Fall Favorites

I love the sights, scents and tastes of Fall. It's a season that caters to our senses, whether we're drinking hot apple cider on a crisp evening, smelling pumpkin bread baking in the oven or admiring the colorful trees.

Here are a few of my 'must-have' treats for Fall that help me savor the season:

*Sweet cinnamon pumpkin collection*
from Bath and Body Works

*Yankee housewarmer Pumpkin Pie candle*

$9.99-$24.99

*Starbucks pumpkin spice latte*

Buy a gift card for yourself or give one to a friend to enjoy all the holiday specials including the gingerbread latte and hazelnut hot chocolate

*My family's Pumpkin Ring recipe*

YUM! This is my favorite fall treat--for breakfast, dessert or an afternoon snack with coffee. My sister just baked this for me for my birthday and the entire thing was gone in a couple days. I cannot get enough.

1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

1 1/4 tsp salt

2 cups canned pumpkin (16 oz total)

4 eggs

3 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cups chocolate chips

1. Beat oil, sugar and salt

2. Beat in pumpkin and eggs

3. Mix dry ingredients together and add to pumpkin mixture

4. Add in chocolate chips

5. Bake in tin bundt cake pan (lightly greased) for 1 hour at 350

Must Read Books

My favorite author is Karen Kingsbury. Her books have encouraged me in many, many ways. I started reading these books several years ago and found myself staying up almost all night just to finish the book that I was reading. They are that GOOD!!!

Chilly fall and winter months are upon us... so what a perfect time to start reading these books. Have fun reading, relaxing and sipping on your cup of coffee. You can visit her website at http://www.karenkingsbury.com/

Redemption Series - Baxters Series #1
In The Redemption Series, winner of the 2005 Retailer's Choice award for Inspirational Fiction Series, Karen Kingsbury brings you the bestselling Redemption Series, five books that follow a family with trials and triumphs like your own. The Redemption Series illustrates the relational teachings of Gary Smalley in a way that is changing lives across the world.

The Dash

My girlfriends have a great sense of style, quirky senses of humor and are extremely creative but, what I love best about them are their souls. They are kind, loving, gracious and purposeful in the way the live. They value people but, appreciate beautiful things.
In these unstable economic times, I am reminded that things of this world can not define us. They come and go so quickly. But who we are, can leave a legacy.
I am not a fan of forwards but I got one the other day that was very thought provoking. I wanted to share it because it encouraged me to be more intentional in the way I live. I hope that you take as much away from it as I did.
www.dashpoemmovie.com

Fun seasonal ideas

Fall, it lasts for such a short time, but it makes such an impression on my mind and mood. Each year, I find myself longing for the crisp and colorful season, waiting patiently for the day I can pull my sweaters from the cedar chest and begin searching for the perfect pumpkin.

I feel inspired by the rich, earthy colors--deep cranberry , rusty orange and burnt amber. I look for ways to incorporate these colors into my decorating and pull the outside in. Twigs, gourds, pine cones, leaves...it all feels so festive and rustic!

Take advantage of these months when nature provides us with so much to admire. Dine outdoors with candles and blankets, sit by the fire with a mug of hot apple cider or a glass of mulled red wine, decorate and bake with apples and pumpkins and spend time being thankful for another season to celebrate God's creation.

Try a few of the following ideas to help you incorporate Fall's colorful palette into your decorating:

Coast to coast

'Highlight seasonal motifs or messages in envelope-style coasters with cards that you can change out on a whim. Cut out a thumb notch and a window on one end of a felt rectangle. Fold the rectangle in half and stitch or glue the sides. Print words or designs on card stock and cut cards so the printing shows in the cutout.'

Inspiration from Thomasville Furniture

The following suggestions come from www.countryhome.com:

SIGN ME UP
'Old license plates declare delightful greetings when they are snipped into individual letters and lined up along a tablecloth. Just cut a collection of letters from various plates, punch a hole in the top of each with a nail and hammer, then use 18-gauge wire to hook them to a burlap tablecloth. To make the table covering, fold under the edges of raw burlap, press, and secure with fabric glue. Rickrack, also glued on, adds a nostalgic touch.'

CAST A SPELL
Shine an eerie glow in a dining room or hall with this candle display. Spooky letters printed on scrapbook paper that looks like aged parchment are illuminated from within. Download these letters, print them, and tape them around glass candle hurricanes or plain 9-inch-tall prayer candles. Accent with sprigs of bittersweet vine.

GARLAND

Dress up a window, doorway, or stair rail with an apple garland. Spear apples through the center with an awl. Then thread waxed twine on a 5-inch large-eye upholstery needle and run the twine through the apples. Tie a twig to each end of twine to secure the apples. Add leaves for fullness and color.

VOTIVES
Add the sparkle of candlelight to your setting. We floated several apple votives in an old washtub. To make, cut, core, and scoop out each apple to accommodate a tea light. Add fresh maple leaves for rich autumn color. You can apply this same idea to individual glass containers filled with water on a table.

WREATH
Buy a grapevine wreath at a crafts store. (Ours is 18 inches, a good size to hang on the front door.) The beautiful orange berries are bits of bittersweet vine tucked into the wreath. Attach small apples using wood skewers that you tuck into the wreath. For more stability, add hot glue to stabilize the skewers. Pressed maple leaves are another seasonal touch.

Practically Glamorous

Sometimes life is not always so glamorous. Here are a few products that make dirty work just a little bit more bearable. Some of my top favorites are:


1. Tide stick


There is virtually nothing that the tide stick can not get out. Now, they have a mini tide stick that fits perfectly in your purse.


2. Swiffer Sweepervac

"Swiffer SweeperVac gets it all-big and small-in any room of your home. It uses the Swiffer Dry Cloth to trap and lock dirt, dust, and pet hair, and then uses a vacuum to pick up the big stuff." It is so easy to use you can use it daily for your in between cleaning.


3. GE smart light bulb


There are so many reasons that I love this light bulb. Just by switching over it can save up to 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than the typical light bulb. "If every household in the U.S. replaced ONE light bulb with a GE Energy Smart bulb, we would save...
A combined national total of $600 million a year in energy costs.
Enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars." The reasons to make the switch are good for you and the environment!


4. Folex


FOLEX is a Water Based Non-Ionic Surfactant. It will get virtually ANYTHING out, even red wine!

The 'ABC's of decorating: Adorn! Beautify! Create!

Letters are used to make a statement--whether combined in written word form, displayed to represent initials or showcased as simple, decorative art.

The following creative ways to use letters as display come from www.countryhome.com.

All are sure to make a unique statement in your home!
S-O C-U-T-E!

Paper
'You can find a plethora of paper styles to inspire you—at budget-happy prices—at a scrapbooking store. Start with a background paper with a subtle pattern, then layer different smaller pieces of art paper, gluing them down when the look pleases you. Once you’ve assembled your collage, top it with a painted letter. Or, cut the letter from dark cardstock and adhere, using spray adhesive for a smooth finish. Then frame and hang for instant artwork. '

CERAMICS
'Find a favorite font in the font library on your home computer or look to an old type book. Print out your number or letter on typing paper and take it to your local paint-your-own pottery studio. (Look in the Yellow Pages under “ceramics” or “pottery” to find one near you.) Transfer your design by turning the paper right-side down and outlining the graphic with a charcoal pencil. Tape the paper to your piece, charcoal side down, and gently rub. The pros at the shop will show you how to ink and fire your design. '

FABRIC
'The secret here is using a crisp, plain woven fabric, such as taffeta. (Fabrics with more texture and slubs, such as a duppioni silk, will look sloppy.) Trace a favorite word on the pillow, then use textile paint and fine sable brushes, which allow for more control through hairlines.'

For the more sensitive man...

So, maybe your man is the stereotypical 'macho' man who fights your attempts to help him explore his more sensitive side...or maybe he has already explored his sensitive side and is completely comfortable with it!

Some (heterosexual) men actually enjoy "girlie" things more than we do! And that's great. I believe a man can still be a manly man even if he participates in so-called feminine activities like getting pedicures, shopping for clothes, baking or watching HGTV. It is the age of the 'metro sexual' male after all so we should be open to that!

We don't need to try to change our men into male versions of ourselves. It is not cool to force these things on him-- but if your man is naturally more sensitive or interested in getting involved with things that we like, we should encourage him to be comfortable with that.

Sweet can definitely be sexy.

Here are some... ahem, more feminine (note I did not say "girlie") things that may appeal to the softer side of your man:

For the man who likes organizing...and cuff links

Red Envelope cuff link display case; $129.99

For the man who loves entertaining in style (a.k.a. not using red plastic cups)

Cubist cocktail set from Red Envelope; $59.95

For the man who loves to accessorize

stainless steel and wood bracelet (left) from Red Envelope; $129.95



For the man who plans romantic excursions

picnic backpack from Red Envelope; $69.95

For the man who believes diaper duty is a shared responsibility

Diaper dude bag from Red Envelope; $59.95

For the groom who likes to groom

products from www.groominglounge.com

Dermalogica skin kit for men; $30.00

Dovo 5 piece nail set for men; $88.00

The 'Man-groomer' for back hair, etc.; $39.95

Jack Black jet set traveller kit; $32.00

For the man who is a proud dad with a fashion sense

Matching tees at www.boutiquetoyou.co.uk ; $60

For the man who desperately wants to understand you...

'Why Men Don't Have a Clue and Women Always Need More Shoes' book available at Amazon.com;$14.00

Man "Stuff" that a Woman Can Love too!

As much as all of us would love to girlie-fy our homes, it is import in giving our men space to breathe, relax, have fun & enjoy football seasons.

Some women let their men have 1 room in the house: the basement, the attic, the den, the garage or maybe the shed out back.

If this is not an option...if you must control the decor of every room in your home (like me), then here are a few items that your man will love & you might even (secretly) enjoy as well...

Check out this Bulldog Bottle Opener from Potterybarn.com. It is made of cast iron and is made to be mounted on the wall. It is only $12.00!

This is a fun game table that will have you smiling! The Ms. Pacman (and Galaga) Arcade Game from the 1980s can be found at Frontgate.com. Your husband's friends will think you are the Wife of the Year. Careful though, other wives might get jealous. :) The table costs just under $4,000, but hey, it will definitely be a family heirloom that your kids will be fighting over. (Plus, it is not the size or weight of a pool table!)  

If you get sick of looking at it...you could always cover it with a pretty table cloth and make it double as and end table.  Put a lamp, some books, a frame, etc...it becomes another place for you display all your pretty things!  

Another great item from Frontgate.com is their Three Piece Game Table Set made of hardwood & leather.  I think it could double as a Scrabble Table for you, your girlfriends & some Martinis!  

And what man isn't dying to have a recliner?  Here is one from Pottery Barn that you can deal with.  It is not your Grandpa's recliner!  Throw a cheetah blanket on the back & you might enjoy watching reruns of Sex in the City while reclining it.  Sshhh...don't tell "him" that you actually like "his" chair.  

These next three recliners are all options from Ballard Designs.  (One of my favorite stores!)  This recliner comes in about 100 different fabrics.  There are so many to choose from--solids, stripes, floral, animal print, etc.  The possibilities are endless.  Depending on the fabric, this recliner will run somewhere between $1,100 - $1,400.  

To be a true Glamorous Girl means to let your Man be a MAN!  Don't sissy-fy him.  Don't make him like chick-stuff or force him into doing girlie things...that is why you HAVE GIRLFRIENDS.  :)   Let him do his Fantasy Football thing.  It will give you an excuse to get out of the house & hang out with a girlfriend.  

SmartMom Jewelry

My brother, who is secretly dying to be a writer on this blog (hee hee), sent me a link with this jewelry.   

My 1 year old is always trying to chew on my jewelry.  I am constantly pulling it out of her mouth & giving her one of HER toys to play with.  She still keeps coming back to MY jewelry.  

Thanks to my brother, a solution has been found for my daughter & me!  

This jewelry line, Teething Bling™, is made of material that is non-toxic, latex-free, food–safe, even dishwasher-friendly! It is the same silicone used in many other popular teething products.

Even a percentage of the sales go to worthy causes:

http://www.curesearch.org

http://www.dressforsuccess.org

This donut shaped pendant is less than $20 and can be ordered in 9 different colors.  Go to www.smartmomjewelry.com to order one for yourself or someone special.  

Balancing act

Balance, it's such a challenge--and a necessity--to find it in life. We need rest, yet want to be productive; we want to spend time socializing with friends but we also need quiet moments alone; we want to be healthful and watch what we eat, but still enjoy the tasty treats at restaurants and parties...
I think balance is the key to a healthy, happy, fulfilling life. I believe in the motto everything (or almost everything) in moderation. And that also means moderation in moderation!

Sometimes you need to let yourself break free of all the restrictions and just be. And then there are others times we must be extremely disciplined and determined. Each season in our lives calls for us to practice and develop different characteristics. But finding balance can give us the peace and clarity of mind we need to be our best.

What helps me stay balanced? A little bit of everything of course.

Try to incorporate at least a little bit of the following into your balancing act-- and experiment with things that can help you maintain your level head.

Productivity and activity

Day planners...

Ecojot eco nature agenda made out of 100% recycled materials







Stylish wake up call...

Croc alarm clocks from Williams Sonoma Home



Rest and relaxation

Kiehl's products...























I especially love the Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish. They are a very natural company that is concerned about giving back and helping underdeveloped communities.
http://kiehls.com/





Zero 7 CD
U.K. soul music from London--kinda jazzy with an electronic vibe--
but sooo relaxing

Try their Simple Things album available at amazon.com

Family time Create traditions within your family for holidays and special events and make it a priority to do things together. Whether the activity is cooking a meal, baking cookies, carving pumpkins, or playing boardgames, make family time fun and everyone will look forward to being together. The best family memories are those created when you are doing something unique.

Try:
Family Game Night

Familyfun.go.com has some great suggestions for creative game and theme-night ideas including bowling pin derby, group storytelling and blackjack using jelly beans.

Friends

Spending time with friends is a key component in keeping my scales from tipping. I NEED girlfriends who can relate to my womanly perspective. Whatever stage in life they may be in, I love learning from their experiences, identifying with their frustrations, and encouraging each other with supporting words and wisdom. Plus, girlfriends are just FUN! They make me laugh at things and remind me not to take life or myself too seriously.

Host or schedule a regular Girls' Night (or Boys' Night if you are a male reader--but you'll have to come up with your own ideas:) and try themes such as:


Pedicures and dinner--I just recently went to a place called Pretty Nails and got an hour long pedicure with girlfriends for only $25! We went for sushi afterwards.


Book club-- I know not everyone loves to read but it's a good excuse to meet regularly and you may really enjoy the book selection!

Cocktails and Cupcakes party-- is there anything better?


The Sweetheart Cocktail
1 1/2 ounces Ketel One vodka 1/2 ounce Calvados1 ounce apple juice2 lemon wedges (about 1/3 lemon)1 teaspoon grenadine
Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Squeeze the lemon wedges into the shaker and discard the rinds. Add the grenadine and muddle vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Highlands Bar and Grill, 205/939-1400, http://www.highlandsbarandgrill.com/.

But really, you don't need a reason or a theme to call a friend and spend a few hours together.

"Me time"... for a healthy mindset


Environmentally friendly journal made from 100% recycled materials and Bessence Candles, soy-based wax candles packages in recycled materials.
$40 for 4 votives





















Little indulgences
"Let them eat cake!!!"

Have I mentioned I love cake? Well I do. In fact, I just baked one for a dinner party I'm going to tomorrow night and it's taking all my willpower not to steal a piece. I cheated and used a mix: Pillsbury Low Sugar Yellow Cake mix. It's easy. It's fabulous. It's low sugar so it's not that bad...right?

Let "them" eat chocolate too!
These truffles come from Fran's Chocolates in Washington. The chocolates have been listed in all of the following magazines: Oprah, Gourmet, Food and Wine, and People. You can order from the website http://www.franschocolates.com/

Little indulgences should always be pretty...Crate and Barrel wine glasses; $2.50 each