New Year, New Addition

My New Year has been a whirlwind with a jam-packed January!! Lots of new and exciting things going on at Crossland Church as well as in the Farrell household! If our life wasn't already busy enough, we've added a new member to the family (nope, I'm not preggo!)

Meet Isabella. We will call her Izzy! She's an 8-week-old Jack Chi. I've been researching for a small dog for quite a while and I read about this breed. They're a cross with a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua. Both breeds are extremely smart, very playful, and easy to train plus she's not going to get very big!! Right now she weighs about 2 lbs and has the best smelling puppy breath!!

We are having so much fun with her but Fred & Lucy haven't decided if they're ready for all this excitement in the house!

Don't you just want to kiss her all over!!

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!