While I was away...

I'm finally feeling like life is getting back to normal after all of the holiday craziness! I always love to get back into a normal schedule...it's the control freak in me! While I was away from this little blog of mine, I got some projects done that I wanted to share.

 

I have always wanted a huge, beautiful boxwood wreath, but the $60.00+ price tags on them always scare me away. It just seems like so much money to spend on a wreath. So I decided to make something similar on my own. I did not make a boxwood, but instead went with silk eucalyptus. I bought an 18" grapevine wreath from Joann's for $4.99. They were having a buy one, get one 50% off sale on the silk eucalyptus picks, so i grabbed 10 of them and went on my merry way to create my own version of the wreath I had been begging for! I'm happy with the outcome. It brings a nice burst of green into my kitchen.  

 

 

And it looks surprisingly "real" for silk flowers. There is nothing worse then "fake looking" fake flowers (does that even make any sense?!)

The kids made these adorable snowmen out of scrap 2x4's, white acrylic paint, and fabric remnants we had laying around! I absolutely love them! It was snowing outside the day we decided to create them which just made it all the more fun of a project!

 

 

I also spent some time getting the china cabinet back in order. After you take all the Christmas decorations down, it gives you a chance to look at all your favorite decor items in a new light. I always take this time to try to create new vignettes to switch things up a bit. 
 

I am absolutely going crazy waiting for Spring to arrive. I have already started planning out in my head what I want the back patio to look like this year. I am ready for days of playing outside from sunrise to sunset! But until then, I'll just continue to waste my time away dreaming on pinterest of all the cool outdoor projects I plan to conquer this year!!!

 

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornament Garland

 

 I try to find projects that can include the kids during the day so I can get out my creative-craziness while having a fun activity for them to enjoy too! This garland is a great family project. Seriously, ANYONE can make these!!! And as an added bonus they make your home smell absolutely delicious!! To make the ornaments you need applesauce (1 cup), cinnamon (1 cup), a straw or toothpick (to make the hole for the ribbon), wax paper, a metal spatula, a rolling pin (optional- i didn't have one and i used my hands to flatten the dough...it worked just fine!) and cookie cutters.

Hand mix the applesauce and the cinnamon until you get a dough-like consistency (adding more cinnamon if the dough is too moist or more applesauce if the dough is too dry). Roll out the "dough" between two sheets of parchment or wax paper. I found that the thicker I left the dough, the easier it was to pick them up and transfer them to my parchment paper lined cookie sheet. I used a metal spatula to take them from my prep area to the cookie sheet. I found that this helped to keep their shape.

 

 

Poke a hole in the top of your ornament so that you have a space to pull the ribbon through when you are ready to hang these beauties

Put them in the oven at 200'F for 2 hours. Leave them to air dry overnight after you take them out of the oven. Put a sweet ribbon of your choice through the hole in the top. Then hot glue the ornaments to another piece of ribbon to create a garland. I took another small piece of ribbon and tied a little knot to hide where I hot glued the ornaments on. Now find a nice place to hang your garland and enjoy the sweetness of your new cinnamon scented garland! Enjoy!! 

  

Linked to-

Under the Table and Dreaming

I Heart Naptime

Primitive and Proper

 Craft-o-Maniac

 

A Mother/Daughter Tradition

 

Every Christmas season my daughter and I make a new set of homemade ornaments for our Christmas Tree. Last year we made pinecones rolled in glitter. She was only 3 years old then and that was a very age appropriate project.

 

Its amazing how much maturity a year can bring. My daughter is now 4 and very interested in learning how to sew. This year we used burlap and made stuffed star ornaments. It gave her a chance to see how a simple little "pillow" is made and gave her an opportunity to try a few short legnths on my sewing machine.

 

 We used a simple piece of jute to serve as "hooks".

 

 Our ornaments are by no means perfect, but they are not meant to be. They are simply to serve as a visual of growth from year to year. I'm sure next years ornaments will include much more detail. But for now we stick to simple!

 

 

Linked up to-

Beyond the Picket Fence

Simply Designing

Happy Go Lucky

A Little Knick Knack

Chic on a Shoestring

One Artsy Mama

Mama's Wish List

 

It's that time of year again....wish list time. This year was actually quite difficult. Ya see, I'm a little wee-bit spoiled....every time I am just "dying" to have something, it always seems my husband non-chalantly ends up bringing it home. He really is the best. So when it comes time to make a "holiday list", its a little difficult. I'm pretty simple. I love things for my home and family. So my list is usually filled with kitchen items and appliances.
This year I'm dreaming about....
1. A Boxwood Wreath - I can't believe I don't own one of these yet! I have always loved them. I think they look good every season of the year.
2. New Kitchen Hardware - I love me some cup pulls. I recently used these specific ones on a desk my husband and I made and I love them. So now I would like them in my kitchen too!
3. A Wood Trash Can - Yep, folks, I have officially lost it....I would like a trash can for Christmas!! But she is pretty though, isn't she??
4. Miss Mustard Seed- Inspired You - This is the only thing on my list that I really, really want. I have restrained from just buying it for myself. I absolutely love her blog. She is such an inspiration. I can't wait to get my hands on this book!!
5. French White CorningWare - LOVE these beautiful white dishes. My favorite part about them is that they go from table to fridge. The plastic lids are excellent for storing leftovers. And the best part is that they are WHITE, of course. Love, love love white dishes.   


But, let's be real...I'd be happy if there was not a thing for me under the tree- because the best part of the holiday season is the joy on my precious little one's faces on Christmas morning when they see that Santa had come. That and the numerous holiday parties filled with family and food. We usually host a holiday party or two at our home and although I get super stressed out and drive my husband nutso with trying to make everything "perfect", I REALLY enjoy hosting! The holidays are such an amazing time of the year.

 SO, what's on your list this year??!!

A Vintage Scale

 

 Ahhhh....this scale. I always wanted one...not for a purpose, but just to simply look at. I found this Wayrite Scale on etsy at Reclaimed Grace. It called my name. Orange is not usually the color I would have picked for my first Vintage Scale, but I knew this one would look just right in my kitchen. And to add to all the goodness- it still works!

 

 I plan on owning way more then one of these babies. Maybe I'll switch it up and go for a postal scale next time....or maybe a vintage hanging scale?? Ohhhh the possibilities......

 

Just wanted to share one of my favorite things!! Until next time....

Erica

 

 

A Thanksgiving Table

 

This years Thanksgiving table will be composed of a mix of natural elements and simple white dishes...which happen to be my favorite. There is just something about white dishes...maybe its the versatility of them to be able to be mixed with any holiday or season...or maybe it's the clean lines, or maybe it's just the color itself- because Lord knows if I didn't have two young kids running around, I'm pretty positive my house would be filled with all things WHITE.   

 

 

The placemats, used as chargers, are a Walmart find. Only $3.00 each for these beauties. I went on the lookout for a natural bamboo charger and was stunned to see the price I would need to pay for each charger. So the cheap-o look-a-like Walmart version will be just fine with  me! The white porcelain napkin rings are from Crate and Barrel. I convince my husband every holiday we host that I "NEED" something new....this year I got my napkin rings and placemats! 

The centerpiece is a thrift store pitcher and bowl set I snagged for only $7.00. The bowl is filled with some fall decor that went for 70% off at Joann's Fabric. Right now I have the pitcher filled with red roses my adorable husband brought home as a surprise the other night, but on Thanksgiving day it will be filled with white roses or mums....I haven't decided yet!  

Sorry about the lighting in this picture. My dining room has a beautiful huge window at one end, and unfortionately that is where the natural light stops in the downstairs of my house. We live in a row home and the lighting is "cave light" throughout the house. One of the requirements of my "future farmhouse" is that it must be overflowing with natural light...there is just something about the sunshine...just like those white dishes.  

I saw a free printable on Pinterest and I made a banner for the dining room window to remind all my guests about why we really celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. I think its important to be "Thankful" everyday....I just might leave it up for much longer then just the Thanksgiving holiday.   

You'll have to use your imagination and picture a matching candle on the lonely pillar. I need to run over to the Farmers Market this weekend to buy one that matches the other side. Those pillars are a Pottery Barn find from years ago- I am convinced they will never go out of style. I love them as much now as I did the day I brought them home.   

I'm sure this isn't the last time you will see this table this month. I'll be sure to capture many more pictures of the table in use with delicious turkey and mouth watering mashed potatoes on those pretty white dishes.

I hope everyone has a delicious and family-filled Thanksgiving! ;-)
Erica



Linked to
Under the Table and Dreaming
A Stroll Thru Life