Handling that One Messy Corner

September 25, 2015September 30, 2015 RefreshHer7 Comments

Everyone probably has a “problem area” in their home where things tend to get collected or a little messy. For me, it’s the corner of my bedroom where I sit every morning and have my quiet time. It’s easy to let that space get overloaded with books, pens, book bags, etc. If any spot in my house should be orderly and put together, I believe it’s my Quiet Time spot! It will only help me have an open heart to hear from the Lord each day, as well as a greater desire to retreat there!

Yesterday I looked at my Quiet Spot, and gasped! It was a mess! I stopped right then and took about 15 minutes to turn it from Chaotic Corner …

to restful residence!

In those 15 minutes:

I put the throw on my chair for the chilly mornings we’re having now. It’s nice to be able to wrap it around my shoulders if I’m cool.
I added my recent fall magazines to the chaise lounge for times in the evening when I have a minute to peruse through their pages.
I also put the wooden tray on the side table to hold my coffee cup, a season Yankee candle and a vase of flowers.
The basket beside my chair now holds my devotional study books and note cards. I keep the cards there for when the Lord brings someone to my heart. I can pick up a card right then and write it out before the thought leaves me!
The book bag under the side table holds my pens, highlighter and Sunday materials. It’s ready to grab and head out the door!

Do you have a corner you need to zoom in on and spruce up a bit? We take time to decorate for fall, but sometimes fail to do something special to the places where we spend the most time, and the most meaningful time. Maybe your Quiet Time Spot needs a little decorating, too! Make it a place you love to retreat to!

Have a refreshing weekend by being in God’s house!

With love,

baking

Sugary Fall Treats

September 23, 2015December 6, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

We tend to think of decorated sugar cookies only at Christmastime, but autumn is a great season to make up pumpkins and leaves for some yummy fall treats! We love these cookies because they’re soft and just sweet enough.

I love to decorate them and then put them on display for my family to enjoy!

This is my standard recipe:

Sugar Cookies

2/3 Cup shortening

3/4 Cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

4 tsp. milk

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Cream shortening, sugar and vanilla. Add egg and milk; beat till light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients; blend into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Wrap in waxed paper or saran wrap and refrigerate at least an hour.

On lightly floured surface, work with half of the dough at a time*. Roll to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cutters. Bake on ungreased cookies sheet at 350 degrees about 7 minutes. Cool slightly; remove. Makes about 3 dozen.
*Chill other half till ready to use.

For the glaze, I use about 1 cup powdered sugar and a few teaspoons of milk, adding slowly and mixing so as to have a thick glaze. After icing cookies, sprinkle with decorations. Let set so the icing will harden.

What fall treats do you enjoy?

Fall Favorites

September 22, 2015October 1, 2015 RefreshHer7 Comments

Did you know that tomorrow, September 23, is the First Day of Autumn? My daughter, Whitney has a birthday today and it often falls on the first day of fall, her favorite season! She’s my favorite first-born. =) Would you pop over to her blog and wish her a happy birthday today?

As I mentioned here, I like to slowly bring the fall decor into my home. The Lord, the Creator of the seasons, brings autumn in gradually, until one day we wake up and find that the seasons have changed.

I looked through summer’s window
and was so surprised to see,
Autumnal hues and colors
were peeking back in at me.
—Denise Cunningham

Isn’t that the way it seems? One day we look out and realize that fall has slowly enveloped us!

In honor of this new season, I’ve gone through and pulled out some of my favorite autumn decor from the past years. Hope this inspires you a little…now that Fall is almost officially here!

I love these little pumpkins and the pop of color they give to the dining room’s turquoise.

The entryway table…

Of course, you have to add some fall touches to the outside of your porch, too!

Throw a cat in there, too, it gives an added special touch!

On the first chilly morning, we love to pull the kitchen table over to the fireplace for a cozy spot for breakfast!

Here are a few from my “old” house…

The Scrabble board set up with fall words…

Then a little twist on a fall wreath…
Find the instructions here

It seems everyone is buzzing about fall this year. Are you on that bandwagon, or are you sad to see summer go?

Lovingly,

Cooking · How-to Video · Tacos

Video on Making Homemade Tortillas !

September 21, 2015September 30, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

A Pioneer Woman on the screen I am not, but here’s my best shot at making a video of how to make homemade tortillas! it’s not easy to do your own video taping! Sometimes I entertain myself while cooking – watch and see what I mean!

Here’s the recipe:

Whole Wheat tortillas

4 Cups whole wheat flour – You can use all-purpose, if you prefer!
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup warm water – more if needed

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients together.

Add oil and mix with your hands until it feels a bit like cornmeal. Add water and mix to make a soft dough that is easy to wlrk with. Knead a minute or so. Divide dough into 16 balls and let them sit, covered on counter for about 15 minutes. Press into tortillas with tortilla press.

Bake on ungreased heavy skillet or a griddle that is on medium-high heat. Cook them unto brown spots appear and then flip and cook on the other side.

You can find the recipe for the Beef Carnita Tacos here. I love to do these in the crock pot. The meat shreds apart beautifully and the flavors have cooked together all day and are so delicious!

Will you try your hand at Tortillas? It’s a fun project with kids!

With love from my country kitchen,

Crafts

How To Make Paper Medallions

September 18, 2015September 30, 2015 RefreshHer1 Comment

As promised on Wednesday, when I showed you my newly decorated wall of paper medallions, here’s a tutorial on how to make them. This is my method, which ~~no doubt will~~ may differ from other’s techniques!

Accordion fold your paper. This was a 12 x 12 piece of scrapbook paper. Once it’s folded, accordion style, fold it in half.

For the large medallions, you will need to pieces of paper.

2. Nestle them together.
3. Secure them in the middle, either with a staple, a piece of clear tape or hot glue.
4. Open out the fan folds and secure the pieces together, making a circle.

It should look like this…

Punch a hole in the back of the medallion, in order to hang it.

The hole should be unseen, in the back of the pinwheel.

Gently hammer a straight pin into the wall. Slip the medallion onto the straight pin to hang!

I made another smaller medallion to go in the center. I love the contrast. it also helps to hide where you secured it in the midle.

Now, stand back and admire your handiwork!

Isn’t that simple? It’s also tons of fun! Hope you’ll craft up some for your house or party!

Stay refreshed,

I looked through summer’s window and was so surprised to see, Autumnal hues and colors were peeking back in at me. —Denise Cunningham

I looked through summer’s window
and was so surprised to see,
Autumnal hues and colors
were peeking back in at me.
—Denise Cunningham