Refreshing Grape Salad

Just a quick hello today!  Seth and I are off to run our Saturday errands..... Target, CVS and, of course, our weekly trip to Hobby Lobby!  I wanted to share a yummy recipe with you that I made recently.  It is a simple grape salad that is so delicious and refreshing.  I first had it at Seth's end of the season baseball party.  Cheri, one of the other Diamond Jaxx mom's made it for the pool party.  Let me tell you, one bite and I was hooked!!!!  Cheri told me how to make it at the party, but, of course, I didn't have a pencil and paper handy to write it down exactly.  I had a general idea of the ingredients though. When I decided to make it I googled "grape salad" and came up with a lot of hits; however, they all sounded like they made way too much for my small family (two of which are very picky and would never eat grape salad.... picky boys :-).  I played around with it and came up with the following which will make a smaller portion suitable for a smaller group - I didn't want it to go to waste.  Feel free to double if needed. 

Grape Salad

Approximately 1 pound of seedless grapes (I used white grapes, but a mixture would be fine.)
1/2 block of cream cheese , softened
4 ounces of sour cream
1/3 cup of sugar
1/3 cup of brown sugar
chopped pecans

Wash and dry grapes completely - it is important the grapes be completely dry or the consistency of the sour cream/cream cheese mixture will be compromised completely messed up. 

Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and the sugar (white only).  Pour this mixture over the grapes and stir well.  Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the coated grapes.  Sprinkle with the chopped pecans.  Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

You can serve it just like this; however, I like the taste of the brown sugar througout the entire salad so I like to stir the brown sugar and the pecans into the salad prior to serving. 

Enjoy!!! I hope everyone has a super weekend!!  We are certainly loving this cooler weather in south Alabama! 

Too Cute to Wait til October!

I know, I know, it is only mid September and probably too early to decorate for Halloween, BUT, I saw this idea in the BH & G Halloween issue and I just had to go ahead and try to recreate it now.  It was simply too cute to wait!!!

This was such an easy project!  Here is the inspiration picture:

It was shown as part of a Halloween party dessert table.  I decided to turn it into my early fall centerpiece.

In the original, I couldn't quite determine what was adorning the apothocary jar.  I trimmed mine with a double layer of grosgrain ribbon that I hot -glued together.  What can I say?  I am indecisive and couldn't choose between black or orange.  When in doubt - go for both!  Then I added pumpkins and black cats that I already had on hand in my scrapbook supplies.

I thought it needed a little "something" to finish the project so I added a black "berry" wreath.  I picked this up at Rite-Aid for $5.00.  It was originally yellow and orange, but that was quickly fixed with a little can of black spray paint.

I think it is just too cute! 

Hmmm... I know there is a lot of pictures - I just couldn't stop!

Don't want to spend the money on jelly beans?  Try Candy Corn.  I may use them next year because three pounds of jelly beans is not cheap :-)

This week I am linking to the following parties:

Debbie's Magazine Copy Cat Party @ http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/


Show and Tell Wednesdays at http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

Open House Party Thursdays at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Tuesday's Treasures @ http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Keep it Simple Party @ http://gritsglamour.blogspot.com/

Seasonal Sundays @ www.thetablescaper.blogspot.com

Wickedly Creative Halloween Ideas Party @ http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/

http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/


Ultimate Halloween Linky Party @ http://www.theletter4.blogspot.com/


Falling for Crafts Challenge @ http://www.oneartmama.blogspot.com/

(Debbie, I got so excited about your party I made two entries.  Hope that is ok.  You had me inspired!!!)

Magazine Copy Cat Project!

One of my favorite bloggers, Debbie, of Debbie-Doos Blogging and Blabbing, is having a Magazine Copy Cat Party.  When she first mentioned this  party I was so excited.  My mind started thinking of all the clippings that I have saved from year's past..... What would I do??? Well, right off, I had to tell myself "Lisa, we are talking a small project - not a total room redo"!  Anyway, I finally settled on a hanging basket door decoration that I saw in a spring issue of Southern Living a year or two ago.  Obviously, because it is now fall, this will not be a literal interpretation - more of a variation of the project.  I am really pleased with the finished product.  I hope you like it! 

The overall cost was minimal  - the basket and ribbon were both bargains at Michael's.  The floral stems were on sale half-price at Hobby Lobby.  I had to purchase floral foam because this was the first time I had ever actually arranged silk flowers.  I didn't have a game plan - I just started "poking" and rearranging until I got the look I wanted. 

This is my inspiration :-)  I loved the simple design of the flowers hanging from the satin ribbon. 

OK - I am not good at remembering to take pictures while I am actually doing the project.  Just picture floral stems everywhere and me working with wire cutters. 

 

The finished project - It is hanging on the French doors leading to our screened porch. 

I think the fall colors look so pretty with the stained wood doors.

 

One final look at my Magazine Copy Cat Project.  This was a lot of fun.  I look forward to adding more pictures to my idea file and completing more "copy cat" projects in the future! 

As always, thanks for visiting!  

This week I am linking to the following: 

Debbie's Magazine Copy Cat Party @ http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Open House Party Thursdays at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday @ www.atthepicketfence.com

Frugal Friday @ www.shabbynest.blogspot.com

Amaze Me Mondays @ http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/

 Door Decor Fall Linky Party @ http://www.southernhospitalityblog.com/



Come join in the fun!!!

Patriotic Tablescape!

Welcome to our the dining room in our new home.  Come on in!  In our new house we don't have a breakfast area and a formal dining room.  We have a great eat-in kitchen with a bar where our family of three eats most of our meals.  This house has a much more casual feel which we love; therefore, we decided to keep the distressed table that was in the breakfast room in our former home.  It just seems to FIT in this house! 

I purchased all of these items on sale in preparation for the 4th of July; however, we ended up moving during the long holiday weekend.  This weekend I decided to set our patriotic tablescape.  After all, ANY time is the perfect time to show our American pride!! 

The bandana placemats and napkins were on sale at Dillards.  The polka dot plates were on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  The white plates are the salad plates that go with my "everyday" dishes I got when Jon and I married.  The pattern is Wedgewood Strawberry and Vine.  The glassware is by Denby - also part of the wonderful items Jon and I received as newlyweds.  The center tray was a bargain at Target (same for the little tins - they were only $1 each!) The flowers for the centerpiece are simple daisies accented with sparkly stars.  The "vase" is four Classic Coke bottles wrapped in grosgrain ribbon.  You will notice that the napkin rings are grosgrain ribbon as well.  Why spend a fortune when ribbon is so cute and inexpensive!!!  I love mixing old and new - formal and casual. 

Red, white and blue.... Happy and Patriotic!!

Simple grosgrain ribbon serves as an inexpensive napkin ring.

Daisies - perfectly All American!

These little Coke bottles remind me of my childhood.  They were always a special icy cold treat!

 

Don't have a vase?  Use what you have on hand! 

Little sparkly stars - a total bargain that can be used again!

 Plastic utinsils - perfect for an informal gathering. 

Finally, a cheerful red tin tub filled with beverages.  I made the monogram out of a sheet of duct tape!  I sketched the letters and cut them out by hand.  The entire project cost less than a dollar. I can easily take them off and redo it at anytime.  I could easily remove the monogram and replace it with "Hotty Toddy" for my beloved Ole Miss Rebels.... perfect for tailgating!!!

Thanks for visiting!!! 

This week I am linking to the following parties:

Tuesday's Treasures @ http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Tabletop Tuesday @ http://www.astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday@ http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Feathered Nest Friday @ http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Prissy Guest Bedroom

I hope that everyone has been having a super Saturday!  Seth and I had a "Mommy and Son" day as we do most Saturdays because my husband's job requires him to work on the weekends.  We decided to have fun in spite of Tropical Storm Lee!  I will tell you that I left the house in flip flops and came back in rain boots!!!  We had lunch at Panera Bread and hit my favorite stores:  Target and Hobby Lobby!  My little man is all boy, but he is such a trooper when I am dragging him from store to store!

Today I will share the guest room in our new home.  It is decidely prissy! Yes, I will admit it... I love all things feminine!  I have always been a girly girl!   In our last home we had two guest bedrooms.  In this home, we just have one and I decided to stick with the bedding that was a little more girly - not only because I love the pink and green color scheme, but also because we changed Seth to a "bigger boy" room.  This meant we gave him the dark sleigh bed that was in the other guest room.  (I can't wait to post soon on how cute his new room is turning out.)

First let me say the color is not perfect yet.  We have not repainted anything.  The color in the old house was a much more vivid green; however, this more mellow shade of green is growing on me.  It if certainly calming!  Also, I am not a fan of ceiling fans, but I am striving to be frugal.  I really miss the vintage looking ultra feminine chandelier that we left behind.  I will find one on sale some day...... Until then, I am just fine with the fan :-)

Also, I love antiques, but those were lost in Hurricane Katrina. One piece was my grandmother's iron bed.  You just can't replace things like that very easily.  These pieces are all reproductions, but I think they are wonderful!! 

 

Pink and green - the epitome of prissy!!!

The original painting from my friend Diane was in the "blue room" at the old house.  I was determined to find it a  home in our new house - I think it looks great in this room!  (Please note that I moved the Build-A-Bear from some of the pictures, but then decided it was ok if y'all knew I had my own bear!)

This view is from the other side of the room - it is not a large room, but I think that just enhances the coziness factor!

 I think a bed is not complete unless there is a quilt folded up on the end.  Perfect for napping!

I found this precious vase at an antique store recently.  It was too sweet to pass up! 

I fell in love with this armoire.  I use the small drawers for all my decorating idea files.

I found these frames on sale at Pottery Barn several years ago.  I am a huge fan of hanging old family photos.  My mom and Dad are in the bottom picture.  Love it!

 

This precious picture is of my grandmother, Weesie. 

She passed away in 2001 at the age of 90. 

Yes, sometimes I buy totally impractical things just because

they are prissy and they call my name!!! 

Cute pink poodles (my first "baby" was a tiny toy poodle named Chloe')

and a vintage pillow case - little things make me happy!

 The camera doesn't do this picture justice.  It is by Mississippi artist, Wyatt Waters. 

He is one of my favorites!

One last picture.....This is of the entry way - The two pictures here are of my mom and dad when they were little children.  Items like these are what makes a house a home!! 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!! 

This week I am linking to the following parties:

Debbie's Newbie Party @ http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

Crystal's Blog Hop @ http://www.homemakerinheels.com/

Met Monday @ www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

Tuesday's Treasures @ http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays @ www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com

It's a Party @ www.acreativeprincess.blogspot.com

Feathered Nest Friday @ www.frenchcountycottage.blogspot.com

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/