Beautiful Inspiration

Just a little quote to share with you today.

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller

What is beautiful in your home today?

Julia

The Beautiful Pumpkin

Don't you love celebrating each season with the food of the season. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is visit a local Farmer's Market and buy all manner of wonderful produce. I went a few weeks ago and took along two of my teenagers for their strong backs and muscle. As they love to eat, I didn't hear too much complaining.



The very humble pumpkin makes some of the best fall baking. Pumpkins are everywhere as wonderful ways to decorate for fall and all the gorgeous ideas I've seen using them on-line are just stunning. As it's been a busy fall for us, I've kept things pretty simple with just a couple pumpkins for decoration but there hasn't been a lack of pumpkin in my kitchen. Yum!



I've been making this pumpkin spice bread recipe for years since I found it is the Family Fun Cookbook. It's wonderful, makes two loaves, smells awesome and even freezes well.

Pumpkin Spice Bread

2 cups pumpkin, canned
3 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
3 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Heat oven to 350°F In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin sugar, water, oil and eggs. Beat well until mixed. Measure flour, blaking soda, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, nutmeg and cloves into separate bowl, stir until combined. Blowly add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, beating until smooth. Grease two 9x5" loaf pans and dust them with flour. Evenly divide the batter between them. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10-15 minutes then remove from pans. Slice and serve.

Pumpkin Dump Cake

I found this recipe on the internet last winter. I'm pretty sure it's been around but it's yummy and fast and so it's worth writing again.

1 (29 oz.) can pumpkin
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
1 box yellow cake mix
2 sticks butter
1 c. pecans
Cool Whip

Beat together pumpkin, milk, sugar, and eggs. Add salt, cloves, cinnamon and ginger. Mix well. Pour into 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over top of pumpkin mixture. Melt 2 sticks butter and drizzle evely over all. Sprinkle on nuts. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour. Cool. Top with whipping cream or Cool Whip.

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

If pumpkin pie is wonderful, then this pumpkin cheesecake is to die for. It's a Kraft.com recipe and on our holiday must bake list.

18 PEEK FREANS Ginger Crisps (1 sleeve), crushed (about 2 cups)

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

1/4 cup butter, melted

3 pkg. (250 g each) PHILADELPHIA Brick Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar, divided

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Dash ground cloves

HEAT oven to 350°F.

COMBINE cookie crumbs, nuts and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

BEAT cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each just until blended. Remove 1 cup plain batter. Stir remaining sugar, pumpkin and spices into remaining batter.

SPOON half the pumpkin batter into crust; top with spoonfuls of half the plain batter. Repeat layers; swirl with knife.

BAKE 45 min. or until centre is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours.

Have a beautiful Saturday!

Julia

beauty in the little things

As a mom of three teenagers, I know how quickly the years pass. Where did they go? I'm also a mom of two little boys as well though and I'm constantly reminded of taking the time to cherish each sweet moment. Each sweet hug. Each sweet kiss. Each sweet little gift I receive.



I received the sweetest little bucket of dirt yesterday with the last, beat-up daisy clinging to life in my garden. It came in some loving little pudgy, dirty hands and a heart full of love. What could be more beautiful?




Some days I've been too busy to enjoy the sweet little things. I'm trying to slow down. Savor the moment. Remember what's important. Find beauty in the little things. My life is a masterpiece of them if I only stop to look.

Have a beautiful day,
Julia

The Scent of Home

photo from Claire Burke

What does your house smell like? There's something wonderful about surrounding yourself with scent that you love. I have to be quite careful about what scents I wear (I'm still sticking to Obsession even after 23 years) and what I bring into the house as a lot of scents can trigger a migraine for me. I'm pretty safe with food or spice scents. Go figure. Cinnamon, apple, pumpkin, vanilla...yummm! It amazes me how easy they are to use and how many options there are these days. I do believe my favorite will always be candles. I just love the warm glow, especially as the evenings are darker these days. They make everything so warm and cozy. I light one of my favorite candles each night on the kitchen sink window. I admit to not liking doing dishes that much and this always makes the chore a little bit more bearable.

Here's a few of my favorites....




I've been addicted to Grandma's Kitchen for years now. This is the big candle that sits in my kitchen window. It smells like yellow cake with vanilla frosting.



Claire Burke makes the most amazing Christmas fragrance, Christmas Memories. I have one of these lovely diffusers on it's way to me so I can enjoy it this season.





And here's the Christmas Memories candles. My mom discovered this scent and bought me a Vapourri Room Spray about five years ago. There's nothing like a scent to bring back memories and I cherish each one of have of her.


My favorite fragrance oil is the Body Shop's Spiced Apple. Unfortunately they no longer make it and I'm rationing out my few remaining drops. Their new Mulled Berries is a pretty good substitute.


This year I'm loving the Pier 1 Holiday Fragrance Beads. What a cool idea. I originally wasn't sure about the $8 CDN price tag but they smell beautiful and unlike a candle...you can have fragrance all the time. I did a little math... $8 ($5 in the US) divided by 60 days = 13 cents a day. Works for me. I even bought a few extras for stocking stuffers and hostess gifts.

Adding scent is a quick and easy way to make your home feel beautiful. So...what does your home smell like? I'd love some good new suggestions!

Take care!

Julia

Nesting with a Sweater Pillow

While shopping a few weeks ago...sorry, don't remember where...I came across a gorgeous pillow that looked like it was made from a knitted panel. It was gorgeous and oh so cozy, but the price? $35 was way too rich for my blood. And then I thought...I can MAKE that.

Since I didn't own a sweater that I just wanted to chop up, off I went to a nearby thrift store. Now you know what I decided to do with one of those sweaters I bought the other day, the beautiful cotton knit one. I'm sure the employees were wondering why I was browsing through every single size they had! It really doesn't matter what size you buy. I ended up with an adult small that I picked up for $6. It was in great condition with no pilling. I love cotton and that is a good fibre to buy as it holds up well and works well for all seasons. Wool or wool blends would also be lovely. I'd probably stay away from acrylic though unless it's really not going to be used much as acrylic tends to pill. Here it is...

Sweater Pillow Tutorial



To create the "fabric" for my pillow cover, I trimmed off the bottom of the sweater just below the armpit of the top. This gave me a nice rectangular piece the perfect size for a lumbar style pillow. If you have a longer sweater you may be able to make a larger square pillow. Work around your particular material.


After turning the panel inside out, I stitched one seam with a straight stitch and then again along the seam edges with a zig zag to make it secure and prevent raveling. Turn back right side out and insert your pillow form. I was lucky to get a nice edge on this sweater and so I just hand stitched it closed.


Here it is...the quick project that took half an hour to do and the hand stitching was done in front of the tv. I love fun quick projects and I love how cozy this pillow is. The solid neutral color just highlights it's beautiful texture. Doesn't it look great on this chair? Leather can be a little cool sometimes and I love how it cozied it up.


If this post inspires you to try out a sweater pillow, leave me a link and a comment. I'd love to see what you've created!

This post links up with Kimba's DIY day...



Have a beautifully creative day!

Julia

Making a List...and finding a balance

image from bhg

While I love giving gifts, I have to admit Christmas shopping is not my favorite venture. Love Christmas...just not a bit fan of malls this time of year. They are crowded and I can never find what I want. I end up grumpy like Scrooge. No one wants a Mama Scrooge. Why is it there is so much pressure on the mother/wife/shopper to buy the correct presents to make everyone's special day? The hardest thing is doing it with a budget and finding the right balance between needs and wants. A couple years ago I bought all the gifts from us as well as two other people for my children. It ended up being a full-time job and I was a super stressed out mom before I even had to drag out the wrapping paper. Not a good thing and I've been committed to having a joyful Christmas each year since.

In case you're just meeting me, I'm a mom with five children and a large extended family. I'm seriously not a grumpy person and I'm so sorry if this post has started off on a negative note. I love Christmas. I love celebrating the birth of Christ. I love my family and I love the season of giving. I love sharing what I have and love buying gifts. I want to make sure that I keep the beauty in my home this year and the stress out.

I use a few strategies to help combat the shopping pressure this time of year. Here's a few quick ideas for less stress...

• Start early. Some years I start in January. This year I started in July but I'm slowly working my way through the list.
  
• Finish before December. This is when the malls get scary. In my mind anyway. Crowds make for more wasted time standing in lines.
• Smile and be polite! This is Christmas. Good manners are beautiful and smiles are catching!
• Be there when the mall opens. It will be less crowded and you'll have more energy.
  
• Make a list. Check it twice. This helps you stay on budget and on track. Some people are easier to buy for than others. My daughter is super easy to buy for and I tend to buy a little too much. Good thing her birthday is in February and I can keep any excess for then!
• Ask people what they want. This may or may not work. It does save you the guessing game but if you get a LONG list, you may have some disappointed children. Be sure to remind them that Santa cannot bring everything! It's actually good for them to learn that life is not perfect.
• Pair up with someone else to purchase one large gift. My hubby's siblings love doing this for my MIL and she gets something she can really use.
• Ask for help. Last year I was getting a little stressed as Christmas was almost here and I had a few things left to buy. My dear friend came shopping with me to help me out and was a life saver. Thanks Rebecca!
  
• Cut down on excess gifts. We've slowly cut down on our extended family giving at the suggestion of other family members. I'm thrilled. The focus of our Christmas celebrations is now more on family and the reason for the season.
  
• It doesn't hurt to buy things that people need as part of their gift. More things to open, even if it is socks and underwear. I always like to give the kids new pencils and paper for school at this time of year too.
  
• If you're on a budget and have the time, homemade gifts are lovely thoughts. Be sure to start early though!
• Find time for yourself. A happy home is a gift in itself.
  
• Shop on-line and look for free or discount shipping options. Sitting in my jammies with hot chocolate while Christmas music plays is my idea of a dream shopping trip. No parking difficulties and I don't have to scrape the windshield.
  
• Wrap as you go to save your back in a wrapping marathon.
• Try food gifts for people that have everything. We all have to eat and it doesn't lead to un-needed clutter. Except maybe around the waistline.
  
• Give yourself permission to buy gift cards for teenagers and hard to buy for people. Seriously...it's OK.
  

tin details here.

Finally...it's the thought that counts. A cherished gift may just be the gift of your time. People are so much more important things any time.

Enjoy your holiday shopping this Christmas season and may you all receive the gift of joy and peace.

Julia

This post links up with Red Writing's Twelve Weeks of Christmas

Canvas Pillow

It's been a while since I've done much sewing except for on paper. I hit the fabric store the other day and had so much fun picking out some new material for some home dec projects. I thought I'd ease back into the swing of things with super easy projects. That fits the pace of my life these days and they are so cozy for fall. I'm nesting.





Why stick with one idea when you can combine two into one? I've also been wanting to try out the Avery Iron On transfer sheets so I picked some of those up as well and went to work. Here's my fall-themed pillow...





Of course, being thankful is mindset that is perfect for all year long so I may just use it all the time. I've written a tutorial for every thing creative about this project here.

Have a beautiful day, Julia

The Painted Dresser

I have to tell you, I am so excited with how this project turned out! I think I'm going to be totally addicted to painting old furniture and giving it new life in my home. Yes, it was a lot of work and yes I learned a lot but it was a labour of love and so worth it. Do you ever finish a project you are just thrilled with and keep going into that room just to look at it?

So here's the dresser in the state I brought it home in. Chips and worn off finish on the top, both drawers had major chips where they meet but all in all....beautiful lines and sound frame and the drawers worked well.



First a little repair and then a whole lot of sanding. As I got to work, I was so excited to see my vision taking shape and it looking better and better with each coat of primer and then paint. I sanded in the shop out back but freezing temperatures made me haul the dresser inside. Paint needs to dry not freeze. I pushed the kitchen table off to the side and worked right in the kitchen. A plastic drop cloth protected the floor and it actually worked well as the little boys were able to chat with me and do their own crafting as I worked.


After two coats of primer that was slightly tinted with black to a grey tone, I was excited to get up the next day and start on the black paint. I used the Behr Black Suede paint. Being inspired by Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick, I followed her advice on painting furniture and it worked out well.


Five coats of paint later, I put the original hardware back on and called it finished. I'm still trying to decide about distressing the edges. I may just leave it for now and then, when it starts to get distressed with wear, make it look like it's supposed to be that way. Hubby's not too into the distressed look so we'll see.

I love how the light from the window highlights the details on the dresser.



Finally decorating the dresser. I must admit I kind of just threw some of my favorite things together on it that I'd been collecting around my kitchen. It's a little country looking here but I think if I took of the red gingham and that metal star, the "sideboard" would look lovely and elegant in style as well. The red gingham is just using what I have on hand. It's a table cloth that I've just folded up. I think it will add a fun touch of red for the upcoming Christmas season and it cost me nothing. Use what you have!


Totally copied this sweet scrabble tiles idea from Tiffany at {happy day}. I just thought it was the coolest idea for a shop your house decoration and you can change the word each season. Fun! And whimsical too.


I'm thrilled with this project. It fills an empty hole, warms up the room, gives me a table to decorate and look at those huge drawers! You can never have enough storage can you?!

This project links up to...







Have a beautiful day!

Julia

Thrift Store Thursday

OK, OK...it's really not Thursday but the title worked and I DID do my thrift store shopping yesterday which was THURSDAY. When my older kids were small, I used to shop at thrift stores & garage sales all the time. I totally got out of the habit but now I'm finding some fun things can be found there at some great deals and they also provide some great inexpensive supplies for crafting projects. There's beauty in finding new uses for things! Want to see my latest goodies?



I'm loving the black metal star I picked up for $4. It's either going in the back entranceway or my kitchen or hmmm....perhaps even outside. I wish there had been more and then I wouldn't have to decide! When I do, I'll show you a photo.

Yes, those are second hand sweaters and no, I'm not going to wear them. It's been a long time since I was size small. They are crafting material! I can't wait to get started but you'll have to wait to see what I do with them. Hopefully I'll have a project or two to share with them next week. Until then, I'm still working on that dresser/sideboard. It now has four coats of paint, the last of which is drying nicely. I'm going to take a really fine sandpaper to it and then do one last coat. I'm thrilled with how it's shaping up and can't wait to share! Maybe tomorrow?


Have a beautiful day! Julia

Drool

Drool. I can feel my waistline expanding just from looking at some of the latest recipes that have landed in my inbox over the past few days. It's that time of the year for holiday entertaining. I always have big plans. I've always loved baking since I started as a young teenager. And really, who doesn't love a new recipe?!

The Kraft Canada mailing arrived in my inbox yesterday and then when I went to get the mail...there was a nice glossy magazine in my snail mail box from them as well! If you don't get this free newsletter and mailing, it's very easy to do right on the site. It is always a great source for yummy and very doable recipes.

Is this new Snowball Cake to die for or what?



Company's Coming is a Canadian recipe book series by Jean Pare. I've been a huge fan of this series since I was a teenager. As I mentioned, I loved baking and the cookbook 150 Delicious Squares was my first of the series and still one of my top faves today. It's about ready to fall apart but no matter. I still love it. You can sign up for the free newsletter here...

Anyone else love peanut butter and chocolate? I think we need to make these Peanut Butter Balls!


Five Minute Fudge...this sounds like something I could handle.



Do you think I just "might" have a thing for chocolate?

Taste of Home is just an incredible source for home-style recipes. I think I have every issue from their first ten years in my stash. When I get an urge to try something new, they are a great resource. Even better is something I discovered a couple weeks ago. You can get every recipe they've ever printed except for the past year (you can get those if you are a subscriber) free on their web-site. And that includes recipes from Quick Cooking, Light & Tasty and Country Woman. Just in case you think we eat nothing besides chocolate, I went looking for an apple recipe I had made about 11 years ago and actually found it. Applescotch Sundaes...


Do you love to bake in the fall too? Hope this inspires you to get started. There's nothing quite like home-made.

Have a beautiful day!
Julia