{the lovely stones}

{remodelista}

I like the simple, pure, and natural look of stones. I've always gravitated towards them with my camera, as so often they take an artistic form. Sometimes intentionally, like this "cairn" (mound of stones created by hikers to mark a mountain trail) :

But many times unintentionally, such as the morning sun hitting these garden rocks just perfectly:

At the Mondavi vineyards in Napa Valley {our honeymoon spot} giant stones were placed at the beginning of each line of grape plant to mark the varietal:

So how can these {lovely stones} translate to interior decor? The fireplace mantel photograph at the top is a beautiful example: bold, yet understated at the same time.

Here is another idea: If you are going for a zen, spa-like feel in your bathroom, try some stone accent candles. I found these lovelies at World Market:

I love to find ways to bring the outdoors in, and stones -- even if you are just using pebbles as vase fillers! -- are an easy way to do it.

{ecosalon}

Much joy to you on this {almost Friday!}

G

wine wednesday: tomar un lento paseo

No, I don't speak Spanish. I do, however, drink wine.

If I have drank several glasses of wine I may attempt to speak Spanish. I'll probably say something like this:

Usted es muy amable... {the only phrase I remember from my one semester of high school Spanish.} I think this means: You are very nice. At least, I hope that is what it means. Gulp.

Anyway, this week I opened a bottle of organic Spanish red wine called Slow Paseo. I bought it at Trader Joe's for 7.99. Needless to say, I didn't expect much. Keeping that in mind, it is not a bad wine. Very tart. Makes your tongue a little fuzzy. The taste is like very ripe blackberries. Might be better for cooking?

What I like about Slow Paseo {besides the cute orange label} is...

The name. Paseo translates to a stroll, or leisurely walk, in Spanish. I think drinking wine should be like this...a slow, lovely stroll. Taking your time to enjoy the flavor and texture on your tongue. If you are drinking wine quickly either a) it is a terrible wine or b) you are in terrible company.

{So find wine and friends that inspire you to sip slowly and enjoy the moment!}

Salud!

G

PS: Really cute Halloween giveaway going on over at the darling blog Tatertots and Jello! Check it out by clicking the link below...

old stuff + black spray paint + cute ribbon = cheap halloween fun

Somehow I convinced my "sleep all weekend, only pause for football and food" husband to get up at 6am Saturday morning and help me clean/organize our dungeonous netherworld basement.

Six hours later I emerged triumphantly, spiderwebs in my hair, a wild look in my eyes, clutching...

two silver candleholders!

a metal door hangy thingy!

a piece of scrap plywood!

You would have thought I had found a pirate's chest full of gold coins! Actually, I had found some old stuff I thought I might be able to make into Halloween decorations. My main tools were: black spray paint, black chalkboard paint, and orange Halloween ribbon I found at Michaels.

Here are the candle holders. The silver is actually lovely, but for the life of me I have never been able to make these work in my home.

So I spray painted them black! Lurve!

Here is the cream-colored metal door hanger. Not sure where I got this. Or why. Or where I would get another.

So I sprayed it with chalkboard paint, tied a piece of my cute Halloween ribbon around the top, and presto chango:

I decided instead of a door hanger I would hang it on one of my front porch flower basket hooks. Used chalk to write "trick or treat." The best thing is that I can change the ribbon and message whenever I want.

:D

{I get excited about the little things.}

Now onto that piece of scrap wood. I have no "before" picture for this one. Just imagine a plain, 16 inch long, 1 inch thick piece of wood.

Sanded the edges and added some picture hanging hooks to each side (since it was a heavier piece of wood.)

Painted it black (of course.)

Staple-gunned a piece of ribbon to one side:

Used white acrylic craft paint to freehand the wording...

And there you have it folks...

A "spooky" sign!

See what you can do with old crap treasures from your basement? Saved myself a trip to Goodwill...and cash on Halloween decor.

Would I have loved to have just gone to Pier 1 and bought a bunch of fancy {gorgeous} Halloween decor? Yes. But...must stay strong!

G

PS: I am linking this up to Frou Frou Decor's Fabulous Friday Finds...click the button below to check out more cute ideas!

{leaves crunching underfoot}

Today was one of those days I just reeeeeallly did not want to take my dog for a walk.

I was elbow-deep in projects and planning {okay, and napping and reading} and my bundle-of-energy goldendoodle, staring at me, tail wagging, desperately needing attention, sort of threw a rock in my spinning wheels.

I finally gave in to his laser-beam puppy dog eyes following me throughout the house, grabbed the leash and out we went.

GORG-eous fall day!

So, thank you, Colbie love, for getting my butt out of the house...and for sitting patiently on the sidewalk while I snapped the above photograph, as well as this lovely bumble:

Here is my own adorable bumble, bright orange Halloween leash and all...

PS: How do you like my new fall inspired blog-look?

Doesn't that foamy cappuccino makes you want to snuggle in a cozy sweater and walk to the coffee shop

{leaves crunching underfoot}

?

meatless buffalo chicken salad

There are things I really miss since becoming a pescatarian. One is going to BWW's and eating buffalo wings and celery sticks with blue cheese dressing. Oh, and drinking plenty of ice cold beer while watching the game...

...so gooooooood!

Then found a recipe that cures my longing for these fun nights at the sports bar -- and completely meat-free!

Actually, the original recipe contains meat, which was slipped to me by my sweet hubby who had ripped it out of his Men's Fitness magazine. {SO many delish and "manly" recipes in there!}

So I made the vegetarian version. SO GOOD. So easy. So surprisingly healthy!

Ingredients (serves 2):

2 meatless chik'n patties (I like Morningstar Farms Original)

1 bunch romaine lettuce

2 stalks of celery, thinly sliced

1 whole carrot grated, or a handful of baby carrots chopped (I always have baby carrots on-hand, so I used these)

2 green onion stalks, thinly sliced

crumbled blue cheese

hot sauce, your choice

light ranch or blue cheese dressing

1. Wash your romaine, remove excess water {break out that salad spinner you never use!} and tear the leaves into small, edible pieces.

2. Chop your veggies!

3. Combine all the veggies with the lettuce. Arrange mixture on large plates for serving.

4. Slice warmed chik'n patties, arrange "meat" slices on top of greens.

5. Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top! Be generous!

5. Drizzle hot sauce over entire salad, especially on chik'n slices. This will give you that delicious hot wing flavor!

6. Finish with a drizzle of your ranch or blue cheese dressing...you don't need a lot, there will already be a lot of flavor.

7. ENJOY! Don't feel guilty...there are less than 400 calories in this meal. Tastes like junk food, but is actually pretty healthy. I drank with white wine...but for that sports bar feel, indulge in a tall, cold beer!

{Have a fantastic football Sunday!}

something other than a wreath

Whenever the season changes I usually run out and buy a wreath. Wreaths, I feel, make your front door look warm and welcoming. It says, "Hello friend, come on in!" Or it would if it could talk.

Lately, since becoming a surfer of the blogosphere, I've been seeing other ways to make your front door exude warmth, especially in the cozy autumn season.

So I abandoned my typical fall wreath for this $3 metal hanging basket I found at the local St. Vincent DePaul store {fantastic, by the way -- check yours out! Ignore the smell and delight in the deals.}

(FYI: You can also find similar metal hanging vessels at your craft store.)

I liked this one because of the super cute sunflower affixed to the front!

The red color didn't work for me, though. So what did I do? You know it! I spray-painted it, using the same dark bronze color I used for my porch lights.

Then I added three sprigs of silk foliage I got for .99 each at Michael's.

Arranged my foliage...and I was finito! How is that for easy?

All for $6 and about ten minutes.

That includes the paint drying.

Which you know I waited impatiently for. Toe tapping.

What fall decorating project will you do this weekend?

rollercoasters

"Courage is being afraid, but going on anyhow."

Dan Rather

That quote pretty much sums up my day of riding roller coasters.

:o)