Author:Lori
Holidays

Welcome Fall

September 22
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Fall makes its official entrance later today…and with it comes permission to finally put out those pumpkins!  Most of us aren’t quite ready to jump right into Halloween decor…but it’s nice to appreciate the change of season with a few autumn touches!  I love to see the store-front displays of corn stalks, hay bales, and baskets spilling multiple varieties of pumpkins & gourds!  It doesn’t mean the warm weather fun is over…we still have time to enjoy toasty fall afternoons speckled with new colors & textures that highlight this season!  Even though we’re on the road to winter-there’s plenty of pit-stops along the way!  And there’s something about those roly-poly pumpkins that just make you smile–so go ahead and happily…

welcome fall!

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Savor

An Apple a Day…

September 19
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I hate to speak for Sarah, but since we’ve been friends for so long I think it’s safe to say that neither of us fall into the category of gourmet chefs!  As busy moms go, I also think I can reveal that at times we could consider ourselves lucky to actually have dinner prepared for our families…we’ve all been there!  However, we’ve both been known from time to time to plate up some pretty tasty dishes and treats!  Inspired by family & friends–we’d like to begin to share some of our favorite recipes and food presentation tricks…most of which are super easy, wonderfully tasty…and not bad to look at!  Today we will share a favorite of the season…so perfect for an autumn treat…the apple bar!

an apple (bar) a day–makes life sweeter!

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Decorate

Sticks and Stones…

September 15
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September can be a confusing month when it comes to decorating…too early for pumpkins & gourds but becoming a bit late for seashells and summery nautical shapes & stripes!  Sunny, golden days that fade into the cool crispness of fall evenings will eventually alter the foliage outside into a blaze of color…giving us the cue to display hay bales and jack-o-lanterns! But until then, savor the last days of late summer with simple decor just right for in-between!

easy designs to lead us into fall…

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Favorite Things

Favorite Things

September 5
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On my family’s final road trip of the summer we found ourselves in the most wonderful, gourmet pasta shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The Local Epicurean had been mentioned to me a number of times by my mom who sings the praises of this lovely establishment and quite often brings us gifts of the mouthwatering, handmade pasta that they are so famous for!  Fortunately for me, I had the chance to stop in and see for myself what the buzz is all about!  Wow!  is all I can say…and if you ever get the chance to get there, it’s a stop worth making.  I won’t keep you waiting–take a peek for yourself…

a treat for the senses…

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Travel

Summer Memories

September 1
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It’s Labor Day!  A long weekend of celebrating the final days of summer!  A much needed holiday to soak up the last festivities of all that summer represents…or an extra weekend day to work on those summer projects that took a back seat!  We’ve experienced some technical difficulties this past week as my computer decided to pick the first week of school to not work–so my family’s holiday was filled with trying to get back on line and also retrieve Giggle and personal data that may be gone forever.  But as my son tried to relieve my distress by telling me we could go back to all the places we visited and re-take all those wonderful photos, I realized that I needed a perspective check–in the end the memories are what matters and how thankful we all should be to have such lovely ones!  Therefore, our Giggle families are wishing that everyone ends their summer with the best memories of what the season holds!

a fond farewell to summer…

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Travel

Out & About

August 25
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Even though summer is winding down there’s still enough time to hit the road for a quick get-away!  If the kids are back in school try a solo outing for the day or hold off for a family weekend…either way, go exploring…it’s a great way to have some fun and get inspired!  I wanted to share some “road trip” fun and show off the sweet town of Frankenmuth, Michigan.  Not only is it known for its year-round Christmas fun at the most gianormous holiday shop ever, but it’s quaint, Bavarian style architecture and picturesque views make it a “must see” if you ever find yourself in that neck of the woods!  After working up an appetite strolling through the shop-lined streets, you won’t be disappointed with the restaurants serving up some family-style fare!  Have a look at this lovely, Bavarian village…

and head on over to Frankenmuth!

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Celebrate

Party…To Go!

August 20
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Who says a party needs to stay in one place?  For something different, try packing up a party and hitting the road!  Recently we did just that for a small group of kids for a birthday celebration…a night at the drive-in theater with a party–to go!  I know packing a party sounds daunting but it really was an easy thing to do…no fancy decorations required…just simple supplies & goodies bags would help create a festive adventure!  Take a peek at how simple a “party-to-go” can be…

loaded up and off we go…

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Collect, Travel

Yard Sale Mania!

August 11
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Once again the endless yard sale arrived on a beautiful summer weekend and certainly didn’t disappoint!  Held annually in August, these sales begin on the first Thursday and stretch from Michigan to Alabama–strewn along Highway 127 like a row of ants at a picnic!  This only being my second year to attend…though I’ve been wishing to squeeze this jaunt into my schedule for many years!  Now that I’ve caught the “127 sale fever” I believe that this is one new tradition that I’ll always try to keep!  Not only do you find amazing treasures but there’s always something new to see around every bend of the twisty road!  And since people come from all over the place there’s always new characters to meet along the way!  So take a peek at the yard sale mania and mark it on your calendar for next year…

a treasure hunter’s dream…

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Decorate

Dirty Piggies

August 8
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It’s barefoot season!  Time to shed the shoes and let the cool grass tickle the toes!  Unfortunately, all that freedom makes for messy feet…and if you have carpet, rugs or furniture–dirty piggies are an unwelcome sight!  When my boys were toddlers we always had baby wipes handy at the door to swipe those dirty toes…I’m not sure why I stopped that handy habit!  Big dirty piggies are just as bad as little ones…maybe even worse!  With that in mind I decided to re-introduce the dirty piggies station by the back door…always ready to clean up those filthy toes (or fingers) after a hard day of summer play!

saving your home from summer soil…

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Decorate

Baby’s Breath Bounty!

August 6
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When August arrives it seems the bounty of all the wonderful garden goodies are ready for harvest…the same goes for many of the flowers and grasses that can be dried so beautifully to enjoy right into the fall!  A large bunch of Baby’s Breath was cut from my Great Aunt’s garden and given to me…and I have to admit at first I hadn’t the slightest notion what I would do with it!  Often thought of as only a “filler” in a purchased rose bouquet–baby’s breath, I suppose, gets a bad rap!  It is actually quite lovely & dainty–a flower that can easily shine all by itself minus its more appreciated counterpart!  So I gathered my large bundles of this sweet and delicate blossom and created a centerpiece that can rival more celebrated blooms!  Take a peek…

the beautifully simple baby’s breath

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