ON THE MENU WEEK OF JULY 7, 2014

This is a busy and eventful week, here at StoneGable!

 My son, Christopher is having major surgery. It is called Periactebular Osteotomy or PAO.

I'm asking for lots and lots of prayers for him, his sweet wife Abby and for us too.

We expect all will go well and my son will be able to walk normally again. Please keep us in your prayers. I'll update you through my facebook page...https://www.facebook.com/StoneGableblog.

Thanks so much! Now here's what's ON THE MENU...

GOD BLESS AMERICA FREE CHALKBOARD PRINTABLE

Let's celebrate this great country we live in by showing our patriotism and acknowledge where our blessings come from!

Here's a chalkboard printable ready to be printed out and framed. Suitable for 5 x 7 or 6 x 4.

To print this chalkboard art click HERE

Yes, God does bless AMERICA!

THE BEST AND EASIEST COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICH YOU WILL EVER EAT!

I know you think this claim might be a tad far fetched... THE BEST AND EASIEST COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICH YOU WILL EVER EAT!

But, by the end of this post I bet I'll have you convinced!

I think most people love cookies and ice cream... and here's a way to put them together for a treat that is simply scrumptious...

CELEBRATING EVERYDAY LIFE

Once in a great while you come across something so inspiring, so very beautiful, and so full of graceful and exquisite ways to live that it makes your soul want to sing!

That's how I feel about Jennifer Carroll's magazine 

CELEBRATING EVERYDAY LIFE.

The July/August issue is in print and digital copy now!

And I am so honored (really off the wall excited) to be a contributor in this issue! ME? I can hardly believe it!

Here"s a flipbook sample of CELEBRATING EVERYDAY LIFE just for you...

FRONT PORCH SITTING... CREATING A STYLISH OUTDOOR SPACE

When the weather gets hot and steamy things slow down here at StoneGable.  We take more breaks and spend more time on the porch... still outside but in the shade.

Here are a few changes and addition to my front porch and rockers where the drinks are cold, the breeze is light and there is always a free rocker to sit and relax...

THE SCOOP #125

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Last week I revealed my NEW PATIO and the kind folks at TIKI BRAND PRODUCTS gave me some wonderful prizes to give away! 

The winner of the Antigua Fire Sculpture and 2 Island King Tiki Torches is...

THE ANATOMY OF A FLOWER POT

For me the 4th of July is summer's midpoint! By now my veggie garden is in full producing mode and my patio flowers in the big pot are dazzling! They are happy and vigorous and loving summer life!

Last week I shared our new PATIO.

Since then, I have had lots of questions about what I plant in those big patio pots...so I'm showing and telling the anatomy of a flower pot!

ON THE MENU WEEK OF JUNE 30, 2014

Are you ready for July 4th... fireworks... picnics... family... and a day to celebrate our great nation!
We are celebrating with all the above! StoneGable will host friends and family for a weekend of fun patriotic activities and lots of great food!

Remember to take a few minutes to thank God for America and to pray His blessing on our country!

STONEGABLE FEATURED AT TOWN AND COUNTRY

Today I'm being featured at TOWN AND COUNTRY LIVING. Jennifer has a magazine worthy home full of farmhouse appeal! 

Town and Country Living is one of my favorite blogs written by an very sweet lady!!!

Her kitchen makes me swoon!  Head over to see what she Jennifer put together about StoneGable and visit me at her CHARMING HOME SERIES

And don't forget... today's the last day to enter the StoneGable/Tiki Brand Giveaway! Great prizes!!!
Click HERE to enter!

EASY JULY 4TH DECOR

Independence Day is right around the corner! I like to give a little decor nod to this All-American holiday without changing a lot of my decor, spending half the day decorating or braking the bank!

Here's an easy way to show a little decor patriotism and do it in under 5 minutes...

PATIO REVEAL AND GIVEAWAY

This summer has been unusually beautiful! Sunny, slightly breezy and not humid! We could not have picked a better year to build a new patio.  

Once a week we have "family dinner night". So, the family is gathered and we are having iced tea and a few hors d'oeures before dinner. It's the perfect time to share our new patio.

Here's what the old patio looked like ...

STARS AND STRIPES SUMMER WALL ART DIY

What do you get when you combine patriotic themes with beachy elements? 

This dapper Stars and Stripes Summer Wall Art!

Here's a fun and so so easy way to bring a little summer sass to your decor!

It took less than an hour to make two of these fun, decorative summer pictures... I'll show you how...

THE SCOOP #124

WELCOME TO THE SCOOP #124

Before we begin our party this week I'd like to share a new addition to the backyard/porch area at StoneGable.

You might want to check out my new potting bench and kitchen herb garden.  I've tried to include lots of take-away ideas for you to try too...

ON THE MENU... WEEK OF JUNE 23, 2014

It's been an unusual summer so far... a little cool and not very humid.  The garden is taking it's good ol' time switching into growing-like-crazy mode. The weather has been perfect for lots of meals on the new patio! Dinner lingers so much longer outdoors and we are happy to let mealtime blur into watching the lightning bugs come out and the sun set.

Summer and I may have had our issues in the hot and humid past but this year... so far... we seem made-in-the-shade best buds!

Now here's what's on the menu this week...

A CURE FOR THE TERIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY

Last Friday, I opened my eyes and rolled out of bed as tired as I got into it the night before!

 Five minutes later, with coffee in hand, I was going through the long checklist in my head of things that had to be done that day as I was checking my email on my iphone and trying to stuff sheets into the washer... while 3 dogs were barking and running circles around me...