Frames, frames and more frames or wait...maybe a shelf???

I'm starting to get that itch where I want to make a big change to a wall in our home but, I'm not exactly sure what it is I want to do.  I'm thinking a wall of art mixed with snap shots or perhaps even some sort of shelving or maybe even a mix of both.  We don't have a lot of space in our 1950's track home, but art and photos on a small wall makes for big impact and I'm loving all of these ideas...

via Desire to Inspire

via Pottery Barn

via Natalie Merrillyn

via Jones Design Company

via In the back of the Galaxy

The gift of a child

I am at a loss for words this morning as I scroll through the pictures of those taken so tragically at Sandy Hook elementary this past week.  I think like many I am holding Kingston and Chelsea a little tighter, kissing them a little longer and saying I love you more often this weekend then perhaps I did just a couple of days ago.

I think this saying says it all...



My thoughts and prayers are with all the families who are struggling with this horrific loss.
Apryl

Douglas or Noble...what's your Christmas tree style?

Our family has changed our "tree style" over the years.  We were once a douglas fir tree family, as this is what I grew up with.  My grandmother always said "there is too much space on a noble, they look spindly" and as a child I agreed.  I loved the fullness of the douglas and every Thanksgiving we would go to the tree farm and they would cut down the tree we had picked out the Thanksgiving before.  This was something I looked forward to every year.  However, I think it was about eight years ago when I saw a decorated noble and fell in love with how beautiful the ornaments and bulbs hung so perfectly from its branches and I thought decorations don't hang from the branches of a douglas like they do on a noble they lay on the outside of the tree sort of flat all around and that is when my love for the douglas fell to the wayside and the noble become our family tree of choice. 

Do you have a tree tradition?  Each year we get one or two new ornaments to hang and whenever we travel we always grab an ornament from our vacation destination being sure to write the date on it somewhere and then as we decorate we reminisce of all the places we have been.  There are no white lights in our house and definitely no flocking.  We do not have a theme to our family tree however, I know many that do.  I have one friend that each year decorated her tree with all snowmen and another friend had a flocked tree covered in white lights with all vintage rose colored ornaments.  I remember one year as a kid my mom decorated our tree with white lights and red bows tied all over it. 

A Christmas tree is very personal and very much to each her own.  What is your Christmas tree style?  Does your tree have a theme?  White or colored lights?  Flocked or not? Tinsel or colored garland? 

Whatever your Christmas tree style, I hope you are enjoying this holiday season.

Merry Christmas,
Apryl

A noble tree

 via Southern Living  

A douglas tree

 via Juniper Ridge

Christmas Crack...an addicting holiday treat!!!

Well the name of this recipe is probably not the prettiest description however, it is the most realistic. This tasty treat is so addicting you need to give it all away immediately after baking or you will eat it all yourself.  Believe me when I say that I know this from experience.  Thank you Kristin for introducing me to this amazing concoction of deliciousness. 

Did I mention it is a piece of cake to make?

Here goes...

Ingredients:
Saltines crackers (1 sleeve or so)
2 sticks unsalted butter
2 cups brown sugar
12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
Chopped mixed salted nuts (you may need to chop yourself)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400°

Lay crackers side by side in a 10"x15" cookie sheet with an edge. 

Bring butter and sugar to a boil and continue boiling until it comes to the soft ball stage (you are at the soft ball stage when you drop a small amount of the sugar syrup into a bowl of cold water and it forms a soft flexible ball)

Pour toffee mixture over the crackers.  Bake for 5 to 7 minutes (keep a close eye so it does not burn).

Remove from oven.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips letting them melt for a minute before spreading with a knife.  Sprinkle with nuts.  Let harden and cool (I put mine in the fridge for the afternoon) Break or "crack" apart and viola...Christmas Crack! 

I'm baking up a new batch in a day or so but I'm changing it up with some white chocolate chips and some crushed up candy canes for a little Christmas Crack a la peppermint bark...this should be over the top crack-a-lishous!

Enjoy!!
Apryl

A personalized cup O' joe...

I am a huge fan of homemade gifts and with my dear friend Pinterest (yes it will be the death of me)...I found this crafty idea pinned from one of my favorite blogs Lemonade Makin' Mama and decided it would be perfect for personalized Christmas gifts.  My handwriting is atrocious but, I guess imperfections are the beauty of something homemade (well that's what I'm telling myself anyway ha ha). 

What you need...

1.  A dishwasher and microwave safe mug (I found a 2 pack at Homegoods for $4.99)

2.  A ceramic paint marker (I used a DecoArt glass paint marker purchased at Michaels with my 50% off coupon)

Trying making something homemade this Christmas, I promise it will make your Christmas gift giving that much more special.

Happy Wednesday.
Apryl

Per the DecoArt glass website wipe down your mug with alcohol to remove

fingerprints.  I didn't read that until after I had already made two

mugs...it made no difference.

Decide what you want to write and write away.

(don't worry if you mess up it wipes off and you can try

again and again and again.....)

Once happy with your creation let it air dry for approximately 8 hours

then bake in a non pre-heated oven at 375° for 40 minutes and

viola your gifts are ready.