Fall Decorating 101

Are you already dreaming of a white Christmas, or do you savor this time of year and relish the beauty it brings? In my last post Plugged in Yet Disconnected, I wrote about my memorable trip to the attic to find my orange tote of fall decorations. Now I’d like to unpack that box for you and show you how to become a “fall” decorating diva! Using just a few essential items, you can add a splash of color to your home this harvest season.

First, we’ll add some ambience to your fireplace mantel.

Grab a string of 50 clear lights, a garland of brightly colored leaves, two small pie pumpkins, two pinecones, and a large fall flower arrangement.

• Wind the string of clear lights around the garland.
• Put the flower arrangement in the center of the mantel. I got this one for $5.00 at Wal-Mart at the end of the season last year!
• Place the pumpkins on either side of the flowers. Mine are from our trip to the Fiddlin’ Rooster Farm’s pumpkin patch!
• The pinecones are next- put them next to the pumpkins on the side near the flowers.
• Then weave the lighted garland throughout the decorations. I went behind the pumpkins and in front of the flowers, leaving a little garland hanging off each side of the mantle.

Voila! This arrangement looks stunning at night!

Next, we’ll tackle the coffee table. You’ll need two topiaries, a rustic looking bowl or basket, various gourds, and a small scarecrow.

• Fill the bowl or basket with fun gourds of varying colors and shapes.
• Position the scarecrow sitting on the back edge of the bowl, and don’t forget to cross his legs!
• Place the two topiaries equal distances from the bowl. I bought these for $2.50 each last year at Wal-Mart’s end of the season sale!

And there you have it- a simple, stylish tablescape even the kids will love!

Now that we’ve added a touch of color to the living room, let’s liven up the dining room!

To create a simple yet elegant centerpiece for your dining room table, use a festive fall wreath and a simple glass hurricane.

• Set a warm-colored candle in the hurricane.
• Place the hurricane in the center of the wreath.

This is a centerpiece that could double in Decorating for Dummies. You can easily copy this beautiful arrangement regardless of your decorating expertise!

If you have a buffet in your dining room, create a beautiful tablescape using candles and flowers.

You’ll need a formal flower arrangement with deep, vibrant colors; a gold charger; pillar candles; and candle holders.

• Place the flowers in the center of the buffet. A gold charger placed behind the flowers makes the colors in the arrangement pop.
• Put candles on either side of the arrangement. I bought these leaf-embossed candles last year at the Dollar Tree.

So stylish and simple!

Last but not least, splash pockets of color around your home using straw pumpkins, leaves, and gourds. Place pumpkins and gourds of varying sizes on top of leaves to go from plain to pizzazz!

I hope you’ve enjoyed a sneak peek into my home and that you’ll try some of these doable decorating ideas!

Casserole Favorites, Anyone?

Some of my favorite dishes are casseroles. I love the smell of them baking in the oven and the way they make me feel cozy and warm. Casseroles equate to comfort food, and there is no better time of year to prepare them than during the frosty winter months.

Everyone loves getting a new recipe to try, so I thought it would be fun to post our favorite casserole recipes here. Just click the comment button below and post your recipe so we can all enjoy it!

One of my all-time favorites is King Ranch Chicken. For those of you who like to add a little spice to life, this one's for you!

King Ranch Chicken

serves 8

Ingredients:

1/4 cup margarine

1 medium green bell pepper

1 medium onion

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cans Rotel diced tomatoes

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

12 corn tortillas, torn into bite size pieces

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2)Saute bell pepper and onion in margarine.

3) Add soup, Rotel, and chicken. Heat thoroughly.

4) Layer half the tortillas, half the chicken mixture, and half the cheese.

5) Repeat step three.

6) Bake 40 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

ENJOY!

"How to" Series: Cooking a Turkey

A delectable turkey is a done deal if you carefully follow these tried and true turkey tips.

1) A turkey needs adequate time to defrost (at least 4 to 5 days in the fridge). Check your turkey the day before your gathering to make sure it is defrosted. If you need to defrost a turkey in a pinch, fill up your kitchen sink with cold water so that the turkey is completely covered.

2) After your turkey is fully defrosted, open packaging and discard. Rinse turkey well, and pick off stray feathers. Remove neck and paper pouch under the skin containing gizzards. Pat dry with paper towels.

3) Butter bird inside and out. Use approximately one stick of softened butter and a paper towel.

4) Season well with Tony’s Chachere and garlic powder or salt and pepper if you like less of a kick. Rub seasoning inside turkey and underneath skin. Then sprinkle seasoning on top of skin and rub well.

5) Stuff bird loosely right before cooking. Stuffing too early can cause food borne illness. For each pound of turkey, plan on ¾ cup of stuffing.

6) Tie legs together with kitchen twine. This is called trussing your turkey. It helps it to cook evenly.

7) Put turkey in roaster breast side up.

8) Tent breast with foil. Add 2-3 cups of water to roaster so turkey does not burn. About every 45 minutes, remove foil tent and baste bird with pan juices. Re-cover breast with tent after basting. Remove foil tent during the last thirty minutes of cooking. Return to oven to brown breast.

9) Bake turkey at 325 degrees for the amount of time specified on the packaging. Be aware that a stuffed bird takes approximately one hour longer to cook. Cook until the stuffing reaches 165 degrees and the deepest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees on a meat thermometer.

10) Let turkey rest for 30 minutes while making gravy and finishing up side dishes. To make gravy, fill measuring cup with 2 cups of cold water. Gradually whisk in 1/3 cup of flour. Make sure there are no lumps. Boil pan drippings from roaster and then slowly add flour mixture, stirring constantly until thickened. Season with salt and pepper as needed. If you like your gravy thinner, add a little more water to the pan. If you want it thicker, add 2-3 tablespoons of flour to 1/3 cup of cold water and slowly stir into gravy mixture.

Enjoy! And have a blessed Thanksgiving!

"How to" Series: The 10 T's of Time Management

Time. No one ever seems to have enough of it. Sometimes the days of our lives fly by so fast we can't even remember what we did three hours ago much less what we did last week. But how we choose to spend our time is important because it reflects what we value in our lives. As believers, our heart's desire is to steward our time on Earth wisely so that our Father in heaven is glorified. The 10 T's of Time Management are tried and true time-saving tips that will help you find more time for what is truly important!

1) Trust each and every minute of your life is in God’s hand. Psalm 31:15 (KJV)

Notice God only needs one hand to hold all our times. We are tempted to think God somehow needs our help to figure out what we should do next. The God of the universe is perfectly able to direct every minute of our lives by His mighty power!

2) Tithe a portion of your time each day to the Lord. Psalm 34:1, Ephesians 6:18, Psalm 119:10-20 (The Message)

The average person is awake 15-16 hours per day yet spends less than 10 minutes per day with the creator of time. (Watch 40 million minutes here.)

Can you imagine what would happen if believers became intentional about tithing a portion of their time each day to the Lord?

I don't think we can fathom the global impact that would occur if millions of Christians worldwide began investing 1 1/2 hours of their time each day to deepening their relationships with Christ. The reality is, we become like the people we hang around with. I don't know about you, but there is no person I'd rather be like than Jesus.

3) Take captive extra minutes. Ephesians 5:15-16

Taking captive extra minutes requires discipline! If you find there is never enough time in your day to get everything accomplished, wake up earlier. It is amazing how much you can accomplish if you get up before your kids.

Also, plan and organize each evening.1 Implementing a nighttime routine saves you headaches when morning rolls around. Take baths at night, lay clothes out before bed, make lunches a day in advance, and meal plan so you do not waste time wondering what to cook for dinner. Sorting laundry in the evening and throwing the first load in the washer prepares you for a calm start to your day.

4) Tune out distractions. Colossians 3:2

Ok. This one is simple. The reason we have such difficulty doing what God has asked us to do in our homes is because we are too busy doing other things. So let's get honest. How much time do you spend watching TV, talking or texting, surfing the Internet, or using social networking sites?

If you want to be more productive, carve out a window of time during your day to return phone calls, check e-mail, or use the Internet.2 If it's not time to do those things, don’t do them! You'll be amazed at how much time you save.

5) Test yourself. 1 Corinthians 9:24

If you have a hard time getting motivated (don't we all?), see how fast you can complete tasks by setting a timer.3 This is crucial because if you don't set a timer, you will continue a project inevitably especially if you struggle with perfectionism!

Parkinson’s Law says,“Work expands to fill the time allowed for completion.” So don't let household chores rob you of precious minutes! Set a timer and then move on to the next task when it dings. I promise you, your toilet will still be waiting for you next week.

6) Trade places, not spaces. Matthew 6:19-20

If something doesn't have a home pitch it! In other words, avoid moving an object from one space to another in your home. If you cannot find a place to store it, it's time to get rid of it. So often we forget less is more. When you throw or give away things you don't need, you'll find your home more orderly and peaceful.

7) Tell people no. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Now are ya'll ready? We are going to practice this one together. Out loud say the word "No!" Let me hear you. With a little force. Good job!

For many women, this is the hardest two-letter word in their vocabulary. So many of us feel obligated to do what any and everybody asks of us. After all, we are the caretakers, the nurturers, and often, the crux of the church.

But let me tell you a freeing truth. You are only obligated to do what God has called you to do. And when you choose to do what God hasn't asked of you, you might just end up stealing someone else’s blessing.

8) Track your progress. Proverbs 21:5 (The Message)

Many of us tend to buck structure in our lives. We do what we want to do when we want to do it. The problem with this philosophy is that structure is crucial to getting tasks accomplished.

We often forget God is a God of order and not of chaos. With order comes peace and eventually joy, which is what we need to focus on when a job seems insurmountable.

One way to track your progress is to set realistic goals and make reasonable lists. Notice I used the words realistic and reasonable! Next divide your lists categorically before you prioritize. This will prevent you from trying to prioritize a mile-long laundry list. One way to do this is to divide tasks room-by-room or by various life-areas such as home, job, ministry, etc.

Realize that aspirations and responsibilities are NOT THE SAME! Goals are something you desire to accomplish; responsibilities are what you must accomplish. There is a difference! Sometimes I get so focused on achieving my goals that I forfeit my responsibilities all together. I need to always remind myself that when I steward well over the responsibilities God has entrusted me with, He will expand my territory in His time, not mine.

9) Tackle the toughest jobs first.4 Job 7:1

The reality is we procrastinate when tasks are disliked or difficult. Doing the most difficult job first will give you momentum to do the easier ones because you feel a sense of accomplishment.

10) Tame the desires of your flesh. Matthew 26:41

We may be tempted to swing to one of two extremes: idleness or perfection. Either we don't want to do anything or we must do it perfectly. Or better yet, if we can't do it perfectly, we won't do it at all.

When we begin to venture toward either extreme, we need to run to the feet of Jesus and confess our sin! Neither one of these extremes is healthy ... one is rooted in slothfulness and the other in pride. And both will rob us blind of precious minutes we desperately need in our day.

All in all, our lives are but a vapor. Let's live on purpose!

I'd love for you to leave a comment and share your favorite time management tip so that we might all glean from one another.

“Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." James 4:13-14 (NKJV)

1. George, Elizabeth. A Woman After God's Heart. (Eugene: Harvest House, 2006), 181, 184.
2. Landers, Robert L. and James A. Hawkins. Mosby's Nursing Leadership and Management Online. (St. Louis: Mosby, 2006), 190-191.
3. George, Elizabeth. A Woman After God's Heart. (Eugene: Harvest House, 2006), 183.
4. George, Elizabeth. A Woman After God's Heart. (Eugene: Harvest House, 2006), 183.