Blue Ridge, Georgia

We enjoyed our vacation in Georgia.

hiking the Aska Trail

canoeing on the Toccoa River (someone fell in :)

horseback riding at Blanche Manor in Copperhill, Tennessee

our cabin in Mineral Bluff, Georgia

 

The cabin was surrounded by woods

and next to this creek.

 

We were in good company on the mountain.

I love this little house with blue lockers.

There were lots of horses in the neighborhood.

You could often hear the roosters crowing.



Happy Easter!

Easter Fun

 

 

 

 

celebrating with shamrock cupcakes

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 



Do Not Fear

 

spiritual inspiration

 

follower-of-Christ

 

behance

 

Bible Lock Screen via Flickr

 

pinterest

 

pinterest

Organize My Closet

rich inner life

 

These craft paper document boxes would be ideal for storing kid's art work.



almostbunnies via flickr

 

clear trays for pretty jewelry display

 

the glitter guide

 

This box is nice, too.

 

pinterest

 

A small bench would be perfect for throwing clothes on that I'm too lazy to hang.

 

pinterest

 

Wooden hangers are such a classic look.

 

dream green diy

 

the real key to keeping it organized:

 

pinterest

From Illustration to Wall Art

I found this cool old nature book at a thrift store. 

 The illustrations are beautiful.

 This is a great source for creating affordable, unique art prints.

 

I enlarged and copied these drawings onto card stock; then framed them in vintage frames.

Voila!  Instant wall art!

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yesterday we were outside doing this:

It was sunny and in the 50's, so we took a walk to the park. Today, there were snow flurries.  That's Indiana for you.  But we made the best of it.  Cold weather is a great excuse to turn the oven on and bake something!

 

 

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Ingredients

 

11/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

11/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg



 

Preheat oven to 375 F.

 

Microwave 3/4 cup chocolate chips in small bowl for 1 minute; stir until smooth; cool to room temperature.

 

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl; set aside.  Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl until creamy.  Beat in melted chocolate and egg.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

 

Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes.  Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.  Makes about 21/2 dozen cookies.

 

adapted from Nestle Toll House Best-Loved Cookies

Transitioning From a Little Girl's Room to a Pre-Tween

My 9 year old begged me for a year to paint her pink room green.  She no longer likes "girly colors" and wanted her bedroom to reflect the fact that she's getting older.  She shares this room with her six year old sister, but being the oldest, I decided to let her have her way.  It didn't hurt that green is one of my favorite colors. 

I gathered all of my floral prints and started a gallery wall that I will continue to add to until it's full.  It makes for a fun collection.  The girls moved out of bunk beds and into these twin beds that my brother and I grew up sleeping in.  Before that, they belonged to my mom and her sister.  When I got them, they were in bad condition.  It took a lot of work to fix them up.

 

 

close up on Georgia's bed

 

One of Georgia's requests was for a desk in her room.  I had to find a piece small enough to fit in this little space.  It's an old telephone table.  I couldn't believe my luck at finding something so perfect.

 

 

close up on Lila's bed

 

Most of these I've picked up for less than $10 from thrift and antique stores.  The rose sculpture was a gift from my grandpa.  His first wife actually made it.  The prints on the ends were gifts from my mom.

 

Here's a look at the other side of the room.  The dresser was also mine as a child.  The alabaster lamp was a gift from my dad.

 

 

a place to store all their pretties

 

Georgia's other request was for a cork board to display art work and mementos.  The girls also brought in this radio/CD player.  They love to shut the door and have dance parties!