Category: Outside decor

Fast dessert · Outside decor · summertime · Sunday Dinner

Favorite Summer Happenings

RefreshHer11 Comments

I am enjoying summer SO much!  How thankful I am for this season that God planned as we read in Genesis 8:22 ~

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

I thought I’d share some photos with you from this week that share my love for what is happening so far this summer!

My hydrangeas are blooming!  I also love my Popcorn Roses! That means I get to make little informal bouquets for the table.  These are my favorite kinds of centerpieces!

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Patio Dining! This picture was from Sunday dinner.  I love having guests over and especially when we get to sit outside and enjoy the summer day and the view.  How precious to invite friends over and share the Word together and end our time in prayer for one another!

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Summer vegetables are coming up in my sweet friend’s garden and they graciously shared with us!  How beautiful are these radishes and beets?!

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Our Sunday dinner was Herbed Chicken Breasts, Potato Salad, Corn Casserole and Southern Green Beans.  I also fixed individual Berry Cobblers with ice cream for dessert!

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I’ll end with an adorable picture of my sweet Liza Jane.  She just seems to get more beautiful and lovable as the years pass!

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What has been your favorite part of summer so far?

I’ve shared with you about the radio broadcasts that I’ve been asked to record.  This is way out of my comfort zone, but I am just obeying God’s leading in each step!  The recordings are now available in podcast form at our church’s website.  That means that you don’t have to catch it only at the time it airs, but can listen at any time!  To listen to the podcasts, All you need to do is click here and then look across the top bar for “Refresh Her Podcasts.” Scroll down and you will see each podcast date and the title.  Click and listen!

I pray your weekend is refreshing as you go to a Bible believing/preaching church! Go with a hungry heart, a journal, a song in your heart and go looking to be a blessing!

denise a

Outside decor · summertime

Ten Ways To Embellish Your Outside Space

RefreshHer6 Comments

Embellishing your home on the inside is a no-brainer, right?  We all know we need to add furniture, pictures and accessories to make the house inviting.  But what about the outside?  Have you embellished it to make it welcoming to those that pull into your driveway?  There are lots of easy and inexpensive ways to do that!  Here are a few ideas from things I’ve added to my yard and porches. Continue reading “Ten Ways To Embellish Your Outside Space” →

home · Home decor · Home Landscaping · Outside decor · seasonal decor

Refresh Your Porches for Spring

RefreshHer3 Comments

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It’s springtime!! Woo hoo!! It’s time to clean off the porches so they’re ready to greet your family and friends.  After a long winter, they need some good overhaul to be fresh and inviting!  Here’s what I do:

  1. Sweep off the whole area – porch, steps, and driveway.
  2. Dust the corners, and wipe down any furniture on the porch.
  3. Clean the glass door with glass cleaner. Do it when the sun isn’t shining on it – that will help prevent streaks.
  4. Look at your door mat.  If it looks weary, tired and dirty, replace it with a fresh, spring-y rug.
  5. Add a spring wreath.
  6. Add a little touch of something green.
  7. Add a garden flag or stepping stone

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One thing I love to do in spring and summer is walk through the garden area at Lowe’s!  I get so excited about adding flowers, herbs and all things green to my yard when it turns warm!  Though it is the time to get the front porch in shape, NOW is NOT the time to add annuals because we’re still dealing with dipping temperatures.

Remember that even if you don’t come in your front door, that’s what your guests will see first, so let it give them a grand welcome!

What will you do to make your porch inviting?

Denise Signature 150 px

baking · Dinner · home · Home Landscaping · Main entree · Outside decor

Friday Favorites – Fall and Food!

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wp-1476366379870.jpgWith fall’s arrival bringing cooler temps and glorious days, I’ve had some incredible views this week.  Between the countryside where we live and a visit to a nearby lake, it’s been gorgeous all around me, as you’ll see in the pictures below.

I had some young bakers in the kitchen with me this week.  They made sugar cookies in the shapes of leaves and pumpkins.  It was as much fun making them as it was eating them!

Also in the pictures below you’ll see my morning Quiet Time place.  I love its comfort and soft lights in the early morning.  Liza found a comfy spot, too!

The bottom left picture is dinner at our daughter and son-in-law’s home on Sunday.  It’s a special joy to have family living here so that we can enjoy church and a meal after!  I truly never anticipated living near either of my girls.  I just want them to go where God takes them and their husband, but for now our youngest daugher and her husband are here and we’re enjoying it for as long as God will allow.   It’s a special treat to have an invitation for Sunday dinner!  Both of my girls are great cooks and like to try new recipes.  The meal we had last weekend was a new oone she was trying, and it was really yummy!

The other picture was Katie Brown Chicken that I made for my neighbor who had surgery.  I love making this to take to people.  It’s easy to put together, and it’s a comfort kind of food that’s also good for you!

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The pictures below are all from my yard.  Fall allows the roses to bloom again without the threat of the beetles!  I’m enjoying their beauty!  

In the early morning the view out the front windows is breathtaking.  There are the cows, the hills, and the mountains with the sun peeking up and bringing with it a fresh, new day!

When I come back in from my morning walk, I love the view of the front porch.  The rockers got a fresh coat of paint this week, making them even more inviting to sit and enjoy the views!

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How has your fall started out?  Have you made any comfort foods or seen anything beautiful in your area?

I pray you’ll have a great weekend.  We have a fun activity planned – I can’t wait to participate in it, then share the pictures with you next Friday!

Find a place where you can hear God’s Word being preached and be faithful to go AND to participate in worship this weekend!

Stay refreshed,

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Fall · Outside decor

Fall Porch Tour

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One of the things that I love about our house is the fact that we have two porches!  They both have seating and a view, too, making it a great place to rest!

Keeping the porches clean and decorated is fun because that means I get to be out there enjoying the countryside beauty and the quiet.  I have been adding fall touches to my porches and this week I finally got some pictures taken.  Now you can see it too!  Ready?

The before picture of the patio table is found here.  I’ll probably wrap the table up and put it in the garage once winter arrives.  Until then, we’ll enjoy hot cups of coffee and cozy nights out there!

Have you decorated your porch for fall?  What do you add?

From my country porch,

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