goodbye house Hello Home - Homemaking, Interior Design Blog, Staging, Budget DIY

Home Staging -- Tips for Transforming a Vacant Master Bedroom

2012-01-30T14:49:00.000-05:00

The Master Bedroom is one of the spaces in your house on which buyers cast a keen and discerning eye.

They need to know if this room is big enough, bright enough, quiet enough, and cozy enough.

In a vacant home, this room NEEDS to be staged.

Without cozy, you may get no contract.

See what I mean?

This room, as shown online, before I staged it, could translate into any another room in the home.

Is this a dining room? Living room? Office?

The before pictures are the actual ones that were in the MLS listing.

Don't let house hunters wonder what a room's purpose is.

If you have no bed (because you are now using it in your new place,
or you can't fit it into or even LIFT it into your car), do what I do:
Make a base (boxspring size to fit the mattress) of these.
(About 8-10 boxes.)

And add one of these to it:

You don't need fancy bed linens either, to get a layered look.
In fact, this bed's layers consist of a fitted sheet, throw, two pillows with shams,
3 throw pillows and 3 curtain panels!
The red "comforter" you see is actually a curtain.
The flat layered sheets are also curtain panels.

This room doesn't have a fancy dresser/bureau set.

But, it does have a sitting area.

The two arm chairs from the dining room and a foyer table makes a spot to relax.

Some of my "props" are lamps, rugs, vases, greenery, throws.

Props are home decor items (furniture and accessories) that stagers use

to help a house feel like a home.

The fruit, florals, and food on the bed tray are faux, fake, and phony.

I got them at Hobby Lobby.

I also added some tea bags to the teapot.

If possible, while showing, leave the blinds/shutters/curtains open to let the light in.
Don't do this, however, if there is a view into the neighbor's bathroom.*grin*

This is the Master Closet off this bedroom before.

I'm sorry about the dark pictures taken late afternoon.

Organized and simplified after.

I always leave a few empty hangers in closets to suggest that there is plenty of room for more clothing.

After staging this room, and the rest of the home attached to this room,

this home got 4 offers in 34 days!

(It had previously been on the market for 6 months!)

Other ideas for staging a vacant Master Bedroom:

You don't NEED night stands. Those round wooden tables with the 3 screw-in legs and a round tablecloth are perfect for a bedside table, too.
Add a large mirror and try to place it across from a window. This suggests spaciousness.
Add simple large silk plants.
Always, always, always make sure there are alternative lighting sources besides the light on the ceiling or ceiling fan. Keep them on for showings.
Always add a chair of some sort to the room, preferably near a window.
A bed tray with a magazine, a few mugs, and cloth napkins are a must, even if they are only used in the MLS/Realtor's listing.
An open book with a pair of spectacles on a night table is a nice touch, too.

Any more ideas or thoughts?

The Humble Paint Chip

2012-01-24T08:58:00.000-05:00

Ah, the simple paint chip.

Small, unassuming, yet colorful.

Who knew it could be so versatile?

Who knew it could be used for something other than selecting a wall color?

These thin, disposable cards are now inspiring new creations.

And as a paint lover myself, I couldn't be more thrilled!

After a thorough-ish search around Google-land and Pinterest,

I have a new respect for this oft-taped-to-the-wall,

tossed-in-a-drawer decorating and re-decorating staple.

Aren't these some neat ideas?

Utensil/napkin holder.

Sew Many Ways...

EEEEK! Earrings!

Copper Diem

My cheapskate heart loves this one.

This is a knock-off of Ballard Designs' Warmth Abstract Print.

Ballard's price? $279.00!

Paint chip price? Under $10.00!

Life, Crafts & Whatever

Sugar Cookies?

SWEET!

Bake at 350

"Have a drink, darling."

"Have a darling drink."

The Crafty CPA

Baby Announcement.

Cozy Little Cave

And decorations for a celebration.

Curbly

Up-the-attic-stairs wall.

Cozy Little Cave

Color-of-the-day dry-erase calendar.

Life Hacker

Slide paint chip squares under a table's protective glass.

Wall Collage.

Simple. Interesting. Colorful.

(Use poster putty to hold chips in place.)

The Red Thread

Let 'em know you've relocated with these adorable address cards.

Hand Make My Day

Present your gift.

Add paint chips to your gift wrapping stockpile.

Real Simple

Place cards for a shower, or a housewarming dinner, or oh, just about ANY celebration!

KL Wedding Designs

Do you have an ugly, old, flat clock?

It's time to refresh it!

Crafts by Amanda

This is simply lovely.

Garland for the tree.

If I get started now, I may have a strand finished just in time for Christmas!

Life as a Thrifter

Choose your gradient colors from a paint chip card, buy samples of each color,

and paint those drawers!

NIB

How fun are these?

Pinwheels!

A2D

And finally, one of my favorite games: a scavenger hunt.

Find items during your hunt that match the colorways on the swatches!

Come Together Kids

So, next time, when you open your drawer,

the one in which you've stuffed all your paint chip samples,

remember that those humble paint chips can be a source of free decor inspiration.

What's in your drawer?

Willing

2012-01-16T12:28:00.001-05:00

Adjective.

Definition: cheerfully consenting; inclined or ready.

Making resolutions for myself to

get more organized,

work out at the YMCA 5 times a week,

attempt to spend more wisely,

treat my family with more kindness,

craft every craft that catches my fancy on Pinterest,

volunteer more,

sew more,

recycle everything,

host more baby showers or Bible studies,

pay more attention to my neighbors in the cul-de-sac,

etc...

only makes me tired.

Then, I don't want to do any of it.

I get tired out, bummed out, stressed out.

Then, I want a TIME OUT.

Then, I ask myself, "is this what homemaking is really all about?"

What if, instead of ME telling myself what I am going to do,

what if, instead of being frustrated by what I think I MUST do,

what if, instead of feeling inconvenienced by what I think are "interruptions",

what if, instead of experiencing exhaustion from my own deadlines,

what if, instead of existing to finish my TO DO list,

I were simply willing.

Willing to want to.

Cheerfully ready.

Inclined when time gives me the opportunity.

Freely consenting to be available.

As I make my home, what if I saw my life as an opportunity?

Not complicated "Leslie willing", but rather simply "God willing".

I am visiting and sharing at Layla's place today:

Home Decor Basics to LOOK for while Thrifting

2012-01-09T20:54:00.003-05:00

Hi, Everyone!

As a decorator/home stager, I often get asked what kinds of things to look for
when shopping for home accessories at thrift stores,

items that will contribute to a charming home instead of adding more junque.

I search for items that are classic, versatile, plentiful, and useful in just about every room.

I like having a warm, interesting, and cozy home.

But, paying the retail or original price for ANYTHING is against my religion.

So, Goodwill and Salvation Army come to my rescue almost every time!

Here are some ideas for what to look for that will breathe new life into your home

and have you singing thrift stores’ praises.

Ceramic Pitchers

Not only are they perfect for storing utensils in the kitchen,
they make beautiful bouquet holders on a nightstand.

On open shelving, they make a simple decorative element.

Old Books

They add charm, warmth and interest.
Oh! And You can learn something from them, too!

Baskets

They make great hidden storage, make me appear organized when I’m actually messy.

What’s not to love?

(My linen closet.)

Throws
Soft chenille, an old quilt, a crocheted heirloom.
They beckon us to come join them, curled up with a book, the laptop, or the cat.

Sentimental Pieces
Someone else’s unwanted furnishings can become your heirlooms.

Clocks
I believe each room ought to have a clock in it. Yes, even a small one can go in the bathroom.
(I found this large 2' in diameter one for the kitchen for $4!)

Lamps
I don’t think a home can ever have too much indirect lighting.
Buy lamps for their shape and spray paint them.

(This lamp is in THIS room.)

White Dishes
Ironstone and china.They are classic.
They can be dressed up or casual. They go with any table setting.

Side Chairs
You can never have too much seating, can you?
Well, maybe you can, but it shouldn’t stop you if you find a sturdy, beautiful chair.

(This is a Hickory Chair. Retail $485.00. I paid $5.00 and gave it a makeover.)

Silver
Silver goes anywhere and it adds some bling to any space.

(A Fall front door wreath I created from a round silver tray.)

Frames
Remove the art, if it’s not your taste.
Paint the frame and make something fun and useful! Or add cork.

Extras
If you can find these, grab them! Mirrors, rugs, and linens.
These are basics that add layers to our homes.

Sometimes it feels like the decorating process is never over.
You may suddenly find inspiration or feel the urge for a change, but it may not be in the budget.
Fortunately, there are thrift stores to help us out.

What do you look for when you are out thrifting that’s not in this list?
What do you collect?

Out with the Old, In with the New

2012-01-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

You have been handed a new book.

Its pages are blank.

Its spine is stiff and the paper smells fresh.

You crack open the ledger and thumb through the crisp pages.

All empty.

Not a single line of prose.

Not a single jotting of a memory.

Not a single letter, sign or symbol.

Every space available.

Every room a vacancy.

Every chapter void.

What will you do with this diary?
Is your memoir a mystery, comedy, or tragedy?

What would the title read?

The chapters?

Will you do with this diary the same as you did with last year's?

Will you write within its pages the same verses, the same resolves, the same worries?

What if, instead of being bound within the binding of yesterday,
you could scribble new dreams?
What if your journal, instead of failure, recorded fruition?
Instead of regret, rejoicing?
Instead of fear, faith?

But, despite your own determination,

your quest for perfection is unattainable.

Your hunt for holiness, useless.

However, the hero in our story defends our honor.
The villain who would hinder and sabotage our deliverance is bested and crushed!
Our worthless virtue becomes exquisite beauty.

Since God reconciled us through Jesus,

we all get a fresh start with new mercies and new grace.

Every single day.

Every single page.

Every single line.

As you pick up your pen to write in your new year's book,
within the narrative will you record the truth, when confronted with lies?
Will you testify to hope when driven to despair?
Will you submit to His authority as the Author and Publisher of your faith?

If you belong to Christ, you are a new creation.
The old things have gone; everything is made new!

What a note-worthy novel yours will be!

Christmas Day Home Tour 2011

2011-12-24T22:51:00.000-05:00

Late on a sleepy, star-spangled night,

those angels

peeled back the sky

just like you would tear open

a sparkling Christmas present.

Then, with light and joy

pouring out of Heaven

like water through a broken dam,

they began to shout and sing the message

that baby Jesus had been born.

The world had a Savior!

The angels called it "Good News,"

and it was.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Mary, Did You Know (your Nativity would be in my Living Room)?

2011-12-20T12:55:00.003-05:00

Each year, at Christmastime,
as I pull the bubbled-wrapped nativity pieces of ceramic from their box,
I not only marvel at the simplicity of the story of grace,
but I am in awe of Mary's great faith and trust in God's plan of redemption.

When Gabriel came to visit a terrified Mary to announce the arrival of
the long-awaited, prophesied Messiah, she was shaken and worried about what he was there for.
What had she done (or NOT done) to prompt a visit from a messenger of God?

She knew the scriptures, the prophecies containing the promise of a Messiah.
She knew the one in Micah, (Chapter 2 verse 2-4):
"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means the least
among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel".

She had been planning her wedding,
imagining her dress, and the flowers she'd style in her hair,
not planning a nursery or sewing a layette.
She was deciding who would cater the reception,
not worrying about eating for two.
She daydreamed about her groom, Joseph,
and how handsome he'd look as he watched her face through her veil,
not praying he'd divorce her quietly.

So, was she surprised when the angel told her that the Savior would come through her?
Was Mary flabbergasted that it would happen even though she had never slept with a man?
Was she astonished to hear the words, "I am the Lord's servant. Let it be with me just as you say"
pass from between her lips?

Did this now mean that all HER plans were altered, delayed, or worse, ruined?

After Gabriel left, Mary might have wondered if the exchange had really happened.
I might have.

After Gabriel disappeared, Mary might have wondered what this meant for her future.
I would have.

After the angel delivered His message of hope, Mary might have wondered
if any one would believe her when she told them what had happened.
I definitely would have.

Oh, Mary.
You gladly let go of your hopes for the birth of the Hope of Nations.
You quietly released your plans of joy for God's joyous plan.
You sacrificed your reputation and peace for the Prince of Peace.

When it finally sunk in, and you realized the significance of the choice you made,
and chose to glorify God in your soul and rejoice in your spirit over being the one chosen,
you knew.

You knew that what God did for you would never be forgotten.
That all generations would call you blessed.
That your heart of worship and consent would inspire others forever.

You knew.

Through your gift of love, young wise woman, Love has come.

And I thank you.

Year after year, I thank you.

Last year, I wondered:
Mary, did you know (Bethlehem didn't have a Hobby Lobby)?

My Christmas Home Tour 2011

2011-12-16T10:18:00.004-05:00

Hi!

Welcome to my home!

Please, come on in!

I'll bring you a cup of tea, I'll show you around.

This is my life. Today.

I haven't opened one single Christmas storage box yet.

I haven't "decorated".

If you'll please excuse the bit of projects here and there, thank you.

If you'll overlook the half-decorated window sill,

the mop I just used in the kitchen, which is now drying in the sun on the deck,

the hum of the dishwasher and dryer run through their cycles,

cleaning up after yesterday's adventures,
and
the baking debris in the corner as I make thank-you-for-teaching-my-kids goodie bags.

I have been guilty of slaving away in the kitchen baking dozens and dozens of goodies,

while worrying about just the right touches to adorn my dining room.

But, it hasn't happened yet, because we are in the process of staging our home to sell it.

This room is taking longer to paint it that anticipated,

because I keep getting "interrupted".

And it's okay.

I am grateful to have a home.

And paint. And especially a ladder.

Our mantel still has Autumn's decor on it.

My cloche on the table between the red chairs remains empty,

waiting for some bauble or glittery addition.

The coffee table has my daughter, Miss A's Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Chinese class notes on it,

because she has finals this week and has to study.
And she chooses to do it right in the middle of all the activity.

The sofa's slipcover is in laundry room.

And it's all right.

The inside of the ex-TV armoire, where our high schoolers keep their school stuff,

is trashed from said teenaged girls coming and going to separate schools.

Miss A's stuff is on the left,
and Miss Lovely's (our S. Korean exchange student daughter) stuff is on the right.

Piles of books, calculators, pens, binders, and Miss Lovely's camera that she keeps ready

at all times to capture something curious to her about us Americans!

I could fuss and fume about the clutter.

But, when I look at this mess, I see the future.

These children are learning and excelling in areas I could only dream about.

When I stare into the piles I hear the lectures, the clicks of the locks on the lockers,

the between-classes bell, I smell the cafeteria food.

It brings me back to my high school years, and I remember to hold onto

these moments with these young people, and encourage them and reward them

for our world rests on their little shoulders.

And their shoes remain on our stairs for only a little while.

This is the room that usually holds the Christmas tree.

Yet, in the spot where it should go, the mirror and the artwork for the dining room rest.

The top of the piano is eerily empty, and someone has left the tissue box on the floor

near the heater which was warming their tootsies.

I am tempted to stress that "the tree isn't up yet".

But, I won't.

For some reason, I'm not offended by its absence.

I'm not compelled to action by the bins in the garage, containing its contents.

And it's fine.

We have a budding pianist that performs in this room.

Miss Lovely plays from memory.

She's perfecting Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

I have an international star in my home!

The only thing Christmas-y our half bath has going for it, is the remaining red wall.
The others have been painted contract-on-the-house khaki.

You see, we started a teeny weeny project after Thanksgiving, that we thought would take a day,

two days, max, that turned into a bigger project when the new faucet we installed

started leaking behind the pedestal sink.

The sink waits patiently while we attend Christmas parties and drive offspring to recitals

and their own holiday gatherings.

No matter.

I did manage to whip up 2 dozen cupcakes for the youth group last night.

I would have saved you one, but they're gone.

And I did manage to let a whole card full of faux snow escape onto my foyer floor

when opening this greeting by my friend, Marcia, in Miami.

You're a stinker, chica.

My excuses for not being more prompt with decking the halls?

The second Saturday this month, I hosted a regional P.I.E. gathering in our basement cafe'.

Pacific Intercultural Exchange is the organization that puts exchange students and

host families together. Eight other host families and their students came to our home,
with their international stars.

Poon, from Thailand (not pictured yet), wrote Merry Christmas for me on the chalkboard wall.

Translated into Romanized font, read this out loud: "Sook sanwan Chrismass."

There, you just spoke Thai!

Then, Jeep from China (below), wrote Merry Christmas in Chinese for us.

I can't pronounce it and won't even try.

I got teary-eyed as I took this picture in our backyard.
Amazing young people. Left their homes for a year to experience our way of life.

I never would have thought in a million years, that souls from many other nations
would have graced my home!

How am I so blessed?

From left to right, countries represented:

Back row: Brazil, (this is Poon) Thailand, China, Mainland China, South Korea.
Front row: Norway, Brazil, and South Korea (our Miss Lovely).

A few days after they left, my mom (#1) and my other mom (#2) prepared

for a Gingerbread House Workshop, also held in my cafe'.

We each plugged in our Kitchenaids.

And got the gingerbread dough cranked out!

12 batches of it.

Mine.

Mom #1's (the mom who birthed me) mixer.

Mom #2's (the one who lives near me) helper.

I did this for a few days.

And loved it.

I especially loved being with my moms, making messes and making memories.

Thank you #1, for all your help.

Wow. You are one incredible woman.

Giving, kind, and knowledgeable.

Mom #2, thank you for all your help.

I am grateful that you always wash the dishes after the fun is over.

What a servant example you are!

Miss Lovely and Miss A, after Miss Lovely's Holiday choral performance at school (she is a soprano)

doing that peace sign next to the face thing all teenagers do for pictures nowadays.

And to that I say, "Yes, I have peace, too."

I have peace this year, more than any other before.

Why?

Because, I think Christmas (maybe) doesn't come out of storage once a year.

It's something that we should perpetually live.

Christ came from His throne, to be engaged in our way of life.

Our Emmanuel became God with us.

To empathize, to give hope, to heal, to share, to love.

And I want so much to be like Him.

And though I acknowledge His arrival, and I am certainly not anti-Christmas

(in fact, I am having a blast Pinteresting and visiting everyone's beautiful homes),

I have concluded (through tears and a tantrum or five) that I DO NOT have it have it all together.

I decided that I can't do it all.

I decided to accept the beautiful messes. The decorations of life.

Starting this afternoon, when the last bell sounds for school to be out for winter break,

I am looking forward to the next three weeks with my family!

I choose to be just as excited for this winter recess as I was when I was a kid!

Maybe we will put the tree up this weekend.

Maybe not.

Either way.

It's okay.

I will rejoice!

(I'm glad I thought to grab this swag at Trader Joe's for $5.99 last week!)

This concludes the tour. For now.
To be continued....

Home for the Holy Days Party Invitation for You

2011-12-13T14:51:00.001-05:00

My sweet friend, Richella, at Imparting Grace is having a blog linky party.

Here's what it's all about:

In his book God Came Near, Max Lucado writes these words about Bethlehem

at the time of of Jesus's birth:

The city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he has just sent God into the cold. And the people would scoff at anyone who told them the Messiah lay in the arms of a teenager on the outskirts of their village. They were all too busy to consider the possibility. Those who missed His Majesty's arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren't looking.

In the midst of the hustle-bustle of this busy time of year,

it's all too easy to miss the most important thing.

I don't want to miss it. Do you?

In fact, I'd like to focus on the ways we can celebrate the birth of Christ.

So on Monday, December 19, Richella is hosting a linky party called "Home for the Holy Days."

Do you have special decorations for commemorating the Nativity?

She wants to see them!

Does your family have special traditions for Advent?

She'd like to know about them.

Do you have favorite books or other resources you could share?

This party will be the place to share them.

Please mark your calendars and join me at Richella's!

The link will go up at 10:00 P.M. Eastern time on Sunday, December 18.

I'm looking forward to seeing what's going on in your home during these holy days!

Home for the Holy Days

at Imparting Grace

Monday, December 19

Will you come?

Don't miss it!

How I Organize My Seasonal Decor

2011-12-05T10:59:00.004-05:00

Am I the only one with too many Christmas/Autumn/Spring decorations?
Do any of you have more than one box of decorations?
I sure hope so. Cuz I would feel like a hoarder.

This is my dining room post-Christmastime last year.
Notice the PEACE sign hanging on the mirror.
How ironic.

But, after I sort and purge (donate extras or items that haven't been used awhile)

order and peace are restored and here's how I do it.

1. I get out my handy dandy pop-up Rubbermaid spring bag/cans.

(Out in the foyer.)

In these, I put the donateables.

Before I put the decor in the pop-up cans, and into the back of my car,

I laid out all of the stuff on the floor to show you how much stuff I donated.

Whew.

In the pile is a Christmas village, miles of garland, red outside bows, a faux poinsettia,

Peace (!?) and Joy pillows, a tablecloth, tree skirt, towels, gift boxes.

(The glitter houses under the cloches on the dresser are safe. Still here.)

2. I get these cans into the back of my car and over to the Salvation Army.

3. I round up all the gift wrapping supplies and get them into their

Rubbermaid Gift Wrap Storage Organizer that I found at WalMart years ago.

I {heart} it.

If you do not have one of these to contain and sort your wrapping stuff, GURL, you NEED one.

4. While all the Christmas things are out in the open, I take the opportunity

to sort and purge my other seasonal decor.

The Autumn and Spring boxes are also stored with the Christmas boxes.

5. Then I sorted and placed all the Christmas pretties back in their boxes, too.

6. Each box is numbered, and as I put items in their boxes, I write down what's in each box.

Why?

So, I can decorate in small chunks of time, or certain rooms at a time.

It is easier to take down only a box or two at at time, knowing what is in the box,

and not have the chaos of digging through every box's contents

just to find my vintage flocked birds and ornament hooks.

(I don't usually type this up and give it a title and a border--

but for blogging purposes, *smile* this was neater than showing you my scrawling

on some college-lined notebook paper which I file in my Holidays folder in my office.)

By the time I finished this project, it was evening.

And the PEACE is once again restored to the dining room.

Now the boxes are ready to be stored away till next year.

7. The numbered boxes get hoisted up into this fantastical garage overhead shelving.
It's called HyLoft.
And I {heart} this, too.

Mark installed two sets above our cars.
It needs to be accessed by a ladder, so I need to make sure the individual boxes
aren't TOO heavy, so I can fetch them myself when I need them.

We love having instant retrieval of the containers and that they
don't take up precious floor space in our basement or garage floor.

8. I sit and have a cup of tea.

Okay, the whole pot.

What's your organizational system look like?

Spending some time at:

A Christmas Care Package for the College Girl

2011-11-30T14:03:00.000-05:00

Every student in college loves to receive a care package!

Especially one filled with snacks and "junk" food and homebaked goodies.

So, I loaded up a box and it was delivered just in time for pre-holiday test-cramming

when my girl, Miss S, doesn't have much time to head over to the Dining Hall.

The pictures are kinda fuzzy, sorry. It was nighttime when I took them.

I layered:

Annie's Bunnies, Late July Cheese Crackers, Waffle cookies, Walkers (the best!) Shortbread,

and Organic Toaster pastries in her favorite flavors.

The next layer held Newman-O's Chocolate/Mint and Ginger'n Creme cookies,

Fun Yums Baked mixed veggie crunchy things, Pita Chips, and Hummus Dip.

Next, I added Potato chips, a Green Tea snack mix (we like weird stuff!),

Sunflower seeds, Pretzel Stix, and popcorn.

Then, pencils and pens, chocolate drops, Ritter Marzipan chocolate bars,

Green and Black chocolate bars, and Scharffen Berger Chocolate Bars (our fave!)

were placed in the box.

And last, but not least, and certainly eaten first (so I was told) was some

English toffee, ginger crinkles, peanut butter balls, and peppermint chocolate balls.

I found the darling boxes (shaped like buildings and houses) at The Dollar Tree.

They made a nice little city on Miss S' entry table as decor.

Miss S has two roommates, so I sent them each a red Santa hat, too.

When Miss S opened her box, she made more friends on her hall that day!
She was delighted to be thought of and reminded of how much she is loved.

So, gather some goodies together and surprise your student!
They will love it!

I'm Selling my Christmas China

2011-11-27T20:30:00.001-05:00

Hi, all!

Please forgive me for making a blog post about this, but I figured a post

would be O.K. with you?

I hesitate to do this on my blog, but then I've seen others do it,

and if the others jumped off a bridge, I would, too.

Heehee.

As most of you know, we are down-sizing (I like to call it "right"-sizing),

and have actually been in the process of repairing/painting/upgrading our home

to stage to sell it next year.

Along with that, comes the selling of some things I have loved

but won't have the space for.

This china is some of those things.

This is vintage china that I have been collecting for over 20 years,

since before my Miss S (our college Junior girl) was born.

The porcelain china is white with a red ribbon, greenery, and poinsettia pattern.

It is called Poinsettia & Ribbons and it is made by Tienshan.

This set contains:

(2) 16 piece place settings (for a total of: 8 dinner plates, 8 salad/bread plates, 8 saucers, 8 cups)

(in boxes)

8 stemware glasses (no box)

Large vegetable bowl (in box)

Cake plate and server (in box)

Butter dish

Chip and dip set (in box)

Creamer and sugar bowl with spoon (in box)

Gravy boat w/underplate in box)

2 salt and pepper sets (one set in box--the other set needs the stoppers on the bottom)

Teapot (in box)

These are beautiful and like-new, only ever used for display.

Pet/smoke/perfume free.

If you comment with your zipcode, I'll get you exact shipping prices.

I do accept PayPal.

I'd like $150 for the whole set, but will take the best offer!

Again, forgive this shameless plug for my wares.

They really are beautiful, and I will miss them.

(The hutch isn't for sale. Not yet, anyway.)

From Our Home to Yours

2011-11-24T11:57:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving Day Dining Table #2

2011-11-23T18:21:00.000-05:00

Two tables for Thanksgiving?

I am so blessed to be able to share our home with 3 other families this year.

Yesterday, I prepared the dining room: table #1.

Today, the breakfast room/eat-in kitchen didn't take nearly as long.

I kept it simple.

Very simple.

The basket (on legs) came from my blogging friend, Suzanne,

at Southern Inspiration.

I love it, Suzanne, THANK YOU!

I filled it with some Better Homes and Gardens Autumn dried fruit and pinecone fillers

I found at Wal-Mart last week.

(They were on clearance... shhhhh!!!)

I used split peas for the bottom of the hurricane jars.

I sewed this runner specifically for this table which is 8 feet long.

It was my mother-in-love's table and has three leaves.

Mark, my hubby, ate at it during the holidays with his family.

I am honored to be able to share it with our family's guests.

When I was a young mom, 20 years ago,

I worked as a part-time caregiver for a 90 year old lady, who is now in heaven.

One day, she gave me these ruby thumb print goblets

from her own collection and asked me if I'd like them and use them.

See, Mrs. Varn? I still love them!

The silver is some that my friend Ann (see her gorgeous Fall home HERE)

was selling in a big Ziplock bag at her yardsale for $11!

I couldn't pass these Community Silver (Coronation pattern) pieces up.

You wouldn't have, either, would you?

Didn't think so.

See?

We are in the kitchen!

More of it HERE.

A peek into the dining room.

A peek into the breakfast room!

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving Day!

Some of you are with your families in your own home,

some of you have arrived or are travelling to be with those you love,

some of you are in the hospital,

maybe some of you are even alone.

I pray that, no matter where you are,

you will believe me when I say, you are very loved and very precious

to the One who created you and I hope you

can find reasons to be thankful to Him.

Did you know that Thanksgiving is our Dependence Day?

I love this quote by G.A. Johnston Ross:

If I have enjoyed the hospitality of the Host of this universe,

Who daily spreads a table in my sight,

surely I cannot do less than acknowledge my dependence.

Let's be thankful!

XOXO

Thanksgiving Day Dining Table #1

2011-11-22T18:37:00.006-05:00

This year, we are honored to be having three other families

join us for Thanksgiving Day.

That means 2 tables.

One in our dining room, and one in our breakfast area.

I completed the dining room table today.

I finally finished sewing the ruffle-edged canvas (I washed it 4 times)

tablecloth and burlap runner. I was inspired by Pinterest.

Tablecloth inspiration HERE.

Runner inspiration HERE.

I started taking pictures, then realized I'd forgotten to add

something the the place settings.

Apples!!

My tableware is a mix of many different thrift store or yard sale finds and family heirlooms.

One of my favorite ironstone patterns is Pfaltzgraff Heritage white.

Thank you, Goodwill, for all of it.

My silver is from the 1940's and was given to me by my paternal grandmother.

She saved S&H green stamps to buy the whole set of this Towle Flutes pattern.

Ana is my red-headed sister from Atlanta.

I {heart} her.

Three generations of chairs.

English lyre back, Parsons, and Hitchcock.

Our 110 year-old Duncan Phyfe table.

I found these teeny crocks at Home Goods and I think they are supposed

to be for salt or sauces, but I like them as votive holders.

The crystal glasses were a hand-me-over (instead of a hand-me-down) from

one of my dearest friends.

The tureen I found at an antiques store in Hummelstown, PA after The Relevant Conference.

Salt and Pepper shakers were $1 each!

(They look like chess pieces, don't they?)

$3.50 Silver-plated urn. Did I mention I hearted Goodwill?

See the glass plates under the bowls?

Well, under the plates are bits of thanksgiving.

This hutch was one of the first pieces we bought when we moved here 11 years ago.

I do believe I still adore it.

Syracuse china, Roxbury pattern.

Used on the Kansas City Railroad in the 40's.

A different dear friend gave them to me.

When I look in this room, I see many layers of love,

friendships, blessings, and family.

And for these things I am truly grateful.

Tomorrow I will be working on the other table,

and anxiously, excitedly awaiting the arrival of the ones

that are so dear to us!

Celebrating the 91st Tabletop Tuesday with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life

Home Staging -- A Kitchen (to Paint or not to Paint the Cabinets)

2011-11-20T19:21:00.002-05:00

The kitchen, to many people, is THE most important space in the home.

If this room is staged right, it will absolutely impact the buyers

and generate many offers on a home for sale.

What are people looking for, you ask?

The same things YOU would be looking for in a kitchen:

Warmth, efficiency, cleanliness, organization, neutral tones, updated features.

This home has a beautiful kitchen layout, brand new tile countertops and sink,

a plethora (I just love this word!) of cabinets and drawers,

gorgeous hardwood flooring, a breakfast bar, and a central location perfect for

everyday meals and entertaining.

However, this space was very dark and dated.

I consulted with my painting contractors and here's what we came up with.

We chose a Valspar Ultra Premium paint in Creme Fraiche CI200 Signature Color.

Removed were:

the wood trimwork above the stove and the menu/book rack at the end of the counter,

the knobs and the hinges.
The knobs and hinges were taken outside and primed and spray painted
Oil-rubbed bronze.

The dishwasher, stove, and microwave were still in sellable condition.

Then all the doors were removed.

The cabinets and doors were primed and painted.

The refrigerator, which was old and too large for this space was removed.

And this kitchen went from dreary

to cheery!

To read about the transformation/staging of the breakfast area off this kitchen, go HERE.

The hardwood floors were lost before, but now they are a gleaming selling point.

Once cave-like, this heart of the home is now cozy.

The beautiful tile the homeowner had recently invested in became another selling point.

The sticking-out-like-a-sore-thumb ceiling light now blends in.

I replaced the refrigerator with a table, that (although not pictured here)
had a pitcher and some glasses on it, as props.

Other props (staging "decor" used to suggest activities within the home) included

Italian pottery, oil jars, a faux onion, and head of garlic.

Props for a coffee station.

Props for a baking station.

This home sold in 1 1/2 weeks.

It had been on the market for 4 months, as is, before this client called me.

Paint (and makeup, in my case) covers a multitude of sins.

This is what the back of my car looks like when I've gathered

some things to do staging repairs, painting, and updating.

Lowe's is my friend.

Don't be scared to paint your outdated wood cabinets to sell your home!

It makes all the difference in a kitchen!

Any thoughts?

Questions?

Last Week and the Week before the Week before that Week

2011-11-12T14:37:00.002-05:00

This is just a weird, random, awkward post about the goings on around here lately.
(Just in case you were wondering.)

Do you ever have those seasons in your life where you are busy,
but it feels like you're not accomplishing anything? I purposefully took these pictures to remind myself,
that I am indeed making my home.

I taught our new girl, Miss Lovely (our S. Korean foreign exchange student),
how to paint furniture. This is the desk in the office.
See the stenciled wall behind her? She helped with this, too.
I love having a little helper!

Miss Lovely has the cutest accessories.

(I must do a post about all the little darling things she brought with her in her suitcase,

including a baby sock change purse and a kitty cat contact lens case.)

My Miss S, Miss Lovely, and Miss A.

Fast friends and sweet sisters already.

Some of you suggested I start with the staging of our house to sell next year

in the foyer. So, I am. First things to go are this light and the toile wallpaper.

Sad. I love this paper.

I found an ugly "new" fixture at a yard sale for $5.

It is being spray painted, as I type.

Goodbye toile, hello wall.

We took a trip to NYC last month.

Except for the flat tire we got in Virginia (which could quite possibly be

one of the most beautiful states ever), we loved our train, subway, and ferry ride.

We enjoyed Central Park, Broadway, Lady Liberty, Chinatown and much more.

190 pictures on my camera's worth.

This picture below was actually taken in the Times Square Starbucks bathroom.

We had a birthday.

Miss S turned 21.

She requested a chocolate peanut butter cake with ganache.

I complied.

A friend of mine is readying her home for selling and I am consulting her with that.

Befores and afters sometime in the near future.

Mark found a great new gadget to help him stain the deck.

He's all about the gadgets.

It's a Shur-line Stain System. He finished our deck quickly and evenly!

We use Cabot stain in the color Redwood.

Miss Lovely had never watched a pie be made, so, of course, I obliged her, as well.

This is the first apple pie of the Fall season.

I have been organizing and purging these.

Then, there was another birthday.

This time, our pastor's. He got the same kind of cake as Miss S did.

One afternoon, I enjoyed a loverly tea party with Miss S and my other mom.

Two of my sweet blogging friends, Lisa from The Pennington Point
and Marcia from Home is Where One Heart Is mailed our Miss Lovely (Emily is her American name)
some VERY thoughtful gifts, a pillow from Lisa and a journal from Marcia.
Emily was so touched by these kind gestures from Americans she had never met.
Lisa embroiders almost anything (I also met her in person when I went to TN in July)
and sells them in her etsy shop, Shop 24. The name of her shop is Proverbs 31:24 inspired.
My friend, Marcia blogs about almost anything, but, her focus is on making a godly home.
I haven't met her yet, but next year when I get to Florida, I am driving down to see her,
and she'd better make me some guava pastelitos when I get there.

Thank you, Aunt Lisa and Aunt Marcia!

For an International festival at Emily's school, I baked over three dozen cupcakes.

And taught Miss MaryAnn, an extra daughter that frequents these parts,
how to decorate them.
While I supervised with my coffee in hand.

MaryAnn made teeny flags from a sheet I printed out, double-sided tape and toothpicks.

There.

Now the cupcakes are Korean.

These two Pinterest pins inspired me to make a bloomin' sewing mess in the dining room.

Click on the picture to take you to the pin.

(and a few more stitches of a few more things are needed.)

I have decided to sell these window treatments, I sewed.

There are four lined panels, they measure 8' X 54" each.

They are heavy and beautiful.

A buffalo check pattern is on top, and a smaller Waverly check is across the bottom.

The background of the red is an off-white.

The liner is white.

I would like $160 for all four of them.

(Or I may consider a trade or barter for something else, too!)

If you are interested, email me.

(Envelope icon top right.)

I attended a gingerbread house making party last year,
and had so much fun, that I am hosting my own on Saturday, December 10th
from 10AM-2PM, here at our home in our Basement Cafe'.
If you live near Greenville, SC, and would like to come, I have 4 more seats available.
(It is $15 a person, though, for all the goodies. Brunch is included, too!)

I'm busy, but blessed.

And I am especially blessed by you, my sweet, funny, creative, and inspirational bloggy sisters!

Have a beautiful weekend.

I need a nap.

You have created us for Yourself, Lord, and our heart cannot be stilled until it finds rest in You.

Augustine

So, I Organized my Refrigerator :: A WINNER!

2011-11-10T12:59:00.001-05:00

Okay, all you OCD ladies and Born Messy ladies (ain't no shame--we're creative, is all and

you're in good company at my place, I am Born messy, too!),

I have read all the sweet, funny, encouraging comments y'all left me,

(THANK YOU! THANK YOU!),

counted all the comments, added a few of you that couldn't comment

because Google was acting up (Hi Anita S.),

added a few of you that left all your entries in one comment,

and here's what happened:

#134,

Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing!

Her comment: "Cool beans, those are awesome! Count me in."

Debbie and I have been blogging buddies for a while now.

If you want an entertaining, smart, funny blog about all-things-home to read, go say

Hi, Debbie!

I expect to see your fridge's befores and afters, girl. Deal?

I'll be emailing you--get that tape measure out so you can measure your fridge,

and I'll know what to send you!

I wish I could send EVERYONE some organizing goodies, ya know?

To see if you are the winner at Organizing Made Fun, click HERE.

Thank you, Becky, for making me welcome at your place!

Let's make our homes, imperfect as they are, havens from the world's chaos.

As homemakers, we have the power to create a reflection of our eternal home,

where troubled souls find peace, hungry bodies find refreshment,

lonely pilgrims find communion and wounded spirits find compassion.

Our homes can be a foretaste of heaven.

What a privilege we have!

Sweet Potato Soufflé, A MUST for Thanksgiving Day

2011-11-08T22:24:00.000-05:00

There are only two side dishes that my family requires me to make each year

for our Thanksgiving meal.

All the other foods are optional.

Including the turkey.

(Last year, we had an all vegetarian meal.)

Anyway, those two things that are specifically ordained as Thanksgiving Day fare each year

are Corn Casserole and Sweet Potato Souffle'.

18 years ago when we were a young family, Miss S was only 3 years old,
and I was pregnant with Miss A, we lived in Dothan, Alabama,
and had no immediate family to share our T-Day meal with.

Some friends invited us to their home for the day.

We are so glad they did!

Jay and Laura not only showed us love and hospitality,

they shared their family's recipe for THE best sweet potato side dish we had ever had.
I have yet to find a better recipe. (Not that I was looking.)

I think of them each year as I pull out this card on
Thanksgiving Day morning and start mixing the ingredients.

Sweet Potato Souffle'

(1) 29 ounce can and (1) 16 ounce can sweet potatoes (or 6 cups cubed, cooked sweet potatoes)

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

Drain potatoes. Whip all ingredients until pale-ish and fluffy.

Put into baking dish.

Sprinkle topping over potatoes.

Topping:

(I always double this because I ~~like~~ LOVE the crunchy, buttery, pecan-y layer! Yum.)

1/3 c. butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

3/4 cup chopped pecans

(I add 1 tsp. of cinnamon, too.)

Mix topping ingredients with a fork.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Watch it disappear.

If you make this, I am positive that this will make your "must have", "begged for",

"better make" list when you plan your Thanksgiving Day meal.

Bon Appétit, Y'all!

DIY Knock Off Ideas from My Visit to Anthropologie

2011-11-07T10:23:00.003-05:00

While in Nashville, TN, this summer, we visited the Anthropologie in the beautiful downtown area.

I'd never been inside an Anthropologie.
It was quite charming.
And I got A LOT of ideas for some DIY projects.

Like this birdcage.

I collect vintage birdcages, but mine are plain ol' white.

But, couldn't I paint at least one of them with a happy color?

You can find vintage bird cages on eBay HERE,

and transform one for yourself, too!

The chandeliers were AMAZING!

You could find a plain one at a yard sale or even one that came in your house,

and dress it up with strands of beads and crystals.

The Saturated Dew Drops chandy (in green) below is $2,000. Yeah.

This SITE carries chandelier parts wholesale.

Oh, dear.

The selection of knobs and handles was glorious.

They were showcased in a revolving tiered display, nestled in dried green split peas!

The buffet of color below had me daydreaming about changing out every single knob

on every single knobbed item in the house!

The KNOBS cost anywhere between $8 and $14 each.

I find my knobs at Hobby Lobby.

I wait until they are 50% (or more) off and I've found some for as little as $2 each.

Hobby Lobby's selection is just as glorious.

As much as I adore these Night at the Movie lamps,

I could only envision getting some Vintage Movie Reels off etsy,

and attaching them to a floor lamp found at Goodwill.

Lovely toile shades.

Cover some you already have.

Okay. If there was one item in the store, that if I could afford,

and would fit in my CR-V, it would have been this table,

which had personality to spare.

Notice all the unmatched newel post legs.

There are several home salvage yards here in town.

Here's the one I go to: OLD HOUSE SALVAGE,

which resells pieces from demolished or remodeled old homes.

What's stopping me from going out and taking a look to see what they've salvaged lately?

The packaging was even inspirational.

These Finnia Curtains' box was designed to look like a window.

Could a house warming gift be "wrapped" like this?

I think so.

Fabric shades are such a pretty accent for a lamp.

This Ranunculus Swirl Shade is no exception.

What if yards of ruffled trim (layered and hot glued) could make a shade just as pretty?

This idea is from my Pinterest board: EXQUISITE LIGHTING.

A vintage mail sorter cabinet could be found at an auction.

I know. I saw one.

At an auction I went to with my friend, Kristi, at The Speckled Dog blog.

This cord keeper is just a strip of fabric, with a button and velcro adhered to it.

How easy would that be to make???

For the bathroom, couldn't primping supplies be kept in glass cylinder jars?

Even jars that had a layer of epsom salts in them?

Beautiful ruffled Flamenco shower curtain.

I saw one being sewn while I was at Gina's (The Shabby Creek Cottage) this summer.

See my friend,Cha Cha's tutorial on the curtain she made!

Meet Me in St. Louis pillow.

Layers of (t-shirt) jersey fabric. Doable!

Fabric glued to the front of a note pad. Hmmmm....

A strip of houndstooth tweed is attached to the lip of the terracotta pot.

I could see this in my hubby's office.

An old or ugly lampshade could be Modge Podged with dictionary pages,

vintage sheet music, vintage newspaper...

This bathmat is vintage chic!

What if you sewed a rug-sized rectangle of a chenille bedspread

to a terry cloth towel (used as the backing)?

This Sure Footed Lamp Base is $498.

But, if you were imaginative, and had a drill and a lamp kit,

couldn't you build your own lamp?

More lamp bases.

The One-Lump-or-Two Teapot/Teacup Lamp is on my to-do list.

I found these pieces at (where else?) Goodwill.

My lamp will be teapots only.

I found the drill bit to cut holes through the bottoms of the pots.

HERE at Lowe's.

Thank you., Anthropologie, for all the ideas!

Maybe you found something you'd like to Knock-Off?

What's interesting and exciting to us, is that Anthropologie

is coming here, to our town of Greenville, SC!

Read HERE.

Oh, goodie. More projects!

Please have a beautiful day making your home.

I know I will!

So, I Organized my Refrigerator :: A Giveaway

2011-11-02T13:08:00.001-04:00

Do you need to get your fridge tuned up for the holidays?
Well, I have sumpfin' for ya!!

Back when I Organized my Refrigerator, who knew what a fuss would be made over it?

On Pinterest, this post has been pinned and repinned over 1,400 times.

To-date, it has had 22,000 page views.

My fridge BEFORE:

AFTER cleaning, grocery shopping, and organizing.

I got many comments and emails asking about the bins and some of you

couldn't find them and wished that you could.

So, I am having TWO giveaways,
so you can win

a set of YOUR very own baskets
and
bins to organize YOUR refrigerator.
(After you win, I will need the measurements --width, depth, height, # of shelves---
of your fridge, so I can customize the organizational bins for you.)

Your fridge will be organized, just in time for the holidays!
WooHoo!

The first giveaway will be right here at my place.

To enter to win ~ all you need to do is:

(Don't forget to leave a SEPARATE COMMENT for each entry you qualify for!)
(I am SO sorry, but this giveaway is for the 48 contiguous United States.)

1 entry: Leave a comment below--just say hi!

(Leave your email address so I can contact you, if you don't have a blog).

2 entries: If you enjoy my blog, be my new Friend.

(Hi, new friend!)

(If the Google Friend Connect isn't working, refresh your page and wait till it loads.

It is being flakey!)

If you are already a follower, this counts as an entry, too!

3 entries: LIKE me on FACEBOOK (lower right, further down blog page).

by 12:00 midnight (EST)
~ NOVEMBER 9th ~

I will use random.org and announce the winner on
November 10th!

The second giveaway is at my friend, Becky's place,
Organizing Made Fun!

Go say hi!
You'll be at her place awhile--she has fabulously frugal and fun ideas for home organizing!

Have a gloriously wonderfully blessed day making your home!!

An Autumn Nickel Auction Party

2011-10-31T11:16:00.003-04:00

To celebrate Fall (and clear out the closets and not spend any money on decor),
my girlfriends and I had a party.
A Nickel Auction.
In our basement cafe' and cinema room.

What is a "Nickel" Auction, you ask?

Well, basically, it is a group of women bidding on another woman's stuff
in increments of 5 cents, until one woman outbids all the other women
to win the one woman's stuff that she is auctioning.

Clear as mud.

It goes like this:

Everyone brings in $5 worth of nickels and 3 items to auction off.
Each person takes turns standing with their items, describing them, and their benefits
to the bidders, as the bidders raise their paddles, the price goes up in increments of a nickel.
When you have sold your own items to the other ladies, you have more $ to buy the other ladies' items.
So, the nicer the item you bring to auction off,
the better chance you have to make more money.
You can either keep your income or re-spend it on the other ladies' items.

We started the late morning party with a brunch I prepared.
(If you should host one of these, you could also ask the ladies to bring a dish to share.)

Fresh fruit.

Quiches.

Yogurt parfaits. Layer in wine glass:

Vanilla yogurt, granola, vanilla yogurt, granola, and top with fresh berries.

Triple berry scones and triple chocolate scones.

The teenagers played a game on the floor
(because they're young and can still get up off the floor easily)

while they waited on the adults to finish their food.

(I apologize for the pictures being so dark, our Cinema Room has no windows.)

Some items up for action:

pictures, a chair, trays, antique gessoed picture frames, eyebrow waxing, clocks,

planters, candlesticks, lamps, greenery, clothing, china, and holiday ware.

A terracotta fish being auctioned.

Bidding. Although we all had auction paddles, Karen liked using her finger instead.
(Rachael, her daughter is next to her, and I'm the one on the right.)

My Miss S (College girl) and her friend (my other daughter, Amber).

Gangstas.

Ann can't decide if she wants to bid or not.

She does, she does want to bid!

(There's that gangsta, again.)

Suzanne auctions off a genuine, authentic, antique reproduction

of the Declaration of Independence.

Which fetched a fair penny, ahem, nickel.

The teenagers fought over it, believe it or not!

This is Mary Ann, she is Miss S's roommate at Furman University
(and one of my other "adopted" daughters).

She is a History Major.

She is one of the teenagers who fought over the D of I.

My Miss A keeps track of the auction totals for each item in the ledger book.

Chelsey decides how high she'd like to bid on the D of I.

This is Amara. She sees something she likes.

It's this.

An apple pie.

I believe it went for $7.00.

That's a lot of nickels, folks!

Then the clothes came out!

I have a screen that I found at a flea market a few years ago, that we tried things on behind.

It's in the middle of the picture below.

See all the nickels on the table?

(There's a colander, baby formula can, ceramic POPCORN bowl, and a Rubbermaid container.)

Bidding on clothes.

Sweaters, dresses, jeans, dress pants, shoes. All sold for between 5 cents and a dollar!

My Miss S was the model for some things. Here is a Tommy Hilfiger pale blue sparkly sweater.

Hi, Sandra (she is the artist of the Eiffel tower and table/chairs on my cafe' chalkboard wall)!!

(I see you creepin', Mary Ann!)

Jenni and Catherine fight over a tray or a chair or something.

Catherine scoots in to get a better look.

HEY!! I'm dressin' here!

Just noticed the crown over my head.

We had loads of fun!

Everyone came with something and everyone left with something.

Here's what I won, for $6.50.

An antique gessoed frame, which is now in our Master Bedroom.

Other pictures from the Cafe' de Sous Sol (Basement Coffee House).

Why sew a banner if you can draw one?

I also drew some frames, and Miss S made the art inside them.

She also wrote a love letter to all of us.

Caffeination Station.

I made the auction paddles from card stock, on which I printed numbers,

traced around a plate and cut out, glittered the edges with copper glitter,

black glittered the numbers, and hot glued to Lowe's paint sitcks.

I pray you are having a glorious Fall, thus far!
Give thanks!

Exciting stuff coming November 2nd (Wednesday)!

Two OCD ladies will get a chance to win one of two identical giveaways,

so you can get your refrigerator organized for the upcoming holidays!

Stop back by!

I am partying with these chicks:
Jane at Finding Fabulous :: Frugalicious Friday

A New Season :: Autumn Printable

2011-10-25T15:52:00.000-04:00

Today as I sat in the kitchen looking out the window,

I was pondering why I loved Fall so much.

Inspired, I wrote this.

I wanted to share it with you.

We all need reminders of His grace.

We all need a gentle breeze to blow away our past.

We all need a new season.

That's what hope is all about.

(Save it to a folder on your computer,

and re-size in a Word Document to print, if you like.)

Glazed Cranberry-Orange Bread

2011-10-24T14:41:00.000-04:00

The cranberries are here!

I was just minding my own business, following the shopping list,

when I went to pick a pint of tomatoes and guess what I saw?

Yep. Cranberries. (Can't get nuthin' past YOU!)

So, I had to buy some.

I love them.

And I baked this:

And used the recipe from my Better Homes & Gardens "NEW" COOK BOOK

that is actually 30 years old.

Meet my ol' faithful, the cookbook that I have had the longest.

The one that never fails me.

I think my hubby, Mark, bought it for himself before he went to college.

He had it when we met.

We married and I think it's the only thing of his that is left from our dating days!

I love this recipe.

It's easy, yummy, low-fat (not that I cared), and makes the house smell like Fall.

Or a cranberry candle.

Glazed Cranberry Orange Bread

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

3 medium oranges (shred peel from one, set aside. Squeeze juice from all, keep 3/4 c. for bread, 1 tbsp. for glaze)

1 beaten egg

2 tablespoons oil

2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chopped cranberries

1/2 cup walnuts (if you like)

1 cup sifted powdered sugar (Miss Lovely, our South Korean exchange student told us that she calls this sugar powder, not powdered sugar. I think it sounds prettier, don't you?)

(Also, you can make your own powdered sugar, it's easy, see how HERE.)

Whisk O.J., egg, oil, and 1 tsp. of grated orange peel.

Add remaining dry ingredients.

Fold in cranberries.

This makes 1 loaf or two mini loaves.

Bake 1 loaf for 45 -50 minutes. Mini loaves for 25-30 minutes.

Cool in pans 10 minutes, the completely on wire racks.

Mix sugar powder, 1 tsp. grated orange peel, and reserved tablespoon of orange juice.

You know what to do next.

And after that, PLEASE try to save some for the rest of the family, okay?

How to Simply Store Leftover (and Touch-Up) Paint

2011-10-18T09:36:00.024-04:00

It just makes good sense to keep the leftover paint from a painting project.

But, what doesn't make sense is that when we go to use it again,

it is usually all dried up or rusted up because it wasn't sealed properly,

or,
because we failed to label a paint can with the name of which room it goes,

(unless its quite obvious) we spend time looking for the right color(s),

or worse,
we have lost the can, entirely.

Is it in the garage? Shed? The closet of the room in which the paint was used?

We sometimes have good intentions, and I did, but after a while
my leftovers got out of hand.

Frustrating.

SEE?!?!

(As my Gram always says, "Holy fright!")

I went through every nook and cranny and piled up my paint stash.
To save you time counting, there are 44 different containers here.
Half of these colors I no longer even use!

I decided, for my sanity and the sake of the people
who buy our home next year, to simplify the stash.

And lessen our woes when we need to touch up a spot here and there with fresh paint.

Here's what I did.

I bought this box of jars at Wal-Mart for $6.50.

And printed a sheet of THESE on card stock,
cut them out, used double-sided taped and attached them to the jar lids.

After properly disposing of the paints I no longer wanted or needed,

and using my favorite Pampered Chef funnel,

and scripting of my daughter, Miss S, our college girl, this pile went from this:

To THIS!

I simplified and only had 12 colors of paint left that needed jars.

Since we have been preparing to stage to sell our house,

simplifying is first on my to do list.

The front door color, HERE.

Our office is nearly done.

Hope to show y'all that soon...

Our basement cafe'.

I didn't keep the paint mixture formulas because we

won't be needing them.

But, if we intended on staying here longer, I would have had Miss S

write those on these labels, too.

As I transform other rooms,

I know there will be more than only 12 jars of touch-up paint.

For now, we only need these, which is nice & easy.

Ever wonder what those cabinets above the fridge are good for,

since we can never reach what's in them?

I decided many years ago that they are actually for storing our seldom used leftover paint.
I've always stored my touch-up paint there.

I don't store paint in the garage or a shed.

It ruins it.

(Because my stash was too large, and all of the cans no longer fit above the fridge,
this can ended up being stored in the garage. It was only in the garage 6 months!)

Inside the house is best, where the climate is controlled,
and above the fridge in the cabinet is best for us.

While at Wal-Mart, I also got an assortment of brushes.

Handy!

I am happy that I can quickly retrieve the paint I need,

and especially ecstatic that this project is finally done!

What's in your paint stash?

Visiting with these fine ladies, at their places:

Not Just a Housewife :: Show Me What Ya Got
Blue Cricket Design :: Show and Tell
Tip Junkie :: Tip Me Tuesday
A Bowl Full of Lemons :: One Project at a Time

Today's Creative Blog :: Get Your Craft On!

Skip to My Lou :: Made by You Mondays

We are THAT Family :: Works for Me Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style :: Wow Us Wednesday

Domestically Speaking :: Power of Paint Party
The Shabby Creek Cottage :: Transformation Thursday
Delightful Order :: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday

Happy Birthday!!

2011-10-12T10:20:00.002-04:00

Hi girls!

One of my favorite blogger friends has a birthday today!

My friend Marcia.

She is just 29 years old today and as beautiful as ever!

I love her encouraging words,

her tender heart, and her infectious laughter!

I pray you have a beautiful day, sweet T!!!!

(inside joke)

Go by her place and wish her a Happy Birthday, and stay awhile,

you'll love her, too!

ONE HEART AT HOME

I also blogged about her HERE.

HAPPY HAPPY DAY, MARCIA!!!!

Redundabundance

2011-10-11T14:04:00.000-04:00

Redundabundance
NOUN.
1. Disease of excess, caused by repetitious acquisition.
2. The continual desire and ability to obtain more and more of what one already has too much of.
3. Cause: affluenza. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affluenza
4. Cure: reduction in possessions.

The thrift store donation truck just left my driveway with the leftovers of

TWO garage sales that I had in the past week.
One on Saturday, then again 6 days later on Friday.
Garages sales that I swore I would NEVER have again.

It took me three months (from the time I placed the first tchotchke
in a yard sale box till the donation truck pulled out of my driveway)
to almost completely purge and simplify this house to ready it for staging.

As I selected each item for removal into the garage,
I also deliberately questioned the reasons I had kept so many of the items.
Did I keep excess because of:
Sentiment (the pictures from my grandmother's house)?
Gift Guilt (worried that the giver would notice I no longer used it)?
Regret (what if I need this leftover paint, these cookie cutters, the melon baller)?

(Setting up for Garage Sale, first hour.)

As I have learned to let go of more and more clutter (aka blessings turned burdens)
through the years, I find myself becoming more and more organized.
Organization is a pleasant by-product of releasing stuff we no longer need or use.

(Setting up for Garage Sale 3rd hour.)

As I let go of stuff, the less I have to organize.
As I let go of stuff, the more confidence I gain to consistently, without regret,
emancipate my time and the spaces in our home.
As I let go of stuff, the more power and control I have over the choices of what I acquire.
As I let go of stuff, the less distractions I have.
As I let go of stuff, the less overwhelm and anxiety I have.
As I let go of stuff, I experience freedom.

(Setting up for Garage Sale, 6th hour.)

Stuff that is unused, yet kept, requires space and management.
And time.
Lots of time.
Moving it around. Cleaning it. Working around it. Moving it around.
Do I even need to mention the money I've wasted on buying "organizers"
to store this unneeded stuff?

(It's 8 A.M., and the garage door door is UP!)

What's funny is, lots of people tell me I am organized.
It's true.
But, even I get tired of "putting it all away somewhere"...
into containers, baskets, bags, closets, bins, cupboards,
until the next time I open these organizational gadgets to discover
I STILL don't use these things.

(I purged 30+ vintage cookie cutters; keeping only the ones I use year after year.)

(Sidewalk chalk (behind the lamp)?! Really?! My daughters are teenagers!)

(How many necks, wrists, and ears do I have? Do I need so much jewelry?)

(These boys just stuck a pink pricing sticker on their mother's backside.)

(I kept the set of these for a year, trying to figure out how to make a better seal around the inside of the lids.)

(Lord, give me the patience to endure my blessings.)

(Immediately after the second Garage Sale.)

Clutter isn't always about mess and disorder (some "clutter" is considered "cozy").
It can consist of too much stuff that is carefully and cleverly arranged.
Sometimes, order camouflages excess.

(Immediately after the second Garage Sale.)

(Before the donation truck came. Yay! My car fits back in the garage!)

(Before the donation truck came.)

This last step in "stuff removal" was extremely amusing to me.
I didn't know my daughter was taking pictures of the discussion I was having
with the fellas removing the stuff.

I imagine the conversation went something like this:

ME: Hi, Mr. Stuff Removal Guy, I'm glad you're here!

Mr. SRG #1: I haven't decided if I'm glad I'm here or not.

ME: Do you think the truck Mr. SRG #2 is backing up will hold all the stuff I'm donating?

Mr. SRG #1: Uhhhh.

ME: I think the truck looks too small.

Mr. SRG #1: Uhhhh.

Mr. SRG #1 and Mr. SRG #2 (thinking to themselves): Where in the world did this lady get all this stuff?

ME: Do you think the truck is big enough?

Mr. SRG #2: Uhhhh.

Mr. SRG #1 and Mr. SRG #2 (thinking to themselves): Where in the world did this lady get all this stuff?

ME: Let me help you, you must do this more quickly before I change my mind.

Mr. SRG #1 and Mr. SRG #2 (thinking to themselves): Where in the world did this lady get all this stuff?

ME: I guess the truck IS big enough.

I doubt I am cured of Redundabundance Disease.
In fact, I'm sure it will come back.
It may not be cureable.

But, it can become benign by asking myself a whole new set of questions:
What if I placed sentiment on something or someone living?
Could my "gift guilt" be replaced with hope that a new person could gratefully use the gift I let go?
Maybe my regret over things I've given up can be replaced with contentedness with
the stuff I actually use and need?

I've decided to trust the Lord to meet my needs,
to be more aware of my purchasing choices,
to question the true value of "things",
to wait before I make decisions, so I can respond instead of react,
because anything exceeding my needs are just extra blessings from Him anyway.

Our lives are rich when we are happy with what we have.

~1 Timothy 6:6

Autumn Mantel 2011 :: Give Thanks

2011-10-06T19:56:00.000-04:00

Thankfulness to God

is a recognition

that God in His goodness and faithfulness

has provided for us and cared for us,

both physically and spiritually.

It is a recognition

that we are totally dependent upon Him;

that all that we are and have

comes from God.