Last week I was privileged to attend yet another decorating class at Gracious Designs, a lovely design store in Johnson City.  I’ve attended many other classes, and each one inspires me and teaches me how to make my home inviting and lovely, and also tastefully Southern.

Signs like these are scattered about Gracious Designs Store.

Last Saturday the class was on bringing summer into your home.  It piqued my interest since summer is my favorite season!  Bring summer inside?  How do I do that?  Here were some of their suggestions:

Here are a few touches I’ve added:

Click on picture to enlarge.

I am looking for time to change the drawing on my chalkboard hanging over the fireplace to something summery.  But it’s always a work in progress!

Look around to see what you could you bring in that would add some summery touches.  Perhaps a birdhouse or an iron bench or chair would be the perfect addition to a bedroom or your living room.  Let me know if you find something to add!

Thanks for stopping by for a peek!

With love from my country porch,

Last week in our Apples of Gold class I shared a meatless menu.  The benefit of a menu without meat is, of course, that it’s so cost effective.  It also suits those guests that might be vegetarian.  I am a meat lover, but I really enjoy this menu.  It’s filling and you really don’t know you’re missing anything!

I’ve shared the Black Bean Cakes here before.  Have you tried them?  I was surprised how really good they are.  They’re packed with ingredients that give it great flavor.  If you haven’t tried them yet, you need to get this on your menu!  I added a couple new salads that were a great accompaniment and then we ended the meal with a Southern Living cake – Strawberry lemonade.  Wow!  Is that a keeper!

Our lesson was about Loving Our Children, so I wanted to decorate the tables in a way that would be appropriate for entertaining children.  I set out board games for part of the centerpiece, then added flowers that coordinated with the games.  If you’re having game night at your house, why not use the game to set the stage for the meal?

Ingredients
1 large cucumber
1 tsp coarse sea salt
1 Tbsp light sour cream
1 tsp finely chopped onion
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp sugar

Directions

Peel your cucumber – or you can leave the peel on if you want – slice cucumber into fairly thin slices. Place into a colander and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Set on something to catch the water that drains off, and set aside.
Mix together sour cream, onion, dill, vinegar, and sugar. Cover and place in fridge.
Let cucumbers drain and dressing chill for at least an hour, up to 2 hours.
Before serving, rinse cucumbers under running water briefly. Pat dry with paper towel.

Toss dressing with cucumbers and serve.

Greek Pasta Salad
2 9oz pkgs cheese ravioli, cooked and drained
2 bunches asparagus, cooked and cut into 1″ pieces
1 cup green onion, chopped
1 yellow squash, finely chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
4 oz. Feta Cheese
4 oz. semi-hard cheese (such as Gruyere), grated
1 small can sliced black olives
6 diced tomatoes
Lemon Dressing

Cook ravioli and drain.  Mix all ingredients together, season with salt and pepper ot taste.  Chill.  Serves 8-10 (or more!)

Strawberry Icing
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar, divided
2/3 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 drop pink food coloring gel (optional)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation

1. Beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer until smooth; add strawberries and food coloring (if desired); beat until blended.
2. Beat cream and juice at medium speed until foamy; increase speed to medium-high, and slowly add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold half of cream mixture into cheese mixture; fold in remaining cream mixture. Use immediately.

I hope you’ll incorporate one or more of these recipes into your menu this week.  Stop back and tell me how you like them!  I believe all the apples members enjoyed this meal.  It’s perfect for entertaining and the great thing is that so much can be done the day before.  You’ll look like a perfect hostess all calm and collected!  

Thanks for stopping by my country kitchen,

Sometimes it’s just the little things that make my day, like a glass bottle on my bathroom sink.  Yeah, I’m a bit odd like that.  But the truth is, I don’t like lots of “stuff” on the counter in the bathroom. What is on there needs to be pretty.  I dislike bottles of lotions, toothpaste, or makeup out cluttering up the space.  So I’m always trying to think of either clever ways to disguise the containers or good storage ideas.

I like using a mouthwash, but I didn’t want to leave that ugly bottle sitting out, but if it’s not out where I can see it, I forget to use it!!  So, I looked at TJ Maxx for a pretty bottle to pour it into.  I found this one for $4!  I brought it home, washed it out and poured the remainder of the mouthwash into it.  Now it’ll look pretty and be in plain view so I won’t forget to rinse after brushing!

I know this isn’t genius, but like I said, sometimes it’s just the little things that make you smile.  If your bathroom counter is cluttered up, why not look for pretty ways to display the necessary creams and liquids.  You might want to label the bottles if you have more than one.  You don’t want to rinse your mouth with rubbing alcohol.  =)  That could turn a smiling day into a puckering one!

Stay refreshed,

Going away for a spiritual leadership conference is like getting a ministry booster shot!  What a blessing last week was.  My husband and I are so thankful we had the opportunity to be a part of the great services, workshops and fellowship at Lancaster Baptist Church.  We heard great preaching, were encouraged by practical workshops, were so blessed by their music and strengthened by the fellowship of other ministry families.

Here’s our week wrapped up in a collage of pictures:

click on picture to enlarge

A summary of my pictures: