Fall is one of my absolute favorite times of year to decorate my home. There is something about cooler temps and the change of seasons that makes me shift from all things outdoors to focusing more on the interior spaces of my home. During the cooler months, we spend most of the time cozied up by the fireplace in our hearth room, which is right off the kitchen. The mantel is the focal point of this space, so I always like to make sure it’s decorated for the season. To create this year’s garland, I started by gathering the stems and picks I wanted to use. Start with a color palate and just have fun putting together pieces that you like. I went with more of a muted palate this
Spice Drawer Makeover
The other day I was making a grocery list and got tired of trying to guess how much was left in the spice containers. In that moment I decided it was time to give the spice drawer a little makeover. I counted up how many spices we have and then ordered two sets of these clear jars. They came with premade labels for the jars and lids, as well as some blank ones you can label yourself. I started by emptying out the drawer and the cabinet above it, where we store coffee and extra spices. The drawer and cabinet got wiped down, and gathered all of the like spices, tossed any containers that were expired, and then poured them into the new jars. Once all the jars were
Creating a workspace for distance learning this school year.
It’s back to school time, but this school year is going to be very different for most of us. Many students will be spending all or part of their time doing distance learning from home and will need space to work in this new learning environment. When I made this desk over last year, I had intentions of it being a homework desk, never expecting a global pandemic that would change so much about our daily lives, including how kids attend school. This built-in desk is tucked into a corner in our back hallway and is the perfect place to write a note, check email, order groceries, and do homework. I had a carpenter replace the solid surface counter with a stained wood counter to help
Using Fresh Greenery for Outdoor Holiday Decorating Part I: Wreaths
A beautiful fresh wreath on the front door is an excellent way to welcome guests to your home during the holidays. Keep reading to find out how to use a few simple decorations and an inexpensive fresh wreath to make a beautiful fresh holiday wreath for your home this holiday season. Step 1: Purchase a fresh evergreen wreath. During the holidays, you can find these everywhere. Your local greenhouse, nursery, tree farm, and grocery store will have these wreaths for sale. Don’t worry about the bow or decorations because you can add your own. You should pay attention to the wreath’s size and the quality of the greenery. Don’t buy a wreath that seems dried out. A really fresh evergreen
How to Make Inexpensive Pre-lit Garland Look Amazing
Garlands are one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I absolutely love how they can transform a space, but they can get expensive really quickly. My solution....spice up inexpensive pre-lit garlands from the craft store! Keep reading for all the details on how to incorporate garlands into your holiday decorating this year. Step 1: Purchase inexpensive pre-lit garland. I use this garland in my home. Step 2: Attach garlands to your banister. I like to use clear zip ties like these. Step 3: Fluff the garland. This step is especially important when using inexpensive garland. The garland also looks better if all of the branches are pointed in the same general direction, which
Practicing Gratitude
Last week I ran in my second marathon. Completing the race was the result of several months of training, and during the hours spent alone on the road I did a lot of thinking and reflecting on how to be a better mom, wife, teacher, and friend. It’s funny how several hours with no one to talk to results in this! The countless miles helped me come to two important conclusions: (1) I am a better person when I feel healthy and happy, and (2) Most of my happiness comes from actively practicing gratitude by making a choice to look for the positive in each experience and to learn from the challenges in my day. It’s easy to get caught in a rut of focusing on the negative things in life that stress us
