Melinda McCoy

November 13, 2020 By Melinda McCoy Leave a Comment

A Little Treat

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November 5, 2020 By Melinda McCoy Leave a Comment

Winter & Holiday Decorating Lesson

Today many of us are learning to appreciate the simple things in our lives. No where is this mindset more important than in our homes.

Please find a “sneak peek” into a past winter and holiday decorating workshop below. I give tips, inspiration, and answer YOUR personal decorating questions.

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Are you ready to join me in decorating our homes for the winter & holiday season? My “7 Days of Simple Winter & Holiday Decorating” workshop is perfect for any home, any budget, and any decorating ability.

Please join me HERE!

7 Days of Simple Winter & Holiday Decorating Class

September 18, 2020 By Melinda McCoy Leave a Comment

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.

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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.

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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.

November 12, 2019 By Melinda McCoy Leave a Comment

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!

October 22, 2019 By Melinda McCoy 1 Comment

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

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.
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.
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.

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