Weekending + Fall Idea House Inspiration

Today brought the 'official' beginning of fall, I can't believe summer is winding down but I am still loving the warm days & cool nights that we have been experiencing. The weekend was filled with fall inspiration, walks (with a waterfall), cups of tea in the evening (it's tea season!) and college football with my beloved Bison. 

Saturday my mom & I headed to the Bachman's Idea House. Bachman's decorates the Bachman family house in the fall, for christmas & spring. Ever since my co-worker told me about the Idea house I have wanted to visit. I loved the Idea house and plan on attending during the seasons as it was so fun and I loved being inspired by everything -- it was like walking into a pinterest house. 

Love me some succulents and this fireplace makes want a fireplace some day - even if it's a fake fireplace.

Gourds and pumpkins make my heart go a flutter. The gardens also had fun vegetables interspersed around the flowers and it looked beautiful. 

How did you spend your weekend?

'Perfect' Snowy Weekend

When I reflect back on the weekend I can't help but think -- 'perfect'.

Saturday morning I began the process of making Christmas Stollen. Stollen is a German sweet bread that my family enjoys each most Christmas'. There is something about stollen that I just love to make, whether it is the process ( 3 risings), the smell of yeast or the nostalgic memories I'm not sure but I do enjoy it all. 

I also made chocolate peppermint crackle cookies which were tasty! I must admit that right out of the oven when the hershey kisses were all ooey, gooey and melty was really the best time to enjoy them! 

The green tree with tinsel + lights is from church and the tree that we have in the preschool room. 

There is something magical to waking up to a snow covered landscape. I love how snow turns everything magical, covers the brown grass and brings a new crisp landscape! I do not particularly enjoy the shoveling, cleaning your car off multiple times a day, the wet jean cuffs (this sista is short) or the bitter cold that seems to come with it but I try and remember how much I love it for the beauty it brings. 

Sunday morning I made the 25 minute treck to the country to church. In full disclosure I would not have made the snowy icy trip if it had not been for teaching preschool - it was much safer to be at home than on the roads. I dearly love my church for so many reasons, real reasons but I also love that no matter the season the long 'driveway' leading to church has cornfields, a little pond, a variety of tress and two beautiful barns. The scenery is always beautiful and no matter the season it always puts me in the right mindset to worship. 

The rest of Sunday was spent at home shoveling, finishing up a few decor items, rearranging, watching Hugo & The Dark Knight Returns, snowball fights and a orange snack break between shoveling. 

Monday morning came around and I was tired from a late night, sore from shoveling and still had way to many things on my to do list. 

But it was still a perfect weekend. 

It may not have sounded like a perfect weekend with the snow storm / 'blizzard' going on outside but perfect is like beauty and it changes definitions depending on the eye of the beholder. There are so many definitions of a perfect weekend - this weekend, this was my definition. 

Decking the Home and the Heart for Christmas

December is here and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The tree's up and all decked out with ornaments and lights.

A pinecone wreath was attempted - and failed. So I settled on pinecones and ornaments hung in front of the window and it makes me happy.

Candles are lite, Santa is sending presents via UPS, hot chocolate is being sipped and cookies are being consumed. 

Soon presents will be wrapped, cookies will be baked and snow {possibly} will be flying.

The home is coming along with decor and presents are being marked off lists but more than anything I'm preparing my heart for Jesus' birth. I've been reading an amazing advent devotional and trying to drink in all of the blessings that He has bestowed on me.

How are you preparing your home and heart for Christmas?

December Details

{Holidazzle Parade}

{Home}

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the decorations that are everywhere. The decorations help prepare me, prepare my heart for the season, for Christmas.

Every Christmas is special for it's own reason. This Christmas is the first Christmas for this little house that we live in, my roommates & I. Our Christmas decorations are a mash up for old and new all put together. For this reason decorating was ever more special this year. 

Decking 2011 with Organization

I'm still enjoying my christmas music and still have a few presents under the tree for some loved ones but I am already thinking about next year. This year I loved but next year had better not be a repeat of this year I am telling you! This year I did get everything done, mailed, baked and wrapped but it was a close call.
I would like to get myself more 'christmas organized' for next year - this year.

Something along the lines of making a document/list/binder of everyone I send christmas cards to and their addresses all in one place, a list of present ideas from this year that I did not use and use possibly next year, recipes I made, recipes to add, skip or delete next year and a list of various other notes.

And a kick-butt-letter to myself about being organized, and not procrastinating on wrapping and certain grandparent baking next year.

Is there something you do to organize yourself for the holidays?

Twas the night before Christmas

The Stockings were hung with care

The Cookies baked and sugared

And the presents nestled under the tree

A little something, something

This past weekend I hosted a Autumn party for some friends of mine. I spent several days getting ready, purchasing supplies and other items, more trips to target buying the items I forgot the first two times as well as not giving into my to add more ideas and food items to my party list the NIGHT before.

For decor I pulled out the Martha Stewart tissue paper flowers, boy can Martha be a genius when she get's an idea in her head. For the color scheme I picked a variation of halloween colors in purple, black and lime green and hung the flowers all over the living room in varied heights.

For food I made a veggie pizza as well as mini pumpkin pies with whip cream on top. People also brought items to share.

Black Decadance

I LOVE black? Sounds dreary right? But not so. I love black details, black frames, black touches off set by pops of color. 

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I have a box of black frames in my closet just waiting to bust out. I can't wait to go and play. 

Share with me one of your favorite home details that I could implement in my own home in transition.