Friday, July 31, 2015

Christmas in July 2015 - Day Thirty-One aka The End!

And that, my friends, is Christmas in July for 2015. Thank you for reading; I hope you enjoyed the photos, sorry the month was a bit link-heavy but I wanted you to be able to have plenty of resources. I'm leaving you with some delectable goodness which I hope will grace your holiday table.

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
Nana's Church Window Bars
How to create a Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Tower
Marzipan Shortbread Cookies
From 10 of the Best Christmas Cookies Around the World - unfortunately, the Austrian Linzer link is no longer working
Mini German Pancakes
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Homemade Vanilla Extract
Nordic Ware Holiday Tree Bundt Pan

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Christmas in July 2015 - Day Thirty...we're almost there!

Time to put your pinny on and think about some fun in the kitchen.

Behind Door #1 is this classy poinsettia number from ClassyCookAprons over at Etsy - no longer available but check back closer to the holidays

#2 was from Nordstrom
KitschNStyle over on Etsy - again, check back later in the year
Whatever type of event you plan, send your guests home with a little something to say "Thank you for coming!".
Save your aluminum foil and plastic wrap boxes and recycle them this way
Or stock up on holiday tea towels (or you can use plain ones) and attach this poem

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Christmas in July 2015 - Day Twenty-Nine

More kitchen decor ideas...

More vintage with galvanized steel - this entire post has amazing ideas
Took me ages to find the exact post that featured this picture but it was well worth the look - Jenny Allsorts has amazing Christmas posts
I think this is my favorite photo from Christmas in July 2015 because I LOVE Le Creuset

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Christmas in July 2015 - Day Twenty-Eight

I just can't get enough of these fabulous kitchen decor ideas!

Christmas Decorating with Kitchen Items
An Ebay listing - over now but the description of the components is great
Cook's Herb Wreath
Cookie Sheet Magnet Board
The link was to Better Homes and Gardens but I couldn't find this item - I think you get the idea: metal cookie cutters wired together, the whole thing painted red (if the cutters are not already red), and add a big bow

Monday, July 27, 2015

Life Last Week 2015-29

Bests

1. WORK! Orientation, training, met my new supervisor and mentor/trainer, met my new boss, familiarized myself with my new office and the crew, got my ID badge, rode the bus back and forth to work (no driving and no parking), got my new hard hat...what a great week! Totally new environment for me, industrial, but I am loving it!

2. Sophia came home for the weekend and brought a friend. We checked out a house (see #3), went out to lunch, and had fun with the Navy Wives at game night.

3. Our number finally came up on the base housing list and the house is minutes away (walking) from my new office. It's a bit smaller than we wanted but it will work out. Just a few questions to ask the housing office when they open this morning and we'll have a final answer!

4. Heard from Vic several times during the week as he checked in with me to see how work was going and then a longer conversation on Friday as the ship's major inspection was over with great results. Everybody's happy!

5. Two new tenant applications received so far so it looks like we will have a smooth transition at our rental property. That is great news.

Worsts

1. With a week like that, I can't think of a single bad thing to say.

Christmas in July 2015 - Day Twenty-Seven

Continuing on with Christmas in the Kitchen...

Lots of great ideas here and some lovely kitchens
A quick and easy Cinnamon and Berry Jar

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Christmas in July 2015 - Day Twenty-Six

It's the final week of Christmas in July 2015 - the brief for Christmas in the Kitchen is...everything from menu plans to tablescapes, recipes, and how-to.

I'm starting out with some kitchen decor - I've got quite a lot of it actually so I'll spread it over a couple of days.

I love this Cross Stitch pattern - in a frame, it would look lovely on the kitchen wall
This post is actually a Kitchen Cabinet Makeover - my favorite part of the picture is the boxwood wreaths and ribbons idea
Hanging Candy Canes - a great idea with all of the designed resin candy canes that are available now
I've posted similar Hanging Ornaments photos before but I thought this was a simpler design for a breakfast nook table - I would replace the pointed bulbs with plain round ones to keep it simple

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Christmas in July 2015 - Day Twenty-Three

Continuing on, but moving into the bedroom...

French Country Cottage via cedar hill farmhouse
Rustic Bedding from Black Forest Decor - this one is no longer shown on the site but there are lots of others