Bring Back the Red!!

You might remember over the summer I redecorated my bedroom! I love it, but I was missing my red. Over the last few years, red has become my favorite color. Whenever I see "red" I get so inspired! So, I've been looking forward to adding some red, especially with the upcoming winter holidays!



I added a red berry wreath to my window! I've decided that I can't have too many windows or wreaths for that matter.

Notice the extra pillow! Or I should say, notice that I have removed a number of pillows from over the summer. I did make a pillow with some of the extra fabric that I found from this summer.






Here is another view of the same fabric. I've already posted about how I recovered my hope chest. This is a picture of the finished project, along with my newest Uppercase Living wall decor.

Seasonal Decorating

It has been a while since I had a post on decorating (for that matter, it has been a while since I posted, period!)Anyway, I'm getting excited to decorate for Winter!

I mentioned decorating for Winter because I typically change my decorations three times a year. Once for Spring / Summer, Fall and Winter! Now, I must admit, that I decorate the most for Winter and I do have a number of specific Christmas decorations, but I try to include decorations that will last all Winter long! Over the next couple of weeks I will be posting about some of my decorations!

One other thing that I try to do is use what I already have! I change the color of my candles, I put up a different colored wreath, I use glass containers and fill them with different seasonal materials.




The other thing that I must mention, is that I struggle putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. No offense to anyone who has!!!! We already have our outdoor Christmas lights strung, just not turned on, because we've had a mild fall, and my husband is in charge of the lights! I just don't want to miss the importance of Thanksgiving! This year we are traveling for Thanksgiving, so I will likely take down my fall decorations before we leave, so I will be ready to put up my Winter / Christmas decorations when we get back.



Here is a glass vase that I can't wait to use and decorate with some fresh holly! Cut right from our front bushes! Free decorating by updating and using what I already have!

What are your favorite pieces that you like to use for year round decorating?

Hospitality on the Go!

I have lived in Michigan for over nine years! AND I'm so excited because a friend of mine from Pennsylvania, just moved to Michigan!!!! She moved just an hour away from me and I couldn't wait to go see her and meet her six kids!

Today was the day that I loaded up my van and drove down to see her. Since she just moved here three days ago, I wanted her to feel welcome and make her transition as easy as possible. Currently her family is renting a home until their house in Philadelphia sells. The positive of their rental is that it is fully furnished, so they were able to just move "right in"!




So, how can I bless this family? Instantly I thought of food! I prepared a couple of meals that they can just "pop" into the oven. Also, I was so excited that I had a number of my canned goods from this summer all ready to go!





The second area that I was able to help with was bringing some of my "extra" home accessories for her to use. Since this is a fully furnished rental, my friend is in need of some Christmas decor. It is amazing what a couple of simple decorations can do to transform a house into a home!

Here is my friend Jen and me! I'm so excited to continue this friendship!



What meals do you like to share or give to others? I'm always looking for friendly meals that are freezer and family friendly! Please leave a comment on your favorites!

Comfort Food

I have likely mentioned that I love to eat breakfast! Most mornings I typically eat cereal or English muffin bread, but when I have a little extra time, I like to eat something special!

Recently a friend of mine game me a recipe for oatmeal pie and I must admit that I have made it twice in the past two weeks! It is just perfect for those cold mornings!

Oatmeal Pie (soooo good!)

3 cups oatmeal
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c. nuts (optional)
1/2 c. raisins (I used craisins)
1/2 c. oil (I used a 1/4 c. oil and little over 1/4 cup apple butter)
1 c. milk
1 peeled and chopped apple

Mix all together and put in pie plate. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve warm with milk over top.