Brookgreen Gardens

by Jessica // October 23, 2014 // No Comments

Hello friends, hope you all are well. We are now on our way to Japan, with several days of travel behind and ahead of us. I thought I would post a few pictures of the beautiful Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, just a few miles from Myrtle Beach. Cole got home a few weeks ago and we decided to check out their fall festival. The kids and I enjoyed the grounds and fall festivities. Hope enjoy the pictures and if you are ever in the area it’s definitely worth checking out.

These kiddos were glad to have their daddy back!

Next post will be from Okinawa, Japan! Have a wonderful weekend!

Jessica

Halloween Treats for All

by Jessica // October 16, 2014 // No Comments

Halloween is only a few weeks away, it’s time for parties and gatherings with friends and family. This season the options are endless for goolish, tasty treats that the kiddos are sure to enjoy, and a few for mom, too! Here are a few of my favorites picks, sure to be tasty and not too difficult to prepare. The pictures have clickable links to the source for recipes and step-by-step instructions.

via www.southernliving.com Try using pumpkins to add interesting height to your buffet this Halloween.

via www.dixiecrystals.com This yummy treat has only six ingredients, Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles.

via www.erinsfoodfiles.com Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles, another pumpkin truffle option, they look delish!

via www.marthastewart.com Marshmallow skulls top madeleines shrouded in bittersweet chocolate.

via www.notquitenigella.com How about brains, grotesque with a blood clot hidden inside the cupcake?

via www.cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com Love this simple vampire bite cupcake, it is vanilla cake with bloody jam centre and bloodied fang marks.

via www.karaspartyideas.com This is a cute idea for a fall party, using mini Oreos and Reese’s pieces.

via www.tasteofhome.com Adorable ghosts, a simple way to decorate your juicy strawberries.

via www.annies-eats.com If you need a chocolate fix, this colorful Halloween bark is a good balance of sweet and salty.

via www.katherinemariephotography.com This is an easy idea for the kids to help prepare.

via www.craftberrybush.com This is definitely the cutest idea for older kids and adults, how can you resist a candy apple bar? Bite size is perfect and you can try them all. Check out Lucy’s blog for recipes and more cute ideas.

via www.pinterest.com/pin/68724549731 Beautiful presentation of a candied apple bar.

via www.mylitter.com Here is another great option for candied apples, great for little hands. Be sure to read the helpful tips, under the recipe on www.mylitter.com.

via www.life-in-the-lofthouse.com If you are not into candied apples, how about a little caramel apple dip? This recipe also looks delicious.

via www.shewearsmanyhats.com Here’s a simple recipe for your pumpkin seeds after carving your jack-o-lantern , this one has only five ingredients.

via www.dearcrissy.com This is another simple recipe, only six ingredients, most are already in your pantry. This with your morning coffee, yes, please!

via www.marthastewart.com I had to add this jack-o-lattern pick, made me smile.

Hope you enjoyed this post and are hungry now! Dont’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends. Have wonderful day!

Jessica

Custom Built Home Tour

by Jessica // October 10, 2014 // No Comments

Hello all, hope this blog post finds you doing well and enjoying the beautiful October weather.

I’ve been in South Carolina now for about two months waiting on my husband to finish up his training in Oregon. While here I’ve enjoyed checking out a few sites in the area. It’s no surprise, Charleston is still my favorite, the city is full of historic homes and sites. If you’ve never been you need to add Charleston to your list of things to do.

While checking out the area I found a building company owned by Richard Jackson. The company is Jackson Built Custom Homes it’s based in Daniel Island, South Carolina. This builder has amazing taste, the homes are beautiful down to the smallest detail. Their website has home tours that leave you wanting to see more. I am not affiliated with this company in any way, but just thought I would share one of their house tours. Click on the pictures for more details and contact information.

This screened in porch with fireplace has to be my favorite along with the kitchen. A great room for watching a little Alabama football.

I think most women have a dream kitchen, this one is pretty close to mine. The white cabinetry with Carrara marble and three windows centered over the sink, overlooking the back yard are amazing. The copper hood, the cabinetry, the ceiling details, the beams, all show what wonderful craftsmanship this company puts into their homes.

This butler’s pantry has an abundant amount of storage that will eliminate any clutter in your kitchen.

The dining and living area are open to one another. The neutral color palette is timeless and not to mention great when decorating for the holidays.

The built-ins and molding are beautiful, I can just see a fire burning and my Christmas tree sitting in the corner.

Hope you enjoyed taking a tour of this beautiful Jackson Built Custom Home. If you are ever in the Charleston area check them out.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Jessica

Halloween and Fall Decor

by Jessica // October 2, 2014 // No Comments

Happy Fall Y’all! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the cooler weather. This week the hubs is headed home, so it will be especially sweet at the Johnson household.

Last week we were outdoors, so this week we are moving inside and checking out a few great ideas for decorating your home for the fall season. The pictures below have clickable links that will take you to the source.
via www.bhg.com Make ordinary objects a little creepier with a coat of black paint. Find a tree branch (the more twisted and gnarled, the better) and spray-paint it black. Once dry, insert the branch in an urn or pot. Finish by placing a few black ravens on the branch.

via www.babble.com This is another cute idea to hang in you entryway, above your table or island.

via www.marthastewart.com How about this for your coffee table? If you have boys, this would definitely get two thumbs up. Made of tea-dyed eggs and fishing lures, it’s sure to make guests scream.

via www.marthastewart.com Another cute idea that the boys are sure to love, a nice dining room table centerpiece.

via www.marthastewart.com This is an option for those who have little ones that are scared of jack-o-lanterns. These are made of daikon radishes and turnips, and an easy project to make with the kiddos.

via www.countryliving.com This a great option if you’re not into the traditional Halloween colors, keeping it simple with neutral decor.

via www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/aunt-ruthies-autumn-home-tour, for more pics. I like the look of the lit branches on your mantel or at an entry. I’ve seen the pre-lit branches at Kirkland’s and Target for around $10-12 dollars.

via www.hgtv.com Using leaves the kiddos have collected is another creative way to decorate your dining room, mantel, or over your kitchen sink.

via www.MarthaStewart.com To make this you need: miniature gourds, a drill with a fine bit, and twine. Drill a hole through the center of each gourd. Thread twine through an embroidery needle; run it through the holes, knotting it at both sides of each gourd to secure in place. Click on the picture complete step-by-step instructions. This garland is great for indoors or out.

via www.countryliving.com Dried gourds and squash on this mantle remind me of my grandmother. Additional ‘Tiny Bottle’ gourds hang from a garland of chestnuts.

via www.marthastewart.com This is a great option if you are going for a more formal look, great for Halloween or Thanksgiving. All you need to accomplish this look is a can of silver spray paint and pumpkins in various sizes.

via www.countryliving.com Love the colors in the wreath and rug.

via www.southernliving.com How about this festive retreat to enjoy your morning cup of coffee. These lovely mantle arrangements are a combination of autumn leaves, hydrangea, berries, oak and magnolia leaves.

via www.southernliving.com An arrangement like this is alway sitting on my dining room table as soon as the leaves start to turn, the bigger the better. Branches of leaves cut from the yard, can’t get any more affordable or beautiful.

via www.marthastewart.com How about this half bat, half pumpkin pace setting?

via www.craftychickscuppacoffee.blogspot.com

via www.diana212m.blogspot.com How about this perfect fall potpourri to make your house smell like autumn? Click the picture to take you to the recipe on Diana’s blog.

Hope you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends. Have a great weekend!

Jessica

This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NLT) ( Joshua 1:9 )