Christmas Mantel: Lighten Up a Dark Mantel

We moved this last year which always makes for awkwardness 

in decorating for holidays.  

Things that had special places in our old home sometimes look out of place in our new home.

Our old mantel was white and very straight lines.

Our new mantel is dark with stacked stone creating a very masculine look.

I often find lightening up this mantel a challenge....

Here is my best shot at our Christmas Mantel in a new house

 Step 1: Keep our old white stockings

 Step 2: Turn the spotlight on the mantel to incorporate some light

{kinda feels like a heavenly glow}

 Step 3: Add some light garland.

I chose this shimmer gold and silver circle garland from my shop

Each are 8 ft long and fit perfectly along the mantel

Step 4: Add a little shimmer to your stockings.

I added these 4" Gold shimmer letters

and tied them on with some cream and gold bakers twine.

 {that moment you realize you only have 4 stockings and there are now 5 in your family}

I can not find these stockings at Pottery Barn any longer.  

If you have any leads on where I could find one, please let me know!

Bad momma!

Step 5: Add your favorite "toppings" to the mantel.

These green and silver magnolias I purchased at Michaels several years ago.

The pine cones came from Hobby Lobby.  I debated spraying them cream and dusting 

their tips with gold glitter but decided against.

Step 6: Add one of your favorite Christmas pieces

I added this framed print from Luke 2.

A special treasure my mom gave me a few years ago.

 And because our first babies were a Vizsla and a Weimeraner.....

They have stockings too.

Theirs hang the opposite direction from ours

but add a sweet pop of red

 There is no way to get around the TV above our fireplace......

Step 7: Turn off the TV

&

Enjoy time with your beautiful family.

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Go over and check out more Christmas Mantel ideas with

TEN JUNE

&

OUR FIFTH HOUSE

The Weekend Project: Do It Yourself Burlap Garland

I have fallen behind in my "The Weekend Projects".  There have been a few projects I have been working on but not really anything blog worthy.  But in an effort to stay on track....here is a project I worked on last week.

Thought it might be some inspiration for those of you who will be decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving meal or in efforts to avoid Black Friday.  Or who knows, maybe you are like me and already have a tree up.  

{Easy Burlap Garland}

You will need:

A yard or two of burlap (really depends on what you are adorning)

Scissors

Fishing Line (yes you read that right)

Threading Needle

Lay burlap out flat (don't worry about the creases)

Cut burlap in strips.  Mine are roughly 4 inches wide. 

 I did not measure them out.  They are very rustic. 

 I just eyeballed them and went with it.

Thread fishing line through needle and tie several knots to secure line to needle

Then fold your strip of burlap in accordion style and thread your needle through the center.

Once you have threaded all of the burlap you need, cut the fishing line to your desired length.

Tie a loop at each end of fishing line (these will make the garland easy to hang)

I like using fishing line because it has some give to it.  It is clear.  And you can space the burlap out along the line to get the precise look you are wanting.

Secure loops to your tree branches and spread the burlap out

And yes....if you read my blog last year at Christmas time you will note this is the tree that had a section of lights out.  Never did get that fixed and another section went out this year. But the tree is still good....so I just grabbed a few strands and ran them through.  This $70 Target special has been going strong for 8 years now....not gonna let a little light problem get in the way.=)

And, I repurposed the Burlap Christmas Tree Skirt from last year and made garland this year!

So there is my start on Christmas before Thanksgiving!!!!

I can't believe it happened.

Thanksgiving is MY MOST FAVORITE holiday ever

and in someways I feel like I have cheated it.

I linked this project up over at Hi Sugar Plum

Winner of the November Giveaway

Congratulations

::CHRISTINA::

from 

Arizona

You are the winner of the November Giveaway

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

This giveaway includes a few of my favorite things......

Card Stock Stickers from The Paper Source 

{Theme: Family...because Holidays are about Family}

6 feet of Sunny Bunting from my ETSY shop 

{This bunting is found several places in my house right now as well}

10 "Chalk" Thank you notes with envelopes

{Because I love chalkboards and adore handwritten notes}

Cake Batter Chapstick

{I lose mine chapstick all too often and feel that no one can have too many}

Acrylic Paint in Marigold 

{I love this color right now...in fact our living room is incorporating some of this color}

$5.00 off any item in the shop

{expires January 1, 2014}

{2 Books that are Currently Rocking My World}

Two books that are currently rocking my world

//1//

{via}

We have always tucked our kids at night together with a Bible story and prayer.  Our kids are now old enough that they hold us to this sacred time.  They never let us get away with.....it's too late....we are so tired....

For years we have read to them out of another children's Bible.

Last week we decided that they might be old enough to hold an attention span for the stories out of The Jesus Storybook Bible.  They have done pretty well (our 3 year old better than our 2 year old...but we are working on that one)

I honestly love reading out of this Bible to our children.  Every story whispers the name of Jesus.  I  love how each story clearly echoes God's love for mankind and His eternal desire to restore mankind.  Truly, I feel God speaking deeply and personally through this children's Bible.

"But all the stars and the mountains and oceans and galaxies and everything were nothing compared to how much God loved his children.  He would move heaven and earth to be near them.  Always.  Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would always love them.  And so it was that the wonderful love story began..." ~The Storybook Bible

//2//

{via}

My small group has been working through this Jennie Allen study, STUCK.

And the word that comes to mind is OUCH! 

 Ouch because I get stuck in everyone of these places

::Broken::

::Mad::

::Discontent::

::Scared::

::Overwhelmed::

::Sad::

Honestly, I am getting a beating through this study.  My eyes are being opened to how selfish I am and how my selfishness creates these quicksands where I get stuck.  It's not pretty.  And sometimes these stuck places come out just down right ugly {yes pastor's wives are real people who have not so pretty moments that are U.G.L.Y}

If you are a woman, you want to get your hands on this study.  It will be most beneficial if you work through it with other women so that you do not fall into the lie of believing that no other women you are around suffer from these stuck places.  

Real live wrestle occurs personally through this study.

You will become undone and hopefully reshaped.

Just plain L.O.V.E. this study!

{Thanks to my sweet friend Laura for the recommendation}  

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Have you entered for a chance to win the November Giveaway?

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Click on this post to enter.

{You have until Friday}

  

Do It Yourself: HomeMade Popcorn

What do you do when...

1.  You have no instant popcorn in the pantry

&

2.  You can't find the cord to your popcorn popper

.....You improvise

Our kids have been really sick.  There are some yucky, nasty viruses out there right now.  We have taken it slow and they have not eaten much lately.  Their one request the other night was popcorn, hot chocolate and The Polar Express.  These kids love Christmas 

{but then again.... who doesn't?}

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So here is how I made 

Do It Yourself: Homemade Popcorn

4 T of canola oil into a large pot

1 cup of kernels

pinch of sea salt

Pour canola oil into large pot.

Pour kernels into large pot.  It is important that the oil be COLD when you add the kernels.  Make sure all kernels are laying against the bottom of the pan and not piled on top of one another.

Turn stove on medium. 

Grab a lid.  When those kernels start popping you are gonna need something to keep them contained.

You may have to move the pot back and forth on the stove top to ensure that you evenly distribute heat and get all of the kernels popped.

Just like instant....when the kernels slow in popping....you are done.

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They did enjoy hot chocolate {but it was instant}.  

And The Polar Express....they loved it like it was the first time they had seen it!

Have you entered for a chance to win the November Giveaway?

Click on this post to enter.

You have until Friday.

November Giveaway

Last year I hosted The Nine November Giveaways.  I had a lot of fun and nine people received a few of my favorite things.  This year, I have a little less time on my hands but still wanted to have at least one Fall giveaway.

>>>>>THE NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY<<<<<

This giveaway includes a few of my favorite things......

Card Stock Stickers from The Paper Source 

{Theme: Family...because Holidays are about Family}

6 feet of Sunny Bunting from my ETSY shop 

{This bunting is found several places in my house right now as well}

10 "Chalk" Thank you notes with envelopes

{Because I love chalkboards and adore handwritten notes}

Cake Batter Chapstick

{I lose mine chapstick all too often and feel that no one can have too many}

Acrylic Paint in Marigold 

{I love this color right now...in fact our living room is incorporating some of this color}

$5.00 off any item in the shop

{expires January 1, 2014}

ENTER TO WIN by:

• Placing your name and state in the comment section below
• Open to US Residents only
• A winner will be selected Friday, November 22, 2013

The Farm Table and Corners Cut

{via}

I follow Ann Voskamp on Instagram.  And if you have been reading along for any amount of time you know that I love her book, 1000 Gifts.  Yesterday she posted a picture of a farm table in the middle of the woods surrounded by pumpkins and mums.

By the IG post, I gathered it was a celebration dinner she and her family share each year.  It was a beautiful picture full of earth's bounty.  Someone made a comment on the feed about Ann posting perfect pictures....and how did she do it all....homeschool, mother 6 children, cook dinner.....(you get the picture).

Ann's response resonated so deep with me.  She said something to the effect of.....my son dragged the table out into the woods, my kids brought out the pumpkins and mums, my momma made the turkey, someone else brought..... Her response was gracious and honest.

And I LOVED IT!  But as of today, the post has been deleted.  Maybe the thread of the post became more than she wanted it to be, who knows.

Ann got me thinking.....we all cut corners.  We don't live perfect Susie homemaker lives.  There is no way we could.  Everyone "cuts corners" with something(s) when it comes to life and creating memories for your family.  But often times we only see the snapshots of the perfect memory.

Here are some ways I cut corners......

I may arrive at church with 3 children and myself dressed but....

my house is a wreck and my husband helped me get them in the car.

We may be eating a home cooked meal.....

but it came out of the crockpot and was the most SIMPLE recipe ever (dump and heat).

I may be on a walk around the lake with 3 kids and 2 dogs but....

I forgot the snacks and the sippies. 

I am not super woman, I just need a mental break from the walls of my home

where the fussing keeps echoing.  I am praying the open air will swallow up

their dispute.

My house may be decorated for the current holiday but.....

my hardwoods have dried dog drool on them and I am hoping you won't notice.

I may be working a 12 hour shift and saving your child's life but...

my husband gives his "off" day to keep our 3 littles all by himself.

All this said....I am a wife, a mother of 3 littles and 2 big dogs, a nurse, a host to this blog, and I create every once in a while for a little ETSY shop but I DON'T do it alone.  I DON'T do it all perfect.  I cut corners along the way with frozen pizza for dinner and closing the lids on toilets that have pink stuff growing in them.  I even cut corners on this blog by not killing myself to post when life is too busy 

(ie, the last several weeks)  

I think we as women can do so much better.  I think we can give each other a break and stop the critical eye dead in its tracks and rest in knowing, everyone cuts corner.  I am speaking loudest to myself in this post.  I think Ann would say she was creating a moment of memory and thanksgiving for her family.  She "cut corners" by allowing others to help her along the way.  She knows she can't do it alone.  I can't do it alone.  We can't do it alone.  So let's stop trying, cut some corners, and get on with making moments of thankful memories with the ones we love most!  

   

Pumpkin Muffins

We have made this recipe so many times lately.  It is a quick easy breakfast, snack or dessert.  My kids love these pumpkin muffins.  One of my friends shared this "Weight Watchers" friendly recipe with me and they are FABULOUS.

1 box of Spice Cake (whatever brand you like)
1 16oz can of pumpkin
1 cup of water

Mix it all together.  Pour it into muffin tins. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 and ENJOY!

For Today.

                    The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable. 

                                     …….Isaiah 40:28

{Fall Reading List}

Welcome Fall! 

 I love fall. 

 It is BY FAR my most favorite of the seasons.  

The best day of my life happened in the fall....our wedding day.  

Carmel Apple Cider

The Fair

Pumpkin Patches

Corn Maze

Carmel Apples

Bond fires

Hayrides

Cinderella Pumpkins

Homemade Pumpkin Bread

Crisp Air

Changing of the leaves

Smores

Football

And just for Fall, I have put together another reading list.

My Fall Reading List Includes.......

Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith 

Love Does by Bob Goff 

Mended by Angie Smith  

Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle

Ever After by Vickie Courtney 

I'm so excited about all of these books.  

Two of them are from my Summer Reading List. (Better late than never!)  

Most of these books are recommendations from friends.  

I can't wait to dive in!    

Hope you find a book or two to add to your list.

And if you have book suggestions, I would love to hear them.

I am compiling a list for a Winter Reading List, now.