Monday, November 28, 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Thanksgiving Dining Room

Thanksgiving Dining Room by DiPics

Thanksgiving Dining Room, a photo by DiPics on Flickr.
Our dining room is back into commission after a year of being a storage facility. Gone is the wallpaper and brass. We used a oiled bronze spray paint to refinish the brass chandelier. Projects on the to do list: wainscoting, crown molding and window treatments.

A photo after the dinner. I love the glow of candle light.

Mr. Gobble reigns as the table's centerpiece. 

I received this fall platter from my sister-in-law, isn't it beautiful?

Thanksgiving Place Setting

Another Thanksgiving for the memory book. 

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Company's Coming! Timely Cleaning Tips for the Holidays.

Holiday's are upon us. Here are some timely housekeeping tips so your home can sparkle and shine.

Have a Game Plan.



Freshen up Upholstery.



Shoe polish to the rescue.



Magical Carpet Cleaner.





Make your granite shine.



Baking Soda paste for oven window cleaning.



Forget Windex, make your own window cleaner.



The ever so handy lemon.
Source: allyou.com via Diane on Pinterest



Renew your pans.



Aluminum foil for glassware... who knew?



A soak with baking soda water, line the water container with aluminum foil. 



Grout cleaning recipes.
Source: tipnut.com via Diane on Pinterest



Wood rescue: Wax spills, water stains and scratches.



After all that cleaning, keep it fresh with this handmade air freshener.





Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Thanksgiving Inspired Tables

Mix new dinnerware with vintage pieces. 



Use natural materials in harvest colors for vase fillers.
Source: bhg.com via Rachel on Pinterest



Personalize plain candles.
Source: google.com via Wren on Pinterest



Muted fall colors lend a soft pallet to an autumn theme, twigs and bittersweet add texture.



Mix up your glassware, no need to be matchy matchy.



Ribbons and bittersweet sprigs add a sweet touch.
Source: bhg.com via Goozy on Pinterest



Layer your place settings: charger, dinner plate, napkin, breadplate and individual soup tureen.
The ribbon on the glassware is a nice touch.
Source: google.com via DeeAnna on Pinterest



Mix colors and patterns. Blue and brown prints are layered between white. 



Mix it up! Glam goes country with this sparkly chandelier and time-worn plank table. Love. 


Visit me on Pinterest for additional Thanksgiving ideas.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

An Awesome Shitty Day




Our first day in Yosemite, my daughter and I skipped the shuttle, and instead set-off directly from camp, the four miles along the Valley Floor trail, to Bridal Veil Falls. After all, we had come to hike, and hike we would. We would catch the park shuttle for our return to camp. Adding the distance to the shuttle stop and we would have logged 5 miles on our first outing--not too shabby. 

With light feet we set out: Back-dropped by clear blue skies, El Cap and Half Dome were stunning, great Redwoods towered over our heads, chipmunks scampered at our feet, and we clambered on top of boulders and fallen trees for photo-ops and rested with snack breaks of granola bars and fruit.


After viewing Bridal Veil Falls, we hiked the half-mile back to the trail head, only to discover we had missed the last shuttle.  The day had turned hot; our mouths were dry, the water bottles empty and our moods were dour. In hopes of intersecting another shuttle we abandoned the trail to follow alongside the main road. Motorcycles, cars, SUV's, trailer homes, and trucks swooshed past as we navigated the uneven ground; our custom-fit-at-REI hiking boots had created custom-fit-blisters as our earlier energy had waned into a dispirited shuffle. 

I struck out my thumb. 

No one stopped.


Much, much later, after restorative hot showers, a good meal in our tummies, and our blistered feet bandaged from our now totaled 9 mile journey, we sat, relaxed by the campfire.


"Does it get any better than this?" Transfixed by the crackle of flame lit logs, I spoke softly.

My daughter replied in a hushed tone, as she too gazed into the licking flames, "This was definitely an awesome, shitty day.” 

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thursday, November 10, 2011

May I Introduce the Humble Mason Jar

Individual Pie's to serve up for Thanksgiving. So cute!



Individual Pumpkin Pie.


Decoupage fall leaves for your table or walkway.



As a Fast Food Container


Source: google.com via Diane on Pinterest



Keep it simple wit a variety of sizes.



With Epsom Salts for an icy glow.



An eclectic light fixure. . .





Winter bulbs for giving.
Source: wenderly.com via Diane on Pinterest






Snow "Mason's






Smore's!



Cocoa Mix for gift's



Peppermint stick cocoa.
Source: sunset.com via Diane on Pinterest



lace or doilies

Candle decor
Source: google.com via Diane on Pinterest



Cheers!


Visit my Pinterest board for more mason jar ideas. Have fun!


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

A chill in the air calls for hearty soups and stews


Beef-Ale Stew and Green Onion-Buttermilk Dumplings
Source: myrecipes.com via Diane on Pinterest



Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash & Quinoa Recipe



Cheeseburger soup recipe...this soup is AMAZING!



Skinny Baked Potato Soup. Made with cauliflower.



Mexican Potato Soup



French Onion Soup



Panera's (St. Louis Bread Co) Broccoli Cheese Soup




Mexican Chicken Lime Soup