ON THE MENU MONDAY~ WEEK OF SEPT 30, 2013

Fall Around The House
begins today!

12 CREATIVE Bloggers
12 Different Rooms Dressed Up For Fall

STOP BACK TOMORROW WHEN I'LL BE SHARING MY FALL KITCHEN!



See the blog list at the end of this post!

Now here's whats ON THE MENU...

HOW I BEGAN BLOGGING

Blogging is a huge passion of mine! Can you tell? It's an outlet for my creativity... it feeds my need to decorate and cook and garden and write and learn... it also is in my teaching wheelhouse... and blogging let's this very social girl meet and interact with people all over the world.

Those are huge blessings... but they are not why I started blogging. 

Here's the real story...

KITCHEN ART

Do you have art in your kitchen? Until now, I didn't. I really have no wall space in my kitchen. Lots and lots of cabinets, but no wall space.

So, I had to think out of the box and use the sides of some of my cabinetry.

Here's my first piece of kitchen wall art...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #66

Welcome to...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #66

Last week we had a fabulous turnout and lots and lots of incredible projects, fall decor, recipes and tidbits!

My "must-make" list just keeps getting bigger and bigger!

Here are some examples of the great posts from last week...

BURLAP AND TOILE ACORNS DIY

Did you ever see something and think it was so cute and adorable... and very chic and earthy at the same time... and made of nubby burlap...and you just had to make it!

Yes?...you know that experience? Good!  Well, that happened to me when I saw burlap acorns on pinterest.

I just had to make them... and tweak them a little... 

FALL HOME TOUR AND A $1,500 GIVEAWAY

Welcome to 

ALL THINGS HOME FALL TOUR

This fall I'm using a subtle hand when decorating for my favorite season. Lots of organics and what I like to call "sticks and twigs".

I shopped my house for most of the vignette decor and did not drag up a single big plastic bins from the basement labeled "fall".

Come on in and let's get stared...

WHITE PUMPKINS IN THE LIVING ROOM

Are you a fan of white pumpkins? I sure am. 

I'm also wild about a rustic luxe decor style. So, I'm incorporating white pumpkins and rustic luxe for fall this year.

  Today I'm over at my dear friend Kim's at

SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

where I am guest hosting. 

Head over to KIM'S and visit with me there!

Before you leave...

This week is the

ALL THINGS HOME FALL TOUR...

ON THE MENU MONDAY~ SEPT. 22, 2013

It's fair week this week!
This is the best week of the year in my neck of the woods! Fair week! When the whole community comes out to walk the fairgrounds and meet friends and neighbors and be a part of this treasured tradition!

We all collectively cheer for who grew the largest sunflower and the kiddie who caught the pig in the greased pig chase. We ooooh and aaaah at the talented handiwork and delicious baked and canned goods our community produces. We hold our breath as we all wait to see who wins a ribbon!

Livestock and every kinds of farm animals are proudly displayed. You can hear them and smell them even before you hit the fairgrounds!

High school girls compete for the coveted crown of the FAIR QUEEN. And little girls follow her around and ask her if she is Cinderella.

There are no carnival rides... only strollers and wheelchairs. We make our own entertainment...

DON'T EAT YOUR SEED

source

For the last four weeks I have been sharing the Universal Truths Of Sowing And Reaping.

How GOD literally shows us examples on earth... practical everyday examples... of great spiritual truth. Jesus was the master at this when He walked the earth. He called these earthly stories with heavenly messages parables.

Today I want to share a parable with you too.

This story is called

DON'T EAT YOUR SEED...

HOW TO MAKE A PILLOW FROM A PLACEMAT

Recently, while shopping, I came across a fabulous fall placemat and thought, "If only this were a pillow, I'd buy it". Then the creative light bulb went off. Why not make this great placemat into a pillow!

It only took 30 minutes using a little fairy godmother magic... to turn this pumpkin into a pillow!

BIBBITY BOBBITY BOO... I'll show you how...

THE BEST MAC AND CHEESE... REALLY!

When I think of the ultimate comfort food, I think of Aunt Sue's Macaroni and Cheese! All other Mac and Cheese's pale in comparison! No kidding! Just ask my kids and in law kids and husband and mom and friends and sister and brothers and anyone who has ever tasted it!

I hesitate to call it a side dish. We all usually make it the star of the meal... and go back for seconds! No guilt... Aunt Sue's Macaroni and Cheese is not something I make all the time. We save it for special family occasions! 

I hope it will become a favorite around your table too!

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #65

Welcome to 

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #65

I just want to remind all my readers that the last  "T" in TTT stands for TIDBITS.... this is where you can post any creative thing you want! Have a house tour... join in! How about showing off your new bedspread or lamp... join in.  And what about sharing a great recipe... you bet! 

Remember...

any little tidbit will do

Now let's look at some inspiration from last week...

DECORATING WITH MUMS

Mums are part of the fall decor, here at StoneGable. They live a long time with little care and are very inexpensive.

And when they are taken out of their plastic post and combined with other plants or organic elements they are magically transformed! This is certainly a study in synergy!

I'm bringing out the champagne bucket, and polishing it up to give these white button mums an upscale look...

ON THE MENU MONDAY SEPT 16, 2013

I know it's Tuesday... and this post is ON THE MENU MONDAY!

If you missed my post yesterday... I joined a group of very creative bloggers sharing  projects to bring fall to our homes!

My Fall DIY was...

NO SEW BURLAP LEAF WREATH

Hope you will click HERE and check it out!

Let's get right to this week's menu...

FALL NO SEW BURLAP LEAF PILLOW DIY

I'm bringing fall into my living room this season with an easy NO SEW BURLAP LEAF PILLOW!

Fall is my favorite season... I love everything about it! Chilly weather, apples and pumpkins and of course the falling leaves! Lots and lots of leaves!

I'm so pleased to be a part of...

FALL NO SEW DECORATING SHOWCASE...

DON'T DIG UP YOUR SEED~ SUNDAY SCRIPTURE

Today's Sunday Scripture is a the fourth post in the series...UNIVERSAL TRUTHS OF SOWING AND REAPING.

Here are the other posts in the series:

THE PROMISE IS IN THE SEED

TOO MANY TOMATOES

THE TROUBLE WITH VOLUNTEERS

Have you ever asked God for a promise? Not like, "God, will you promise to give me this or that"? But just ask HIM, "God, will you give me a promise that I can hold on to"?

I have... several times in my life. And GOD has always given me a great promise that I needed to cling on to. A promise that only could have been filled by HIM. And GOD has always been faithful to keep HIS promise and manifest it huge in my life!

FALL NO SEW DECORATING SHOWCASE SNEAK PEEK!

I'm so excited to show you my NO SEW fall diy I've been working on! It's super easy and I think you just might want to try this project for your home too!

I'm participating in the 

FALL NO SEW DECORATING SHOWCASE 

with 4 other talented and creative bloggers. This month we are bringing fall into your home with NO SEW tutorials!

Here is a little peek at what I'll post tomorrow...

STONEGABLE RAW APPLE CAKE

If fall was a dessert it would be RAW APPLE CAKE!

 I know you are probably thinking... "What, not something pumpkin?"

Okay, well maybe late fall... towards Thanksgiving... would be pumpkin dessert time. But for this time of year RAW APPLE CAKE wins hands down!!!

Please, just trust me on this... it will be your favorite fall dessert too! It's that good...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TUTORIALS # 64

BEFORE WE BEGIN...

StoneGable has a new facebook fan page. I'm no longer using my old facebook page.

Please head over to Facebook and "like" my new page by clicking  HERE.

Keep up to date on StoneGable news... and leave me a little message and some love!

Thanks!!

NOW...

Welcome to ...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #64...

VINTAGE SILVERWARE WALL ART DIY

It took less than 15 minutes to make 4 pieces of wall art to snuggle up to the mirror over the bar!

I've been laboring for over a year, not quite finding the perfect pieces of art to go on either side of the mirror.

So on a whim, I made my own...

FOUR FAB FALL DECOR DIY'S

Are you celebrating FALL yet?

I have 4 FAB Fall Decor DIY'S that will get you and your home ready for chilly weather... falling leaves... and mulled cider!!!

I selected projects that show off the softer side of Autumn... lots of creamy dreamy neutrals. But you could certainly use traditional fall colors for these too!

They are all easy to do and will make a big fall impact in your home!

Pick and click one or two... or all of them and let's get crafting...

ON THE MENU MONDAY SEPT. 9, 2013

StoneGable's fall header is up! So fall is here in my neck of the woods. Don't you just love the change of seasons. I sure do!

The mornings are crisp now... and I love sitting out on my porch with my morning coffee. Everything smells and feels so fresh! I'm even seeing slight tinges of beautiful reds and oranges in the top of a few of my trees!

The seasons aren't the only things changing around here! My menus are starting to take on the taste of fall too.  Oh, we are still grilling... that's an all year around event... and there are still tomatoes on the vine in our garden, but my now my fancy is turning to braising and roasting and stews and heartier meats.

This week if you try one thing it would have to be the SPICY BBQ OVEN RIBS.
These are so easy and fall-off-the-bone succulent!

Now here' what's ON THE MENU...

THE PROBLEM WITH VOLUNTEERS~ SUNDAY SCRIPTURE

I live in the beautiful farmland of Lancaster County Pa... Heart of Amish Country! The word most often used to describe this area is BUCOLIC... 

byo͞oˈkälik

adjective

1. 1. of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.

   "the church is lovely for its bucolic setting"

   synonyms:

   rural, pastoral, country, countryside

   We have rolling fields and beautifully kept farms as far as the eye an see... and in the summer we have corn... lots and lots of corn...

CINNAMON TOAST BISCOTTT

OH YUMMY!
Need a little something sweet with your coffee or tea?

Give CINNAMON TOAST BISCOTTI a try.

They are delicious and cinnamony....and a grown up version of the cinnamon toast my mom used to make!

STONEGABLE IS FEATURED AT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY!

I'd love to invite you in today... but I'm not here!

I'm over at the F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.

I'm so honored to be a part of...
FEATURED FRIDAY

If you have never visited Southern Hospitality you are in for a real treat! Rhoda is one very sweet southern lady and her blog is an icon in the blog world and beyond!

Come visit me at SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY... I'll be looking for you!

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #63

Welcome to

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #63

We have a winner... before TTT begins let's see who won the beautiful

SUNFLOWER SUNSET WREATH...

MAKING AN INTERESTING MUM ARRANGEMENT FOR FALL

It's time to start thinking about decorating for fall... and MUMS are an inexpensive splash of fall color that adds a touch of the Autumnal season to any home!

But sometimes Mums can be a little under dressed.. and well... a tad boring!

Here's a way to hide a mum's ugly plastic pot and unleash their fall beauty...

PATINA... becoming more beautiful with age

The hydrangeas in my garden are in the fall of their lives... literally! They have lost their fresh bloom. 

I think my hydrangeas are even more lovely this time of year than in the height of summer.

They have a rich patina... and have become even more beautiful with age...

ON THE MENU MONDAY WEEK OF SEPT 2, 2013

Happy Labor Day! Hope you are all getting some time to rest from your work and be with good company! 

Labor day is a National Holiday of recognition for the "contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country"...according to the US Department of Labor.

So, Happy Labor Day to all... let's celebrate the blessing of being able to work and prosper!

Now, here's what's ON THE MENU...