Author: RefreshHer

Easter · Home decor · spring · Tablescapes

Five Spring Tablescapes

RefreshHer11 Comments

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Spring!  I believe it is my favorite season.  Its newness reminds me of Easter and the hope Christ’s resurrection gives to dead things – like my sinful life!  How thankful I am for life in Christ!

Then spring also makes creation come alive! We can see the beautiful life as described in this passage ~

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteouness, and the people with his truth. Psalm 96:12, 13

Spring is also a great time to bring life inside our homes!  It can start at the kitchen or dining room table. I love making pretty tablescapes, but I love it even more when I gather all the needed items from my house and don’t have to purchase one thing!!

I gave myself a challenge to create as many centerpieces for a spring tablescape using the colors green, blue and yellow with just things I had on hand.  I set simple dinnerware on the table to give the idea of what the table setting might look like, but I focused on creating different springtime centerpieces.  Here are the results ~

#1 – I have had this silk tulip arrangement for quite a few years.  It looks so real that most people think I had a delivery from the florist!  This dressier centerpiece is high enough that it doesn’t obstruct the view at the table.  In other words, you don’t have to pick it up to have a conversation with the person sitting across from you!!

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#2 – This is the live plant from my laundry room!  I popped it into a yellow pot and that was it!  A burlap bow or ribbon would be pretty tied around the pot. This makes a good every day kind of table.

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#3 – My sister brought me this cute little felt basket when she visited recently.  It’s filled with Easter grass, treats and some plastic eggs.  The turquoise cake stand adds a little height and makes it a little more grand than if it was sitting right on the table. This would be a nice centerpiece for Easter breakfast with the family.spring 9

 

#4 – This is a live Asparagus Fern that I keep in my kitchen.  Fresh greenery is always a plus to have on hand and put to use in centerpieces!  I like it LOTS better than the silk variety! This fern and basket give a more casual look to the table.

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#5 –  Using an odd number is always wise when you’re adding decor to your home.  Here are three blue Mason jars lined in the center of the table with silk yellow flowers  spilling over to the other jars.

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Well, that was fun!  Do you have a favorite?  Which do you vote for?

I hope this inspires you to make your kitchen table pretty for spring!

Happy Spring!

Denise Signature 150 px

 

Christian Life · eternal · Heaven

He’s Coming! How Will He Find Us?

RefreshHer1 Comment

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When my husband and I were dating, we lived several hours apart and the loneliness for him was prevalent every day!  But then an occasional weekend would come up that would allow him to be able to travel home to visit with me for a day and half, and my heart would literally be in my throat as I waited and watched for his Chevy Impala to come barreling down the lane to my home!

I kept my eyes peeled out the window, but only after I had prepared myself to greet him.  I made sure I was cleaned up  and ready for his arrival.  I also straightened up the living room for his visit.  I knew he was on his way, and I had to have everything ready!

Because of my faith in Jesus Christ, I have a promise that Christ is coming again to take His children to heaven.  Christ made the promise the He would return again.  We’re waiting for the shout, the voice and the trump of God.  We also know that no one knows when He will return.  He is coming like a thief in the night.  So what does that mean for us as His followers?  It means we must be ready.  We won’t have time when He comes to go get ourselves clean and fit to meet Him.

I heard a story this week that I’ll share not word for word, but you’ll get the point.  There was a family who learned that their son was coming home.  He’d been gone a long time and the family was anxiously expecting his return.  But on the day of his arrival, the family was found squabbling and fighting.  It seems that they were having a disagreement about how the son was coming – one said by plane, another by train, and someone else said he was bringing others with him.  When he returned, he found them in this quarreling state.  Is that how we want the Lord to find us when He comes?  Will all our trivialities really matter on that Day?  I hardly think so.

So, how will He find us if He were to come in fifteen minutes?

  • Will we have clean hearts?
  • Will we be doing His work at that moment?
  • Will we have others that are going to heaven with us because we shared the Gospel with them?
  • Will we be happy to see Him?

Or

  • Will we be squabbling over the things that others are doing that we don’t like?
  • Will we have bitter spirits?
  • Will we hang our heads because we got busy doing Satan’s work instead of Christ’s?

I John 3:2,3 says,

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Just like I got cleaned up when I knew my boyfriend was going to be coming, if we have the assurance of salvation, God’s Word says we’ll be making sure we’re clean.  Not because we’re afraid we won’t go to heaven, but because we ARE His child and we know He’s on His way!  We don’t want to be ashamed at His coming.

Friend, are you indeed God’s child?  Have you taken Christ as your Savior because you realize you are a sinner separated from a holy God?  All you need to do is receive the gift of eternal life through the person of Christ.  Tell Him you know you’re a sinner and that  you want to receive His gift of salvation that He purchased through His death, on the cross.

Are you looking for Christ to return today?  He could come…oh I pray He will come today!

Will I be ready and clean?  Will you?

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 150 px

Homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Dinner · Pork chops

Homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops

RefreshHer7 Comments

Man I love a bone-in pork chop!  They are thick, juicy and scrumptious!  Are you old enough to remember the commercials for Shake and Bake coating mix for chicken and pork? Here it is…

The commercial might be comical now (especially those “southern accents!”), but it’s true – this coating is easier and better than frying!

I Recently found a lovely package of pork chops on sale at Kroger and brought them home, not knowing how I would prepare them.  Then remembering those crispy oven-baked pork chops from my childhood, I Googled “Homemade Shake and Bake Pork chops” and found that Southern Living had a great recipe!!

Look at this pork chop with its delicious coating that was BAKED!

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Homemade Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 1/8 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 4 (1/2-inch-thick) bone-in pork loin chops
Step 1

Preheat oven to 425°. Stir together first 6 ingredients, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper in a bowl. Transfer mixture to a 1-gal. zip-top plastic freezer bag.

Step 2

Sprinkle pork chops on both sides with remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Place 2 chops in breadcrumb mixture, and shake to coat well. Place chops on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chops.

Step 3

Bake at 425° for 15 minutes; turn chops over, and bake 10 more minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 155°. Let stand 5 minutes.

Southern Living added a Mustard Sauce. I tried it and it was delicious!!  Here’s the recipe for that:

Mustard Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large shallot, minced
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Step 4

Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add shallot, and sauté 3 minutes or until softened. Increase heat to medium-high; add broth, and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Stir in mustard, cream, and lemon juice, and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Stir in chopped parsley. Serve immediately with pork chops.

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Now, aren’t you hungry for a crunchy, savory pork chop?  i SERIOUSLY could eat this every week, and that’s coming from a girl who likes variety in her menu!  I hope you’ll find someone to give you some help (spoken with a southern drawl!)  and try this recipe!

Denise Signature 150 px

 

children · Family life · home · Parenting

Family Friday – The Happiest Place On Earth

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I just heard a comment from a high school senior on her senior trip to Disney World say, “This has to be the happiest place on earth!” Having been there I can understand her sentiment. With beautiful flowers everywhere, light-hearted music, Mickey and Minnie, fun food, fun rides and fun times. of course it’s a happy place!

 There is another place that should be one of the happiest places on this earth – home. Home should be the most loving, secure and fun place for a child. What will you do today to make it that way for your children? Are you homeschooling? Are you sending your children off for the day?  Dealing with adult children living at home?  What can you do to make this the BEST place to live in or return to? Don’t get so caught up in the day-to-day routines that you forget to make more than a house – make it a home…a place to nurture, love, accept and have FUN!!
For your little ones – Change things around today or even on April Fools Day. Let them eat their dessert first! Have lunch under the table instead of on it. Go to the library and get new books – perhaps books about spring, baby lambs or even a child’s cookbook. Read together in a new place – build a comfy spot on the floor with pillows and cushions or make a tent using all the kitchen chairs as props.
Play uplifting music – Patch the Pirate, The Donut Man, Veggie Tales, etc. Let the atmosphere of your home be encouraging for them. It’s easy to play what we like instead of what they would enjoy.
How about some fun food? Cut their sandwich into shapes using cookie cutters. Peanut butter and jelly can take on a whole new taste when it’s cut differently!

For your older kids = be there for them. Sit and listen to them.  Do something fun together.  Cook.  Bake.  Shop.  Scroll through Pinterest for ideas and then rearrange her room. Stay up late with them.  Watch their movie or ball game.  Talk. Nod. Love. Pray.
Make your home the “happiest place on the earth” by taking time to be with your children, using creativity and thoughtful action to make each day one they won’t forget!
What are you doing to make your home the HAPPIEST place on earth?
Denise Signature 150 px
Home decor · laundry · refreshment at home

Spiffing Up the Laundry Room

RefreshHer9 Comments

laundry room

Probably most of us spend lots of time in the laundry room, so it only makes sense to make it a pretty place that we can enjoy!  Here are a few things that I’ve done to love hanging out (pun intended!) in there.

My laundry room is bright with a window that has a lovely view of the mountains and the countryside, so I didn’t want a curtain that would cover it.  Instead, I hung a valance at the top so I could always see out.

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I also like to have a small lamp glowing on top of the dryer; it just adds a warmth to the room.  To keep it from sliding around while the dryer is operating, I put a fabric placemat on top.  A jar of clothespins , a fragrance warmer and a pretty calendar make the vignette complete.

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Fun artwork is a great detail and doesn’t have to be expensive.  I found several things recently for under $5 that I love!  Target had this “Fresh and clean” sign in the dollar spot.  It was $3!  My laundry room doubles as Liza’s space where her food and litter box are.  The command hook holds a small basket with baggies that I use for Liza’s canned food.

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To keep the litter box hidden, I use a hinged window shutter.  I have a wooden step that holds all the “stuff” – laundry soap, litter scoop, paper towels, etc. Baskets keep it all neat.

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I found I was using the doorknob to hang clothes that needed to be line dried.  When I was at Dollar General this week I found a cute Button hook to use instead.  It was only $2.50!!

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I love plants with blooms that last.  This little guy was a gift to me by a sweet guest.  I’m not sure what it is, though it reminds me of a Mimosa. (Does anyone know what it is?) It needs very little attention, but keeps those yellow blooms ALL the time!  It really perks up this corner.  The stool it’s sitting on is where I store Liza’s cat food.

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I added a throw rug on the floor and some baskets on the shelf over the appliances for extra storage.  I love this space.  Maybe that’s why I don’t mind doing a load of laundry every single day!

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The only other thing I’d add if I could would be a small chandelier, but because we have the pot lighting in the ceiling, it might be a little too difficult to make that happen.  Even if it doesn’t, I’m totally loving my laundry room.  It just makes me smile!

Do you love your laundry room/space?  What could you add to give it a more inviting appeal?

Denise Signature 150 px