Back in the Christmas Spirit

Christmas music is streaming from my iphone in the kitchen, my parents visiting from Portugal and  my Mother in law is up from FL.   The kids are home; on the stove top, I have a simmer scent of water, cinnamon, orange peel and  vanilla that makes the house smell like one big Cinnabon.  Everything seems just perfect, except in the back of my mind I know I’m probably having hysterectomy surgery in a few weeks and a virtual slide show keeps playing in my head of those innocent little angels from the  Sandy Hook shooting.   So, before anything I want to offer my deepest condolences to the families who suffered such a tremendous lost on that day.  As for my imminent hysterectomy I hope it doesn’t hurt! 

 

Simmer scent of orange peel, cinnamon stick, vanilla and water  

 

 

Christmas is around the corner I wanted to stay in the Christmas spirit so what did I do?  I decided to bake Pizza...

 

Yesterday I made semi-homemade pizza.  I go through stages where I make pizza every week.  In a small pan I marinated garlic and olive oil, added one 12 oz. can of Hunts tomato sauce and added a little water. The sauce looks thick enough to look like Ketchup.   Next I added basil, oregano and sugar.  One tsp. each, and I usually “eye” this to pour what looks like would be 1 tsp. into the palm of my hand, then into the sauce.  The sauce was enough sauce for two pies. 

 

 

As the tomato sauce cooked, I added 2 lbs. ground beef to a skillet, used a spatula to break up the pieces, and let it cook until the meat turned brown. For the Pizza crust, I love the 12" Boboli crust.   It's so easy, just open the bag and add the sauce, cheese and toppings.   The meat topping for the second pie is Hormel Pepperoni.

 

 

 

For the Ricotta sauce, it's one cup of Polly-O Ricotta cheese for both pies, then I “eyed” about 1 tsp. each of McKormick basil,  oregano and sugar. Usually I add 1 egg, but I was out of eggs yesterday.  And the Ricotta sauce was just fine without it.

 



 "eyeing " 1 tsp. of basil

 

My daughter's hand helping me hold the Basil for the picture...I just Love her! 

 

 

 

 

Shop Rite Mozzarella cheese is half the price of brand names and it tastes great.

While the meat was cooking, I poured the sauce onto the pie crust, and, like they do in the movies, using the back of the spoon,  I moved it in a spiral out from the center of the crust until it reached about ½” edge of the crust.

 

 

Three spoonfulls of ricotta, then sprinkled the cheese, next the meat. After sprinkling another layer of  Mozzarella and a little more Ricotta, the Pizzas baked for approx 10 mints at 450. 

 

 

 

Today I baked Christmas cookies all day, maybe I'll post about it  next week.  But wanted to share with you how baking pizzas and being surrounded by my family, eating and laughing, and all the chaos that comes with having a house filled with people I love  was just what I needed to get back into the Christmas spirit.

Teresa xo

 

We materialize Christmas, including me.

 



It's finally here, the begining of Christmas. If you're  like me, I can't stop thinking about it.   Every day I think of something else to make my Christmas decorations more special.  The possibilities are endless.  Too bad the budget isn't!

 

This year I'm keeping the outside lighting decor simple.  Not using lights on the outside of the house.  I think the candles in the windows along with the wreaths with red bows have such a classic look.  Plus it's so much work to take the lights down at the end of the season.  I put so much effort into planning that by the end of December the last thing I want to do is take dozens of feet of lights down.

 

 

Front Stoop with Topiaries, Wreath and Nutcrackers

 

These are the same urns I used for Halloween.  For Christmas I'm using pre-lit boxwood topiary balls with red bows. On the door, a pre-lit battery operated wreath on a timer.

 

 

 

 

Army of nutcrackers

 

 

A tall mirror at the top of the steps, flanked by two 3' nutcrackers.  A half moon console table up against the mirror, with more nutcrackers on top.  Their reflection gives the illusion of an army of nutcrackers. 

 

 

 

 

Ho Ho HO

5' Santa greeting us in the foyer.  I got him at Walmart when my kids were little.  He's got a porcelain face, and his suit is made of a rich velvet damask, trimmed with fur.  He's adorable!

 

 

 

Santa on an end table

 

Tree in the Living Room.  Check out Toby on the recliner.

 

For the Christmas tree I used brown, green, gold and red. Using garland made of  red berries with  twigs throughout.  I love how the tree looks classic and traditional but the twigs give it a rustic, unexpected look. 

Nativity set in Dining Room

 

 

An antique Bible on a book stand, a nativity set and a plate with an embossed cross.  This year I bought a crystal cross and started a collection of religious crosses.   Hopefully, next year I'll have a few more to display.  

Christmas Village

 

I've been collecting pieces for my Christmas village for 18 years.  Have to admit they're not expensive pieces. Each is between $5 and $10.  Affordable and sweet.

 

 

 

Casual in the Den

 

  

It's where I keep the second tree.  My girlly tree.  The same room where I keep the Christmas village.  I carried the pink theme with a pink wreath above the sofa.  Last night my husband and I watched football here.  It looks sweet and not too overdone in pink.  Just fantabulous; between the fireplace, the Christmas village, the pink tree and my favorite winter treat...a hot chocolate.  Yum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Keeping it simple outside. Wreaths with red bows and candles on the windows.  Pre-lit wreath on the door, Boxwood topiary balls with red bows  and the nativity set.



It reminds me of what this Holiday is all about.

We materialize Christmas, including me...big time!

 

I ordered the nativity set online 5 years ago and it was worth every penny.  It's my favorite thing.  It's about 3' tall, made of resin, with great detail.  During the Month of December, I display the set with out Jesus.  On Christmas eve, I'll wrap baby Jesus in a blanket and place him in his manger bed.

 

I love it!  Reminds me of what this Holiday is all about.

 

 

 

Teresa xo


 

 

 

 

 

 

Murals and Strawberry Cake

Ever have those days where your mind is all over the place and you can't focus.  Today I'm going to write about Fail Harder and Strawberry Cake.  Just couldn't decide which topic to blog about. 

A couple of weeks ago I read about the Portland ad agency Wieden+Kennedy who created an amazing mural with push pins spelling "Fail Harder".  The message displayed the importance of learning from your mistakes.  Showing failure as part of living, learning and optimism.  I thought it was so cool and was so impressed by it, that it inspired me to create a mural in my home, using the concept behind Fail Harder.

push pins



Over 100,000 thumbtacks were used over 351 hours to create a wall mural that spells out Fail Harder

Click Here to view Fail Harder Video

 

 

 

 

 

I'm planning on buying vinyl lettering from Michaels or Target. Applying the vinyl sticker on the wall and putting copper push pins over the lettering.  I'm thinking of placing the mural where we can see it everyday.  I want it to be motivational but also have a personal message.  

 

Here’s a couple of quotes I’ve been thinking about…

 

 

Quote # 1

 

 

Quote #2

 

 



 

 

I’m leaning towards the quote #1 from scripture, and placing it in the foyer, above the door so we can see it everyday on the way out.  

I love quote # 2 because of the meaning behind it.  Says so much about my husband and I, our years together, our home, the children and our lives.  

I'll start the project within the next couple of weeks and will post pictures on my next blog.

 

And then there's the strawberry cake...

 

Today I baked an easy and yummy Strawberry Cake with Strawberry frosting. Both cake and frosting were from the box.  Instead of using 3 eggs, water and oil, I used a can of Diet Coke.

I want to share with you a really cool frosting trick I saw on pintrest a couple of weeks ago.  There's a link to the frosting video below.  

The trick is to use a plastic wrap tube in the icing bag for easier clean up.  Cut a piece of saran wrap, place the icing on it, and spin it with both hands forming a tube.  Click here to view icing video.  Then just place the tube into the bag and pull it through the tip.  After using it pull the tube out and throw it away.  Just like that, such easy clean up.

Hope you enjoyed this week's blog about cake and everything related...including wall murals?


Teresa XO    



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West elm 

 

One Kings Lane

 

hautelook

 

bettycrocker

 

pillsbury

 

 

 

 

 

50 days of decorating

October and the 50 days of decorating

October and the 50 days of decorating. This is the time from Halloween to Christmas. 

With the exception of my kid's birthdays and my wedding anniversary, the holidays are my favorite time of the year.  I love the beginning of Autumn and decorating for Halloween.  Right after that comes Thanksgiving, then the big one ... Christmas. 

Last weekend I decorated my front stoop for Halloween. I like to use pumpkins, different textures and natural elements. 

I purchased a feather wreath from Michaels and glued it to a twig wreath for a more custom look.



Feather and Twig Wreath

I placed lighted twig pumpkins in urns.  Pinned a black crow and surrounded the urns with a few carved pumpkins. 



 

 

 

The pumpkins are carved with whimsical scary faces.   They look adorable when they light up at night with battery operated strobe lights.

The front stoop is decorated for Autumn, it's a quick and simple look.  officially starting my 50 days of decorating.  

Teresa
XO

Restoration Hardware

 

Homegoods

 

Michaels

 

 

Rice and Prosperity

The Symbolism of Rice and Prosperity...

Some religions consider rice sacred.  The Chinese offer rice during  the New Year celebrations for good luck and wealth. We throw rice at weddings for prosperity.  It's used in Feng Shui in the prospertiy corner.  And It's a staple food of nearly 3 billion people.  Everyone eats it!    

 

I put rice in a votive on a table with a flower.  The white rice looks so pretty and pure.  It has many symbolisms.  Represents a pure and honest life. Symbolizes fertility, luck and wealth.  I want this energy in my home.  And I feel it every time I see it.  Like attracts like and this is inviting the "chi" for abundance and wealth in my home.  And who doesn't need that?

 

The table in the left corner for good Chi

 

 

 

Rice in a votive for prosperity

 

 

In the Basket I have coffee beans for scent.  Smells so pretty.  It's a natural air freshener.  Smells like vanilla and coffee.  This console table is in a high traffic area in the house and I smell the aroma of coffee as soon as I walk in.  I'll never need to buy another air freshener.

 

 

Natural Aroma of Coffee

 

Teresa XO

Source: wifenmom.blogspot.com via Teresa on Pinterest

 

 

One King Lane

 

HomeGoods

 

 



Nothing like a warm coup of soup

Disney’s Loaded Baked Potato Soup is Amazing.  Perfect for this time of year. The air is crisp and fall is here. This weekend I’ll decorate for Halloween and blog about that next.  Meanwhile, there’s nothing like a warm cup of soup.

 

Disney's Loaded Potato Soup

While sipping on a glass of Moscato. In an 8 qrt stock pot, over md. heat, I fried 1 lb. of bacon until crisp. Removed the bacon and set it aside.

 

In bacon fat, I cooked 1 md. diced Onion, 1 Lg. peeled and diced Carrot, and ¾ cup Celery until translucent. And took a sip of Moscato…gulp.

 

I added 8 peeled and diced Potatoes and let cook for 4 min. I Whisked ¼ cup flour and stirred over low heat . About 5 min. And took a sip…gulp.

 

Then I added 2 cups chicken stock and half the Bacon. Salt and Pepper to taste and let it cook over md. heat for 25 min. And sip…gulp.

 

Added 4 cups of heavy cream and simmered. While the soup was cooking, I took potatoes from the soup and pureed in the blender in batches, returning it back to the saucepan. You can also use a food processor. I continued doing this until about half of the potatoes were smashed.  Sip …Gulp, gulp.

 

Garnish with remaining Bacon and serve.

 

Disney's Loaded Potato Soup is my favorite, and completely blog worthy.  Might just be the best potato soup you ever tried. Delish!

 

9/21/12 window treatment mess ups...

It's my fault... I should have followed my own advice. 

Earlier this year, I saw a picture of a window treatment on the cover of VERANDA magazine.  And fell in love.  I was redoing my daughter's room.  Found a pretty pink French Satin fabric at $1.25 p/yard; it was perfect.

If it were for a customer, I would have done a purchase order, cut a sample of the fabric, stapled it to the picture and drawing. Written down the dimensions of the window, the size of the treatment, the return, etc.  Boring...right?

I've known Sylvia from the workroom for 10 years, she's done many jobs for my clients.  But this was a small job, for my daughter’s room.  Figured it was ok to show her the picture, tell her the dimensions.  “She knows what I want”.

My parents came to visit and I wanted Mom to see how pretty everything would look put together.  But when she got here the room still wasn’t finished .  I thought... perfect, now there was no rush.  More procastinating.  The summer came and went. And last week I finally went to pick up the Valance.

After numerous calls from Sylvia and procrastinating for months, the treatment is finally on the wall.  Pretty, but not what I wanted. What a surprise?  Really?  Too late. I never did a purchase order; procrastinated and never followed up.  Bla Bla Bla. 

Never followed my own advice on avoiding window tretment mess ups.  Now I can't complain.  Ultimately, it was my fault. 

 

Here’s what I originally wanted....

 

 

This is what the treatment looks like...

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Dress Windows

I dress Windows.  There’s something about it that makes me happy.  Yes you need privacy too.  And blinds are fine.  But those should be special too.  They don’t have to be expensive, but they should be special.  In my house, I have 2” faux wood throughout from Lowe’s.  They’re by Levolor at $40 to $50 per window.  Great price with some good options.  Like cordless, with easy lift, eliminating unsightly cords.  Giving it more of a custom look.    

So now you have privacy.  What comes next is my favorite.  Dressing the Window.  Whether you need some framing around the windows like a Kingston Valance, or Swags and Jabots on a board, or Pleated Drapes on a board, flanking the window, making it appear larger.  The possibilities are endless.

Ahhh then fabrics.   So exciting.  Mixing plaids and stripes, or florals with stripes, or solid rich Satins with trims, fringe, tassels, beads… It’s eye candy.  Almost as good as chocolate.

Window treatments set the stage for the décor in the room.  Mixing complimentary upholstery fabrics, pillows, accessories, art and lighting bring it all together.  It’s an art!


One Kings Lane

Homegoods

I love Homegoods.  Today I bought 2 Red Buddhas to put on my Dining Room server.  I have a little bit of a religion theme going on in that room.  A beautiful Bible holder a plate with a cross and now the two Buddhas.  I feel it gives the room a real positive vibe.