Stuff and Nonsense

Fridays Unfolded #53

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:37:00 +0000

i am thrilled
to be typing this right now
because

all morning
our neighborhood
has been without electricity

so it is with relief
and pleasure
that i welcome you all to

last week
was another crafty
creative
scrumptious week
of shared posts
and many new friends
found through Linky Followers

have you joined yet?

if so
you can click below
or on my sidebar
to follow Stuff and Nonsense

be sure to leave a comment
so i can follow you back

not certain how it all works?

then click here
for an excellent tutorial from

now onto the fabulous features
from last week's

did you happen to see
these ruffled french chairs from French Country Cottage?

or this Double Chocolate Toffee Bread from Flour Me With Love?

or these Chocolate Mousse Cups from With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart?

i adore these ingeniously crafted spheres from Hill Country Homebody

then there was this beautiful Family Room Redo
by Remodelando la Casa

and this sweet sideboard shared by Pelican Design

and finally
these framed hearts crafted by Sweet Little Bluebird

there were many more links
than i could feature here
but

did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

yup i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense

via GFC and Linky Followers(and leave a comment so i can follow you back)

link up your recipe, sewing project, decor, craft, poem, essay, tutorial, etc.
whatever 'unfolded' for you this week

be sure to link back to your post and not just your url
(by joining Fridays Unfolded you are giving me permission
to use your photos for features on Stuff and Nonsense, Facebook and Twitter)

visit a few of the other links and leave a comment
(it's just polite)

post my button on your blog
so others can join the fun

after you link up here
i would love for you to
visit my friday friends
and join their linky parties as well

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

Longing For Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:26:00 +0000

in our neck of the woods
winter this year
hasn't been too bad

not much snow or ice
and milder temperatures than normal

but still

enough grey skies
chilly winds
and brown fields
to make me ready for all things Summer

the scent of fresh-cut grass

starch blue skies
over lush fields

via

garden parties

via

sleeping in

under cotton sheets

tucking away our school books

for a whole three months

lazing by the local lake

watching my children and their friends

craft castles in the sand

skins slippery with sunscreen

squinting under a hot sun

decking out the duff house

in stars and stripes

goin' fishin'

with fingers crossed

hoping for that telltale tug on the line

watching a whole lotta baseball

hitting the local tag sales

searching for treasures

the smell of clean towels

dried by the summer sun

via

yes indeed

i'm longing

longing

for those sweet lazy days

and counting off the months

(four-to be precise)

that lie between me

and my summertime smile

Fridays Unfolded #52

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:15:00 +0000

before we get to Fridays Unfolded
i want to tell you that i have revamped
my Blog Parties Page to make it easier
to share our parties

if you are the host of a fun linky
please be sure to head over
and include your party on the page

and a special thanks to Heather and Vanessa
from At The Picket Fence who graciously allowed
me to use their wonderful idea!

also

by now you have probably heard that
sooner or later
Google Friends Connect
will be disappearing

but faint not
nor fear
because there is a new follow option in town

Linky Followers is off and running
and i already have the widget
on my sidebar

if you'd like to join (it's free!)
just head here and sign up

if you follow Stuff and Nonsense
via Linky Follower
just leave a comment letting me know
so that i can return the favor

now

welcome my lovelies
to the 52nd edition of

you all are

i n c r e d i b l e

last week
you linked up 235 posts

which is
by far
the largest party here yet

of course
so many links
make my task
of choosing a few to highlight
even more difficult

but since i must

here goes

It's Overflowing showed off
her gorgeous kitchen renovation

i always enjoy a good tutorial
so this mantel DIY shared by Petites Passions
hit the spot nicely

these delicate rosewater cupcakes
shared by A Cozy Cottage in the City
are a feast for the eyes
as well as the tummy

this bulap Valentine's wreath
crafted by My Heart's Desire
is the perfect front door jewelry
for the season of all things romance

this decorated mantel from Sweet Sewn Stiches
caught my eye
for it's clean lines
and vintage charm

and can i just move right in
to this clutter free
and well-organized
(and did i mention pretty?)
home shared by little cottage on the pond

there were many more links
than i could feature here
but

did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

yup i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

the rules are simple:

follow Stuff and Nonsense
(and leave a comment so i can follow you back)

link up your recipe, sewing project, decor, craft, poem, essay, tutorial, etc.
whatever 'unfolded' for you this week

be sure to link back to your post and not just your url
(by joining fridays unfolded you are giving me permission
to use your photos for features on Stuff and Nonsense, Facebook and Twitter)

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

No Bake Chewy Granola Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:30:00 +0000

some of you know
that i have been on the prowl
for a simple and good
recipe for making my own
chewy granola bars

i have tried several different recipes
with no luck

until today
when i came across these delectable bars
from Back to the Cutting Board

the original bars

have a few variations

depending on your choice of add-ins

but i went with chocolate chips

i also doubled the recipe to fit in a 9 x 13 pan

you will need:

1 stick of butter

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. honey

4 c. plain granola (original called for boxed granola, but i made my own-see below)

2 c. rice cereal

1/2 chocolate chips

spray a 9x13 pan lightly with cooking spray. set aside.

combine honey and butter in a medium saucepan over med-high heat.

stir in sugar and bring mixture to a boil. lower heat to med-low and simmer until sugar dissolves, about 2 min. remove from heat. fold in oats and rice, mixing until evenly coated. spread mixture in prepared pan and press firmly to evenly fill. sprinkle chocolate chips on top and press down.

let sit at room temp. for about 20 minutes until mostly cooled and set. cut into bars.

so good

and so easy

i also made my own granola

using this recipe from Country Living

to make

you will need:

6 c. rolled oats (quick oats work fine too)

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. honey

preheat oven to 350 degrees. in a large bowl or pan, combine oats and cinnamon.

in a saucepan over med-high heat, melt butter and honey. add sugar and boil together two minutes, until sugar is dissolved. or just dump it all in together like i did.

pour sugar mixture over oats and combine. spread on a large cookie sheet and bake in oven 30-35 minutes.

cool and break apart.

this simple granola is great for snacking

or use as breakfast cereal

it's also the perfect base

for adding in other good stuff

like dried fruit

chocolate chips

coconut

or whatever

you can make up a batch

to use when you make your very own

chewy granola bars

oh yeah

Black and White

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:21:00 +0000

folks i know

tend to say

that i live black and white

via

i'm not entirely certain

it's a compliment

via

but i do tend to be

hard-edged

dogmatic

full of easy conviction

via

is that bad?

i don't know

via

but i do know

that there are good things all around us

that come without any color at all

the

best

show

ever

and the many memories

of sitting in the evenings

watching and laughing

with my dad

via

not that i can't appreciate

all the shades of grey

in between

via

or the full spectrum of deep colors

all around

via

but black and white

crisp and clean

hard lines and all

via

hold a definite beauty

all their own

ansel adams

Fridays Unfolded #51

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:37:00 +0000

welcome friends
to another wonderful week of

i am so thrilled
that you choose to party with me
each week

share your recipes
joys
crafts
challenges
and all things you
with us here

today
i am delighted to introduce
the newest sponsor to Stuff and Nonsense

Bethany

is a wife
momma to Kayleigh

and lovely follower of Jesus
who writes about all things homemaking

faith
love
and all the wonderful tidbits
that make life sweet

she also has her own Etsy Shop

where you will find
gorgeous hand knitted goodies like these

so take a moment
to click through the links
and visit Bethany and enjoy her blog
or spend some time window shopping

and be sure to tell her i sent you!

and now
i know you're anxious to see
some of the creative posts
that caught my eye at last week's

well
take a gander at this sweet and pretty bedroom
shared by Sophia's

and this ingenious
and oh-so-cute
table made by from pallets by Shabby Love

these gussied-up burp cloths crafted byLess-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss
almost make me long for spit-up and drool
(almost)

even though
Valentine's Day
is not my favorite holiday
i adore these holiday themed wreaths crafted by

amy from Blissful Blooms

and heather from At The Picket Fence

the girls from RE-invented style
used one of my very favorite books

in an old house in paris
that was covered in vines
lived twelve little girls
in two straight lines

as the theme for this amazing and creative birthday party

i am always on the prowl
for breakfast alternatives
to cereal and milk
so this recipe for Maple Muffins from Talking Dollars and Cents
caught my eye

mmm

there were many more links
than i could feature here
but

did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

yup i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

if your post was featured today
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

Winter Trees by William Carlos Williams

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:34:00 +0000

via

all the complicated details
of the attiring and
the disattiring are completed!
a liquid moon
moves gently among
the long branches.
thus having prepared their buds
against a sure winter
the wise trees
stand sleeping in the cold.

Fridays Unfolded #50

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:55:00 +0000

phew

can you believe
that we have been partying
for 50 whole weeks
here at

not me

the time
(as it always does)
has flown by

of course
i know not all of you
are here each and every week

some of you are even

cue shark music

lurkers

that's right

you stop by occasionally
to take a peep at all the goodies
and then you leave
without ever saying hello

it's okay
peep all you want

after all
that is what we're here for

but if you do stop by

even if you don't have anything to link up

i would love to meet you
hear from you
know that you were here

so go ahead
leave that comment (or two)

you don't need to be a blogger
or have some special code word
or anything

just type and post

and believe me
these features
will give you plenty to comment about

they might even curl your toes
and knock your socks off
(though perhaps not at the same time)

ready?

feast your eyes on this delightful bathroom makeover by Start at Home

and this sweet nursery room reveal from A Woman's Haven

this lovebird specimen art by pressed down, shaken together

how about this
oh-so-adorable play kitchen
created by Remodelaholic

i adore these stripes
that Jen from Harrison Home added to her hallway

i would love to sink my incisors into this
chocolate panettone pudding from Pine Cones and Acorns

yum!

if your post was featured
be sure to grab a button

and did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

yup i sure do!
so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

Golden Globes Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:48:00 +0000

did you watch the Golden Globes
on Sunday night?

it's my favorite awards show
to see since
there are awards for both
television and film

however
this year
i totally missed it
forgot about it

i'll blame it on turning 40
and all the dying memory cells in my brain

but i did remember to dvr
all the fashion critics afterwards
and got to see the red carpet arrivals
a day late
(and a dollar short)

here are my picks
for the best dressed

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

adore this look from
Zooey Deschanel in Prada
but not a fan of the hair

some folks hated this next look
some loved it

i fall into the second category

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab

nude was the color trend of the night
and this was another of my faves

Heidi Klum in Calvin Klein

loved this one

Laura Dern in Andrew Gn

Jessica Alba in Gucci
stunning

you is pretty
you is smart
and i love you in this dress

Viola Davis in Pucci

i hate to say it
because i'm so not a fan
but she looked statuesque and lovely
and extremely wrinkle free all night

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

it's taken me a day or two
to decide if i really like this next gown

mainly because the fabric
translates onto camera like cheap velour

but the silhouette is gorgeous
as are the color and design
and i'm guessing that it's not made of cheap velour

so it's going on my favorites list

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu

and then sadly
there were those stars who didn't shine
so brightly

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier
who said her daughter chose it

Amanda Peet in Marc Jacobs

Madonna and Andrea Riseborough
in Reem Acra and Vivienne Westwood, respectively

or
as i like to refer to them
a hot mess

critics either loved or hated this gown

i hated it

Elle Macpherson in Zac Posen

oh Emily

you should've used your sister's stylist

Emily Deschanel in BCBG Max Azria

Meryl Streep in Alessandra Rich

sequins
feathers
and mesh
all in one?

no

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci

and finally

in the
i-sewed-my-dad's-old-tent-together
category

Piper Perabo in Theyskins Theory

so
what do you think?

loved 'em
hated 'em

which gowns
were your hits and misses?

p.s.

did you see the video
of Lea Michele posing on the red carpet?

r i d i c u l o u s

i'm surprised she didn't throw her back out

the end.

Fridays Unfolded #49

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:01:00 +0000

it's raining outside my window today

which
because of where i live
is nothing unusual

but the prevalence of grey skies
and drippy days
does tend to affect my mood occasionally

but always always always
the sun comes out eventually
and dries up the puddles
and chases away my frowns

and this here party

kinda does the same thing

each week
i cannot wait to see
what your creative minds and hands prepare

and it is like the best kind of
window shopping but
doesn't cost a thing

last week
you did not disappoint
and i saw so many yummy ideas

like this fondue post from michelle paige

and this delightful backyard makeover from RE-invented style
which makes me long for summer days

and did you see this awesome list
of simple household tips from Alderberry Hill?

this recipe for raspberry cheesecake from The Lavender Magnolia
really makes me wish i wasn't on a diet

these handmade sock monkeys from for Lauren and Lauren
are too sweet for words

y'all know by now
that i love a good knock-off
and this gear art inspired by Restoration Hardware
and made by Mama with a Dash of DIY Drama rings my bell

if your post was featured
be sure to grab a button

and did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

yup i sure do!

so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

Writing in the Margins

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:17:00 +0000

there are
two types of folks in this old world

those who like to keep their books
pristine
clean
and underline free
with pages crisp and new

and then there are the rest of us

who scribble
jot
underscore
and highlight

meaningful words
useful ideas
needful passages to commit to memory

we turn down pages
and leave our books
tented open
with cracked spines
when no bookmark is handy

those in the first group
(like my wonderful husband)
will probably squirm a little bit
whilst reading this post

i apologize in advance
because i am about to tell you
how very much
i like to write in books

i still have a few old college texts
gathering dust somewhere
and they are chock full of
hastily scribbled notes
with page corners turned down
for easier reference

my bibles too
have their fair share of graffiti

my current bible
was purchased mainly on it's merit of wide margins
to enable my habit

it's my fourth bible as an adult
and each one on my shelf
has become
a sort of timeline
of my faith building years

my high school/college bible
is really worn out

and the passages most heavily marked
are those that speak to the future

choosing a spouse
making plans
looking forward

my second bible
has duct tape on the spine
and crayon scribbles on the flyleaf

it is a testament to my baby years
when small hands grabbed and tore
dropped and colored in
anything they could find

i don't have a system
rather
i underline or highlight
with whatever implement available
when a verse or passage has caught my attention

sometimes
during a sermon
or bible lesson

i will jot down a note
giving further explanation
to the scripture at hand

a few years ago
a friend shared that her dad

who
incidentally
is the Director at this amazing bible camp

was planning to leave a certain kind of legacy
to each of his five children

a marked up
worn out
old bible

you see

like many of us
he has different bibles that he's used
at different times in his life

they are highlighted
underlined
and noted

and those bibles
leave a trail of breadcrumbs
for this man's spiritual journey

a kind of road map
for those who will read them later

and he plans
to leave one of the those bibles
to each of his kids

when i heard this story
i realized that i was just starting to mark
my fourth bible

and now
each time i put my pen
to the printed words
i think about those future hands
turning these well read
and well loved pages

journeying back with their mum
through the pages of her life

and i hope
that these bibles will be
a treasured legacy
for them
in the years to come

and most of all

that they will be able to read
the chicken scratch
that i call

handwriting

Fridays Unfolded #48

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:48:00 +0000

i'm sitting here at my eight year old computer
wearing my winter week-a-day outfit
of comfy trousers
schleppy sweater
worn t-shirt

my face sans make-up
hair (really) undone

thinking about this post
that i read last week from The Inspired Room
where Melissa wrote a bit about
how this virtual world can sometimes inspire a little

envy

there
i said it

and i have had my greenish moments
gazing in wonder at the lovely homes
amazing photos
taken by expensive cameras

adorable but pricey outfits
room renovations
that looked amazing in the first place

but sitting here in my everyday
non-fluffed up skin

in my old and imperfect house
with plastic covering the70 year old kitchen window
to keep out icy drafts

i want to encourage us all
that although we can
and should
be inspired and delighted by all the wonderful posts
linked up here each week on

we must also realize
that we are nearly always viewing the best
of what we have to offer each other

rather than the wet-cheerios-dried-on-the-floor-
fingerprints-in-the-dust-on-the-shelf-
books-tented-on-the-sofa-
pancakes-for-dinner-
overflowing-laundry-basket bits

all that to say

enjoy the projects and posts shared here
with the full knowledge
that they are written and photographed
by wonderfully imperfect people
just like you and me

now
onto the lovely highlights
from last week's

if you're on the hunt
for breakfast ideas

here's a great post from Mom On Timeout
for making bunches of breakfast burritos
for those morning meals on the go

or you could make something a little sweeter
like these yummy pies-on-a-stick from I Could So Make That

i absolutely adore
this kitchen dresser makeover by Meg and Mum's

and this beautified buffet from Dumped and Discovered

and just how sweet is this little boy's room
from Down to Earth Style?

if your post was featured
be sure to grab a button

and did you know
that i like to highlight many of your posts
on the Stuff and Nonsense Facebook Page
and Twitter Page?

yup i sure do!

so if you're not yet a fan
click here and here to become one

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

My Book List

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:11:00 +0000

a voracious reader

i always find it a little amusing
when folks ask me how i can possibly find the time
to read so many books

my answer?

how could i possibly not find time
to do something that is so enjoyable?

i read during basketball practice

i read at the pool in the summertime

i read in orthodonist waiting rooms

i read in the evening after the kids have gone to sleep

i read in bed long after i should have gone to sleep

i read when my kids are doing independent school work

and i read during quiet time in the afternoon
when my kids are doing their own reading

here are a few i have recently finished and enjoyed

ratings are out of 5 stars

fair warning
the following three novels
were so riveting
that i couldn't put them down

but there are disturbing themes
running throughout
as well as explicit and graphic sexual situations

i skimmed through the worst bits
and have no intention of seeing the films

but they are very well written

3.5

LA Home With Modern Country Style

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:53:00 +0000

i first saw this lovely home
featured on Pretty By Pippa
and knew that i wanted to share it with you

it originally appeared in Vartnya hem

and is owned by Lance and Victoria Lortschers

situated in the Hidden Hills area of LA
the home was refinished by the couple
in a style influenced by Scandinavian and European design

the couple spent a year totally redoing the home
from floors to rafters

and ended up
with a gorgeous
light and bright space

filled with a mix of antique finds
and new fixtures

the family originally planned to renovate and sell
but twelve years later
are still calling it home

i can't blame them a bit.

Simplifying

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

when the new year hits
i start getting the urge to purge

to lighten up my dwelling

declutter

discard

donate

re-home

many of the things that messy up my sight line

there's no doubt
that the two sides of my decorating personality
are constantly at war with each other

collect! shouts one

simplify! calls the other

the truth is
that while mr. stuff and nonsense and i
could probably live quite well
in a minimalist home

our children could not

for their aesthetic is not at all like ours

natural magpies
they are drawn to anything that is shiny
dirty
rusty
sticky
weapon-like
cuddly
bookish
and just plain stuff

a constant refrain
in our neck of the woods is often

put your things away!

who left this play clay on the sofa?

if i step on ONE MORE LEGO...!

but i suppose
there are worse crimes
than crammed bookshelves

and crowded note boards

and if my kitchen looks lived in
that's probably because it is

there are nearly always
children's drawings taped crookedly to the walls

someone's half-finished letter
sticking out of a stamped, blank envelope
reposing on the table

clean dishes drying beside the sink
waiting to be put away

i know there will be years to come
when my living room will remain un-strewn with toys

my bathroom will have no damp towels lying crumpled on the floor

my kitchen will have nary an unswept crumb

and i've no doubt
that i will miss (mostly) every speck and spot

but perhaps today
i can convince my offspring
to part with a few of their trinkets
to give to the local thrift shop

but it won't be long
before other bits and bobs make their way inside
to nest under the sofa
or in a shadowy corner of someone's bedroom
jammed into a dresser drawer
already brimfull of 'treasure'

and i will continue gazing in admiration
at all those light and bright inspiration photos
on Pinterest and elsewhere

and i will think to myself

someday

all images via Pinterest

Fridays Unfolded #47

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:49:00 +0000

welcome to the forty-seventh gathering of

i want you to know
that i have just now
this very moment
finished de-Christmasing my house

it is now
dusted
vacuumed
put away
and mostly back to normal

though i fully expect
to unearth crunchy pine needles
for weeks to come

and i admit
removing the holiday clutter
freshens me mentally as well
and makes me ready once more
for all the wonderful ideas you share with us
each week here

it's been two whole weeks
since last we met together

taking a little Christmas break
allowed me to spend less time online
and more time with my family

but i am anxious to share with you
some excellent highlights from the last
pre-Christmas

i love a good craigslist story
like this armoire found by Antiquechase

and how about this amazing collection
of red transferware from Nancy's Daily Dish

here is one dish i won't be sampling
when my diet starts on January 2nd
though i would very much like to taste
this double chocolate cheesecake from Once Upon a Chocolate Life

because i'm such a fan of red and white
i love this Christmas bedroom shared by Happy At Home

if you're wondering just what to do
with that popcorn tin sitting under the tree
you should check out this Ballard inspired
pet food canister from It's Just Me

Remodelaholic shared this fun tutorial
for making an adorable play tent for your little one

and finally
i wish i could share all of the lovely decorated homes
you shared with us last time
but here's one last Christmas house tour
from JBigg's Little Pieces

if your post was featured
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

New

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:20:00 +0000

the space beneath the glittering tree
is now empty

presents all unwrapped

legos built

gadgets have been
oohed and awed over

feasts consumed
stockings lie hollow once more

Chistmas is over

those might be
three of the most melencholy words
in my vocabulary

because
it means that
i have lots of un-decking to do

it means that
school holiday is almost over

it means that
i need to start evaluating my year in review
and take a hard look
at the many ways i came up so short
of my good intentions
and firm resolutions

but i think
that the silver lining
in my post Christmas gloom
is that tiny little word
that arrives exactly one week
after Christmas departs

new

like a fresh blanket of January snow
that falling
cloaks the brown December mud

via

every new year
sweeps away the tired
stale habits and vices
and brings with it
the hope of a fresh start

and this new year
will begin smack on
Sunday morning

thus
the very first day
of this whole new year
will be spent in worship of my Saviour

via

so instead of making resolutions
that are mainly about myself
i will spend that new day
focusing away from me
and beaming in on the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords

Messiah

bringing Him honor and worship and praise
asking Him to wash me clean
cover my many mistakes

giving thanks
for the year that has been
and the year that will come
for after all

it is He who makes all things

new

Monday Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:14:00 +0000

it's monday morning

usually a time
of frenetic getting ready for our
weekly homeschool co-op

shoveling breakfast down
at breakneck speeds
hastily washing dishes
making beds
getting dressed
finding coats
shoes
homework
car keys
packing lunchboxes

putting the pup in his crate

did anyone take Hugo out to pee?

but today
on this chilly monday

we are on school holiday
and i am sitting here typing
on the first monday of my forties
whilst lounging in my robe and slippers

thinking about
what i wish to write to you all
on this final post before Christmas

mostly
i want to say

thank you

for reading Stuff and Nonsense

for taking the time to encourage
comment
enthuse
disagree
provoke
inspire
and relate to the thoughts that i share

it is a funny place
this virtual world
where one finds so much in common
with others unmet
except through words and pictures
which perhaps
are the most telling after all

so thank you
for making 2011 so distinctly memorable for me
for joining me on this blogging journey

i hope and pray
that as you gather with family and friends this week
wrap and unwrap those trinkets

that your Christmas is merry

filled with the stuff of which
warm memories are made

and that
most of all
the love of our Savior is with you all

m e r r y c h r i s t m a s

connecting with suzanne
from Privet and Holly
for her {Monday} Moments

1971

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:08:00 +0000

in 1971

the cost of a gallon of gas was 40 cents

a first class postage stamp was 8 cents
a movie ticket was $1.50
Walt Disney World opened in Orlando

Led Zeppelin released their 4th untitled album
the film 'Love Story' premiered (bleh)
Apollo 14 landed on the moon
Starbucks was founded
teen-aged girls were reading this

Jim Morrison, Coco Chanel, Ogden Nash, and Louis Armstrong died
Winona Rider, Mark Wahlberg and Mariah Carey, Luke Wilson, Mary J. Blige, Paul Bettany, Kid Rock, Minnie Driver and Antonia Banderas (and a few others) were born
the film 'Patton' won best picture at the Oscars
Evel Knievel set a world record by jumping over 19 cars
the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series

my sweet and handsome husband was born
and so was i

i wonder what the price of gasoline will be

40 years from now?

yikes

Fridays Unfolded #46

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:02:00 +0000

it's hard to believe
that Christmas is nearly upon us

right around the corner
as it were

just 10 little days away

are you finished with your shopping and wrapping and mailing?

i just have a few bits of chocolate to buy
for the kid's stockings
but i do still have
masses of wrapping to do

my offspring are now entering their Christmas break
and are just about bouncing off my walls
in their mounting excitement for The Big Day

but i'm still managing to find inspiration each week at

last week
there were oodles of holiday-themed posts
perfect for featuring

and because it's Christmas

i will keep the linky open until monday, december 26
so you all can keep linking through the holiday
if you wish

and since this is the last

until then
i want to do a few more features than usual

like this sweater wrapped candle from Knick of Time

a salted mason jar candle holder from Fleur Cottage

a Christmas home tour from Girl in Pink

a thoughtful post about finding simplicity in Christmas
from Sylvia's Simple Life

a lovely crocheted winter white bag from Elizabeth Andree

a decorated Christmas kitchen from Heaven's Walk

double peanut butter blossoms from Lucy Jane's Best

a sweet diy Advent calendar from Organized Living Solutions

a recipe for maple cream drops from Talking Dollars and Cents

a recipe for Linzer Christmas cookies from Cooking With K

a vintage decorating house from For Whom The Bell Told

and finally
this faux driftwood Votive tutorial from Small Garden Love

whew
that's a heap of features for you to visit
but well worth your time

if your post was featured
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

happy linking!

this week's edition

of Fridays Unfolded

is sponsored by

Thirst

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:49:00 +0000

i am so grateful
for the simple availability
of clean water

i can press a button on my fridge
and in seconds
quench my thirst
with cold, sparkling water

when i'm dirty
i can step into my bathtub
turn a handle
and cleanse myself
with piping hot, fresh water

when my clothes are soiled
i can dump them into a machine
turn a knob
and walk away
while my duds are washed
in clean water

it is a luxury
that so many do not have

i've recently
been made aware via here
of how thirsty many folks are
for clean water

that in around our world

nearly 1 billion people
lack clean water

instead
they drink from polluted lakes and streams
where animal waste
human waste
and parasites infect the water

women and children must often walk
4 hours a day
toting 40 pounds of dirty water
back to their families

every 15 seconds

every 15 seconds
a child dies for lack of clean water

this is unacceptable

but we have to ability to change these statistics

$1 can give 1 person clean water for 1 year

$20 can give 1 person clean water for a lifetime

with little or no sacrifice at all
we can provide money to dig wells
in communities

provide clean water to mothers
children
families

this year
instead of buying gifts for each other
my children are giving the gift of water
to someone they don't even know

our church
is hoping to raise enough money
to dig 5 wells in drought-stricken Ethiopia

if you would like to join us in giving the gift
of clean water this year

you can donate to organizations like these:

Living Water International

World Vision

Lifewater International

Water Missions

who will use your money
to provide water
to people who have never known the ease and joy
of turning a handle
to watch
clean
clear

safe

water gush out

for a full list of organizations
or for more information
on the water crisis
you can go here

let's quench some thirst this Christmas

The Advent Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:35:00 +0000

i must confess

i have never
not even once
done an Advent calendar

didn't do them growing up
don't do them now

i can't say why
except to explain
that it's just never been a Christmas tradition
for either myself
or hubs's family

but i'm starting to see
how much fun we might have
by making and using
an Advent calendar of our own

so i've been gathering inspiration online
from Pinterest of course

where the possibilies seem nearly endless

like using knitted mittens and hats

or socks

decorated match boxes

brown paper packages
(tied up with string)

buckets and tins
strung or stacked

simple banners, boxes and tags

so many ideas

but i really adore
the clothes pin packages
or the painted and papered match boxes

at least
i have a whole year
to plan ahead
gather up pretty scraps of paper and fabric
bibs and bobs
glitter and glue

to make our family's
first ever

Advent calendar

do you have your own Advent tradition?

Fridays Unfolded #45

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:04:00 +0000

oh my

where oh where
do the days go?

i cannot
cannot
believe
that it is already time
for another fabulous week of

as you probably already know
we have spent the last several days
potty training
~~fighting over~~ cuddling
admonishing

our new little pup

and the days have flown

but really
who can complain
when it means that i get to spend happy moments
with you fine folks?

at the party last week
there were oodles of goodies and projects shared

like these lovely little fabric birds from Happy in Red

and these Christmasy wreaths from Johnny in a Dress

and Tales of a Trophy Wife

some crafty paper ornament ideas from Remodelaholic

this festively decked bathroom from Homey Home Design

and this cool DIY bottle lamp from Vintage Finds

i hope you are as inspired
as i am by all these delightful posts
and that you take a few moments to click through
and visit the creative folks behind the blogs

if your post was featured
be sure to grab a button

and now it's your turn
to show us what unfolded for you
this week
or last week
or
well
you get the idea

and just to let you know
i am hosting a little giveaway on my Stuff and Nonsense Facebook page
so if you would like a chance to win a copy of
Michael Buble's Christmas cd

head on over and leave a comment

this week's edition of Friday's Unfolded

is sponsored by

happy linking!

Mini Christmas Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:36:00 +0000

i have a little
Christmas giveaway
going on right now
on the

Stuff and Nonsense Facebook page

so if you would like to enter to win
this cd

head on over here
to follow and leave a comment

good luck!

Ritz Thin Mint Cookies {Re-Post}

noreply@blogger.com (Stuff and Nonsense) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:11:00 +0000

i first heard about these cookies

from a woman at church

since everyone at my house

(except Sy)

adores girl scout thin mint cookies

i had to give it a go

i looked up the recipe online

then tweaked it

just a little

to make

you will need only three ingredients

Ritz crackers

Andes Creme de Menthe baking chips

shortening

in a double broiler

a glass bowl set over simmering water

melt together

1 package Andes baking chips

add 2 tsp or so of shortening to thin chocolate out a little

using a fork

dip crackers into melted chocolate

lift out, shaking excess chocolate off

let set completely on waxed paper

can be refrigerated or frozen

i'm telling you

these taste just like the real deal

which means

you'll either thank me

or curse me