Stripping Wallpaper and the Winners of the Giveaway!

I learned a thing or three about stripping wallpaper last week.  Remember this photo? No?

Well, there's probably a reason. Maybe, like me, you're trying to block the image from your memory.  Not that pink, blue, and brown floral on an age-yellowed background with oak chair rail which was badly installed in 8 foot sections where the seams didn't quite meet is entirely bad....

                                                                                            Oh heck, who am I kidding!? It was awful!

And, it was everywhere...every wall...floor to ceiling. At first, I thought that I'd strip the wallpaper, then, I decided to simply paint over it...with primer. I started to paint it. I got about 4 feet above the chair rail on the two largest walls then, in a fit of conscience, I decided that but couldn't go through with it.

How to Add an Electrical Plug to a Wall Mounted Light Fixture

Today, I'm going to show you how to convert a wall mounted light fixture into one with an electric plug on it so that it can be plugged into the wall.  Last Saturday night at around ten p.m., as I was leaving the French Farm House to go "home" to my current house, I tripped over a box trying to make it from the dining room, through the breezeway mudroom to the studio garage.

French Farm House Update: Refinishing Hardwood Floors

You probably wonder what I've been doing with my time. To be honest, I have days where I wonder the same thing...that, and where in the heck the time goes! Even though I don't have any finished rooms to share just yet, I thought that I'd give you a little update on what's happening at the French Farm House Project.

First, the "to do list" for every room looks something like the above photo. Then, in addition to my "day job" and getting two sons off to different colleges in under a week, I've been learning a few new homeowner skills.

                                                               So, let's not talk about the whole "empty nest" thing, okay?....

GIVEAWAY: TWO SPOTS TO CREATIVELY MADE HOME {HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS}

I'm THRILLED to be able to GIVE AWAY not one, but TWO tickets to Creatively Made Home {Home For The Holidays}! When my sweet and amazingly talented friend, Jennifer Rizzo asked me if I'd be interested in hosting a GIVE AWAY, I said, "Are you KIDDING!?!?!?...OF COURSE I WOULD! This course ROCKS!!!"With a line up like this, group of remarkable ladies, I can't wait for the class to start. Now that my sons are safely back in school and my move is nearing completion,
                                                                                           It's time to start planning for the Holidays!!!!On October 15th, Creatively Made Home {Home for the Holidays} will be launching with an amazing group of talented and creative women featuring crafting,recipes and gift giving!

This incredibly talented group of lovely ladies will help  time us to start making our homes warm and cozy for the seasons and holidays ahead.  You will be able to watch beautiful videos with gift giving ideas, decorating projects and favorite family recipes.  Each woman will share about the times things did not go as planned during their holidays, sometimes funny, and sometimes....well, notsomuch.

Each of these ladies will share discussions about their own journey of hospitality.

I know that you will walk away inspired and ready to create your own special celebrations after hearing about the traditions and special moments from their childhood and how they create special moments with their families today.

For the next two weeks you can get your spot in class for the early registration rate of  $48! After that, it goes up to the regular cost of $58.  If you win a spot, you can give someone else an early gift and have them join you! So,visit Jennifer Rizzo's page to purchase a ticket.   

To enter the give away:  Leave a comment with your favorite thing about the holidays.

For a second chance:  share this on your Facebook page.

For a third chance: follow Serendipity Refined on Facebook

Drawing will be NEXT SUNDAY! Good luck!

Grilled Summer Peaches With Toasted Pecans and Maple Syrup Glaze

Michigan peaches are in season at my local farmer's market and let me just say that, this year, they're amazing! Oh My Gosh! Have you tasted this summer's peaches!? Today, I'm grilling some summer peaches with a little maple syrup glaze...and serving them with toasted pecans.