Wow!  It's actually warmer today...in the low 30's and going to the mid 40's.  Tomorrow to the mid 50's!  And it's sunny...just a few lazy clouds roaming around in the sky.

So, my son's car will be fixed and we can pick it up tonight which is a good thing because I have a medical test tomorrow which I have already postponed twice...I really did not want to postpone it three times!  And, by the way, it's early so my post may be very late tomorrow...

Well, the rack of ribs turned out great, meat falling off the bones!  The racks were on sale ($6.27) a while back and I picked up a couple.  This rack will cover the next three meals.  I was surprised at how much meat was on each rib.  I also made my first sauce to go with the ribs plus dirty rice and cornbread!  A very satisfactory (and inexpensive) meal if I say so myself!

Did you take time to think about your Thanksgiving meal...what you are serving, the dishes you will be using and how to cook everything.  Today I am going to check out the menu to make sure I have everything.  I'm pretty sure I do, but I don't want to be scrambling at the last minute trying to substitute something for an ingredient I forgot to pick up!  

You may want to write down you menu and check out those things yourself.  Just remembered I need some seasonings or the pumpkin pie...see what I mean...better to be safe than sorry.  One other thing I do, even for those items I know how to make by heart...I make sure I have copies of the recipes I need.  I can see myself asking 'Is that 1/4 or 3/4 teaspoon?'!  With the recipe at hand I can find the answer quickly.

So, today is building day for the winter village.  I decided to make a church using cardboard from a delivery box.  Using the flap of a box I designed the main building.  Left to right, on the bottom half, the first and third sections must be the same and the second and fourth sections including the triangle on top must be the same.  Cut out the areas on the the top part but leaving the triangles...

Fold at each line and glue the ends together to make a building.  I decided to add another section by cutting a short piece of cardboard, folding it in three equal parts, cutting slits in the main building and slipping in part of the three fold piece.  I also made a tower by cutting three long equal pieces and securing them with tape.  The slit cut into the tower is so make it  fit around the roof.  And finally, I made a small long box (right side) to use as steps.  I painted the entire building with cheap (68 cents/bottle) acrylic paint...

I cut out pieces to fit the roofs.  For the doors and windows, I cut out small pieces and covered them with the shiny paper from the tea box.

You can see the front door and step on the first picture and the three windows on the second.  I simply glued them on (you can also use a hot glue gun - small ones are very inexpensive.)

Next, I glued on the roofs.  You can see that I had a problem with the tower...the slits did not fit well...I fixed it though by covering the entire tower with the shiny paper from the tea box.

Finally, I glued on some magazine paper (had just enough) to cover the roofs.  I also added a triangle over the front door and a couple extra windows.  And here is the finished church...

You don't have to make it like I did.  This is simply an example.  You can  stop with the original part of the building and decorate it.  If you add a second section, leave the roof flat to make it easier.  Use your own imagination to create your next building.  And above all, forget about perfection!  This is a fun activity using recycle items to create something to enjoy.

That's all for now...have a fantastic day...talk with you tomorrow (probably later than normal!)...