Sewing Project

I did it! This was my first sewing project from "sewing school". We each chose our material and made pj bottoms! I loved this material as soon as I saw it - we call Ava our "Monkey" so its just perfect for her!!!

While I did not totally understand the "casing" or "selveges" language of this project...it was a lot of fun and now I'm looking forward to working on and finishing the shirt to match!

This class has been so good for me and has given me inspiration and motivation to get going and be creative. What a blessing it was to spend time with ladies from the family, too. :)

Decorating: Fall style

As some of you know, and have read, I do NOT consider myself to be a great home decorator. To be perfectly honest... I don't have a clue. What I think might look good ends up looking like a college dorm room (not that thats bad...if you are IN college) rather then a home. (sigh) I recently purchased a subscription to BHG (http://www.bhg.com/) in hopes of building my notebook of decor ideas - afterall, those people get PAID to think of those genius ways to decorate. And I figure I have enough on my plate right now, so no use in getting all stressed out about the fact that I did not inherit any kind of interior design brain cell. :)

Anyway, I have come across a few things in my home recently that I set out for Autumn decor that, although probably misplaced or poorly set up, make me smile and remind me that it really is the simple things in life that count :) While I'm no amazing designer - I like these little things and they do make my home "seasonal" and happy during this great time of year.

And, another thought came to my mind recently that gave me extra encouragement about this topic... my love for people, the way I welcome them into my home and care for them speaks so much louder then any fancy decor and nicely set table. While those things DO have a place, they are no substitute for kind words and warm welcomes. Those things can be the best decorations of all! So, I blog about this now so whenever I get down on myself in the future (I know its coming) about how my home is just "so so", I can reference back - and possibly encourage one of you, too.

By the way... I'm always open for decorating ideas. Especially if you've found something cheap and easy. :)

Buttered Orange Cider

Ah, another fabulous fall recipe to share :) I realize this is my second post of the day... I do have a life, really. I made this tonight for MNF @ our house (for the teens) and it was delish! At first I didn't think it would be so great - but it really is so good and as my obsession goes, makes your house smell amazing! :)

Buttered Orange Cider

6c. apple cider or juice

8 whole allspice

8 whole cloves

1 orange peel strip (about 3 in)

1/4 c. soft butter

1/2 of medium unpeeled navel orange, sliced

2 cinnamon sticks
1/2c. brown sugar

1/2 t. cinnamon

1) In lg saucepan combine cider and orange slices.

2) Place allspice, cloves and cinnamon sticks on double thickness of cheesecloth. Bring corners up and tie or secure with piece of string to form a bag. (spice bag) Add the spice bag to pan. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 15-20 mins.

3) In small bowl combine sugar, butter and cinnamon. Discard spice bag. Ladle cider into mugs - dot one spoon full of sugar mix into cider and stir.

*I doubled it and have plenty left over now in the fridge, which I plan on throwing in the crockpot for a tasty treat, again, tomorrow :)

Monday Muse

Oh Werthers... you've done it again. You've made my life more delicious. :)

My Monday Muse is these amazing "new" chocolates that are put out by Werthers, you know...those delicious hard caramel candies people. They are caramel and chocolate swirled together, and although NOT cheap (almost $3 for like 12 or something...) they are worth every penny. Especially if you hide them and make them last a long, long time. They are amazingly good dipped in hot coffee.

My simple Monday Muse. Anyone else try these?!

Autumn : one of the joys of my heart

Have I mentioned that I love Autumn? I can't say it enough, and I really do mean LOVE, not just a word that everyone overuses... I honestly love it. I feel more alive - which is bizarre, considering Autumn/harvest/fall is the time of year when things are "dying", plants and what not.

I think I love Autumn for two specific reasons: the food and the weather. I love baking and cooking and creating in my kitchen. Fall just seems to amplify that for me. Who doesn't love walking into a home that smells of savory fall stew or caramel apple cider simmering on the stove top? Fall afternoons (especially today) is perfect for football, baking and enjoying time together as a family. Fall seems to bring people together. It's time to ditch the grill and swimming pool and head inside for warmth and a new kind of togetherness - literally, together, especially if you live in a small home. :) I love it. The weather is ideal. I'm not a fan of shorts or tank tops (not that they are wrong, I just hate wearing them) and look forward to busting out the hoodies and sweat pants! Oh, and the sweaters :) I think its good to delight in this time of the year - God allows us SO many bountiful sights and smells and emotions as the world changes its view from green to orange and red.

This afternoon I made a new FALL muffin recipe. Thought I'd share. They make your entire house smell amazing and that warm, fuzzy feeling creeps over you. Do you know what I mean?!

Apple-Corn Muffins (taken from Family Circle, about 6 yrs ago)

2 (8.5oz) box corn muffin mix ( I used Jiffy)

2 eggs

1/2 c. milk

2 small, sweet apples (peel, core, grate)

3 T. sugar

1 t. pumpkin pie spice (or apple pie spice)

1/2 c. chopped pecans

1) Heat oven to 400. Coat cups of 6 jumbo muffin pan or 12 regular sized. (I did the 12)

2) In large bowl combine muffin mix, eggs, milk, grated apple, 2 T. sugar and pie spice. Stir until moistened, then divide evenly between prepared cups. (1/2 c. per muffin cup if making 6 jumbos, 1/3 c. per muffin cup if making 12. )

3) sprinkle tops with remaining 1 T. sugar and pecans.

4) Bake 400 for 18-20 minutes until lightly browned around edges. Cool and serve.

Enjoy the recipe.

Today while I was making these I kept thinking what it must have been like to be a pioneer woman back in the day preparing meals for your family. I'm still and always have been intrigued thinking about their methods and recipes. If you've never done it - I encourage you to read through some pioneer cook books...you will find some very interesting things. Note that I grew up in Ohio and for some reason the state was obsessed with Ohio History - my entire 4th grade year we studied Ohio pioneers...thus my slight obsession. You can think I'm odd, it's ok. WOW- RABBIT TRAIL.

Now....back to enjoying Autumn, one of the joys of my heart :)

Yours Alone

"Lord You are the anchor

Refuge in the storm

Your words are wisdom

Shining in the dark

I hear Your voice on the water I feel Your touch in the wind

Your above and beneath me

Surround my heart again

And I know that You are good

God I know that all You do is good

So I put my life in Your hands

I'm Yours alone, I'm Yours alone

Surrender, Lord I raise my hands

To You alone, to You alone

Lord Your voice guides me

So Tell me what to do

Your heart it drives me

To follow after You"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a7_Ng0-JuE

(written by Phil Wickham © 2006 Seems Like Music (BMI) / Wickham Music (BMI) All rights administered by Simpleville Music, Inc.)

What to do with this room...

This is our front windowed-in porch. This is the left view of it. It's as wide as the width of the house - and has about 8 or 9 of those windows, then a HUGE window at the other end. I call it my "decorator" window because it doesnt open, its just this massive window that can only be good for putting decorations in it - and lighting it up at Christmas.

This room has new very shiny linoleum.

This room is drafty, so I need to cover the windows I think. This room leads to our front porch/steps (aka: front hill) where my very cute (or will be) mailbox sits. So, yea... important.

This room is the precursor to the livingroom and my GORGEOUS front door. This room does NOT have a heat vent in it...at all. Literally, as cold as it is outside.

Why on earth am I telling you all of this? Well, thank you for asking.
I need ideas, and i need them quick! I just don't know what to do with this room. So, all of you amazing home decorators and creative people... scroll back up, take a few more looks and tell me what you think. What can I do to turn this WHITE boring space into something beautiful? Remember, my mailman sees it everyday - so do the teens when they come in for Monday night football...well, and anyone who comes in at all, actually.

I'm open to ALL suggestions, colors and ideas. :) Please help me. :)

Here are a few more pics of the space.