My Simple Christmas Decor 2017

December 13, 2017December 12, 2017 RefreshHer6 Comments

We’re down to the Twelve Days of Christmas! Rather than giving you three french hens or six geese a-laying, I thought I’d share some pictures of my Christmas home decor. I’ll give you a few glimpses into most rooms, which have just little touches here and there. Step inside…

The entryway ~

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My foyer has no outlet on this side of the wall, but it needs a soft light, so I love using these battery operated strands to brighten up the hallway!

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Just a simple drawing on the closet pantry chalkboard. (You can go here to see how I put the chalkboard on the door.)

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My Gingerbread Coffee House is on the buffet. After 10+ hours of work, I had no intention of eating this confection, even though everything about it is eatable! It still smells gingerbread-y and delicious!

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All the front windows of our house have a wreath, red bow and battery operated candle hanging from them. You can see the back of the wreath from this guest room. I’ve added just little touches in here – Christmas pillow, greenery on the shelf above the bed, and Christmas magazines in the tray.

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You may remember my post last week stating that I wasn’t putting up a tree this year, due to time constraints. Well, when we were out of town last weekend, Santa’s elves came and put up this adorable and beautiful tree in our bedroom! It was exactly what I’d hoped to do. I guess I’ve been a good girl this year after all!

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Now you see what I mean by that fact that I was just adding small Christmas touches here and there. But you know, I love it and it looks festive enough for us! Simplifying is a good exercise!

Thanks for taking a tour of my home, via these pictures! Was there a favorite spot you enjoyed? Are you finished decorating your home for Christmas?

Denise Signature 150 px

Christmas · Crafting · evangelism · Events · Gifts · Home decor · Thanksgiving

Pinterest Party Success!

November 15, 2017November 15, 2017 RefreshHer3 Comments

Last Friday I mentioned that our church was hosting our 7th Pinterest party on Saturday. We had over 70 women, with more than half of them being visitors! It was so much fun! It was filled with new friends, great food found on Pinterest, fellowship, and a challenge from God’s Word. Where would you find Pinterest in the Bible?! Our speaker showed us! =) It was in all the words like, Search, Save, Follow, etc. So good!

Then of course there was tons of great crafting! I made only one complete craft, due to helping others with theirs, but that’s okay! I made many new friends and had a great time!! I thought I’d share with you some of the crafts that were available for us to make. You could make them ALL for $10!

Wood ornaments

Pumpkin Garland

Salt Scrub

Grapevine wreath with felt flowers

Cinnamon Ornaments

Paper journals

Painted Pine Cones

Most of the crafts were super easy to put together. I think most everyone went home with a bag full of completed projects! This has become a favorite event of our ladies each year. It’s so well executed and is a great tool to reach out to unchurched ladies! I’ve blogged about it here and you can see how Christina pulls it all together.

If you’re interested in the “how-to” of any of the above crafts, you can find them on this page on Pinterest. They’re all such cute ideas!

Pinterest is my favorite place to browse for ideas! I’ve “pinned” LOTS of them with everything from recipes to sewing patterns, and I’ve tried many, many of them. It’s just a great tool that saves leg work and the accumulation of books. Anyone else love it like I do?

Cleaning · evangelism · Fall · home · Home decor · Husband · Life

Things I’m Loving This Fall

October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 RefreshHer5 Comments

Fall brings some favorite things we don’t have the rest of the year. I thought I’d share some of the things I’m especially loving this fall (though they’re not all seasonally related). Look for the ARROW in the picture to see my favorite thing!

favorites 1 — This Kroger Washing Machine Cleaner is really reasonably priced and does a GREAT job getting any residue out of the washing machine. The rubber gaskets don’t get completely clean, but it’s much better. Look at that shine inside! My mom recommended it to me, and I’m recommending it to you!

favorites 6a — It’s the time of year for the great flavored creams! This one reminds me of Christmas because in years past, it was the only time you could get it. Now it comes out in the fall. Mmmm, it’s so good in my morning cup of coffee!!

favorites 2a — Yankee Candles have me all smiles. I love all their products! I especially love their fall scents. This one is Sugar and Spice and it goes great with any pumpkin scent I may have in another part of the house. I love the apple burner. You set a container into the burner, turn it on, and it melts in the plastic container. So easy and no open flame.

favorites 4a — I’m still chalkboard crazy! I had a mirror over my mantle all summer, but I decided to put the chalkboard up and do a picture. What is it about chalkboard art that makes a space so cozy? I don’t know, maybe just the opportunity it gives me to be a little creative. It might be tacky to some, but I love it on the mantle!

favorites 3a — My last love isn’t a thing, it’s a person. It’s the man you see talking to our sweet neighbors that we love. That man, my husband…loves people. He has a burden for people. Everywhere he goes, he’s looking to pour into people the love of Jesus, and I love that about him! I snapped this picture from my laundry room window. I loved looking out and seeing him chatting with the children. They love him, too!

What are you enjoying this fall? A new product? A place you’ve visited? A person who’s been a blessing? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Have a refreshing weekend as you attend a church that preaches the Word of God in Truth! Our church will be celebrating its 61st anniversary this Sunday, so it will be a special day, and I’m looking forward to it!

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 200 px

Fall · home · Home decor · refreshment at home · seasonal decor

Kitchen Table Centerpiece Ideas

October 6, 2017October 5, 2017 RefreshHer4 Comments

As a follow-up from my recent video on setting the table, I thought I’d share a few photos of simple centerpieces for your kitchen or dining room table!

Are you ever stumped at what you could put on your kitchen table as a centerpiece? It doesn’t have to be an FTB bouquet to be pretty! Sometimes we just need a few photos to inspire us to pull out what we already own and make a pretty embellishment. Here are a few examples…

fall centerpiece 5 — The only thing purchased for this grouping was the fruit! Included in my silver holder is a blue Mason jar with a battery operated candle, a glass gourd, copper strainer to hold the fruit, a glass acorn dish with a lid and some fall leaves. Add a variety of heights for a good visual effect.

fall centerpiece 6 — These flowers were part of a $5.99 bouquet that I made into three separate bouquets! A short, square glass holder with a glass frog to keep the stems in place is holding the bouquet. A charger under the bouquet adds another dimension to the centerpiece,

fall centerpiece 2 — Another part of the $5.99 centerpiece was placed into a mirrored holder, giving it a dressier and taller look. I put a fabric runner under the arrangement to add softness to the table.

fall centerpiece 1 — A tiered stand makes a great centerpiece. I layered different textured pumpkins, some fruit and silk fall leaves, then placed the stand on a fall fabric runner.

fall centerpiece collage — This rustic bouquet was all gathered on my morning walk and put in a mason jar glass with a burlap ribbon tied at the top. It’s perfect for the patio table. When I edited the picture, I added some mini pumpkins to show what else you could add to make it even cuter!

Look around your house for items to use for the table. Consider:

Taper candles
A basket
Cloth napkins or a charger for under the centerpiece
Trays – Wooden, silver, black
Fruit
Fresh vegetables
Stems of tree branches
Silk leaves
Fabric pumpkins or real ones that are miniature
Tea pots, pretty jars or pitcher to hold the flowers or stems

I hope this inspires you to gather some of the things you already own and refresh your kitchen table! Even if it takes days for your family to notice, you’ll see it and it just might bring a smile to your face!

Refresh your heart by being in a Gospel preaching church this Sunday. Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it! Ephesians 5:25 Since He loves it that much, we should, too!

Which centerpiece was your favorite?

Lovingly,

Fall · Home decor · Uncategorized