me.

First, I spent a day & stained everything.  To make it easier, I stained both the boards & the wood letters.  In the past I had painted the letters but staining them really was a time saver.

The next day, I worked on the boards.

Hey Besties! 🌟 Get ready to fall in love with winter squash this season, just like James and I did! 🍂🍽️ We've been on a culinary adventure with Butternut and Acorn squash, and oh my, what a delicious journey it's been!

Can you believe I'd never tried winter squash until this year? I know, right?! I was totally out of the loop, but now I'm head over heels for its yumminess. 🧡

This year, I took a stab at growing winter squash in our garden. Despite the summer's wild floods putting a damper on my gardening dreams, my enthusiasm isn't squashed! Next year, I'm all in for another round of homegrown squash. 🌱💦

In my quest to reinvent winter squash in every which way, I turned to my trusty sidekick, Pinterest. There, I discovered a treasure trove of recipes that I'm absolutely thrilled to share with you! 📌 I've pinned them to my 'winter squash' board and plan to keep adding more finds. Stay tuned!

Now, let's dive into the squash-tastic goodness!

🌟 70 Must-Try Winter Squash Recipes 🌿 // www.onthecreekblog.com

- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta with Sausage and Spinach
- Cinnamon Butternut Squash Roasted with Herbs
- Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe with Bacon, Pecans & Apples
- 50 of Grandma's Best Squash Recipes
- Keto Low Carb Cheesy Mushroom Turkey Spaghetti Squash
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash Bread
- Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
- Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta Recipe with Bacon
- Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spinach Spaghetti Squash
- One Pan Sausage, Butternut Squash and Apples
- The Best Roasted Acorn Squash with Life-Changing Maple Butter
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Bacon
- Butternut Squash Skillet Pasta
- Potato and Acorn Squash Soup
- Easy Chicken and Butternut Squash Recipe with Mushrooms
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Broccoli and Cheese Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Do you have any winter squash favorites or secrets to share? Drop them in the comments! I'm all ears for your cozy, squash-inspired creations! 🌟

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I think one of my favorite things about having the greenhouse is that I can decorate it for the seasons.

This fall is the first real season I could decorate the greenhouse.  I tried to keep it super simple by using items I already had.

I got the planters on super clearance from Wal-Mart in late summer & I love them.  I was so happy that I didn't have to wait until next year to use them.

The mums were also a great price from Wegmans.  I usually have a difficult time keeping mums alive but they are thriving this year.  At the end of the season I'm going to try to plant the mums in the ground to see if they come back next year.  We're not in the correct planting zone to make mums perennials but I'm going to try!

Fall TV season is one of my favorite times of the year.

With so many streaming services out there, I honestly thought Fall TV might be a thing of the past.  The streaming services are able to premiere shows whenever they want which is great, but there's something about the fall premieres that I love.

I actually skipped my annual fall TV blog post last year because there wasn't a lot of shows being offered at the same time.

We have been spending a lot of time at home recently & I've definitely been watching more TV than usual.  I started noticing a lot of new shows coming out during the fall season this year...

So I'm bringing my Fall TV post back!

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It's almost time to carve pumpkins!

Last year was our first year carving pumpkins in a long time.  It was our first year with our foster kiddo so it was very important to start all the traditions with him.

I think we just used knives last year to carve out the pumpkins.  Our kiddo drew what he wanted on the pumpkin & we cut it out for him.

This year, it might be time to upgrade our pumpkin carving supplies!

I headed over to Amazon & found they have a huge selection of pumpkin carving supplies.  I love that they have supplies for all skill levels.

Below are some of the pumpkin carving kits I found on Amazon.

Details on building a Little Free Library!

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I can't believe I've had my Little Free Library in use for over a year now!

Building a Little Free Library was a dream come true for me.

I think it's important to bring books into communities that don't have easy access to libraries.  I live in a rural area where the nearest library is several miles away.  I saw a need for a library & made it happen.

In a funny twist, in the time it took me to install my library, our township also installed a lending library so our small town has two libraries!  I love it!

This post is about the logistics of Little Free Libraries.  I hope it inspires you to make your own!

Things have been a little quiet over here on blog lately...that's because I have been making signs!

My sign making started on a whim when I found some random wood cutouts & thought they would make the perfect signs.

Because I had to buy the wood cutouts in bulk, I decided to sell some of the signs.

It has been a fun little hobby to keep me busy.  I'm trying to make a little side hustle out of it to get a little extra cash.

I'm releasing the signs in special edition releases.  In the fall release, I'll have 36 signs available.  Each sign is hand painted & unique.  I'm having a lot of fun trying out different color combinations.

I currently have 2 signs in the fall release complete.

How to distress painted furniture.

After all the projects I've done, I can't believe I've never written a post on how to distress furniture!  I have mentioned my techniques a lot but I have never made a post dedicated just to distressing furniture.

That's what I'm going to be doing today!

Distressing furniture is an easy process to make furniture look old & worn.  

Why do I need to distress furniture?

I usually end up with the worst of the worst furniture where preserving old paint is impossible.  Most of the pieces I deal with are either not painted at all or the paint is usually mostly gone.  While distressing furniture takes off the paint, I still like to have some paint on the pieces.

Also, I like to make furniture pieces appear old.  It's a lot cheaper for me to buy junk pieces & transform them myself than to buy authentic old furniture.  I also get nervous around old furniture/investment pieces.  I'm afraid it will scuff or break & I'll lose out on my investment.