Let’s chat decorating and fresh summer salads! With all the fresh summer fruit, we can’t get enough of this Burrata Berry Salad Recipe!

Burrata Berry Salad Recipe

And of course, if you make your own Homemade Italian Croutons, this salad is even better!

Plus, I’m sharing our new BLACK & WHITE WALL in our dining room today! [keep reading ….] (more…)

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Just in time for soup season, our family LOVES this Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup!

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Make aheaad in the slow cooker, set it out … they will come! :)

Friends, you probably know by now my love for bringing the outdoors in, for decorating simply. We live in a small home, and our living space (one great room) consists of the kitchen, living room, and dining room. Which is why it’s a “great” room. Not great because it’s large, but great because this is where we live. (more…)

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Happy Monday, friends, I’m working to pull my home together today. In the oven is this Mixed Berry Crumble Recipe, ready for dinner tonight, and a few friends popping over for a quick meal. If you’re a blackberry lover (hand-raised), you may enjoy my Blackberry Crumble Recipe!

Mixed berry crisp

This mixed berry crisp (or crumble … they are pretty much the same thing) makes an 8×8 pan, perfect for 9 small portions.

We’re trying to cut down on our dessert portion size and enjoy a smaller bite. But of course you can always double the recipe if you need to :)

Oh, and if you’re looking for something similar, check out these Blueberry Lemon Crumb Bars (similar to crumble? I’ll take it!), and these Blueberry Cobbler Bars. YUM. (more…)

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There’s nothing quite like welcoming guests with the soft, romantic beauty of fresh peonies. Whether you’re hosting a spring brunch, a backyard dinner, or a simple gathering with friends, these full, fragrant blooms instantly elevate the mood. But to enjoy them at their peak, knowing how to cut and preserve peonies makes all the difference. With just a few simple steps, you can harvest your flowers at the perfect moment, keep them vibrant for days, and create arrangements that feel effortless yet unforgettable. Here’s how to make your peonies last beautifully for entertaining.

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Friends, I’m a big believer that your home says a lot about who you are. For sure, it’s a reflection of your style, no matter what that style is.

It’s even better when it smells good, with a yummy dessert baking in the oven! I think you’ll love this Poppy Seed Cake (or this delicious Strawberry Cream Shortbread Dessert) today! It has a fresh taste of orange, perfect for spring or summer!

Poppy Seed Cake

Our little mountain home is pretty simple. (more…)

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Friends, living over in the high desert now, in central Oregon, we have more access to wood and the great outdoors, so I’m sharing this easy Reclaimed Wood Stump Table.

How to Make a Pottery Barn Reclaimed Wood Stump Table

Last summer, my husband made me the most beautiful, rustic Pottery Barn Reclaimed Wood Stump Table. I’m not sure if you’ve ever priced these out ($299!), but today I’m sharing our DIY instructions How to Make a Pottery Barn Reclaimed Wood Stump Table.

In 10 easy steps!
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(Photo © 2016 Scripps Networks, LLC. Used with permission; all rights reserved.)

Friends, today take a walk through HGTV® Dream Home 2017 with me as I share all the beautiful details of this renovated 1980s home in St. Simons Island, Georgia, plus all the amazing details for your chance to WIN this home!

My recent trip was filled with amazing people, delicious food, and I’m still pinching myself that I was invited to be one of the few to take a peek inside this home, and share it with my readers.

A Walk Through HGTV Dream Home 2017

As we drove through the streets of the peaceful neighborhood on St. Simons Island, surrounded by palm oak trees and wide-open lots, we were all so excited, approaching the HGTV Dream Home, knowing we were going to be getting a full tour from designer Brian Patrick Flynn! (more…)

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Friends, it’s been 101 days since we first tried our Reverie Sleep System! My husband and I have traveled quite a bit this spring, and “our bed” has been quite the conversation, as we’ve both talked of how we couldn’t wait to get home to experience another “great night’s sleep.” Sort of like getting home to a new baby, or even a puppy! :)

101 Restful Nights with Reverie

After 101 restful nights in our new bed, I’m here today to share all the details and some sleeping tips!

With the touch of a button (the remote controls are so easy to use), you control the elevation of your bed so you can sleep, read, watch TV, work on your laptop or relax in comfort.

No need for pillows to prop yourself up! (more…)

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Friends, when’s the last time you had a great night’s sleep, or woke up with your mind, body, and soul feeling rejuvenated? If you’re as busy as Paul and me, it might not be the answer you’d like. I know, because I hear a lot of our friends talking about sleep issues (many talk about snoring), and Paul and I have struggled ourselves with sleep after 25 years of marriage, to find that sweet spot of really great sleep.

Rest is God’s gift to us. It’s the hospitality our body and soul needs in order to be the best that we can be! A good night’s sleep helps us live authentic and connected lives. Since we’re on the go, and both travel quite a bit, with a good night’s sleep, we’re way more productive. Everyone know that when you wake up refreshed, you have much more to give that day!

Since we just got our bed, it’s still very new to us! But we’re enjoying cozying up in our favorite pajamas, getting to know these fantastic Reverie features, with a good book or our favorite telelvision shows, and of course Haggis (our Cairn Terrier) by our side.

We had never heard of Reverie, but have since experienced their outstanding customer service and white glove treatment! Here’s our story!

Placing the order.

We worked with Kevin and Josh to place our custom order. Our experience began with an in-depth phone conversation about our sleep, and what we look for in a bed, talking with a Reverie consultant. From there, they helped us customize a bed and experience that would be best for us.

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Awhile back our friends visited us from Portland and my friend, Steph, whipped up a pan of these delicious Caramelized Shallot Bacon Brussels Sprouts. Since then they’ve been a family favorite!

I was thinking for a Valentine’s dinner, I’d love to make Mini Beef Wellingtons (check out this quick video), plus this side dish which would pair well with the “minis”, plus I’d serve a beautiful green salad! This doesn’t mean it has to be a gigantic dinner party, this recipe today would be a great dish for 2 (just cut the recipe in half).

My home in February

I’ve really been ejoying our home these days. I’m not sure if it’s the vast array of windows, soaking in all the light and sunshine, the fact that our son is living with us for a season (playing lots of piano), the pets are arround me–our home is a place of safety, love, a haven.

Oh, and of course it’s even better when there’s good food cooking, or we have friends around our table! (more…)

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