2012 Year in Review

I can't believe its December 30th and 2012 is coming to a close.

I wanted to recap the past year and reflect on what a wonderful year it has been.

I'm skipping January because it was relatively uneventful,

 and I started this blog in February.

In March, I completed my first month of sewing classes and showed off some of my new skills.

In April, we moved into our new house!

In May, we went to New Orleans for our 2nd anniversary,

and the beach with my parents and brother's family.

In June, we did some decorating around the house and I had a DIY disaster.

In July, I finished and installed my biggest sewing project yet,

the breakfast room drapes.

In August, I went to Houston and Asheville did some more DIY projects and lots of cooking.

In September, I made 4 goals (more to come on that later) and 

we left on our Mediterranean adventure.

In October, we made it home and I recapped all the countries we visited.

In November, I put my gratitude into action.

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In December, we prepared for our big Christmas dinner and hosted both sides.

All in all, 2012 has been an eventful and amazing year.

I don't know how 2013 could possible top it,

but stay with me because I have a feeling it will. :)

xoxo - Bethany

Christmas 2012 in Pictures

Christmas was wonderful. It was a great time with family from both sides.

Eighteen people total, with 6 kids under 8.

Even though there was a stomach bug going around, everyone rallied in the end.

Food, presents, and more food.

Now that we've pulled if off, I know we could do it again and it's not so scary.

xoxo - Bethany

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

I've been busy, busy, busy around here getting ready for the big Christmas feast!

I'll be back next week, but in the meantime I hope you have a safe and happy holiday with your loved ones.

xoxo - Bethany

Mint Chocolate Bark

Hello!

Can you believe Christmas is two weeks away?!

I can't!

I've been doing a lot of cooking to test out recipes

for the big Christmas dinner I'm hosting.

One dessert I tried, and ate it all loved

was this Mint Chocolate Bark.

It's sooo easy and sooo good.

I repinned this recipe from from my friend April on Pinterest.

Here's the details. I halfed the recipe, and next time I'll be making the whole thing for sure!

Also, I couldn't find mint extract so I didn't use it, but it was plenty minty without.

I did go heavy with the Andes, though.

Ingredients:

16 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon mint extract (NOT peppermint), optional
Green food coloring
16 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 box (4.67-ounces) Andes Crème de Menthe Thins, unwrapped and coarsely chopped

Preparation:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Melt the white chocolate over a double boiler (or in 30-second intervals in the microwave on 50% power, stirring after each). Once the chocolate is melted, remove from the heat and let sit for a few minutes to cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Add the mint extract, if using, and stir to combine. Add a few drops of green food coloring and stir until desired color is reached.
3. Spread the white chocolate mixture onto the prepared pan in an even layer (depending on the size of the pan and how thick you’d like your bark, you may not need the entire surface of the pan). Refrigerate for 15 minutes, until just about set.
4. Meanwhile, melt the semisweet chocolate over a double boiler (or in 30-second intervals in the microwave on 50% power, stirring after each). Once the chocolate is melted, remove from the heat and let sit for a few minutes to cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour over the white chocolate layer and spread evenly over top. Sprinkle with the chopped Andes mints and press down lightly to push the mints into the top chocolate layer. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, until completely set.
5. Cut the bark or break into uneven pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. When stored in the refrigerator, it will keep for at least 2 weeks.

Enjoy!

xoxo - Bethany

Simple Mercury Glass Mantel

Hello friends!

Today, I'm showing off our fireplace mantel all decked out for Christmas.

Yes, that's a big honkin' TV and speaker in the middle of our mantel, and the main focal point of the room.

We have priorities...TV over design in the Battles household.

I kept it pretty simple.

I used the mercury glass I got on sale at Kohl's back in July,

Pottery Barn stockings we got a few years ago,

and glittered pinecone tree I got at Marshalls. 

Although, I think I could have DIY'ed

it myself if I had to.

(Yes, DIY'ed is a word here.)

Other than that, I just mixed in some glittery branches and berries in my pitcher vase.

I also tried out flameless led candles for the first time, not only for safety,

but also so I wouldn't get soot on the wall.

 I actually think they look natural lit in the hurricane, 

and emit a pretty glowing flicker.

More features of the Christmas decorating we've been doing around

here coming soon!

I'm linking up again!

This time at Michelle's blog Ten June.

xoxo - Bethany

 

 

Christmas Crafts

Hello y'all!

I can't believe December is here!

In honor of the Season, I'm sharing with you a few Christmas crafts I've done recently.

All three of these ideas came from Pinterest. You can follow me here.

The first is for my big a Christmas dinner I'm hosting.

I made placecard holders from dollar store ornaments,

using this tutorial.

Here's how they turned out.

I will redo the actual placecards before Christmas dinner.

I just busted some out real quick to give you an idea.

Here's a close up.

I think they turned out cute.

The second one doesn't really constitute a craft, per se.

But, I had been looking for a way to display Christmas cards as they came in 

and saw this idea and thought it was easy perfect.

Simply using clothes pins to hang them on the garland on the banister.

Already had the clothes pins. Already had the garland.

Win, win.

This third one, is so easy it doesn't really qualify as a craft either.

But its a really good idea, from Layla at The Lettered Cottage

and I thought I'd share.

I needed a centerpiece that was substantial enough to fill my 

8 foot long dining table,

but easily moveable whenever I have company over.

This is what I did.

First, get a tray.

I got this plastic one from the Dollar Store.

 This is so you can easily move the centerpiece once its assembled.

Next, put a wreath of your choice on top of the tray.

This one was a plain one on sale at JoAnn's,

and I added the  floral picks myself.

Then get a footed bowl or candle holder.

I got this one at Marshall's for less than $20.00.

(I saw a similar one at Pottery Barn recently for $45.00!)

I didn't mind spending a little money on this because I know it will get used after the Holidays

for a jewelry catch all, potpourri dish, etc. 

 Put your bowl/candle holder in the center of the wreath.

Next add a candle...

Tada!

Easy layered centerpiece.

I'm linking up with Cassie for the Christmas Cheer to the Blogosphere

Craft Linky Party!

xoxo - Bethany

Trip Art

I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving.

Mine was good...food, family, relaxing, online shopping...

A great weekend!

I realized over the weekend I never shared with you 

the art we bought on our trip.

We bough two small pastels.

One in Dubrovnik and one in Venice.

Here's the one from Dubronik.

We bought it without the frame and mat,

and Jason found a frame store going out of business and go it matted and framed for a really great deal.

I like what he picked out.

We have it in the downstairs bath and it really looks good with the shower curtain we already had in there.

I apologize for the poor pictures...there's hardly any natural light to be had - its so gray outside!

And the energy efficient light bulbs we have aren't exactly in place for the beautiful glow they cast.

And here's the Venice piece.

The artist also built and gold leafed the frame.

I'm don't really like the gold frame on the builder beige walls in the powder room,

but the wall color will change down the road.

With the right color, it will really pop.

Here's a close up.

Its of St Mark's Square, which was around the corner from our hotel.

*Sigh* I already want to go back.

Unfortunately, I'm headed off to work this afternoon and not Venice.

I'm pretty nervous because I'm giving a presentation I've never done before tonight.

Wish me luck!

xoxo- Bethany

 

 

Gratitude in Action: There's No Place Like Home

Today, I'm continuing my Gratitude in Action series

by keeping it simple.

One of the things I'm most grateful for in my life today,

is the ability to work part time, 

and not stay in job where I'm trapped in a cubicle and miserable.

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I would much rather be at home a few days a week and

I'm only able to do that because of Jason.

He works twice as hard, so I don't have to.

And I appreciate it immensely.

 How do I put my gratitude into action?

Laundry.

Cooking.

Vacuuming

Dusting.

Mopping.

Cleaning Toilets.

You Get the idea... the housework.

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 But most days, when I'm off work and home alone

and no one's watching, I would much rather

sit on the couch, read, drink coffee and be lazy.

Don't get me wrong. I do this...

but after a while, I get up

 and I try to be of service in some way to my husband.

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Because I know he is off working hard,

and I know I should be too.

xoxo - Bethany  

 

God Provides

This weekend, I was in Memphis, staying with my brother and his family, while visiting friends, 

and taking care of business at "the vacation home".

No, not a fun, fancy-pants vacation home.

"Vacation Home" is our attempt at comic relief when talking about our house in

 Memphis we never could sell when we moved to Nashville.

After a deal fell through 2 days before closing, we paid 2 mortgages for 6 months.

Not fun. Or easy.

So we decided to rent it out to stop the financial bleeding.

And everything was all rosey for 12 whole months, 

until that renter moved out last month when the lease was up.

Then fear and panic set in again.

What if it is totally wrecked???

What if we can't find another renter??? 

What if we have to pay 2 mortgages all over again for months???

But, God provides what we need.

 It wasn't completely wrecked.

And we have a signed 12 month lease.

We're actually renting  the house to the lady Jason bought it from.

She never wanted to sell it, but was forced to due to her circumstances,

and has missed it.

Her kids even still refer to our house as home.

Her and her husband at the time, bought it in its original 1950s condition

and renovated it; so she has put alot of love into this house in the past.

She wants to buy it back from us, but is currently finishing her nursing degree.

So hopefully...in a year or two it will happen.

In the meantime, I am glad it is rented.

And I'm glad it is rented to someone who loves it and will take care of it. 

God has provided for our family.

God has provided for her family.

xoxo - Bethany

Our Mediterranean Souvenir

So, as promised yesterday, here is our souvenir we bought ourselves on the trip.

A Turkish carpet!

Here is, in the foyer...

My front door is to the right in this picture, 

so you see it as soon as you walk into the house.

I really like how the navy in the rug picks up the navy walls from the dining room.

It's wool on cotton, 100% handmade, with natural dyes.

I really love it, and I think it adds a lot to our foyer.

I hope y'all are enjoying a cool autumn weekend!

xoxo- Bethany

Pretty Piped Pillow

Hey y'all!

Today I'm back with a new sewing skill.

Piping!

I made a piped pillow to match my skirted bedside table.

It turned out great!

 So great, in fact, I might have to pipe all my sewing projects from here on out!

Here it is with a peek of the skirted side table.

I think it ties it all together and gives it a more custom look.

This definately won't be my last piped pillow!

This weekend, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and nephew came in town to visit

and celebrate my other sister-in-law, Jenny's birthday.

We had a wonderful time getting to visit and 

I am looking forward to the next time we get together.

This coming weekend, we're headed to the Meditterranian!

I'll be back later this week with details. :)

xoxo- Bethany

Four Simple Goals before 2013

Today, I am playing along with Elsie from A Beautiful Mess.

She challenged her readers to create 4 Simple Goals before 2013.

So without further ado...here are my goals!

1. Try a new recipe once a week.  This one is simple enough. Between my magazine subscriptions and Pinterest it should be easy! I'm always one the hunt for easy delicious recipes to add to my cooking arsenal.

2. Aim for 3 quality blog posts a week. Blogging is a great creative outlet for me and I've really be enjoying it! Honestly, it's been hard to keep up momentum to post regularly and brainstorm ideas constantly...but its a good hard. :) I just want to make a conscious effort to up with my blog even though I'm starting back work this month and traveling. Plus, the Holidays will be here before we know it, and we all know how busy it can get that time of year!

3. Practice slow decorating. I shamelessly swiped this one from Elsie. But it's something I need to be aware of and practice. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed with how the house looks vs. how I want it to look. But decorating is a process, and I'd rather wait and add perfect pieces as we come across them, rather then buy stuff just to fill the house and be done with it.

4. Practice sewing. Sewing is one of those things if I don't use it, I lose it. Even though I am not currently taking sewing classes, I am going to do my best to keep creating small projects and practicing the sewing techniques I've learned to get better. Practice makes perfect, and my sewing is far from perfect!

That's it! I'll be posting updates on how I'm doing on my goals throughout 2012, so check back often!

Have you set any goals lately?

xoxo - Bethany

Fall is here!

Even though it's still hot outside,

I've declared it Fall.

I made my first wreath ever,

and honestly it was sooo easy I don't know why I waited so long.

I think it turned out cute!

I also did a little fall tablescape on the dining room table.

I love fall...pumpkin spice lattes, crisp mornings, changing leaves...

I can't wait!

Are you ready for fall?

xoxo- Bethany

Perspective

Just dropping in to remind you and me, 

that it's all about perspective...

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Beautiful.

 

Not so beautiful.

In all sincerity, my heart goes out to those on the Gulf Coast and in Louisiana
who have been weathering Hurricane Issac.

I have been thinking and praying for you all.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

xoxo- Bethany

Latest Estate Sale Finds

This week my partner in crime when it comes to estate sales, Toni, was at the beach; 

but I still managed to make it to one.

It was worth it.

I found some treasures.

Here's what I got:

Brass camel incense holder.

I love camels and they're  not that easy to find.

Had to get him.

Speaking of camels, I have been coveting this camel bracelet.

Someone should buy it for me.

*cough* Jason *cough*

Okay, so when I look at this I see adorable vintage whale toy.

Jason sees a massager. Gross. A used massager.

Now it's not as cute as I thought.

Maybe it will grow on me again and will look cute on a shelf in my someday nursery.

No, mom, I'm not pregnant.

No, mom, I'm not smoking either.

But I do have friends and family who smoke.

Therefore, occasionally I need an ashtray.

Why not have a cool vintage one?

A cool one that is genuine alabaster, hand carved, made in Italy.

So, all in all, I spent 5 bucks. Not bad. :)

Have you found any vintage treasure lately?

-Bethany