Coffee Chat: Ahh The Peacefulness Of The Morning

Don't you just love those mornings when there is nothing to do? There is no rush, no housework, no going to work, and the kids are sleeping late. It's just you, your cup of coffee, and quality time with your self to do whatever you like. Read a book. Space off and think about nothing (This is me!). If you have had a long hard work week or just a stressful week in general, it feels so good to just think about nothing but what you want. Just relax! 

Now that the hustle and the bustle of the Holidays is over take time out to just breathe. Enjoy your morning! Get back into the normal swing of things. Get your groove back. Turn on some music you enjoy and dance around the house if you like. In fact, if you made a New Year resolution to lose weight, feel free to dance around the house while you do your morning chores. It's a good cardio workout and you can get things done at the same time. 

Speaking of New Years resolutions, did you make any? I did not. I resolved to not make any resolutions at the beginning of the year. If I need a change, I will just make one. I do want to enjoy more mornings like this one. Yes it is 5:45 in the morning. If I have to wake before everyone else to enjoy my morning, then darn it all, I'm gonna do it.

Ohhh, the coffee is calling me! Have a great morning!!

Christmas Decor

Tis the season to decorate for Christmas. Without further ado, here is some of my Christmas decor!

Oh Christmas Tree!

The Snowman Hot tub!

Yes, I'm a Greenbay Packer fan.

A gift from a great friend!

The Christmas Cow

My son's art work. What a cute little elf he makes!

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

  

My Top 5 Ways To Bring A Pleasant Scent To Your Home

Along with store bought spray scents, there are many other options for getting the scent that you want in your home that may not seem obvious. Here are my top 5 ways to make your house smell amazing!

1. Do you have a candle that you just absolutely love the scent of but it just doesn't burn right, stay lit, or is down to the lowest point on the wick? Try the electric candle warmer. I bought one about two months ago, and I swear it is the best purchase made in a long time. It warms the wax in the candle to get every last bit of scent out from it and the smell is stronger than just burning the candle. Not to mention that a candle warmer is safer than an open flame. Still make sure to place it where the heat cannot damage anything or that can't be a fire hazard.
2. You can also use that candle warmer for your Scentsy or store bought waxes. It works just as well and does not require an expensive burner. I paid less than $7 for a candle warmer. Make sure to put it in an empty candle grade glass that can withstand the heat.
3. Yes, we go back to the candle warmer for laundry scent boosters. This is a very effective way of making your home smell fresh and clean. I use Purex Crystals but I know some use Downy Unstopables which are just as scented. These options tend to last longer and fill the room faster with the scent you want. I use crystals because they are extremely easy to clean from the container used to warm them.  As in above, make sure to use a glass that can withstand the heat.
4. DIY Potpourri in a small pot on your stove is a great option also. There are several variations to DIY Potpourri. Here is mine: DIY Potpourri: Re-Purposing Over Ripe Apples . This is a refreshing option that uses things that you may already have at home. It is done on the stove top. Just remember to keep it at lowest heat and replenish the water frequently. 
   
5. This is one of my favorites! COOKING or making COFFEE! I love my Crock-Pot. The smell of the food fills the house and you get a warm meal at the end of the day. What can be better than that? Do some baking! Nothing yummier than the smell of bread baking or cookies or cakes. (Gotta stop with that, It's 6:15 in the morning and I'm starving!) The rewards are endless with this option and it makes your home smell fantastic. In a time crunch with unexpected visitors? Make some coffee, your home will smell great and you have something to serve your guests.
   

Give some of these a try, your home will smell great! As always, be safe when using heat for your scent options. Enjoy!

Coffee Chat: Winter Has Arrived!

I wanted to pause this morning, while sipping my coffee, to reflect on the storm that brought the area 8 to 14 inches of snow and then beat a path out of town. Tis the season for the Midwest, and much of the nation, to receive this cool blanket of beauty, fun, cold, and fear.

It is beautiful when all is said and done. The freshly falling snow against a beautiful blue skied morning is an awe inspiring scene. I love seeing the branches of the pine trees heavy with a pillow of sparkling whiteness. Ice cycles gleam in the sunlight.

Children, even a few adults, look with wonder at the snow imagining the creatures they could create in its depths. Sleds come out in full force to the slippery slopes as our rosy cheeked young ones shriek with laughter while gliding at high velocity towards the bottom of the hill. Snowmen and women are popping up all over the country side. Or perhaps the little ones dream lazily out the window of the impending holiday season.

Make no mistake, the snow is beautiful but also cold and treacherous. Be vigilant in watching for signs of hypothermia in our overenthusiastic youth and even some adults for they may not realize how cold they really are. Watch for slippery surfaces which can be dangerous for everyone. Be careful not to overdo it while shoveling what seems like an endless sidewalk or driveway. Stay away from waterways that may not be completely frozen over. Emergency room visits, while sometimes necessary, are no ones favorite activity. Make sure that before these big snow storms, you have emergency kits in your cars with blankets, water, flares, food, flashlights, and extra pairs of dry clothes. Perhaps throw in a shovel and salt/kitty litter. Always make sure that your phone is charged and that people know where you are traveling. Slow down and drive safely! Also, before the storm begins, make sure you are well stocked on food at home and any necessary medications. Remember to check on the elderly and be generous to the homeless for they are exceptionally vulnerable.

At the end of a cold snowy day, come into the warmth of your home and heat up your body with a cup of Homemade Cocoa and a warm blanket. Enjoy the season and be safe!

DIY Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Longing for Hot Cocoa but don't have any of that prepackaged cocoa mix. Give this a try!

DIY  Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Dry (Powdered) Milk
3 or 4 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional)

In a resealable 6 ounce container add Sugar, Dry Milk, Cocoa Powder, and Cinnamon. Stir together till thoroughly mixed. Takes three teaspoons of Cocoa Mix per 8 ounces of hot water for one cup of Cocoa.

Give this a shot, it's a great way to warm up on a cool day! This is a great compliment to the Chocolate Brownie In A Cup too! Feel free to add marshmallows. Makes a great gift!!

Repurposing Over-Ripe Apples

Do you have some apples that are going to waste? Here is a great way to use them up and make your house smell fantastic in the process.

Take one apple and slice it up, core and all. Throw it in a sauce pan with about two cups of water. Add a teaspoon of cloves and/or about five to ten drops of clove essential oil, and a stick or two of cinnamon. You may also throw in some orange peel. Now put it on the back burner of your stove at a very low setting and slowly simmer it all day. You may have to add a bit of water here and there throughout the day and it should never be left completely unsupervised. You may also use a small crock-pot or electric candle warmer.

There you have it! No chemicals or candles, just natural delicious smells filling your home.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult while making this.

Autumn Decorating.

I did a few small changes around the house to celebrate Autumn! This time of year is filled with wonderful smells, sites, sounds, and tastes. Fall is my favorite time of year. Here are few decor changes I have made so far.

Happy Autumn everyone!