Accent Lamps

Another great find from Pier 1, these were the last two medium sized lamps they had in the clearance section. I am debating sewing on some sort of ribbon embellishment, or adding a monogram.

Lamps in the living room

Thrift Store Finds

While shopping for items for my Halloween costume, I totally lucked out! I found a butler tray and a candelabra. The candelabra definitely needs some tough love from me, but it will be a beauty when I am finished with it. I got both items for $18, such great finds!

Candelabra

Butler tray

Mirror Turned Chalkboard

When I found this mirror in an antique store downtown, I fell in love. The metal frame is beautiful and I just had to have it! I decided to turn the mirror into a chalkboard by priming it with an all surface primer and then added three coats of chalkboard paint on top. For the frame I turned it from white to blue with the color we used on our living room/dining room accent wall. It is now hanging in our kitchen/dining room, it adds such fun character to the space!

Before

Primed and ready for the chalkboard paint

After

Change

http://getagrip.com.au/category/getagrip-on-change/

Today I went into major cleaning mode! Hours later only the downstairs has been touched, I guess that means tomorrow will be another cleaning day too so I can tackle the upstairs. While dusting I realized how I am so used to the decor we have in our house that I barely notice it anymore. I spent some time putting new images in our old frames and moved around candles, what a difference such small changes made! It was the easiest way to bring new life to our old belongings without buying a thing!

Must Find: Butler Trays!

I am in love with silver butler trays! I have found so many while browsing websites online, but I particularly taken with what I found at www.napastyle.com. Their trays have such beautiful details, I am completely lusting after these fabulous home accessories!

Welcome Autumn!

The air is starting to feel crisp, it is getting darker earlier, and the leaves are turning beautiful colors; welcome autumn! Yesterday I decorated a wreath but I haven't yet gone to the pumpkin patch or drank hot cider. Those are next on my list!

Getting creative

The new wreath!

The Most Underestimated Flower

Carnations! They're beautiful! They have so much texture and can be found in a variety of colors. The rich dark red flowers, mixed with the golden wheat, really make me feel like fall is here. I love this time of year!

Carnation centerpiece

I Love Pizza!

After dining out with friends in Jacksonville, Florida, I was very inspired by a pizza on the menu. I had to make it for myself at home!

Gorgonzola and pear pizza

For the crust, I used a pita out of the bag from the grocery store. I covered the pita with Gorgonzola cheese crumbles, slices of a canned pear, and mozzarella cheese. I baked it in the oven at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. YUM! This was so easy and quick to make and the pita makes a perfect sized pizza for me to eat by myself. With no leftovers and hardly any cleanup, I will definitely be making a pita pizza again soon!

Chicken, It's What's For Dinner

For me, chicken can be very bland and I am always looking for recipes to make a healthy chicken meal exciting. I managed to find a great recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book!

Chicken Parmigiana with Vegetables

For the vegetables (zucchini and broccoli), I put them on an oven sheet, glazed them in olive oil, put a steak seasoning on top, and sprinkled Parmesan cheese on the zucchini. I baked them at 415 degrees for ten minutes.

For the chicken, I dipped the chicken breast in a mixture of one whipped egg and a bit of milk, then rolled it in a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and ground oregano. I cooked it in olive oil on the stove until it was cooked through. For the tomato sauce on top of the chicken, I mixed diced tomatoes, a bit of butter, salt, sugar, and minced garlic (can also add onions). I brought the sauce to a boil, then lowered the heat to let it simmer for about ten minutes. After it was all finished I put mozzarella cheese on top and enjoyed my meal!


I did not include any exact measurements because I rarely use them when I cook! I find it more fun to become my own chef and add the ingredients with my own measurements, using the recipe as a guideline. Enjoy your Chicken Parmigiana!

The Nature Inspired Guest Room

I have been fortunate enough to take many trips to the west. My favorite sight was the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park. The colors of the spring are just amazing, and I had to have a room that reminded me of it!

Grand Prismatic Spring

Guest Bedroom

I used to the orange color from the spring on the wall, the pillowcases and sheets are a beautiful light blue, and the chocolate comforter comes from the wet sand next to the spring. For the walls, I found a plain white picture frame at Pier 1 and painted it.

I am going to put in pictures from my favorite places in the west including Monument Valley (Utah), the Badlands (South Dakota), and the Grand Canyon (Arizona). I love the end result!

Gorgonzola Gnocchi, an Italian Treat

Gnocchi is definitely one of my favorite Italian meals and making it from scratch is so easy! 

Boil one potato in water with a pinch of salt. One potato for each person eating is a good estimate of how much food to make. Pull out the potato when it is soft enough to mash and save the leftover water. Kneed in flour until the dough doesn't stick to your hands and fingers. Bring the leftover water to a boil while rolling the dough into tiny balls. Once the water is boiling, drop in the gnocchi and stir so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot. The gnocchi balls will rise to the top when they are cooked through after only a few minutes. 

For the sauce, I simmer heavy whipping cream, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, and parmesan cheese. After about ten minutes, take the sauce off of the stove to let it cool.

YUM!

Introductions and Catching Up

Hello friends new and old! I decided to start a blog at the urging of a close friend. Currently, my husband and I are living in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. It is such a beautiful area and I am always working on a home project. I am excited to share all of the work I have done on our current and future homes. Here is our house!

Bare bones when we moved in, all white walls and plenty of space to be creative.

I will keep the updates coming, we did a lot of painting right after moving in, I love the results!