Along Came A Spider…

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Thank you so very much for your kind comments about yesterday’s fantle” ~ faux fall mantle. As promised here is the easy peasy tutorial on how to create your own spooktacular web.

I opened my boxes of fall décor on Saturday and was once again reminded that all of our holiday décor was in traditional harvest colors.  I was ready for something new but had no budget. So I spent the weekend painting, primping and giving all of the interior accessories a soft neutral palette.

Afterwards I thumbed through the most recent issue of Country Living looking for a bit of inspiration. I really loved the “Arsenic and Old Lace feature”.

I was inspired since I have an entire trunk filled with vintage and antique handiwork. Now while I didn’t have any old frames lying around I did have a handmade gift that was enjoyed all through the 90’s. (If you’re a certain age you probably had “country décor” too. :) I always thought that the shape of this embroidery hoop was…eerie. So I disassembled the wall hanging and spray painted the hoop black.

I rustled through my doily stash and found an small oval dresser scarf that fit almost perfectly.  The lace was sandwiched between the two rings and tightened down. I propped it up against the wall and it was almost immediately proclaimed by Sweet Boy to be “awesome”. Which was quickly followed with “It needs a spider.” Which it DID! I dug around and found an old plastic spider ring and it wasn’t quite… right. I went to Michaels for some other supplies and found two glitter spiders on sale for a little over a dollar. The bonus was that their underbelly’s featured a wee spring clothespin that I easily clipped on to the lace.

Glitter makes everything better.

I thought that a grouping of “wall webs” would be fun. While I was at the craft store I did price embroidery hoops and the large specimens were around $15.00. Holy golden webs Spiderman! So I cruised by Goodwill and found an empty hoop for $1.00 and I will be on the lookout for a few more.

Until then, one is fun.

Laura

Linking to:

Today’s Creative Blog, Someday Crafts, SSS, Shabby Nest, Tatertots and Jello, Positively Splendid, The 36th Avenue, SNS, Thrifty Décor Chick

© 2012 Decor To Adore Laura Ingalls Gunn All Rights Reserved

Fall Fairyland Forest

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There is nothing like capturing a bit of autumnal bliss under glass.

Last Christmas I, along with 8000 other bloggers, created a bit of holiday happiness in a glass container. I chose a gumball jar for my creation.

 

Earlier this week I was scrolling through fall images and came across this lovely gem.

I immediately thought “Yes! Now I know what to do with those leftover plastic deer and bottle brush trees!”

But the trees needed to be in autumnal colors so I busted out the bleach. It takes about 20 minutes to get the job done. I use 1/4 cup per gallon of hot water.

I mixed up some food coloring (But next time I would probably use RIT dye for a more vibrant color.) and gave the bleached trees a swish of color.

As I had absolutely no décor on my dining table so I decided to lay everything out on a tray to create a centerpiece. For awhile I was stuck on “What the heck do I use as ground cover? Faux snow will not work.” Then it came to me. Moss. I had two types leftover from when I made my spring terrariums. You can purchase a whole bag of it at Joann’s for $3.99. Make sure you use a 40% off coupon. :)

I then searched around for other miniatures inside the Fashionista’s dollhouse and found this wheelbarrow. The wee pumpkins were purchased at Hobby Lobby. 

Everything is cuter in miniature.

I broke up the large expanse of green by tucking in some yellow mums. When these wither they will probably be replaced with faux flowers.

Sweet boy thought we should set the scene outside on the patio.

But it was really hot so it was brought back inside.

I think I’ll add in some willow chargers, yellow napkins and maybe a bit of colored dishware to the table.

Do you have a fall centerpiece on your table?

Laura

Linking to:

The Charm of Home, Common Ground, StoneGable, Between Naps On The Porch, Today’s Creative Blog,Someday Crafts, SSS, Shabby Nest, Tatertots and Jello, Positively Splendid, The 36th Avenue, SNS, A Stroll Thru Life, Thrifty Décor Chick

Cuts Like A Knife ~ FFP # 10

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Welcome to Friday’s Favorite Pin! I’ve recently written a few posts that featured my kitchen. A few eagle eyes spotted my crème colored knives resting in a butcher block on the counter top and wanted to know where they were found.



I myself first spied the knives on one my favorite blogs~ French Kissed. Madame Chastain featured her daughter Haleigh’s darling Paris kitchen.



After much obsessive googling I found that the knives were created by Wüsthof. Now I already owned three black handled knives from this brilliant German company, but since I cook everyday I was looking to add a few more to my cooking tool box. :)


The crème knives are hard to find. But I did locate an online site here. 


The knives are an investment to be sure. Each holiday Mr. Décor has gifted me with one knife procured from an ebay auction. I still have my eye on one more knife and thankfully Christmas is coming….


However I do use my knives every single day. To say that they cut well is an understatement.



Has an image ever led you on a Google goose chase?

Laura

I can’t wait to see what you pin up gals and guys found this week. You can link to a post you created or a pinterest URL ( I explained how to do this HERE.)

Yes, it can be your own creation that you have pinned.

Linking to: Designs By Gollum, StoneGable , A Stroll Thru Life,

A Red Light Day

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Last Monday was truly A MONDAY. In the early morning hours I merely looked at my “to do” list and almost passed out from exhaustion. I needed three of me if I ever even hoped to get everything finished on the list. I am sure you can relate.

After a morning of unloading the dishwasher, scrubbing floors, packing a lunch and preparing breakfast I was eager with anticipation that Sweet Boy would soon be leaving to get on the school bus. As he picked up his backpack he said, “I am so excited that today is an early release day.” My brain processing this information was akin to slamming on the car breaks. “What?” I checked the school calendar. He was right. 

I think this is known as “throwing a wrench into the works”.

There was no way around it. He would be home at lunchtime. Even though I generally try to avoid it I had numerous errands that he would have to accompanying me on.

After the third or fourth stop of the afternoon I was DONE. But I still had three places I had to go. The clock was ticking away faster that I needed it to. As I hit the 800th red light of the day I groaned out loud and mumbled something along the lines of “waiting again…grumble, mffph.”

Sweet Boy piped up. “Mom, it’s ok. My homework is done, and we can just have Sunday dinner leftovers. There is plenty of time. If worst comes to worst the world wouldn’t END if the dry cleaning is picked up tomorrow. We can just spend the extra time at the red lights talking with each other.” 

Just like that the light turned green on more than one level.

"10% of life is what happens to us and 90% is how we react to what happens to us". ~ Charles R. Swindoll

Today my Sweet Boy turns 11. He is wise beyond his years.

My prayer this week is that I will react positively to stressful situations when in his presence.

Laura

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” ~ Galatians 5:22

© 2012 Decor To Adore Laura Ingalls Gunn All Rights Reserved

Thirty One Days…

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Every October, for the past three years, the Nester from Nesting Place has written a series entitled “31 Days”. I admired her for doing so but in regards to taking up the invitation to join her, well the entire idea just felt impossibly daunting. I mean, what would I talk about?

Then it hit me.

 

After all there is British Colonial Décor, Hollywood Regency Décor, Cabin Décor, Shabby Chic Décor, Mid Century Décor …. I could very easily go on and on.

Maybe you have always wanted to know just exactly what your style was but could never quite find a name for it. During this series there’s a good chance you will find out or perhaps even find a style you love even more, but didn’t know existed. 

Of course every now and then I plan on throwing in a bit of DIY also known as “Laura’s Décor”.  :)  

But what about Sundays?

As it turns out, God has A LOT to say about décor.

So yes, this year I am joining Nester who will be writing on being intentional in her home during her “31 Days” series. I also have already given myself permission to fail. By doing so ahead of time it will be ok if I decide to spend time with my family INSTEAD of writing a blog post.

Are you joining in the “31 Days” series?

Laura

Black-eyed Peas in a Healthy Soup for New Year's Luck

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For the last few years, we've made sure to make black-eyed peas for New Year's. I never even questioned the source of this mostly southern tradition. It's an excuse to eat black-eyed peas with smoked ham hock. 'Nuff said. That more traditional recipe is in our cookbook, The Cleaner Plate Club, and plenty of greens recipes to go with it, too.

In the South, the peas symbolize prosperity, greens mean money and the pork is said to symbolize the pig's hard efforts at foraging for itself. Some of the history behind the custom comes from Civil War days when the Union soliders wiped out all the food crops in the South, leaving just "animal feed" like field corn and the black-eyed peas.

Other history point to farther back, such as ancient Syria and Jewish Rosh Hashana, then brought to the US by Jewish immigrants in the 1700s.

This year, we skipped the ham and went for a vegetarian approach. After the holiday excess, I have to admit that we were all ready for something light. This soup is based on the Fall Vegetable Soup in the book, with the addition of farro, a wholegrain the offers some protein, and, of course, black-eyed peas which are available fresh this time of year. Also check in the freezer section for frozen ones.

Still, we have the peas for prosperity, kale as the greens for money, and the cheap, healthy protein source of farro for my own foraging, as well as some herbs from my garden (what has not totally frozen yet). And, without the saturated fat from the smoked pork, well, this soup adds a healthy start on your New Year's resolutions.

To modify the recipe for dried black-eyed peas, you'll need to soak them overnight. After sweating the onion, celery, garlic, and carrot, add the stock and black-eyed peas (drained and rinsed from the soaking water) and bring those to a boil, then simmer for 1.5 hours before going forward with the rest of the recipe.

Makes 12 servings

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2/3 cup chopped carrot (about 
3 medium carrots)

2/3 cup chopped celery (about 3 stalks)

2 garlic cloves, minced

10 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1 Tbsp dried summer savory

2 tsp dried thyme

2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped

2 bay leaves

2 small Parmesan rinds, optional

1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small (¼-inch cubes)

1 lb winter squash, peeled and diced small (¼-inch cubes)
1 cup farro, rinsed and drained or 1 cup lentils, rinsed, sorted and drained

1 lb. fresh or frozen black-eyed peas

1 bunch (about 12 oz) kale or chard greens, stemmed and chopped

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Warm the oil over medium-low heat and add the onion, carrot and celery. Sweat this combination, known as a mirepoix, until the onion is translucent.
2. Add the stock and the savory, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the sweet potato, squash and Parmesan rinds, and then simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Add the farro or lentils and black-eyed peas and simmer for 30 more minutes (or until the lentils, if present, are al dente).
4. Add the greens, and simmer for 5 more minutes.
5. Remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rinds. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

When we were eating, my six-year-old who often won't eat soft textures of orange foods, said, "Mom, can we have this soup every New Year?" As picky as kids can be, especially after a sugar rush of holiday desserts, I think that's about as lucky as it gets.

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you are off to a healthy, happy new start.

Bryant Terry's Inspired Southern Food (Vegan)

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So, Paula Deen decides to make lighter Southern food and it gets headlines? It's a campaign year, and I am sick of the mud-slinging, so I will just say this: I think the wrong person has been getting the headlines all this time. When it comes to Southern food, real Southern food that has evolved — as any cuisine should — my vote is for Bryant Terry, including his book, The Inspired Vegan.

Yes, vegan. And Southern food without bacon and lard. Terry's recipes use many of the classic ingredients one associates with good Southern cooking; black-eyed peas, greens, sweet potatoes, grits, johnny cakes, sweet tea, molasses. And, he definitely doesn't use factory-farmed pork or Velveeta, which is not on any seasonal, heritage ingredient list I can fathom, Southern or not. The beauty of Terry's take on Southern ingredients is that he's re-thought them, added his life influences, often Asian, and continues to create. Food, like everything else, must evolve.

Terry's food is healthy. This commitment to good, healthy food is not just in his cooking, he lives it. Terry has worked for food access and food justice as well as nutrition education and empowerment throughout the span of his career. This is not a new brand image he's acquired for marketing purposes.

Vegan or not, and I am not a vegan, his recipes are creative, and, as the title suggests, inspired. The recipe for Savory Grits with Sauteed Broad Beans, Roasted Fennel, and Thyme is the sole reason my 7-year-old now requests "Fennel!" as a favorite vegetable when we shop.

This fall, I am looking forward to trying Sweet Potato-Cornmeal Drop Biscuits with Maple Syrup. The fresh shell peas at the market right now will be great in Black-eyed Peas in Garlic Ginger Braised Mustard Greens. Terry's Pickled Red Onions are a staple condiment in our fridge for months now.

Get past the "vegan" thing if you are not vegan. When I am run dry on ideas for making vegetables delicious, I turn to vegan cookbooks for inspiration. Not the ones that try to make non-meat versions of a burger or hot dog, but the ones like Terry's that embrace the flavors and richness that vegetables and grains can bring. The title is so aptly named. This is Inspired cooking. And Terry, as a chef who uses his creativity to help and inspire others, and to bring about food justice and healthy choices for all is my kind of inspiration, too.