Happy Friday and a couple Christmas DIYs!

 

via

 

 

Happy Friday! I am so glad the weekend is here and I can hardly wait for next weekend, my oldest daughter is coming home for Thanksgiving from Washington. So I am really excited to be seeing her. Saturday, I am taking my other two girls to go see Disney's Big Hero 6 and Sunday, I've got a few Christmas crafts planned that I will share on Monday.

These two pins inspired me one is a Christmas wreath, and one because Rudolph is my favorite Reindeer and my youngest daughter's favorite Christmas song right now, that I thought it would look really good, since this year for Christmas I am decorating in Red and White, along with these,

 

that I found in this article.

 

 

Kristen Duke Photography

 

Don't you just love the glitter antlers and the red jingle bell nose!! Too cute!

 

Burlap, Plaid and Pincone Wreath

 

For my wreath, I am going to change the plaid to red and the pinecones, I know I am going to add glitter. Can't wait to see how it looks when I am done.

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

November Favorite Beauty Finds

1. Clarins Four Color Eye Palette, Ladylike Color Collection (or this)
2. TATCHA Indigo Silk Hand Cream
3. Essie Nail Color, "Mink Muffs"
4. Essie Nail Color, 'Stroke' (or this )
5. Urban Decay 'Peace' Eyeshadow (or this )
6. Eos Smooth Lip Balm Sphere, Blueberry Acai
7. OPI Nail Lacquer Gwen Stefani Holiday 2014 Collection Kiss Me -OR Elf ! (0.5oz-15ml)
8. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick for Women, Opera Rose, 0.1 Ounce
9. Wen Ginger Pumpkin Cleansing Conditioner By Chaz Dean 16 Oz
10. Bumble and Bumble the Flat Brush  

 

 

With the Holidays fast approaching, I will be opening my house up for out of town guest who will be staying from next weekend, until New Years, and beside Holiday Decorating, I want to decorate on the fly my Living Room. Where does one go to get inspiration, but Pinterest of course. When I came across this pin. I first saw Sarah Richardson on HGTV's Sarah's House, and I fell in love with this Coastal cottage Living Room and it's gorgeous water view.

 

sarahrichardsondesign

 

Check out my Dream Room Inspired by Sarah Richardson board, and be sure to check back soon to see how my dream room has turned out.

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend! Thought I'd pop in for a quick Weekend Link post. So far this weekend, I found my Christmas boxes in the garage and going through to find what inspires me to decorate and display with this year. Today, I picked up and potted my Christmas Amaryllis 'Minerva'.

 

via Longfield Gardens



 

For the Holiday season, Sunday is going to be my baking day, so tomorrow, I'll be baking

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread, and sandwhich it with Maple cream cheese.

 

Last year, I was admiring how beautiful and romantic Pink Christmas décor looked, that I have a few DIY's, like this, this and this, I am going to make for Christmas decorating this year. I just love the pink satin ribbon and silver ornaments.

 

 

 

via:NellyVintageHome

 

So far this flu and cold season I have escaped getting sick, but if I do, I am going to try one if not all of these 3 healthy juice recipes.

 

Enjoy your weekend!



Roasted Butternut squash-Pear soup

Here in Arizona, we really don't get our first  chilly days until November, and then it changes drastically. The last week in October we are usually in the 90's, and then the next week we're in high 70's with mornings in the 40s or 50s, that's freezing for us. It is definitely soup weather now. There is something warm and cozy about Butternut squash soup, not to mention satisfying. Looking through recipe after recipe for Butternut squash soup, I came across this one from Martha Stewart. Her recipe uses apples. When I think of apples, I think of the end of August to the middle of October, in November and December I like the taste of pears, so I substituted a pear for the apple. Another flavorful ingredient is the cayenne pepper, gives the soup a little heat, that warms you up from the inside.

 

When I roast my Butternut squash I like to rub olive oil and sea salt over the halves, and then fill the cavities with fresh herbs; thyme, rosemary, sage. I roasted them at 425F for 25-30 minutes until they were fork tender. Discard the herbs, and set aside to cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roasted Butternut squash- Pear soup

serves 6

 

1 Medium size butternut squash, seeded, roasted

olive oil

sea salt

1 small white onion chopped

1 tsp. butter

Fresh thyme, rosemary or sage

1 Pear chopped

1 small piece of fresh ginger, minced

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp. black pepper

4 cps. broth, either chicken or vegetable

Plain yogurt/ Parmesan cheese 

 

1. Preheat oven to 425F. Half the butternut squash. Rub with olive oil and sea salt. Fill cavity with fresh herbs. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until fork tender. While still warm, with spoon, scoop out flesh, leaving only the skin.

 

2. Melt the butter. Saute the onion and ginger, until soft about 4 minutes. Add the roasted squash, pear, fresh herbs (if you are using rosemary or thyme, destem the herbs, use only the leaves) , cayenne, and broth. Simmer on medium heat until pear is tender, about 10 minutes.

 

3. With a stick blender, blend soup until smooth.

 

4. Ladle into cups or bowls. Serve with a Tbls. of yogurt and fresh herbs, or Parmesan cheese for garnish.

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Photo Source

 

Happy Wednesday! Last weekend, for us was very busy, with Halloween and my sis in law's Birthday! It was full of fun, family and food! My sis in law's best friend, from California came with her family, and her husband who loves to cook, made the most amazing Fresh Habenero salsa for us. Let me just say it was Hot, super Hot, but it was so good that it made you think you were eating in a authentic Mexican restaurant. Once I get the recipe, I will be sure and share it with all of you.

 

One New Years resolution I have, that I have pretty well stuck to this year, is cutting drastically down the amount of sugar I use. Here is a good article for 5 Sugar Alternatives to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth. I will be using these inspirations to help me through this Holiday season, as well into next year!

This Holiday Season, I have a feeling that I am going to need more energy this year, as I am going to have visiting relatives, several times over the course of  the next couple of months.

  5 Natural Energy Boosters

 

Yesterday, was the first really cold morning we've had. Cold enough where I could open all my windows and let the fresh air in! It is definitely sweater weather here in Arizona now! I feel it's time to pick up a white turtleneck sweater and I have my eye on this one, and just for looks (because it really isn't that cold here) a plaid scarf!

 

 

 

 sweater: Mango / scarf: RiverIsland

 

"Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink." —Lilly Pulitzer

 

After yesterday, when the sun took it's sweet time coming out of hiding from the clouds, that I like the cooler temperatures, I just missed the warmth of sunshine, and even though the colors of Fall are in full force with oranges, red and yellows, I do like to see a little peek of pink. Last night, I started browsing for Hyacinth or Amaryllis bulbs to force for Christmas, White Hyacinth 'Carneige' and my go to Amaryllis 'Red Lion' that I seem to get every year, led me to peruse the Tulips, when my this Pink Tulip caught my eye.
 





For the upcoming Holiday Season, I'd like to share with you my favorite recipes that are healthier. Here is another article to help not just with snack time anywhere, but providing your holiday guests with healthier snacks while you are entertaing or need a quick bite to eat during your Holiday hustling and bustling!!
 10 Healthy Snacks