Decorating A Birdcage For Christmas

 I am very behind on my holiday decorating.  In the past I have been on schedule for decorating and behind in the gift buying.  This year it was in the reverse.  So, I apologize for the delay. I am finally ready to reveal some tidbits.  I have two birdcages in my dining room.  They are front and center so it made sense to give them some attention.

I have had these angels since I was three, at least that is my first memory of them.  I added some moss to the bottom for a makeshift nest.  On the top, I tied a burlap bow and added some turquoise balls and greenery.  I love how it turned out.  You can see the other birdcage behind it.

I added the same burlap bow, balls and greenery to the top and moss and a nest to the inside.  Simple and perfect.

I have to laugh.  I am learning a lot about photography in my efforts to take better pictures.  You can't see me to much, but I didn't realize my reflection would show in the ball.  Too funny.  Hope this inspires you to get creative.

Front Door Inspiration

 In my quest to become a successful blogger, I have stumbled upon some amazing blogs.  One in particular is All Things Thrifty.  You all know I am drawn to all things turquoise.  I can't help it.  If I walk into a store and there is something turquoise, I will walk right to it.  In most instances, I like things neutral.  I want to be able to switch things up with accessories.  On occasion I get inspired to commit.  At All Things Thrifty, I have been inspired.  Check out this front door.  I have been collecting photos from this blog of this turquoise front door.  Look how much fun they have been having.  I just love it.

In addition to the amazing color, they have added great wreaths, and what about those rub on letters?  Sooo cute.  Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Olive Pickin

 I love any reason for my family to get together.  Last Sunday we headed to a friends to pick olives.  It was a beautiful Fall day.

And then the real work began.  You have to soak and rinse them several times.  We crack some and leave some.

Pumpkin Spice Cookie

 I don't know about you, but I am always looking for an amazing cookie recipe.  It doesn't come along too often.  Most of the time I can take them or leave them, but once in awhile a cookie recipe comes along that you want to make again, and again, and again.  Here it is.......

Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

2 cups flour

1 t baking powder

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t nutmeg

1/4 t ground cloves

1/4 t allspice

1/2 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup pumpkin

1 t vanilla

Grease a cookie sheet.  Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, and nutmeg.  In a mixer bowl beat butter for 30 seconds, add brown sugar and beat until fluffy.  Add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla, beat well.  Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture til well blended.  Drop from teaspoons 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8-10 mins.

Cream Cheese Frosting

3 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 t vanilla

add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating in between, until reaching desired consistency

Add frosting when served.  Do not frost cookies before.  Keep frosting refrigerated.

This recipe will be a hit for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Thanks to Estelle Hodges for this amazing recipe.

Fall Festival

My sons elementary school had their Fall Festival last Friday night.    No festival would be complete without a bake sale.  I just wanted to show you some inspirational pics from the booth.  We sold every last bit of our goods.  I think presentation helped us.  It always helps, and it takes no more time to make a pretty table than not.  The proceeds raised at this booth were $560.00, all from donated goods.  I think that is darn good.

Hope this inspires you come the next bake sale.

Pumpkin Fairy

Last night I was visited by the Pumpkin Fairy.  My sweet friend Don, who is a farmer, knew how much I would appreciate all of these pumpkins.  The colors and varieties are amazing.

Here is what my poor little porch looked like before.  I am soooo ashamed.

Much better.

Notice the elk antlers, and of course I had to add a splash of turquoise.

I have been wanting to do something with the these iron lanterns for some time.  I thought these lit up at night would be amazing.

And I was right.

Happy October!  This has motivated me to get my rear in gear and get the rest of my house done.  I will keep you posted.  Also, THANKS DON, I love my pumpkins.

Prairie Chic Wedding Revisited

Some time ago I posted about a wedding I decorated for this past Spring.  I just received some new photos that were actually shot by the photographer.  They are, of course, much better than mine.  This wedding was the perfect combination of the brides taste and vision, my style of decorating, and the photographers eye for details.  Take a look see.

This is the screen I made out of old doors to create a rustic entrance.

The birdcage was for cards.  They fit perfectly through the openings in the top.

The banners, although hard to see in the photo, had the bride and grooms first and last name.

The key to a beautiful table is layers.  We had the white table cloth with two different colored runners.

 The bride made the table tags which matched everything perfectly.

I added the bride and grooms monogram to a frame and attached it to the centerpieces.  It is all in the details.  Again lots of layers, even on the jars.

I had nothing to do with the wedding cake, but I wanted to share how whimsical it was.  The frosting looked like bark and the toppers were a nest of love birds.  So cute.

I love this wedding party photo.  So prairie chic.