pretty much sums it up

It's been crazy at my house. More to follow. Until then - isn't this the truth?

From: Out Came The Sun.

October - how I love thee

I have always loved October.

I met Randy 31 years ago on October 24. I am forever grateful that he picked me off of Main Street.

Our first baby had a due date in October (which turned into November).

I love the cool weather coming off of hot summers.

My favorite colors are orange and red and the trees on my street just happen to be brilliant orange and fire red right now! I think we live on the prettiest street in town in October (actually every month). Now is a great time to go for a drive through older neighborhoods with old trees. They are so beautiful.

I also love scarecrows and pumpkins.

Here is the outside of my house - all decked out for fall.

 I got this scarecrow many moons ago.  This year I finally had to put him in new clothes. I won't lie - sometimes he scares ME. I think there is a man in our backyard.

 This plant is left over from summer. I'm not sure what it is but it is prettiest now in the cool weather.

 I am crazy over pink. For the record - Randy resisted painting this for a very long time.

My handy dandy handyman lined our sidewalk with bricks. Who knew it would make such an impact?

I found these old urns at garage sales. I love that the paint is chipping off.

Happy Camper.

We bought an old camper this winter.  Randy had it all painted and ready to go by our first outing in May. We are blessed to have a great group of friends and family that we spend our summers with. Friendships are stronger and the memories will last forever (only because I journal).  I am sad to say our camping for this has come to a close but I would not trade these weekends for anything.  It is especially fun in my cute little camper!

Before pictures are on top and after are on the bottom.

Sunday!

my favorite room - part two

Thanks for coming back! Here is the rest of my favorite room!

I'm a reader and I think that is why I love this corner of our room. This chair looks out a South floor to ceiling window. The chair is so cute! It is rose colored with a fringe skirt. It has definitely been loved in a past life so I disguise all that love by "layering" blankets and pillows on top (OK. My blankets and pillows sometimes show lots of love, too)  Remember I said I imagine master bedrooms with white furry rugs? Mine just happens to be on the ottoman.

I have a thing for old mirrors. I may be in rehab for it soon. It doesn't matter what size, color or what they are made out of. I can just hear Randy saying "ANOTHER MIRROR?" Here is the deal. They are plentiful and they are cheap. This one is plastic. One would never know! Much easier to hang on plaster, too. You can spray paint it any color under the sun and so it is a fun way to add something whimsical into your home.  It is impossible to wake up in a grumpy mood with that Sunshine yellow mirror to greet you.

Be Brave! Be Bold!

My name is Stephanie and I have a problem with rings.  I was in trouble when I found that at Forever 21 you can score super cute rings for $2.49.  Abby surprised me with this ceramic egg tray (Anthropologie) and it's perfect for my ever growing collection. Vintage tea cups are great, too.  I have also found that by setting this all on a tray my dresser looks much neater.  There you have it - our master bedroom! One more thing - the master bath is down the hall. It's the community bath. Families have been known to be closer with a shared bath. More time to bond and share in small talk - all while brushing teeth, straightening hair and putting on makeup. Just ask my kids. I would not recommend this without a huge vanity and double sinks, however.

my favorite room - part one

When I hear master bedroom I think of a huge bedroom with a fireplace, fur rug on the floor and a huge walk in closet. It would absolutely have an attached private bathroom. 

I have to laugh. In 27 years of marriage I have never had a "master bedroom" as I imagine it.  The newest house we have ever lived in was built in 1935 and that is not how houses were built in the stone ages. We are lucky to have indoor plumbing!

Thank goodness I find old house bedrooms to be very quaint. Our bedroom has character and lots of charm but it does present several challenges. Thankfully - we DO have his and her closets. Those closet are like a needle in a haystack in an old house that has not had a major renovation.

I was not necessarily looking for a gray and yellow quilt but this was a bargain at Target one day. Do you know me? I can hardly ever walk away from a great deal. Especially one that is so CUTE!  I already had those yellow striped shams from a tag sale from last summer. (I think those were a whopping 25 cents) White coverlet at the end of the bed tag sale this summer. It was originally at home in our camper but I moved into my house after our last camping trip.  White sweater euro shams super clearance at Kohls.  That adorable Love You More sign is from Wal-Mart. I had to have that because that is what we always say to each other.  Besides those wall lamps - it is the only thing purchased full price. That sign was $11.97. I do believe in a splurge now and again.

This rock is my pride and joy! I found it at the lake on our couples camping weekend. How perfect is that! You just never know when you will find that perfect home accessory. In this case - at the bottom of the lake. I had it outside and then thought what a better place than on my armoire!

Here is my advice - buy what you love. Somehow - it will all work together.

...master bedroom to be continued

Cheesy Potato Soup

I was so cold all day long. It was all cloudy outside and I thought it was perfect soup weather.  For days Abe has been begging me to make potato soup. And since I aim to please my children - that's exactly what I decided to do.

I have several potato soups I make depending on what I have on hand, what sounds good, blah blah blah. Everybody has dozens of recipes, I'm sure.

A couple of notes about this soup. It is the BEST potato soup. I love it. We all do. Even picky eaters Abby and Stella. Next thing - it's not very healthy. Why Oh Why are the most delicious foods unhealthy? The way I look at it is we don't eat out hardly ever. We eat fairly healthy so if I want to make us comfort food - I'm not going to feel guilty. I am a justifier of all things. If you can justify things like me and want the best potato soup EVER- this is just what you've been looking for. Enjoy!

CHEESY POTATO SOUP

8 slices bacon
32 oz package tater tots
2 cans chicken broth
1 stick butter (I don't use margarine)
12 slices American Cheese
1 cup green onions with tops - sliced
1 tsp minced garlic
2 cups sour cream
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a large pot, combine tater tots and broth over medium heat until thawed and crumbled. Add remaining ingredients (except bacon). Stir well. Cover and cook on LOW until soup is hot. DO NOT BOIL! I cooked mine for 2 hours this afternoon. It heats up in about 30 minutes for a quick meal.

Brown bacon and use as garnish when serving.  DELISH! Abe said this is his favorite meal ever. I laugh because he won't go near sour cream and he has no idea that is what makes this so yummy.

I was feeling brave and have some new gluten free flour mix and thought I would make my homemade biscuits. These were a staple in our house in the gluten eating days. It has been four years since I made these. I must say - I was impressed. Not near as tasty as with wheat flour but they were really good. This is the recipe I learned my freshman year in home ec class.

BISCUITS

2 cups flour (I used William Sonoma C4C)
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons shortening

sift flour, baking powder and salt. add shortening and cut it. gradually add milk. knead 8-10 times. roll out and cut with glass or cookie cutter.

bake 450 for 12-15  minutes.

champaign taste on a beer buget

I love Anthropologie. It is a good thing there is not one down the street from me because I would have to go in daily. Abby is so kind to taxi me to several different ones on my trips to Chicago.

As much as I enjoy going there I don't actually purchase much. (I have splurged on their Volcano candle. It is my all time favorite scent.) I like that their things are retro and vintage looking.

I always wonder why I would pay dollars for something that I can find for pennies. I also love the thrill of the hunt. As much as instant gratification sometimes works well in some instances -  I'm still the girl who loves Christmas Eve so much more than Christmas day. Anticipation is a gift.

I'm going to tell you my secret on how to make your house look and feel like the Anthropologie store without spending much money.

If I was in the store today I would for sure want this:
( I have a thing for cute small bowls)

It's not very expensive. $12.00, In my world, twelve bucks here - twelve bucks there, adds up very fast.

I found this and I feel it is just as cute if not cuter:

I scored this at the thrift store for 50 cents. LOVE it!!

Sunday!

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.

— C. S. Lewis

Boo!

One of the things I love to do is decorate for the seasons. Fall is especially fun because there is so much to choose from. I especially love Wood Wick Pumpkin Gingerbread Candle. I have lots of pottery pumpkins, iron pumpkings and fun colored real pumpkins. These might be called funkins now. Isn't that funny? Blue, white and green and yellow.

There is something cozy about going into a home that is festive and smells like fall.

Buy a pumpkin or two. Light a candle. Settle down with some hot cider.

Happy fall!

I'm home!

Annie sent me a text and was very excited.  She is at a graphic design conference and heard a speaker give this advice.

"What you are doing to procrastinate from what you really should be doing is what you should be doing for a living."


It's perfect advice for her just starting out her grown-up life. I mean - she's got the entire world at her feet to be whatever she wants to be.

I want to apply that wisdom to my life in some way. I think it's terrific even if I can't turn back the hands of time and be 21 again.

I love reading blogs and the blogs I visit over and over are decorating and cooking/baking blogs. So I am going to give it a go.

Thanks for stopping by.

I'll can't wait to see you tomorrow!

big leap!

so...I'm thinking for blogging. For real. With pictures. Recipes. Decorating.

Which is what I love to look at so it seems only natural.

What do you think?