• DIY,  Green Living

    Handmade Stockings from recycled material

    This year it was time for a change of style for our family stockings. I had saved the burlap gold flecked table runners from the wedding and I thought they would make great stockings.  This project was a moderate level of effort, very affordable and in the end, I am happy with how they turned out. Steps:  Find Pattern  – I used one of our old stockings, giving about a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Sew/Glue Stocking together – I decided I would not break out my sewing machine but rather do red decorative stitches by hand around the edges – this added more red to the overall look.  I used a…

  • Lifestyle

    Last Minute Gift Ideas

    This time of year it seems like we are always scrambling to get last minute gifts.  I really appreciate when someone takes the time to give me a homemade gift.  To me this means that special person took their time and energy to create something – even if it’s just cookies or candy it’s special! I wanted to share some of my ideas for homemade gifts, and also share some of the gifts I have received from all the great ladies that I am lucky enough to know.     This year I made rosemary garlic infused olive oil and various types of vinaigrette.  My go to salad dressing is…

  • Food

    EASY! Gingerbread House Decorating Party

    Every year, I host a Gingerbread House decorating party for my girls.  Depending how enthusiastic I’m feeling, dictates the number of kids we invite.  Speaking from experience, it’s much easier with a few kids versus twenty.   Another thing I have learned is to keep it very simple and avoid frustrations.  Even at 10 and 12, my girls do not have the patience to build the gingerbread house, they really just want to decorate it.  So part of my preparation is to have the candy ready on trays and the houses all assembled.                 Needed Items: Candy – I recommend the staples like…

  • Lifestyle

    Christmas Décor

    This year I wanted to change up my Christmas décor without buying many new items.  It is our first Christmas as a new family and I wanted to make sure I mixed enough of my traditional items but also created some new looks.  I will admit, I have gotten into a bit of a rut when it comes to Christmas decorating.  I find a nice mantle style and I put it up year after year…well, not this year.  In fact, I moved my traditional mantle garland out around the front door, along with the matching wreath.               For the mantle, I changed it up by using the greenery…

  • Lifestyle

    Old and New Traditions

    After spending Thanksgiving in Vienna, we were able to visit a few of the traditional Christmas markets open from mid November through late December.  I was amazed that this tradition has been going on for hundreds of years, we found one market dating back to 1294.  I totally loved the shopping, food and mulled wine served in Christmas mugs.       The most amazing part is the sense of community you feel.  These markets are open all day until about 10pm.   I ended my vacation wishing we could start a Christmas market right in our Dallas area suburb…but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.         So for now, we will make…