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All Things Flower Pots

I was walking into Kroger today with my 14 year old and I said, "Wow!  Look at all of those beautiful flowers."  Her response was, "Sooo...it's just flowers."  She knew that response would get a rise out of me.  She knows how much I love… Read More

Repurposed Tea Kettle

If the tea kettle fits.  Use it.  Re-use it.  Repurpose it.  Like me. How do you like this little "Repurposed Tea Kettle"? I hoard go through a lot of tea kettles.  I keep 0ne on my cooktop, and it tends to get splashed with food… Read More

Thrifty Mirror Makeover

Welcome to my fun "Thrifty Mirror Makeover"! It was a huge show room full of thrift store items and I spotted this large beveled mirror in the corner hanging up with several other large wall art pieces.  When I walked up closer I noticed the… Read More

Kitchen Collection

It's about time, wouldn't you say? I finally sat down and searched for my favorite kitchen products on-line and I listed them here for you in case you are interested, or if you want to "get the look".  You won't find everything from our kitchen… Read More

12 DIY Kitchens

12 of us have been sneaking around behind your back planning our new monthly series called "DIY Housewives".  Don't let the word "housewives" fool you.  This has nothing to do with the dramatic television show I live for, but we are pretty darn savvy in the… Read More

Low Carb Quiche

I should buy some chickens or something because this is ridiculous. I intended on sharing just my "Low Carb Quiche" (no crust) recipe, but then once I searched my blog I realized I had 10 egg recipes.  What is up with that? Well...here's to eggs… Read More

100 Thrift Store Makeovers

The All Things Creative Team has really outdone themselves this time... "100 Thrift Store Makeovers" are in the house and I mean that literally & figuratively.     This month theme is all about my favorite place to save money, and be inspired...the thrift store.… Read More

Indoor Impatiens

When I was little I thought they were called "Impatients". Patience is not something I hold.  When I want something, I want it now.  Or else.  Maybe that's why my "Impatiens" and I get along so well.  They know I want pretty flowers, and I… Read More

Magnetic Knife Strip

You didn't think I could let that little black cabinet side to the left of my cooking area stay empty did you?  No way!  It's the perfect spot for us to hang... Wait for it... This cute little "Magnetic Knife Strip".  You can call me… Read More

Decorating with Memories

With a heavy heart... About 20 years ago, my parents decided to move where my husband & I had began our lives together because they were searching for a fresh start, had visited often, and enjoyed what Michigan had to offer.  At the time I… Read More

Deviled Eggs Recipe

Deviled Eggs Recipe Today's post is short but egg-a-licious! I am watching my carbs again-darnit.  Seems like I always do that this time of year (you can find all of my low carb recipes HERE.) I blame it on the cold weather and hibernation we do up… Read More

Natural Easter Centerpiece

Welcome to this month's "Thrift Store Decor Challenge" where it's all about going au natural for Easter. Before I get started, I wanted to ask if you have signed up for our free newsletter yet?  It's easy to do, just click here: When I walk… Read More

DIY Napkin Wreath

Have you noticed how pretty party paper napkins have become?  I almost feel like wall papering a room with them! I see them in the dollar store and super markets and I am taking full advantage of it in my decorating.  This "DIY Napkin Wreath"… Read More

Blue Accent Rug

My youngest daughter & I had a Target date last Saturday night, and boy did we have a ball.  I have to admit, I was acting a bit like a teenager giggling through the store, because honestly, when I hang out with my girls, they… Read More

Faux Birthday Cake

Faux Birthday Cake? I have to admit, when the idea of a "Faux Birthday Cake" entered my head it sounded a bit like a tease.  I mean, why not just make a birthday cake, light the candles, sing the song, devour the cake? *** Some of… Read More

Brilliant Glass Jar Ideas

I call them Ball Jars.  My friends call them Mason Jars.  What do you call them? The word BRILLIANT definitely comes to mind. Glass jars are one of the most versatile household items ever created.  They have also been around forever and are still very… Read More

Gold Portable Office

The automatic double doors slid open at my local Salvation Army, and I slid in like a sly fox on the prowl. And there it was!  Shining like a gold star in the furniture maze I so often visit.  There was no way this gold… Read More

Chicken & Crostini

My Dad makes the best chicken & biscuits. It's very comforting, and I'm not just talking about the food.  It's also the way he "sets the table" for the adults and the "little" table for our girls.  Their kitchen is really tiny so we have… Read More

Romantic Bathroom Date

GHASP! YOU: "A 'Romantic Bathroom Date'?  I mean really, Julie.  Is this really necessary?  Are you really going there???  You've already showed us your "DIY Wood Planked Wall" tutorial, and your "Romantic Master Bedroom", how much more are you going to share? ME: "Just a… Read More

Love Letter Platter

Am I the only one that saves greeting cards?  Especially the ones stuck in flowers with that little plastic fork thing.  Yah, those are my favorite. Maybe it's seeing my name in his hand writing...or maybe it's the thought of him taking the time to tell… Read More

Little Yellow Cottage For Sale

  Surprise! We are currently selling my Mom & Dad's "Little Yellow Cottage" located in SE Michigan so we can move them closer to us.  If you are interested, or know of someone interested, please let me know! VIEW LISTING     I'll be back… Read More

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

There I was being a happy little baker chick in my slippers sipping wine tea while making chocolate chip cookies for the family, and the most awful thing happened.  I opened the fridge and the egg tray with those little egg indentations was completely empty.… Read More

Avocado & Egg Sandwich

  I didn't know what an avocado was until I was in my late 20's.  After all, we never had them at our house growing up.  I honestly don't think my parents know what they are still to this day.  Years ago a lady sitting… Read More

Chicken Riggies Recipe

First...the story.  Then the food. I'm from Western NY.  My husband, Rick, and I, met there and moved to Michigan in 1992 after we graduated from Buffalo State College. My husband is from Herkimer, NY. which is located about 3 1/2 hours east of Buffalo… Read More

Sweet Treats & Love

Uh oh!  Valentine's Day is coming up quick. ***If you're visiting from my weekly newsletter and would like my Mom's Chocolate Fudge Cake recipe just click here: CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE RECIPE.  If you would like to sign up for my weekly news, just click here:… Read More

Floating Heart Candle

Hearts are one of my most favorite shapes to decorate with.  They're romantic, pretty, and very versatile.  With Valentine's Day coming up, and the debut of our "DIY Wood Planked Wall" in our master bathroom already in the books, I thought a "Floating Heart Candle"… Read More

Chocolate Heart Box Wreath

Every Valentine's Day my husband comes home from work hiding plastic grocery store bags behind his back and he goes into our bedroom and closes the door.  The girls use to run up to him when he got home, but now they are teens and… Read More

DIY Wood Planked Wall

"I don't really like taking baths, but since you & Pop made it all fancy in there, I think I'm going to start." That's what our teen daughter said a few days after we finished this gorgeous "DIY Wood Planked Wall"and I don't blame her… Read More

Best Pierogi Soup Recipe

I'm a Polish redhead and I absolutely love pierogi soup! I don't like Polish jokes.  I get a bit heated if I hear one. I turn all red, and my ears get hot.  lol This is no joke...I grew up eating fresh pierogies from the… Read More

Home Tour Magazine Photo Shoot (behind the scenes)

Along our chosen path we may make a sharp right, or a sharp left.  Sometimes, we just keep going straight, nice and steady.  Some of us veer off, and get back on.  Then there's even those that stop right in the middle and never move.… Read More

DIY Rustic Jewelry Display

I have been "nesting" like crazy, lately.  Am I pregnant?  Absolutely not!  It must be the new year, or new moon, or new sneakers-I don't know why, I tell you. Either way...I have a fun post today full of great tips for organization, and cleaning.… Read More

Top 12 Projects 2015

You know when you're reading a book that you're really into, or even watching a movie that you can't look away from and the time seems to slip away very quickly?  That's how I feel about 2015. 2015 has been a year full of amazing… Read More

100+ Lose Weight Recipes

      Here we are again.  The new year is upon us.  I know the drill.  You know the drill. Lets get healthy again so we can feel good inside and out. I worked out today and it FELT GREAT. Except for that pain… Read More

Easy & Light Eggs Benedict

I could eat an egg every day.  In fact, I almost do. Not only do I think they are scrumptious tasting, but they help me maintain my weight by keeping me full longer.  It's the protein.  Then there's the energy they provide, too.  Eggs ROCK.… Read More

Veggie Cocktail Appetizers

Before we start talking New Years, I want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas! You're invited to your neighbor's New Years Eve party, but all you really want to do is stay home in your flannel pj's, eat shrimp… Read More

Chocolate Meatball Cookies

These Chocolate Meatball Cookies are my husband, Richard's, favorite. His grandmother use to make them for him, and now her children and grandchildren have kept the tradition going.  Usually he makes them for Christmas, but he was out gathering wood (sounds crazy, but true), so… Read More

DIY Christmas Gift Wrap

It was 1976 and I remember my brother, Bobby, teaching me how to wrap Christmas presents while we sat on my Mom and Dad's bed.  He showed me how to fold the ends with those little triangles.  I think I actually remember him yelling at… Read More

Easy Christmas Decorating Using Foam

This post is sponsored by FloraCraft®.  All opinions are honest and my true thoughts.  Hey guys! It's time for this months FloraCraft®Make It: Fun® Team Challenge.  I have 2 really cute and easy Christmas decorating ideas using FloraCraft® Make It: Fun® Foam.  These are both perfect for… Read More

Cozy Christmas Bedroom

Welcome to our Cozy Christmas Bedroom... You know those photos in magazines where the bedroom looks all perfect-ified.  The sheets aren't wrinkled, the bed looks like it's never been slept in, and there isn't a spec of anything anywhere? Well...forget that. Lets get cozi-fied. If… Read More

My “Home for Christmas” Tour

Welcome to my first Christmas tour for 2015! I am so excited to be part of this HUGE (I mean over 100 of us) Christmas Blog Hop hosted by Hometalk.com & Country Living.com.  I'm pretty sure you know about Country living, but if you've never heard… Read More

10 Minute Christmas Urn

It's Saturday night and our girls are at a birthday party.  We have a fire going, I'm cooking up some meatballs, and here I am posting about a 10 minute Christmas Urn. I'm nuts, I know. Here's how I made it... Empty out your largest… Read More

Butter Ball Christmas Cookies

The air is crisp here in Michigan today, and Jack Frost made an appearance.  Winter is brewing, however, it's getting up to 50 this week.  I am in the mood for snow, so maybe that's why I wanted to post my grandfather's recipe today.  These… Read More

Christmas Tree 2015

I couldn't resist sharing a quick photo of our Christmas tree that we just finished this past weekend.  Sylvia our cat looked so sweet taking a nap under it.  Actually, she woke up when I got my camera out, but you get the idea. I… Read More

DIY Wood Planked Ceiling

I'm just going to give it to you straight. This was a tough one folks. "DIY Wood Planked Ceiling" is officially in the books, it's gorgeous beyond my wildest dreams, but it was a big job. I'm not talking about buying the wood, staining the… Read More

Faux Wood Burning Fire Place

*Don't miss out on an amazing sweepstakes worth $15k from Zillow and Shutterfly at the bottom of my post. Faux.  Not everyone knows how to pronounce that word.  I was on the phone with a friend of mine years ago and we were talking about… Read More

Sweater Christmas Trees

This post is sponsored by FloraCraft®.  All opinions are honest and my true thoughts. Are you in the mood for a little thrifting and crafting today?  I am! While screeching to a halt in front of stopping by our local Goodwill I noticed that they had some amazingly gorgeous… Read More

Mason Jar Gift Ideas

I was a sneaky little girl. When I was about 10 years old, I peaked into the big cardboard box my Mom and Dad had in their bedroom.  It was about a month before Christmas, so I knew it was full of Christmas presents.  Hopefully… Read More

Crockpot Bling

I am a NASCAR fan.  Yep...I am!  I fell in love with the sport when we lived in Florida.  My husband took me to the Daytona 500 on a date and I couldn't believe the excitement there. I couldn't wait to go back and eventually… Read More

Kitty Cabinet

My grandmother, Nano, claimed she hated cats.  Then while over for chicken dinner, she started collecting the raw chicken bones from our plates.  "What are those for, Nano?"  "Oh, nothing, honey."  Then she would put the bag in her purse and go home and give… Read More

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