Easter Mantle

Here is my first attempt at decorating my mantle for holidays. I just used things I already had such as my daughters stuffed animals, ribbon, and my wedding bouquet. I took some plastic Easter eggs and wrapped them in tulle tied with ribbon to make a garland. Nothing fancy, just using what I had to bring a little spring into my home.

My Big Girl's Room

We recently moved from an apartment to our first home which was exciting because it meant that I could actually decorate my daughter's room. The room was already pink when we moved, and I mean PINK. While it was a little too pink for me, I couldn't repaint once my little girl fell in love with the color. So we chose to tone it down with a brown, green, and rose colored quilt from JC Penny. For the artwork I used three different antique ballet prints that I've had since childhood. In fact almost all the girlie accessories were mine as a child. Can you tell I loved ballet and dolls? How lucky am I that I get to relive my childhood through my daughter's room?

I love this gorgeous hand-painted wardrobe that I got when I was younger.

This picture is the first antique I ever bought. I choose things for their beauty and not for their monetary value. The frame is aged and the print is worn but that's what I think is so special about it, along with the charming image it portrays.

I had fun watching her room come together. The little girl in me loves it! Thanks for letting me share!

Decorating with Initials

I think decorating with initials and your name is fun, here are some way I've done it. This is one of my favorites things in my home. It's a sign given to us when we got married with our last name on it. The quote across it says "Be true to who you are and the family name you bear." Gordon B. Hinckley. (If you notice, I placed all my crystal bowls and serving pieces over the cabinets. That is one of my top ten storage tips when living in an apartment. I made more room for my cabinets and I got to enjoy looking at pieces that don't otherwise get much use.)

Initials in my daughters room.

Initials by the entryway.

This year's tree

Here's our family Chrtmas tree. I tried to add a little to it every year. My favorite is the chandelier crystals I added last year. This year however I went really thrifty and found some beautiful ornaments at the Dollar Tree and New River Pottery in their dollar section. For $15ish dollars I added probably 100 new ornaments. My attitude towards the tree is that you can never have enough ornaments.

'Cause we need a little Christmas...on these kitchen cabinets!

I live in an apartment with hideous, ultra modern white cabinets and cheapy silver handles. So I'm sprucing them up with a little Christmas cheer! I made 9in wreaths from garland I got from the Dollar Tree (15ft for $1). Then I tried a little bow at the top and ribbon to hang them. I used duck tape to hold mine (it can't hurt these cabinets). These kitchen cabinet wreaths made a huge difference and had a big impact for cheap, we're talking 20 cents each!

Here's my baker Santa I got 75% off. I added some scrap fabric, an old hot cocoa tin from Williams Sonoma (I never throw away anything I find beautiful), and some bowls to create a cute scene on top the fridge in keeping with the theme of the kitchen.

Love my cute gingerbread man- Thanks mom!

Fall Desserts

One thing I love about fall is all the delicious fall desserts. I don't profess to be any great baker so all my credit goes to the recipes. We tried many different fall desserts but 2 have become family favorites, definite keepers.

Our family is not big on cooked apples/apple pie. However, I've been dying to make a pie with fresh apples this fall and I found a recipe that EVERYONE will love, even non-apple pie fans and those undecided. This apple pie was light on the apples and heavy on the delicious crumb topping and crust and served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it was fall dessert heaven.

Crumb-Topped Apple Pie

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup uncooked regular oats
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
3/4 cup butter, melted
3 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced (I chose a variety-1 fuji, 1 golden delicious, and 1 granny smith)
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp corn starch
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions
Combine first 5 ingredients. Add butter and stir. Reserve 1 1/4 cup, packed mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture on bottom and up sides of 9 inch pie dish.
Arrange apple slices in pie plate.
In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar and cornstarch. Add water and bring to boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over apples.
Top pie with remaining crumb mixture.
Bake at 350F for 42 minutes

(Adapted from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook)



Another winner (sorry no pictures-they were too good to last long enough!) for our family's favorite fall dessert was a chocolate chip pumpkin cookie adapted from several online sources.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup Libby Pumpkin Pie Mix canned
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
Sift together first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. In another larger mixing bowl beat softened butter until creamy. Add sugar and blend. Add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla, blend well. Gradually add flour mixture and blend. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 375F on a greased cookie sheet for 10 minutes.

Fall Wreath

Here is a really cute fall wreath that my sister Mande made for her first home! So cute. Love the fall colors against her black door. She's the best and smartest and most creative big sis ever! p.s. sorry about the sideways pictures.