Upright and Caffeinated

For everything in life that keeps you on your feet! I share simple DIY projects and crafts, home decor ideas and helpful tips as well as easy recipes for week-night meals.

DIY Minion Halloween Candy Basket

Halloween is coming soon!  My oldest wants to be a Minion this year.  Making a Minion costume is relatively easy, yay!!  Instead of getting a $1 plastic pumpkin to contain the candy, I decided to make him a DIY Minion Halloween Candy Basket!  This basket literally took me 10 minutes to make (that includes the time it took for the glue gun to heat up).   What you need Basket Yellow Paint (I used Annie Sloan Chalk paint, but spray paint will work as well) Googly eye Tin jar with ... View Post

Savory Pumpkin Soup

I love fall.  I love the changing of seasons, the cooler weather, the anticipation of the holidays and I love the flavors of fall dishes.  One of my favorite dishes to make during fall is savory pumpkin soup.  This soup is so rich and filling, and it is savory, not sweet, like a pumpkin spice latte. This soup is a perfect starter for any fall dinner or a wonderful option as a stand-alone meal.   What You Need 1 can 100% pure pumpkin 1/3 cup flour 1 stick of butter ½ cup ... View Post

Parmesan Roasted Tomatoes

We love tomatoes in our house!  Like seriously love them.   During the summer months, we have fresh tomatoes just about every day.  I started making Parmesan Roasted Tomatoes a few years ago and my husband loves them.  This is a very quick and easy side dish, especially if you are short on time.  Three simple ingredients go into this Parmesan roasted tomato recipe.  Did I mention this was easy?   What you need: Tomatoes (I usually make one per person) Wegman’s Basting Oil (or ... View Post

DIY Fall Wreath: Showcase of Autumn Colors

Fall is one of my favorite times of year.  I love the changing of the seasons and all the colors of autumn.  I also love decorating for fall.  About the first week of September I start getting anxious to change out my wreath on my front door.  This year, I used the same grapevine wreath on my door and simply changed out the flowers to make this stunning DIY fall wreath.  Grapevine wreaths are fantastic because they are the perfect canvas for a beautiful wreath for any season.  I loved my ... View Post

Cinnamon Apple Dip: A Simple Homemade Gift

My mother makes the most delicious cinnamon apple dip.  Ever.  This is a simple recipe that is quick and easy to make.  Serve this in a large bowl with sliced apples at a party or make individual treats for friends.  This cinnamon apple dip is a perfect gift for teachers, neighbors or co-workers.  Only a few ingredients are needed to make this impressive sweet treat! What you need: 1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk (14 oz) 1 Cup Butterscotch Flavored Chips (1/2 a bag) 1/4 Teaspoon Salt 2 ... View Post

Halloween Costume For A Wagon

Halloween takes on a new meaning when you have kids.  I’ve never been a big Halloween person, maybe because I get scared REALLY easily and don’t like the scary side of Halloween.  When your kids are young though, Halloween is all about dressing up in cute or silly costumes, going trick-or-treating and eating candy.  Looking cute, socializing with neighbors and eating chocolate; now THAT’S my kind of holiday!!  In addition to dressing the kids up, I also made a Halloween Costume for a ... View Post