Hey y’all… remember me? I know… I’ve missed you, too!

Today I am happy to report that I’m getting my crafting mojo back. I’m sharing these fun DIY painted pumpkins with this fabulous leopard pumpkin that is the star of her trio. Isn’t she fantastic?

Simple Painted Pumpkins

Halloween has long been one of my favorite holidays, but we’ve been on a bit of a break.

Our split began a few Halloweens ago when I was home alone with all the lights out in the pitch-black dark knee-deep in gingerbread crumbs. I’d like to say that I was watching a scary movie eating warm cookies, but I was actually pouting.

It was the first year neither of my girls were home for trick or treating and I was throwing myself a big fat pity party. I had decided that since no one would be home, I wouldn’t pass out candy and the plan was to work on this Christmas table and turn my lights off when it got dark so no one would think I was home. Well, I worked all day on a gingerbread house that was completely stunning and when it got dark, I kept my word and did not turn on a single light.

The problem was that everyone in my neighborhood knows how much I love Halloween and naturally they stopped by for trick or treating. Even with the lights off, the doorbell rang and rang and then I heard a large bang. I ran into my kitchen and stomped right on my perfectly crafted gingerbread house… it was in a million tiny little pieces.

I literally cried until I had no other choice but to laugh and eat Reese’s cups.

When it got late enough, I turned on the lights, cleaned up my mess and welcomed the girls home… then I ate some of their Reese’s cups.

With the world in chaos and nothing feeling quite right, I have decided to lift my ban on Halloween and get my holiday craft on. I started with these gorgeous pumpkins. You won’t believe how easy they are to make!

Painting a Leopard Pumpkin

Leopard and cheetah are my new neutral, so it made perfect sense to paint a leopard pumpkin. It may look hard to paint, but I promise it isn’t at all!

I grabbed some white paint and gave this girl a thick base coat. Once the base coat dried, I splotched on metallic gold spots, let them dry and then outlined the gold splotches in black. Splotching is a super technical word for just putting paint somewhere with no grand plan. It is pretty much foolproof!

There were a few spots that looked bare, so I just added some smaller splotching and then painted the stem with the gold paint.

Painting an Emerald Pumpkin with Brad Detail

I’m also in love with this emerald pumpkin. She is so elegant and all I did was paint her with a couple of coats of green paint and add these brad stickers.

I also finished off this pumpkin with a gold-painted stem. A little paint, a few stickers and you have a simple way to make a pumpkin that can last all the way through Thanksgiving.

This post was written on behalf of Swedish Wholesale, but all opinions are my own!

First, I hope you guys are hanging in there okay. Things are a bit of a roller coaster over here, but today I’m sharing one of my new favorite products.

Have you ever used Swedish Dishcloths? They are amazing… seriously, y’all!

I was sent a pack of ten of these delightful beauties and they are a fabulous tool to have in your cleaning toolbox!

When I opened my the box of Swedish Dishcloths, tucked inside was a very sweet handwritten note that said “Thanks for giving our small family run business a shot! Your orders & reviews means more than you can imagine.”

I am always happy to help promote a small business, but I love that they went the extra step to be so gracious. This is what customer service should be every time and I love that they did this.

The dishcloths come in a 10-pack and they are dainty like a tea towel, but work like a sponge. Pretty, small, useful, and REUSABLE!

When dry, they are a handy size and are stored in a flat stack and take up very little space. When you get them wet, they turn into a towel with super powers.

• Swedish dishcloths are a specialty sponge cloth made from a mixture of plant-based cellulose and cotton.
• They can be used hundreds of times when you just rinse and wring their cloth out and leave it to dry for the next use.
• Swedish dishcloths dry out very quickly, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria and odors.
• They work great to soak up spills and are equally as good at scrubbing, too! You can use them anywhere in the house.
• They make great gifts, too!

I decided to jazz them up a bit by adding a little hand embroidery. It was so fun and easy. When the cloths are dry, you don’t even need to use an embroidery hoop. Score!

I think this would make a pretty snazzy Mother’s Day gift. Grab your own set in your favorite colors here.

Hey y’all!  Easter is a tad bit later this year, but that doesn’t bother me one bit.  There is more time for creating special memories with your family and a whole lot more Easter fun! I have been planning this Easter tablescape in my head for quite some time and am super excited to share it with you today… an Easter Egg Decorating Party!

Easter is one of the most fun holidays to celebrate.  I love teaching my children about the Easter story and how Christ has Risen more than anything. I really want me know why we celebrate this special day, but bringing in  a little crafty fun is something that they enjoy, too.  We have the best conversations when we are around the table creating!  I also love setting a beautiful table to share this special time with friends and family.  You may remember our Burlap and Bunnies Easter Tablescape from last year.  This year, we are going to share some fun decorating Easter Eggs together.

Each of our guests has a their very own monogrammed Easter basket that is filled with eggs just begging to be dipped and dyed and all gussied up!

We have some butterfly tattoos just waiting to make their mark.  You guys have just adored the Temporary Tattoo Easter Eggs.  My girls can’t wait to make some just like their mama’s.

The centerpiece for the table incorporates more… Easter eggs!  It was fitting for an egg decorating party and one can never have too many eggs.  I also found the blue pots at the Dollar Tree and just adore them.

The hot pink sisal baskets were picked up from Hobby Lobby, as was the burlap runner.  Those adorable madras napkins were from the Dollar Tree.  Nothing like thrifty finds to dress up a table.

These sticker will be used to monogram dyed eggs.  I can’t wait to use them.  If you are looking for some awesome egg decorating ideas, you will definitely want to check out our Ultimate Easter Egg Decorating Collection.

To finish off the table, I included a nest of nest cupcakes. You are going to love how easy these guys are to make!

Will you be entertaining this year for Easter?  It is so easy to create a fun and beautiful table like this one.  Happy Easter!

*Trish

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Our family loves to play board games and since we can have family game nights anytime we’d like, I thought I’d share our favorite board games for families with older kids. My kids are 12 and almost 16 and these are our tried and true favorites.

Some of these games we’ve found after playing with family and friends and some we’ve just found on our own. I can tell you that these are the ones that we take on beach vacations, play on family game nights and on rainy days ALL THE TIME!

I hope you find a few new ones that your family will enjoy!

Codenames

Codenames combines wordplay, memory, and strategy. This is also a game that can be played in 15 minutes or less!

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Sequence  

Sequence is a strategy game that our entire family from kids all the way to older grandparents love to play. Play it in teams for even more fun!

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What Do You Meme? Family Edition

This is a cleaner version of the What do you Meme game. We just got this one and look forward to playing it during our time at home!

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Say Anything

Say Anything is one game that will have the entire family laughing out loud. It is so easy to play and really fun to see how people answer!

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TELESTRATIONS

We love playing Telestrations. It is like the game of telephone, but with drawing. It is tons of fun. I've linked to the larger pack because I honestly wish we had purchased this one for when we have other families join in the fun.

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 Suspicion Family Board Game

This is another new to our family board game, but it looks like an updated version of Clue, which my kids LOVE!

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Taboo 

In this game, it is all about what you don't say! Taboo is a challenging game and bonus... you get to buzz people when they mess up, which I totally love!

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Beat The Parents

Parents are against the kids in this fun trivia-centered game. The kids have questions geared toward them and the adults have a little bit trickier questions. My kids love this one!

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Family Feud 

Channel your inner Steve Harvey and gather the family to see who will win Famly Feud. This is a quick-paced game and a crowd-pleaser, too!

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Scattergories

We actually just purchased Scattergories over the weekend and have played it several times already. It really gets those creative juices flowing!

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RiceMadeEasy #CollectiveBias

Are lunches hard for you guys? John and I both work from home most days and trying to find something that is delicious and quick is so hard for me. I get super tired of soups and sandwiches and really only have a few minutes to throw something together. We have recently been enjoying these easy chicken burrito bowls with Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice. They are SO good, SO fast, and cleanup is a breeze.

Minute® Ready to Serve Rice is good to go anytime, anywhere. I found Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice at my local Walmart.

Hover over the picture above to click through and shop. Or click the button below to add it directly to your cart!

Minute® Ready to Serve Rice is available in three new delicious flavors, all available in 7 oz. larger single BPA free cups – Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice, Minute® Ready to Serve Southwest Pinto Beans with White Rice and Vegetables, and Minute® Ready to Serve Garlic & Olive Oil Jasmine Rice. They are convenient to eat, as you can eat them right out of the cup.

For this recipe I used the Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice with flavor made with heavenly aromatic Jasmine rice.

Making the burrito bowls could not get any easier! Simply microwave the Minute® Ready to Serve Rice cups for just 90 seconds. Toss in pre-cooked chicken, pinto beans, Mexican corn and you are ready to eat!

FREEBATE ALERT! Ready to eat better and save more? Be sure to check out this fantastic offer. Buy any one (1) Minute Ready to Serve 7 oz. cup and get it FREE through an Ibotta FREEBATE, while supplies last. You can get this offer by clicking

Hover over the picture above and click to shop Ibotta!

Minute® Ready to Serve Rice Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice is vegan with no artificial flavors, no preservatives are gluten-free. This really helps me make lunch a meal that is healthy, real and simple. Real life moves fast, so Minute® Ready to Serve Rice is here to empower you with good, fast options for any occasion.

Here is the full recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice
• 1 Cup pinto beans, drained
• 1 Cup cooked chicken strips
• 1 Cup canned Mexican corn
• garnish: sour cream, cheddar jack cheese, green onions

Instructions

• 1. Prepare rice according to package directions (heat in the microwave for just 90 seconds).
  2. Combine all ingredients.
  3. Top with your favorite garnishes
  4. Enjoy!

Visit minuterice.com for recipe inspiration. Minute® Ready to Serve Rice: Real Flavorful. Real Convenient.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., Emergen-C, Kleenex and Dial. All opinions are mine alone. #BeWellEssentials #CollectiveBias

It is that time of year again! The temps are lowering and didn’t we just say goodbye to summer?

One thing I’ve been focusing on in my personal life is being a better friend. I’ve been blessed with friends who know how to just show up, even when I didn’t know I needed them. I really want to be that kind of friend, so I’m trying to blend my desire to be super woman with a healthy dose of preparation for doing the best I can.

I’d love to be the type of person who can whip up a batch of homemade chicken noodle soup and fresh baked cookies for my friends and family, but I just don’t have that kind of flexibility in my schedule. I can, however, be prepared to drop by a little sunshine in the form of a Wellness gift basket.

I recently hit my local Kroger and stocked up on all the essentials that I need for a nice gift basket. I love that I can grocery shop and get over-the-counter items, too. It’s a perfect one stop shop!

Here is a list of items that I used in the Wellness Gift Basket:

• Emergen-C® Super Orange
• Kleenex® Germ Removal Wet Wipes
• Dial Complete® Foaming Hand Wash – White Tea
• Crackers
• Lip Balm
• Fuzzy Socks

They say the best defense is a good offense and Emergen-C®​ is packed with Vitamin C, plus even more antioxidants to support your  immune system and B Vitamins to enhance energy in a natural way.* The fizzy and yummy flavor of the Emergen-C® Super Orange is really good and the blend of B Vitamins, Electrolytes and more Vitamin C than 10 oranges^ will help keep you active and your immune system supported. Emergen-C®​ is great for everyday all year round use.*

I also added our favorite foaming hand wash to the gift basket. We have always been huge fans of Dial Complete®​ ​Foaming Hand Wash and our entire family uses it on a daily basis. I love the scent of the White Tea Dial Complete® Foaming Hand Wash. Dial Complete® Foaming Hand Wash​ is also antibacterial and will kill 99.99% of bacteria encountered in household settings. When stocking up, save $1.50 on any TWO (2) Dial Complete® Foaming Hand Washes. Excludes trial & travel size. Begins 12/1/19 for limited time only.

Have you tried the Kleenex® Germ Removal Wet Wipes yet? They are a new favorite at our house. They are portable and are great for everyday use for cleaning your face and hands. They are not made with harsh chemicals and safe for children, too. I pack these in my purse and use them ALL the time! You can stay prepared to keep germs at bay anywhere you go because it is clinically proven to wipe away 99% of germs from hands and faces. For a limited time, holiday designs are available on Kleenex®. Kleenex® Single Packs (50ct and up) BUY 3 (THREE) for $4, offer valid 12/8/19 -1/4/20. Save $1 on Kleenex® bundle-packs (75ct – 160ct.), offer valid 12/25/19 -1/7/20. Kleenex® Wet Wipes 20-24ct packs $1.49 all month in December 2019.

The last few things I added to the wellness gift basket is a bag of saltine crackers, some moisturizing lip balm and a pair of warm, fuzzy socks. Just what you need when the winter season is getting to you!

I hope you’ll use some of these items this year, they can really help keep you and your family going when you need it the most! Be proactive and get to Kroger and stock up too!

Use all products only as directed. Read label and follow directions.​

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

^Based on using the USDA.gov nutrient database value for a large, raw orange.

I’ve got a little jingle in my step these days… Christmas is less than two months away now! Who else is crazy excited?! One of my favorite things about the holiday season is baking with my girls and today I’m sharing my favorite Christmas cookie recipe for Easy Spritz Cookies.

Guess what is even better than just one Christmas cookie recipe? Lots of them! I’m participating in Maryann from Domestically Speaking’s Christmas Cookie Week so be sure to check out them all out all of the yummy holiday cookie recipes at the end of the post. 

My sister is the baker in our family, but these Christmas Spritz cookies are the one cookie that I am the master of. I can still remember helping my mom make these cookies and now I’m passing that along to my girls.

The one thing every good spritz cookie needs is a cookie press. I love this Wilton Cookie Press. It does a great job and you can use it year after year! It comes with all sorts of plates that you can use to make any shape you wish, but I love the classic tree.

Add some sprinkles and your tree is fully decorated!

Grab your apron and let’s get baking!

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Easy Christmas Spritz Cookies

Print

Use your cookie press and this basic recipe to make Spritz cookies. They are perfect for Christmas and are a blast to make!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• rainbow sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until smooth (about 2 minutes).
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute.
4. On low speed, mix in the flour and salt. Turn up to high speed and beat until completely combined.
5. Using a cookie press (use the tree plate), pipe trees about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
6. Top with colored sprinkles.
7. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
8. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Monday’s Cookies

Christmas M&M Peanut Butter Cookie
Bars

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Almond Horn Cookies

Santa’s Whiskers Christmas Cookies

Tuesday’s Cookies

No Bake Cookies

Really Good Gingersnaps

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie

Wednesday’s Cookies

No Bake Cookies

Easy No Bake Peppermint Gingersnap Cookies

Italian Horn Cookie Recipe

Easy Spritz Cookies (not pictured)

Thursday’s Cookies

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies

Christmas Seven Layer Bars

Christmas Surprise Cookie Recipe

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Easy Holiday Nutmeg Cookies

Friday’s Cookies

Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Holiday Coconut Apricot Bars

Traditional Christmas Cookies

I am now in love with simmering potpourri…

Seriously…. I have channeled my inner 1970’s dinner party hack self and finally created my own recipe for simmering potpourri. My house smells amazing and I think this could be my favorite DIY gift idea ever! Everyone should enjoy the aroma of fresh fruit and spices and all the goodness of these wonderful seasons. Today I am going to show you how to package up a jar of holiday simmering potpourri for you to share the love.

Today is also a very special day because these beautiful jars are part of Stacy at Not Just a Housewife’s Styled x3 series.  Three of us have used these very jars to make our own project. You have to check out Brittany from Pretty Handy Girl and the project from Stacy at Not Just a Housewife. So much eye candy the creativity is beyond amazing! Such an honor to work with them!

Let’s get started on how I put together this gift of heavenly smells.  First, you’ll need what is called a cracker jar.  You can find them just about anywhere that sells glassware. Amazon, Target, WalMart, World Market… you get the idea.  I also highly recommend my very favorite black and white striped ribbon that I stock up on every time I go to WalMart.  Yes, I am aware of the problem I have and no I have no plans to fix it! 

Here are the ingredients I used:

• 2 Oranges
• 2 Apples
• 1 Vanilla Bean
• 1 Teaspoon of Whole Cloves
• 2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract
• 3 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 Small Bottle of Cranberry Juice

These are all just recommendations. You can add anything you wish that you love the smell of! I really was hoping for fresh cranberries, but they are not in our stores yet.

To assemble all of the goodies in the jar. I used the spice jar from the vanilla and put in the vanilla bean, the cinnamon sticks and the cloves. For the liquid, I simply poured out a tiny bit of the cranberry juice and filled it up the rest of the way with the vanilla. Add in your fruit, close it up and tie a pretty bow. Voila!

To actually use the simmer potpourri, slice your apples and oranges. Add the fruit and the rest of the ingredients to a large pot and fill it up with water.

Isn’t it beautiful? It smells about 100 times better than it looks, too.  Just simmer on low and your house will be transformed… that is if you make it for yourself.

This is an amazing gift to give. It will bring joy to whoever you give it to when they put it on their stove this holiday season.

Happy Gifting! 

Mini Chocolate Cherry Cheesecakes for Holiday Delight.

This time of year has me ready to enjoy the company of friends and family. My house is finally clean and decorated and I can’t wait to have guests over for all sorts of occasions.

I don’t like to fix elaborate meals when we entertain, but I do like for my guests to enjoy a good meal. Today I’m sharing a simple recipe that you can throw together in no time for a sweet dessert.

These mini chocolate cherry cheesecakes are so cute and yummy and you won’t have to spend all day in the kitchen. You can prep them ahead of time, throw them in the fridge and then add a little Reddi Whip when you are ready to serve. Really so simple, but these jars will be a crowd pleaser.

Here is a full list of ingredients needed:

• Marie Callender’s® Double Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake
• Reddi-Wip® Real Whipped Cream (6.5 oz.)
• Premade Cheesecake Filling
• Can of Cherry Pie Filling
• Chocolate Sauce for Garnish

This Marie Callender’s® Double Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake is a winner in my house every single time. It tastes just like homemade, but no one would ever know. All you need to do is remove it from the packaging and place in a pre-heated oven. Follow the directions in the package. No need to thaw it out before, it is moist and delicious and on the table in less than 30 minutes. I love that it is packed with wholesome ingredients and you can taste that, too!

You know me, I also love that there are no pots and pans to clean up, either!

Once the cake cooled for a few minutes, I added a slice to each mini mason jar. I then topped it with ready made cheesecake filling and a heaping spoonful of cherry pie filling.

At this point you can put the top on the dessert and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, add Reddi-Wip® Real Whipped Cream to the top and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

I love using Reddi-Wip because it is made with real cream, tastes amazing and I don’t feel guilty. It only has 15 calories per serving.

Such a beautiful and tasty dessert. I hope you get a chance to try it out this holiday season!

This post is sponsored by Martha Stewart Living and O, That’s Good!. All opinions are 100% my own.

Today I have a few fun Thanksgiving projects and inspiration to share with you. You guys are going to love them! I also want to chat a little about what giving looks like for our family during the holidays.  I think they pair together perfectly… a little thanks and a little giving.

First, while I’m thankful for every little thing, even down to the air that I breathe, this year I am especially thankful for good health. We’ve had lots of family members with ailments, disease and so much personal struggle. It is almost overwhelming to think about the amount of patience and bravery and sheer determination that some of my favorite people have practiced this year. My eyes have truly been opened to how hard things can be.

One way that I can do better for myself and for my family is to eat with a nutritious twist.  This is absolutely necessary for us and I am learning so much. We are making changes one small step at a time.

My new favorite pizza is O, That’s Good’s Classic Crust Fire Roasted Veggie Pizza. Have you ever tried it?  It is really tasty and I love that it is spin on one of our go-to meals. You would never guess the crust is made with a little cauliflower! They say that it is so delicious that you won’t taste the difference and they are SO right!

Guess what is even more fabulous about O, That’s Good! pizza? When you purchase this product a portion of the proceeds will be donated to feeding families and the fight against hunger through Feeding America.  See… a little thanks and giving. This company is all about sharing and giving… it is what they are founded upon.

Now let’s chat about some of the preparations I’m making for Thanksgiving!

I always fret over what to do with silverware. Do you put it on the table, what napkin rings do you use, do you make if part of the buffet… how fancy should it be? So many choices!

I’ve decided to go with my favorite combination of inexpensive, crazy easy and fancy. I simply tied a piece of ribbon around the cutlery. I really love how it turned out and you can do this to match your decor by selecting your favorite colored ribbon.

Recently, I’ve been on a bit of a gilding kick, so I’d add a bit to some small pumpkins.

Just add a few strokes of the brush with liquid gilding and you have given your pumpkins a little pizzazz and an almost instant upgrade.

Now we can’t forget a treat!

I love the idea for these candy filled corn stalks from this month’s Martha Stewart Living Magazine.

I decided to create my own version with chocolate candies to give to our guests when they go home.

For even more Thanksgiving inspiration, check out the November edition of Martha Stewart Living Magazine.

Hey Y’all! If you caught my Fall Home Tour a few weeks ago, I promised to be back with some tutorials to create a few of my fall home decor items that I featured in the tour. I have loved having our home all festive for these weeks of fall! Today, I am sharing how to create one of my absolute favorite diy projects ever…

This DIY Wheat Crate Centerpiece turned out absolutely amazing and I could not be happier. I promise, it is not as involved as it appears and the uses for this little beauty year round are endless! I can already see some spring flowers or Easter eggs nestled in the crate. Perhaps a few snow covered vintage trees for Christmas.

Right now, my trusty little aqua owl is keeping it company. My cat seriously thinks we have built her a fun place to hang out under…she is a mess!

So, do you want to create your own? Of course you do! Let’s get started…

________________________

Supplies Needed: 

1. Unfinished Wooden Crate : Mine is 16 x 8.5 x 5.5 and came from Michaels

2. Minwax Dark Walnut Stain { or color of choice }

3. 2 Drawer Pulls of Choice : These are Antique Brass from Home Depot

{ Here is my secret: Go to the screen door supply section of your big box hardware store. That is where you will find these that are cheaper and screw in from the top. }

4. 4  Screw In Furniture Legs : These are 3 3/4 inches tall and came from Lowes

5. Wire Mesh with small openings : From Home Depot

6. Dried Wheat

7. Optional: tin snips or scissors to cut wire

________________________

Step One: Stain your crate and the 4 legs in your stain color of choice and allow to dry fully. You can see how I stained my DIY Vintage Crates as part of our Summer Reading Station. Dark Walnut is just my favorite stain color.

Step Two: Attach the legs to the bottom of the stained crate. I attached them exactly the same way I added the little legs to my  DIY Ticking Stripe Wooden Server Tray. Spend some time looking around your town to see who sells some of these unique furniture parts and pieces, they can really make a DIY project amazing.

Step Three: Attach the drawer pulls to each side. I love the contrast of the antique gold and the wheat, so warm and cozy. Adding these seems like an extra step, but they really took this project up a notch.   You can see how to do this HERE.

Step Four: Place a piece of cardboard in the bottom of the crate to keep the wheat from falling through. Now we are going to make a little wire mesh holder for the wheat.

Now, your box is complete and you are ready to create the wheat display. 

Step Five: Cut a piece of wire mesh.

It will need to be cut in the following dimensions….

length of crate + 2 times the height of crate = length of wire mesh

width of crate + 2 times height of crate = width of wire mesh

so for mine …..

16inches + 2{5.5inches} = 27 inches in length

8.5 inches + 2{5.5inches} = 19.5 inches in width

Once you have your wire mesh cut, you will need to notch each corner. Notch them the same measurement of the height of the crate. So each of my square notches are 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches.

Now you will simply fold down all the sides, to form a little rectangular box with no bottom. Place the wire mesh holder down in the finished crate, on top of the cardboard piece you placed in the bottom earlier.

The wire mesh little “frog” type holder will hold the wheat upright, and allow you to create a very flowing arrangement. It is a bit tricky to get it started, so be patient. I cut my wheat stalks to the height I wanted. Start in the center towards the back a bit. You will have to hold the wheat upright until you get enough in the mesh to support itself. Once you have an area tightly filled with wheat stalks, you will be able to move outward faster and with fewer wheat stalks.

You can see the wire mesh in the box here and see how, once you get the wheat started, you do not have to fill in all the little wire squares. The exposed wire just adds to the rustic, fall character of the centerpiece. Don’t you think?

 I simply adore how this diy project turned out. It is the perfect accent to my family room for fall. I enjoy bringing decor items into my home that feel like a bit of nature inside and this one is perfect!

If you also enjoy botanical elements in your home, be sure to see how I created these Botanical Pumpkins last year…

They are so simple and look absolutely amazing! For even more fall decor, be sure to visit my Fall Home Tour…

 We hope you are enjoying this wonderful time of the year!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Dannon Light & Fit. All opinions are mine alone. #BreakfastIsOnatPublix #CollectiveBias

I have a confession to make… sometimes I don’t eat breakfast. I know… really lame. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day after all.

Now that the kids are back in school and our routine is a little more mapped out, I’ve actually been so much better about taking some time to make a healthy breakfast when I get home from taking the girls to school. Another confession… my days seem to run more smoothly when I take the time to sit down and enjoy a light breakfast.

I’ve been all about a good smoothie bowl lately and today I am going to show you how I make this yummy blueberry vanilla almond smoothie bowl. It is so good and so easy!

I know many people who use powders and all sorts of add-ins when they make their smoothies, but I only use a few basic ingredients like fresh fruit, yogurt and a few toppings.

I picked up a few packs of Dannon® Light & Fit Greek Nonfat Yogurt in the dairy case at my local Publix. This is my yogurt of choice because it has 12g of protein and 80 calories per cup. That’s 35% fewer calories than average Greek yogurt (less than average Greek yogurt: Light & Fit: 80 calories, 0g fat. Average Greek yogurt: 130 calories, 2.5g fat per 5.3oz )​. It also comes in really yummy flavors like blueberry, vanilla, strawberry cheesecake, cherry and peach. They all taste great in a smoothie and they are so delicious you won’t believe it’s nonfat yogurt. Perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth!

“For a limited time at Publix, you can Save $1.00 on any ONE (1) Dannon Light & Fit Greek Nonfat Yogurt 4-packs. Coupon offer available until 10/14, offer expires 10/30.”

I throw a frozen banana, frozen blueberries and a container of yogurt into my food processor and blend until creamy.

I also love to add a little crunch with my smoothie bowls. For this bowl I used Kellogg’s® Special K® Vanilla Almond Cereal.

Once the ingredients are blended, I transfer them to a bowl and top with the cereal, fresh blueberries and slivered almonds.

This blueberry vanilla almond smoothie bowl only takes minutes to throw together and I really enjoy having a good breakfast. It always sets me up for a productive day, which means everyone in my house is a little happier. Yay!

Yield: 1 serving

Blueberry & Vanilla Almond Smoothie Bowl

Print

This creamy thick smoothie bowl is packed with flavor, fresh blueberries, vanilla, slivered almonds and a crunchy cereal topping.

Ingredients

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 container Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt, Blueberry flavored
• Toppings: slivered almonds, Kellogg’s ® Special K ® Vanilla Almond Cereal, fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. In a food processor or blender, combine frozen banana, yogurt and frozen blueberries.

2. Blend until creamy and smooth.

3. Transfer a bowl and top with cereal, fresh blueberries and slivered almonds.

Click here for more recipe inspiration.

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How are you guys? Seriously… how are y’all surviving this hot summer? We are doing okay over and welcoming the excitement that the school year brings. You might find me doing cartwheels just thinking about having a few hours back in my day, but my kids are not quite that giddy.  I’ve been hearing a lot of ugh… school, but these gals are always up for some Back to School shopping.

When I asked them what school supplies they needed, they were actually insanely specific this year and I thought I’d pass along to you guys the inside scoop about what your teen might consider an absolute essential and where you can find them!

1. A new lunch bag.

According to my kiddos, a new lunch box each school year is essential. Apparently they stink to high heaven after you get a grade older.  I’m pretty sure that they last longer, but if it helps them get excited about packing those lunches, I’ll indulge. (Note to self: make sure they clean their lunchboxes regularly). Ann picked out the teal and La La was all about the black and white.

Scout Doggie Bag in Can you Beliz

Scout Doggie Bag in Simply Divine

2. A Durable Backpack

Last year I purchased this North Face backpack for Ann and I could not be more pleased. It literally still looks new and she is not gentle with it. I can actually say that this one may last her entire high school career… that makes mama SO happy! It comes in loads of colors, too.

North Face Jester Backpack in Zinc Grey/ Surf Green

3. A Cute Planner

Have you ever heard of school supplies being called cute? Well… apparently a “cute” planner is a must when prepping for back to school. I love that they are excited about staying organized as their schedules begin to fill up. This Bloom Daily Planner has space for everything.

Bloom Daily Academic Calendar

4. Student ID Holder & Lanyard

After going through several broken and lost student Id’s, I succumbed to the fact that a nice student Id holder and lanyard can actually save headaches down the road. The inexpensive plastic ones that are supplied by the schools can get torn and left goodness knows where.  I’m pretty sure ours has been seen in several parts of the state as we had a time keeping up with them. The girls really like this Scout Id Holder and also the Vera Bradley Id Holders, too. It even has a zipped pocket. Just make sure you get a matching lanyard, too!

Scout Student Id Case in Simply Divine

Vera Bradley Zip Id Case and Lanyard

5. AirPods Case Cover Keychain  or Earbud Storage

If your kids have AirPods that they are allowed to take to school, we recently found these awesome silicone AirPods Case Covers that have a handy carabiner attached. They slide right on top of the case and you can clip it to your ID case to keep up with them easily. If you have a set of wired earbuds, this case works great!

AirPods Silicone Case Cover

Earbuds Case

What is on your kids back to school wish list?

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This post 5 Back to School Essentials for Teens was written by
Trish & Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor

Today I am going to be sharing a super simple, but very delicious recipe for one pot Greek chicken. Y’all are going to love it, I just know it.  You know I only share recipes that are easy to make and those that  everyone in my family will eat, including picky kids!

I love Greek food, so this one pan greek chicken pasta is perfection for us!

One Pot Greek Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 pound Barilla® rotini or fusilli pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 4 teaspoons fresh juice and more zest for serving
• Kosher Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch strips
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill, plus more for serving

Directions:

1. Combine broth, Barilla® pasta, oil, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 cup water in a large skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 9 minutes.

2. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper, add to skillet. Continue to cook, stirring until pasta is al dente and chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes more.

3. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and dill. Serve immediately topped with more lemon zest and dill, and add a generous drizzle of oil.

My family gobbled up this recipe for one pot greek chicken and gave me two thumbs up. Between cheer, church, work and a closet/attic detox, I was so glad to find a good recipe that I can start and finish in about 30 minutes.

This post Easy One Pot Greek Chicken Pasta was written by
Trish Flake and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyCrockPotSummer #CrockPotRecipes #CollectiveBias

It is the thick of summer and that means one thing at our house… fresh peaches are in season! We love a simple peach cobbler with our summer dinners, but time has been in short supply these days. Today, I’m going to show off my new secret weapon in the kitchen… my new Crock-Pot® Express 8-Quart Pressure Cooker and how I use it to whip up our favorite recipe for peach cobbler. Dinner with dessert gets on the table fast with my new cooker and I don’t even have to turn on the oven.

Y’all know I love a good cooking short cut and this beauty that I picked up at my local Target is really cutting down my cooking time. Crock-Pot® being a leader in one-pot cooking was the best choice for me on the kitchen appliance aisle. Crock-Pot® makes it easy for us to eat well and serve to the masses, even when we don’t have the time. It is the perfect solution for any occasion.

The Crock-Pot® 8-Quart Express Crock Pressure Cooker can quickly cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking and has enough capacity to serve nutritious, home-cooked meals for large families or parties of ten people or more. Thanks to convenient one-touch settings for various pressure-cooked meals, you can choose to eat sooner, or you can use the slow cook setting to come back later to a delicious, hot meal. This appliance can  also steam, brown, sauté, simmer, boil, or you can use the Manual Pressure setting, all of these glorious bells and whistles may cooking in one pot a breeze!

By hovering and clicking on the link above, you can purchase Drive your readers to Target to purchase the Crock-Pot® Express 8-Quart Pressure Cooker.

Here is even more fun news…

You can save $20 on Crock-Pot® Express 8-Quart Pressure Cooker at Target until 7/29/19!

Let’s get to this delicious recipe! You only need a few ingredients: fresh peaches, butter, a box white cake mix and theCrock-Pot® 8-Quart Express Crock Pressure Cooker.

I used round baking dishes and followed the instructions for the cooker to make this recipe.

Pressure Cooker Peach Cobbler

Ingredients:

• 6 medium fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• Half of a 15.25 box white cake mix

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the cake mix and softened butter. I used a fork to make sure the butter was spread evenly throughout the cake mix. It should be crumbly.
2. Place the peaches into the baking dish and add the cake mixture over the top.
3. Cover with aluminum foil and lower into the cooker.
4. Add water to the bottom of the pressure cooker and lock the lid.
5. Cook for 15-20 minutes on the dessert setting. (see manual for instructions)
6. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

This post Pressure Cooker Peach Cobbler was written by
Trish Flake and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MinuteRightNow #CollectiveBias

This has been one crazy summer, but we’ve finally found our groove. We tend to go in four different directions during the evening, so we’ve been gathering for a quick family lunch when we can.  I’ve found a really great recipe that the entire family will devour…Carnitas Bowls with Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice . I love treating my family to really good food that is packed with popular flavor, free of preservatives and smells heavenly with the aromatic Jasmine Rice.

Minute® Ready to Serve rice is good to go anytime, anywhere. I found Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice at my local Walmart. 

The rice is vegan and it is great for a quick lunch, a healthy idea for a snack or an easy side dish for dinner. Minute® Ready to Serve rice is available in three NEW flavors, all available in 7 oz. larger single cups – Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice, Minute® Ready to Serve Southwest Pinto Beans with White Rice and Vegetables, and Minute® Ready to Serve Garlic & Olive Oil Jasmine Rice. Minute® Ready to Serve rice is perfect for those with busy, on-the-go lifestyles & those who need a quick, but delicious dinner.

Until 8/4/19, you can earn $.50 on Ibotta when you purchase one Minute® Ready to Serve product at Walmart!

This is one of the quickest meals that I’ve put together in a while. The rice heats in only 90 seconds in the microwave and smells heavenly when it comes out. 

It only takes a handful of ingredients like the Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice, prepared pulled pork, black beans and a few tasty garnishes. 

The taste is so fresh and so delicious! 

Cilantro Lime Carnitas Rice Bowl

Serves 2

• 1 Cup Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice
• 1 Cup black beans, drained
• 1 Cup prepared pulled pork
• garnish: sour cream, fresh cilantro, lime

Heat the pulled pork according to the packaged instructions. Drain the can of black beans. Microwave the Minute® Ready to Serve Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice for 90 seconds. Throw it all in a bowl and top with your choice of garnish. I used a dollop of sour cream, some fresh limes and cilantro. 

If you are looking for a little extra goodness, add veggies, proteins or your favorite sauces. Mix it up and make it yours! Treat yourself to good food fast with Minute® Ready to Serve rice. You will love it!

This post Cilantro Lime Carnitas Rice Bowls was written by
Trish & Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CommunityCoffee #BeYourBoldest #CollectiveBias

Summer is in absolute full swing at our house and if I’m honest… it takes a bit of getting used to for me. I don’t know if it is because the kids are older and stay up later or if it is because I work from home, but I struggle with feeling a little worn out and not getting enough time to myself. Every morning this summer, I’ve decided to take the first ten minutes of the day just for myself. Just me, a steaming cup of coffee and my journal. For ten minutes, I don’t have to plan, don’t have to be Uber, I don’t have to work. I’ve really been amazed at how great I feel after just saving a tiny slice of my day just for myself! Now the other thing… lack of rest. Whoever coined the term “lazy days of Summer” must not have had kids or a job. It is crazy town around these parts. I love it, but this mama is worn out from late nights and early mornings. I need a hot , bold cup of coffee. I need Community® coffee with 2x caffeine and I can get it fast with their single-serve cups.

Here are a few of my favorite Community® Coffee 2x Caffeine blends in their Single-Serve Cups:

• Community® Coffee 2X Caffeine Dark Roast Single-Serve Cups
• Community® Coffee 2X Caffeine Medium Roast Single-Serve Cups

Community® coffee is celebrating 100 years of making rich, smooth coffee. This family-owned and operated American company is so committed to providing quality to its consumers. With double the caffeine, this dark roast combines rich, caramelized flavor with an extra boost of coffee extract will help you get you through your day. Made from only 100% select Arabica coffee beans.

Just brewing one pod will have you feeling renewed and energized and ready to enjoy your summer days to the fullest.

The delicious, bold and delightful flavor is just what I need to power through one more swim meet, cheer practice, sleepover, cookout, bible school, ride to a friend’s house… you get the idea! Click here to learn more and to find where you can purchase this delicious coffee near you. 

This post 10 Minutes for Saving my Summer Sanity was written by
Trish & Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MarinadesWithMazola #MakeItWithHeart #CollectiveBias

I’m pretty sure my oven and I have broken up for the summer, because I have been a grilling fool! Today, I’m sharing a lightened up grilled corn on the cob recipe that is full of flavor. I’m skipping the butter today and using Mazola® Corn Oil, swapping out my packaged seasoning for fresh herbs like chopped cilantro and cracked black pepper. A clinical study showed Mazola Corn Oil reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil. To learn more about this claim, see Mazola.com. ​I am also swapping out sea salt instead of table salt and some lime wedges. This is so much better for us than our normal slather it with butter and sugar corn on the cob.

Here is more exciting news about MAZOLA… 

Text MAZOLA to 79495 between 6/20/19 – 9/26/19 to receive $1.00 back on your purchase of Mazola 40oz Corn Oil! Limit 1 rebate per household. PayPal account required. By texting, you expressly consent to receive multiple automated text messages on this offer. Consent not required as a condition of purchase. Message & data rates apply. Text HELP or STOP to 79495 at any time. Full terms: http://cbi.as/a38tw.

With its neutral taste, Mazola Corn oil is an all purpose oil that is perfect for all types of cooking. It is a cholesterol free cooking oil that is a great heart-healthy choice that you can be proud to use and serve to your family. With Mazola’s smoke point higher than most cooking oils at 450°​F, it is a great choice for grilling up a full-flavored meal. Text MAZOLA to 79495 between 6/20/19 – 9/26/19 to receive $1.00 back on your purchase of Mazola 40oz Corn Oil! Limit 1 rebate per household. PayPal account required. By texting, you expressly consent to receive multiple automated text messages on this offer. Consent not required as a condition of purchase. Message & data rates apply. Text HELP or STOP to 79495 at any time. Full terms: http://cbi.as/a38tw.​

Gather up all you need to grill a quick side of Cilantro Lime Corn on the Cob! Packed with flavor, this is going to be a new family favorite recipe!

Cilantro Lime Corn on the Cob 

Ingredients:

• Mazola® Corn Oil
• 5 ears of fresh corn, shucked
• Fresh Cracked Pepper
• Sea Salt
• Smoked Paprika
• Chopped Cilantro
• Fresh Lime Wedges

Instructions: 

1. Pre-heat grill to medium high.
2. Brush a light layer of Mazola® Corn Oil on top of the kernels of each ear of corn.
3. Grill for 10-15 minutes. Turning occasionally.
4. Remove from grill and squeeze fresh lime over the corn.
5. Season to your preference with the salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
6. Sprinkle with finely chopped cilantro.

This post Grilled Cilantro Lime Corn on the Cob was written by
Trish & Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor

I love just about anything from Anthropologie. It is almost always a little boho, a little classic and a lot beautiful. Sometimes the price tag is also a little steep.

Today, a few friends and I are gong to show you how to makeover their Sunstream Basket for only a fraction of the cost.

I have a few potted plants on my porch that needed a fancier place to rest and this was perfect for the challenge. I picked up this beautiful basket from my local Hobby Lobby.

I also grabbed some white poly dropline cording. This is what I would used to give my basket some stripes.

I tied the cording to the bottom of the basket and began weaving it along the crevices of the basket until I reached the top.

It isn’t a mirror image, but it added so much life to my porch!

The striped detail gave the basket so much more depth.

Kitty has also adopted this little vignette as her area of the porch, She sure has good taste!

Check out the other ladies and their version of a DIY Anthro Basket!

Decorate and More with Tip ¦ Pandora’s box ¦LeCultivateur

This Full Life 5 ¦K’s Olympic Nest¦Barnhousemess

Uncommon Designs¦Savvy in the Suburbs¦Chasing Quaintness

Sweet Southern Grace¦Bluesky at Home¦Through a Vintage Door

Jessica Simmons

This post Anthro Knock-off Basket for Summer was written by
Trish Flake and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #JackLinksDad #CollectiveBias

With a small tear in my eye, I have to inform you that this is the first year that my girls are too old to make their dad a Father’s Day gift at school. No more macaroni necklaces or Best Dad trophies. What is a mom to do?

Well, since daddy’s girls know a few of his favorite things, we were able to whip up a Summer Fun Father’s Day gift basket.

My husband loves everything about summer and being on the water. We knew that a cooler packed with snacks and other warm weather essentials would be perfect!

Last week we were off  to Target and our first stop was on the end cap of the aisle to pick up a few bags of Jack Links® Original Beef Jerky.

We couldn’t decide which flavor he would like the best so we grabbed one of each of the Jack Links Original Beef Jerky, Teriyaki Beef Jerky and the Jack Links Peppered Beef Jerky.

Beef jerky is one of his favorite snacks and they are great for anything we are doing at the lake, beach, pool… wherever! They are made with 100% real beef (which I love) and packed with protein. They come in handy no matter what we are up to.

Right now there is a special Cartwheel Offer …  save 10% off Jack Link in any size through 6/16/19!

After we got our snacks, we found a handy rolling cooler, a football for the beach, sunscreen, a badminton set and a frisbee. We also got him two large manly beach towels (he’s been using pink for years). I think he’s going to love it!

What do you think? 

This post Summer Fun Father’s Day Gift Basket Idea was written by
Trish Flake and first appeared on Uncommon Designs - Creating Crafts and Home Decor