The Ways of Her Home

Embracing the homeward call

Valentine Cookie Bar

Here’s a fun idea for a Galentine’s Party! (aka: Valentine party for the GALS in your life). Last year my daughter and I hosted a Galentine’s party for the girls in our Bible study group and the cookie bar was so much fun! Just set out stacks of heart shaped cookies, individual cups of pink icing, plastic knives for spreading, and all the pink and red sprinkles and candies your heart desires. Now, let your girls go all artsy and decorate their own Valentine cookie! Tomorrow our sweet friends will be back for another Galentine’s party and my girl and I have something else planned that we think will be just as cute, but I’m not saying yet what it is. You’ll have to check ... Read more

Raspberry White Chocolate Almond Bars

Last week my ladies and I got together for salads and dessert (and laughing, crying, and figuring out life). We kept supper simple with everyone bringing their favorite salad. I'm always delighted at how the meal comes together when everyone brings their specialty! It makes such a wonderful plate of food! We topped off our supper and conversation with coffee and a couple of desserts. Raspberry White Chocolate Almond Bars are perfect for ladies' gatherings. The raspberry flavor and color are ideal for a very Valentiney dessert. I also make them for bridal and baby showers (you can use blueberry jam for boy baby showers). They are so delicious and can be eaten easily with fingers while ... Read more

Valentine Ready at the House!

Happy First Day of February!! I don’t usually post on Saturdays, but I couldn’t wait any longer for this one. I get so excited about Valentine’s Day! I enjoy putting out a few little decorative items, and I find it only takes some touches here and there to sweeten up the place. Since you’re my guest here today, we might as well start at my front door! Remember my “Transitional Wreath”? If not, be sure and look back to see how with just minor tweaking, this wreath works for different seasons of the year. I had a completely different wreath out for Christmas, so my transitional wreath has been was stored away. Here is the Valentine-to-spring version! I added in some light pink fanny roses to ... Read more

Valentine Hoop Wreaths

My hands worked on a new craft this week! I’d been seeing the elegant hoop wreaths around the internet and couldn’t wait to make one.....or several. My supplies were simple and inexpensive. Gold hoop rings: I ordered a set of 4 rings (2 big, 2 small) from Amazon for $10. Walmart also carries them for $2 or $3 a piece in their floral department.  Florals- The possibilities are endless here! Just get what you love! I found my florals at Walmart. They have some really good looking artificial florals these days. The picks I got were anywhere from $1.47 to $4. I also used some felt roses from Dollar General that you’ll see further down the post. Ribbon- Use whatever you like here, but don’t go ... Read more

Do You Wanna Build a Snow Globe? ❄️

We've had some snow days here lately! Well, a different kind of snow day. The "white stuff" doesn't come around often in Alabama, yet our household has had a snowy theme going on for the last several days. Last week, we went to see the Frozen movie (a homeschool perk--we waited until after the holidays, went to the 2:00 matinee, and literally had the entire theater to ourselves!) and this week we made snow globes! We'd planned to make snow globes during December, but with so many other Christmas activities going on, I decided January would be the perfect month for a snowy project. I just googled "snow globes" and found these instructions from Better Homes and Gardens. Their supply list and ... Read more

New Year’s Menu 2020

Hello! It's back to my regular schedule this week, but, as promised, I want to quickly share some recipes from our New Year's Day lunch we enjoyed with our parents. After our moms have hosted all the holiday meals from Thanksgiving to Christmas, Joel and I like to take New Year's Day to treat them to a break from cooking and cleaning for company. Every year I go with the traditional New Year's pork, collards, peas, and cornbread, but this year we decided we needed a steak! Joel and I could not remember the last time we'd bought steaks, and thought it would be a nice surprise for everyone. New Year's Day Menu 2020: New York Strip Steak Shrimp and Bacon Stuffed Potatoes Roasted Parmesan ... Read more

A Nature-Inspired New Year

Happy New Year, dear friends! I’m ringing in the new year with a tables cape that gives a nod to nature! I used to be a bit of a downer about winter, but, as I get older, I appreciate this quiet season more and more. Although there is stillness and rest in the earth during this season, life and color are present in subtle ways, exhibiting God’s promises for fresh beginnings. Isn’t it just perfect that oranges are in season in winter? I love their fresh burst of color and juiciness, not to mention their health benefits after all the holiday indulgences. I find myself craving them almost obsessively in January. Their vibrant orange color is set off nicely by my new green dishes, don’t you ... Read more

‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas….

'Twas the weekend before Christmas, and all through the house... every creature was stirring, and you better believe my table was set! With new dishes! Yay!  I've always wanted a set of Christmas dishes. You know the ones with either a Christmas tree or a snowy scene or holly encircling the border of the dish? So when my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I decided on the dishes! He told me to pick them out and he would get them. I know, he's a keeper, right! I searched the entire internet, looking at patterns, reading reviews, and narrowing down my favorites. But then, I saw something I wasn't expecting: the prettiest solid green dishes with a textured lacy pattern! ... Read more