A little inspiration...

        The Holidays are approaching! Are you getting ready? Or waiting a few more weeks?

     We are doing things a little different this year. We typically are not completely done with shopping and/or decorating before Christmas Eve. Sincerely. I couldn't really tell you why. It is just how it has been. Our "style" you could say. This year we are in new territory! Our shopping is very nearly done, and I have a jump start on our decorations! I must say.... It is kind of nice! This lull, the quiet before the holiday storm. Taking advantage of this slow time has been most productive! Now ordinarily crazy time will be spent snuggled up in a blanket downstairs with my cute family. Christmas lights glowing on the tree.... Yes! We even have one of two trees up!

    Last Saturday while the hubs was pheasant hunting my gals and I headed into town. Our little valley is the newest to welcome Tai Pan Trading. Really exciting! I did not want to leave. I was completely enamored  by the hanging Christmas wreaths they had displayed. As I quickly began formulating a plan to duplicate the wreath, the total started to creep upwards. Although completely head over heels with the store and their wholesale pricing, I could not bring myself to spend the nearly sixty dollars it would have been to purchase all the supplies.... and really, sixty is not bad, but cursed am I with a frugal mind.

 
    A simple Christmas garland can be purchased for less than a traditional wreath. I wrapped a tree garland around an old grapevine I already had. Then secured it with wire. I used white string to attach silver snowflakes at different lengths to the grapevine on the outer edge. My old reliable friend jute was used to hang the ornaments from the ceiling first then through the middle of the wreath after it was hung.  I literally only spent $10 on this wreath! Hobby Lobby is having a fantastic 50% off sale on all of their Christmas items. I bought 5 large ornaments. Everything else I had from previous years! The cute deer? Dollar store!

  Inspiration and creativity are endless. It is really what we do as bloggers. Inspire one another. Make our own special touches and contributions. I really love Tai Pans wreath. Like, love it! I really love mine too! Maybe a little more. Something rewarding about creating for my family.

    How have you been inspired this Holiday season?

A Family Favorite! Easy Peasy Sweet and Sour Chicken!

    The baby is eating eggs and crunchy, crumbly toast in our bed, my side this time. The washing  machine is whirling and twirling around the first of at least five hundred loads of laundry. The gorgeous fall sun is warming up the house and soul. Kiddos are off to school, besides the one littering the bed sheets with tiny toast crumbs of course. My amazing guy is out the door for the day. Its just me, my coffee, Dr. Meredith Grey (How did life exist before Netflix anyway?) poised to take on the day!

    Ahhhh! The quiet lull in between the summer and the holidays. A few quiet weeks between mayhem. Local pumpkin walks with toasty mittens and melty hot chocolate. Leisurely afternoons with my best girls. Perhaps that's really why I prefer Fall? Besides the warm aromas. Crisp morning air filling your morning run lungs. Beautiful scenery..... and on and on. Fall really is special. Last week as we bribed and begged with the little one to smile and pose one more time for the 2015 family photo spectacular, I mused about the year that has so quickly passed us by. Time as usual is flying by.

    All we can do is cherish today. Savor these minutes that will come, and most assuredly go.  Sit down together at the family dinner table and remember this day, this season. The times their faces aren't glued to their phones. The statistics on family dinners are amazing. After the world has its way with your family, welcome them home with a favorite. Enjoy the quiet times in between the whirlwind of life. Here is one of our favorites. From our family to yours!


                                                      Sweet and Sour Chicken

    You will Need:
For the sauce
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup vinegar
* 1/4 cup pineapple juice
* 1/4 ketchup
* 1 T soy sauce
* 1/2 t salt
* 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
* (optional) diced onions and peppers

For the chicken
* 4 chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
* 3 eggs slightly beaten
* 2 cups flour
* salt
* pepper
* olive oil

Directions:
Pre heat oven to 350. In a large skillet heat about a tablespoon of olive oil. In batches, dip the chicken pieces in the egg first followed by the flour. Make sure the pieces are well coated. Place them in the large skillet season with salt and pepper and allow them to brown, flipping occasionally. After browned place in a baking pan in a single layer.

       Allow the crust to set for about 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, mix all of the ingredients. Heat the sauce over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and sauce is bubbly. We prefer a little extra sauce. This sauce will thicken in the baking process. If you would like a little extra sauce for dipping, simply double or repeat the sauce recipe.

    Once sauce is prepared pour sauce and pineapple chunks over chicken. If you doubled recipe, only use half of the sauce over the chicken. Place chicken in the oven and bake for one hour. To keep the chicken coating crisp, allow the chicken to bake for at least 35 minutes before flipping. While the chicken is baking start your rice cooker!

 Enjoy! I'm off to fold laundry. Sweep the bed. Snuggle a lil one while we work on the alphabet. Perhaps grab a shower.... Bring it on Tuesday!

Tar paper fireworks!

I love the 4th of July! 

 Back and refreshed from a vacation I was ready for some cute outdoor decorations! A set back from being "back and refreshed" is my wallet now needs to be refreshed:) I pondered for sometime trying to figure out what I wanted...

 and on a next to nothing budget!

I was just about to paint over my Halloween pumpkin logs, to transform them into fire works when I saw the roll of tar paper in the back corner of the shed. I admired the shape of the roofing paper and had an idea....

I cut a piece and then secured the top and bottom with a staple to create my cylinder shape.

Then used hot glue along the seam.

Grabbed a few buckets of leftover paint! Spray paint would work fine, but I liked the instant thick coverage I was able to achieve with the latex paint. 

Once my tubes dried I cut a square of the paper, poked a wire through the center and secured the inside end with hot glue...

Then trimmed and painted the top. Twist the wire around  a pencil for a fun look!

I used a stencil to decorate my fire works and then created the "fuse" by tying several strands of yellow ribbon to the wire.

My total cost for this crazy cute DIY $0.00 I simply used what I had around the house!

Share your fun 4th of July ideas!

                                                                          

Fall Feelings!

    I am antsy to get my Fall fingers busy! Unfortunately life has been a little too crazy lately! My patience will have to remain intact until next week! My final race of the season is Saturday! It is bittersweet! I have had a triumphant year, but I am ready for a break! My hometown beckons with its annual celebration, and family will join together on Saturday to pay tribute to our amazing legacy!

Next week its so on!

   Until then enjoy this post from the archives!

    After a weekend of sight seeing I had to get home and create! I was feeling a little burned out and not looking forward to the tasks at hand! A trip to the city set me straight! I received so many curious emails and a comment or two asking about the original picture I posted showing the Fall leaf mobile I had created. I am flattered and feel sort of silly because it was so very easy and cost me nada...

Anthropology! 

One word for love! I immediately fell in love with their display! How clever! I came home from our trip craving a new project! My husband, who is a geologist was not as enthused as I hoped he might be about hanging a rock mobile from our ceiling?! Men! 

So many things I would love to tackle!

While it is not rocks...

The leaves add just the right touch!

    I found some old white string and dismantled an old garland I had stashed, the challenge was trying to figure out how to hang the leaves above the stairs to create the cascading look....Last year for my Coke can Snow flakes.. 

    I used handfuls of thumbtacks to hold them to the ceiling....

  Facing that prospect again, and possibly sudden death as I leaned out over the banister?! I looked around until I found this old wire basket we used for Baby K's socks! It was perfect! I think this would look amazing with real leaves...I was just to antsy to go get some:) I also love the look of the string! It creates a great contrast! So there it is ladies!

Easy Peasy! I want to see your creations!

no truffle at all... A tasty post from the archives!

Get your chocolate on!

     I am so behind! Sweet baby K has been so sick this week and I have been busy keeping her happy. My Valentines prep is suffering! I have finally begun! I am going to share the easiest chocolate truffle recipe with you!  

 For easy peasy chocolate truffles you will need:

16 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup whipping cream
2 tsp almond extract
truffle toppings of your choice!

 In a saucepan bring your cream and almond extract to a simmer. Stir occasionally. Like my spatula?

 Have your chocolate chips ready in a separate bowl.

 Pour cream over chips and let sit for a few minutes then mix.

Oh my ganache!

     You just created ganache! Refrigerate for three to four hours. Once chilled roll into teaspoon size balls and top! This step gets kind of messy so move fast!

Peanut Butter?

 Feeling encouraged? My husband loves peanut butter! Try this awesome recipe! Peanut butter truffles

     While your mixtures cool get to work on your presentation! I love books so I always feel bad when I destroy one! However...creating a book box is always a fun and unique gift! I found a few old books at the D.I. for under a dollar! Start by gluing the pages and back cover together. Once dried trace a square onto the front inside cover, and using a razor blade carefully begin cutting out your box.

Too cute!

    Once I get close to the back cover I start peeking carefully at the pages remaining until I find a neat picture to stop on. This will serve as your box backdrop.

Yum!

    Truffles rolled and topped! I used two coffee filters to line my box and place my truffles in. It turned out darling! I might have to keep one for myself! Keep refrigerated until ready to share! Happy dipping! 

Dear Santa, about last Saturday.....

Please place Sweet baby K back on the good list!

     When my husband and I learned I was pregnant over two years ago we rode the roller coaster! The usual fear of the change and the  elation of a child of our own.... We have two older children and we would be literally starting over with diapers and all nighters! Fast forward to life with Sweet Baby K! Starting over has its most heart fulfilling moments! We get to experience her milestones together! We are having an absolute riot!

Wordless Wednesday...With words!

It has been a rough few days! Good rough...not bad rough, there is a difference! When I stop to count my many blessings rough seems an unfair analogy, but the terrible two's are in the beginning stages. My little Houdini is into everything!  and yes, that is duct tape on her diaper.....

Alice Cooper called...

    Oh how history repeats itself! One sunny Sunday eight years ago I awoke to find my then toddler with a mascara unibrow! "I pretty!" She exclaimed excitedly! Yes baby you are! Fast forward some years, and the quiet is making me nervous as I busy myself around the house... Once again a three foot nothing beauty queen emerges from the bathroom... "Eye! Eye!"

What else can you do but giggle!

Time...

A loss for words...

    Yesterday as I posted the pictures from our Fall Fun weekend there were so many things I wanted to say in addition to the photos. I wanted to share with you the joy of watching Sweet Baby K paint her first pumpkin. Tell you how we all laughed and spit out burnt, but coveted pumpkin seeds....Let my readers in on the emotions I was feeling when last Sunday I made time to do all the small things my kids had been wanting to do....

    These feelings began Saturday as our family gathered around my grandmother who has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia.... When looking at her you would never know. The woman is a spit fire, has been all her life! Even with all the helping hands available Saturday she still insisted on keeping busy. I finally sat with my husband and children feeling all that was to be done, was done...Grandma, once every one was seated and plates full, finally served herself and was on her way to her seat. Approaching our table we slid in to let her pass. I touched her arm and noticed eyes full of fresh tears threatening to spill as she surveyed the crowd that had assembled on her behalf. "Grandma, please sit down." I urged.... 

    "Grandma, what else can I get for you? What do you need?" A single shiny tear escaped and rolled down her cheek as she grasped my arm and replied "Just more time."

   This singular statement has been haunting me all week. Make time, no matter the cost. Make time no matter the inconvenience. Make time today to put the truly important things on top. Make time....

Finito! And an awesome feature!

   Baby K's nursery is being featured!

   Stop by I Heart Pears and look around this beautiful blog for many great shower and nursery themes and ideas! Thanks Elise!

 Sweet Baby K's room is finally done! I was having so much fun I had to force myself to stop! Once I had the branches touched up I went back through with a few different shades of brown for shading and added glitter to random areas! I kept all of her Well Child exam records and I was able to chart her growth from birth on the trunk of the tree!

 One final touch was this book mobile. With some floral wire, hot glue and ribbon I created a unique corner look. I hope she enjoys this for years to come!

The road ahead...

    Do you ever look down the road ahead and wonder if you have the strength. Do you ever look back at the winding path twisting up behind you that lead you to this current place and think it a miracle...

   "The right thing"

    I am always learning from life and never questions its lessons. If I look back on a mistake and there was a lesson to be taught I never regret its place in my life. Suffice it to say I have never made the same mistake twice. It is funny how at certain times in life you assume you know all there is to know. That you know your heart inside out....

   That is usually when the hand is dealt. The time when you truly have to dig deep and resurrect your old ferocity and combine it with new strength you never knew....

    For the last eight and a half years I assumed I was doing the right thing. Assumed I had it all figured out. Turns out I knew nothing. I gambled with the most precious gift given me, believing it was for the best. Now as I face the road ahead it is with all the courage I can muster. All the hope I can surrender...

   This is the right thing to do

   It just took me a little longer than it should have to learn what it was I needed to do. That is the silver lining I suppose. I have eight years of experience leading me to this all consequential decision. It had to take this long for the pieces to fall into place. It needed years to grow and flourish into fruition...

    Life is never easy, but with our eyes and hearts open we will continue to learn and grow from Life's Curious Wisdom...

Loressa

   

Save the date! An invite only tutorial...

 
 I am feeling old today! The wedding season is upon us! Awhile back while pondering a gift for the daughter of a good friend I stumbled unto "my thing"... What is "my thing"? Well every bride gets a mixer right?! I got out my Cricket and pressed for time and sanity I was admittedly going to slap the initials of the happy couple unto a piece of glass and call it good...while looking at their invite I was grabbed by the notion that I should use their invitation in some form...

So! 

    That has now become "my thing" I create gifts using the invitation! It has been a huge success! An announcement is the first announcement to the world of their new life! I love these projects! It also gives me time to reflect on fond memories of friends and family! The beautiful bride here is my cousin whom I used to babysit! Hence the "I feel old today!"

Using the first letter of the soon to be last name I had a few ideas!

Remember the lace stencil from a few posts back? I still love it!

     I painted the front and back of one of the letters. Then used hot glue to adhere them together once I had completed my collage...

    My little sister introduced me to modge podge! I am now convinced it is the most underrated craft supply!

    I carefully ripped their beautiful invitation to shreds, and created a collage. Be creative! Get sloppy! When your collage is finished simply flip over the letter and trim the excess paper off with a razor blade.

Back view! I attached small wooden blocks as the stand.

Front beautiful view! What are your wedding gift traditions?

                                                                                Loressa