Pillows I'd take if given to me.

Only because Sunday is Easter!

(Ballard Designs)

Springy!

(Pottery Barn)

I love how clean it looks and that it has texture.

(Pottery Barn)

My favorite.  The green and gray one.

(West Elm)

Lovely, bright, and clean.

(Pillow Decor)

New Book Shelf!

I found this little jewel at the Antiques and Consignment store in the old Ethan Allen on 31.  Also found out anything over $50 they will take 10% off IF you ask.  

I can't figure out, nor have I really given it thought what I am going to do to it.  Refinish? Paint?

Better view.  Any suggestions of how to finish it off?  Please share!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!  Supposed to be a beautiful week.

Spring has Sprung recipes!

Since the weather is getting warmer and more beautiful, I thought I would share some light, fresh, springy-ish recipes.  Hope everyone has a lovely, wonderful weekend!  We have an exciting, fun weekend ahead!

Lemon-Lime Fruit Dip

Mix together 1/2 Cup low-fat lemon yogurt, 1 tsp. fresh lime juice and 1 tsp. lime zest.  Serve with pineapple chunks, strawberries, diced kiwi, sliced, bananas, and grapes.

Marinated Vegetable Salad

16 oz. can tiny peas
12 oz. shoepeg corn
16 oz. French style green beans
1 medium onion
3/4 Cup chopped celery
small jar pimentos, chopped

Drain veggies and combine with onion, celery, and pimento.

Dressing:
1/2 Cup salad oil
1/2 Cup red wine vinegar
3/4 Cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Boil dressing and pour over veggies.  Make the day before serving.


Pineapple Coconut Pie

1 unbaked pie crust
2 eggs
1 Cup sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
1/3 Cup butter
1 small can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 can coconut

Mix ingredients before putting in pie shell.
Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees.

Fruit Pizza

1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese
1/3 Cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Any combination of fruit- strawberries, bananas, pineapple, cherries, blueberries.

1. Spread cookie dough on pizza pan.  Bake 12 minute at 375 degrees or until done.  Cool.
2. Blend softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.  Spread over crust.
3.  Arrange any combo of fruit over cheese layer.
4.  Glaze fruit that would turn brown.  Chill.

A few of my favorite things, some new.

This is a tea pot I received as a wedding gift, but just thought it would be super cute with some fresh flowers in it sitting on the counter.

I have had the one on the right, but just bought the one on the left at Old Time Pottery.  Put them together and it is a new creation!  Looks the same on the other side of the mantle!

I love this little guy.  I bought him at Ross for $3.99.  I need to get a votive that sits in side and then he can be all lit up!

I have tried TONS of lotions, my skin has been so dry.  This honestly works SO well.  My skin feels great and moisturized!  And it is cheap!  Read more here.

These are yummy and lo-cal.  Coupon here

Share your favorite things at the moment with me!  Hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

Bedroom Chair or (Landing Chair)

This is the chair I bought at the Antiques and Consignment store in the old Ethan Allen.  The tag on it said "retro bedroom chair".  It is REALLY comfortable and I think it has lots of potential.  I just haven't been able to see the potential yet.

The table is one of three nesting tables, the large one is used as the end table down stairs, the medium one and this small one were in "the man cave".  So I stole this one and put it there, permanently, or as a substitute!  I don't think it looks bad.  I have looked for an antique small side table and haven't had much luck.

I haven't found a fabric that I am obsessed with yet.  I think I need to find the fabric before I decide if I am going to paint the wood.

Should I choose a solid, textured fabric and paint the chair a color?  Or should I choose a large, small, print fabric and paint the wood a neutral color?  HELP!

If you have an opinion, I would love to hear it!  I want this to be a stand out chair!

Beverage Recipes

Tis the season for weddings and all kinds of showers!  So I thought I would share a few beverage recipes perfect for any kind of event. (Especially girly ones!)

White Sangria

1 (750 mili liter) bottle dry white wine
1 Cup thawed orange juice concentrate
1/2 Cup thawed lemonade concentrate
1/3 Cup thawed limeade concentrate
1 navel orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
3 Cups club soda, chilled

Stir together first 4 ingredients.  Stir in half of fruit slices.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.  Stir in club soda just before serving.  Serve over ice with remaining fruit slices.

Makes 2 Quarts.


Tea Punch (I got this recipe from my Aunt, it is delicious!)

1 quart water
3/4 to 1 Cup sugar
12 oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate (thawed and undiluted)
9.5 Cups water
7 regular size tea bags
1- 6 oz. can orange juice concentrate (thawed and undiluted)

Bring 1 quart water to boil.  Remove from heat, add tea bags.  Steep 5 minutes.  Remove bags.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Refrigerate and serve over ice.

Makes 1 gallon.

Punch

1 frozen 6 oz. limeade
1 frozen 6 oz. lemonade
1 frozen 6 oz. orange juice
1 (2 quart) cranberry cocktail juice
1 large can pineapple juice
2 Cups cold water
1 large ginger ale, chilled
1 large bottle soda water

Combine ingredients!

Serves 30.


Have a happy, safe weekend! It's gonna be warm! =)

Free Lance Job

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I was lucky enough last week to work on a free lance job.  I organized and decorated a laundry room/ home office space.  It was SO much fun and I hope I can continue to do this for other people as well.

I organized papers, medicine, pictures, binders, folders, cleaning supplies, etc.  I shopped for baskets, organizational tools, and decorative items.  I LOVE to organize for other people, not so much myself, although I stay pretty organized.  Enjoy the slide show of before and after shots!

Yummy recipe to come tomorrow!

New Blog!

My friend Josie has started a new blog.  She says that I actually inspired her!  Must not take much for you Josie! Just kidding.  Thanks for the compliment.

Josie and I go WAY back.  I think we have known each other since 7th or 8th grade.  We went to Camp McDowell together every summer. SO FUN, I miss it every day!

Anyway, here is some info on her and the link to her blog!  Check her out, she has a great start!



Josie McLemore is a former advertising copywriter and now Communications Director for all 15 Montgomery YMCA locations, but secretly dreams of one day becoming a pastry chef. She blogs in her spare time about anything but work and enjoys testing out new recipes and craft projects. Follow her misadventures, experiments, and attempts to flex her creative muscles while satisfying her ever present sweet tooth.


Sunny Side Up:


http://josiemclemore.blogspot.com

This is a picture of a yummy cake she made (recipe provided on her blog), "Peanut Butter Cup Cake"

In need of change...

Cheap change.  Wanted to dress up our table on a budget.  We have our first supper club supper this Friday night.  Of course I offered to have it at our house, how unusual!  But I wanted something springy to spice up the dining area from SO much brown.

Table cloth - Target - $16.99

Place Mats - Target - less than $2 a piece (I bought 8)

Flowers - Publix $9.99

It's gonna look really cute with all my dinnerware out!  While I was ironing the table cloth tonight I decided when I got tired of it being on the table I was going to use it as fabric for 2 of the pillows in the den.  We shall see! Hopefully I can learn how to sew.

Recipe Friday - Weekend Breakfasts

In honor of the weekend I thought I would include 2 yummy recipes I have that I have never used! Ha, I would like to try them sometime soon though when I have some house guests.  Perfect breakfast foods that would be great on a Saturday or Sunday morning! Enjoy!

Orange Breakfast Bread

3/4 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup pecans, chopped
1 Tbsp. orange zest
2 (12 oz) cans refrigerated biscuits
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, cut into 20 squares
1/2 Cup butter, melted

Combine the first 3 ingredients and set aside.  Separate each biscuit in half.  Place cream cheese square between biscuit halves and pinch sides together to seal.  Dip in butter and dredge in sugar mixture.  Stand biscuits on edge in greased bundt pan  Drizzle with remaining butter and sugar mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until golden.  Immediately glaze.

Glaze: 1 Cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. orange juice

Combine and drizzle over warm biscuits.  Serves 12-16


Baked French Toast

1 (9 oz) loaf of French of sourdough bread
3 eggs
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 Cups milk
1 Cup fresh or frozen raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries
1/4 Cup butter, softened
1/2 Cup flour
6 Tbsp. brown sugar

Cut bread in 1-inch slices.  Place in bottom of well greased 9 x 13 pan.  Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla, and milk;  pour over bread.  Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.  Before baking in the morning, turn bread over making sure all is coated.  Sprinkle on fruit.  Cut butter into flour and brown sugar until it resembles coarse meal.  Sprinkle over fruit.  Bake uncovered.  Cut into squares.

Oven temperature: 375 degrees
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Serves: 8

Have a blessed weekend!

Need HELP with T-Shirt Quilt!

I was talking to one of my best friends Coral yesterday and she has a break coming up and she decided she was going to try and make a t-shirt quilt.  She and I have WAY too many T-shirts from highschool and college that we don't wear.  They take up so much drawer space at my house so I wanted to try and create a quilt too.  That way when I feel the need to reminisce I can cover up with a blanket instead of deciding what shirt to wear!

That brings me to the question: has anyone ever does this before or know how to?  I googled it and there were too many options.  I really would like the easy way out!

Let me know!

"The Art of Correspondence, Thank-you Letters"

This is a wonderful, informative lesson from one of my very best friends Nicole Gum.  She shares my appreciation for etiquette, we have even talked about writing our very own etiquette book one day, together!  That would be SO fun.  Here is a little bit about Nicole:


Nicole Gum currently resides in Washington, D.C. She graduated in May 2008 from Tulane University with a degree in Psychology.  She is employed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as an Advertising Specialist for their publication. She enjoys traveling, reading, and watching Mad Men in her free time. While she loves the exciting lifestyle of a big city- she hopes to return back to the South soon for Graduate School and to be closer to her wonderful family and friends. 

The Art of Correspondence

Thank-you Letters

I am delighted to be a contributing writer to The Creative Instinct Blog (which I follow devotedly). Let me begin with saying that I am a firm believer in expressing gratitude through the traditional form of letters. Now in contemporary times, I understand that e-mail is popular, but readers please never underestimate the value of a hand-written letter. I enjoy Crane and Co. Stationery which is sold at most stationery retailers. (http://www.crane.com/navHome.aspx).

Most Important Message: Regardless of the present; every gift deserves a proper thank-you.

Here are some tips for writing an appropriate thank-you letter:

1.) Address the recipient of the card and wish them well.

2.) Thank them for the gift directly (ex. the toaster, the sweater, the gift certificate).

3.) Explain in brief detail how much you enjoy using/wearing/spending that certain item. Use colorful adjectives!

4.) Make the note personal by adding your own essence to it while addressing the recipient. It is always good to bring up the possibility of seeing them again soon at a future date.

5.) Finally, at the end of the thank-you letter reiterate their kindness and their generosity.

Remember also to write thank-you notes timely. Never wait longer than 2-4 weeks before mailing them out. It might seem like a small gesture, but illustrating your appreciation in words is not only polite but also imperative.

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.  ~Oscar Wilde
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My 2 favorite etiquette books are :

Check them out! Or ask me! They both are very close to me.  Hope you enjoyed Nicole's post.  When in doubt, ALWAYS write a thank you note! If someone has you for dinner, sends you a little gift, anything. Anyone's thoughtfulness to get something for you or do something for you ALWAYS deserves appreciation and writing a thank you note doesn't take long.  Just follow Nicole's steps!

Guest Post!

Guest post to come tomorrow morning! I'm so excited to have my first guest blogger!  One of my very best friends Nicole will write about etiquette and thank you notes (one of my favorite things in the world).  We both feel strongly about this subject because of the way we were brought up.  Tune in tomorrow for a WONDERFUL, informative post!

Dishwasher

I was told I was getting older because I was THAT excited about getting a new dishwasher.  This dishwasher is FABULOUS!  It was delivered and installed on Friday.  Surprisingly, it has only run once this weekend, now I'm not scared to dirty up dishes!


Old one to the left.  Not a great shot, this was before house was painted, etc, But you get the point.

The new one! Sleek.  The buttons are on the top panel, they are not seen from the front.

Inside.

I would recommend it to anyone, SO FAR!

Recipe Friday - Cake Icing

Shout out to my #1 blog follower, LAURA.  Saturday is her birthday so in honor of her I am going to share some cake frosting recipes I have! Happy Birthday LO!

We are receiving a new dishwasher today! I am super pumped.  I will show before and after pics and share the wonders of this new one next week.

 (Update on my grandmother: she has to have a tumor biopsied in a week and a half, we will know more then.  )

Now onto the icing:

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

3 Cups Confectioners' Sugar
1 Cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 Tablespoons whipping cream

In a standing mixer, mix together sugar and butter.  Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.  Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.

(I don't have a standing mixer yet, so I use my regular beaters.  I just place the bowl in the sink and make it 1/2 at a time so it doesn't go everywhere!)


Chocolate Frosting

6 Tablespoons butter, softened
1/3 to 1/2 Cup cocoa powder
2 2/3 Cups powdered sugar
1/3 Cup Milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream butter, add cocoa and sugar alternately with milk.  Beat to spreading consistency, adding more milk if needed.  Blend in vanilla.

These are super easy and it is SO worth it.  I usually make box cake then make my own icing and it really adds a nice touch over canned icing!  Hope everyone has a great weekend.

My Mimi

If you all have a chance today to say a little prayer for my Mimi.  She has been through more than any person should ever have to go through in 1 life.  Cancer more than once, over 30 surgeries, many falls, the loss of many loved ones, etc.  Today she goes to the doctor to see if her cancer has grown again.  If it has she will have to go back on IV chemo, which she probably won't be able to handle again.  Please pray that it hasn't grown and she can stay on the pill form of chemo she is on now.  I wish I had all day to tell you about how wonderful my grandmother is and how inspiring and Godly of a woman she is.  She is an inspiration.  In October, I helped her and my step-grandfather move into assisted living and I know she wants to be home SO bad.  I so wish they had the strength to live by themselves, but thankful they have people around when they need them. 

(This picture was taken at our rehearsal dinner, I gave her a handkerchief that said:

"Mimi, may your tears be tears of JOY today. Love Sarah, 11.14.09"

Her name is Joy, and she truly is a Joy!)

So again, my family would appreciate you lifting her up in prayer!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.  I am going home for the night and will post a yummy recipe on Friday!

Sitting on the front porch

With spring just around the corner I want to make it a habit to sit outside everyday.  We have a small, but nice front porch with people walking by all the time!  Here are some pictures.

View from the street

Drew had this table in the house B.S. (before Sarah) It has been painted with weather proof paint.

Lovely, turquoise chairs!

You can see the chairs to the right, this is what the chairs looked like before I mad them wild at my old apartment.

I bought 2 cans of Rust-Olem paint, it worked great.  Purchased the seat cushions as a pair at "Home Goods" for less than $25.  The chairs are really comfy.

The wire table I found at an antique store in Huntsville.  One day I'd like to get a piece of metal for the top or a thick piece of glass.  There is a platter on top for now!

I love our precious door mat, great wedding gift!

Really looking forward to Spring, Summer, and drinks on the front porch!