A Small Before and After

We recently bought a small furniture piece on clearance. I'm sure the salespeople wondered how many times I was going to come in and look at it before deciding to buy it.

We put it in the basement and there it sat for a few weeks. Actually, I wasn't sure I'd made the right decision in purchasing it. But after looking at it for awhile, I began to have some ideas...

This looks like a crime scene, but it's actually me trying to decide how a certain size rug would look there - with the use of masking tape.  Have you ever done the same thing? It made perfect sense to me:)

I tried out a mirror I had bought for our dining room from Hobby Lobby. It looked wonderful above it, but I really wanted to keep it in the dining room. We hadn't seen any more of these mirrors there, but after going in for another look, we found the same mirror for 50 % off. My husband's words to me when he saw the discounted price were, "God must really love you."

Next, we added a lamp from T.J. Maxx and my rug from an online site.

I love how it came out!

 See the couch in the background in our basement? I call it the couch that will not die. The couch and loveseat have been great - almost too great. We bought them in 1995 and they have survived 6 children. But I am ready for them to wear out already!

What have you been working on in your home this week? This time of year makes me want to create pretty things.

Happy Holiday season!

Linking up to:

www.impartinggrace.com
www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
www.atthepicketfence.com

Pottery Barn Knock Off - The Mayflower

Last year, I was admiring this Thanksgiving item at Pottery Barn Kids. But it had a big price tag. If I remember correctly, it was about $50.00.

My husband and I were at Walmart and I spotted this wooden item back in the floral department by the vases, etc.  I thought it looked an awfully lot like a boat. And then I started thinking some more...

I went ahead and bought it, plus a few dowel rods, and some spanish moss to place inside. My husband thought he could put it all together with a few sails made from posterboard. My husband Dave is a great man! He always humors me in my holiday ideas:)

Then we added a few pinecones and voila! A Pottery Barn knock-off for a mere ten bucks and change!

We put this on the kids' table last year and it will make an appearance there this year as well. (Also, your older kids could even help in making this craft with you.)  I have a PB kids Thanksgiving tablecloth that I purchased several years ago also that completes their holiday table. They all seem to enjoy having a "special" table, too:)

A little ingenuity can go a long ways! Happy Thanksgiving!

Linking up to www.savvysouthernstyle.net    www.impartinggrace.com    www.stonegableblog.com  www.atthepicketfence.com          www.kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com  www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
www.kellyskornerblog.com  houseontheway.com

The Pain of Invisibility

Are you a quiet, background kind of person? Do you ever feel that you blend right into the wallpaper? Me, too. I feel a little invisible at times.

My (pastor) husband is the exact opposite. He loves people. He thrives in a roomful of people, while I feel exhausted if I've been around a group for a couple of hours.

I often struggle with the feeling that I'm not very important in the grand scheme of things, except in my own home. I love the mundane, ordinary things of life...laundry (well, most of the time), baking, grocery shopping, home schooling, being a mom. I love that I've been able to be home and be with my children during their growing up years and that I still have one "little one" to snuggle with. (I think a 7 yr. old still qualifies as a little person, don't you?)  I love hearing his feet coming down the stairs in the morning and seeing his sleepy face and tousled hair. I am so grateful!

But when I am away from home, I often struggle in finding my place. Even though I am in my forties, I sometimes feel like I've forgotten how to talk with "big" people. I feel like I am not very interesting. For example, when I've been out with my husband and a guest speaker for lunch, it can be almost excruciating because I honestly don't know what they are talking about much of the time and wouldn't know how to contribute to their conversation. My life is still about Sponge Bob, Drake and Josh, Disney Channel, recipes, phonics, and American Literature! But this is when my mind has to be renewed. It's a choice I have to make by putting the right thought into my mind, rather than the wrong one. I can tell myself that what I have to say is important.  I think this improves with practice. It isn't easy undoing years of the wrong thought patterns, but it can be done.

Eighth and ninth grade were torturous for me because being quiet was not the norm. That lead me to believe that I was faulty and that something was wrong with me. This belief creates a vicious cycle of thinking that is hard to break out of.

But I've come to know that being quiet also has a lot to offer. I like listening to people's thoughts and feelings, what they are struggling with, and believing with them that God will work their situation out for the best. I don't find it boring when someone is sharing their heart with me. Sometimes people just need to know that someone is willing to listen.

If you struggle with being quiet or feeling inferior in some way, I would love to agree with you that God will reveal to you that He delights in the way He made you. He can help you in the areas you may need help with, but He doesn't want to start from scratch with you and redesign your personality. You are valuable to Him just the way you are. He wants you to walk in the freedom of the knowledge of your value to Him. When we truly "know" how He looks at us, it changes the way we see ourselves.

Linking up to www.impartinggrace.com

Time to Decorate for Fall!

Last night my husband pulled out my fall bins from our storage room. I worked on it a little last night and wanted to share some of the photos with you. There's a lot of things I didn't get out yet. Some things I wait to pull out until the night before Thanksgiving when I'm getting the dining room table ready for the next day. That is one of my favorite moments of the whole year! I am never happier than when I'm getting ready for the holidays.

This is our living room mantel.

And this is a shot from our kitchen.

The lanterns were found at a local furniture store. I found the garland at Pottery Barn a few years ago. I usually try to go there just before Thanksgiving. In the past, they have marked fall decorations down at that time. Speaking of Pottery Barn, my husband and I came up with a great knock-off of one of their holiday decorations for much less. I'll be posting that one a little later.

And just in a little while, this guy will be making his appearance on our deck.

Hope you're all having fun this magical time of year! Blessings!

Linking up to www.impartinggrace.com   and www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com as well as www.atthepicketfence.com  virginiasweetpea.com

The Simple Things

I haven't written a blog in awhile. There hasn't been anything big going on. We have just been doing our daily routines of home schooling, cleaning, cooking, etc. That list goes on and on sometimes. I have been reading a lot of other moms' blogs, though, and enjoying every minute. I read one yesterday and was so touched by her writing, that I put it on my facebook. If you get a moment, check this blog out:

www.memoriesoncloverlane.com

It is a beautifully written post about staying home with your children when they are little. I hope you can take the time to read it.

It makes me thankful and oh so grateful, that I have been given the wonderful blessing of staying home with my kids from babyhood on. Even when we were living and working at a ministry called Teen Challenge (and money was tight), my husband was always on board with my staying home and taking care of each and every sweet baby.

Now my last "baby" is seven years old, but what fun we've had together!

Yesterday, my 15 yr.old was finishing up a long day of school work. I saw her sitting at the dining room table and felt the Lord speak to my heart, "Take her to Starbucks and get her a little treat." It was a rainy day, but we dashed out the door and had so much fun together.  We even squeezed in a few minutes at TJ Maxx before heading back home. (We had a good laugh when I discovered - as we were leaving the store -that I had forgotten my jeans were rolled way up at the bottom. I was totally oblivious to that fact the whole time I was window shopping).






It's a rainy day here again, but sometimes I like those days the best. Don't you love the look of yellow leaves blowing across the sidewalk? The whole world feels cozy to me on days like this.

The day is beginning and it's almost time to pull out the books again before having a couple days off for the weekend.

Wherever you are today, I hope you have a blessed and happy day!

Linking up to www.impartinggrace.com   and www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com  and www.atthepicketfence.com  kellyskornerblog.com

A Wink From God

If you know me even a little, then you know that I am in the midst of my most favorite time of the year. My daughter and I drove to her orthodontist appointment yesterday and my heart was just so happy the whole drive there. The trees are in their autumn splendor here up North and every turn of the road seemed to show an even more beautiful sight.

That evening, my daughter and littlest boy and I drove down the road a little ways because of a sign that read, "Pumpkins $3.00".  I was over the moon! It was like God gave me a little wink and said, "I know how much you love this time of year, so I surprised you with a field full of pumpkins right by your house." Well, that is how I like to think of God. He loves giving us delightful surprises.

My little boy wasn't in the picture taking mood at this moment.

His good mood has returned!

Of course, I had to drive back there a few minutes later. This time big brother joined us.  Here they are giving us their rendition of "Waiting for the Great Pumpkin". It did seem like Linus and Sally should be sitting out there with them.

And now the front of our home looks like this.  I just need to add some yellow mums.

Happy October everyone!! There's joy all around - maybe even down the road from your house:)

Linking up to www.impartinggrace.com     and www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com    and www.atthepicketfence.com

The Asthma Bell

Here it is. The "asthma bell".

A few weeks ago, our oldest son, Evan, was having a lot of trouble with wheezing, coughing, and some shortness of breath. His inhaler had run out and I was searching through the medicine cabinet for anything that might give him some relief.

I came across some Prednisone pills and set them on the kitchen counter with a note for him. I went on to bed, but then sat up, worried. My husband's sister has severe asthma and has almost died during asthma attacks. I knew my son's asthma was NOTHING like that, but it suddenly occurred to me that I had seen a bell in the kitchen cabinet. (No, I have no idea why a bell was in my kitchen cabinet) So, I went downstairs, found the bell, and set it on his bed.  I figured that if he really ran into some severe problems with asthma during the night - however unlikely that may be - then he could just ring the bell. I mean, what if he woke up, gasping for air and he couldn't even walk to our bedroom? I have a very dramatic mind. But I knew I would sleep better if there was a plan.

Later, when I heard him get home, I called out to him about what the bell on his bed was for.  He came into our room laughing so hard. "Mother! I almost died laughing when I saw that bell and heard you say what it was for." I think he was wheezing and laughing at the same time. My husband looked at me a bit incredulously that I would place a bell on my son's bed,  but I ask you...

Isn't that what we mothers are for?

Linking up to www.impartinggrace.com    

www.kellyskornerblog.com

Crisp Weather Means Pumpkin Crisp

When September rolls around, I love to begin baking anything pumpkin-y. This recipe comes from the November 2005 issue of Southern Living. (Notice those lovely fall colored nails holding the magazine - aren't they groovy?)

 The dessert is called Pumpkin Crisp and I've been making it during this season for the past 7 years. It's easy to put together and so good with either whipped cream or ice cream.



Here are a few of the main ingredients.

The recipe is as follows:

1 15 oz. can pumpkin
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 box butter-flavored yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup melted butter

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Pour into a lightly greased 13 x 9 pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture; sprinkle evenly with the chopped pecans. Drizzle melted butter evenly over pecans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes OR until golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with whipped cream (sprinkled with nutmeg) or ice cream.



I add pecans to only half the pan since my kids aren't fond of nuts




Finally!

Since I haven't posted a blog in a couple of weeks, I thought I'd add a few more photos for you to look at.

This beautiful bouquet was given to me by my son, Evan, who saw them at the Farmer's Market and knew I'd like them. Aren't they pretty? I don't know what the puffy, round flowers are called.

It's starting to feel cool and fall-like outside. I snapped a picture of some flowers on the deck.

Last, but not least, my favorite candle has always been Yankee Candle's Buttercream. I love having one burning in the kitchen on a cool fall or winter's day.

I hope you enjoy the dessert and these lovely days of fall. I was in Target yesterday and guess what? There was one aisle with Christmas cards displayed already! Yippee and Happy Fall, y'all!


Linking up to www.homestoriesatoz.com    and www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com     and www.impartinggrace.com   www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com  diyshowoff.com

Making a Cake Mix Special!

Not long after we were married, I had the most wonderful piece of chocolate cake with thick, white, frosting on top. Dave's mom has been making this frosting for many years and it quickly became my favorite. She told me it was called Seven Minute Frosting. I wanted to share the recipe with you.

Not the greatest photo quality with the old point and shoot camera

                                                                                  

I had never tasted this frosting before. It is creamy with an almost marshmallow-y consistency. In fact, I thought at first that it must have a jar of marshmallow cream in the recipe (it doesn't). It is so good! The name comes from the fact that you must whip the frosting over a double boiler for seven minutes.

The recipe is as follows:

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 c cold water
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar OR 2 tsp. light colored corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

In the top of a double boiler, combine sugar, cold water, egg whites, and cream of tartar or the corn syrup. Beat with electric mixer for 30 seconds.

Now place over boiling water (upper pan should not touch water). Cook, beating constantly with the electric mixer on high speed about 7 minutes or til frosting forms stiff peaks. As you're standing there mixing, 7 minutes will seem to go on forever, but believe me, you'll be glad you did it!


 Remove from heat and add vanilla. Beat 2 - 3 minutes more or til it reaches spreading consistency. This frosts the top and sides of 2  8-or 9- inch cake layers or a 13 x 9 pan.

If you don't have a double boiler, you can improvise. You will need an oven proof bowl (like Pyrex) that will fit over a pan of boiling water. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Keep it at a low boil and mix for 7 minutes.

It is a little more work than some frostings, but well worth the effort. There is usually a line in our kitchen of people wanting to lick the bowl and the beaters. When you've tasted that first bite of delectable frosting on moist, chocolate cake ....you'll want a second piece right away! You'll also understand why that cake does not even last one full day at our house.

My mother-in-law makes the chocolate cake from scratch, but I use a Pillsbury Devil's Food Chocolate cake mix. I usually cook it less than what the back of the box says because I don't like a dry cake.

I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we do! It's a simple way of dressing up a plain cake mix for your family.

Linking up to www.impartinggrace.com          

 and www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com   

and www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com and  www.atthepicketfence.com

kellyskornerblog.com  martysmusings.net

 

Why I Love Trash Day

Source: Pinterest

Whenever Tuesday morning rolls around, I feel so happy. Why? Because it's trash pick up day and I love trash day! (It's the little things in life that make me happy.) In case this seems like the strangest topic, bear with me, because I am making a point:)

Trash day means a brand new, fresh start. It means out with the old and in with the new. The house feels like it can breathe again after I cram everything I can into those two garbage cans. Am I the only one that feels so delighted to do that? When I "feel" cluttered, I have a harder time functioning.

 It may be clutter around the house that is bugging me, or sometimes even "emotional" clutter in my mind.  Sometimes things need to be thrown not only out of our house but out of our minds as well. I often try to carry too much responsibility, when God wants me to give it to Him. Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He wants to carry our "stuff".

A couple of years ago, we hosted our son's high school graduation party. I placed a sign on my trash cans. One that read "trash" and one that read "cans" so that people could easily dispose of their things. Well, guess what? Someone (me) forgot to take the "trash" sign off of the trashcan. You guessed it.  I had to go buy a whole new trash can that week since they took my sign seriously.

I guess I need to think of my mind clutter like that. I need wisdom of what to give to God and what to toss in the trash can.

As a side note, I don't feel the same way about the Christmas tree disposal guy. The kids and I used to sadly stand by the dining room window and watch as our poor post- Christmas tree was dumped in the back of his truck with all the other poor trees. What a depressing job. We felt like somone should be playing Taps as we watched him. But that is for another post.


As we now are fast approaching the holiday season, my heart bursts with thankfulness about all the little things that makes my day to day life of taking care of my family easier. How could any of us make or keep our homes lovely without this service? Who doesn't like a brand new start once a week?

This was not sponsored in any way by the sanitation department, and no one I know works there, but I love those guys! Thank you!

Linking up to www.impartinggrace.com