Christmas Around the House Tour

 I can't believe this is Christmas Week~!! I know everyone has been extremely busy but my friend Liz,  my daughter and I wanted to do a quick "Christmas Around the House Tour"!!  So, be sure to head on over to see their beautiful homes as well~!!

I didn't pull out everything this year but did decorate a few rooms.  I'll bring you in through the kitchen and take you right out the front door!!  

Wishing you and your family the Love of Christ in your Heart and Home and a Very Merry Christmas!!

Now, moving into the Living Room...

and don't forget the Reason for the Season...

Wednesday's Word

Jacquard:

A fabric with an intricately woven pattern.

Also called Jacquard weave. A fabric in which the design is incorporated into the weave instead of being printed or dyed on. This is one of my favorite patterns.

Here are a few pretty examples.

Tuesday's Tip: Don't throw away that receipt!

How many times do you either not ask for a receipt or just throw it away without looking at it? Well, if you love Dunkin Donuts like I do, then you'll want to hold on to that receipt! At the bottom of every receipt, you can get a FREE donut by simply listening to a short survey (automated) about your visit. At the end of the survey, they'll give you a code to put on the receipt and your next donut is free!! I can't remember the last time I paid for a donut!! So, the next time you buy something at the drive-thru be sure to look at your receipt.. you'll never know what you're missing!

Tuesday's Tricks of the Trade

Are you like me and feel like no matter how much you arrange and rearrange, there never seems to be enough room? (especially for all my magazines!) One quick and easy way to help with this is to add baskets.

Big rustic baskets add a handmade quality to a room while providing that extra storage. You can fill them with pillows, wood, books, blankets and yes, even all those magazines you just can't bear to part with!! You can find inexpensive ones at your local TJ Maxx, Marshall's, etc.

Here are a couple from Pottery Barn. Hope you make it a Terrific Tuesday!!

Wednesday's Word...

Inlay

Inlay: Decorative patterns created with pieces of different woods or other materials, which have been set into the surface of wood furniture.

This is a picture of a Grecian Key pattern inlay design in hardwood in a foyer.  

This is an example of a beautiful traditional inlay pattern on a piece of furniture.  Stunning.

That's all for today folks...I'm off to paint my shutters on this beautiful Fall day.  Tune in tomorrow for Thrifty Thursday and then hopefully I'll be back on my regular scheduled postings! Be on the lookout for a "Home Tour" coming soon!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

"Calorie Free" Saturday!

Saturdays are the one day that we get to sleep in (at least until 7:00 am!).  Our typical Saturday consists of waking up without an alarm (unless you count the phone ringing), having our first cup of coffee on the porch and we eat what we want, so we call it "Calorie Free" Saturday!  Almost every week, I make a big batch of pancakes and I do have to admit, I make The Best pancakes!! Look for my Pancake Post coming soon!  But today, I wanted something a little different.  I didn't have much time but wanted something warm and sweet and Gregg absolutely loves Strawberries.  So, I looked in the fridge to see what I had on hand.  I found a can of Pillsbury Homestyle Butter Biscuits (why I have these, I do not know because we NEVer eat biscuits!) and started just playing around with a few ingredients and now have created what will for sure be one of our favorite "Calorie Free" Saturday breakfasts!  I've named it: 

 Strawberry Stuffed Biscuits

You will need one can of biscuits of choice (or homemade).  Place on pan and before putting in oven, dot each biscuit with butter and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar

 on top of each biscuit.  Bake according to directions.

While hot, split open each biscuit and place 1 tsp cream cheese (plain or Strawberry) 

and 1 tsp of Strawberry jam. 

This is my mother's homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam that is Fabulous!

Top with Strawberry Syrup and Whipped Cream.

Eat while still hot!  The filling gets all melted together and it's so YUMMY!

  and did I mention... 

it's "Calorie Free"!!

Have a Great Weekend!

Thrifty Thursday!

Don't have a lot of time today but wanted to share this quick, "thrifty" idea...
I have had these canisters for a couple of years and didn't "love-love" them if you know what I mean!! But, didn't really want to invest in a new set either.  I do like the bright crisp white color of them but thought they needed a little something else.  

I have black and white curtains and accessories in my kitchen so I decided to stay with that theme.  My friend Christy got a handy-dandy Cricut for her birthday.  These things are FABulous!! I ran over to her house and had her cut out the numbers 1-5 in a nice clean Times New Roman font...

Now I LOVE-LOVE my canisters!!! So, for the price of a sheet of sticky black paper I have totally changed (and updated) the look of my canisters without going out a buying a new set.  If you don't own one of these fancy-dancy machines (I do not..but am asking Santa for one for Christmas)you can stencil your own image or just buy letters or numbers in the scrapbook section at your favorite craft store!!

FUNday Monday~!!

I didn't used to enjoy "Mondays" very much.  It meant the start of a long stressful week at work but now that I am a full-time Home Manager, I look forward to Mondays! I love sitting down, planning my week of things to do to get my house in order and I decided to add a little "twist" and start each week with a quick, fun creative task.  

This week I wanted something new for my front door.  I have had a huge metal yellow butterfly on my front door since the Spring and it was time for a change.  Gardens are overflowing right now with beautiful, colorful fresh flowers and it's a shame to only have them in a vase inside.  My mother gave me this beautiful flat basket so I hung it on the door with a ribbon and suction cup; added a small plastic container of water and filled with fresh flowers!!  Remember to replace faded flowers with fresh ones when needed.

Make it a FUN Monday friends!!

Wednesday's Word...

Highboy

noun 

A tall chest of drawers raised up on high legs, beginning with the simpler William and Mary style of the late 17th century, culminating in the late baroque 18th century Queen Anne style, progressing into the early Georgian style, with an ornate top and extensive carvings; sometimes called a w:Tallboy, tallboy. American examples are highly prized by collectors.

During the Queen Anne period in America, the highboy attained its characteristic form. ... The cabriole leg was a distinctive feature developed in the Queen Anne period; its shape repeats the S-curve that dominated all Queen Anne design. "

This is the traditional Queen Anne style that you will find in most furniture stores and consignment shops.

This is the same one painted a beautiful yellow from a great blog,  Hi Sugarplum  I think it gives it a more updated modern look!

   

Thrifty Thursday....

It's been a while since my last post but things have been a little hectic in the Farrell Household the past few months...

Our youngest daughter was married at the beach in Destin last month so we have gained a son-in-law!! So, needless to say, I have been consumed with all the wedding planning ...a post on the wedding to come soon.

Now for my Thrifty Thursday finds..

Since I have "retired" my "9-5" job, I get to spend more time doing the things that I really love to do, such as spending time with my family and finding great deals like these.  I spent the day today with my other daughter, Amanda, in Nashville and she is a great bargain hunter too!! We didn't have very much time to shop so we stopped at the local GW down the street from her house.  Green is my fav color so my eye naturally spots things that color!!
Today, things with a yellow tag were half price so most of my finds were $2.00 or less!

I have been looking for a place to put our mail and keys and was planning a trip to Hobby Lobby but was so happy to find this for $1.99!! I am planning on paining this black and adding some labels to the slots and putting it in my "mudroom"..

 

This cute little basket was only $2.99! It really doesn't need a thing done to it but I am thinking about either staining it a darker color or painting the top with chalkboard paint..

This cool piece of fabric is really a valance that I snagged for $1.00.  I have the same color pillows on my chairs on screen porch and needed another one for my couch..add some trim and it's done..

This is the coolest vintage terry towel from Sears with the original tag still on it.  I love how it is reversible so I decided to split it in half and give half to Amanda and we are going to add fabric and make a funky little apron..

Watch for the "after" pictures on all of my Thrifty Thursday finds soon~!!