Merry Christmas!

A new little blessing arrived last night.

I am a Great-Aunt to this beautiful baby girl.

Welcome to the world Miss Olivia.

Mom and baby are doing well.

I will be spending time with family the next several days.

I hope that each one of you enjoy Christmas with those you love and know that love wrapped up is the very BEST gift of all.



"Fake" Apple Dumplings

These are SUPER Easy and Oh So Yummy!

Yet they taste like you slaved over a hot oven, but there is really not much prep work.

That's why I am calling these FAKE Apple Dumplings. ;-)

Here is what you will need:

2 (8 count) cans crescent rolls

3 or 4 tart apples (I used 3 Granny Smith)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 (12 oz) can of Mountain Dew or Sprite soda

1 - Spray a 13x9 baking dish or pan

2 - Peel and slice apples into 16 pieces

3 - Roll each apple slice in 1 section of the crescent roll

4 - Place rolled slices in pan in two rows, put extras along side.

5 - Melt butter pour over rolls

6 - Mix together sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over rolls

7 - Pour can of soda over all

8 - Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Would be amazing served with vanilla ice cream.  The top bakes crunchy.

Delicious hot, but not bad at room temp either.  So perfect for a gathering or social.

Did I mention easy? ;-)

I baked these up for one of our family Christmas gatherings this past weekend.

It was still very warm when served and received rave reviews from the family taste testers.

This will be my new 'go to' whip out a dessert for dinner or get together.

What are you baking up this week?

I will be sharing this on a few of the great weekly blog link parties, check them out under my blog party tabs (food, crafts, makeovers and more inspiration!).

Feeling Frazzled?

5 days left til Christmas!

Are you feeling a bit frazzled?  Trying to get it ALL done?

Well, let's not get our tinsel in a tangle!

Do less, enjoy more.

Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy the little moments.

Because those you hold dear may not remember the gift you give, but they will remember HOW you made them feel.

Yesterday we had the first of our Christmas dinners.

I spent time with wonderful family and friends, along with eating way too much delicious food.

And this teenager....

My beautiful baby girl.  Who is now 19.

The moments pass by so quickly.

I want to enjoy them.  Even if it means slowing down and allowing the laundry to wait another day.

The spirit of Christmas is alive in the eyes of a child.

So we picked up my 3 year old nephew for an impromptu spend the night 'party'.

When I 'should' be finishing up some gifts I am making, wrapping and baking.

Who could resist this instead?

We ate leftovers; then snuggled up in the bed to watch cartoons.

Slept in.

Angelic.
Oh that on his hand? Fingernail polish compliments of his older sister.
This evening after we dropped off our bundle of energy; I did finish 3 loads of laundry, whipped out two snacks for the office tomorrow....Chex Muddy Buddies and pinwheels,

plus I cranked out 5 quick and easy gifts for my co-workers.

All done without feeling the stress!
I still have gifts to wrap, a few to craft and a cake to bake...but there is still time.
How are you feeling with 5 days left til Christmas?
Is your tinsel all tangled?

Thrifty Gift for Anyone on Your List

I love making neat gifts for the people on my list: family, friends and co-workers.

These would also be a great little gift for a teacher, pastor and teens.

I employ student assistants in my office at the University. And each received...

Book 'thongs' (or bookmarks).

This nifty gift is usable, thrifty, easy, quick and you can make it to match personalities.

Here is what you need to whip out one for any reader on your list:

A book - to measure the length.

Psst - I ended up not needing to use the needles

Waxed Linen cord ($1.99 from Hobby Lobby)

Beads (tube and other assorted sizes)

A charm (for each book thong: pick one to match the person)

I also plan to use a few sea shells on the bottom of mine, in place of charms.

Scissors

Clear nail polish

First - measure the cord in a book, leaving extra to thread your beads and for knots to hold the beads in place, along with the charm on the end.

2.  Tie your selected charm on the end of the cord.

3. 'Seal' the knot with your clear nail polish.

4. Add assorted beads.

5. Tie a knot at the top of this beaded line to hold the beads in place.

6. Nail polish the knot.

7.  Add more beads to the other end of the cord.

8.  Tie a knot under the beads to hold at the 'top' part of the cord.  Don't forget to measure this section in your book.

9. Nail polish the knot and cut off excess cord.

Seriously it's really easy and they are fast to make!

Pair with a new book, gift card to a bookstore or do what I did for my students;

insert them in a Christmas card with a personal message.

I used wooden beads on the guy gifts.  A bit more 'manly'.

What homemade gifts are you making this year?

Linking in to various crafty blog parties this week, see the links in my blog party tab at the top of my page.

The Roop House decor details

Yesterday, we toured the historic Roop House.  You can view the beautiful rooms, HERE.

Now I want to share a closer look at many of the decorating details inside the home.

"The home is furnished with items found in the process of refurbishing, items donated by members of the community and actual family members that still hold fond memories of life at the Roop House."

 ~The Roopville Archives & Historical Society

I love old trunks and they have several in this restored home.

A mixed vignette on top of this one.

Another set of trunks in the downstairs bedroom, ready for a picnic.

On the enclosed back porch is this amazing old table.

An old coat rack holds a wreath on the porch.

Just outside the kitchen door hangs,

an adorable 'Santa' apron.

I loved this arrangement in the kitchen,

above the frig.

Another great vignette on a dining room side table.

This perfect coffee station corner is in the kitchen.  The chair and picture suit it.

If you want to see the wall to wall china cabinet, check out yesterday's post.

I fell in love with the sun porch, it's chippy painted flooring, worn table and yesteryear cushions.

In the sun room is also this old simple hutch shelf,

full of old chicken decor items.

Beautiful arrangements were throughout the house.

My previous post had a side photo of the gorgeous mantle in the office.

Here is the full view...

I hope you've enjoyed the closer look inside this grand southern home.

A Fall view of the Roop House



Christmas Roop House Tour

Welcome to my online tour of the beautifully restored historic Roop House.
Click on the photos to get a closer peek!

Come up on the porch.

A small sleigh filled with gifts greets guests, along with fresh greenery and bows.

A huge traditional wreath adorns the front door.

Doesn't the lace look so dainty and southern behind the door?

Let's go in, shall we?

I love the colors in this home.  The white wooden staircase in contrast with rich wood floors.

On the right is the large family room, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

See the wintry painting on the wall?  Love it!
There are two mantles in the Roop House, this one is done simply with lots of greenery.

The main room has been opened up for entertaining.
You can rent this spectacular house for special occasions and events.

Wood floors, that old trunk.  Beautiful!
The next room is a first floor bedroom.

Another trunk that I love, with a small old fan! Plus a vintage bedspread.
At the top of the second floor, a smaller tree.

Can I say again, how much I just love the wood flooring? ;-)

One of the upstairs bedrooms.

Oh look, you left me a gift...really, you shouldn't have!

There is also a lavish bathroom on the second floor. 

The large gold mirror would be perfect for getting all dressed up.

The NEATEST thing is this 'seat cover' added over the bathtub. 

Back downstairs, we find ourselves in a totally modernized kitchen.

Because there were other visitors in the house, I didn't squeal when I saw this wall to wall china cabinet.

  I know you are ouuuing and ahhing!  Try not to drool on your computer.

An elegant dining room, complete with goodies for the Open House Tour.

This enclosed back porch runs the full length of the home.

Isn't it Amazing?!

This adorable sun porch is just off the kitchen on the front side of the house.

The last room downstairs is a beautiful office.

With another fully decked out holiday fireplace.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of this magnificent home in a tiny southern town. 

If you want to see close up details of the decor, be sure to visit THIS post!

I will be sharing in these great Holiday blog parties:

The Stories of A2Z - Christmas Porch Party

Hooked on Houses - Holiday House Tours

Vintage Christmas at Common Ground

Open House at Coastal Charm

Christmas Cheer Challenge at Perfectly Imperfect