Cute As A Button Valentine Mantle and Garland

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Earlier this week I took a break from studying and decorated the center space of our living room entertainment center. As we don’t have a fireplace this space has become a faux mantle or “fantle” of sorts in our home.

As I began piling on the doilies, lace and paperbacks there were a few spots that needed just a bit of something more. The darling button garland that Donna from Funky Junk created back in December came to mind.

Pearl and cream colored buttons worked perfectly with the vintage white milk glass.

I also punched out a few paper hearts and tacked them to twigs nestled amidst the roses

Bottles of buttons and pearls completed the look. Almost.

After taking the above photo I decided that the sides of the entertainment center needed doilies too. :)

Then of course I had to add my own spin to Donna’s lovely creation which is made simply with buttons and ornament hooks.

I spied this red felt garland at the dollar store and knew it would be perfect for adding a touch of red whimsy to our dining room area. As I had the buttons on hand this project only cost a whopping $2.

I hung the heart button garland from our dining room chandelier.

I’ll reveal the rest of the space next Monday.

Simple but happy.

Have a love filled Monday!

Laura

Linking to:

Kelly’s Korner, Bargain Hunting W/ Laurie

Thursday, February 14th

Will You Be My Valentine?

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I LOVE Valentine’s Day!

Even when I was single and dateless I was always blessed to have someone to love~ friends, family, co workers.

Let’s all share the love.

On Thursday, February 14th I will be hosting a Valentine themed linky party.

I would love for you to share your:

Valentine Crafts

Valentine Décor

Valentine Recipes

Sweetheart or Loved One

Acts of Love

Basically anything goes.

Past posts are perfect!

If you are anything like me you might need a button for your sidebar to remind you. :)

Valentine Linky Party

Thursday, February 14th

Will you be my Valentine?

Laura

“Let My Love Open The Door” Valentine Wreath

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As the month of January draws to a close, complete with overcast skies and dreary weather, I found myself wanting a bit of happiness and color. I set out to create a happy and welcoming entry for Valentine’s Day.

I first looked to see what I had on hand: a bit of open weave burlap I bought on clearance last fall, Christmas clearance red  ribbon and a wire wreath form.  It was a start.

I began constructing the wreath in the same way I shared in this tutorial:

I thought maybe threading the ribbon through the burlap would be cute. (Holy time waster!) It wasn’t quite right. So I tried adding in some other red and white ribbon.  I only got half way through when I decided it was an epic fail.

“When everything feels all over
When everybody seems unkind
I'll give you a four-leaf clover
Take all the worry out of your mind"

So I pulled everything apart. Sometimes creativity happens that way. But you can’t give up. You might need a little Pete Townsend to bring back the spark.

By adding in some red burlap ~ suddenly ~ everything worked!

“Release yourself from misery
There's only one thing gonna set you free
That's burlap
That's burlap”

In the meantime I had gotten down the small bin of Valentine décor and found some old wooden hearts I have had for years.

They came complete with a key and begged to be tied on with a big burlap bow.

“I have the only key to your heart
I can stop you falling apart
Try today you'll find this way
Come on and give me a chance to say”

Oh the front entry was singing now!

“Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
Let my love open the door
To your heart”

Sometimes it takes an epic fail before you find true love,

Laura

I hope you’ll join me on Thursday, February 14th!

Linking to:

Kelly’s Korner, Bargain Hunting W/Laurie

Rêve ~ A Dream Come True

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In French the word “Rêve” means “Dream”. For me the content of this post is a dream come true. A dream that required a very long journey to bring it to fruition.

As many of you know I lived in Europe for four years. I worked as a tour guide for the U.S.O and was blessed to have traveled to many wonderful areas experiencing the beauty and culture only Europe can offer. 

The experience was in one word TRANSFORMATIVE.

When I returned to the states I worked as a features journalist for a newspaper, began writing Décor To Adore, received a degree in interior design (with an emphasis on French and English antiques) co ~ created Metis Linens and currently I am back in school majoring in art history and minoring in French.

Sense a recurring theme? Yes, France. Many of my longtime readers are aware of my deep and sometimes consuming love that I have for all things French.

To love France completely is to appreciate its land and the people ~ full of timeless beauty, with wonders such as lovely fashions, fine cuisine, beautiful art/architecture/furnishings and so much more.

For me there is nothing better than to immerse myself in research on a certain topic and then devote time to travel to experience it firsthand. I love to share the passion and experiences with anyone who will listen.

For a number of years friends, family members and even blog readers have asked when I would write a book sharing all the wonderful and sometimes secret details I have learned about this beautiful country.

The time is now at hand.  

But such a project is a tremendous undertaking. One that needs to be shared. There was one person I knew who loves France even more than I do.

My friend Andrea lived in Paris for several years while she completed the three year course in art history at the Ecole du Louvre. Yes, that Louve.

Andrea has a beautiful home in the Burgundy region of France and among her many talents she has been a contributing writer and photographer for Romantic Homes Magazine.

Joining us will be Elizabeth Eiffel, an a Australian writer and photographer whose images always leave me wanting more.

Elizabeth is currently restoring what she lovingly refers to as “her French Folly” a beautiful home in a quaint village located in the Burgundy region of France.

Together we have been working on a series of French travel themed E books. It was a short debate on what we should cover for Volume I. There is nothing like  Paris ~ the City of Light and Love.

This travel E book series will be vastly different than what is already flooding the market.

You will not find information on the Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumph, or the Champs-Élysées. While those are all wonderful places to visit, we want to offer you over 100 pages of:

“Les trésors cachés de Paris”

translation: “The hidden gems of Paris”

You will also notice that there is no date on the (tentative) cover of Volume I. This is because the information contained within the pages of Rêve will be timeless. Much like France itself. Unlike a magazine, you will not want to eventually toss, recycle or delete this book, but refer to its fantastic content again and again.

Future volumes will cover areas such as Brittany, Burgundy, Provence… et plus (and more)!

Rêve will make its debut on May 1, 2013.

We are currently offering pre subscriptions at a discounted price. $6 for one volume, $20 for four volumes.  

For an E book. Crazy! We know!!!

(The price will increase after publication.)

Rêve Le Livre

Volume I: Paris 2013 $6.00 USDAll Four Volumes 2013 $20.00 USD

Rêve ~ The French Lifestyle You’ve Dreamed Of.

Laura

The Climb

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Yesterday was a gorgeous Arizona spring day~ clear and in the 70’s. It was also the 30th Annual Climb For Cancer on South Mountain.

Back in early January we asked if there was anyone we could climb for. We received several names.

Two weeks ago I learned that my very, very good friend Marci has cancer. She is 38.

You met her last year in the post “A Rose Amongst the Thorns”.

So the walk was made for Marci and many others.

All names were printed on a piece a paper and tucked into the water pack.

Ceekay ~ Ovarian Cancer

Marcie Cooper~ Breast Cancer

Nonie

David Olson

Ann’s friend Alice

Emma ~ she just turned 13 and lives in Australia.

Mike Hottle ~throat cancer and leukemia

Jill Sullivan~ throat cancer

Mike Keyes ~ brain tumor

Ginger~ breast cancer

Munkh Erdene (Munhuush) from Mongolia ~brain tumor

Ruth~ breast cancer

Susan Smith ~ melanoma

Blake, 18, ~ Burkitt's lymphoma

Julie is a wife and mother of 5 children~ colon cancer.

In memory

My cousin Sweet T’s good friend Louise Feole~ ovarian cancer

Tracy Evans ~ a classmate of mine who lost her battle with breast cancer

My dear friend Tracy’s MIL Barbara Epperson

Karen Ingalls my mother

Roy Ingalls my grandfather

Janice Ray my aunt

With each step, a prayer for a cure.

As many longtime readers may know, in the past I have closed my Sunday posts to comments in personal observance of the Sabbath. Recently I was approved for BlogHer advertising. (Praise Jesus) One requirement they have is that all posts must remain open to comments. I ask for your understanding that I personally still choose not to get on my computer on Sunday’s.

Perhaps in lieu of a comment, you can leave a prayer or praise of thanksgiving (a blessing you’ve experienced).

Laura

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” ~ Colossians 2:6

Happy Valentine's Day - Marshmallow Popcorn

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I love popcorn pretty much any time of day. I love to make caramel popcorn, cinnamon crunch popcorn, buttered popcorn or just eat it plain for a healthy, low calorie snack. However, I do have to say this marshmallow popcorn however is definitely one of my favorite ways to eat popcorn. It is soft, chewy, sweet and a little salty. We love to make this recipe all different times of the year and add extra items to give this popcorn a fun holiday twist. For Valentines we love to add cinnamon bears cut up, jelly hearts and/or Valentine's M&M's. The color's are really cute and also make a fun treat to give to school teachers, friends, neighbors, etc. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
Marshmallow Popcorn1 cup uncooked popcorn – pop in air popper2/3 bag of mini marshmallowsPop the popcorn kernels. Remove all un-popped kernels from the bottom of the bowl. Mix the mini marshmallows in with the popped popcorn. In a medium saucepan melt the following:1 1/3 cup granulated sugar½ cup corn syrup1 c. butterMelt ingredients in saucepan until it begins to boil. The second you see it beginning to boil start a timer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Have marshmallow popcorn divided into two bowls. Begin by pouring 1/3 of the hot caramel to the top of the popcorn. Stir together. Add more dry popcorn from second bowl to the wet popcorn. Pour more sauce and repeat process. Add the remaining ingredients until it is all combined. Stir gently. You don’t need to have all the marshmallows melted. It’s tasty with chunks of marshmallow. Also delicious to add peanuts, cashews, M&M’s, cinnamon bears, cinnamon jelly hearts, or any other festive treat for Valentines Day or Halloween (candy corns) It tastes like a rice crispy treat but better because it’s popcorn!

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Ah! One more day to Valentine's Day. If you still need a fun and delicious Valentine's treat I have have one more recipe for you. These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies are such a great twist on a chocolate chip cookie. These cookies taste like cherry chocolate chip ice cream and have a fun, creamy texture from the cream cheese. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day and get to spend the day with family members or friends that you love ;)

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/2 sticks (12 T.)  butter 
8 oz. cream cheese, softened 
1 c. + 1/4 c. white sugar
2 eggs 
3 t. maraschino cherry juice
1t. vanilla
1/2 t. almond extract 
2-2 1/2 c. flour
1 t. salt 
1 bag milk chocolate chips
10 oz. maraschino cherries, cut into half pieces
 Cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar and blend until smooth. Add the eggs and maraschino cherry juice and combine. Add the flour, vanilla, almond and salt. Mix together until dough is soft, but not firm enough to form into a ball (you will need to spoon the cookies off from a spoon--the dough should be a little soft). Add the maraschino cherries and chocolate chips. (The amount of flour you will need may vary due to the amount of juice was left in your chopped cherries--it might be a good idea to bake one cookie to see how the cookie forms). Bake the cookies at 350 for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are cooked through.