An Apple A Day - Caramel Apples, Plain and Fancy

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Have you ever heard the saying: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away?"

Okay, how about the story of Johnny Appleseed?

Head Over Heels - Pineapple "Upside Down" Cake

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Sometimes the very best things in life are simple. 

Humble.

Not at all "fancy". 


Now don't get me wrong, I love kitchen machines and kitchen gadgets as much as the next girl.

I'm sure that my family would tell you that I love them even more.  

"N" is for Noah - A Nursery Name Sign for Gavin

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I always thought that Noah was a pretty cool guy.


If you look at it from my sons' point of view, the man built a huge boat without the help of a laser level, a compound mitre saw or even a cordless drill.

The guy was one of the very first DIY'ers. He did it without any staff, (except the one that he used to walk).

Well, okay....he did have one amazing sponsor. The story of Noah's ark was one of our favorites when my sons were young.

Turkey Talk - Making Martha's "Pom Pom Toms"

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Today, on the blog, we're talkin' turkey (Maureen, if you want to be surprised, you need to STOP READING THIS POST RIGHT NOW!)

No, not the cooked kind. Not the kind of turkey that you serve at Thanksgiving, although, these fuzzy little guys will be attending Thanksgiving at my house this year


Clay tags and Carpet - Getting Everything "Just Right"

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Sometimes, I feel like Goldilocks had the right idea.

Well, not entirely  the right idea.  Not the home invasion, theft and vandalism parts of the story.

I'm talking about her impeccable taste and high standards.

You remember, don't you? Goldi was the gal who wasn't satisfied until things were "just right". 

I'm betting that Goldi's family and friends thought that she was at least a little OCD. Probably more than a bit of a perfectionist.

Hand Stamped Hand Painted Natural Clay Holiday Tags Christmas by Serendipity Refined

Rain and a Basement "Reveal" with a Twist

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It's a funny thing, rain. All summer, while Illinois had a drought and crops withered in the fields, I prayed for it.

When I was little, I loved playing outside in the rain and I still  love a good thunderstorm.

Of course, sometimes, rain interferes with my plans.

It makes things a little, well, inconvenient.


A Creatively Made Home E-Course

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Have you ever wanted to redecorate a room in your home but not been able to decide where to start?

"Before" Kitchen Photo: Jennifer Rizzo
Ever walked into the paint store and been unable to decide on just the right shade for something that you were working on?
"During" Kitchen Remodel: Jennifer Rizzo
Have you ever wished that you had a "friend in the business", someone who you could trust to give you advice on what to do, where to start and how to put together a look that reflects YOU, YOUR sense of style and YOUR life?
"After" Kitchen Photo: Jennifer Rizzo
Well, guess what? Now you DO, and so do I!  My very dear and incredibly talented friend, Jen, of Jennifer Rizzo is teaming with  four other amazing designers to offer a 5 week E-Course on how to make your house a home. Here's a snippet from the course description:

Each week you will have amazing truthful videos from not only the five teachers but other creative women.
* Each week we will take a room from one of YOU and all five women will give their suggestions telling you how they would transform the room with their style.
* There will be 50+ project videos.
These will be incredible videos that include everything from gardening, cooking, gift giving and decorating.
* There will be written tips from each woman telling you how she starts a room, picks paint, fabrics, etc.  You will learn where to start when putting your own home together.
* Tons of beautiful house photos from each of the five women.
* Videos that truly reflect what life is like in each of their homes.  The stuff that life is really about.  Believe me it has nothing to do with the perfect table setting.
* Each woman will share their own truthful journey about how they started making their home a reflection of their hearts.
* Each person registered will get an easy entertaining e-book to download.
It will contain go to recipes for beautiful and easy entertaining (they do go together), photos of table settings that take the stress out of having people over, favorite drinks and so much more (and their funniest entertaining story).
* There will be a private Facebook group to connect with other class members.
* There will be a once a week live discussion with one of the teachers!
* You will get printables and pdfs to keep and use again and again.
This course is about loving your home, loving your family and blessing those around you....and having fun doing it.

                                                     All that, and more, for ONLY $58!

These women are some of the best in the business. Their styles are each as beautiful as they are unique.

Tracey Leber of  French Larkspur.

Photo and Styling: Tracey Leber ~ French Larkspur


  Sara Duckett of Sadie Olive.
Photo and Styling: Sadie Olive

Kimberly Taylor of Kimberly Taylor Images
Photo: Kimberly Taylor Images



and Jeanne Oliver of Jeanne Oliver Designs
Photo: Jeanne Oliver
        The course starts on October 22nd so don't wait. I've already registered!  For more information or to sign up, please visit Jen's page http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2012/07/a-creatively-made-home.html . I can't wait to get started!


xo,
Kimberly

Christmas Decorations. In October. Don't be a Grinch!

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Yes, I realize that it's October 10th and that it's still about eleven weeks before Christmas. I've been accused of rushing the season and of not taking time to enjoy Halloween and to pay respect to Thanksgiving but that's not it at all!  Yes, It's October and I'm thinking about Christmas decorations for this year.These were our decorations a couple of years ago.


Burlap and Tulle Wreath Tutorial

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This post is going to be short and (hopefully) sweet.  It's been a whirlwind weekend here.

Actually, whirlwind is probably a bit mild. It's been a "queue the flying monkeys" tornado, crazy-busy, weekend that included removing screens, washing windows, a round trip visit to see my son at UIUC, and a very special meeting on Sunday evening that I'll tell you more about in the coming weeks.

 In the mean time,  a few weeks ago,  when I wrote my ombre glitter pumpkin post,  I posted a photograph of a burlap and tulle Halloween wreath that I made. A couple of you asked me for a tutorial.

Kitchen Progress: When One Thing Leads to Another

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When my sons were small, we read. A lot.

One of their favorite books was "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff.

In case you haven't read it, it's the story of a young boy who shares a cookie with a mouse setting off an entire chain of events that keeps the boy busy all day long, and potentially for days to come. If you give a mouse a cookie, after all, he's most certainly going to ask for a glass of milk, for which he'll absolutely need a straw and, of course a napkin....you get the idea.


Old Fashioned Applesauce

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My youngest and I were having a conversation tonight as I was preparing dinner.  It's fun to chat while I'm chopping or slicing or browning and he generally sets the table while I'm doing it.

After my usual inquiries as to how school went today, I casually asked him,

"Hey, do you think that I'm old fashioned?"

He shot me a quizzical look.

(Insert long, thoughtful, pause here.)