Easter Table Decor with Peat Pots

Happy Tuesday.  Hope those of you are participating in the "40 bags of stuff in 40 days" are having more fun with it than I am.  I had no idea how attached I had become to things.  I will be posting pictures of a sun dress I have had for 20 years.  I have pics with my babes to PROVE IT.  So, some of those things are now off to a new new home. Who knows, it may be a post you may want to skip...but unfortunately this is also our family blog which documents big things for us which may be of no interest to anybody else!  :}

Anyhoo, with our HOME feeling less-cluttered, fresh and the anticipation of Spring, I wanted to share a frugal find if you are hosting Easter in your home this year.  My Momma always brought the inside in.  It wasn't ever just at Christmas or at Easter, but she was always clipping things or picking things up to display in our home.  Although a fresh bouquet of tulips is always welcome, it is not always economical.  We planted rosemary about 15 years ago and it is still my go-to for cooking, year-round bouquets, gift toppers and everything else.  The plants were on sale {less than $10} and they have saved us so much $$. Can I tell you how nice it is to cut a sprig and tie it to a white washcloth for overnight guests?!  :}

I love starting plants for friends and for family.  Once the roots are nice and long, they are ready to plant in soil.

I bought this pack of 12 Peat Pots for $1.49.  I already had the soil outside and I used the rosemary starts I started weeks  ago.  

All you need to do is fill the adorable little pot about half full.

Then, place your start into the soil.

Fill the pot to the top and press the soil down to make sure your start feels packed in and secure.

Water just a tad.  That is it!

I think these are sweet little Easter table decorations.  If you want a simple tablescape:  Line up several pots and place them on a tray for garden row herbs.

There is quite a variety of sizes and styles of peat pots.  The trays are really cute, too!

Happy dreaming and planning!

Don't forget about the giveaway!

Shared with:  women living well, a bowl full of lemons, Titus 2sday, raising homemakers, at the picket fence

Share

An Old Easel

First things first!

This last Wednesday, I spent the day with my twinsie and with my parents. It seems as though there is never the time to just meander out for the day, but sometimes, you just have to go and leave things!

Over lunch, I reminded my momma of a devotional she had read to me awhile back. For those of you who know my momma, she loves to share letters she has read, funny stories, Bible verses, a chapter of a book she is reading etc. When she read this one to me awhile back, it just stuck with me and I wanted to share it with YOU today.

It is a reading from JESUS CALLING {December 18}

"When you are plagued by a persistent problem---one that goes on and on---view it as a rich opportunity. An ongoing problem is like a tutor who is always by your side. The learning possibilities are limited only by your willingness to be teachable. In faith, thank Me for your problem. Ask Me to open your eyes and your heart to all that I am accomplishing through this difficulty. Once you have become grateful for a problem, it looses its power to drag you down. On the contrary, your thankful attitude will lift you up into heavenly places with Me. From this perspective, your difficulty can be seen as a slight temporary distress that is producing for you a transcendent Glory never to cease!" {Isaiah 30:20-21 & 2 Corinthians 4:17}

How encouraging is that for a MONDAY morning? Perfect way to start off the week, don't you think?

********************************************************************************************************************************

Okay, on to my "dumpster diving" hubby. It really wasn't a dumpster, but it wasn't the most pleasant place to dig through either. Let's just say it was a far cry from POTTERY BARN and leave it at THAT.

We were going to make our own easel, but when he found this one, we decided we could give it an easy makeover with one package of beadboard and some to spare. :}

The old chalkboard from one side was taken off and the white board from the other was also removed.

He put new supports across the back and then decided that we really didn't need them. POOR thing...

The beadboard was put on to measure for size...and because I could NOT wait to see what it was going to look like! {usually, you would just measure the width and not put the board up!!}

The end pieces were cut off...and saved for mini easels that I will use for menu boards!

Then, we put the cut pieces of beadboard up and screwed them in. For less than $12, we have a one-of-a-kind easel...and fun memories, too. We are nerdy like that...I guess, since We LOVE doing projects together!

I think my favorite thing about the easel is the boxes below...for the baby shower this weekend, they will house the party favor boxes and some birch branches to go along with the birdie and flower theme.

There are so many more ideas for the boxes, though...mason jars filled with candles, fresh flowers in canning jars, markers and crayons for signing one BIG card and the list goes on...what would you put in the boxes?

I still need to decide if I am going to paint the whole thing white or leave it a bit shabby...leaving the frame black. It really comes down to time and laziness!
The beadboard was put on to measure for size...and because I could NOT wait to see what it was going to look like!


there are so many more ideas for the boxes, though...mason jars filled with candles, fresh flowers in canning jars, markers and crayons for signing one BIG card and the list goes on...what would you put in the boxes?

I still need to decide if I am going to paint the whole thing white or leave it a bit shabby...leaving the frame black. It really comes down to time and laziness!

Share

French Theme Week: Pretty Parisian Posies

As women, most of us LOVE our homes and have the desire to create a warm and relaxed atmosphere...but as we all know, that is way easier said than done. We are easily distracted by LAUNDRY, dishes, messy garages, pantries that are so stuffed to the brim with coupon finds and bulk bags of food with twist ties lining the pantry floor, couch crumbs from movie night cheesy popcorn and gnarled up hand braces that have been salvaged from a hungry dog...however,it IS possible to take a few minutes to freshen up our homes with pretties!

Vintagy Posies:

A small bit of burlap...I had leftovers in the garage.

Leftover fabric...I used leftovers from when my curtains were hemned

*If you don't have fabric sitting around, you could purchase a pillowcase at the thrift store and not feel bad about cutting it up...pretty napkins work, too.

A glue gun

Twine...Still leftovers from Grammy's stash


{DIRECTIONS}

Cut circles of fabric. Not perfect. Just eyeball it. You want them to be a bit shabby looking.



You will nedd three fabric circles for each posie and one burlap circle pinched in the middle and tied for the "leaves".



Take each circle of fabric and fold into half. Pinch it together to form a bud, and then glue gun it. Once you have all three buds done, nestle them together and glue gun. Then glue gun the bud to the burlap leaf. OOOH LA LA. Perfect for everyday or simple enough for le bebe shower in Autumn!

Here are a few things I did to add a bit up Parisian charm to our HOME for our French Theme Week.

{They will also serve as simple decorations for a family birthday party!}

If all else fails and you've had a hectic day, find your local classical station or tune it in on PANDORA, light a few tea lights and serve store bought French onion soup with a bag o' salad and a fresh loaf of warmed Artisan bread. The dust wont show and you may just feel like you are in Paris for the dinner hour!



Happy Monday!





Shared with: freckled laundry

Share

"Meet My Friend"...Whitney Beard from Divine Twine {and a GIVEAWAY}

I know it isn't Monday. However, when Whitney offered for me to piggy back on her giveaway, I didn't think you would mind...especially when free printables are available for your crafting projects!

I placed my first order with her last year and I was shocked at how many e-mails I received wanting to know where I bought the "pretty twine". I love Whitney's style and it is do-able for any of us.

Another great product she is offering {for those of us who like a bargain!} is DIVINE {K}NOTS...less than perfect twine at a 33% savings. The shabby look is in and I think it adds character.


Whisker Graphics is the creative out-pouring of Whitney Beard. Founded in June of 2008, Whisker Graphics was a long time in the making. Whitney's love of design and paper goods started when, as a child, she would save her allowance to buy sales receipt booklets and bookkeeping journals (oh, those grids made her little heart skip a beat!) and progressed over the years to include a degree in Graphic Design and the appreciation of all things paper and crafty.

In 2009 Whitney created Divine Twine®, bakers twine in yummy colors, and introduced it to the market.

Whitney lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two children and their schnoodle, Lola.

Please welcome Whitney and be sure to visit her blog for her giveaway...and don't forget to peruse her inspiring blog!

I know I sound like a broken record, but seriously, where does the time go!?? How can it already be time to celebrate the Fourth of July? Well apparently it is, so I've put together a free Printable for you to use in your decorating. There are 12 scallop circles to the 8.5 x 11" page and they can be used in lots of ways. Create a garland, make cupcake toppers, decorate some gift bags, attach to a party invite or punch two holes in them and slip a straw through. Below are some photos to get your creative juices flowing. If you have time, please leave a comment and let me know how you'll be using them. It's nice to hear what happens to these free Printables when they go out into the world.

Click HERE to download our Fourth of July free Printable. Enjoy!



~peace

Whitney Beard




{cotton candy pink...my new favorite color!}

GIVEAWAY

Whitney will be sending the winner a spool of her DIVINE {K}NOTS!

All you need to do to enter is:

1. "FOLLOW" SIMPLY THIS.THAT.AND THE OTHER!

***AND/OR***

2. "LIKE" SIMPLY THIS.THAT.AND THE OTHER on FACEBOOK

3. LEAVE A COMMENT! EASY PEASY! HAVE FUN, LADIES!



***WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 26th. GIVEAWAY ENDS ON JUNE 25th at 9 PST.

Shared with: Tidy mom, pink saturday

Share

"Meet My Friend" Monday {Bargain Hoot}

Welcome to "Meet My Friend" Monday! I have been so excited for you to meet Rene.

I think there is something so wonderful about being introduced. It makes you feel special and it is especially fun to have a friend to introduce to other friends when you know that your other friends are going to love your friend and appreciate her the way you do! That is a mouthful...but I know you are going to really enjoy Rene!

Thank you, Rene for being our guest today!





Rene is my blogging friend and the host of Bargain Hoot.
The first time I clicked onto Rene's sweet blog, I knew it would be one of my favorites.
She is 40 something, an "empty nester", and a busy little bee who is always coming up with the best deals and great ideas, especially if you are on a budget.

Bargain Hoot is where she tracks and shares bits of her creative thrifty side.

So, if you LOOOVE bargains, DIY projects, recipes, crafts and doing cute wedding/events for less...you will {like me!} consider her blog to be your one-stop-blog!

...and BTW, her blog header is the sweetest little header! That little owl just "hoots" WELCOME! I think YOU will agree.

WELCOME, Rene!



Hi everyone...I'm Rene' from Bargain Hoot and
I am so blessed that Lisa asked me to guest post.
I love sharing about all different ways to live beautifully while spending wisely.

I have a few deals I would love to share with you today that will help beautify
your outdoor spaces...although you can bring these pieces indoors too..
The first one is this wooden Adirondack Chair from Home Depot for $29.88.



It is such a great price compared to Pottery Barn's at $249.00
With a little primer and a fresh coat of paint you have the same look for a
fraction of the price.




We purchased two of the Home Depot Adirondack
chairs last year for our DIL's birthday.
They painted them white and have 2 of them sitting on their front
porch...they look adorable! This year I'd love to snag a few for our back yard.
Here's another deal on some cute side tables that match.



Company store side tables $59.00
Home Depot's table price $14.99-$16.88



Happy Monday!

Share

Praying for Joanne

Since I just recently heard about Joanne and have been praying for this 38-year-old wife to Toben and mommy to Audrey and Emma...I wanted to get to know her a bit better...via her blog, of course.

WOW! My heart has been overwhelmed by reading just a few of her blog entries from before she suffered a major stroke.

Joanne has been married for half her life. She was nineteen when she got married and just recently celebrated her 19th wedding anniversary. The more I read, the more I have been drawn to her...because it seems we have quite a bit in common!

As I was reading a few days ago, I was struck by her memorization of Scripture. She and her two adorable girlies had memorized Psalm 91. They taped themselves reciting it with their little 3x5 cards in hand in case they got stuck...I guess. It brought back memories of the summer our family memorized Psalm 91 when we were young. How good it is to have those words of comfort written in our hearts. As I prayed for Joanne after watching the clip, I could not help but to think that even in her state of being sedated that those very words she memorized with her daughters and the lessons they talked about are going to be words she can now cling to for hope! And what an amazing part of Scripture for those girlies to be able to have memorized in light of what they are having to face without their mom to comfort them!

Today, I pray that Joanne is feeling the shelter of her Most High...that even though today has brought discomfort, that somehow she is finding rest in the shadow of the Almighty...rest under His wings. That paints a blissful picture in my mind!

Please join our family in praying for Joanne and for her sweet family!

Her adoring hubby is doing a great job of posting on her blog if you want to keep up with her already amazing recovery! God is GOOD!

Joanne made these little bird ornaments at Christmas, so I thought I would make one to remind us to pray for her!

Share

Star Garland {made from old place card holders}

I bought these place card holders the day after Christmas in 1999. Yep. That is a long time ago. I was nesting away trying to take bags to the Thrift Store. Well, I loved the stars, but I am not into gold...so I brought them in...took the stickers off and used GLOSS paint to give them a fresh new cottage look. I love them. I let them dry and then took a piece of red and white Bakers Twine and attached them to twine with the card holder wire. It worked perfect...and if I need them for place cards, I can simply take them off the twine and use them for whatever. I love finding old things that have not been used and find a use for them.

What is something you have found that is not being used from around your home and turned it into something useful or for decoration? I would love to hear or see!

Happy Sunday. Sorry the pichave not been very good lately and that the posts have been really hit and miss. Maybe after December, things will settle down a bit. :} Aside from that, there is way too much going on for you all to be reading anyway.

Share

Christmas Cream Puffs {puffs with peppermint ice cream}

Christmas Cream Puffs


Heat to a rolling boil in a saucepan:

1 cup water

½ cup butter

Stir in all at once:

1 cup sifted flour {it takes 48 seconds…Caleb timed it!}

Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture leaves the pan {yep…!} and forms into a
ball {ABOUT 1 MINUTE}

Remove from heat.

Beat in thoroughly: ONLY 1 AT A TIME

4 eggs

*Beat mixture until smooth and velvety. Don’t give up! KEEP stirring. It takes a bit of muscle…but they are worth it.

*Drop by spoonful…about ¼ cup size…onto ungreased baking sheet. {I put mine onto a SILPAT}

*If you have a pastry bag you will waaaaant to USE it. I made 16 mini puffs.
Simply eyeball the sizes and if you have a bit of extra mixture, go back and add a “second layer” of pastry dough.

Bake at 400* for about 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

*Remove from oven and let sit a few minutes until they have stopped steaming.

*Using a sharp knife, cut off the tops and scoop out the doughy dough.

*Fill with scoops of SCOTT'S PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM.

EMBELLISH EMBELLISH EMBELLISH! Freeze until ready to serve!

Cream puff dough recipe straight out of GOOD OL' BETTY CROCKER!


Shared with: comfy in the kitchen,

Share

Scallop Paper Christmas Tree

So I can't wait for Christmas, but Thanksgiving...which I also LOOOOVVVVEEEE is first. Here is the compromise: A Christmas tree in Thanksgiving colors.

This project did not cost me a dime. It pays to keep scraps! :)

Does that work?

Here is what you need:

Leftover glass jar {I love the squatty artichoke jars!}

1 branch from your yard

Leftover craft filler

1 sno cone holder {leftover from who knows when!} You can make your own cone with sturdy card stock.

1 glue gun

Scallop paper from scallop punch or whatever punch you might have!

I glue-gunned the paper punches in layers and only glued the top so the bottoms could be ruffled out a bit. That is it!

To assemble: Glue the branch to the bottom of your jar.

Put a big blob of glue on the other end of the stick and place the cone on top!

I used a small piece of ribbon to cover the jar top for a finished look.



This would be a fun family project. Have some punch and the others layer.

Possibilities are endless! What would we do without glue guns???

I can NOT wait to make a pink and blue one and bakers twine with beads for garland!

What are your ideas?

I started putting branches on one, but it was way too Christmassy!

Share