• How To: Valentine Heart ‘Tree’

    This morning I shared with you my Valentine’s Day Mantel and mentioned two tutorials that would be coming.  Here’s the first tutorial on how to make those little heart ‘trees’ you saw.  Normally I don’t post twice in one day, but I wanted to post this before the weekend, so that if you’re heading out to shop for some crafting…

  • Valentine’s Day Mantel {that Cost Me Nothing}

    The world of blogging has opened up a whole new world for me, including being less practical in my approach to holidays.  My college dorm was never decorated for anything, besides Christmas {it’s probably a good thing I dropped out of the Elementary Education program.  My classroom would have been very boring–no cool bulletin boards, room decorations….}, and I’ve never…

  • Chicken Parmigiana

    This dish is absolutely wonderful, and it would make a fantastic Valentine’s Day dinner for you and your sweetie, or for your kids.  If you’re celebrating alone, that’s okay too!  {I had my own days of those times, mostly babysitting for other people to go out to dinner}.  The great thing about this is that you can make lots of…

  • My Photo Collage Wall

    Finally, I finished a project!!  And, we’re only, what, 3 weeks into January??  Where has the time gone?  But, it’s done and I’m thrilled. If you’ve ever hung a collage of photos on the wall, you know that it is no easy task.  One would like to think it could be something like this: source But, trust me, that most…

  • Creamy Potato Soup

    Several potato soup recipes have come across my path in the past few months, and they each contained cream cheese.  Not something I would have ever thought to put into soup, but I figured I would give it a try.  So, yesterday I made up my own version.  I love that this soup doesn’t require any milk!  Milk is so…

  • One Step Closer to a Well-Managed Home

    First of all, just wanted to let you know that I updated my post from yesterday, General Tso’s Chicken, to include my recipe for fried rice.  Someone had asked for it, and I figured others of you might be looking for a super easy way to  make it.  Yesterday, while running errands and purchasing my new book journal, I also…

  • General Tso’s Chicken, a Recipe for Chinese New Year

    *Updated January 20, 2012, with a recipe for Fried Rice (below)* Monday, January 23, 2012, is Chinese New Year, otherwise known as the Spring Festival in China.  It is a major holiday in China, and so in honor of that celebration, I thought I would share with you a Chinese recipe.  We don’t always have Chinese food on this holiday,…

  • Reading List for 2012 & A Book Recommendation

    The beginning of a new year is one of my favorite times.  I feel invigorated, driven, motivated, and excited for all that is in store.  This year has been a bit different, as we’ve been sick, my husband has been on a new schedule, and I’m already feeling VERY pregnant {still have 14 weeks to go!}.  However, even in the…

  • 2012 Word of the Year

    Today Layla, over at The Lettered Cottage, is hosting a Word of the Year Link Party.  I’ve never chosen a word of the year, but I’ve read that it’s the new way of making a New Year’s Resolution.  Perhaps keeping to one word will be easier for me.  Here’s the word I’ve chosen: It may seem a strange word to…

  • First Mood Board Attempt

    The past two weeks have meant colds, coughs, and sleepless nights at our house.  Which, during the day, translates to me not tackling the large to-do list that I made.  And, you know what, it’s okay!  Life is not going to stop because I haven’t finished organizing the closets, cleaning out the pantry, and decorating the girls’ room.  My family…