Weekend Round-Up

Best quote of the week 

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder

Worth Noting-very little snow as the temps soared to 49. A real heat wave for December 16th in Minnesota!  

The yuletide season is well on its way. I made a quick trip to Bachmans Annual Holiday Idea House just in time as Sunday was their last day. This year, as a nod to the sometimes nostalgic and traditional plaid, the Idea House welcomed modern luxury as a twist. Plaid went glam and modern by mixing in galvanized textures, mixed metals and lots of glimmering lights in every room. Nearly every item in the Holiday Ideas House was priced for sale in the main store. Each room of this historical home had a distinctive decor filled with inspirational decorations alongside fresh seasonal arrangements, trees, wreaths, and garlands. The house was brimming with inspiration and ideas galore.

Here's a genius idea in my estimation. Each panel was a table runner to create these curtains above the sink so no sewing was involved. The tension rod came from Ikea with rings that had little clips (like small clothes pins) to hold the curtain panels up.  
These plaid curtains below are perfect for another small window. The curtains are dish towels. Just think, you could change your curtains all the time with this idea. The rod and clips are the same ones used above with table runner. 

A reindeer bar idea that was totally overlooked by Ever Ready Postings, a    

Hot Chocolate Bar with all the toppings.

Festive looking tree to put you in the holiday mood as well as 

a brightly decorated kitchen and 

luxurious looking bedroom 

and a sign outside that caught my attention.

Most creative appetizer of the week
Thanks to Joni for this idea.

Christmas Olive Tree 
You will need 
one Styrofoam Christmas tree shape from a craft store
3 different bottles of olives
1 bottle of pickled onions
toothpicks
Directions:
Start at the bottom and work you're way up arranging olives on toothpicks to secure to the Styrofoam.
Cook's tip Save the bottles with their juices in case there are some leftovers that need to be saved. 

Current book I am reading 

Becoming like Michelle Obama herself, the book is both eloquent and relatable. And well written as Obama talks about becoming her, becoming us, and finally, becoming more. 

A  definite put on your December/January list.