Real Southern Living

Inexpensive Tricks to Updating Your Wardrobe

2012-02-08T11:05:00.001-05:00

One of my most popular blog post is a tutorial on how I dyed a few clothing items. Click here to read. I have done several other dye baths over the last few years and had some great success in updating a few items for my daughter and I that were more conducive to Dressing Our Truths. I’ve toned down an orange sweater and workout top using Pearl Gray. I also found my daughters favorite sweater on clearance in the same color she already had so we dyed it!

This morning I came across this article about dying tips and I wanted to share. I was in the sauna at the gym {I love the Sauna as you can sit in there and sweat liked you work out while you read and learn things with only lifting a finger to pick up your magazine!}…it seems all the magazines are out dated but, this one said February so I thought it was current…it is from last year…Lucky Magazine February 2011! None the less I’m glad I picked it up!

Dye tip #1

So this tip is pretty much the basic dying that I show you in my tutorial. They do things slightly different but, the concept is the same taking light to dark.

Dye Tip #2

This tip is about dying cottons, silks and synthetics. Again pretty much using the same Rit dye method but, they do it slightly different. What intrigued me the most with this was how they took dark colored clothes to light colors and I’m guessing they use the color reducer…they don’t share how they did that! I need to do some more research into how they did this because taking something black to a pretty blue color would be wonderful for all of us who dress our truths and don’t wear black!

Dye Tip #3

This tip is for dying Cashmere and Wool and suggest using an acid dye by Jacquard…it uses vinegar not acid so don’t get scared like I did! The article suggest is cost about $4.69 at www.wardrobesupplies.com. {FYI..I’m just passing along the info and in no way affiliated with the magazine or website or getting compensated}

Dye Tip #4

This one really intrigued me and I have wondered how to dye leather. I’ve tried spray painting leather and it doesn’t work well…spray paint works fine on synthetic shoes but, not leather. They show in tip 2 taking black leather shoes to white and in tip 4 they answered my question on the leather dye. How many times do you find a comfortable pair of shoes or have a pair you love but, they need to be a different color or just given new life? Here is your answer! Tarrago Leather dye $6.95 at Wardrobe Supplies.

Again this article is found here online and you can go read up and watch the video’s as well. I think I will be ordering some leather dye to try!

Linking to:

At the Picket Fence, Funky Junk Interiors, A Simply Klassic Home, Not Just A Housewife, Meet Me Mondays, A Bowl Full of Lemons, It's Overflowing, Chatty Chics, Southern Product Queen, Share The Wealth Wednesday, Some What Simple

Real Southern Living–Quote #6

2012-02-05T20:18:00.001-05:00

This is our family Motto that I’ve had my children repeating after hearing not so nice things coming out of my children's mouths towards one another lately. As a Mother of 5 kids I decided it was time to add a twist to this classic phrase and not just say nice things but, also acts of kindness needed to be added. I am hoping to raise some awareness to my children to think before they speak or act out towards others in a world where being negative is the norm. My mission is to teach my kids to show more love and gratitude towards their family members and friends which creates a more loving environment for all of us.

Project #5- Easy No Sew Curtains/Organizing/Bulletin Board

2012-02-03T11:34:00.001-05:00

I have a bunch of little projects going on this week that I'm counting as 1 big project. Remember I am trying to do one home project a week for a year!

I love Fabric.com! It is the 2nd time I’ve ordered from them and I have loved my fabric, the price was unbeatable and it came right to my door quickly with FREE Shipping! You can’t beat it!

For my 1st Fabric.com order I posted a tutorial on No Sew Curtains. {revisit my post here.} I get tons of compliments on my curtains in both my living room and family room. People are shocked when I tell them they aren’t sewed. {I need to learn to take a compliment and quit telling people they aren’t sewed.} My living room ones I have never got around to ironing the hem with stitch witch.

I made 2 sets of Curtains this week in less then an hour total, seriously so easy. I am working on cleaning and organizing 2 different rooms and figure pretty curtains help motivate me to keep going!

Room #1 Office/Craft Room

EG-974 Premier Prints Royal Suzani Chocolate/Natural

Remember my office organization project last January.

Well seems as I re-visit this project several times through out the year {More like Monthly or Weekly} and I’ve decided some décor might make it feel more like a nice room and maybe people will think twice before dumping their junk into it…we shall see…it is a good excuse to decorate whether it works or not!

My Decorative Bulletin Board post from years ago is one of my most read posts and still keeps getting hits. Well I took that board all apart and covered it with extra fabric from the curtains. I have so much stuff to pin on it that I didn’t add any extra fancy ribbon or clips this time.

I’ve made progress but, nothing too picture worthy yet!

Room #2 Master Bedroom

ES-214 Premier Prints Twill Ozborne Blue/White

We have had a new bedding set for close to a year and I’ve never loved my dark brown plain curtains…boring. My husband likes the room dark while he sleeps so the curtains needed to slide open and shut plus black the room out. I used the old curtains behind the fabric panels and just clipped it all with the drapery clips…you can’t even tell and the I get to see the fresh brighter fabric instead of dark and drab.

I also organized my dresser after being inspired on Pinterest! I condensed so much that I have extra drawers…my husband asked if he might have a drawer or two since he keeps his folded items in plastic bins under the bed…I’m still deciding! LOL

I am still working on some other sprucing items for this room as well like necklace storage, sitting area and cleaning off the tops of the dressers!

Linking to:

At the Picket Fence, Funky Junk Interiors, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, A Simply Klassic Home, Not Just A Housewife, Meet Me Mondays, A Bowl Full of Lemons, It's Overflowing, Chatty Chics, Southern Product Queen, Share The Wealth Wednesday, Some What Simple

Berries to Jam–Canning Jam

2012-02-02T20:20:00.001-05:00

Last week a friend and I made home made Wheat Bread. What better to go with your bread then fresh homemade Jam. It is actually very easy and I’m not sure why I was so intimidated to try it on my own…I guess I’m a visual learner so hopefully this post will help one of you try it!

I had frozen Marion Berries from Oregon that I bought from a group order I participated in at Church! If you haven’t had Marion Berries they are delicious! You can use what ever fresh or frozen fruit you like…I want to try Peach Jam next. I do live in the Peach State and we love Peaches in the Summer!

1. You will need your fruit (my case Marion Berries) and puree it. I use my Vita-Mixer and it works great even with semi frozen fruit. You can use a mixer, blender, food processor, etc. just make sure you don’t over extend your machine because it will be thick.

2. You will need a box of Fruit Pectin found in the store with the canning supplies. Now, there are different types and brands to choose from. Next time I will look for a pink box of this brand as it requires LESS sugar then this box and my friends jam with less sugar was still yummy and better for you.

3. Depending on the type of Pectin you will follow the instructions on the box and amount of sugar. I used the cooked Jam recipe and method so that I had a hot jam mixer to can. This is important that it be a cooked method in order to can like I do below.

4. You will need a very small amount of butter to help the mixer not to foam.

5. Of course you need jars, new seals and lids. Usually found in a case in the canning isle of your store. For jam I like the smaller jars but, you could do any size you like. This recipe made about 8 small jars.

Cooking the Jam:

Again follow the recipe on your box of Pectin but, it should be similar.

{Have a small frying pan out, fill with water and place your seals in the pan and bring water to boil while you cook your jam mixture.}

1. Put your pureed fruit, pectin and tad of butter in a pan.

2. Bring mixture to a boil.

3. Add sugar stirring as you add it in.

4. Bring to a rapid boil that you can’t stir down and it should look like it has a glass effect.

5. Turn heat off and scrape off any foam with a spoon. (Forgot to take a picture but, you shouldn’t have much if you’ve put butter in it like recipe states)

You should have had your seals heating up already and boiling while your mixture was cooking. I bought a small canning kit that came with a funnel and a magnet seal lifter that comes in real handy and highly suggest it.

To Can:

1. Put your funnel in your jar and ladle the mixture into the jar filling just below the top of the jar.

2. Wipe with a wet paper towel the rim of the jar making sure to wipe off any mixture where the lid goes.

3. Take your magnet seal lifter or a pair of kitchen tongs and place the seal on your jar.

4. Screw on lid so that it is on but, not as tight as you can get it…the jars will be very hot.

5. Then turn jar upside down for 5 minutes. Fill up all your jars first and then set your timer.

6. Turn jars right side up and wait for the popping noise that will occur letting you know they are sealed. You can make sure the jars are nice and tight.

The jam in the jars should last for a very long time…I mean years! This is great to have in your food storage or pantry. If you open a jar though you should refrigerate it. I usually have a jar at the end that isn’t completely full. No need to seal it just let it cool and stick it in the fridge to start eating it right away! I am not a big jam eating person but, the first time I made this I think I ate a whole jar and loaf of bread in one afternoon…it is really that yummy so beware!

These jars make great neighbor, friend and teacher gifts with or without bread. I’ve even had a friend offer to buy a jar from me this week after giving her one for Christmas and she isn’t a big jam eating person either but, she loved this stuff!

Enjoy canning!

Linking to:

Valentine Paper Doily Decorations

2012-01-31T18:44:00.001-05:00

Using paper doily’s for the Dollar Store I begun putting up some quick Valentine Decorations for my kids yesterday.

I glued various sizes and colors together with a glue stick but, later realized I had some scrapbooking squares that would have been just as good. I strung the hearts on ribbon across the fireplace and hung a few from our breakfast table light. I taped some to the glass back doors. It was so simple, cute and under $5!

Now if I could find the other hearts and fun Valentine things I bought just a few weeks ago and I could continue decorating…does anyone else put things away so well that you can’t find them when you want them? Hopefully not just me…

If you want to do something fun for your Valentine check out 14 Days of Valentines plus free pintable's from Mommy by Day Crafter by Night!

Linking to:

Southern Product Queen, Chatty Chics, Funky Junk Interiors, Not Just a Housewife, Decor Chick

Real Southern Living-Quote #5

2012-01-29T13:58:00.001-05:00

“Holiness begins with small righteous actions done consistently.”

~Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General Presidency

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Project #4-Small Bathroom Makeover-Under $20

2012-01-27T19:40:00.001-05:00

This is a small guest bathroom with no window and the only bathroom on the main level of our home. It was dark and I wanted to add a fresh feeling to it. It is also the most used bathroom and needed attention.

I was able to complete the whole transformation for under $20.
I lucked out and found a $7 can of oops paint that was almost a perfect match to my shower curtain! I barely made a dent in the can by painting the top portion of the walls and ceiling this beautiful light blue with a tinge of green. I’m going to take the can to get them to run a color and get the paint formula to post here. I still have plenty of paint to paint my kids bathroom’s upstairs.

I used 1 – 1x3 and 2-1x2 boards from Home Depot. We are talking $3.52 for the wood. They aren’t perfect pieces of wood and not smooth like regular molding but, c’mon it is so much more affordable then the other trim that is over $1 a foot not a board!

My husband measured and then used his new compound miter saw (my favorite tool so far) to cut the 1x3 as the top piece of the Batten Board. He measured and cut the 1x2 as the strips running down the wall and he cut a 45 degree angle at the bottom where the baseboard and 1x2 join.

I sanded as best I could (probably could of done a better job on the sanding if I do it again) and then my husband glued and nailed (making sure to find a few studs) the top 1x3 in place using a level...you will see above that he had a few helpers. Then he glued and nailed the 1x2 strips in place, 12 inches apart, and made sure all the pieces fit perfectly. You will find your wall, floor and other moldings won’t be perfectly square all the way around so each piece might be cut slightly different lengths like ours was. I then got out the caulking gun and went to town caulking everything where the wood and wall meet up.

The frame for the mirror was a piece of cake. We used door casing at 22 cents a foot (so a couple of bucks) and again measured, cut 45 degree angles in the corners giving us 4 pieces. I painted the frame first, front and back, then used liquid nails making sure not to get close to the edge of the inside of the frame. Part of the back of the frame will reflect back in the mirror and you want to make sure it has a good coat of paint and no glue shows.

I used semi gloss Behr Swiss Coffee paint for all the white trim. It was left over from our exterior trim when we painted the exterior of our home in the fall. I hung back up my Headboard turned Towel Rack and put back a few of the other accessories I already had!

Casing and Trim = $7.50 approx.

Blue Oops Paint = $7.00

Liquid Nails = $2.38

Total= $16.88

I had caulk, white trim paint, nails and other supplies all left over from other projects. And there you have it! I love it…now to keep it clean…I have boys…need I say more!

Linking to:

Easy Bread Making

2012-01-25T17:15:00.001-05:00

Anyone intimidated by the thought of making bread? I sure was and what I’ve found is that it really is very easy! Well at least the recipe I was taught I find to be easy to get wonderful tasting bread suitable for slicing for sandwiches or eating with yummy jam! This recipe has a few surprising ingredients…like potato flakes, instant nonfat dry milk, vinegar and NO EGGS!

Bread Recipe Yields 2 Loaves

Here is what you will need:

2 1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbsp. active dry yeast
1/2 cup honey or 2/3 cup brown sugar – I use brown sugar
5 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or whatever combination white/wheat you like..can use store bought or grind your own.
1/2 cup wheat gluten – next to yeast at most grocery stores
2 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. nonfat instant dry milk
2 Tbsp. butter/margarine/oil – your choice
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1/2 cup potato flakes (NOT potato pearls)

Here are some options for grinding your own wheat. An electric grinder or some of the fancy blenders have a grinding cup and both are pretty pricey. Remember you can use store bought flour but, the home ground wheat bread is super yummy!

Steps to making bread!

1. Mix ingredients in order listed in mixing bowl of mixer with dough hook attachment (like kitchen-aid) for 12-15 minutes.

2. Let rise until double, 1- 1 1/2 hours.

3. Punch down, cut dough in half and roll and shape into 2 loaves. Roll out air bubbles and can use oil or flour to keep from sticking. Or, roll into bread rolls. Place in greased pans, cooking spray works great.

4. Let rise again until double. Can spray with cooking oil or grease top of loaf before baking to get a nice golden brown color.

5. Bake 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when lightly tapped. Baking temperature depends on type of pans used and your oven…glass pans use lower heat.

6. Pull out of oven and turn over onto cooling rack. Let cool on its side.

A tip for letting it rise…heat the oven at a low temp and turn off put dough bowl or pan in the oven with a damp cloth over it. Or what we did was heat a cup of water in the microwave and set dough bowl or pan in the microwave with hot water cup and closed the door. Helps speed up the time it takes to rise depending on how warm or cool your home is.

Super yummy easy bread! I have never had a person taste this bread and not fall in love with it! Oh and one time I didn’t have gluten so I omitted it and it came out okay. That time I also realized I had no butter and used olive oil and it worked too. This recipe is hard to screw up! You can also use this recipe for dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls! Invite some friends over make bread and enjoy lunch together while it rises! This bread also makes a perfect gift to someone you are thinking about or a special friend!

*If you are making this recipe in a bread machine, follow your bread machine’s directions for wheat or whole grain selection and add the ingredients in the order listed for their recommendations. (only one loaf will fit in a bread maker)

Linking to:

Real Southern Living–Quote #4

2012-01-21T23:03:00.001-05:00

Fresh and Easy Guacamole

2012-01-20T12:06:00.001-05:00

My family loves Guacamole! Yummy! They beg me to make it and yet it really is so easy that my kids should be able to make it themselves. I remember my family making this for family gatherings since I was a little girl…especially watching Football! This is the perfect Super Bowl Food!

Here is what you need. I always just use what I have.

Fresh Avocados scooped out into a bowl.

Add your favorite Salsa mixed in to your liking.

Garlic Salt to season

*Optional a little lemon juice gives it a little flavor and keeps it from turning brown right away.

*Optional Sour Cream if you want it to go a little further if you are feeding a crowd but healthier option is to omit it.

Take a fork and mash it all together in the bowl. I don’t measure a thing because the amount of Avocado is always different (depends if you have 1 avocado or 5) and I just eye it. Start in smaller amounts and add as you go depending on how much avocado you have to get a consistency you like.

It really isn’t hard and it will be a crowd pleaser for sure!

Linking to: Funky Junk Interiors, A Bowl Full of Lemons, It's Overflowing,

Project #3- Kitchen Island Face Lift

2012-01-19T12:42:00.001-05:00

I had a love hate relationship with my Kitchen Island. I loved having an Island but, the trim around the bottom drove me nuts trying to clean it.

The trim was coming off and there was a gap where food and dirt got down in it…gross is what it was and impossible to clean. So we added new base board all the way around covering up the whole bottom. We also added some poplar boards on the ends and back side boxing it out which beefed it up a bit.

We bought a miter saw for the project and let me just say it is one power tool I am so excited to have…my husband not so much…lots of projects in store for the new saw. So I posted pictures of the boards we used above. The base trim came from Lowe’s and the poplar boards Home Depot…we found this to be cheapest and easiest route.

We used adhesive to keep everything in place while we cut and figured everything out and then nailed it in later.

So here it is put together. I then caulked all the edges and corners or any place that had gaps…this island is not completely square so I made up for it with caulk so I wouldn’t have any more cracks for food and dirt to get down into. I then primed it with gray primer.

I didn’t take all the doors off hinges and used a little tiny art brush to get around our hinges…they are the no show kind and wasn’t too difficult. Next up was paint. The jury is still out on the paint I used so I won’t advertise that. After paint was dry I sanded the edges to distress and put a brown glaze all over it and wiped it off. Like I did to my furniture I posted about here.

I still need to add final top coat but, I want to let it cure for a few days and I think I will use the furniture wax I used on my furniture and my banister make over as it it seems to be holding up well. It isn’t as messy to apply and gives that soft matt finish I like.

I love the island so much now! It looks more like a custom cabinet which means it makes the rest of the cabinets look not so great! LOL I love the painted distressed look over the orange/red maple that has taken a good beating over the last 6 years.

So guess what’s next? Yeah, the rest of the cabinets…only they aren’t going to be black! This fact is bothering my children who think they should all match! LOL The kitchen would be way too dark with all black so a distressed white is what I think I’m going with! What do you think? Oh and ignore the messy counters...I hadn't completely cleaned up my project mess!

I have some paint tips and I will post about those later. If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear them below!

Linking to:
At the Picket Fence, Funky Junk Interiors, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, A Simply Klassic Home, Not Just A Housewife, Meet Me Mondays, A Bowl Full of Lemons, It's Overflowing, Chatty Chics, Southern Product Queen, Share The Wealth Wednesday, Some What Simple

Project #2–Front Door Accessorizing

2012-01-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

My front door was recently painted when we did our exterior paint make over and after all the Christmas decorations were down it felt a little bare.

I found a cute red berry wreath on Clearance after Christmas that I thought was still fun for the winter and festive for the up coming Valentines Day. I also have a metal star that I wanted to hang on the inside of my door.

I used 2 pieces of ribbon, 1 wrapped around each the wreath and star to hang from and then used a tack in the top of my door to hold them. This a great way to hang things on the door and not put a hole in your newly painted door.

Next I had a vinyl lettering welcome sign and my husband assisted me hanging it. If you haven’t used vinyl lettering I highly recommend if for easily adding quotes or sayings to any smooth surface in your home. You can buy them through companies like this one or make your own if you have Silhouette machine.

Again, it is a great way to accessorize your door with out much effort or expense. It not only makes a more welcoming feeling as guests come to my home but, it just makes me feel good as I come home and walk through the front door!

Real Southern Living–Quote #3

2012-01-15T09:17:00.001-05:00

To learn more about what I believe click here.

1 Old T-Shirt = Headband, Scarf and Necklace–No Sew

2012-01-10T23:11:00.002-05:00

Yes all made out of an old gray t-shirt and no sewing!

So if I would have thought to do this during the day my pictures would be much better for a tutorial but, sometimes I feel crafty when it isn’t the most convenient lighting opportunity! After all “real” life isn’t always blog picture perfect! I started making just 1 of these and then realized I had enough fabric to just keep going…once I got started I wasn’t going to stop until I finished all 3!

You will need 1 large old t-shirt, scissors, fabric glue or I used hot glue, fabric flower and felt.

*Side Note - If you don’t like the color of your t-shirt or it is one of Daddy’s not so white t-shirts anymore, use my Drab to Fab clothes dying tutorial to make this project even better!

Start with your old t-shirt laid out flat and start cutting 1 inch strips off the bottom.

I used my new self healing cutting matt and rotary cutter which worked great but, scissors will work just fine and it doesn’t have to be perfectly straight or smooth straight edges…just cut away. You should have a nice long round band. Cut 5 of those and then holding in both ends stretch bands and fabric will naturally curl up. Gather them up and tie a piece of fabric around them to hold together and clip or glue a flower over the tie or just clip a flower on like I did.

Wear them long or twist them around for a short necklace.

Next I cut a 2 inch wide band the same way as above and set it aside for your headband. (Or after thought - the edge of the sleeve might be perfect size to fit around your head) Then I cut 3 strips each slightly different widths to make the flowers. Twist your band and then let the band roll up on itself making it half its size.

Next tie the ends together so you have one strip. The knot will be the center of your flower. Pinch the center and start dabbing glue and apply pressure as you glue the strip in a circular motion.

When you get to the end I glued the edge under the flower. With different widths in your strips your flowers should be slightly different sizes. Arrange your flowers on your felt how you would like to wear them on your headband. You will glue your flowers onto the felt.

Then cut the felt around the flowers to give you a nice backing to hold the flowers in place. Then glue your felt or back of flowers on your headband. I just tied the headband strip around my daughters head but you could determine the right size and glue or sew it to the size of your choice. Or use a band off the sleeve like I thought of afterwards.

To make the scarf you will use the remaining parts of the shirt. Get about a 9 inch plate and use the rest of your shirt cutting out as many round circles as you can. I adapted in places to cut out the graphic on my t-shirt. It doesn’t matter if they are perfect and I even used parts of the sleeves. The more circles the more ruffles you will have.

Next cut your circles into spirals starting at the edge about 1.5/2 inches again doesn’t have to be perfect or even.

I cut 2 at a time just so that I had approximate same size ruffle for each side of my scarf but, it doesn’t matter. Next you will again pull each end and stretch it which will make the fabric curl up and form the ruffles. I was in a hurry so I just laid out the ruffles so the ends of each of the 2 I cut crossed over each other like if I would have sewed or glued them in one long strip. After I laid all of them out I took an extra piece of left over scraps and tied all the ends together in a knot.

It seems to hold it pretty well but, I might go back and glue or sew it together for a more secure option. I again gave all the ruffles a little tug and stretched the fabric. Wrap it around your neck and cute scarf!

So I still might dip my gray scarf or necklace into a dye bath but, I have about 5 other t-shirts in different colors that I can’t wait to make more of these cute items with.

This project didn’t cost me anything, even my T-shirt was a freebie, as everything I used I already had on hand. It shouldn’t take more than an 1 hour to do all 3…well if you don’t start in the late afternoon, have 5 children interrupting, you aren’t over seeing your 7 yr. old daughter making dinner, wishing happy birthdays and talking to your sister on the phone that is! It probably wasn’t the most convenient time, nor the best lighting to collect pictures of a tutorial of a project I’ve never done before but, then again when is the perfect time to get crafty? I feel great that I dug in and created something! Real Southern Living is about “REAL” Living and that life isn’t always blog picture perfect!

Linking To:

Cherished Treasures

Real Southern Living - Quote #2

2012-01-08T09:51:00.001-05:00

Graphic Source

Project #1–Memory Wall

2012-01-07T08:28:00.001-05:00

{I am starting a New year’s worth of projects and an attempting to post 1 project a week for the whole year! 52 home projects in 2012!}

I have been wanting to create a collage of photos of my family. My husband and I will celebrate our 15th Anniversary this year so, this was really fun putting together photographs of us and the kids. I have a small hallway where I had a few pictures hung with a vinyl lettering saying:

“A Smile Happens in a Flash its Memory last a Lifetime”

I have had a stack of frames that I’ve collected through out the years that had been displayed in our home with various pictures.

I laid the frames out with pictures and attempted to make my collage on the floor first. It didn’t end of looking anything like this by the time I was done.

Next I took the wood frames that didn’t blend and lined them up for spraying and they got a quick coat of black satin spray paint.

{Mind you this was the extent of excitement I had on New Year’s Eve}

The next day I assembled all the pictures in frames and laid them back on the floor and enlisted my husband to help me hang. We didn’t use any fancy method to keep everything straight…just our handy dandy nails, hammer and laser level. We started hanging from the center working our way out and we changed a few pictures as we went. Some we just excluded all together. Since it is a small hallway no one will really be able to stare at the whole wall from a distance so it really didn’t have to be perfect.

Besides doing a project with my favorite photos of my family, the best thing about this project was it was FREE! I used things I already had on hand like old frames, spray paint and pictures! I love passing by this wall as I come and go out of my office as it just makes me happy! My 5 kids have had a blast looking at all the baby pictures of each other seeing how some of them looked a lot a like. There expressions and conversations over the pictures have been priceless.

Linking To:

The Piano

2012-01-06T17:41:00.001-05:00

Back in September I started taking Piano lessons. It is something I’ve always wanted to try. I met another Mother who’s kids loved horses and she played the piano so we came up with a great trade. She teaches me Piano and I help her kids have a horse experience.

BEING HONEST

1. My Piano is OLD and really isn’t ours…it someone else’s family heirloom that we store for them more or less. I would love to give it a make over.

2. I am not musically inclined and a slow learner.

3. I don’t practice like I should, it is hard and sometimes wonder why I’m trying to learn something like this at my age…I give up too easy I guess.

BUT WAIT

I watched this new video of The Piano Guys and Jon Schmidt then I think “I can’t give up now!” This guy is not only an Amazing Piano player but, he is a humble family man of faith.

I may never play the piano this well but, all the matters is that I keep trying to accomplish a goal!

New Year’s Affirmations

2012-01-02T13:42:00.001-05:00

I have loved discovering and honoring my “True Nature” from the knowledge I’ve learned from Carol Tuttle’s Dressing Your Truth program.

Go to The Carol Blog and learn about how to use Affirmations instead of Resolutions to make 2012 the best year yet!

Here are a few of the affirmations I posted:

I am experiencing ease, comfort, love and support with relationships with friends and family as I live my truth.

As I am true to my nature wonderful things will manifest and I will be guided to situations that can help others recognize their true potential.

Life is wonderful and I am living my full potential in all things.

I love and forgive myself for my mistakes and forgive those around me for their mistakes as well. I am choosing to not be offended when others say things that might hurt my feelings.

What are your affirmations for the New Year? Let’s keep the list going in the comments section below!

Linking to:

Real Southern Living–Quote #1

2012-01-01T10:39:00.001-05:00

Come back here to Real Southern Living every Sunday for quotes to live by.

Let 2012 be a year of doing the things that are MOST important to us and accomplish the things in our dreams! NO EXCUSES!

Real Southern Living Top 10 - 2011

2011-12-29T19:00:00.001-05:00

Wow! I really did accomplish a lot of projects this year so it was hard to pick just 10! Here we go…

DIY Vintage Jars

Headboard Turned Towel Rack

Rocky Mountain Sky Family Room

Exterior Home Make-Over

Back Pack Rack

Hutch Make-Over

Accent Tables Make-Over

The Lavender Room

Backyard Patio Make-Over

No Sew Curtains

What does the New Year have in store? Hmmm…I guess I better get planning some projects!

I’m linking to Southern Hospitality’s Top Ten Party!

And

Lazertag Adventures

2011-12-27T21:26:00.001-05:00

Look at this crew! I participated in my 1st Lazertag Adventure today at Stars and Strikes with my family (plus a neighbor teenage boy who adopts us on fun outings) and we had so much fun!

I had the highest shooting accuracy by far and apparently the kid running the arena said it was the highest he had seen! So I came in 3rd place over all with points but, I did pretty good and I will totally smoke’em next time we play! lol I also apparently hit my husband the most! If you are looking for a fun family adventure for winter break I highly recommend playing a round of Lazertag!

Christmas Memories–2011

2011-12-27T17:15:00.001-05:00

We started the morning with the kids busting through our door waking us up…I just thought what the heck it is still dark and yet it was 7am! They took the traditional picture together before ripping open the gifts.

Santa did a very good job this year with surprising the kids with some unexpected gifts that sure brought smiles to their faces!

We hung in our P.J.’s until it was time to get dressed to go to church and when we came home we all climbed back in our P.J.’s. It was a rainy yucky day outside but, inside it was warm and cozy.

It was amazing to me how quiet it was in the house with everyone content playing with new things! We read new books, played new games, watched new DVD’s and we also ate a yummy Christmas dinner together.

Now that Christmas has pasted I’m reflecting on the new year and the goals I want to set for myself. The Christmas tree has been hauled out to the curb and the decorations are starting to be packed away.

Count down to next year has begun and I’m determined to make good things happen in 2012 to reflect on next Christmas!

Elf on the Shelf–10 Day of Fun Recap!

2011-12-24T09:02:00.001-05:00

This year our Elves (Nickolyn Joe & Jingles) came a little late with only 10 days left until Christmas Eve. Usually our Elves are pretty boring but, NOT this year! The kids had lots of fun…and so did a few other Elf helpers even though they won’t admit it publically!

DAY #1 – Snow Angel Elf

Day #2 – Zip Line Elf

DAY#3 - Elf Bungee Drop

DAY #4- Elf Room Barricade

DAY #5 – Elf Duck Tape Hold Up

DAY #6 – T.P. Elf

DAY #7 – Rudolph Elf

DAY #8 – Heckling on the Mirror Elf

DAY #9 – Elf Underwear Hang

DAY #10 – North Pole or Bust Elf

Jingles stays with us throughout the year but, Nickolyn Joe our 1st Elf On the Shelf always returns to the North Pole. This year the Elves were so entertaining…I wonder what they will do next year?!!!

Keeping “Christ” in Christmas

2011-12-19T19:44:00.001-05:00

Saturday I was saying to my husband “It just doesn’t feel like Christmas.” He had commented on how warm it has been here in Georgia…last year we had a freeze and this year the kids are playing in shorts and t-shirts outside. But, he also said “Christmas is a state of mind.”

It got me thinking….This year we’ve kept the decorations simple and the Nativity sets didn’t even make it out of their boxes. I’m trying to be focused on the reason for the season and enjoy my family. Our decorations we do have up mean something symbolically though too and we’ve been listening to Christmas music…okay it is the Jusin Beiber Christmas CD…the kids love it and really it isn’t so bad…just tired of hearing it over and over and over and over…you get the picture! We also have traditions like watching our church’s Christmas Devotional the first Sunday in December. We take the annual Christmas Card picture in the fall and send out cards to friends and family. We have mischievous Elves who keep us busy. We make Sticky Rolls for Christmas Morning. We’ve gone Caroling to the neighbors the last few years. We give and receive gifts. We celebrate Santa Claus and enjoying being together as family.

Sunday in church we had a speaker give a great talk about keeping “Christ” in our thoughts during the Christmas Season. He suggested two simple words to remember when the hustle and bustle of the season starts to be loud and blocks our hearing and vision. The two words are “BE NICE.” It was a great reminder that no one will ever be as perfect as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but, we can do our part by doing simple things to help us become more like him. After all, isn’t that why we are here on our life journey? We are here to learn and grow to become as close as we can to him. We should be modeling our lives and setting examples for others. We can be nice to those that are grumpy, we can say hello and give the benefit of the doubt to those whose paths we cross.

We need to feel the joy and gratitude for the birth and life of our Savior and what he did for us, not just now but through out the year…we should ALWAYS remember him. I plan to try to keep my family focused on this theme throughout this week and also set new goals for us to remember him better through out the years to come as well.

Merry Christmas!

Linking Up to Imparting Grace Home for the Holy Days

Christmas Home Tour

2011-12-16T18:10:00.002-05:00

Welcome to our home…well our Christmas decorated parts…please don’t pay attention to the dirty dishes in the sink, the clean laundry ready to be put away, the Guinea Pigs sitting in the front room who have come for a weekend visit or the dirty socks left by the door.

If you were really walking into our home you would see the repurposed Grateful Tree that has been transformed to hold ‘Christmas Cards’!

I’ve kept things simple this year. Just 1 tree with all the sentimental ornaments and just a few Christmas doodads set around.

The stockings were hung with care, the garland was thrown up on the mantle…I think I created my garland mix after reading The Nester’s long ago blog post on creating Garland.

I let the kids decorate the tree and relinquished some control…

This is why it looks like this under our tree where ornaments have bit the dust falling…

I did make a change at the front door and used after Christmas Clearance plastic ball ornaments to decorate our door and added some sparkle to the wreath and garland.

My husband has informed me we are breaking the rules with our Outdoor Christmas lights by mixing white with color lights…it bothers him because he is a little OCD over the lights…the kids LOVE it and have begged for some colored lights so that’s all that matters right?

And let’s not forget our Elf ‘Nickolyn Joe’ who has been getting into trouble lately…and my favorite Caroler's whom came from a garage sale about 5 years ago.

It has been in the 60’s here in Georgia and doesn’t much feel like Christmas outside…kids are out running the streets in short sleeves and I’m grateful because last year we were experiencing a freeze. Funny how things change from year to year and this year I’m just enjoying my family and keeping things simple! It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful! Merry Christmas!

Linking to

The Nester’s Home Tour Party

Funky Junk Interiors