New Domain & Top Blog Referrers for 2011

Hey Ladies!!

I just wanted to write a quick post to let you know that Love of Family & Home now has its own official domain. For those of you who don't know what that means...instead of typing in loveoffamilyandhome.blogspot.com to get to my site you can now type in 

http://www.loveoffamilyandhome.net/

Isn't that so much easier to remember?! 

It also gives me the rights to that web address, so that no one else can use it!

No worries for those of you who have my blog on your sidebar or saved anywhere else, you can still get here using the old URL, but will be redirected to the new address when you arrive!

I also wanted to give a quick shout-out & a big THANK YOU to my top blog referrers for 2011!!

Although a large part of my traffic comes from Pinterest, Google, Blogger, & Facebook there are quite a few blogs who have played a huge role in my pageviews for 2011 & I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge them!! Many of them are sweet enough to host linky parties throughout the course of the year which allows smaller blogs (like myself) to link up our projects on sites where they are more likely to be seen!! This is definitely something they are not obligated to do, so I think I speak for all of us smaller bloggers around the blogosphere when I say THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

If you have never visited any of the blogs listed below, please take an opportunity to do so. 

These ladies are brilliantly talented! You won't be disappointed!!

Top 10 Blog Referrers for 2011

(according to Google Analytics)

1. Thrifty Decor Chick

2. Tatertots & Jello

3. Beneath My Heart

4. Tip Junkie

5. Under the Table & Dreaming

6. The Inspired Room

7. Centsational Girl

8. Delightful Order

9. Home Stories A to Z

10. House of Rose

Thank you Ladies for a successful 2011!! :)

Top 10 Projects of 2011....

Hello Friends!!!

How was your Christmas?!

Mine was Delightful!!

Well, its hard to believe that we are just days from starting the New Year....

Seriously, where did 2011 go?!

I thought it might be fun to do a little bloggy recap & look back at my Top 10 Projects of the year.
The Top 10 posts were picked based on popularity & your comments!

For more information regarding the projects shown here, just click on the link to take
you directly to the posts for more details!

Number 10:
My Christmas Mantel...

Number 9 

My Board & Batten Gallery Wall...

Number 8 

My Backyard Shed Makeover...

Number 7

Pantry Cabinet Makeover...

Number 6

Burlap Monogram Wall Hanging....

Number 5

Baseball Bat Nightstand....

Number 4

Rustic/Chic Fall Wedding...

Number 3

DIY Pallet Art...

Number 2

My Laundry Room Makeover...

Number 1

My Coat Closet turned Home Office....

 Whew! 

What a year, right?!

I have so many favorites, but I must admit, the closet office is by far my most favorite project of the year!!

I'm actually typing this post in my little office space as we speak! :)

What about you, which project is your fave?!

I want to take a minute & say "Thank You" to all of you out there who stop by & visit me week after week! You have made 2011 a year to remember!! So many of you have blessed me with the sweetest comments & words of encouragement over the course of this year & I can't tell you how much all of your love & support has meant to me!!

I never thought back in January when I really got serious about this blogging thing that almost a year later I would have 800ish followers. Week after week I watch this blog grow & I am in awe of how much this blog & the online community as become a part of my life! 

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I'm looking forward to 2012 & all that it has to offer!! :)

Linking up here...

Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing

Delightfully Inspiring Thursday at Delightful Order
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Me at Crafty, Scrappy, Happy
Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots & Jello

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas....

Isn't this picture just dreamy?!

(via)

I guess I'm dreaming of a White Christmas this year!

Am I wrong, or is there something about snow that makes the Christmas season even more special?!

Doesn't look like we will be seeing any snow tonight or tomorrow...if anything, we'll get rain!

Oh well...

Maybe next year!

Just wanted to take a minute to wish you all a very

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you are all spending time & enjoying your families & loved ones this weekend!

I will be signing off until some time next week to do the same!

Have a Blessed Holiday!

Last Minute Teacher's Christmas Gifts.....

Hey Friends!

I wanted to share with you the quick & easy project I did for Parker's teachers this year for Christmas.....

I started with two old formula can I had leftover from when Griffin was a baby. I have a whole stash of these things in our garage! I used a couple in the spring to make end of the school year gifts for Parker's teachers last year as well. You can view that tutorial here.

I picked up scrapbook paper & embellishments from Walmart. The paper came in a 5-pack for 97 cents & the embellishments were the same price.

First, I washed out the formula cans & removed the labels. I then used the label as a guide so that I could cut the scrapbook paper to fit the can properly.

I used a combination of Mod Podge & tape to seal the scrapbook paper to the can....

I then had my hubby take a nail & poke holes in each side of the can....

Then I put ribbon through both holes & knotted it to create my handle for the can....

I hot glued the embellishments to the can to make it a bit more decorative.....

And then filled the can with tissue paper, baked goodies, & a little travel size 

lotion from Bath & Body Works.

The baked goodies included the chocolate dipped peanut butter pretzel bites  that I blogged about this past weekend. They are DELISH!!! If you missed the recipe, you can check it out here.

So there you have it! 

Quick, easy, & cheap do-it-yourself gifts that you can make for your 

son or daughter's teachers this year!!

And if you have already taken care of Christmas gifts for your child's teacher, these gifts could definitely be re-created for other holidays as well. All you would have to do is just switch out your scrapbook paper, ribbon, & embellishments to match the holiday you are giving for & fill it with treats!

Hope you've enjoyed this little tutorial!!

Thanks for stopping by!


Linking up here....
20 Below Thursdays at Christina's Adventures

What I Wore Wednesday....

Okay, so I'm trying something new today....

I've been kinda obsessed with this little linky party called What I Wore Wednesday (WIWW) at the Pleated Poppy for a while now. A few of the blogs that I follow participate in it & if you visit the linky party, you can find tons of good inspiration for your wardrobe.

So, since I always enjoy reading every one else's WIWW posts (and because I just got some cute new stuff for my birthday!).... I thought, maybe I would participate this week (and in future weeks if you all like it as much as I do). This week, I only have one outfit to share, but hopefully in the following weeks I will be able to post a few!  

So without further ado....this is what I wore!

 

Next week's post will feature a whole new hairdo too!

 I got my hair chopped yesterday & got some major highlights!

Stay tuned!!

Tis Not The Season to Stress....

I read this today in my Jesus Calling devotional & thought it was so appropriate for this week! So appropriate, in fact, that I had to share it with all of you! It's so easy to get caught up in the stress of Christmas, I know I'm guilty, just like so many others, but we need to take time to sit back, & refocus our attention, and remember the reason we are truly celebrating....

DO NOT BE WEIGHED DOWN  by the clutter in your life: lots of little chores to do sometime, in no particular order. If you focus too much on these petty tasks, trying to get them all out of the way, you will discover that they are endless. They can eat up as much time as you devote to them.

Instead of trying to do all your chores at once, choose the ones that need to be done today. Let the rest slip into the background of your mind, so I can be in the forefront of your awareness. Remember that your ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives. I can communicate with you most readily when your mind is uncluttered and turned toward Me. Seek My Face continually throughout this day. Let My Presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being. 

(Jesus Calling, December 19, pg. 370)

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Okay, Ladies...

Are you ready for a SUPER EASY, KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF, YUMMY & DELICIOUS
Christmas treat to serve to your guest?!

Well, I've got just the thing for you!!!

Take a look at these babies....

Are you drooling yet?!

 I found this recipe on Pinterest yesterday from Two Tiny Kitchens & let me tell you, 

these little bites of heaven will ROCK YOUR WORLD!!

Did I mention they are super easy?!

That they require no baking?!

And aren't they cute too?!

Okay, enough talking....here is the recipe so you can decide for yourself!

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp softened butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar (maybe more)
3/4 cup brown sugar (maybe more)
Pretzels
1 bag  semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
Combine peanut butter and softened butter in a large bowl with a fork or whisk, or in a stand mixer.  Add the sugars and mix to combine.  At this point if the filling will roll easily into balls without sticking to your hands you’re ready to go.  If not, add a little more of each sugar until you reach a consistency that is easy to roll.

Use a teaspoon measure to scoop the filling.  Roll each portion into a small ball, then sandwich them between two whole pretzels.  Place the peanut butter pretzel sandwiches on a tray stick the whole in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and heat at 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally until completely melted.  Remove the pretzel sandwiches from the freezer and quickly dip each half-way into the melted chocolate.  Return to the tray (I lined mine with parchment paper) and repeat with remaining sandwiches.  When all are dipped, return the tray to the freezer to set up completely.  Store the sandwiches in the refrigerator until serving time or until your ready to have a little photoshoot with them! :)

Enjoy!!!

Linking up here...
Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table & Dreaming

My Christmas Kitchen 2011 & Giveaway Winner!

Hey Everyone! 

Hope your weekend is going well!

Just thought I would to take you on a little tour of my kitchen & show you a 

bit more of my Christmas decor. 

Come on in.....

This white bowl I got at T.J. Maxx a couple months back on clearance for $10.00. I filled it with ornaments, greenery, & pine cones to give it that Christamasey look! The table runner I bought at 

Hobby Lobby when they were half off. It was $12.50.

Here is a shot of our breakfast nook/eating area....

The buffet is decorated with urns, a small tree, a cookie tray & lantern all adorned again greenery, pine cones, & ornaments....

You can see my blue pantry cabinet to the left & another small tree that I always use with my Christmas kitchen decor year after year. Above that is my advent calendar that I made a few weeks back....

 

I made this "NOEL"  sign using wood letters from Hobby Lobby, scrapbook paper, & Mod Podge. It was a quick & easy project & I just love the way it looks above our sliding glass door...

These pictures are of my Christmas Mantel which I posted about a week ago. This is on the wall in our kitchen as well. I don't have a real fireplace mantel, so I use this shelf & decorate it for the different seasons throughout the year....

Jingle Bell Stockings....

The shelf is full of greenery, pinecones, & wait for it.....ornaments! 

Are seeing a theme yet?!

This is a shot looking into the breakfast nook/eating area from our living room....

And last but not least, a picture of our tree again!

Oh yeah! One more thing!

The winner of the Pillows By Dezign giveaway is....

Comment #1:

Prov3130girl

Said....

I like Pillows by Dezign on Facebook (Andi Bauer Trautman)

 Congratulations Andi!!

I will send your email address to Pillows By Dezign & they should be in contact with you!!


Linking up here.....

Christmas Tour of Homes at The Nester
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table & Dreaming
Delightfully Inspiring Thursdays at Delightful Order