Happy Halloween!

 10.31.13- 

  

Wanted to introduce you to the newest member of our family.... Count Pumpcula! He was carved out of my husband's state winning 1,238 lb. pumpkin by our talented friend, Zach.  Seriously, in awe of his creativity & skills.

-See more of his pumpkin carvings {here}-  

-Isn't he awesome? Took 9 hours to carve- 

The before picture... 

Excited to have the Count welcome all the TRiCK or TReaTERS to our home tonight.  

Have you all have a spooky & safe night! 

{M} 

Winner!!

10.28.13- 

  Happy to announce the WiNNER of the 2 tickets for the Women's Conference going on this Saturday that I'll be speaking at.  Thanks to everyone who entered the Giveaway.  I enjoyed reading your comments.  

CONGrATULATIONS..... 

Nettie, who said- 

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Modern Chic, with a hint of trendy thrown in.
Love all of it!

*You WiN!! Now go call up your + one. 

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Don't worry the rest of you, you can still purchase tickets to the event this Saturday on this website http://hcamountaindivision.com/WomanReg/

or purchase tickets at the door Saturday morning.   

Be sure to come say hi!  

{M} 

My kind of spider web

10.23.13-

  Look what you get when you cross a giant embroidery hoop {that I got for a buck at the DI} some ribbon, rick rack, vintage fabric & a glittery rubber spider?  

Oh, just the sweetest spider web ever!  

-Not spooky just sweet!- 

I always love to deck out my porch for All Hallows Eve & it's almost just about ready for the little ghosts & goblins to arrive. All that's left is to turn off the lights & lite all my candles in the pumpkins & place them in glass jars & underneath old cheese graters.  Creates the coolest light & ambiance!  Sharing lots of other sneak peeks at my porch & the inside of our home on Instagram @mquigbee or search #spookylilaclane. I'd love for you to follow along.  

So looking forward to October 31st but at the same time don't want it to arrive to soon because that means all the fun decor goes down the next day. 

{that's just how I am} 

{M} 

*don't forget to enter the GiVEAWAY below. 

A Ticket Giveaway!!

10.21.13- 

EXCiTiNG NeWS!! 

Ok, here it is, the cat's out of the bag as they say. 

I'm speaking at a conference!  Yes, my first real BiG speaking gig is coming up.  I posted this pic weeks ago on Instagram when I was deciding on taking a giant leap out of my comfort zone & accepting an offer to speak on decorating at a Women's Conference on November 2nd.  

-"Stepping out of your comfort zone & doing something you've never done before can be a scary, exciting, thrilling & overwhelming thing. When deciding what to do I kept thinking about my OLW I choose for 2013- DiSCOVER! Time to try new things that present itself & embrace the opportunity. Stay tuned!"- 

I was completely honored & humbled when I was asked to speak. {Me?  Really, you want me to come speak?}  I was so blown away, thrilled, nervous & apprehensive at the same time.  So many questions were floating around in my head.  But in the long run the excitement of taking on something so new, pushing myself a bit  & DiSCOVERiNG something I've never done before  outweighed any uncertainty I had.  

-My class & a little bio about me in the flyer- 

I would LOVE to see a familiar face or two in the audience that day {or met a new face or 2} as I talk about creating a Beautiful Decorated Life .  So, I'm going to GiVEAWAY a pair of tickets to the Women in the year 2013 event on Saturday Nov. 2nd at the USU Brigham City campus. 

{a $30 value, ladies!} 

 It should be a wonderful day!  So many inspiring & great speakers are coming to teach & share wonderful ideas on just about everything, not to mention a tasty lunch will be served too.  You can get all the info. & see the entire schedule of classes for the day on the event's website HERE.  

-Oh, my goodness that's my name on the flyers.  WoW!!-

-------------------------------------------------------

All you have to do to win a pair of tickets, one of you & one for your Mom, Sister or BFF.  Is leave a comment describing my decorating style in a word or two. 

{I'm going to tie this into my talk, so I'd really appreciate hearing from you} 
From what you've seen on the blog, or at The Hive & on Instagram, sum up my style in just a few words.  

I will announce the WiNNeR of the 2 tickets on Monday the 28th so you have until Sunday at Midnight to enter.  Hope you are as excited about this as I am, I would love to hang out with a couple of you for the day.  I'm looking forward to hearing from all the other speakers too, should be a fabulous day. 

{M} 

Orange & Black decor

10.16.13- 

  I really love this time of year! 

{have I said that before?} 

Anyway, I do & it's fun decking our halls with all things spooky & black, white & orange. Wanted to show you how I decorated the centerpiece of our home {the kitchen island} this year.  I went for a simple set up with a vintage flair.  

-Got this fabulous vintage pom pom garland at The {Fall} Hive.  When I saw it stanched it up quick, I think it just needed to belong in a Giant Pumpkin Growers home.  So cute, don't you think?  Looks like little pumpkin dangling off a vine- 

I've been looking, collecting & buying black, white & orange bottles for awhile wanting a grou p to put out for Halloween.  

Thanks to my friends, Tausha & Amy for giving me 2 bottles in my collection.  Makes it that more fun to have out to be reminded of sweet friends! 

-Remember me telling you about the creepy, antique pharmacist shop I went to last year along the Oregon Coast. Love the real medicine bottles mixed in with my pop bottle collection-

I saw a quote once in a magazine that said:

"Halloween is about make-believe and creativity.  My collection is a celebration of the same." 

Thought it tied in perfectly with what I was going for here on the island.

This little cutie is up on display on our mantle. It makes me smile every time I walk past it.   A perfect example of make-believe & creativity.  Of coarse she wasn't born with a little witchie hat on, that was added much, much later with a little piece of tape.
 {She is one of my distant relatives all dressed up for    Hallows Eve- so sweet} 

-One of my favorite H&H frames that I've ever made!- 

It also reminds me of one of my favorite segments I've ever done on Studio 5.  I did it last year & talked about transitioning from decorating from Halloween to Thanksgiving & the rest of the fall.  

You can watch it HERE.  

Lots of great inspiring ideas on how to decorate for this time of year.  Hope it gives you some ideas on how to add a bit of make believe into your Halloween decor.  

Thanks for stopping by.  I'd love to hear from you. 

{hint, hint, leave a comment ;)} 

{M} 

Gather round

10.15.13- 

  Wanted to share a few pics from a fun evening we had in our home.  We invited a couple of our family friends over for a soup dinner night to welcome in the chillier weather & falling leaves.   Everyone brought a yummy soup to share & our family provided the salad, rolls & desserts.  It was a wonderful evening that warmed our hearts & souls.   

- The charming kids table all bright & festive.  The table cloth comes from my Mom, she gave it to me & I remember having it on our dinner table back in the day. Love the color combos here-

I posted this pic on Instagram & it got a lot of attention. I've told you about this prized possession of mine before but here it is again at work. This time it's holding all the dinner & pretzel rolls on the table..  I posted it as use #37 but I really have lost track of how many ways this vintage chicken feeder is put to use around here.  I'm going to start keeping track & I'll post pics so that you can see too.  

-Served the soup {for the adults} in these adorable little pumpkin bowls.  I got them years ago from Williams & Sonoma on clearance after the Fall. So keep your eyes out & you might be able to grab some for yourself.  They are fun to have out & use September-November-


Hope you are enjoying the beautiful Fall season with your friends & family as well.

{M}

Where will you be one month from today?

10.14.13- 

  Just making sure you've heard the news & have it written down on your calendars.  

One month from today in fact! 

-November 14, 15 & 16th- 

Oh, it's going to be festive & fun, I can't wait! I'm already starting preparations for the show- including ordering over 100 lbs. of candy.

{Yep, you heard me right!} 

I'm trying to please everyone & have enough of hand.  It's always sold out in the past but doubling my supply should be good! 

{I hope!} 

Ordering the yummiest, tastiest & sweetest treats around.  Perfect for gift giving or just putting out for guests to enjoy at your home during the Holildays.  Be sure to come grab some. 

Thursday Nov. 14th {6-8 p.m.} 
Friday Nov. 15th {10-3} 
Saturday Nov. 16th {10-2} 
-4011 Lilac Lane in Mt. Green- 

Have a wonderful week. 

{M} 

WiNNER!!

10.8.13- 

   Today is such a great day!  I have 3 friends birthday's today {how cool is that?} that it's so fun to celebrate & GiVE something away that will hopefully make someone else's day.  

A BiG huge thank you for Best Impressions Photography giving away a FREE fall mini-photo shoot to a lucky H&H follower.  

{Really, so incredibly sweet of her!} 

So without further adieu... Drumroll please.... 

The WiNNER of the mini- photo shoot is- 

Ky_Kapetanov 

{Congrats friend!} 

It's your lucky day!   

And.. as a bonus to the rest of you all, Natalie has a few spots left for Fall mini-photo shoots.  If you would like to get your pics taken at a great price. 

{$99- included 10 images on a CD} 

Give her a call or text to schedule a time, as soon as possible. 

801-529-2896 

Ok, that's all. 

Happy, Happy BiRTHDAY Jeannie, Brooke & Marce.  

Love you, all! 

{jealous your birthdays are in October, lucky girls ;)} 

{M} 

Blog hop - All things Fall, Pumpkin Dessert

10.7.13- 

  Welcome to another fabulous blog hop- this time featuring all things Fall {Hooray!} Be sure to hop around & see what my creative friends are sharing today on their blogs.  Leave them a hello & tell them the honeybee sent you.  

Halloween Mantle - The Crafted Sparrow 

Memory Banner - Maybe I will 

Grapevine Ball Decorations- Free Time Frolics 

Halloween & Fall Display- Choose Craftiness 

Candy Corn Crate- The Benson Street 

Squash Mac & Cheese- Among the Young 

What's trending for Fall 2013- Flats to Flip Flops 

Hello.... Fall! 

 It's finally here my favorite time of year & the only time of the year that I bake with pumpkin.  Is that weird?  Do you bake with pumpkin through out the year or only during the Fall? {I want to hear from you- leave a comment below!}  

Something else about me, I'm not a huge pie eater but anything cakey, crumbly & sugary I'm totally into. So if you're like me {not the biggest pie lover} you'll love this easy to make, impress your family & friends Pumpkin Bar.  It combines all the flavors of a pumpkin pie into a moist cakey, crumbly treat.  Is it the best to make & take to any party or family get together.  Everyone will love it & ask for the recipe.  

Pumpkin Bars
{pumpkin pie in a bar- so easy & tasty!} 

Crust:  1 box Yellow cake Mix
{reserve 1 cup for the topping}
1/2 C. Melted Butter 
1 Egg 

Filling: 30 oz. Pumpkin 
2 Eggs 
2/3 C. Milk 
1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice 
1/4 C. Brown Sugar 

Topping: 1 C. reserved Yellow cake mix 
1/2 C. Sugar 
1 tsp. Cinnamon 
1/4 C. melted Butter 

Mix crust ingredients together & press into the bottom of the pan.  Mix filling & pour over the crust.  For topping melt butter over med heat.  In a separatebowl combine Sugar, Cinnamon & Cake Mix.  Pour melted butter into mixture & toss until combined. Topping will be crumbly, & sprinkle on top of the filling.  Bake at 350 degrees on top rack for 1 hour & 10 minutes. Let completely cool & serve with a dollop of whip cream. 

These bars are a real show stopper at any dinner party.  I first fell in love with these when my friend & I made them for a Gourmet Club Dinner we hosted.  They have been a Fall favorite in our house ever since.  Give them a try with a big dollup of whip cream on the top- the BeST! 

Be sure to check out all the other fabulous recipes & ideas on our blog hop.  They are such to inspire you! 

{M}

Here & there, Cinnamon rolls everywhere!

10.7.13- 

  Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.  I sure did, feeling very uplifted, blessed & grateful today.  Ready to start off a fresh new week.  

I was so thrilled to see images of the Sweet Petal Roll I made on Studio 5 last week popping up on FaceBook &  Instagram this weekend.  Oh, it made me happy to see so many people enjoying it with their sweet families.  Here are just a few of the pics that I saw.  

Look at those happy faces, ready to dig into that.  Hope some new traditions were started this weekend with this yummy thing.  

Thanks so sharing friends. I loved seeing your pics. 

-*Don't forget you have until Midnight tonight to enter to WiN a free fall mini-photo shoot from Best Impressions Photography.  Such a great prize, time to get those family pics taken for Christmas cards! 

-All the details how to enter are over on the right side of the blog- look for Hector's cute face- 

Good Luck, winner will be announced tomorrow. 

{M} 

Put on your apron & preheat the oven

10.2.13- 

  Hello... everyone!  

I love getting opportunities to share something new with you & getting to learn a thing or two {Wow, that rhymed.} myself.

I had the privilege to be on Studio 5  with Brooke Walker {Who is just as sweet in person as she seems on TV}  glad to count her as a friend.  Sharing one of my favorite recipes: 
Sweet Petal Cinnamon Roll 
It's always fun to go & be around everyone that works on the set.  This was my first time doing a cooking segment.  When I was asked by Mindy {one of the producers} to come on & cook I was elated!  I love a reason to put on an apron {& a cute one at that! Was given this as a birthday gift from my friend last year} 

I love to bake, it's one of my favorite things to do.  

But as with all things there are a few bumps or sticky situations you don't expect & that you learn & grow from. 

{Thank goodness! Realizing ways to do it better next time} 

So here are a few lessons I learned this time around. 

#1-  Have an assistant there to help. 

-blurry pic but had to get Mace's cute outfit. Everyone on set was commenting on it.- 

The night before I thought to myself, I can do this I don't need anyone to help. It's only a cooking segment it's not that much to bring.  AH, WRoNG!  I think I brought everything but the kitchen sink. We hauled in & packed more stuff than I ever have for a segment before. So glad I had this one to come along with me.  THaNK You, Mace! I figured it's a good reason to miss school, an educational experience for this little chef in training.  

-Took her to Blue Lemon for an after the show Thank You!- 

#2- Life happens! Some of you may have saw this on Instagram.  After spending all day on Monday baking & prepping for the show I came into the kitchen to see this on the counter. AUGH!!  Just when I cleaned up, put everything away & was thinking I was good to go. I guess it was just too good & tempting that someone couldn't keep their hands off it. SO instead of getting mad I just got everything back out & made another batch of dough & a whole new Sweet Petal Roll for the show.  

{I think the neighbor kids were happy they were outside playing & got to enjoy the rest of it} 

#3- Expect the unexpected.  Doing a cooking segment is much different than a crafting segment.  Because with a crating/entertaining segment everything is there, set up & good to go. No surprises there {except maybe making sure you remember what to say}  With a cooking segment it's remembering what to say, making everything while you're speaking & hoping that it turns out just the way it always does at home.  

Oh, brother!  

I have made this recipe I don't know how many times & has the dough ever been that sticky before- NO!!  That's another thing about cooking on TV, it's not your stove, your utensils, dishes etc.  It kind of throws you off your game a bit.  

Usually if the dough is a bit sticky I would just reach down, open the flour drawer in my island & get some out to put on my hands. A bit different in not a "real" kitchen. 

#4- Ah-Ha moment.  When I thought{afterwards of coarse!}why didn't I just go ahead & roll out some dough before the segment began. DaH!  Then if I realized it was so sticky I could have coated my hands with flour & had some pre-rolled out. I guess I wanted everyone to see the whole experience start to finish.  

#5- Share the LoVE.  The reason I enjoy baking is because I love to share.  That's what brings me joy!  So all those cinnamon rolls you saw on set were shared. Not one came home with me. The giant petal roll stayed with all the camera guys, stage managers, other guests & producers to enjoy.  The smaller ones {that I made using 2- 9 inch cake rounds} went home with the producer who asked me to come on so she could enjoy it with her family & I took the other one to our friends in Layton because I know they love it! 

{*making the giant roll is FuN but I love making it with the 2 cake pans because that way you can keep one for your family to enjoy & give the other one away} 

#6- Have cute accessories to go along with whatever you are making.  These pot holders are from Vintage Fern. I adore them!  They are the cutest & most useful things ever. I love having pretty things in the kitchen. Thanks, Amy! 

I hope you try this in your own kitchen. 
-You can get the recipe HERE-   

It truly is one of our families favorites!  I'm so glad my Aunt Karalee introduced it to our family years ago & that I make it all the time now & that I know my girls will make it for their families years from now.  It really is a classic!  

-Give it a try this weekend & let me know what you think- 

{M} 

*Don't forget to enter the GiVEAWAY below.  You have until Sunday night to enter!