Why Women Rock!

A friend of mine just sent me a link to a YouTube video called Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan. Kelly Corrigan is the author of the book, The Middle Place and a cancer survivor. As I sat there for 5:07 minutes (yes I cried, sorry ladies get a tissue) I thought about all my friends, my family, and my neighbors. The ones that have left this earth too soon, the ones who survived cancer, the ones who I've lost touch with, the ones who I enjoy seeing everyday, the ones I don't get to see often, the girls from school that I've reconnected with thanks to Facebook. It's a powerful video that makes you think about how precious and heart breaking life can be. How important it is to have good people in your life. Though I may never meet some of you who click on my blog just know that I'm glad you stop by every once in awhile to read my ramblings. God bless you all! Rene'

Sharing

Is your garland showing? Do you single swag or double? Do you recycle your decorations? The Nesting Place is having a garland party and everyone is invited. If you haven't gotten into the Christmas spirit yet I hope you take a moment and check out the pictures for inspiration. Every time I log on to my blog I always click over to see what the Nester's up to.

The feathers and Fall picks were recycled from my Thanksgiving wreaths. My mom is so cool! She gave my girls (I think I enjoy it more) an Advent Calendar for Christmas (proudly displayed on the fireplace mantel). It is very rustic and simple which is right up my alley. Every drawer has an ornament in it for each day of Advent. Snowman are my favorite and most of the ornaments are snowmen...yippee!

It's better to Give

Wow! I have gone a whole month without writing a single word. November was crazy and now that December is in full swing I thought I would get one or two blogs in before the year's finished. Here are a few hostess gift ideas that I wanted to share. Each gift idea would cost less than $25.00. Some ideas are store bought and some can be made by your creative hands.

Pottery Barn offers Monogrammed Hotel Napkins, set of 6 for $19.00. I love anything monogrammed. Making a left turn on this thought...when I look for monogrammed items (dishes, silver, napkins, etc.) I don't worry about the initials because I feel that if that item was monogrammed then it was pretty darn special to the person who bought it and now it's pretty darn special to me.

For even more savings, just go and buy a plain set from TJ Maxx or Target. Have them monogrammed by someone you know that sews. Most sewing machines today come with the monogramming capability.

Williams Sonoma and Crate and Barrel have tons of kitchen utensils and linens. A nice kitchen towel and spatula set tied up in a silky satin or organza ribbon makes a wonderful hostess gift.

Homemade Ideas

Instant Spiced Tea

I love to make this and give it to my neighbors. I usually can get about six small baggies with this recipe. You can easily double it to make more.

2 cups Tang
1 ½ cups Sugar
½ cup Instant Tea (plain)
1 small pkg Lemonade (no sugar added)
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Ground Clover

Directions: Combine all ingredients together and place in a container. To drink just mix 3 teaspoons to hot water.

You can put the mix into small bags or tins. Attach with a ribbon and make a recipe card. I've used small canning jars I found at the grocery store (less than $1 each).

Sugar Coated Pecans (These are heavenly)

1 egg white
1 Tbsp water
1 lb. Pecan halves
1 cup white sugar
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Grease one baking sheet.
2. In mixing bowl, whip together egg white and water until frothy. In another bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Stir pecans every 15 minutes.

Again just wrap them up in holiday bags and tie with a pretty ribbon. Maybe I'll make some and put pictures up this week.

Happy Halloween Y'All!

Just for today I thought I would change the background and add some "classic" Halloween music to the blog. I hope everyone has a great Halloween Eve.

Music or No Music?

Okay, I'm hosting a dinner party tonight and I've got a million AND ONE things to do but I chose to sit here and create a music playlist of some really cool tunes. I'm not one for music on a website but I guess you can get away with it on a blog, right? Let me know what you think.

P.S. It's raining in Atlanta today!!!!

Simple Design

"October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter."- Nova Bair

What a beautiful quote? Near my home is a greenway that each Fall shines bright in yellows, reds, oranges, and greens. I especially like to walk the dogs on the greenway when the sun is setting. The air is crisp and you can hear the playful rustling of squirrels and chipmunks searching for acorns to store for the winter.

I like simple. Simple to me says grace, elegance, comfort, and even romantic. Looking for ideas for my own home on the internet (sometimes even decorators sing the blues...), I found some wonderful Fall decorating ideas (courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens). The ideas are easy to replicate on your own. Many items that have been used can be found in your backyard, garden center, or grocery produce section.

Enjoy!

"Pheasantly" Simple

Supplies: Twig wreath, pheasant feathers, Brazil nuts and brown satin ribbon

A "Gourdly" Affect

Supplies: Foam wreath, moss, mini-pumpkins, black satin ribbon. After Halloween, simply change out the black ribbon for raffia or green satin ribbon for Thanksgiving.

Simple "Blessings"

Supplies: White ceramic tray or other flat dish, rocks, small pots, votives, and moss. The best part of the centerpiece is that you don't have to water it.

"Elevated" Elegance

Supplies: Candles (pillars, votives, tea), different levels of candle stands, candle holders, small vases or other items to hold arrangements, tangerines and nuts. Place the candles at different levels along the center of the table. Create simple floral centerpieces with twigs, flowers, fruit and nuts.

The "Velvet" Touch

Supplies: Acorns with twigs attached, velvet ribbon in a color of your choice, large faux pearls. Replace one of the acorns with the faux pearl or you can spraypaint one of the acorns with metallic paint and hot glue it back into the shell. Another idea, find two small pinecones that are attached to a twig and spraypaint them with metallic paint.

Thoughtful Gift Ideas

"It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." ~ Mother Teresa

Kinda makes you stop and think about things especially during our economic situation right now. In the past I've been guilty of just "shopping" for Christmas gifts.

Let your gift speak from your heart. I have been selling Sugarboo Designs now for over a year. These photoboxes are hand-made, hand-constructed pieces of art. I am happy to say that Sugarboo Designs has introduced some new products. Such as small antique frames and wish tags for your key chain. Sugarboo Designs has also updated their photobox quotes. I encourage you to check out their website for inspiration. Right now they are processing orders 4 weeks out. Holiday orders must be received no later than November 1, 2008 for December 23rd arrival. So if you see something that makes your heart sing just let me know.

Large Photoboxes $250.00 Sale $212.50 + tax & shipping
Sugarboo's original hand-made, hand-constructed photobox. These frames measure 20"x20" and are 2" deep. Holds a 4"x4" photo in the center. Choose from 18 finishes and over 50 different quotes.



NEW! Small Antique Frame $80.00 Sale $68.00 + tax & shipping
Just as sweet as the larger photoboxes. Frames measure 11"x20" and also holds a 4"x4" photo. Choose from 5 finishes (pink, mushroom, french grey, cream, and sage) and 6 different quotes.

New! Wish Tags $30.00 Sale $22.00 + tax & shipping

What a great gift for a teacher, special friend or stocking stuffer. Each tag is aged to look vintage and you can choose 13 different quotes.