Welcome back dear readers! My, my, it has been quite some time since I last posted. I actually removed my site from the internet years ago but had been recently toying with the idea of creating a new blog and to my surprise, this one was still saved!
Friend, I was so pleased to take a walk down memory lane and see all of my older posts.
So much has changed in our family with the biggest being a new baby to love! We are now a family of four and enjoying making memories with our littles. I'll have to give you a full update on a separate post but today I'd like to share a series I'll be introducing to the blog called Daily Delights. The entries will focus on the senses and life's simple pleasures.
Enjoy!
"It is of the small joys and little pleasures that the greatest of our days is built. - Mary Anne Radmacher
Change of Season
Mid November days here have been bleak. Without the usual sunshine, the days have felt short and quite dreary. Most people shy away from this sort of weather but I enjoy it. Perhaps it's because we receive an abundance of sun and especially humid heat in the Deep South that renders me rather spunky on a cloudy, drizzly day.
One misty moisty morning,
When cloudy was the weather,
I chanced to meet an old man,
Clothed all in leather.
He began to compliment
And I began to grin.
How do you do? And how do you do?
And how do you do again?
-Old Mother Goose
~Lost and Found~
I recently rekindled an interest in a barely used, bulky kitchen appliance that's been stashed in the outermost cabinet of my kitchen. You know, the dungeon cabinets they construct over refrigerator slots that are totally inaccessible without tapping into our risky childhood cabinet climbing days. 😅
I can't remember what possessed me to think of my old breadmaking machine, much less pull a Cirque- Du-Soleil-acrobatic-performance and pull it down; nevertheless, it just so happens I'm more nimble than my newly rickety knees have me thinking and I've not only safely secured it and my two feet back on the ground but...
I've been baking up a storm!
Today, I used my breadmaker to bake, not one but, two loaves of fresh raisin bread! Why two you ask? Apparently some of the included recipes are as finicky as my toddlers dinner-time appetite and, let's just say, the first loaf *included* raisins in some form or fashion. Whether said raisins were incorporated into the bread or just stuck like a concrete wall to the bottom remains to be shared. 😬
For my second loaf I added a little more liquid and tossed the raisins in much sooner and it turned out beautifully!
I'm excited to try dinner rolls and pizza dough next! I look forward to sharing with you my newest baking creations.
~It's a Steal Not a Deal~
Recently I've been on an antiquing and thrifting kick. A few years ago I had all but given up on thrifting as I began to notice the prices soaring at my local stores. I wrote a blog entry where you can read more on that here.
I started following an influencer on Instagram who used to work for Martha Stewart and decorates her home in an aesthetic that I am fond of. One day, on her stories, she shared a classic houndstooth coat she discovered at her local Goodwill. For some reason, even though it's been years since I've thrifted, seeing that instantly gave me the urge to treasure hunt.
Below I am sharing with you the treasures I found on my most recent thrift trip.
First up is this quaint Christmas tree skirt. I plan to use it under my 'natural' tree complete with dried orange slices and a popcorn, berry garland. I think a little set of woodland animal ornaments would be adorable on it. I hadn't even planned the theme of this tree prior to seeing this skirt but once I saw it, thoughts of an old tyme Christmas came to me. I adore the quilted look, the bright embroidery with scallop details and the cheery floral print.
Old tyme Christmas tree skirt thrifted for under $5. In true cat style, ours has already claimed his stake and regards this as "his" now. 🙃
My next find I saw at the store, left it on the shelves and then went back for the next day! I was apprehensive that perhaps someone had purchased it but they were still sitting there in the same spot I first spied them. This is a true sign of something you want, whenever you leave it alone and you find yourself still thinking about it.
This set of Christmas dishes are inspired by the Spode design and it emanates that same old tyme Christmas charm. I'm seeing this becoming a pattern in my decor taste this season.
These whimsical Spode inspired Christmas plates bring back fond memories of childhood Christmases. Pictured above: Plates, saucers, bowls serving set for 4 that I thrifted for under $10.
Finally, I found this endearing pastel blue artwork for my son's room for a grand total of $1! Perfect for a little boy's nursery and it goes well with my classic, American theme.
Sweet, Americana pastel blue print featuring a sailor teddy bear and sailboats for the nursery thrifted for a steal of a price at $1!
~ Home Sweet Home ~
Indeed, I find the dreariness outside only adds to the sweet refuge of coming home and all of the coziness it has to offer; armchairs envelope you more, beds beckon you more, and a freshly baked treat has a way of releasing an aroma that floods my home with a sweet smell that stirs different emotions in the crisp Fall air than the warmer counterparts of the year.
My home has a warmer ambience in the colder months that creates such an inviting atmosphere. The cooler temps make me cherish certain items that are often overlooked during the summer. I appreciate a fuzzy pair of slippers, the soft glow of candlelight and a steaming cup of tea.
For lunch I whipped up some super simple and indulgent oven prepared chili hot dogs. You simply put hot dog buns with all beef franks in a baking dish and top them with chili. We prefer Hormel with no beans. You can also use homemade chili. Top with cheese and tent aluminum foil over the top of your dish and bake at 375 for thirty minutes. I like relish and onions topped on mine. I love the crispness of the bun when cooked in the oven!
That's all friends! I hope you enjoyed a bit of my daily delights. Fresh baked bread, a successful thrift trip, a hearty meal and an inviting home were some of my daily delights today as well as approximately two million baby kisses. 🥰
It is good to give gratitude for the small things surrounding us. A child's laughter, a good cup of coffee or a cozy cat nap. I encourage you to find beauty in life's simplest moments.
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"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4
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