Out of My Comfort Zone

I found this big mirror at Big Lot a couple of weeks ago for $25 bucks. I couldn't pass it up and I knew exactly where I was going to use it.

My Christmas mantle.

The mirror was a bit scuffed so it needed a little spray paint love and I was having a great debate with myself on what color to paint it. Spray it black so it can go anywhere in my home or be bold and paint it red for Christmas! After deliberating with a friend I decided to go out of my comfort zone.

I painted it red. I hope it turns out how I invision it! Wish me luck!

We're Back!

It's good to be back. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving break at Disneyland and a delicious dinner with our family. It was especially fun to watch my 3 year old watch everything with amazement. She keeps asking when we are going again.

I have several things on my list this month as many of us do and one event is fast approaching. Every year we have an adult dinner party at our church and I've been asked to host one of the tables. Every table is decorated differently with your own dinnerware and centerpiece. I love hosting a table. I love looking for centerpiece ideas but it's hard to make up my mind. Here are a few ideas that have been on my mind.

This one I thought would be fun for my daughter's birthday party..we are decorating gingerbread men and houses! (It's going to be a busy month!)

Book of Thanks

A couple of weeks ago the sisters at eighteen25 showed off their "Book of Thanks". I loved this idea so much I just had to do it too. I looked up the book that they bought and gasped a little at the price and then went on a search to find a book that would fit the bill.


I found an artist sketch book that works at JoAnn's for $13.00 and used my 40% coupon and did a little dance! I love saving money!


I am excited to get this tradition started. I've got a long list of things that I am grateful for and can't wait to start filling up this book.


We are celebrating Thanksgiving with my side of the family and it's been YEARS since we have all been together. I am so excited to see my 3 sisters and reminisce the good ole' days.


What Thanksgiving traditions do you have? Any particular dish that you are looking forward to having?

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all my readers a wonderful and safe Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy this time with your families, friends and those you love. We are going to DISNEYLAND and will be taking a break from blogging until after Thanksgiving. I'll be back with Christmas gift ideas, decor and recipes!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Last year I saw this tutorial and knew I had to give it a try but things got busy and they never got done. This year I am determined to tackle these.

Jennie from CinnaBerry Suites had the same SANTA stocking holder set that I have....


'

She was inspired by these stocking holders from Pottery Barn

and turned those SANTA stocking holders into these

Amazing right?
You can find the full tutorial on CinnaBerry Suite here.

Sinfully Good: Chocolate Waffles

Years ago when my husband was in law school, a friend and I would get together once a week and try new recipes. It was so much fun..sometimes we would try some that were terrible..probably due to our own cooking abilities. But most of the time we would find really good recipes like this one that we still continue to make and end up being family favorites.

Chocolate Waffles

1 1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup cocoa

1/3 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp baking powder

2 eggs

1 3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup oil

2 egg whites

Mix all dry ingredients together and add to wet ingredients. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold in to batter. Heat waffle maker and throughly cook waffles..best served warm.

Chocolate Sauce

(seriously sinfully good)

8 tbsp cocoa

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

6 tbsp cornstarch

8 tbsp butter

4 tsp vanilla

Microwave for 2 minute intervals and stir until sauce thickens for a total of about 8 minutes.

Waffles with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top with chocolate sauce make for an amazing dessert! Enjoy...and thank me later! :)
HAPPY VETERAN"S DAY!

Just Can't Get Enough

Why oh why did I pick these up? I just can't stop eating them!

Simple Changes

Remember my next project on my list?

I am slowly making small changes...like changing lamp shades. It amazes me what just a little change can do to a look. Quite a difference,huh?

Ideally the bases could be replaced with some thing like these but for now the ones I am working with will do.
And I hung up this picture of my husband and me on our wedding day..almost 17 years ago! ( Has it really been that long?) I am still trying to figure out if I want to hang another wedding picture on his side of the bed or do something completely different. This weekend hopefully the curtains will be down and new ones up! And I am contemplating whether or not to move the bed to the other wall, but then I have a small window on one side to contend with..ugh. We will see what I can talk my husband into doing!

sorry this picture is loading so blurry..you get the idea right? :)

On one of the walls as you into the room..I'd love to recreate a wall like Janell from Isabella and Max Rooms did in her master bedroom redo. I already have the frames just have to get the letters from JoAnn's!

In Shock!

Have you've been over to Centsational Girl today! Well..I am in S H O C K! I've never ever won anything before and I was so thrilled to see this today...


The ‘Mom Cave’ Contest Winners

Pottery Barn Inspired Christmas Pillow

Ever since my Pottery Barn Christmas catalog arrived in the mail I've been thinking about all the things I want to recreate. One of the first things on my list was this pillow.

I LOVE pillows...it's an addiction really...and when I saw this one I knew I could make my own version.

This PB one is priced at $49.00

Here is mine priced at approx. $3.00

I used drop cloth that I had in my stash of fabrics and left over burlap..still thinking about adding some metallic buttons on it. What do you think?

Here it is hanging out in my entry....

What things are you loving from your catalog?

Madi's Blankies!

This week I have been busily making Madi's Blankies for military wives who are expecting. It's such an honor for me to make these blankies for these women who sacfrice their husbands in order to protect our country. My mother had two babies while my father was serving our country back in 1970, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to not have my husband by my side during the birth of our children.

Check out the other cute blankies here.

Easiest Ever Pumpkin Cookies

The Thanksgiving Season makes me crave anything pumpkin...and pumpkin cookies are on the top of the list. If you are anything like me you are either going to love me or hate me for sharing this easy yummy recipe. Hope you enjoy them as much as I will...they smell divine!

1 box spice cake mix

1 can pumpkin ( small can)

1 cup chocolate chips



Mix well. Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 10-15 minutes! Enjoy!

Oh..a tip...I put all of my chocolate chips into canning jars and seal the jars with my Food Saver it keeps them fresh and they store nicely in a pantry this way.

Featuring: Gratitude Printables

My sister told me about these great printables found over at My Computer is My Canvas. Love the tree printable...I think it would be great framed in a large frame and then family members can attach leaves of gratitude each day.

Harvest Welcome

The Halloween decorations are all put away and now we are welcoming this Thanksgiving season. I love Thanksgiving time as it is a time to reflect on all the beauty and goodness that God has given us.

Today I am thankful for my family.

Family Pictures

Gearing up for upcoming family photos. I try to coordinate outfits to work with our home.
Weird I know..

Big Sister

Little Sis