Friday, October 29, 2010

Random tidbits about me

Since I have a several new followers in the last few months I thought it would be fun to share some random information about me to help you get to know me better.

First and foremost I am a follower of Jesus. Our faith is part of who we are as a family


I have known my hubby since we were in 6th grade


I am the mom of 4 girls. Even the dog is female (we always joke that my hubby always wanted a harem and this was as close as he could get  : ) Hubby finally got his son when our oldest daughter married 5 yrs ago


I love to laugh and laugh easily. I feel that if you can't find something everyday to laugh about, it's time to make some changes. Even in the most challenging of times we can find humor.


I don't like spiders and find it hard to kill them without a little scream


I hate cooked peas but love peas fresh from the garden 


I love to cook but don't like making pie crust (it's just too messy )


I sold furniture for over 10 years, 6 of those years in a high end design shop


I have a special needs adult daughter. She is a sweetie, but it has posed some challenges over the years


I can't stand a dirty microwave ( it makes me crabby)


I am a decorator & home stager and now a consultant for Willow House Love all of it!!


I went on a misson trip to Central America last year Ah -maz- ing


I still have friends from my high school years, friendships that span over 35 years and they are precious and priceless


I have been out of high school for 31 years (how is that possible? )


I can be a girly girl, love the clothes and jewelry, but am just as happy at home in yoga pants and a tee and no make up

I could keep sharing, but that's it for now. Maybe I will make this a regular feature?
Would love to hear some random things about all of you too.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Out on a "limb"

Country Living Magazine's October issue had a cute fall idea for your bookshelf. I loved it and thought I would share with you
Just think of the possibilities, you could do white pumpkins and black branches or 
black pumpkins with white branches, or any other way your creative minds can imagine.
For complete "how to" see the October issue
Thanks for visiting to day I hope  your day is blessed.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Winner

Random Number Generator picked the winner of the Willow House Giveaway: It is Kathy at
 Creative Home Expressions.  Congratulations Kathy! I will be emailing you the details of how to use your $ 50.00 shopping spree.
Thank you everyone who entered . I am overwhelmed by
the response to this giveaway!! You gals are the best!!
Everyone  can be a winner too, if you place an order of $75.00 or more before Friday I will refund your shipping cost. Just enter me (Debbie Smith) as the host at checkout. This is a great time to order. Get a jump on the holiday shopping and save while doing it.
Here are some of the October specials at Willow House


Spend $59.96 and get ANY item $60 and under for 50% off



Spend $39.96 and get ANY item $40 and under for 50% off



Don't forget to check out the outlet too

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Not your ordinary cookie

Just a reminder, there is still time to enter my giveaway here
I got this recipe from a sweet friend several years ago. It is is a favorite for just about any celebration from bridal showers to Christmas parties. We also like to stack them in cellophane bags tied with christmas ribbons for gifts for our neighbors and friends. It is one of hubby's favorite cookies. Hope you enjoy them too.


Dipped Gingersnaps
2 C sugar
1 1/2 C canola oil
2 eggs
1/2 C molasses
4 C flour
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbls ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
Additional sugar for dipping
white bark or vanilla candy quick


Mix sugar and oil until blended, add molasses and eggs mixing well. Combine dry ingredients and add slowly to oil mixture. Shape into balls, roll in sugar and bake 350 degrees 
for 10-12 min shorter for softer cookie longer for crisp
cool on wire rack and dip 1/2 the cookie in melted white bark. Let set on wax paper and Enjoy!!


Cookies are displayed on the Gramercy double dish stand and  the Villa stoneware plates from Willow House. You can find them here


Linking to foodie friday
FOODIE FRIDAY Click for details  
 

And to 

 calm+breeze+button.jpg
a href="http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Photobucket


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Guest post

I have a guest poster today. She is a delightful lady who has one of my favorite blogs. 
Have you met PK? Her blog is titled Room Remix the blog. Her blog is about creating a great space within your budget! She provides you with decorating inspiration, practical decorating advice, creative ideas and resources, DIY ideas, before and afters, and helps you think outside of your current decorating box.
She recently posted this article that I loved, and wanted her to share with you. So here it is...
What's behind the sofa?
THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Don't worry, this isn't a post about when the last time was that everyone cleaned behind their sofa! :-) We're just looking at some behind-the-sofa decorating inspiration.

In many living rooms, the sofa is against a wall and there just isn't space or really any need to have anything behind it.

But sometimes even when your sofa is against the wall, a slim sofa table can still be an option. It provides a space for lamps when there isn't room for end tables or floor lamps, helps with accessorizing the wall and, in a larger room, allows you to move the sofa in for more intimate seating without leaving an empty space behind it.




Simple Autumn Decor contemporary living room

The above idea can also be used to fill in the space behind a sofa when you're angling it in a corner. A folding screen would be another option.

They've used the same idea below of filling the extra space with a console table when trying to make the seating more intimate but, in this case, I believe there's a walkway between the table and the wall. The clever placement of the art keeps your eye from moving beyond the seating area.

Chicago Home Photo Nathan Kirkman
Remember this CR Laine image from this post? An out-of-the-box option...


An open floor plan brings another set of options. I was taught to avoid placing a sofa in a way that you would be staring at the back of it, if possible. Once I started decorating real-life rooms, I quickly realized that many times, especially in an open floor plan, it's just not possible.

However, there are ways that you can divert attention from the sofa back...
This is actually the image that inspired me to do this post. A nicely accessorized table behind the sofa in an open space can create a room divider of sorts and a cozy, more intimate feeling to the spaces on either side of it.
Having two chairs on either side of a console table is a nice option, especially if the adjoining open space is a dining room. Extra dining chairs can be placed on either side and then pulled into the dining area as needed. The addition of a lower shelf on this table allows more space for accessorizing or open storage for items that you don't mind having on display, such as books, and further distracts from the sofa back. As with some of the other images we've seen, this is also a nice spot for lamps, which are not only functional but give another level of interest, color and texture to the room.
House Beautiful photo Julian Wass
I like Amanda Nisbet's take on what to put behind the sofa. Going with an oval table versus the standard rectangular console and using two ottomans on either side instead of chairs.
In this open space, they've used a console table as a divider of sorts with a walkway on either side. An interesting idea.
Another interesting idea. An accessorized bench behind the sofa...
In smaller open-plan spaces that need to be multi-functional, the back of the sofa can be used as a divider wall of sorts to create another space such as:

an office...
or a dining area/work surface. In this case, they've used a bench that can be easily tucked under for the "traffic side" of the table.
myhomeideas.com Robbie Caponetto
Here are a couple of more permanent solutions...

house and home Photo Angus McRitchie




Crown Hill Remodel traditional living room

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I've also seen decorative items like trunks, etc. used behind the sofa. I think it can work as long as you really pay attention to scale. Larger items and fewer of them is best or they can look lost against the back of the sofa and create a cluttered look rather than a design statement. 
__________________________________________________
What's behind my sofa in my open plan home? Nothing. In fact, you can see the back of my sofa when you come in the front door because that's the best furniture placement, in my opinion, for the living room and there's no space behind to put anything to soften the transition. The sofa has a reverse camel back which creates some interest and there's plenty of room to walk around it, so you don't get the feeling that it's trying to block you from coming into the room. I'm absolutely okay with it.

I do think I might try this little trick though. A well placed throw to distract the eye...

House Beautiful 

What's behind your sofa? Any creative ideas?
Now hop over and visit PK today I promise you will enjoy her blog

~Don't forget about my giveway here~

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Giveaway time!! ~Now closed~

I haven't done a giveaway in quite a while, so I decided now was a great time.
I am giving away a $50.00 shopping spree to my Willow House on line store.
I want to spread the word about my Willow House business. It has been a great opportunity for me and could be for you as well. With the holidays coming we can all use a bit of extra spending cash. With the Willow house opportunity you can do just that. Click here for more info on the Opportunity

Now on to the giveaway. I am giving away a $50 Gift Certificate to Willow House! There are several ways to enter. Please leave a separate comment for each entry so I can make sure your are entered for each one.
1 entry for following You do not need to be a follower to enter, but I would be honored if you were 
1 Entry: Visit the store and or outlet and tell me how you will use your $50.00 

2 entries: Blog about the giveaway and leave a comment telling me. Leave your link too. you can also tweet or facebook too just let me know you did this.
1 entry: Subscribe to my eNewsletter, The Insider. Submit this form with 
"Subscribe" in the message box. Leave a comment saying you did so.

3 bonus entries if you decide to host a Willow house blog or catalog party.
And finally:
3 extra entries if you purchase 50.00 or more from my willow house store and outlet
Contest will be open through Sunday October 24th. I will announce the winner on Monday the 25th.Good Luck and please help me spread the word!!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

It's Friday

 I have nothing today. It has been crazy here this week with moving the girls and company for several days. Not to mention feeling a bit under the weather. So here are a few photos of "moving day" for my daughters and a few pictures of the apartment too.  They have been collecting "hand me downs" for about a year. Not too bad for a couple of young ladies just starting out.
Hope you have a great weekend and be watching for a giveaway next week.
Kaitlyn  and Kara
Brother in law Ryan and Dad helping with the heavy stuff
Sister Andrea, Tiffany and Me(don't look too close it is moving day after all)
trying to decorate
The finished project
Even Ezra was around to help his aunties move 

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A great giveaway

My friends over at the hip hostess are introducing a new apron and having a wonderful giveaway.
Head on over and enter to win this darling apron and some cute recipe cards

Monday, October 11, 2010

A change at home


This past weekend we moved these two little sweet twin daughters of ours into their own apartment in a city about 100 miles away from us. Kaitlyn (on left) will be starting college in Jan and Kara is a beautician and both are looking for Jobs in a the new city they live in. (Please pray they can get job asap)
As ready as I was for them to move on and get started in their new lives, it was unbelievably hard to leave them. (tears here).We had a blast though setting them up in their new apt and I will post pictures soon. We have company here for the next few days but I wanted to pop in and say hi and let you know what was happening in our home. Hope your Monday is blessed.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Extended!!! Free Shipping

Just a reminder that when you place an order of $100.00 or more from my new Wiilow House Store and Outlet. I will refund your shipping costs.  Hurry great items available in the outlet as well. Offer ends Sunday night 11:00 pm pacific time

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Off for a few days

Copperleaf TerraceHubby has meetings out of town for a few days at this place.
I am tagging along. I can't stand the thought of letting a room here go to waste while he is in meetings all day : )
He always jokes and calls these "working vacations".....
(He works, while I vacation : )
Copperleaf Restaurant and BarIt's fun to take a break from the routine and just hang out. Just Be. I usually get at least one book on my list read, and on occasion a bit of shopping, but mostly just rest and refreshment. There are several acres of  walking trails here too so maybe I will even get a bit of exercise in too. See ya soon


Cedarbrook's lushly landscaped lawns and grounds

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Best French Bread


With the weather getting cooler and our menus are starting to be filled with soup recipes, I thought I would share one of my family's favorite bread recipes.
It is great with just about everything and really yummy broiled with lots of butter on day two (I didn't claim it to be diet food : ) It is also delicious slathered with roasted garlic too.


The Best French Bread
2 Tbls yeast
1/3 C hot water ( from Tap)
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
Put this in mixer bowl and let sit until bubbly (about 10 min)
Then add:
2 Cups skim milk warmed but not hot (about 115 degrees)
5 Tbls sugar 
2 Tbls olive oil
4 1/2 -5 Cups flour
Mix well and then slowly begin to add the flour
I use my Kitchen Aid with the dough hook and I never even have to knead this
When dough is smooth and elastic, turn out into a greased bowl and let rise for 1 hour.
punch down and separate into two loaves 
place on greased cookie sheet and let rise for 30-40 minutes
Bake for 25 to 30 min at 375 degrees
Enjoy
Linking to Tempt my Tummy Tuesday and 
Tempt my Tummy TuesdayLovely Yellow Ribbons
All Thingz Related

Monday, October 4, 2010

Favorite Places

Chaps 2Do you have favorite restaurant? The kind of places you go that are an experience, more than just wonderful food? I have found this to be true about a place near our daughter's home called Chaps. The owners describes it as a  “Montana-meets-Paris” kind of place. From the minute you enter your are hit with delightful decor. An eclectic mix of old and new, displayed in such a way that you are captivated and your eyes began to wander . Owner Celeste Shaw  created Chaps as an tribute to her heritage. Shaw grew up as a farm girl in Montana prior to converting a turn-of-the-century farmhouse into a down home cafe that is nothing less than delightful. Her inspiration was her two grandmothers, whose comfort foods meant home. Colorful cowboy gear and an eclectic decor make you feel like this is where you belong even if you're a city slicker. But it's the home-on-the-range cooking that will have you back for more..  It is just a delightful place and they have recently expanded to include a bakery.
My first experience at chaps was for breakfast and Oh my... Yum!!
Several of us ordered different things and then shared bites. The baked oatmeal was a huge hit as well as the banana bread french toast (let's just say I didn't want to share this one   : )
Hubby and I were there for lunch last week. It was a beautiful day so we sat out on the newly added patio and enjoyed our lunch in the warm afternoon taking care of sweet baby Ezra (who slept the entire lunch time) the food was delicious, but it was the Pumpkin Cheesecake that we will remember the most. I snapped a few photos of the inside and of the new addition, could have taken many more to share but when people start looking at the crazy lady snapping pictures , I guess it is time to stop : )






This is just a taste of what awaits you here, so if you are ever out in Eastern Washington, you need to experience Chaps.  I love it !!!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Love your Decor with Willow House's outlet




Don't miss out!!
Willow house is into new and exciting things. You can now order and hold parties on line!!
My eCatalog is opening up today, which means it is even easier than ever to host a  party on your blog. Customers can shop and pay online from all over the country any time of day. Items will ship directly to them while you get to reap the hostess rewards and benefits. They are launching an
  e outlet too where you can save even more!! And who doesn't like a great bargain? Get over there now for incredible savings!!!!
As a kick off I am offering an extra $50.00 in free product to the first 3 bloggers who sign up and actually hold a blog Willow House Party. Just leave me a comment and I will get you set up for your party. Once we close the party the extra $50.00 in free product is yours in addition to the already wonderful hostess benefits!!
Not interested in a party? You can still order Products. Place an order of $100.00 or more and I will refund your shipping costs. There is also an outlet where you can get quality products at reduced prices. Love your decor and get great home entertaining items with Willow House today!!