Wednesday

Smile.... it's that time of year.

10.2.13- 


We haven't seen this guy in a while... he can only mean one thing- time for a GiVEAWAY!! 
-WhOo- WHoO's going to win a fabulous mini-photo shoot?- 
  One thing I know about Fall is it is the time of year we all start thinking about family pictures {Because it's so beautiful outside } & for upcoming Christmas Cards.  Am I right?  

Well don't fret my friend & I are here to help you with that.  My super talented & amazing friend {Natalie}from Best  Impressions Photography is giving away one mini- shoot for FREE! 
{How awesome is that?} 

The Mini Shoot includes:  
-30 minute photo session-at an outdoor location with all the Fall Colors 
{time & place to be determined by you & Natalie}
-Up to 8 people {should include almost everyone in the family} 
-10 images on a CD 
{Normally $99 but one lucky person will get it FREE!} 
-She is great!  Here she is working with me at a photo shoot earlier this summer- 
Here is how you can enter.  
H&H on FaceBook.
* Share on your FB page from Best Impressions Photography. 
* Leave a comment on Best Impressions Photography

Ok... 1,2,3- Say CHeeSE!   
{Good Luck everyone.  You have until Monday night at Midnight to enter. I'll announce the Winner on my blog on Tuesday the 8th} 
*Thanks so much Natalie.  You're going to make one H&H blog reader very happy! 

{M} 

Tuesday

Hello.... my favorite month!

10.1.13- 
  
This pretty much says it all! 
Saw this image on Pinterest & had to share. 
{tried to embed several times but it wasn't working, image not mine wish I knew who to give credit too} 


-Anne, I completely agree with you-  

October is my most favorite month of the entire year.  I always wished my birthday would have been in October, I'm jealous of my friends who get to claim this month as their birthday month. I dreamed of getting married in October too, in all it's glory but my hubby couldn't wait that long to make me his Mrs. so we got married in July.  I guess you could say that I've always had a love affair with the month of October. It seems like the whole month start to finish is glorious & festive.  So much to see &amp do.  
Ahhh, I simply adore it.  

One of the things I love about the month of October is pumpkins!  Wanted to give a great BiG shout-out to my hubby for growing the biggest pumpkin in the state of Utah 2 years in a row!!  It was the giant pumpkin weigh-off this past weekend & he won with a 1,238 beauty of a kin.  
Lots of hard work, patience, dedication & time goes into growing a pumpkin this big.  He & my daughter Macey spent a lot of time down at the patch this year.  So proud of them.  Back to Back champs!! 


Happy October everyone!  Enjoy every single second of it. 
Be sure to watch Studio 5 tomorrow at 1:00. I'll be on sharing a yummy something that we love to bake this time of year.  You won't want to miss it. 

{M} 

Monday

One of my favorite ways to decorate

9.30.13- 

  If you know me well at all you probably know that I love two things: family pictures & frames.  They are easily two of my favorite things to decorate our home with.   Sometimes I think that maybe I have too many family pictures up around our home but when guests come in they love to look at the pictures we have up all around the house. 
{They're a great conversation starter} 

I posted this pic last week on Instagram & everyone loved it.  We had these pictures taken way back in 2005.  My photographer printed out these great sizes for me. I've held onto them forever waiting to find the perfect way to display them.  I finally found this chippy, old window pane up at Swiss Days this year.  Patience paid off!  I was thrilled that it had 5 panes & was the perfect size too. 
{Hallelujah!}  



Using old window panes is such an easy way to add charm to the photos you are displaying.  It is really easy to do to.  I throughly clean the panes of glass as well as wash the pane itself.  But... I adore the chipped paint, scuff marks & little imperfections that are on the panes so....I don't scrub too hard ;)  
{I use double stick tape to attach the photos to the front of the glass.}  
- This is up in our bedroom, in the distance you can see the rest of our gallery wall. I told you I like to decorate with photos-

This red window pane hangs down in our family room.  It's the pane that started it all for me.  With this one I actually put the picture in between 2 panes of glass.  I used double stick tape again to secure the picture between the panes. Trust me it works! 
{The first time I hung this up I just put the picture between the 2 panes of glass, thinking it would hold the photo in place. It did for about a week & then slipped one day- augh!  I had to re do the whole thing but the double stick tape has held it in place for more than 10 years. KNoCK on wood!}  
-This was taken in 2003- 
To hang it up I had my hubby attach some brackets to the back of the pane. It's been a great piece that we've had for a long time. 
-Close up, not the best with the reflection but I loved the side view of the pane- 

This cool 8 paned window came out of an old dairy shed in my hometown of Lewiston. A friend of mine gave it to me. When she asked if I'd be interested of coarse I said, "Yes!" I can't turn down anything old, rusty, paint peeling & falling apart.
{it's just who I am ;)} 


I taped up some 8x10 {to the front of the glass} of our latest family pictures {2010} at the base of the stairs in our basement.  It fits perfectly in the space & it's fun to look at everyday since it's a high traffic area. 


I think I've shown this one before but it hangs up above our study nook off the kitchen.  I change this one out quite regularly.  I have fall pictures & wintertime photos  of the girls that I change with the seasons.  Again, I just use tape to hold them in place. With this pane I don't use double stick tape though because I change it so much.  Just good ol' scotch tape, rolled up, works for this.  



Hope this has inspired you to put pictures up in a bit different way in your home.  There are so many wonderful old window panes out there, keep an eye out for unique ones to incorporate into your home. 

Have a great day! Happy Monday. 

{M}

Wednesday

Shoo fly don't bother me

 9.25.13- 


  Is anyone else sick of those pesky little things flying around?  AUgH... they drive me nuts.  Last night, while in the kitchen, Mace & I couldn't take it any longer so where do we turn for inspiration, advice & HeLP.  You guessed it, Pinterest.  
{If you go to Pinterest & type in Fruit Flies, lots of posts will come up to look at} 

We found a few different sites,  did what they said & Wa-LaH!! The little flies are all trapped & not bugging us this morning.  {Hallelujah!} 

All you need to make your own fruit fly catcher is: 
-apple cider vinegar 
-dish soap 
-piece of paper 
-mason jar 
-small piece of fruit  


Pour 1/3 C. Apple Cider Vinegar into a mason jar.  Cut a small piece of banana & place in the bottom of the jar & add a drop or two of dish soap.  
Then take a piece of paper & fold it into a cone shape, with a small point at the bottom & stick into the mason jar.  The point is the fruit flies go into the jar but are not able to find their way out again.  

Hope this helps you & your sanity this fall in the kitchen.  Such a great time of year to enjoy such great fruit & veggies.  

{M} 

Tuesday

The {Fall} Hive was "BuZZ-ing"

9.24.13- 

  Was cleaning out photos on my iphone today & came across these & wanted to share them.  They made me smile when I remember a fantastic Hive, happy customers & friends. 

I had Miss Mace sneak outside before the doors opened to get this shot.  This is the moment that my heart starts pounding & all the hard work & prep pays off.  Thanks for everyone who loves coming up so much that they arrive 30 minutes early to stand in line.  
I really appreciate it! 

All that line up makes for a busy, bustling Hive once I open the doors.  Love feeling the energy & excitement that fills my home when everyone comes in.  
-Love that in this pic you can see the clock above the fireplace- 6:02 & everyone is excited to be in The Hive- 

I spy.... some of my favorite friends & clients in these pictures.  Thank you all for coming! 

I always wish I had more pictures but at least I get a few shots in before the chaos begins.  
{Don't worry.... we have a few ideas up our sleeves to make The {Holiday} Hive checkout move more quickly & smoothly} 
There is always a little traffic jam all at once when all these happy customers are ready to check out with their armfuls of goods. 


I need to remember to take pictures on Friday & Saturday too when it is less crowded & crazy.  Please don't worry that if you don't get here on Opening Night that nothing is left.  There is always LoTS of things that get overlooked the first night & the vendors bring in new goods each day.  Friday was actually the busiest day it's ever been- so a BiG thank you!  That was so exciting to see.  The word is getting out about The Hive I think.  A truly one of a kind, unique charming boutique.  Fun seeing so many new faces this time around & meeting you all. 

-Grateful to have this friend {& fabulous vendor, Leila Bird}  at The Hive this time around.  Well.... she always comes & supports The Hive weather she's a vendor or not.  Glad we got a pic taken before the doors opened- 

Already starting to think about the upcoming {Holiday} Hive & I'm asking a question over on the H&H FaceBook page that I need your help with. 
Calling all SWeeT TooTHS!!
Hop over to the FB page & help me out, please.  
I need your input- thanks! 

- Can't believe 30 lbs. of this stuff was gone by the middle of the 2nd day.  I think there are alot of people out there who LoVE chocolate & carmel.  Great combo!- 

Have a fabulous day. 
{M} 

Thursday

What's for dinner?

9.19.13- 
  
Got the chance to enjoy a great Summer Evening earlier this week. 
{just in the nick of time too because I think Fall has officially hit- it's a bit chilly outside this morning} 
A night filled with good friends, yummy fresh food & a   charming atmosphere.  

-The theme for this dinner was Farmers Market so everything was veggies & FReSH!  So tasty!- 
 I snapped this picture before our dinner. I was in love with how we all were seated.  The cute table 
{made out of palletes, how clever is that?}  
& the bales of hay with the feed sacks tied across them- so delightful!  Makes me happy to walk into a space that totally inspires & delights me.  
{Thanks  S & B for the fabulous night start to finish!} 

More pictures will be coming soon about this fun night along with the recipes soon, you'll want them- so yummy! But while you are waiting to see those you can now see all the pictures & get the recipes for yourself from the Gourmet Dinner I hosted with my friend Nicole this summer. 


I gave away some extra copies of these on Instagram but no everyone can get the recipes for themselves.  Head over to the Delish my Dish blog for lots of amazing recipes & pictures of each Gourmet Club Dinner night.  

May I recommend the: 
Leek & Bacon Pizza {unique & super easy to make} 
Grilled Corn & Chipotle Pesto Pizza {spicy & good} 
Basil Pesto Chicken Pizza {fresh from the garden- yum!} 
Spinach Crust Pizza {something different} 

Any of these would be great for dinner tonight or this weekend as maybe sit around & watch a football game or two. 
{Go Cougs!} 

{M}