House 214 Design

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Simple Autumn Decorating Tip: Throws

 

September 18, 2020

I have to say, that when the weather starts to shift, and I begin to notice that the mornings are a bit cooler, I’m happy.  The desire to bring this shift of the seasons into my own home grows more and more during those days. I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way!

One simple way that I create the autumn feeling in our home is through adding throws around the house. On the couch, over chairs, or in baskets.

Now, the trick to making a throw feel like the autumn season is by the color that you choose, as well as the scale of the texture.

The  more substantial the material that the throw is made of, the more warmth it will naturally create. Perfect for this time of year.

If the scale of the weave is a bit more subtle, then it will feel a bit more relaxed. Another wonderful way to introduce autumn into your home.

As far as colors go, choosing colors that you see more at the beginning of the autumn season, think changing leaves, the more warmth it will naturally create.

{image via ducttapeanddenim.com}

Choosing colors that are on the lighter side of nature as seen at the end of the autumn season will  create a more relaxed vibe.

{image via etsy.com}

Remember, there is no right or wrong when it comes to making seasonal decisions for your home. The key is to stay focused, so that there is a clear message that evokes the feeling of the autumn season.

I am teaching a “7 Days of Simple Autumn Decorating” workshop where you will learn how to do this in your own home. It is perfect for any home, any budget, and any decorating ability.  You will learn to shop your home first for the autumn season, and then fill in the gaps. This is live and in real time, so we are decorating our homes together for 7 days! Learn more HERE.

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Simple Holiday Fudge

Since we moved into our home almost 20 years ago, one tradition that I have kept up during the winter and holiday season is giving neighbors small packages of treats.

My middle son in particular really enjoys this tradition and always joins me in the making of the treats. He has his special recipe that he makes every year. I tend to have a couple of favorites that make the yearly list, but am always on the look out for something new. This year that new recipe is a simple holiday fudge.

Once we have all of the treats placed into their packages we walk up and down the street and deliver them to our neighbors. It is a tradition that we truly enjoy doing this time f year, and will continue in the years to come.

Simple Holiday Fudge Recipe

Ingredients

  • 24 oz white chocolate chips
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 cup crushed peppermint candy or candy canes divided

Method

  • Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with non-stick foil and set aside.
  • Combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Stir in the peppermint extract.

  • Stir in 3/4 cup of the crushed peppermint candy canes.

    Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  • Top with remaining crushed peppermint candy canes.
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours until set

Please be sure to visit my amazing friends, who are also joining me on this Christmas treat tour, for more holiday inspiration and delicious recipes.

Peppermint Whipped Cream by Ella Claire & Co. | Fondant Christmas Cupcakes by Craftberry Bush | Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle by anderson + grant | Dairy Free 4 Ingredient Salted Caramels by Zevy Joy | No Bake Healthy Coconut Bars by Tidbits

Easy Peppermint Bark by Jenna Kate at Home | Black Walnut Christmas Cake by Inspired by Charm | Chocolate Covered Marshmallows with Salted Pretzel Topping by Boxwood Avenue | Christmas Popcorn by Town and Country Living | Snowman Cheese Ball by Julie Blanner

Slow Cooker Candied Pecans by Live Laugh Rowe | Fudgy Peppermint Coconut Flour Brownies by Farmhouse on Boone | Hot Peppermint Mocha by Shabbyfufu | Homemade Take 5 Peanut Butter Cups by Chronicles of Home | Slow Cooker Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels by Nest of Posies

Berry Topped Chocolate Cake by French Country Cottage | Pecan Butter Tart Bars by So Much Better With Age | Chocolate Pinecones by My Sweet Savannah | Peanut Butter Fudge by My 100 Year Old Home | Simple Holiday Fudge by House 214 Design

If you have any interest in joining me in decorating our homes together in a winter & holiday workshop you can learn more HERE!

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Classic Autumn Chicken & Dumplings

I knew once the colder temperatures began  I would want to start adding soups to my dinner menu on a more regular basis. Anyone that knows me knows that I will eat and enjoy a hot bowl of soup any day of the year, no matter the temperature outside.

I have a long list of favorites, but chicken and dumplings is one that I tend to make more often this time of year.  An added bonus is that my flat leaf parsley in my kitchen herb garden is still thriving outside, so the dumplings tasted particularly delicious in this batch of soup!

This is a recipe that I have been making for years, and is a family favorite now. I know it will become a favorite of your family’s as well.

A little tip…if you have an unexpected guest show up at your dinner table, this recipe can easily be stretched out. Add more chicken stock and you will be good to go!

Classic Autumn Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 to 2 1/2 pounds meaty chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, drumsticks)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 medium onion cut into wedges
  • 1 tsp dried basil, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup sliced celery
  • 1 cup thinly sliced carrots (2 medium)
  • 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 T snipped fresh parsley
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 T cooking oil
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Method

  1. kin chicken, if desired. Rinse chicken. In a large pot combine chicken, the 3 cups water, onion, basil, the 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Add celery, carrots, and mushrooms. Return mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes more or till chicken and vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf.
  2. For dumplings, in a mixing bowl combine the 1 cup flour, parsley, baking powder, the 1/4 tsp salt, and oregano. In another bowl combine the egg, milk, and oil; add to flour mixture. Stir with a fork just till moistened. Drop batter onto the hot chicken in broth, making 6 dumplings. Do not drop batter into the liquid. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted into a dumpling comes out clean. Do not lift cover while simmering. Transfer chicken, dumplings, and vegetables to a serving platter; keep warm.
  3. For gravy, pour broth into  a large measuring cup. Skim fat from broth; discard fat. Measure 2 cups of the broth; return to pot. Combine the 1/2 cup cold water and the 1/4 cup flour; stir into the broth. Cook and stir till mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Serve gravy over chicken and vegetables with dumplings. Makes 6 servings.

Please be sure to visit my amazing friends, who are also joining me on this autumn soup tour for more holiday inspiration and delicious soup recipes.

{MORE AUTUMN SOUPS}

Easy Slow Cooker White Bean and Ham Soup by Ella Claire & Co. | Creamy Cauliflower Soup by Tidbits | Butternut Squash Minestrone by Nest of Posies | Light Creamy Mushroom Soup by The Chronicles of Home | Corn Chowder by On Sutton Place

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup by Live Laugh Rowe | Apple and Celeriac Soup by Inspired by Charm | Chicken and Dumplings by House 214 | Chicken Gnocchi Soup by Tidy Mom | French Onion Soup Bowls by ShabbyFuFu

Sausage Tortellini Soup by My 100 Year Old Home | White Chicken Chili by Rooms For Rent | Roasted Pumpkin & Garlic Soup by Home Made Lovely | Healthy Halibut Chowder by Town and Country Living | Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup by Happy Happy Nester

Creamy Low-Carb Roasted Cauliflower Soup by Summer Adams | Dairy Free Cream of Broccoli Soup by Zevy Joy | Butternut Squash and Pear Soup by Nick + Alicia | Harvest Lentil Soup by French Country Cottage

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One Small Thing: Simple Mason Jar Project

Do you have people that you have followed on Instagram from the very beginning and still look forward to their daily content? When I first joined Instagram there were a few of those accounts that I was attracted to right away. One of those, was Susan and Will from House of Brinson. What I was especially drawn to (and still am) is their ability to teach about the home, and as a result, I learn a lot from them.

Keeping that teaching element in mind, Susan contacted myself and other like minded people about sharing “One Small Thing” that we can do to help the environment. The idea being that together those small things will add up. I couldn’t help but think about how I believe in the same concept when it comes to the home. Start by doing one thing today for your home and those things will add up brick by brick and will eventually tell your story. So, I got to work thinking about how I can give you an actionable step today to do “One Small Thing” in your home.

My lightbulb moment went off when I began thinking about my belief of first shopping your own home. So my idea is that together we can repurpose an item that you already may have in your storage bins, cupboards, pantries, etc. Thinking about them in a new way vs. throwing them away.

So, my version of “One Small Thing” for the home will involve repurposing a different item once a  month and for you to achieve it in 5 steps or less. It really will be that simple.

Now, the items that are included in this series may be ones that you already own, but if you do not have the exact piece then by all means create your own version.

So, for our first “One Small Thing” project we are talking…

MASON JARS!

First, a little history…

Mason jars are something that we see serve various purposes today, but their original story dates back to their invention in 1858. The jars were designed to make an airtight seal when heated, making them ideal for preserving food. The jars were affordable, re-usable, and an immediate success.

***On a side note, isn’t this old mason jar advertisement wonderful? I love the beautiful illustration and story element that played a roll in selling goods at that time.***

Today people still use mason jars for their intended purpose of canning, but there are many other uses for these pieces that will repurpose them as well.

Below is a variation of an airtight container that you may find in your home if you do not have a mason jar. Do what works best for you!

Now, let’s put our “One Small Thing” into action!

 

WHAT TO DO: 

Step 1: Find a mason jar, old or new. New versions can be found in your grocery store.

Step 2: Determine your “filler”.

Step 3: Place it on a shelf, on your kitchen counter, outside, whatever floats your boat!

It truly is that simple.

If you decide to take action on this mason jar project in your home I would love to hear about it or better yet see pictures! You can either email me at melinda@house214design.com or use the hashtag #finallyfeelhome on social media to share with me. I may just share it on my social media platforms or on my blog.

Oh, and if you have any “One Simple Thing” project ideas of your own that we can repurpose, you can email me those as well. I would love to continue to inspire one another in our community of like minded friends.

Speaking of like minded friends, be sure to visit the blogs of others in the series who are sharing their own version of “One Small Thing”. You never know where inspiration will come from.

Take care my friend,

Melinda

Oh, please join my closed Facebook group where I teach the “Everyday Home Decorator” their unique decorating style and how to finally make the right decisions for their homes. I would love to have you! Join me here: House 214 Design with Melinda McCoy

 

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A Student Question: How To Choose The Right Rug

I wanted to give you a sneak peek into a home decorating question from a student of  The House 214 Design School. Students in the school can ask me decorating questions about  their homes, as well as recommend topics that they would like me to teach.

In this blog post you will find an excerpt from a Facebook live where I answered a student’s decorating question about how to choose the right rug for their home.

Please click on the image below to view

 

 Are you ready to finally know your style and make the right decorating decisions for your home?  The House 214 Design School is not just a step-by -step program. It is a teacher led community where we work together to decorate our homes. No more overwhelm. No more wasting time and money. No more going it alone. Join us and finally decorate your home!