Café Chocolat

If you've been visiting me very long, you remember that I plan Women's Ministries events throughout the year for the ladies of our church. Again, I am in the middle of planning our Spring Retreat which is coming earlier rather than later. We are kind of excited about the details (which I love) of pulling this together.  

Because of the success of last years' retreat which was a kit by Group Publishing called Cozy Mountain Lodge, we decided to use a similar kit for this year. Our ladies loved the interaction with women they didn't know as well. We love to treat our ladies well and the details were no exception.  You can find my post about the 2013 retreat which we named Spring Mountain Lodge here.  This year the theme is Café Chocolat with a message on God's Grace.  

We are going to make our multi-purpose room look like a café as much as possible.  Here are some of our inspiration pictures.

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Fun stuff, isn't it? I'll let you know how it goes.  

Final Prep, 5 Days and Counting

It rained today. Which is a big deal around here. There were several major accidents to show for it. I stayed home most of the day baking and wrapping presents. I made Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cakes. The idea is to be able to put some in the freezer and thereby not inhale the entire cake in a couple of days. I found this beautiful picture which I thought was a mini, but alas, it's full sized. It's still a beautiful red velvet cake, don't you think?

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Can you tell that I was a little overzealous on the first batch? I got carried away, I guess. That's what happens when you only use the pan once a year.

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Look at this masterpiece of gorgeousness.  The recipes are included in the post, along with the stunning photography.

I also wrapped presents today. And yesterday. And the day before. Are you finished? Have you seen all the beautiful wrapping on Pinterest or Blogland? I have serious wrapping envy. Some of mine are cute, I have to admit. But, in the end, they just get torn up and thrown away. All that effort, poof!  Well, I don't let it all get thrown away. I'm a saver when it comes to cute tags and bows. 

If you buy gift cards for Christmas, you can still wrap them in a cute way. I've discovered this pdf from Paper Source. I couldn't find it on their website, but found it when I did a Google search. The first thing on it is a template for a pillow box. They are easy to make with your printer and cute Christmas scrapbook paper. I made the cutest ones for my Girlfriend Gifts and totally forgot to take picture of them. So sad.  If you'd like more wrapping inspiration, check out my Pinterest board.  It's fun stuff, I promise.

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This is a unique idea, and so simple.

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This is a tutorial to make these tiny pillow boxes (like I mentioned earlier) but out of toilet paper rolls! Now that's resourceful. Well, I hope you're enjoying the many details of Christmas and not getting too bogged down by it all. Keep in mind that we're celebrating the Greatest Gift of all, Jesus Christ. He'd want us to focus on that. If you would like a resource for Advent, Edie is doing a series over at Life in Grace. Here is another series at Good Morning Girls. I've got something fun going on in the middle of all this preparation.  I'll share it soon!

Copy Cat Christmas Ornaments

I'm participating in Debbiedoo's Holiday Knock-off Party tonight.

Last Friday I went to Matilda's Mouse, our once-a-month antique barn sale in the area.  My girlfriend's and I LOVE to check out their latest finds.  I was specifically searching for tiny salt and pepper shakers in order to copy these adorable Pinterest ornaments for my kitchen tree.

Source: etsy.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: michlinla.com via Karen on Pinterest

I found a set of four salt and pepper shakers and whipped up the quick little project.

 I think they might need some glitter inside them.  I have one more to do, so we'll see how they end up.

Simple, Beautiful Fall

Source: sophiasdecor.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

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I really want to make one of these troughs. I like the rustic one the best. Aren't they a great idea?

{The Inspired Room}

Source: sunset.com via Karen on Pinterest

Or maybe I just need want a plank.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: clivenichols.com via Karen on Pinterest

The bounty of Fall is Beautiful, isn't it?

Couch Creativity

I have been watching the Olympics pretty much every evening.  Have you? I love it all. While sitting I've been working on little projects.  I showed you my pretty stack of Liberty of London fabrics a few days ago. I wanted to use some of them similarly to Purl Soho's display that has been all over the internet and Pinterest.  I made these using some old embroidery hoops.

I put them above my sewing table. Sorry, it's a very dark room.

                                      This arrangement might need to be perfected.

 I also doodled a little motivational message to myself.

After seeing some redwork that Charlotte Lyons posted on Instagram, I pulled out an old project to finally finish.  

I'm feeling productive! 

Cravings

Source: kalynskitchen.com via Karen on Pinterest

                                              Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms

Source: savorysweetlife.com via Karen on Pinterest

                                                  Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad

Source: eatingwell.com via Karen on Pinterest

                                           Five Spice Turkey and Lettuce Wraps

Source: apronstringsblog.com via Karen on Pinterest

                                                    Flower Power Eggs

I've started the South Beach Diet this past week.  It's first two weeks are crazy strict in order to get some initial quick weight loss and get rid of sugar and starch cravings.  That has worked very well and I can already see good progress. It's very healthy eating, with lean protein and vegetables.  So, the food in the above photographs would fit right into this crazy initial Phase 1.  I actually haven't tried these particular recipes.  I did try baked zucchini chips that are on Pinterest.  I wasn't terribly fond of them.  I do, however, like Kale chips. Unfortunately, the things I want to eat are in the following photos. YUM!  I think they will be few and far between in the future.  But, I can "pin" luscious recipes.  I think it's going to take a little longer to get rid of these cravings.  

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Karen on Pinterest

                          Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken, Goat Cheese and Rosemary

Source: howsweeteats.com via Karen on Pinterest

                                  Fresh Cherry and Dark Chocolate Chunk Scones 

Source: bakeat350.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

Has anyone else tried the SB Diet? You can follow me on Pinterest and maybe we can share recipes. 

Best of Summer

I've decided to do an occasional post called Best of Summer. It will just be random, when the mood strikes. I know, exciting stuff, huh? Gripping really. 

Don't you just love the farmer's market?  I love getting fresh fruit and vegetables during the summer.  We get fresh produce all year round here in SoCal, but the summer is the best! Look at these gorgeous cherries! I mean, who doesn't like a beautiful, fresh cherry? Okay, well, probably somebody. 

I also bought flowers for my Fourth decorations, obviously. These were your pretty standard grocery store type flower bundles.  Doesn't everyone grow dark purple daisies in their yard? They work really well for Independence Day. Maybe I should've bought the gorgeous delphiniums at a different booth.

Berries are my favorite. I've been eating a lot of them lately. I wish they'd stay in season FOREVER.  But then maybe we wouldn't treasure them so much.  I bought extra to make this trifle for our church BBQ. I found it here on Pinterest, big surprise.

 It was half gone by the time I got through the line.

I also played with my mantle a little. I pulled out my PB galvanized stars, flags and my Statue of Liberty. Confession: I didn't really get her while visiting NYC. I've never seen her in person. But, if I had, I certainly would have come home with a little statue, most definitely. Just saying that Ebay is very handy, maybe too handy.

 My HH has books that are perfect for the occasion.

 Two weeks ago I came home from my parents' with this clock that was my Great Grandmother's.
I propped George Washington and Ben Franklin next to it. They feel right at home.

For some reason, I find it difficult to take a good picture of this mantle.  It's probably because of the reflection in the mirror. Hopefully, you get the idea.  I hope your Fourth of July festivities are safe and happy ones! Fourth of July and the farmer's market are some of the BEST things of summer!

I'm joining Hello Monday with Lisa Leonard for the first time!