life in my empty nest: DIY

No Sew Burlap Table Runner

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

November Nesting

I don't have the cold temperatures or the snow starting to fly like many of you, but there is still something about the month of November that gives me the urge to nest. To use these next few weeks to get myself and my house ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm not talking about decorating; that can wait. But, doing some extra cleaning, planning my Thanksgiving menu and table setting and enjoying the last bit of fall where shorter days force you inside a bit earlier, with candles lit and a warm drink to end the day.

I put together a few of my fall favorites; both decor and food, that might give you some inspiration for your Thanksgiving hosting plans. My table will only have four place settings this year, rather than fifteen, but the plans will still reflect the specialness of the holiday. We will still have all the usual favorites, including brunch with mimosas while we watch the parade, a special cocktail and appetizers while we watch football and a pretty table at dinnertime. From these ideas shown, I'm making the stuffing and the chutney (traditional and delicious) this year and also have a new idea for my table with a Florida twist. If it works, I will share.

Indian Corn Candle

My Mother's Stuffing

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

Cranberry Apple Ginger Chutney

Simple Method to Preserve Fall Leaves

So Simple, So Sweet Place Setting

Happy Wednesday!

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21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Quick Easter Project - Twine Wrapped Eggs

It has been forever and a day since I have posted a DIY project, but Easter is here so soon, and looking back, this has always been one of my favorites. For these Twine Wrapped Eggs you need three things: twine (colored or natural), plastic eggs and a glue gun. Complete instructions are in the link, but really all you do is wrap tight and glue as you go. It's that easy.

I think the eggs would they look perfect grouped together as part of an Easter table setting. Pastels are pretty at Easter, but if you are like me, I'm drawn to more neutrals and naturals. These eggs, grouped in a grapevine wreath as shown, along with lots of pretty spring flowers would be an easy, but beautiful display.

Happy Thursday!

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Have a Daily Cup

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Friday, December 22, 2017

Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits

3 days until Christmas and I have a really easy last minute idea if you give the pets in your family gifts too. And, you can make these special treats for very little cost - I only had to purchase the baby food.

Since I'm not baking cookies this year, I needed to fulfill a Christmas ritual by turning on the Christmas music, pouring some coffee and spending some time in my kitchen feeling festive. These dog treats were the perfect compromise and I was even able to pull out one of my Christmas cookie cutters. You can use any sized cookie cutter and I went with a medium sized reindeer to work for both the small and large dogs in our family. When cool, you can pack these up in clear bags, add some festive ribbon and make both the pets and their owners happy with what is under the tree.

Merry Christmas!

Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits

Mix together 3.5 ounces of sweet potato baby food, 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1 T honey and 3/4 cup flour. Turn out onto a floured surface, kneed until a non sticky ball forms. Roll out to desired thickness (about 1/4 inch) and cut with cookie cutter dipped in flour. Keep rolling and cutting until dough is used up. Place on baking sheet, brush top of biscuit with beaten egg and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack. The cookie cutter I used made 12 medium biscuits.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Painting Wrought Iron Furniture - Take 2

It's been a couple of years since I painted my wrought iron patio table and chairs and they really have held up very nicely considering I leave them out year round, in all elements. They even withstand being covered with snow in our harsh winters. But, since this set was originally green, there were a few flecks of green starting to show through here and there. Also, the bottoms of the chairs and table legs that sat in the deep snow, definitely needed touching up.

After wiping everything down with a damp cloth and less than an hour of work, my patio set looks brand new again. I love the Rust-oleum product that I used for the second time. It covers so well with one coat and the metallic finish has just a little sparkle in the sunshine. Now my patio table and chairs are perfect again, just in time for some beautiful Michigan fall afternoons of patio sitting. Maybe with this yummy fall cocktail?

Have a wonderful weekend!

{Linking with these friends}

Art and Sand

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Black and White Shamrock Print

It's kind of funny how my decorating moods change throughout the years. Lately, even when it comes to holiday touches, I find that less is more and neutral is better than color. After years of a preponderance of red, even my Christmas mantel was more neutral this past year.

St. Patrick's Day is all about touches of green and there are now a few colorful shamrocks in my home to celebrate our Irish heritage. However, a print that I had put together a few years ago did undergo a change, that to my eye gives it a striking, yet subtle nod to the holiday.

The original post and free printable can be found here. You will see that I originally added some green ribbon and a few shamrocks to the frame. At the time, I loved the contrast between the black and white print and the pop of color. Now, the simple black and white print in a plain white frame, with no emblishment, gives a modern, clean feel to my mantel. A small change, but big impact.

Happy Wednesday!

{Linking with these friends}

Art and Sand

Friday, January 29, 2016

Valentine's Day {Pink}

With January winding down (Yay!) and Valentine's Day fast approaching, my thoughts are turning to all things red and pink. It's such a sweet holiday and while I don't go all out with decor, I do like a few touches here and there. I also like to make a sweet treat or two to get us into the Valentine's spirit.

These Chewy Strawberry Cookies are such a sweet Valentine's Day treat and are delicious too. You will be very surprised when you read the recipe and the ingredient list. It's kind of wacky, but it works. The texture and taste are very similar to the expensive macarons I bought from the bakery at Christmas time, so they are really something special.

What could be sweeter than a mini Button and Burlap Valentine's Banner with touches of red and pink. This is something I made several years ago, but it is the first thing I grab out of the Valentine's storage box. It is so easy to make; any heart shaped buttons will work. Over the years it has hung from my fireplace mantel, my kitchen baker's rack and a dining room hanging shelf. Where will I hang it this year?

Have a wonderful weekend!

{Linking with these friends}

Friday, December 18, 2015

Guest Bathroom Update - Holiday Reveal

Believe it or not, I did finish my guest bathroom update before my guests arrived for Thanksgiving. But, with the busyness of Christmas decorating and shopping, and the difficultly in getting good photographs in a small, indoor room, the reveal has not happened until today - almost in time for my next round of guests.

The colors I chose, a pretty deep blue accented with gray and white, really do change the whole look of the room. The darker color can be a bit of a shock going on, but when all the elements come together it feels calm and cool, just as I imagined. The mirror frame (from Mirror Mate) really is the star and gave a builders grade mirror presence and weight. The white frame and the light gray cabinets really pop against the darker color of the walls. I think the look matches my inspiration photos fairly well.

The paint for the walls, cabinet and table is Behr brand from Home Depot and all the fixtures are Pfister from Home Depot as well. I still need to find just the right art for the walls, but am so far liking a minimalist look and won't be adding too much.

This was a quick DIY project and well worth the time and expense. It looks fresh and clean, up to date and most importantly, the last bit of wallpaper is finally gone from my home.

Have a wonderful weekend.

{Linking with these friends}

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Sweet and Simple Christmas Table

Just like my neutral Christmas mantel I showed you earlier this week, I am planning on keeping things sweet and simple on my Christmas table as well. I will be using a lot of votives for atmosphere, but when I usually use red candles, this year, everything will be white. By happenstance, I found (at Home Goods) a roll of wide burlap ribbon, painted with white snowflakes and it immediately sent me in this direction.

Spread along the burlap ribbon at the center of the table, inexpensive white pillar candles will be placed in mason jars. Pretty seasonal greenery with white flocking will be tied very simply on the jars with twine. I think it is important in all the busyness of Christmas, to sometimes take a step back and rather than elaborate plans, find the sweet and simple.

Happy Wednesday!

{Linking with these friends}

Friday, November 20, 2015

So Simple, So Sweet

I spotted this idea for a simple Thanksgiving place setting and immediately knew it was what I was looking for. It is such a sweet concept; just a bit of burlap (which I had plenty of in my stash of fabric and ribbon) and a fresh sprig of rosemary. It's very adaptable to other holiday occasions too. Wouldn't it look just as lovely with a branch of holly at Christmastime?

My table is not set, quite yet. This was a trial run, but when my daughter arrives home for the holiday, this will be the perfect job for her. She can cut the lengths of burlap, wrap the silverware and then insert the rosemary right before our guests arrive, so it stays fresh and green. The countdown begins for those of us hosting, but it is a simple idea like this one, that will help move things along with ease.

Have a wonderful weekend!

{Linking with these friends}