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September 28, 2018 By Melinda Leave a Comment

Authentic Autumn Home Decorating

One thought that I have when it comes to the home is the idea of an authentic home vs. a “decorated” home. It comes up more I think when the seasons begin to change and I start to see all of the new seasonal pieces filling the shelves in stores that I frequently shop.

Truth be told, I used to fall into that second group, of a “decorated” home, when it came to decorating my home for the seasons. I would pick up pieces here and there with not much reason behind them, other then I liked it. That was the problem, my only reasoning for putting it in my house was that “I liked it”. The bottom line was that just because I liked something didn’t mean that I should be putting it in my home. When we put everything we like in our homes we end up with a “hodge podge” feeling and a house full of stuff. There needs to be intention behind what we are choosing for our homes.

I realized that I wanted my home to feel authentic and real and not just”decorated” anymore when it came to the seasons. But, how was I supposed to do this? I discovered that using materials, pieces, and details that created the feeling of the season in my home would have it feeling more authentic and real.

On a side note, I do want to explain that there is no right or wrong when it comes to decorating your home for the season. Why? Because when a piece is authentic to you then it is right for you and your home. As long as you stay focused (and don’t stray from your path) and have intention behind what you are choosing your home will feel real and authentic to you.

If you want to get started and learn how to decorate your home for the autumn season in a real and authentic way I am offering a workshop, “Twelve Days of Simple Autumn Decorating” that will start Monday, October 1, 2018. It is perfect for any home, any budget, and any decorating ability. This is live and in real time, so we are in this together everyday for 12 days! Learn more here!

October 9, 2017 By Melinda 5 Comments

My Mother’s Thanksgiving Bread

I was inspired to start filling our home with tastes and aromas from the past. It is always a simple pleasure to cook these recipes and one that fills my heart to the fullest.

There are recipes that you make only during certain times of the year, aren’t there? One that holds true for me is my mother’s Sally Lunn Bread recipe from her Pepperidge Farm Cookbook.

As a child, and even still today, more often than not The Pepperidge Farm Cookbook could be found sprawled on a counter in my parent’s kitchen. My mom cooked many of our family week night dinners from the recipes that filled that book.

There were other recipes in the cookbook that only found their way onto the family table for special occasions. Sally Lunn Bread was one such recipe.

“Sally”, as my siblings and I called this bread, would take center stage on a crystal cake stand on the beautifully dressed Thanksgiving table. We would all fill our holiday plates with a healthy slice of “Sally” and more often than not sneak a second piece.

On the rare occasion that we did have “Sally” leftovers we would toast slices for breakfast the next morning. Spreading pats of butter on top and enjoying every bite as it melted.

My mom surprised my sisters and I one Christmas with a gift she found on eBay. She had found three original versions of the cookbook that played such a large part of our family meals growing up.

And do you know what? It wasn’t Thanksgiving time, but “Sally” was still the first recipe I made from that book.

Sally Lunn Bread Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
2 t salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup warm water
2 packages of yeast
3 eggs well beaten
4 – 4/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Method

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. I use the dough hook for my mixer when making this recipe.
In a mixer, combine 1 1/2 cup of sifted flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Blend until mixed.
Scald the milk then add the butter. Remove from the stovetop and cool down until lukewarm.
Add the milk & butter mixture along with the water to the dry ingredients. Blend together.
Next add the eggs and 2 1/2 cups of sifted flour to the mixer and beat on high for 2 minutes.
Add remaining 1/2 cup of sifted flour if needed.
Cover; let rise in a warm place, until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Stir down the dough, pour into a well-greased 10-inch-angel food cake pan.
Cover, let rise in a warm place, for another 30 minutes.
Bake in a hot oven (350 degrees) for 30-40 minutes until brown on top (depending on your oven).

*You can also use 2 well greased 8-inch-square cake pans

September 11, 2017 By Melinda 10 Comments

Pumpkin Season and Autumn Entertaining

I am starting to ready our home to host gatherings with friends and family to welcome in the autumn season. Sharing recipes with my friends in The Homebody Fellowship has put me in just the right mood to bake and entertain.

My kitchen smells delicious after these perfect sized pumpkin muffins go into the oven. Scents of cinnamon and clove begin to fill the air and suddenly autumn is here. It is as if there is a passing of the baton from summer to autumn and a new season has happened upon us.

Keeping it simple is the key to how I entertain no matter the season. Simple food and simple decorating make for gatherings that everyone enjoys.

I like to set up different food and drink stations throughout the house when I entertain. This helps prevent people from crowding into one spot. Sometimes that means having to think a little creative, but that is when the magic happens.

Substantial pieces and those that have a history to them are just some of the ways I create an autumnal feel when entertaining at this time of year. The vintage wooden crate that I found at a barn sale and old books that I covered in fabric convey those messages perfectly.

Pumpkin Patch Muffin Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Method

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat until well mixed.
Measure the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, and ground cloves into a separate bowl, then still until well combined.
Slowly add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Spoon the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin lined with paper baking cups.
Bake the muffins for approximately 25 minutes.
Cool for at least 10 minutes.

Do you love to be home? Do you find joy in the simple things that center around your home? Then you my friend are a fellow homebody & “The Homebody Fellowship” is the perfect fit for you. Learn more HERE!

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August 30, 2017 By Melinda 9 Comments

Apple Crisp And A Hello To Autumn

I am truly honored to be taking part in the “Tastes of the Season” series with some of my talented and inspirational blogging friends. We will be sharing some of our favorite seasonal recipes over the coming months. Each feature in the series will focus on a different recipe theme. Today, we are all sharing a favorite apple recipe. Let’s get started!

Doesn’t apple picking seem to always make its way onto your autumn “to-do list”? It usually falls somewhere in between hay rides, pumpkin picking, and bonfires. I know it does on mine!

Once autumn makes its entrance, apple picking is one of my favorite activities to do with our family. We have been embarking on this little “field trip” since our first child was born almost 14 years ago. I still look forward to this time of year and making our way out to the same orchard year after year filling our bags to the rim with fresh apples.

Now, what to do with all of those apples once we get them home always seems to be another story. There are only so many apples you can eat in a day!

When my husband and I were married in 2000 and I became a “Real McCoy”, one of my bridal shower gifts was the McCoy family cookbook. It may not look like much, but what it holds inside those now worn pages are family recipes passed down from generation to generation.

One of those recipes is Grandma Louise’s apple crisp. I love it because it is a family recipe that has been made throughout past autumn days. Another reason I enjoy it is that it only requires ingredients that I always seem to have on hand. Always a winner in my book!

I always feel a sense of joy when I see our children eating this special dish. Knowing that generations before gathered around the table at this same time of year and enjoyed the same dish is a special connection to the past. I hope you and your family enjoy it as well.

Grandma Louise’s Apple Crisp

Ingredients (8×8″ pan)

4 cups of sliced apples
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup butter

Method

Slice apples into 8×8″ pan.

In a small bowl mix the water, cinnamon, and salt together and pour over the apples.

In a separate bowl work together the sugar, flour, and butter until crumbly. Spread the crumb mixture over top the apples evenly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Tip: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream!

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

{MORE APPLE TREATS FROM THE TASTE OF THE SEASONS SERIES}

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls by Ella Claire | Rustic Apple Cranberry Pie by Anderson and Grant |

Apple-Cranberry Slab Pie by Inspired by Charm | Apple Donuts by A Burst of Beautiful |

Caramel Apple Tart by Julie Blanner

Easy Apple Dumplings by Craftberry Bush | Apple Crisp by House 214 Design |

Apple Cider Scones by Everyday Occasions | Apple Fritter Skillet Bake by Nest of Posies |

Rustic Apple Tarte Tatin by Maison de Pax

Paleo Apple Crisp by Nesting with Grace | Crock Pot Applesauce by My Sweet Savannah |

Gluten Free Apple Crisp by City Farmhouse |

Baked Breakfast Apples with Oatmeal by French Country Cottage |

Apple Blossom with Salted Caramel Sauce by Nina Hendrick Design

No Churn Apple Pie Ice Cream by Boxwood Avenue | Bird’s Nest Apple Pie by Zevy Joy |

Apple Upside Down Spice Cake by Love Grows Wild

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November 4, 2016 By Melinda Leave a Comment

“It’s Not About the Perfect Home”

Do you have a list of things that you hope to accomplish some day? Whether you have them in the back of your mind or actually have them written down, they are there, and little by little you work towards them in one way or another.

When I discovered Karen and Zandra from Little Yellow Couch I just knew I wanted to take part in what their philosophy was regarding the home. In their own words, ” It’s not about the perfect home. It’s about creating moments that delight you amidst your everyday life”.

Their past guest list includes Grace Bonney from Design Sponge, John and Sherry Petersik from Young House Love, and many many more. So, when I was asked to take part and be a guest on their podcast, Style Matters, I was beyond thrilled. To listen to the full episode, please see below.

Oh, and the icing on the cake was Karen and Zandra had asked to teach a segment on my new and live (that you take on your own schedule) course, Creating a Timeless Feeling Home. It really has been a wonderful and rewarding collaboration. The best kind in my mind!