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November 6, 2018 By Melinda 4 Comments

Countdown to Christmas Cookies!

Yes, I have to admit that I am one of those people who starts to listen to Christmas music early in the season. For this reason, and many others, I was more than excited to take part in my friend Kristen’s, from Ella Claire Inspired, Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange!

I decided to not just share a cookie recipe, but a tradition as well. This tradition has not just played a role with my own family, but one that I fondly grew up taking part in myself.

What is it you ask?

The Countdown to Christmas Cookies of course!

My two sisters, brother, and I always received little treats on the days leading up to the Christmas holiday. Beginning on December 1st we would wake up to a cookie and a small treat. As a child it was something that I always looked forward to and knew that I would one day incorporate into my own holiday traditions with my children as well.

In Christmas’ past, I have placed the cookies and small Christmas treats in a small white paper bag. I hung them on a piece of twine in the playroom for the children to be greeted with in the morning.

Very soon, this tradition will be making its appearance again and I for one am looking forward to it!

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Countdown To Christmas Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups of All-Purpose Flour

Method

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
Place butter in a bowl and beat until smooth.
Add the sugar and mix until combined.
Add eggs one at a time mixing well
Add the vanilla, salt and baking powder and mix
Mix in the flour one cup at a time and mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Divide the dough into 3 discs and roll each one out.
Freeze for 10-15 minutes and cut out your cookie shapes.
Bake 6-9 minutes.

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

{MORE COOKIES FROM THE EXCHANGE}

The Perfect Soft Gingerbread Cookies by Ella Claire | Classic Sugar Cookies by Nina Hendrick Design Co. | Plaid Sugar Cookies by Craftberry Bush | Buttery Shortbread Cookies with Icing Sugar by A Burst of Beautiful | German Chocolate Cake Cookies by City Farmhouse

Cranberry Orange Walnut Tassies by Inspired by Charm | Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies by Julie Blanner | All Natural Orange Almond Cookies by Tidbits | Choco-mallow Peppermint Cookies by Summer Adams Designs | Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies by Love Grows Wild

Paleo Chocolate Cranberry Cookies by Nesting with Grace | Raspberry Gingersnap Sandwiches by anderson + grant | Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cookies by Rooms for Rent | Large Thumbprint Cookies by So Much Better with Age | Rum Balls by Tidy Mom

Countdown to Christmas Cookies by House 214 Design | GF + DF Gingerbread Sugar Cookies by Zevy Joy | Christmas Shortbread Cookies by Boxwood Avenue | Double Chocolate Christmas Cookies by Nest of Posies | Almond Sugar Cookies by My Sweet Savannah

M&M Peanut Butter Cookies by Sweet C’s | Rustic Granola Cookies by Farmhouse on Boone

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!

November 13, 2017 By Melinda 6 Comments

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cookies

The “Tastes of The Seasons” series is continuing into the holidays. I am honored to take part in this series, created by Ella Claire, with 15 other talented bloggers. We are sharing some of our favorite cookie recipes that are sure to have you in the kitchen baking for friends and family in no time.

Let’s get started!

Old-fashioned gingerbread cookies are a staple at this time of year. I generally make one batch of the dough (this recipe makes a lot)and bake small amounts throughout the season. I use them for gifts for friends and treats for the children.

The activity that we enjoy the most with these cookies is preparing a special plate of treats for Santa on Christmas Eve. Different colors of icing and fun embellishments make for some fun creations!

Gingerbread boys and girls make up all of the ornaments on what I call the “kitchen tree” that sits in a corner of our kitchen. It is a living tree and a small version of the one that stands in the living room. The gingerbread boys and girls hang on the tree branches with holiday red ribbons as simple decorations.

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients and Method Below

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

{MORE COOKIES FROM THE TASTE OF THE SEASONS SERIES}

Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies by Ella Claire | Pecan Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies by A Burst of Beautiful | Cinnamon Cookies by Zevy Joy | Gingerbread Houses by Miss Mustard Seed

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti by anderson + grant | Paleo Double Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies by Nesting with Grace | Chocolate Crinkles Cookies by So Much Better with Age | Cranberry Rosemary Butter Cookies by Nina Hendrick Design Co.

Gluten Free Coconut Fudge Bites by City Farmhouse | Maple Sugar House Cookies by Finding Home Farms | Honey Nut Rugelach by Love Grows Wild | Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Cookies by Nest of Posies

Mexican Spicy Chocolate Cookies by Maison de Pax | Coconut Shortbread Cookies by My Sweet Savannah | Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cookies by House 214 | Cinnamon and Sugar Lattice Pie Crust Cookies by Craftberry Bush

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March 16, 2017 By Melinda 1 Comment

Free Mudroom Drawing Plans and Resource List

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Mudroom Drawing Plans and Resources

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January 6, 2017 By Melinda 9 Comments

Winter Porch

I enjoy decorating for the holidays, and have found that I like to integrate the seasonal aspect within my holiday decorating. Once the holidays come to an end I take down the decorations, but keep up the more seasonal items. I now see a lot of the decor more as a winter scene, and am happy to enjoy the hard work put into it for a little while longer.

I am naturally drawn to a classic and timeless feeling with a hint of elegance. I see natural elements as the perfect way to depict these feelings in any season. Whether it is winter, spring, summer, or fall you can always find a bit of nature to represent the season.

We lived in the south for some time growing up. During the holiday season we would go on tours of old southern homes that were decorated in Christmas past. This meant a lot of fresh greens, fruits, and other natural elements incorporated in the decor. Often times during the tour you would be greeted with a beautiful fruit display located above the front door. I was always fascinated with the welcoming gesture and wanted to incorporate the decoration on my own front porch this winter season.

With the help of my husband, a video, and lots of apples the project was under way. I was so pleased with how it turned out. The best part is that once the apples are removed we can use the piece again next year and create an entirely different winter scene.

A quick tip… I love the look of boxwoods in urns, but sometimes don’t want to purchase a plant for the season. What I do instead is cut my own boxwood branches or buy cut pieces from my local nursery for a couple of dollars. I then place the stems in leftover dirt to create the look of a boxwood. Easy and a lot less expensive!

If you are visiting by way of Danielle, thank you for stopping by on the tour. I hope you all enjoyed the visit, and learned something that you can take with you.

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