The Best Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs on a deviled egg plate with bunny salt and pepper shakers in the middle and roses on the side

This is my mother’s recipe, and everyone always says they are the best deviled eggs they have ever had. They are savory and get a spicy kick of flavor from a special ingredient! Welcome to the Virtual Book Club—Culinary Version. I join three bloggers during the fourth week of each month to share our interpretation […]

Tips for Planning a Fundraiser Inspired by The Help

A table set for a fundraiser event with roses and crystal.

Welcome to the Virtual Book Club! I join three bloggers during the fourth week of each month to share our interpretation of a different book. On Thursday, we share a home-decor related post and follow on Saturday with a culinary post, both inspired by the month’s book. The Help by Kathryn Stockett If you’ve read […]

Design a New Kitchen Island for a Budget-Friendly Update

Kitchen island update with brown-tone stain and green surrounding cabinets

Replacing your kitchen island is a great way to give your whole kitchen an updated look. Design a new kitchen island for maximum function and new storage. Rethinking the kitchen layout We recently replaced our kitchen island, but we reused the existing island. Let me explain. Our 90s kitchen came with a kitchen desk. The […]

Easy Homemade Beef Stew

Easy beef stew in a soup tureen on a dining room table

This easy homemade beef stew is tasty and makes a great meal for a chilly evening. Welcome to the Virtual Book Club—Culinary Version. I join three bloggers during the fourth week of each month to share our interpretation of a different book. On Thursday, we share a home-decor related post and follow on Saturday with […]

An English Country Bedroom Inspired by Jane Austen’s “Emma”

An English bedroom showing a bed in front of a window with a lace curtain

A English country bedroom inspired by the country house that is the setting for Jane Austen’s Emma. Welcome to the Virtual Book Club! This month’s book is Emma by Jane Austen. Many of the scenes in the book are set in Emma’s English country house. I have chosen to update a guest bedroom inspired by […]

Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake

Chocolate mousse cheesecake on a dessert bar

This decadent chocolate mocha cheesecake combines rich flavors of chocolate and coffee and is infused with a nutty almond taste. Virtual Book Club I’ve joined three blogging friends for a monthly virtual book club. On the fourth Thursday of the month, we share a home-decor post inspired by our book. This month’s selection was Murder […]

Dessert Bar Inspired by the Orient Express

A dessert bar set up on a vintage buffet

Create a vintage-style dessert bar inspired by the luxurious Orient Express of the 1930s. Dinner Club Dessert Bar Are you part of a neighborhood or friends dinner club? My neighborhood has had one for about 30 years. My husband and I joined when we moved to our house 22 years ago. We meet monthly, and […]

Transitioning Christmas Decor to Cozy Winter Decor

Cozy winter decor on a kitchen counter

You can transition your Christmas decor to cozy winter decor to last through the long winter months. How long is your home full-on Christmas? Christmas decor is so warm and cozy. The glow of twinkle lights, the warmth of cozy throws and pillows, the peaceful feel of greens everywhere–all of these elements are tough to […]

DIY Christmas Gift Tags Made From Wrapping Paper

DIY Christmas gift tags attached to gifts

Why buy gift tags when you can create these DIY Christmas gift tags to match your wrapping paper for a beautiful presentation under your tree? When I decided to wrap my gifts this year on a very cold and rainy day, I realized I didn’t have any gift tags that coordinated with my wrapping paper. […]

A Holiday Tour of Five Festive Homes

European farmhouse style kitchen featuring range hood decorated for Christmas

Have you finished you holiday decorating? Maybe you’re hosting a holiday party and you have one last space that needs some holiday cheer. Or, you’re hosting out-of-town family and friends and need some inspiration to create a warm and festive welcome for your guests. Or, maybe, like me, you just love to look at beautiful […]