Blustery Hat Day

The wind is howling and the temperatures have dropped.  Winter is on it’s way!Time to bundle up to to keep the chill at bay.

Nordstroms, Brocade Intarsia Knit Beret, $34

I’m mad about hats!  There are so many great choices available in a wide range of prices.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Etsy, Greek Fisherman’s Hat Wool, $25

Target, Merona Knit Brim Hat, $13

Kohls, Croft and Barrow Tweed Cloche, $16

Hats in the Belfry, Giovannio Monique Velvet Beret, $49

Hats in the Belfry, Grace Regan Textured Cadet, $49

Free People, Thick Chunky Beanie via R29, $36

 Stay warm this holiday season and go mad for hats!

Layered Neutral Textures

In my new space, I find myself moving more and more to neutral interiors.  There seems to be a quiet, sophisticated elegance in designs that have layered textures using only a neutral palate.  Finding inspiration in beautifully designed interiors, I looked for tips that I might use in designing my own home.

photograph via avalonjacksonbeach

Tip 1:  Add or highlight architectural elements that use a variety of textures like stone, wood, tile, and steel in the room’s core design.

Tracery Interiors via theenchantedhome

Phoebe Howard via theenchantedhome

photograph via celebrateanddecorate

decoholic

Tip 2:  Add contrast with a range of neutral values.

photograph by Max Kim-Bee via Veranda

photograph via houzz

decoholic

Tip 3: Choose eclectic furnishings and fixtures.

photograph by Max Kim-Bee via Veranda

Kristen Nix, photograph by Brittany Ambridge via Domino

restorationhardware via jjasmineinteriors

Tip 4:  Add a variety of materials (including fabrics, glass, steel, leather, and fur) in the room’s decor.

photograph via 3dayblinds

Alexandra Federova via moldse

photograph via avalonjacksonbeach

photograph via kristenellisdesign

Nate Berkus, photograph by Brittany Ambridge via Domino

photograph via thelennoxx

Tip 5:  Mix warm and cool neutrals.

photograph by Tom Haga via decoholic

Michelle Workman via theenchantedhome

Tip 6:  Choose accent pieces and decor that add visual interest.

restorationhardware

BHG via designsavvyofnj

Identifying specific design choices in these beautiful neutral interiors empowers me with understanding how to keep this palate interesting. With a few simple changes in my own home, I feel more confident moving in that direction.  Neutrals also offer a wonderful backdrop to fine art and lush plants which is a bonus for me too.

Holiday Advent

It’s hard to believe, but there is only one week until Thanksgiving. Typically, we begin our Christmas decorating the next day so I thought it would be fun to share a project to help count down the days of December. This charming advent calendar was created by Lucy Atkins at Craftberry Bush.

     craftberrybush

To begin, I’d head over to the creative team at Boxwood Clippings to learn how to create a padded frame. Sarah and Emily provide directions here.

Once the frame is prepared, the rest of this project is quite simple. To make Lucy’s clay tags, you will need the following:

Materials:

Air dry clay or Sculpey

Paper tag

Straw

Rolling pin

Sharp craft knife

Fine grit sand paper

Pins

 

craftberrybush

Directions:

1. Roll out air dry clay or Sculpey over parchment paper. Roll the clay at least 5 mm.

2. Place a paper pattern over the clay. Using the rolling pin, roll over the tag so it leaves an indented outline on the clay.

3. With a sharp craft knife, cut around the edge of the tag.

4. With a straw, poke a hole at one end.

5. Remove any unwanted clay around the edges.  Smooth any rough edges and set it aside.

6. With a pin or toothpick, draw or stamp the number.

7. Allow to dry or cure as per the package instructions.

8. Once dry, gently sand edges and/or any imperfections on the tags.

9. With a thin brush, paint inside the numbers (optional).

craftberrybush

I like the simplicity of this advent calendar.  Each tag could list an activity to be performed rather than a treat or toy.

Perhaps the tags could include:

a helpful service, to be rendered

a scripture reference, to be read

a song, to be sung

an activity, to be enjoyed together

photograph by Ken Scott, via pinterest

As the beginning of the season approaches, how will you count the days until Christmas?

Woolen Menagerie

The weather has cooled near our house and I have witnessed a menagerie of woolen animals roaming and frolicking outside.  Is there anything more adorable? While these photos may not be from my neighborhood, they offer a small sampling of animal inspired children’s fashion.

irarott, $35

Boden, £19.20 to £20.80

melondipity, $31.99

etsy, $32

irarott, $35

Adorable, right?!

Words For Life #1

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Childhood Comfort Food

There are some foods we enjoy that become synonymous with home. Two family favorites that I have enjoyed since childhood include a simple variation on a classic recipe.

 mini stuffed meatloaf

Recently, a friend from work commented that she hated meatloaf.  I told her I had a recipe that I thought just might change her mind.  When I shared a slice of this meatloaf, my friend agreed that stuffing the meatloaf with ham and cheese made all the difference.

I have made this for so many years, that I don’t really have a recipe.  The following ingredients are approximations.

STUFFED MEATLOAF

Ingredients

ground beef, 1 1/2 – 2 lbs
2 eggs
1 medium yellow onion, diced
oregano
garlic salt
1 – 1 1/2 package(s) of Nabisco saltine crackers
sliced ham
favorite cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, colby-jack, etc.)
ketchup

Instructions

Put a medium sized package of ground beef (1 1/2 – 2 lbs) in a large glass or metal bowl.  Add 2 eggs and 1 medium yellow onion, diced.  Add about 3-4 dashes of garlic salt. Crush 1-2 palms of oregano between your fingers as you add it to the mixture.

In another mixing bowl, crush 1 package of saltines with your hands.  Slowly add saltines to the meat mixture as you mix thoroughly with one hand. The secret is to add just enough saltines to hold the mixture together without adding too much density.  You may add more or less saltines depending on your volume of meat. 

Place part of the meat mixture in a loaf pan pressing upward on the sides creating a bowl shape.

Place sliced ham in the middle followed by cheese.  Finish the filling with additional layers of sliced ham.

Add the rest of the meat on top to seal the bowl shape.  Press downward around the outside edge creating a dome shape.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Place the loaf on a middle rack and bake about 50-60 minutes. Check your meat with a thermometer to be sure it is fully cooked.

Spread a thin layer of ketchup on the top while the loaf is still hot. Let the loaf cool about 5 minutes before slicing.

Additional Notes:

Gluten free crackers, such as Late July Organic Round Saltines are available on Amazon.

You may also want to try making mini-loafs as pictured above.  Simply cut a slice of cheese.  Cut the slice in half lengthwise and stack the cheese. Wrap the cheese in layers of sliced ham.  Take your meat mixture and fold it around the cheese/ham log.  Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 40-50 minutes.  Test with a thermometer to ensure the meat is finished. Cool for 5 minutes.

Another family favorite is stuffed hotdogs.

 photograph via amyskitchen4

When I was growing up, my Mom used to make stuffed hotdogs.  It has become a family favorite for my children too.  Pure comfort food!

STUFFED HOTDOGS

Ingredients

1 package Ball Park Beef Franks, or your favorite brand
mashed potatoes
cheddar cheese (or your favorite sliced cheese)

Instructions

Boil the hotdogs. Prepare mashed potatoes.  Remove the hotdogs from the water with tongs. Slice the hotdog lengthwise without cutting through to the backside.  Open the hotdogs like a book and place the hotdogs in a 9×13 pan. Generously spoon mashed potatoes on top of the hotdog.  Sprinkle or layer your favorite cheese on top. Place pan in 350 degree preheated oven until cheese melts (about 7-10 minutes).

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy these recipes. The next time you want comfort food, I hope you’ll consider stuffed meat loaf or stuffed hotdogs.

Popcorn & Four Fantasy Tales

Friday night marks movie night at our house–with popcorn and possibly pizza too. We gather together at home or in a cinema to enjoy good storytelling.

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No matter when or where you gather together to enjoy a good story, here are four fantasy tales to consider.

As a Doctor Who fan, I’ll definitely jump on board the Tardis this month for the 50th Anniversary episode, Day of the Doctor. I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces, finding answers to some questions, and enjoying the beginning of the next adventure for the Doctor. Here is a prequel clip from, “Night of the Doctor” which leads into the celebrated anniversary episode:

I enjoyed reading Suzanne Collins’ dystopian trilogy Hunger Games and looked forward to the first film adaptation with Jennifer Lawrence cast as Katniss. Catching Fire ramps up the energy as winning tributes head back to battle for survival in the Quarter Quell all while the fire of rebellion burns bright.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug will continue Peter Jackman’s vision of J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic adventure of Bilbo Baggins.

Finally, Disney’s Frozen should keep the family laughing while possibly chiming in with “let’s bring back summer!” A perfect family film to warm the heart while leaving winter’s chill outdoors.

Happy Friday!

Giving Back

With so much to be grateful for this year, I love the idea of giving gifts that also help others in need.

I am grateful for healthy children.

westelm

These sweet hand-blown glass birds support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. This gift retails at West Elm for $19 with $5 of the purchase price donated back to support the organization.

I am grateful for clean water.

  

These Hers and His 18/8 stainless steel, non-toxic, non-leaching and BPA free Swell Bottles retail for $35. If you are unfamiliar with this product, these bottles were designed to keep drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. Not only do they come in a range of colors and sizes, the stainless steel does not leave an metal after taste.

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Best of all, this great product also offers a charitable opportunity. Swell partners with WaterAid to bring clean drinking water to those in need around the world. Currently, there are three limited edition bottles available that benefit the efforts of American Forests to plant trees in nationally devastated forests.

I am grateful for my family.

kohls

My Mother is a breast cancer survivor.  What better way to honor her and help others battling this disease than giving this beautiful Simply Vera scarf. It’s a steal at $5 with 100% of the net profit from the sale of this item donated to support the fight against breast cancer.

I am grateful for employment.

toms

This charming crocheted beanie was created by women artisans in Uganda and retails for $26. Stewart Ramsey, one founder of the brand Krocket Kids International explained the inspiration for their company.

In 2006 I took a trip to Uganda to do some volunteer work at an orphanage, which was in a government camp for displaced persons. The camp was supposed to be temporary but had been around for 20 years because of ongoing conflicts. People there told me that what they really wanted, instead of aid, was a job to provide for their families. We realized that our own side project of crocheting could do just that. A year later we were in Uganda, in a brick hut teaching a group of women to crochet.

Travis Hartanov, another founder, explained the difference purchasing one of their products makes in the lives of families:

A job, coupled with education and mentorship, means our employees can put their own kids in school, feed their families a healthy diet, access clean water, buy medicine, invest in their own businesses and choose to rewrite their own futures. We’re merely a spark for empowerment.

To view their range of products, visit: http://www.toms.com/marketplace/brand/view/name/Krochet-Kids-intl.

I am grateful for my home and comforts.

dancingdeer

Purchasing a Sweet Home Holiday Favorites gift basket (beginning at $34.99) brings joy to more than those tasting these treats. The Sweet Home Project contributes to direct action programs to help homeless families establish stable lives and move into homes of their own. Sweet Home donates 35% of the retail price of Sweet Home goodies & gifts, year-round, directly to scholarships as a pathway out of poverty to economic self sufficiency.

I feel gratitude for so much that blesses my life.  Giving back is just one way to to say “thank you” and to celebrate the reason for the season.

Other worthy considerations…

Oxfam America is a global organization focused on developing long-term solutions to poverty, hunger, and social change.

Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. We save lives, develop long-term solutions to poverty, and campaign for social change. – See more at: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whoweare#sthash.xyr6T2pi.dpuf

https://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/all-gifts/

Nomi Network is a nonprofit organization based in New York City that aims to create economic opportunities for survivors and women at risk of human trafficking. We are dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty that perpetuates human trafficking globally. Currently serving women in South and South East Asia. To buy one of their products, visit:

http://www.buyherbagnotherbody.com/

Same Sky was founded with a vision to provide the dignity of work to all women under the same sky. Not only do we offer employment and fair pay, we also give the training and education necessary for women to live empowered and self-sustaining lives.

http://www.samesky.com/

Big Talent, Little Sisters

Canadian sisters Lennon and Maisy Stella are YouTube and television stars with big talent.

photograph by Amanda Wagner

If you haven’t heard these talented girls sing, here is a sampling for you to enjoy.  First up, Call Your Girlfriend.

Next, Bright Side.

Finally, here’s a little thank you from Lennon and Maisy.

I hope that put a smile on your face.  I know it did mine.  Happy Wednesday!

Puppy Love

Meet “the girls”!  These two cousins joined our family and stole our hearts.

Our eldest dog is a cuddle bug.  She is a little lady and quite the ballerina.

Like a little child, she had a difficult time when a new addition to the family arrived.  Fortunately, that quickly changed.  They are now best friends and depend on each other like siblings.

Our youngest dog is playful and athletic.  She has a sweet disposition and is a bit flirtatious when she wants to snuggle.

“The girls” prefer to spend time with our family. They enjoy being in the same room or following us wherever we go. This dependency makes it difficult on them when we leave them home alone.

DogTv and Busy Buddy Puppy Squirrel Dude toys have helped tremendously with their separation anxiety.

dogtv

I was a bit skeptical when I first discovered this channel designed specifically for dogs.  Within a day, seeing a real difference in “the girls,” I became a huge fan.

photograph via thealphadogblog

After years of research, special content was designed to meet specific attributes of dog’s vision, hearing, and behavioral patterns. The programming was designed by highly acclaimed experts including veterinary pet behaviorist Professor Nicholas Dodman, celebrated dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, and animal rights activist/pet trainer Warren Eckstein. These renowned specialists created programing with short 3-6 minute segments that range from relaxation, stimulation, and exposure.

All I can say is “IT WORKS!” I purchased my subscription through Roku for $9.99. For our toy breed, it is worth the price!  They are calm, quiet, and happy girls even when we leave the house.

To learn more about this amazing behavioral tool and subscription options, visit: http://dogtv.com

My veterinary clinic introduced me to a treat dispensing toy called the Busy Buddy Puppy Squirrel Dude. Long crazy name, but a great product!

My “girls” love their squirrel buddies.

I fill the cavity with their regular Iams ProActive Health kibble and add a dollup of Pedigree Little Champion Soft Dog Food at the opening.

The specialized rubber prongs hold the food inside and randomly dispenses it as the dog plays and works for each kibble.  This toy entertains the dogs while we are out of the house.  They appear almost happy when we leave knowing they will get to play with their squirrel buddies.

We also keep Hill’s Prescription Diet T/D Dental Health Dog Food on hand. Although T/Ds can be served as a basic diet, we use it as a treat.

We love our dogs.  This time of year, as I prepare for the holidays and changing weather, I remember our whole family.  “The girls” get their own stockings filled with special treats and they also get a gift.  This year, I’m considering this darling Martha Stewart dress.  Yes, I know.  I’m one of those people.

petsmart

We live in an area where winter months get bitter cold and there is snow tall enough to bury our dogs.  Dressing toy breeds protects them from the elements… besides, isn’t this dress adorable?! (You could never pull this look off with a German Shepherd, Irish Setter, or Labrador.  It would look silly.  Right?)

Yes, we have puppy love! Do you have beloved pets that are a part of your family too?