Top Serenity Now Posts from 2013

I can't end the year without taking a look back at what's happened here on the blog and in our life at home over the past year. We've had our ups and downs and I didn't have as many projects up this year as I have in the past due to morning sickness and the busy time I had prepping for our new arrival. But I'm hoping that 2014 will bring some fun posts and projects! Here's a look at our 2013:

{Home Updates}

Tissue Paper Pom Poms in the Girls' Room

10 Free Spring Cleaning Printables

DIY Garden Sunlight Chart

Sharing My Craft Supply Chaos (A Very Embarrassing Before)

{Organizing}

How to Store and Organize American Girl Doll Shoes and Accessories

DIY Storage and Display for American Girl Doll Clothes

28 Kids' Toy Storage and Organization Ideas

Top Organizing Resources

Shared Girls' Closet

{Crafts}

Photo Pendant Memory Necklace

DIY Mini Snowflake Canvases

Fast and Easy Flower Centerpiece

Printing Instagram Photos from Your Phone

DIY Kitchen Wall Art

{Party Ideas and Girls' Night Out Ideas}

Bistro Birthday Party at American Girl

Photography Workshop

Barbie Birthday Party at Home

Mega Bloks Barbie Play Date

Simple Baby Shower Brunch

"Frogs, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails" Themed Baby Shower

{Recipes}

How to Make a Cafe Mocha at Home

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Three Pepper Marinade or Rub

Three Cheese Spinach Quiche

Banana Bread with One Banana

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Chipotle Inspired Burritos

Apple Pie with Crumb Topping

{Pregnancy and Family}

Creative Way to Tell the Kids You're Pregnant

Best Websites and Blogs for Pregnancy

Affordable Maternity Fashion Ideas

How I Got a New Breast Pump for Free

When I look back at these posts, I remind myself that I did manage to squeeze in some good posts, despite spending some months feeling just "blah" with morning sickness and all the time I put in prepping for our new baby. Compared with most of my blogger friends, my list is puny, but I'm proud of what I was able to get done. Most of my most exciting projects were completed just before Harris arrived this month, and I haven't blogged about them yet, so here's to a fun 2014!

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2013?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Happy Monday! I want to share some Features today from the weekend link party. I love starting the week off with a little creative inspiration. Despite the big holiday last week, we had some great ideas linked up!

Here are some projects that caught my eye:

~Mid-Century Metal Bar Cart Makeover via Revolutionaries

~Easy Chocolate Lava Cakes for New Year's via Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

~Chalkboard Chargers via Beyond the Aisle

Showcase Your Best Post of the Week --Link Up!

Good morning! I hope your weekend has been pleasant. Just wanted to remind you that there is one more day to link up to this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. It was live on Friday, so feel free to hop on over; I'd love to see you there!

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that if you'd like your project considered for a feature. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Hope you've had a fantastic weekend.

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Happy Friday! I hope you had a marvelous Christmas! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there. I'm currently on "maternity leave" to enjoy our brand new baby boy, so this party is all about you guys! I will be doing my best to keep up with weekly features until I am "back in the game."

Feel free to click over and see what's new with my Season of Serenity at Home Christmas inspiration series after you've linked up!

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Our Christmas, In Pictures (2013)

Here's what our Christmas looked like this year. Not like I planned, but is it really ever like that?

I'd show you a picture of me on Christmas Eve, but I think I'd scare away all my readers. Between having a baby, recovery, hosting a home birthday party, decorating, pumping, feeding the baby, late nights, Nutcracker craziness, and keeping up with all the girls' stuff, I just plain wore myself out this month. This meant that T had to cancel our Christmas Eve plans to host family, and I pretty much laid on the couch all day, except to feed Harris and to pump.

The tree never did get completely decorated. I don't think Santa cared. I didn't wrap any gifts until 8 pm on Christmas Eve. They're usually wrapped and under the tree for at least a week, but I didn't trust the German Shepherd with the this year. But somehow Christmas came anyways.

For the first time in twelve years of marriage, we stayed home...in our own house...all day long on Christmas Day. No getting dressed. No rushing through gifts. No packing the car up and loading kids in. No traveling around town to put in appearances. Just a quiet day at home. It was really fantastic. So much fun to watch the girls spend the whole day in their Christmas pajamas, enjoying their gifts and spending time with each other. My mom spent part of the morning with us, then the rest of the day it was just us.

I hope your day was extra special!

Merry Christmas!

Just dropped in to wish you a Merry Christmas!

source

"For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given; 

And the government will be upon His shoulder. 

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:6

On Christmas Eve...

I hope you relax and enjoy your family time today!

We're hosting family tonight after attending the early Christmas Eve service at church. Just finger foods this year. As I type this up on Monday morning, I'm just hoping I can get the gifts wrapped, the house cleaned up, and the food prepared. It's been a tough weekend with a stuffy nosed baby and a coughing mama. Maybe Santa will bring some relief for our stockings! {wink}

Whatever your plans are, may you feel loved and cherished on this special night!

I wanted to also take a moment to thank all the wonderful contributors to this year's Season of Serenity Christmas series. If you missed any of the awesome posts and projects shared in the series, you can click that link and they are all rounded up for you in one handy post!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Seasoned Oyster Crackers Recipe (Christmas Recipe)

I've featured today's guest poster several times for her fab recipes and projects that she's shared at my weekly link party. She agreed to contribute to this year's Christmas inspiration series, A Season of Serenity!. Please welcome Amanda Jane Brown...she has a scrumptious holiday recipe to share with us!

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What an honor it is to be here with Amanda's readers here today at Serenity Now!

With the inevitable hustle-bustle of preparing for Christmas, spending time with family and friends, and crossing off our to-do lists, this series is such a wealth of great ideas for keeping things simple! I, for one, am always looking for easy, yet delicious recipes, especially during the Holiday season, when good food is expected, but time is limited! I am sharing one of our all-time favorite recipes today, Seasoned Oyster Crackers!

They are packed with flavor and are so versatile...great as an appetizer or party food, delicious in soups and chili, or perfect for Christmas gifts for neighbors, teachers, or co-workers. And best of all, Seasoned Oyster Crackers are a snap to make! Enjoy!
             
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 275°.
3/4 cup canola oil
1 packet of dry Ranch dressing mix
1/2 t. dried dill
1/4 t. lemon pepper
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 pkg Oyster Crackers (next to Saltines at store)

In a large bowl, whisk together canola oil, dry Ranch dressing, dill, lemon pepper, and garlic powder. Add oyster crackers to the bowl and gently stir, coating well. Arrange crackers in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

 

Bake 15 minutes or until crackers begin to brown slightly. Remove pan from oven and transfer crackers to a paper towel-lined plate. Cool completely, then store in an air tight container.

      
                  

I'd love for you to stop by Amanda Jane Brown to say hi and to find many more recipes for your Holiday cooking and baking! Merry Christmas!

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I could gobble those up right now! Thanks for stopping by, Amanda!

*You'll find more holiday inspiration for this season at my Christmas series, A Season of Serenity, which is running all December long. The posts are rounded up as each one goes live. I'd love for you to visit!*

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Showcase Your Best Post of the Week -- Link Up!

Good morning! I hope your weekend has been pleasant. Just wanted to remind you that there is one more day to link up to this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. It was live on Friday, so feel free to hop on over; I'd love to see you there!

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that if you'd like your project considered for a feature. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Hope you've had a fantastic weekend.

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Happy Friday! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there. I'm currently on "maternity leave" to enjoy our brand new baby boy, so this party is all about you guys! I will be doing my best to keep up with weekly features until I am "back in the game."

Feel free to click over and see what's new with my Season of Serenity at Home Christmas inspiration series after you've linked up!

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Pom Pom Snowman (Christmas Craft for Kids)

It can be difficult to keep the little ones occupied during the holiday season. You want to get them involved in holiday activities, but you also have to make "grown-up" time to wrap gifts, run errands, bake, etc. Carolyn from Homework is here today as part of this month's holiday inspiration series (A Season of Serenity). She has a super cute Christmas craft that the kids can help with! Keep reading to see how she made this adorable Pom Pom Snowman!

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Hello! Hello! I’m Carolyn from homework and I’m so happy to be over here at Serenity Now. Today I wanted to share with you a cute holiday craft that can be used for a variety of things. A little pom pom snowman.

To make a pom pom snowman, just make two pom poms, one slightly smaller than the other. If you’ve never made a yarn pom pom, it’s super easy.

Just wind yarn around your hand or a piece of cardboard several times. Slide the yarn off the cardboard or your hand and tie it tightly in the middle. Cut the looped ends on each side and fluff. Now get a pair of sharp scissors and start trimming into a ball shape.

Go slowly, trimming just a tiny bit at a time. Eventually you’ll have a nice fluffy pom pom. Stack the pom pom together with a dab of glue in between.

I made the hat and eyes out of black cardstock and the nose out of orange cardstock rolled into a tiny cone. The buttons are black sequins. You can use your pom pom snowman as an ornament or tie it onto a package to make someone’s gift extra special.

I hope you enjoyed my little holiday craft. Feel free to stop by and visit me over at homework anytime!

And thank you to Amanda for having me over today.

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Thank you, Carolyn!

*You'll find more holiday inspiration for this season at my Christmas series, A Season of Serenity, which is running all December long. The posts are rounded up as each one goes live. I'd love for you to visit!*

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.