How to Beat the B-O-R-E-D bug over the Holiday Break?

How to beat the B-O-R-E-D bug?

Holiday Breaks take on a different meaning when you are a Stay at Home Mom. When I was working full time, I treasured the days of being at home with the kids.  I would get 2-3 days off at the most and those days were so jam packed with activity, it seemed like they were over before they even started.

Fast Forward to this year, when the Board of Education saw fit to make Thanksgiving Break a week long, sending this Mommy into Panic Mode.  A Week off in the Cold, with little to no chance of Outdoor Activities means I have to find a way to keep these girl’s entertained to combat the B-O-R-E-D bug.

The B-O-R-E-D Printable Beat the B-O-R-E-D bug

For the Free Printable Click BORED.

So my mind switches into List Mode….

What can we do?

  • Board Games
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Bowling
  • Learning Disguised as Fun
  • Read-a- Thon & Library Trips
  • $3 Movie Theater Trip
  • Holiday Decorations
  • Scrapbooking
  • Making Christmas Lists
  • Mini-Golf
  • Baking

I am feeling pretty proud of myself, until I realize that my entire list could probably fit into a 4-5 hour time Span, which sends me into an even bigger panic.

So it’s back to the drawing board, also known as Pinterest.

Here are some of the links that I found….

The Chirping Moms on

10 Things To Do When It’s Too Cold To Go Anywhere!

Pint Size Treasures on

9 Fun Inside Activities to Do With Kids — Perfect for Cold and Snowy Days!

The Madhouse on

The Ultimate No Spend or Low Spend Bored Jar list

**My favorites from these links – Spa Day, Puzzles and Any Other Activity that Includes Helping Mommy with her Chores, lol.

SO…WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE’S OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAKS??

Update – 2014 “Handmade with Love” – Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide 2014

Hey Guys,

I am so happy with the response that we have received for the “Handmade with Love” Holiday Gift Guide.  You all have submitted so many amazing products, that frankly it’s hard to choose. :-).

So, I just wanted to jump on and give you an update.  As of right now, the following Categories are CLOSED.

For Her

For Infant/Toddler

For Home

I have received soo many jewelry submissions, that I am considering making a category just for that.  I will keep you posted.

I am still looking for items for the following Categories:

For Him

For Couples

For Pets

For Foodies

For Fitness Buffs

I think I have responded to everyone who has sent out a submission, at this time.   If I have somehow missed you please reach out to me again, via shereethomas@stage-presents.com.

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October Madness – Free Downloadable October Wallpaper for your iPhone and iPad.

October is here!! Which officially means that even though we haven’t gotten past Halloween yet.  We are fast Approaching the Holiday Season.  Which normally makes me very generous.  In that spirit, we thought we would share with you a Free Downloadable Wallpaper for your iPhone and your iPad, designed by Stage Presents.

Follow the Link Below – Right Click – Save – Enjoy!!

October Calendar Mockups

 

Click here to download the Stage Presents iPhone wallpaper for October

Click here to download the Stage Presents iPad wallpaper for October

 

 

And …. We’re Live!! – Restricted Members Only Content

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Many of you have noticed that there were some Cosmetic Changes happening on the Site, yesterday.  That is because we were going through the process of creating a Members Only Section.  If you sign up to become a member of our Blog, you will have access to Exclusive Content.  I believe that everything is working as it should.  However,  please excuse the changes, as we work out all kinks.

We Appreciate your Understanding and Your Patience.

In the meantime and in between time,  Register for your FREE Membership and take Advantage of our Exclusive Fall Printables!!

freefallprintablesubanddisplay

Jumping Head First into Fall – Our Fall Home Tour

Fall Tour 2014 Hero Image

Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons.  After particularly hot summers here in Georgia, when the seasons start to change, I feel the need to bring as much warmth in doors as possible, enter my Fall Décor.

I feel that the Entry to Your Home Sets the Tone for the Entire House.  So, I normally start with my Front Door and Work My way All the Back to the Kitchen.  But, this year, I was literally chomping at the bit, to pull out the Fall Decorations.  So I started indoors, that way the neighbors wouldn’t  know how crazy I am , lol.  I had also promised my hubby, I would wait at least until September 1st, to start decorating for Fall, and that is literally how long I waited.

I started with the hardest part, the Fall Tablescape.  To me, that is the make or break it point.  All other décor  gets married to this room.  I was pretty sure that I could use most of the items that I purchased last year, but still create a different look than last years.

Here is a glimpse of last year’s décor.

2013 Fall Centerpiece

 

2013 Fall Tablescape

Fast Forward to this Year:

2014 Fall Tablescape found on www.stage-presents.com

 

2014 Fall Tablesetting found on www.stage-presents.com

 

Side Buffet - Decorating for Fall - www.stage-presents.com

 

The Burnt Orange Bird Cages were something that my hubby picked up last year, when we were trying to figure out how to style the Side Buffet and the Mantle.  Luckily, they were already the perfect color, the only thing I added to them, were some fall leaves to line the cage.  I had a rather large ceramic pumpkin, and I simply put inside my glass cake plate, and added a few fall leaves and floral accents.  Then I decorated the table with other ceramic pumpkins and gourds.  Next,  I set the table with Fall Leaf place mats I bought last year from Bed Bath & Beyond,  in brown and gold.    I used Pier 1  pear and pumpkin salt and pepper shakers from last year and large fall leaves I purchased from Joann’s Fabrics, to make the table settings pop.  And, the scripted napkins were also something that I bought last year.  So I recycled pretty much everything while creating a new and I think a better look than last year.

Next Up, was my Foyer.  It gets a facelift on a constant basis.  I change up the Art Work and Décor based on Season Changes, Birthdays, and Holidays..  After all it’s the first thing you see when you come through my front door.

Past Foyer Looks:

Fall 2013 Foyer Decor

 

Christmas 2013 - Foyer Decor

 

This Year’s Look:

Fall 2014 - Foyer Decor

My Formal Dining Room flows directly into My Formal Living Room.  I didn’t do much in this room, but change out the centerpiece, just to give the whole space a uniform look.

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Fall 2014 – Living Room Centerpiece found on www.stage-presents.com

Then, I carried the decorations over into the Kitchen by adding these Chalkboard Candles to the Window Sill in the Kitchen.

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Fall 2014 Kitchen Window Display

Last Up, was the Front Door Area.  Here are some pics from the last two years.

2013 Fall Door

2012 Fall Door

And, finally this year!!

2014 Fall Door

Thanks for joining us on Our Fall Home Tour.  As always it’s a joy to decorate my home for my family, and to share it, with you.

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I think I am part of the “Energy Crisis”.  I have been soo sleepy lately.  I am hoping that since this week is Spring Break and hubby is off, I will be able to sleep in some days and maybe even score some day time naps.  [Scoffs!!]

That being said, right now…

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Now, that I am done decorating my Spring Table:

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and added a pop of color to the kitchen window sill with my colorful chalkboard planters and fresh herbs.

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and put up my re-purposed spring wreath.

 

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The only thing I have left is to decide on is planters for the front door and whether or not I am doing just greenery or flowers.

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In my search, I ran across this – 100+ Spring Planters.  Soo many choices, so little time.  Also, living in Georgia, I tend to want flowers and greenery that deter mosquitoes.  I only recently realized that this was an option.  Which is a good thing because the mosquitoes love me and the kids. Ugh!!

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And, yes I am still obsessing over Easter Egg Decor Design.   Check out these links here and here.

I think I am going to cheat and work on the Easter Eggs with the kids this week, over Spring Break.

Finally, here are some cute Easter Printables.

Hope you all have a great week!!

 

J’adore 4

With Winter on Its Way Out and Spring on its way In, I find myself mesmerized by color.

We have pretty much completed the Family Room.  Meaning, it has everything it needs. But, I would like to add a little bit to it here or there.  I have always been a fan of built-ins, but hubby isn’t a fan of big furniture, unless you count the TV.  So, a compromise of sorts for that room, will most likely be bookshelves. I like the idea of being able to style the bookshelves, with pictures, art, as well as books.  Therefore, not having to destroy the walls, should I choose to change it up at some point.  Even more than that, I like the fact that one of the recent trends in book shelf styling encourages adding color to the insides of bookshelves to make the room pop.  This would most likely be something else hubby and I would have to discuss further, but check out these three looks.

1 – This one actually is a “built-in”.

2 – This one is more for a kid’s room or playroom.  The colors are so festive and Spring like.

3 – This one is probably the closest to what I am looking for.  Especially since, the largest piece of furniture in our Family Room is our Red Leather Sofa.

Another Color that keeps drifting into everything these days is Yellow. According to Benjamin Moore, Yellow or “Breath of Fresh Air“, as they are calling it is the Color of 2014.  It’s a little pale for my preferences, but, I find myself gravitating towards this Color Scheme.  The yellow here is a little stronger.

It is used here to Decorate this Outdoor Space for an Event.  Here as a DIY that caught my eye, to glitz up your front door. And, in this Gorgeous Nursery Set Up.  And, my favorite of course the Giraffe and Elephant Pillows available for purchase in our Etsy Store.

Spring is Officially Approaching.  Don’t forget to set your Clocks Forward tonight!!

spring

 

What’s on your Agenda for the Change of Season?

Did you read our Last Blog?

 

Falling Into Comfort Foods – Apple Crisp Recipes (Skinny and Decadent)

As a child growing up in the North, fall has always been associated with the changing of the leaves, the crisp morning air, trips to the Pumpkin Patch and Apple Picking.  As an adult,  I find myself gravitating to those smells at this time of the year.

Looking for the Apple Cinnamon smell in candles and air fresheners and placing cinnamon brooms all over the house, and even indulging in a little baking here and there.

Here are two recipes for a Great Fall Dessert I like, one is a little less indulgent, though just as tasty and the other is just downright decadent.

Falling Into Comfort Foods - Skinny & Decadent Recipes for Apple Crisps - A Fall Favorite

Photo Source:

Skinny Cinnamon Apple Crisp
Recipe Found Here
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8th • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 7 pts
Calories: 242.0 • Fat: 6.8 g • Protein: 2.3 g • Carb: 49.5 g • Fiber: 4.5 g • Sugar: 32.3 g
Sodium: 10.1

For the Filling:

  • 5 medium apples, peeled and diced
  • 1.5 oz raisins (small box)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 3 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup Quaker quick rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (not packed)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (half stick) butter, melted

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine apples, raisins, cinnamon, agave nectar and lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch. Toss until fruit is coated. Place fruit in an ungreased baking dish.

Mix remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake about 40 minutes or until topping is golden brown and fruit is tender.

Serve with a scoop of low fat ice cream or fat free frozen yogurt. Enjoy!!

Now for our more Decadent Recipe  –

Easy Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel Found Here

Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: | Makes: 8 servings

When you don’t have time to roll out the dough for an apple pie, a crisp is the next best thing. Just peel, core, and slice the apples; toss them with a bit of sugar and cinnamon; and dump them into a baking dish. Then mix the oats, brown sugar, and butter for the streusel in the same bowl you used for mixing the apples, which saves you a dish to wash. Sprinkle the streusel over the apples, and in about an hour you’ll have an easy dessert of bubbling apples blanketed with a crunchy, sweet topping.

Game plan: Adjust the sugar in this recipe to the sweetness of the apples, using 2 tablespoons for exceptionally sweet ones and 3 if the apples are on the tart side.

Click here to watch the CHOW Test Kitchen’s Amy Wisniewski make this easy apple crisp in our Easiest Way video series.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 1/2 pounds medium Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples (about 5 or 6), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1/2 stick), cut into small pieces, plus more for coating the dish
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Lightly coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butter.
  2. Combine the apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl and toss to coat. Place the apple mixture in the prepared baking dish and set aside.
  3. Using the same bowl as for mixing the apples, mix together the brown sugar, oats, flour, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt until evenly combined. With your fingertips, blend in the butter pieces until small clumps form and the butter is well incorporated, about 2 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples and bake until the streusel is crispy and the apples are tender, about 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool on a rack at least 30 minutes before serving.

Follow the link above for Beverage Pairing Ideas.  And, if you happen to try either of these recipes be sure to let me know which one you love.