Wall Gallery

This is a wall gallery that I just did for one of my clients.

Great Living.

This is a Great Room for sure. Tricky at first to get the right layout but now functions wonderfully. I love this neutral backdrop it mixes well with lots of great textures.

Interior Services

I was going through a few of my pictures of past Interior Projects and I came along this one of the Guest House Project.  I just love this room, the white on the walls sets such a nice backdrop for the different shades of green used through out the room.  The bamboo shades were hung high and we mounted white shelves above the windows to add height in this space.  The shelves were mounted on vintage brackets found in St. German's Antiques in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. We filled the shelves full of fun accessories collected by my Grandmother, Mary Ann Fisher. There were old canister sets, photos, plates, old enameled bowls and more.  It was fun searching the attic for buried treasures that would work for our new space.

This room is just calling to me....I just want to light a fire, put on a good movie and curl up for the evening with the family.  A Guest House Retreat for Sure!

;D thanks for stopping by!

FALL In Love.

FALL in Love with your Kitchen.

My favorite spot at home is in my kitchen. I love to cook, bake and spend time with my family in the kitchen. I have great memories of the boys and I gathered around the island baking cookies, pies and yummy breads. My boys love being in the kitchen too and I hope they continue that love as they get older. Lots of good times happen in the kitchen.

FALL in Love with Dining Together.

I am a firm believer that eating dinner together as a family is an important part to a happy family. There is so much to learn about each other while enjoying a nice meal at the family table. Make coming to dinner fun, set the table for the season, have prizes under the kids chairs or have fun with ice breaker questions listed on cards! More importatley use this time with your family to talk about the positive things in the day.

FALL in Love with Bed Time.

We just moved Blake into a Full size bed. Layered with soft sheets, warm blankets and all of his favorite friends. An inviting bed makes them ready for Bed Time. (right?)

FALL in Love with Entertaining.

When Doug and I finished the basement we knew we wanted a place to Entertain. We love our Entertaining Area. This space encludes the bar, game table and our lovely patio with a built in fire pit. This space is perfect for large groups or just four of us on a cold fall night.

FALL in Love with Game Night.

Set up a cozy spot in the house to host Family Game Night. Have games close by for playing and have the popcorn ready for popping!

FALL in Love with Quiet Time.

I set up this room in our basement for a soft place for the boys to play. This room is also set up for some much needed quiet time. This cozy daybed is a perfect place for afternoon naps, daydreaming and curling up with our favorite books. I love nothing more than to curl up with my boys for Snuggle Time. (I'm taking full advantage while I still can.)

FALL in Love with Your Home. Somedays all I can think about are all the negative things about our house... I think that it is easy to get wrapped up in the negatives sometimes. Lately, I have been on a mission to FALL back in Love with my Home. I haven't given my home a chance lately to shine like I know it can. I have spent the last few weeks digging in, organizing, decorating, rearranging rooms and Falling Hard for a house that I call HOME. I think that being content at HOME is important and when your job is your HOME it can be difficult at times to keep your peace.

Back To School...

Good Bye Long Summer Days...

Welcome in Fall!

Back-to-School 2011

Our Big 1st Grader! Were has the time gone. I have a desk!

First Day of Preschool... is a family affair!

Look out world... Here we come!

Nolan only goes 2 days a week... but he loves his backpack and is excited about School! We had a Back-to-School Party after the First Day! I decorated the table with fun school supplies, bright colors and they each got a little gift (flashcards) at there place. They were so excited and it just made the first day back all the better:) ********************* All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.

ISAIAH 54:13

*********************

Arise, shine; for your light has come! and the

glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

ISAIAH 60:1

Thanks for visiting, sorry it has been so long. I hope you come back again.

Getting So Big!

The Chest Protector...

Do you think this can help teach him about putting on his

"ARMOR of GOD"

This can be his breastplate.

Blake got a 4 wheeler last summer and boy it is a hoot watching him tool around. He reminds me so much of his father right now.

" God Bless him and keep him safe. "

It's pretty neat that you can set the maximum speed that he can go and it won't go any faster than we want him to go. Blake and Doug really enjoy the quality time together when they get to go the The Hunt Camp and ride together.

Blake is growing up so fast, my prayer is that, I really take the time to enjoy the moments I have with him. He is starting Kindergarten in the Fall and I am excited and scared at the same time.

It just seems like once they start school it all happens so fast... May God make me appreciate each moment in our lives. I can't change the fact that he's growing up!

" God Bless my Blakey!"

Our Summertime Fun!

Just a few more pictures of our Summer Fun! A Day at Dow Gardens with our Buddies! Nolan is loving the sandbox as usual.

Having dinner in Detroit with Mom and John!

Blake, Aidan and Nolan enjoying a Lolly Pop at

The Loons Game! Check back to see more!

Have a Blessed Day All!

An Update on the Family!

We have been having an Amazing Summer! Please Enjoy a few pics and I will post more later!

Nolan is 2 now and we are in the midst of Potty Training! He is so big now I can't believe I don't have that little baby walking around in diapers anymore:(

Thanks for stopping by!

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Great Day to visit the Pumpkin Patch!

A Great Day to Visit the Pumpkin Patch!

What a great day with the whole family!

The sun was shining and it was a perfect Fall Day at the Pumpkin Patch!

Vroom... Vroom...

The boys loved these tractors!

Nolan couldn't really do it himself but It looks like they are adjustable.

To Fun!

Nolan wanted this Pumpkin!....

But mommy said if you can't carry it yourself... you can't get it. Cause I'm not carrying it for you...

(even though I don't think Doug and I together could have lifted this one.) Thanks for stopping by!

Many Fall Blessings, Dana

Baby's it's Cold Outside!

Warm Blessings on this very COLD day!

Hugs, Dana

Fun Family Mealtime Tablescapes

The Mom's Group that I attend at my church just had Kathy Long into speak on the Value of Family Meal Time. So Kathy, I and a few other mom's put together a few Fun Family Mealtime tablescapes for the moms to enjoy and I hope that you do too! My Friend Jill did this simple and sweet Thanksgiving table scape. I took the pic after we had taken all of the place cards but OMG so cute. Jill put little place cards with Bible verses on them, stamped leaves on them and...just to cute! Happy Harvest Y'all.

My sister-in-law Angie made these adorable place mats for her Brilliant Birthday Table scape.

Her children love waking up in the morning to a fun breakfast of their choice and this adorably set table. Riley her middle child turned 7 last week and this is a pic of her place mat. Ang made these place mats out of foam sheets cut them to size and put one around an oatmeal container for the centerpiece. This is so doable and clever I just love it. She glued little bright pom poms around it and used wooden dowels with hats on the ends! So cute and the kids love it!

Disney Fun!

This table scape was done to let the family know that a Disney trip was being planned and the parents were going to announce it at Dinner. Fun!

Make Voting Day, Independence Day, Labor Day... a great time to teach your children about what those days mean to you and our country. Or just use those times to be clever and have fun decorating!

Fiesta!

Weather eating Taco Bell or your famous Enchilada's make it a Mexican Fiesta!

If doing this for your children and you want to keep it a non-Margarita Theme...

get out the margarita glasses and fill them with your salsa, cheese, sour cream... get clever and have fun with it. Use old beach sarongs to add fun color a pinata centerpiece and your brightest dishes! I made napkin rings out of bright colored tissue papers and tied them on with raffia around a simple white cloth napkin. I covered the table with a bright blanket and scattered cactus confetti to add some sparkle along with a wrought iron candle holder filled with fresh jalapeno and sweet peppers! Yum... bring on the tacos!

This table was done by our very clever and creative Kathy Long. Her inspiration for this table is "Letter Time" Help your kids learn their letters and make dinner time fun and educational.

Who needs a birthday to make dinner time fun...

This table scape will encourage your children with letter time fun! and fun hats to wear... how often are we aloud to wear fun hats to the table?

Let's Practice Colors!

What child doesn't love coloring? Kathy has out done her self again here with using white craft paper as her table cloth so that the family can have fun coloring maybe after they eat all of their "GREEN" beans! I hope this inspired you to make Family Mealtime Fun in your home. This is meant to be for the occasional dinnertime fun... not intended to make you feel lame because you don't do your tables up like this everyday or even every week. I had a great time working on this and I hope you can think out side the box for your next Family Mealtime.

Tablescape Blessings, Dana

Yummy Fall Treats!

Caramel Apples, Banana Caramel Cupcakes,

doughnuts, cookies... Oh My! Fall is Here!

Come and Get It!

I have been bakin' up a storm delicious fall treats for the little ones and us grown ups to eat! Sit down and relax, grab a cup of Joe, your recipe cards and your coziest robe.

Here are the Goods that I am sure you will enjoy!

Get your pen, are you ready?

Lets get Started!

The Best Banana Caramel Cupcakes!

(not to mention Real Banana Butter cream Frosting) OH MY!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 c. flour
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 large ripe banana
• 2 tbsp. sour cream
• 3/4 c. packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 c. unsalted butter at room temp
• 1 large egg at room temp
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a standard 12 - cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners. Mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a small bowl, use a fork to mash together the banana and sour cream. In a Large bowl, suing your electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the brown sugar and butter together until light and fluffy, 2-3 min. Add the egg, vanilla, and lemon zest and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Fold in the banana mixture until just combined; do not over mix.

Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18-20 Min's. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 min. Transfer the cupcakes to the wire rack and let cool completely for about 1 hour.

Frosting:

• 3 large egg whites, at room temp
• 3/4 c. sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 c. unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces, at room temp
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 tbsp. sour cream

In a large, clean heatproof bowl, combine the egg whites and sugar. Set the bowl over (but not touching) simmering water in a saucepan and heat the mixture, whisking constantly, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is very warm to touch. about 2 min. Remove the bowl from the saucepan. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg white mixture until it is fluffy, cooled to room temperature, and holds stiff peaks about 6 min+.

With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the salt and the butter, a few pieces at a time, beating well after each addition. If the frosting appears to separate or is very liquid after all the butter is added, continue to beat on high until smooth and creamy, 3-5 min more. Add banana and sour cream mixture and continue to blend until creamy and smooth may have to beat on high. Frost cupcakes after both cupcakes and frosting are at room temp. Drizzle with caramel and enjoy.

Enjoy with a big glass of milk or a hot cup of Joe!

I got this adorable place card from my wonderful friend Jill. She did a beautiful Thanksgiving table at the Season's of a Mom's Heart last Large Group. I feel like it spoke right to me. She had a different quote from the Bible at every seat. She used a small leaf stamp and ditsed up this simple card and I just think it was so clever. (Pictures of the table settings to follow...) Blake and I made Caramel Apples the other day for my nieces and nephews. They all came over after school and enjoyed these Delicious Caramel Apples! These are my mother-in-laws Famous Zucchini Cookies. Have any left-over Zucchini in the garden? These are a sure treat! Zucchini Cookies Preheat oven to 375 Cooking Time 11min

Ingredients:

• 1c. Flour
• 3/4 c. shortening
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1c. grated zucchini
• 1 1/2 c. oatmeal
• 1 1/2c. flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 c. chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. nuts (optional) Blend Shortening and sugar add egg blend well. add Vanilla. Then add oats and zucchini. Mix dry ingredients. in separate bowl. Add to cream mixture, stir in chips and nuts. Drop by spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 11 min. Yummy! I hope that you enjoy your beautiful fall day! Go to the kitchen and fix yourself a tasty treat on me! Then go do about 50 laps around the neighborhood... because these are not weight watchers approved... Tee Hee

Fall Blessings, Dana

A Busy Fall Weekend!

peek-a-boo little pumpkin!

Hey!

Just wanted to stop in a wish you all a lovely Fall Weekend!

We have a wonderfully busy weekend planned.

Tonight

we are getting ready to go watch the local

high school football team!

Saturday...

is my niece Riley's birthday party and then

more Football at the University!

On Sunday...

our family business is having their

annual golf outing!

busy, busy, busy....

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Weekend Blessings, Dana

????

Godly Parenting:????

It is so difficult sometimes to stay intentional when it comes to raising our children.

The chaos of the everyday life of a mother:

waker upper, dresser, dentist, doctor, taxi driver, picker upper, chef, tutor, mentor, laundry doer, dish doer, cleaner upper,organizer, baker, taste tester(my favorite)...

So many hats we wear, how do we do it?

I know that without the help from God...

I couldn't.

Don't get me wrong,

I love my job and I feel so blessed that I am able to be home

with my boys. But it is HARD!

My intentions as a mother are to raise Godly children and I feel that if my children have a heart for God then God will help Doug and I parent them in manner of which they need to become Godly grown ups. That is not EASY, actually it is quite scary! YIKES.

(I pray that my boys will always know that God is always there for them even if we can't be.)

I lost my father just a few years ago and I think how hard it is to be without him. I don't want my boys to have to go through that but I know that someday they will. I have grown so much closer to God through that experience and even though I miss my father so much I know that God is with me and I can move on because of it. My dad was an amazing father and Our Father is amazing too... he works in a way that I can't explain but I am grateful for the place that I am in. Thank you to both of my Fathers for being intentional about me and your Steadfast love.

Know and believe today that the LORD is God. He is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

There is no other god! Obey his lawas and commands that I am giving you today so that

things will go well for you and your children. Then you will live a long time in the land

that the LORD your God is giving to you forever.

DEUTERONOMY 4:39-40

God Bless and Happy Harvest!

Dana