Happy New Year!

Happy New Year sweet reader friends!  My kids went back to school this week and I am slowly getting back into my normal routine.  I won't lie though, I really miss sleeping in and Monday was hard. I hope that your Christmas was filled with joy and not too much craziness. 

But, now that Christmas is over and the New Year has begun, let's talk about goals.  I really like goals because they give me something to focus and work towards.  Resolutions don't really do that and I am pretty certain that most of them end in failure.  I set goals 3 different ways: daily, seasonally, and yearly.  I believe that long term goals set the stage for the year, and they can, in turn, be divided up into the seasons that progress over the course of the year.  Then, my daily goals are things that I want to accomplish on that certain day.  I will even confess that not everything works out in my timeline.  That's okay.  It's not a sign of failure.  Maybe the vision changed, or maybe we just felt we needed to wait until money opened up for a project (the object is to not go into debt to achieve our goals), or things just got really busy.  Life happens.  We can't feel guilty. 

Back in September, I set some Fall goals here, so let's chat about that. 

My fall goals consisted of:
1.  Lead a group of ladies through the study Open Your Bible, by She Reads Truth/Lifeway.
2.  Paint the ship lap in the bathroom and replace faucets and light.
3.  Finish 2 books.
4.  Work on Jon's quilt
5. Make two baby blankets for gifts
6. Turn 40 (I'm in denial)
7.  Re-organized desk drawers (chaos has arrived!)
8.  Try 3 new recipes
9.  Make coffee sleeves
10.  Restock card supply by working on some of my paper pumpkin boxes I haven't had time for.
11.  Sneak away with the hubby.

I crossed out the things that I did accomplish and obviously I did not get everything done.  It was a busy season and full with soccer and cross country, tagging along with Jon on some of his work things and leading a Bible Study.  I learned a lot about starting that study and I get to do it again this Spring (If you're local, I'd love to have you!). 

I also turned 40.  I am pretty sure there was no way around that one!  Ha ha!  I got to celebrate it in the best way possible. . . around a table full of sweet friends.  I can't tell you how much I love to just sit around a table, whether over a delicious latte or a yummy meal, and connect with people face to face.  It was really a fantastic way to start a new decade of my life!  I won't lie, there was a period of time that I felt incredibly lonely and a lot of lies swarmed my thought life about how I didn't have very many friends.  I know they were lies, because I did have friends and once I put on my brave pants and started asking the ladies in my life if they wanted to have coffee, I knew I was not alone.  They were there all along and I just needed to be brave!  I joke with one of my friends that I should make a shirt that says, "ladies who coffee," because it really is life giving.

Now, let's talk 2020.  

This year we have a few long term goals for the house.  Small projects to kind of finish a few of the rooms, including the bathroom.   I am really excited about some of these things and I'm keeping a lot of them secret until we start to work on them.  But, most of them are basic things like replacing a rug and finding a coffee table to adding some wall art to our bedroom. 

We also have a few adventures lined up including our Summer adventure, which is conquering Southern California and some of the missions down there.  Weston will be going into 4th grade in August, so it's perfect for this season.  As much as we love doing big trips to other states, we live in a pretty diverse and large state that has so many cool things that we can't get to all the time.  This trip will be spent doing a lot of things that we have never done before (Disney is a no on this trip. . . ha ha), or that we did when the boys were little or not even born.  We are so excited! 

My husband turns 40 this year, so there will definitely be some celebrating of that along with our 15th wedding anniversary.  It's definitely going to be a milestone year! 

As far as crafty goals, I really want to finish some things up.  This year, I will be focusing on some quilts and the kids albums (I've been such a slacker with this!).

And then, there's kitchen goals!  I got to try my hand a laminated dough once last year and the result was absolute amazingness!  It's a lot of work, but completely worth it.  So, I that is pretty high on my list and I currently have a croissant recipe bookmarked just a foot away from where I am sitting!  

So, let's break this down even more and talk about what I want to accomplish these next few months of winter.  Bring on the winter season goals:

1.  Make 2 baby blankets.
2.  Finish shelves in the bathroom.
3.  Make some cards.
4.  Make croissants.
5.  Clean out desk drawers.
6.  Clean art closet (Christmas vacation happened!)
7.  Read 2 books.
8.  Go on a adventure.
9.  Plan Weston's birthday party.
10.  Cut out all squares of Jon's quilt and start sewing the top.

I have already started working on one of those and I can't wait to share the results with you!  I am hoping and praying that these next 3 months are productive and fun!

One of the ways, I try to stay on track is by setting weekly and daily goals in my planner.  I use a Day Designer planner that I picked up at my local Target.  I've used this particular one for a few years and I just love it.  It is divided by month and then has pages for each week, divided into long sections for each day.  It's easy for me to set daily goals and even do some journaling, like a memory planner.  (you don't have to spend a ton of money to be organized. . . mine was only $12). 

I hope that you have taken the time to set some goals for yourself for this year.  Maybe it's to paint a room or hang up a picture or even invite someone out for coffee.  Maybe you want to try out that instapot you got out for Christmas or try your hand at making a sourdough starter.  Whatever it is, I would love to pray for you and cheer you on as we embark on this journey of our 2020 goals.  Feel free to share some of yours at the bottom in the comments.

Have a great week! 

Christmas Fun

I am finding it hard to believe that Christmas is in one week.  In between the mad dash of shopping and activities it flew by way to quick!  My boys have fully embraced vacation mode and I am pretty sure they are living in their flannel pajamas!  They have rediscovered the Perler Bead collection and they are making all sorts of cute things.  In fact, as I write this, we are listening to adventures in Odyssey and the boys are creating wonderful things.  It's incredibly peaceful!  Even though my list of things to do is long, I am enjoying these quiet days with my boys at home. 

So, since we are in full blown Christmas mode I thought I might share some of our favorite Christmas traditions and some things that we are really loving right now. In no way, do I want to stress you out y adding more to your plate, but maybe inspire you to slow down and enjoy or even save for next year. 

:: We've been listening to a 3 part Christmas Adventures in Odyssey for free here. We just love Adventures in Odyssey and love that we can listen and work on our projects. 

:: We went on our Christmas Scavenger Hunt last night and had so much fun!  We used this printable that I made a few years back!  All you need is the printable, something to write on, and a flashlight.  Then, just walk around your neighborhood or drive around a crazily decorated neighborhood and keep a look out for the things on our list!  Add hot cocoa and the night is pretty much perfect!  Click here for the link. 

 :: Advent is one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season.  Each evening, after the kids are all snuggly and clean, we take a few minutes and read the Bible.  This year we are doing this set from Kids Read Truth, which we just love!  It looks like they are all sold out, but they have other card sets to do throughout the year and the kids love them!  You can find them here.

:: Blessing our Delivery Drivers is another favorite thing that doesn't take a lot of effort and the reaction from our mail carriers, UPS, and Amazon (of course!) drivers is priceless.  I even have a printable here for your printing needs.  Throw some snacks, waters, and maybe some candy and place it outside and watch your delivery drivers so happy they were loved on after a long day of heavy boxes and driving around town. 

I have a lot other fun things that are Christmas related on the blog.  Here are a few links.
:: Gift Tags
:: Cookie Exchange
::  Door Swag
:: Treat Tags
:: Christmas S'mores Tags

There are also so many baked things I couldn't pick just a few!  Don't forget to check out the tabs at the top of the blog for your baking needs!

Have a Merry Christmas! 





 

reflections on advent

The lateness of Thanksgiving has thrown me for a loop.  My kids had a week off for Thanksgiving, went back to school to finish the last two weeks of the semester, and starting tomorrow at 2:30pm, will be on vacation for 3 weeks.  In no way am I complaining.  The older these kids grow the more I want them home to drink hot cocoa, watch movies, and hang out.  However, the two weeks in between is a constant scurry of Hustle. 

I hate the word Hustle.  The last few years have been filled with marketing attempts to get us (and by us, I mean, us gals) to Hustle.  We need to somehow be Wonder Woman and do it all and then some.  It's a lot of pressure.  The last 10 days have been spent hustling.  I have shopped (both in stores and on Amazon), I have been regularly eating lunch after the kids get home from school, I haven't even finished decorating the house or sent out my Christmas cards.  The more I hustle, the more I feel like I am drowning.  Failing. 

I am pretty sure that's not the way this time leading up to Christmas is supposed to be. 

We need to stop moving so quickly through life trying to do it all that we miss out on the simple. 


Each evening, my husband, kids and I gather in our living room.  There is no TV, just Alexa playing some Christmas tunes softly in the background.  The Christmas lights twinkle on the tree and everyone settles in for our time to reflect on Advent.  The kids take turns reading scripture and we talk about it and we get excited for what. . . for who. . . is coming.  There may or may not be the occasional burp or fart (I live with boys. . . it happens), but there are conversations that move us closer to the day in which we celebrate the birth of our Savior. 

Douglas McKelvey wrote in Every Moment Holy, "As we decorate our tree, and as we feast and laugh and sing together, we are rehearsing our coming joy!  We are making ready to receive the one who has already, with open arms, received us! We would prepare you room here in our hearts and here in our home, Lord Christ."

I probably could be doing so many other things during this time, but there is something that happens to my heart as we gather.  I am filled with peace and joy.  I feel rest at the end of a long day sitting and listening to my boys race to find the passage first and then reading it.  The act of slowing down and reflecting on Jesus and why he came brings rest to my weary heart.  My attitude changes.  I end the day reminded that I don't need to do it all.  Those ideas that inspired me can sit on my Pinterest board until next year.  As my body and mind rest, I am filled with joy and anticipation. 

This year's She Reads Truth Advent book has beautiful quilled paper creations woven throughout it.  When describing why they chose paper quilling, they shared how it is a reflective craft that a allows for contemplation and rest.  I have stocked up on crafts for my kids and even have a few quite, slow down projects for myself, I love how we can use that time to be creative and find rest as we ponder they "why" of Advent. 

We need to exchange the Hustle, the urge to do it all, with the simple.  Jesus's birth wasn't even a glamorous event in a 5 star motel, but a simple barn because someone opened their home and gave them shelter.  He was not what most people were looking for, but he gave us the most precious gift of his life so that we could be free. Let's slow down and embrace the Advent season.  Let's fill our hearts with peace and hope.

This Christmas, I am slowing down and finding rest.  I am letting go of the hustle and trading it in for peace and joy that can only come from Christ.  Will you join me?

Travel Backpacks for tweens (and great stocking stuffer ideas!)

 I refused to decorate my house before Thanksgiving.  I just couldn't do it.  Now we're 5 days into December and I am scrambling to get the house decorated and do Christmas shopping and basically all the things before my kids get out NEXT Friday for 3 weeks.  I honestly can't wait til they are off because (hopefully) I will be done with everything so we can just savor the time together and do Christmas crafts (thanks Hobby Lobby and JoAnns!), drink hot cocoa, and watch all the Christmas movies. That's probably wishful thinking, but I am sure going to try.  It's not every day where we get so many days BEFORE Christmas and I am so excited!   I also managed to not blog the last few weeks because I took a little staycation to celebrate my 40th birthday (I'll talk about that next week) and then the kids were off for a week, and then we all got nasty head colds.  Minus the head cold part, it's been great!

When most blogs are posting about their current Christmas crafts, food and decor, here I am reminiscing about our big summer adventure.  Maybe it's my way of procrastinating.  Or maybe it's because I might (just maybe) be able to tie this little post to Christmas.  I think I can, so I am going to do it. 

 This past July, we went on what may have been our biggest adventure to date.  It was great adventure and hopefully I will get that blogged soon.  This year, we took on Washington D.C., Philly, and Baltimore.  But, before we could take on those cities, we had to spend a lot of time in airports and on a couple of airplanes.  It's a lot of time for anyone to sit, especially 8 and 10 year old boys!  Every year, I always buy some new activities for their backpacks that they get to see once they get to the airport.  It's kind of like Christmas morning! (see. . . . Christmas!).  Almost everything is brand new so they aren't already bored of them when we get on the plane.  A lot of these activities fit very nicely into most stockings, so I thought it would be great to save this post for now. 

Also, buying for pre-teens is hard.  (Any suggestions for a soccer loving 11 year old are gladly welcomed!), so I thought I would share these because they were all big hits! 

Let's start with Weston.  He's 8 1/2 and loves Minecraft.  You might notice a theme (this is one of those times I could insert a laughing or winking emoji right now. . . so just pretend).

I made each of the boys notebook holders with places for colored pencils (when we aren't traveling, they stay in the car and are perfect for short trips or appointments!).  Both boys also have a travel journal to keep track of our adventures (I'll be honest, we we did so much on this trip that sitting and sleeping was all we wanted to do when we got back to our hotel each day).

3D geometric magnet blocks, Minecraft Uno, Minecraft activity book, Melissa and Doug Detective book, Oragami kit, and a fun coloring book that connects to your phone by Crayola.

Not shown are Plus Plus blocks which are so much fun!  He built the Lunar Lander on this trip and then it turned into robots and other fun creations! 

He also had ear buds and his kindle which I downloaded a few books for him to read from our local library's kindle collection.  He also had Spiderman into the Spiderverse downloaded, too. 

Now for Ethan.  Honestly, he was a little bit harder.  (Weston has tangible things that he likes and some of the things Ethan loved at 8 so I just bought them again and crossed my fingers he'd like them. . . he did!) 

 Ethan had his notebook, a travel journal (a moleskin journal with washi tape and fun pens), coloring books, Plus Plus blocks, markers, games, Scratch Art, and probably the biggest hit was Kandoodle. He was determined to finish all the challenges. . . he hasn't yet, but I am sure after next year's trip he might! 

He also had his Kindle Fire with books downloaded and a movie (But, our planes had great movies to pick, so I am pretty sure he watched Captain America and Captain Marvel as much as he could! 

I tried avoiding buying tangible books because they are heavy, but we ended up with one each, because my boys would rather read a book with pages than digitally and this Treasure Hunters book came out the week before we left and it tied right in with our trip and we couldn't download it.  Weston was obsessed with going to the White House and after visiting the Archives on our second day he begged for this What Was the White House book at the gift shop.  It went every where we did in D.C. (good thing I had my back pack).  It even had a map, so he would try to help is navigate the streets.  He even read while we Ubered from one side of the town to the other and when we were taking breaks.  So, if you need to know anything about the White House. . . he's your man!

Here's a link to last year's back packs for more ideas!

Also, the great thing about all these things is that we have an old backpack that stays packed with various activities so that we can just grab it for soccer practices and quick beach trips!  None of this stuff gets forgotten about when we get home!

I hope this helps you in some way, whether planning a family trip or even trying to stuff a stocking full of fun. 

And really, if you have any more tween boy ideas, please, please comment below! 

What's For Dinner {Oct. 2019}

I'm finding myself super distracted today.  I just want to run outside and hear the leaves crunching at my feet before the yard people come and get rid of them tomorrow.  The neighborhood ginkgo trees are finally starting to turn from green to golden yellow.  I am in fall heaven (minus the fact that Ethan's soccer game was a balmy 81 degrees yesterday afternoon! No thank you!).  I am also distracted by all this Frozen 2 propaganda. . . and the music.  Apple Music just added Panic! At the Disco's "Into the Unknown" and it's playing non stop over here!   And then, Disney +. . . I just don't know where to start.  It's amazing!

But, before we go any farther into this post, stop what you are doing and go watch this.  Yes, join me on the ultimate get distracted train.  No judgement here . . I promise! 

Okay, so now that that's done.  Let me try to focus.  If you are new here, one of my favorite things to do is share inspiration for family friendly dinners.  These are meals that we cooked during the previous month that were big hits.  Some come from recipes found in cookbooks, but most often, they are from that wonderful internet resource we like to call Pinterest.  Dinners are incredibly important to our family because it's where we connect at the end of the day.  As the kids are getting older, it's one of the only times we are all in one place at one time. . . most of the time.  Plus, eating out all the time is not cost effective and not healthy.  Some night's we eat on the soccer field while Ethan practices, some night's we all need a few minutes so we move to the living room and watch some tv together.  As much as we can, we are spending time together, and eating a delicious meal is something that we all enjoy.

So, here are a few of our favorite meals from October:

Chicken Tortilla Soup

  Link here or this cookbook

It's fall.  Kind of.  I am pretty sure when I made this recipe last month, if actually felt like fall for a week.  This is my go-to recipe for Chicken tortilla soup.  It's super easy especially since I skip the chicken part and throw in some Costco rotisserie chicken to save time.  Also, sauteed the veggies and dumped them in the crockpot and poured the ingredients in and said, "See Ya later!".  Easy Peazy!  I love recipes that are super adaptable! This recipe also makes quite a bit so you might even have a 2 ngihter or even a 3 nighter on your hands.  Raise your hands if you want a night or two off!!! Also, I have frozen leftovers of this soup and it tastes just as good a month or two later. . . just toss in your crockpot and dinner is cooked.  So really, this recipe is amazing and keeps on giving! 

Carne Asada Street Tacos

Link Here

Carne assada street tacos are pretty much my favorite.  There's a great place in town that make amazing tacos that my BFF and I claim non other can compare to.  But, this recipe, is so flavorful that it comes pretty close!  The carne asada steaks marinade in a super simple marinade for a couple of hours and then they grill super quick since they are so thinly sliced.  The ingredients are super simple, just some onion, and cilantro, (we skip the cheese) and maybe a dollup of homemade guac.   This one was another two-nighter and maybe an extra lunch for me. Weston hasn't quite gotten on board with tacos (I am sure he will at some point, as his taste buds continue to mature), but it's easy to just whip up a few quesadilla's and everyone is happy! 

Pumpkin Chili

Link here

Can you tell I was in the soup kind of mood?  I follow Bri McCoy on Insta and she is just a doll!  Even though I am not a Kambucha fan, I watched her show how to make it because she is a blast!  She's one of those writers/instagrammers I would love to just sit down and chat with.  So, when she was talking about her Pumpkin Chili I decided that's what we needed!  I had most of the ingredients, and it was October, so yes, please on the pumpkin!  I didn't have a pumpkin beer, but we used a Barrel House Sunny Days and it was amazing!  This recipe lasted two nights and I am seriously loving the fact that all the recipes I shared provide you with nights where you don't have to cook (win win!). 

Sweet Potato Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
 I don't  have a picture for this one because this one is sort of a mash up of recipes.  There are a ton of paleo/whole 30 recipes out there for sloppy joes, but I really love the Pioneer Woman's recipe.  It's super simple and quick to make.  It's in the same cook book I linked up with the chicken tortilla soup, if you need anymore reason to buy that cookbook.  Or you can find the online version here. And since, we aren't eating as much bread, we are finding we really love stuffing baked sweet potatoes (or as my husband reminds me YAMS) with pretty much everything.  And the baking of the sweet potatoes is my favorite, but in a pinch you can microwave them super quick and they are just as good!

So, that's a wrap up of some of the worthy to note recipes of October.  I hope I didn't make you super hungry as you read this. . . I would love to hear back from you about if you've tried any of these or even if you have a recipe that you think should make it onto our November edition of this post.  Either way, I love your feedback! 

Feel free to check out more inspiration over on my instagram feed here and on my Pinterest food board here. 

Happy Cooking! 

Sprinkle Cupcakes

 It's Friday.  Let's all pause right now and do a happy dance because we made it through we week and Halloween!

Now, let's drool over these cupcakes.  They are just perfect!  And really, REALLY delicious. 

I have a confession to make.   It took me 6 months to make my husband's birthday cake.

Yep.  That's real wife of the year stuff, right here.  Ha Ha!  His birthday was last March and only last month did I finally make his cake.  (Jon, if you are reading this, I am really, really very sorry).  Things got really busy last Spring and it just didn't happen, but I did get it made and it was wonderful!  Jon had picked out a recipe from the Bake from Scratch Cakes edition that came out back in February and it was one that I new had to have some adjustments, because it was layer cake with ice cream.

Jon's favorite cake has always been a classic Funfetti cake.  I mean, you can't go wrong.  Even the boxed mixes are good (but I highly recommend trying a made from scratch version because they just up the ante so much more).  A few years ago, I made this one from Baked Bree and it was delicious!  Things started to get really fun when Jon started watching shows like Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes and now I think he just likes to give me a challenge.

I mentioned earlier that this recipe was originally part of an ice cream cake and since only half of our family can have dairy free ice cream and dairy free ice cream comes in pints. . . and are not the cheapest things!  Plus, I hadn't found a coconut based strawberry ice cream that I liked. . . until the day I made this (side note: Oatly strawberry ice cream is seriously the best thing ever. . . even my husband thinks it's wonderful!).   I took the main part of the recipe and made cupcakes and made Jon's extra special which I will add down below. 

Just looking at these pictures is making me so hungry for a cupcake!  The had the most perfect texture and flavor that I am so glad I froze some to keep on hand for special treats!  Best Idea Ever!

So, while I debate whether or not to get some out for dessert tonight (It's Friday!!), let me leave you with the recipe so you can enjoy some too!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

 Sprinkle Cupcakes
adapted from Bake from Scratch, 20019

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk, plus 1 tbsp vinegar (mix together and let sit for 5 minutes so it has a chance to curdle before using)
1/2 cup colored sprinkles
8 large egg whites

Directions: 
In your stand mixer, cream butter, sugar, vanilla, and almond until nice and fluffy.  Add cake flour, baking powder, and salt alternately with milk and vinegar mixture.  Beat only until just combined.  Fold in sprinkles.  Pour mixture into another bowl and set aside.  Clean the stand mixer bowl. 

In your clean stand mixer bowl and your whisk attatchment, beat together egg whites until stiff peaks form.  This video is really helpful for making sure you have stiff peaks, but basically when you pull your beaters the egg whites should stand up and be a little glossy.

Using a spatula, slowly fold in stiff egg whites into the batter.

Line muffin tin with liners and fill each one 2/3 of the way full.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Buttercream frosting
1 cup of butter, whipped until smooth
3-4 cups frosting
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract

Beat together butter until smooth.  Slowly add in powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract.  Beat until smooth and creamy.

Pipe or spread onto cupcakes.
Top with sprinkles.

Take it up a notch:
Once cupcakes and frosting are make, take out a small mason jar.
Unwrap a cupcake and cut in half.  Pipe a bit of frosting at the bottom of the jar and place the bottom half of cupcake on top of the frosting.  Take a scoop of strawberry ice cream and put on top of cupcake half.  Then top with the other half of the cupcake.  Top with piped frosting and sprinkle with sprinkles.

Note:  These freeze really well.  There was no way we could eat them all, so we froze them and take out a few every now and then when we need a treat.  They pair really well with some Miss Jones Baking Co. pouches of dairy free frosting I found at Whole Foods! 

Enjoy!

Around the Home {Fall Edition}

 Fall is quite possibly my most favorite time of the year.  It's gorgeous!  I mean, you can't walk past any tree noticing the vibrant fall colors.  That rusty red, orange, and yellow just get me all warm and fuzzy!  Plus, all I want to do is bake some pumpkin-y treats and take them to everybody!  My husband and I have been savouring the Pumpkin lattes from our favorite local coffee shop (lattes made with actual pumpkin are wear it's really at!).  And this week, I finally got to bundle up in my jacket. . . at least for a little bit!  Fall is here and I am thrilled!  (Can you tell?)

I'm pretty sure that decorating for fall is one of my favorite ways to decorate.  I try to get Fall out early September and it stays up through Thanksgiving. . . until it is replaced with Christmas.  While Halloween is not my favorite, fall is.  Over the past few years, I have been drawn to more neutral colors and it just makes my heart happy.  They are just so calming, especially when you just want to drink a latte and curl up with a good book and watch the the tree rain down tiny leaves (this just started and I am jumping up and down because it is so much fun. . . I am seriously like an excited 4 year old on her way to Disneyland when it comes to fall!).  

In honor of it finally looking like Fall and the fact that tomorrow is Halloween, I thought that this was the perfect time to write a new series on my blog called "Around the Home."  This way, I can show you so me easy ideas to decorate for seasons, or share something new that I've done or even some tips that might inspire you. 

When I decorate, I really don't want it to look like a muesum.  My goal is that when people walk into our house, they feel like they are home.  I want my family, as well as our guests, to feel like they are walking into a place of peace, a place they is comfortable, and a place where they feel welcome and loved.  Sometimes the reality of is that life happens, people live here, and we need to function as well as be welcoming.  Because we are real people living in a real house, you might find a laundry basket or random toys, or even the vacuum out.  Oops! 

 Several years ago, I bought a couple of these plants (fake) from Ikea and they make there way throughout the house depending on my mood.  While, I've been working on trying to be a plant mom to real plants (I'll talk about that another day), the soft green of these plants is really quite wonderful.  Plus, they don't look like plastic and even feel a bit fuzzy, which is great!  They really fit nicely into my neutral color scheme.  I needed something for this end table, since it sits in a weird spot where a lamp cannot go.  So, a galvalized charger, the plant, some white baby pumpkins and some decorative balls I have from my stash made the perfect little area.  There's still room, for me to throw down a latte and sit in the comfy chair next to it and read a good book. 

 This little cabinet sits in our back room just before you head into the kitchen.  It's so much fun to style with the changing seasons.  Several years back, I did a lot of printing on burlap (until it started messing with our printer and then I stopped. . . ha ha!).  But, this Gather print is one of my favorites that I created and burlap just fits perfectly with my neutral colors.  I grabbed a pitcher/vase that I found on clearance last year and through some cotton stems that I keep in my decor stash and then through one of my neutral pumpkins to even it out.  Please note the stack of soccer cards. . . or maybe Pokemon cards also laying there.  See, we live here. 

 Our fireplace needed some serious TLC this last month.  Toys, soccer uniform pieces, books. . . they were starting to accumulate around our fireplace.  Our fireplace that I am not a fan of.  Technically, they are illegal and we can't even use it.  I am hoping that we get to replace it sometime in the next year with a gas fire place where you can enjoy the flame.  Until then, we get to sit here and look at this, so I thought I would make the best of it.  I found this basket on sale at target and spontaneously bought it and stuffed it with some coordinating throw pillows I had laying around and picked up 2 Cinederella pumpkins at Trader Joes.  On top of it, I found a tobacco basket from the dollar spot at Target ($5) and filled it with one of my plant babies and a gingham pumpkin that is from my stash of decor.  I love how simple it is and even more, we've been able to keep the clutter that tends to accumulate there because there is now something purposefully put there.  It's a win win!

 My hutch is probably my most favorite thing to decorate and is probably my biggest reason I decorate for the seasons.  Once again, loving the neutral fall colors, the real baby pumpkins, burlap pumpkins, and a few signs.  This year, I changed things up a little bit by adding a small tobacco basket (Target dollar spot for the win. . . again!) and then knew at once I needed something to fill it and found this white wooden wreath (Hobby Lobby) that wedged itself right in.

 And a little sneak peak into the glass shelves. . .

 So, that's my fall decor.  There are a few more random neutral pumpkins floating around on a few shelves and a stack of baby pumpkins that I didn't take a picture of.  I really don't spend a lot of money to do it.  Some things, I made myself and others I slowly bought.  The cotton, some of the balls, letterboard, and some frames are all things that get reused season after season.  All the pumpkins and specifically Fall decor get to live in a rubbermaid container in the garage, but only one container.  My goal is to keep the decor simple and low cost!  Don't go out and spend a fortune buying a bunch of stuff.  Shop your house before you do anything.  Surf Pinterest to see if there's something you can create without breaking the bank.  Then keep your eye out for Target Dollar Spot finds and Hobby Lobby sales. 

Have a happy Day!