Valentine's Mantel

Hello!

I finally have something to post about so I'm back.  We have been battling the flu here first M and then Jacob.  Ugh, I'm sure hoping that I don't get it!  I got cabin fever this weekend and decided to redo the mantel.  I did something after Christmas and I never really loved it.  I haven't decorated for Valentine's Day since I was in elementary school but I thought it would be fun and bonus....I didn't spend a dime.  See, that craft closet does pay off! ;)

I made the burlap bunting and tissue paper tassels, the baby food jar candles were leftovers from M's first birthday, the Love print I won from a blog giveaway and never found a place for, the birdie I had and the large frame I bought for $6 at a thrift store a few weeks ago and the intended project fell through.

The bunting is just burlap with tissue paper hearts modge-podged on.  I made the tassels following these instructions and both only took around 30 minutes.

The heart chain is a pinterest find, which is so basic it's silly.  So there you have it!  My free festive Valentine's Day mantel.

Do you decorate for small holidays?

Grandma's Recipes

Hello!

I hope you all are well because it has been awhile!  We have been busy as usual but are happy to be getting back into our normal routine.  M and I have been hitting the gym in the mornings and I have been trying to squeeze in at least one item from my (never-ending) to do list each afternoon while she naps.  This past weekend Jacob and I purged our closet and master bedroom, which felt great!  

I'm here to share one item that has been on my list for forever and I'm so happy I took 10 minutes to do it and mark it off the list!  I saw the idea on Pinterest originally to frame your Grandma's recipe cards and since both of my Grandmas have passed I definitely knew this is something I wanted to do.  I'm still working on Jacob's Grandmas who are still living but not in the best of health.  I hope to one day have all 4 hanging but for now it is just 2.

Here is where they are located in the kitchen.....near the coffee pot....a gathering place in our kitchen!

Grandma Snyder's recipe for Beef Stroganoff

Grandma Richardson's recipe for French Chocolate Pie

This one is very special, you can see my name on it because I made this pie years and years ago (I found it in a magazine) and I have been dying to make it the last 5 or more years but didn't have the recipe and then I found this while cleaning out her house.  I love it.  I'll make it and share it if it is as delicious as I remember!

I used this website to download canvas images on paper to matte the recipe cards.  There are several to choose from and it's free!

I love looking at their handwriting.....the recipes don't really matter :)

Why hello there plate wall!  Here is another one of my favorite spots in the kitchen

I think I have FINALLY settled on curtains for the master bedroom.  I'll be back soon with pictures!

Quick Mantel Update

Hi all!  

Happy New Year!  I took an unintentional few weeks off when the Holidays arrived but I'm back!  We had a great Christmas with family and friends and a wonderful New Year celebration with friends from out of town.  Like several blogs I read today I feel refreshed in the new year and can't wait to get to work on several home projects.  

Jacob helped me take down all the Christmas decor yesterday and while the house always feels bare after it's all put away I also love the clutter free feel!  I need to work on our mantel and the first step was adding some height.  In typical fashion I shopped the house and back yard and this is what I came up with.  I'm still tweaking it and I need to figure out what I want to do to anchor it a bit.

I needed something to hold the sticks in place and found a toilet paper roll was perfect!  Winning!

Once I add to it and get it the way I want I'll be back with pictures!

Have a great day!