Merry Monday Link Party #23

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">Welcome to the Merry Monday Link Party #23!</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Merry-Monday-Link-Party-Photo-Collage.jpg"><img alt="Merry Monday Link Party Photo Collage" class="aligncenter wp-image-6787" height="500" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Merry-Monday-Link-Party-Photo-Collage-1024x1024.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Merry Monday Link Party #23 Announcements:</strong></div><ul><li style="text-align: center;"><strong>Want your cookie and dessert recipe shared all month long in October and on all the host's blogs? Share your treat recipes during October's Cookie and Dessert Share-fest! Each week in October, the party hosts will share their own treat recipe on their blogs, which will also contain a special inlinkz roundup of the treat recipes shared on Merry Monday! So, help us gear up for the upcoming holiday baking season by sharing your favorite holiday season cookie and dessert recipes and we'll share them on our blogs!</strong> ***Recipes will be added to a cookie and dessert inlinkz that will be on all 5 host's blogs during the month of October***<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tonight-3.png"><img alt="tonight (3)" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-6650" height="300" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/tonight-3-200x300.png" width="200" /></a><br /></li><li style="text-align: center;">This week's added social media link-up is Instagram! If you've already linked up at a previous party, you don't need to link up again. Please try to follow at least two others in the link-up.</li><li><strong>Calling all Etsy and shop owners!</strong> - if you have a shop to promote for the gift giving season, stock it up and get it ready to share during the month of November on the Merry Monday link party! We'll be having a special link-up just for you!</li></ul><hr /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">On to the Merry Monday Link Party #23!</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Meet the hosts of this party</strong></h2><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/hostsseptember.jpg"><img alt="hostsseptember" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6297" height="120" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/hostsseptember.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"> *We would appreciate a follow in at least one of our social media platforms. Let us know you followed via Merry Monday so we can follow back!*</h3><strong>Host Erlene @<a href="http://mypinterventures.com/" target="_blank">My Pinterventures</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/erleneamat" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mypinterventures" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pinterventures/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ErleneA/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/mypinterventures?modal=true" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="http://www.hometalk.com/mypinterventures" target="_blank">Hometalk</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11033183" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a> </strong><br /><strong></strong><strong>Co-host Julia @<a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Happy House and Home</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/julesklimek2011" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/happyhouseandhome" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/juliaklimek/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JuliaKlimek/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/7257423" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><strong>Co-host Misty @<a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/" target="_blank">The Lady Prefers 2 Save</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/LDYPrefers2Save" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Theladyprefers2save" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/LDYPrefers2Save/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+mistyoverstreetprefers2save/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/theladyprefers2save" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC38I5WlAHgr8RWwSSel_dtw" target="_blank">Youtube</a> <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12078849" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><strong>Co-host Amanda @<a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/" target="_blank">The Kolb Corner</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/Thekolbcorner" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thekolbcorner" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/thekolbcorner/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AmandaKolbthekolbcorner/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/thekolbcorner" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/12445561" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><strong>Co-host Rachel @<a href="http://www.cravingsomecreativity.com/" target="_blank">Craving Some Creativity</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/CravingCreative" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cravingsomecreativity" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mommybeach23/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/102064874270078815672/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/11320661" target="_blank"> Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">On the Host's Blogs</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;">*Click on the photos to go to the post*</div><h2 style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://mypinterventures.com/" target="_blank">My Pinterventures</a></h2><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" height="200" id="Image-Maps-Com-image-maps-2014-10-03-193811" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/OctoberMPWeek1Collage1.jpg" usemap="#image-maps-2014-10-03-193811" width="700" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-10-03-193811" name="image-maps-2014-10-03-193811"> <area alt="" coords="5,12,101,192" href="http://mypinterventures.com/double-peanut-butter-chocolate-cups/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups"></area> <area alt="" coords="106,13,196,191" href="http://mypinterventures.com/weekend-social-40-guest-hosting/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="The Weekend Social #40"></area> <area alt="" coords="209,11,295,195" href="http://mypinterventures.com/dollar-tree-anniversary-celebration/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Dollar Tree Anniversary Celebration "></area> <area alt="" coords="308,12,390,192" href="http://mypinterventures.com/lighted-day-dead-sugar-skull-art/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Lighted Day of the Dead Sugar Skull"></area> <area alt="" coords="405,10,497,191" href="http://mypinterventures.com/october-the-blog-hobnob/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="October The Blog Hobnob"></area> <area alt="" coords="504,8,603,197" href="http://mypinterventures.com/10-holiday-shopping-tips-printable/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="10 Holiday Shopping Tips & FREE Printable"></area> <area alt="" coords="610,11,689,190" href="http://mypinterventures.com/fall-give-thanks-chalkboard-sign/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Fall Give Thanks Chalkboard Sign"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,198,700,200" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map></div><div style="text-align: center;"><map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-09-18-131432" name="image-maps-2014-09-18-131432"> <area alt="" coords="13,25,686,283" href="http://mypinterventures.com/transition-into-fall-with-sharpie-pens/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Transition to Fall with Sharpie"></area> <area alt="" coords="20,300,351,591" href="http://mypinterventures.com/250-family-fun-night-popcorn-ice-cream-giveaway/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="$250 Family Fun Night Popcorn & Ice Cream Giveaway"></area> <area alt="" coords="371,300,684,586" href="http://mypinterventures.com/pinterest-tested-september-week-2/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Pinterest Tested Week 2"></area> <area alt="" coords="16,604,334,951" href="http://mypinterventures.com/fall-leaf-book-page-wall-art/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Fall Leaf Book Page Wall Art"></area> <area alt="" coords="351,604,678,979" href="http://mypinterventures.com/one-year-blogiversary-giveaway/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Blogiversary Giveaway - 6 winners - $150 Grand Prize"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,998,700,1000" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Happy House and Home</a></h2><h3 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="182" id="Image-Maps-Com-image-maps-2014-10-03-200343" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/HHHOctWeek1.jpg" usemap="#image-maps-2014-10-03-200343" width="640" /> <map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-10-03-200343" name="image-maps-2014-10-03-200343"> <area alt="" coords="14,5,344,195" href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/09/blog-procrastination.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Blog Procrastination"></area> <area alt="" coords="356,15,689,198" href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/10/oatmeal-lace-cookies.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Easy Oatmeal Lace Cookies"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,198,700,200" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map></h3><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/" target="_blank">The Lady Prefers 2 Save</a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="Image-Maps-Com-image-maps-2014-10-03-201917" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/LDYOctWeek1.jpg" usemap="#image-maps-2014-10-03-201917" width="700" /></div><map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-10-03-201917" name="image-maps-2014-10-03-201917"> <area alt="" coords="9,0,172,191" href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=7843" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Halloween Lamp Silhouettes"></area> <area alt="" coords="183,11,345,196" href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=7815" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="DIY Fit Fruit & Vegetable Wash"></area> <area alt="" coords="354,13,515,200" href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=7794" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Budget Friendly Fall Family Entertaining"></area> <area alt="" coords="528,10,692,199" href="http://theladyprefers2save.com/?p=7791" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Homemade Aromatic Fire Starters"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,198,700,200" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://thekolbcorner.com/" target="_blank">The Kolb Corner</a></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="Image-Maps-Com-image-maps-2014-10-03-203458" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TKCOctWeek1.jpg" usemap="#image-maps-2014-10-03-203458" width="700" /></div><map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-10-03-203458" name="image-maps-2014-10-03-203458"> <area alt="" coords="0,2,232,192" href="http://thekolbcorner.com/diy-upholstered-bench/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="DIY Upholstered Bench"></area> <area alt="" coords="239,12,463,200" href="http://thekolbcorner.com/old-fashioned-sugar-cookies/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies"></area> <area alt="" coords="472,10,696,200" href="http://thekolbcorner.com/favorite-kitchen-tools-gadgets/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="10 Favorite Kitchen Tools"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,198,700,200" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cravingsomecreativity.com/" target="_blank">Craving Some Creativity</a></h2><h3 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="Image-Maps-Com-image-maps-2014-10-03-204617" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/CSCOctober-Week1.jpg" usemap="#image-maps-2014-10-03-204617" width="700" /><map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-10-03-204617" name="image-maps-2014-10-03-204617"> <area alt="" coords="14,8,233,186" href="http://www.cravingsomecreativity.com/2014/10/03/truist-beauty-giveaway-600-prizes/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Truist Beauty Giveaway"></area> <area alt="" coords="244,14,459,189" href="http://www.cravingsomecreativity.com/2014/10/02/crunchy-peanut-butter-balls-recipe-dessert-blog-hop/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Crispy Peanut Butter Balls"></area> <area alt="" coords="471,10,690,185" href="http://www.cravingsomecreativity.com/2014/09/29/smithfield-italian-breaded-pork-tenderloin-creamy-parmesan-orzo/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Italian Breaded Pork Tenderloin"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,198,700,200" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map></h3><hr /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">Meet the Guest Hosts</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1izcftZi5ORNN2ABUJbzUuOQyvNPkIxWEXZ43GQeq8EU/viewform?usp=send_form" target="_blank">please sign up</a>! We have opened up party spots in the month of November.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/milaida.jpg"><img alt="milaida" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6797" height="250" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/milaida.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><strong>Guest Co-host Mila @<a href="http://milaslittlethings.com/" target="_blank">Mila's Little Things </a>~ <a href="https://twitter.com/mila1082" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/milawayable/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/milawayable" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/114568702807208016452/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/11744415" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a> <a href="http://www.hometalk.com/milamyk" target="_blank">Hometalk</a></strong> <strong>Guest Co-host Ida @<a href="http://www.secondchancesgirl.com/" target="_blank">Second Chances Girl</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/scggirl" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SecondChancesGirl?skip_nax_wizard=true" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/iarias82/" target="_blank"> Pinterest</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/scggirl" target="_blank"> Instagram</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/+IdaArias/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/secondchancesgirl" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a></strong><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: green;">On The Co-host's Blogs</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://milaslittlethings.com/" target="_blank">Mila's Little Things</a></h2><h3 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="Image-Maps-Com-image-maps-2014-10-04-025845" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MLTOctoberWeek1.jpg" usemap="#image-maps-2014-10-04-025845" width="700" /></h3><map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-10-04-025845" name="image-maps-2014-10-04-025845"> <area alt="" coords="9,0,147,189" href="http://milaslittlethings.com/2014/09/social-media-mixer-18.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Socail M"></area> <area alt="" coords="156,14,361,190" href="http://milaslittlethings.com/2014/09/glowing-in-the-dark-faces.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Glowing in the Dark Faces"></area> <area alt="" coords="371,9,517,193" href="http://milaslittlethings.com/2014/09/bye-bye-september.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Bye, bye September..."></area> <area alt="" coords="527,10,692,200" href="http://milaslittlethings.com/2014/09/turn-it-up-tuesday-54.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Turn It Up Tuesday #54"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,198,700,200" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.secondchancesgirl.com/" target="_blank">Second Chances Girl</a></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="Image-Maps-Com-image-maps-2014-10-04-031749" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/idaoctweek1.jpg" usemap="#image-maps-2014-10-04-031749" width="700" /> <map id="ImageMapsCom-image-maps-2014-10-04-031749" name="image-maps-2014-10-04-031749"> <area alt="" coords="10,5,144,191" href="http://www.secondchancesgirl.com/2014/10/yay-its-friday.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="Yay! It's Friday"></area> <area alt="" coords="155,15,327,196" href="http://www.secondchancesgirl.com/2014/10/tgif-hop-link-up-your-blog-instagram.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="TGIF Hop! Link Up Your Blog & Instagram!"></area> <area alt="" coords="343,12,541,195" href="Would You Adopt A Dog? We Did Twice! Meet Paris and Lady! #PedigreeGives" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="http://www.secondchancesgirl.com/2014/10/would-you-adopt-dog-we-did-twice-meet.html"></area> <area alt="" coords="558,10,687,187" href="http://www.secondchancesgirl.com/2014/09/a-few-of-my-favorite-things.html" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_self" title="A Few of My Favorite Things"></area> <area alt="Image Map" coords="698,198,700,200" href="http://www.image-maps.com/index.php?aff=mapped_users_0" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" title="Image Map"></area> </map></h2><hr /><h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: green;">Feature Posts</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">Most Clicked</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/OctWeek1Features.jpg"><img alt="OctWeek1Features" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6801" height="350" src="http://mypinterventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/OctWeek1Features.jpg" width="700" /></a><strong><a href="http://formyloveof.net/welcome-banner-fall-inspired-tutorial-tuesday/" target="_blank">Welcome Banner Fall Inspired (Tutorial Tuesday)</a> @For My Love Of</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://www.rowhouseblog.com/2014/09/fall-light-fixture-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Fall Light Fixture Tutorial</a> @Row House Events and Interiors</strong></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">My Feature Picks</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>*Don't forget to visit the other hosts to view their feature picks too.*</strong></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://thefarmgirlgabs.com/festive-flower-pumpkins/">How Does Your Garden Grow</a> shared these Festive Flower Pumpkins! </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Love them!!! </span></h4><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Festive Flower Pumpkins from How Does Your Garden Grow? ~ www.thefarmgirlgabs.com" height="640" src="http://i1.wp.com/thefarmgirlgabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Festive-Flower-Pumpkins-Pinterest.jpg?resize=735%2C1102" width="426" /></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><hr />  <br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">Features will be pinned to the Merry Monday Linky Party Board</h2><a data-pin-do="embedBoard" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pinterventures/merry-monday-linky-party-features/">Follow My Pinterventures's board Merry Monday Linky Party Features on Pinterest.</a><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script><strong><span style="color: green;">If you were featured, grab the Merry Monday Linky Party feature button and display it on your blog, feature page, or sidebar.</span></strong> <strong> </strong> <br /><div align="center" style="padding: 5px;"><img alt="Happy House and Home" src="http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/ErleneA/d651fc56-68e2-48c0-8b7f-1acfcb3d153e_zpscd5a78ba.png" title="Happy House and Home" /></div>  <br /><pre style="background: none; border: none; padding: 0;"><textarea style="background: #f0f0f0; border: solid 1px #cccccc; color: #777777; display: block; font-size: 100%; height: 50px; margin: auto; padding: 7px 0 2px 5px; text-align: left; width: 90%;"><div align="center"><br /><a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.46" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.47" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">happyhouseandhome</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.48" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com" title="Happy House and Home"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.49" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.50" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i845.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.51" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/ab20/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.52" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">ErleneA</span>/d651fc56-68e2-48c0-8b7f-1acfcb3d153e_zpscd5a78ba.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.53" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">png</span>" alt="Happy House and Home" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br /> Permalink back to the blog: http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com

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Merry Monday Link Party #23

Welcome to the Merry Monday Link Party #23! Merry Monday Link Party #23 Announcements: Want your cookie and dessert recipe shared all month ...

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September was a good month

<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qJ7NSwOTjfQ/VC7Iu72huDI/AAAAAAAArko/TnUUoA2KD4w/s1600-h/my%252520favorite%252520color%252520is%252520october%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="my favorite color is october" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-znoa8tqHMNQ/VC7Ivfd-rOI/AAAAAAAArkw/t9wzEUScvtU/my%252520favorite%252520color%252520is%252520october_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="my favorite color is october" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Hello my friends! Don’t you love this month? It’s one of my favorites for sure – and that has nothing to do with the fact that my birthday is next week. None at all. </p> <p>I’m reviewing the projects I worked on or shared last month – just in case you missed something! I kicked off the month of September with some of my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/ready-for-fall.html">favorite fall decorating ideas and crafts</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rM9KbpA5HJg/VC7IwHbOJ3I/AAAAAAAArk4/TIIapPLmpag/s1600-h/fallcollage%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy fall decor projects" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OwojvOEoe_8/VC7Iw_KXyDI/AAAAAAAArlA/wt_bubl5hzI/fallcollage_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy fall decor projects" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Tons of easy ideas for both inside and out on that post! I haven’t done much fall decorating yet – it’s seemed so early still! But now that things are getting done in the family room I’ll be pulling some stuff out this weekend. </p> <p>I was determined to finish up the fireplace last month and I did it! It just took me the entire 30 days. ;) I started by going bold with the paint color – a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-painted-fireplace.html">dark gray</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wZvjeTp3Gn0/VC7Ixqf1ZQI/AAAAAAAArlI/SnsfskvgynY/s1600-h/30%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adding trim to fireplace" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y2pIk3D7KM4/VC7IyQUS4zI/AAAAAAAArlQ/2jWgySD8k4o/30_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="adding trim to fireplace" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I added the trim to the sides and front of the built ins and the fireplace as well. It’s just inexpensive lattice wood you can get in the trim aisle at Lowe’s – I use it for all kinds of molding projects. It definitely gives it all a more custom look for sure. </p> <p>The color was bold and I was a little scared but I LOVE it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RsMhjDCpVoc/VC7Iy2ShzPI/AAAAAAAArlY/4fXVmbyixxs/s1600-h/IMG_9755%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Peppercorn Sherwin Williams" border="0" height="774" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PK5mI8Klqyk/VC7IzV4m3YI/AAAAAAAArlg/Wp8c3bziygU/IMG_9755_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Peppercorn Sherwin Williams" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Next up I shared how I <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/built-ins-for-electronics.html">removed the center of the cabinet doors</a> and replaced them: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-icniKbSseoc/VC7I0Mc4SLI/AAAAAAAArlo/6C-i_cQGC-Q/s1600-h/photo9%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="metal sheeting on cabinet doors" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kgM0mO7PA70/VC7I1iZsGgI/AAAAAAAArlw/epQQtuaAn0A/photo9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="metal sheeting on cabinet doors" width="500" /></a></p> <p>We used standard, unfinished kitchen cabinets and just built them out a bit so they were deep enough to hold the electronics. Problem was I needed to let those electronics breath so they didn’t get overheated. The metal radiator sheeting was the perfect solution: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PXgPF4EzUho/VC7I2E4cijI/AAAAAAAArl4/67vCUnRhtUs/s1600-h/IMG_9778%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="doors let TV components breath" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GYg9sMrVF2Y/VC7I3Ad4zHI/AAAAAAAArmA/Sa-N5XY0PKM/IMG_9778_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="doors let TV components breath" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I love the look – a little modern but also a very traditional feel at the same time. And YES, the remotes work through the metal! </p> <p>Because my readers are awesome, I shared some of the projects they’ve tackled after seeing some of mine. Tammy’s <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-you-do-what-i-do.html">wall of built ins</a> turned out SO beautifully: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lMJ8K1BteRQ/VC7I3sdKrgI/AAAAAAAArmI/-O1LrbDynYU/s1600-h/built%252520ins2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="built ins by fireplace" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hWj904R4q0A/VC7I4UAjl4I/AAAAAAAArmQ/NreDKmsgWMs/built%252520ins2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="built ins by fireplace" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Be sure to check out some of the others!</p> <p>After I got the paint started on the fireplace and the doors done it was time to attack the biggest project – the tile. There were a few options I was considering: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1HMLRe_CQzQ/VC7I5FNHs0I/AAAAAAAArmY/iqUpn0lPSLA/s1600-h/IMG_9763%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="marble tile" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mz_guYo5IlM/VC7I57DTmMI/AAAAAAAArmg/wVvmeQocsSI/IMG_9763_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="marble tile" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The herringbone had my heart all along, I was just a little nervous about installing it. At first glance I thought it would take a lot of small cuts. </p> <p>I soon figured out that wouldn’t be the case at all so I went for it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mTRQg-88_pI/VC7I6eheXKI/AAAAAAAArmo/r1YpALSE15M/s1600-h/IMG_9776%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to cut tile" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lo-0CrUOmcY/VC7I7UtNHPI/AAAAAAAArmw/xiGxxbRd_lY/IMG_9776_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to cut tile" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I shared the whole process of tiling a fireplace surround <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/tiling-fireplace-surround.html">here</a> – that post includes some tips if you plan to use a marble tile as well.</p> <p>We absolutely ADORE the finished product: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CDyY9xHXxK4/VC7I769XQNI/AAAAAAAArm4/Pkk6uuzyYpk/s1600-h/IMG_9840%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="installing tile on fireplace surround" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3HLmWKDQyD8/VC7I8uk6WqI/AAAAAAAArnA/If3g6SzM_sU/IMG_9840_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="installing tile on fireplace surround" width="500" /></a></p> <p>SO happy I went for that one!</p> <p>I stepped away from the DIY for a bit to focus on an area that was in desperate need of some decrapification: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-27PWWJ9Fbqc/VC7I9WEKEZI/AAAAAAAArnI/x0-0AVVemxk/s1600-h/IMG_8740%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="organizing coat closet" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J6mLCrMx99I/VC7I-M_ErJI/AAAAAAAArnQ/Rt-cYA_YX-A/IMG_8740_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="organizing coat closet" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Love that my spell check now recognizes that word. ;) That closet had become my “Monica closet” – a dumping ground for anything that took actual thought to address. :) Go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-monica-closet.html">here</a> to see my process for going through all the crap and getting it organized again. </p> <p>Because the fireplace was looking so good I had to address how filthy it was from all the construction this summer. Did you know you can clean the inside of your gas <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/cleaning-gas-fireplace-glass.html">fireplace glass</a>?:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BeICfMfSLHI/VC7I-re1kwI/AAAAAAAArnY/IupTxt_mfCc/s1600-h/how%252520to%252520clean%252520inside%252520glass%252520on%252520gas%252520fireplace%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to clean inside glass on gas fireplace" border="0" height="736" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jPpj1GmUFDw/VC7I_terbVI/AAAAAAAArng/zGS_9eGPZKY/how%252520to%252520clean%252520inside%252520glass%252520on%252520gas%252520fireplace_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to clean inside glass on gas fireplace" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s actually quite easy to do. I like to clean our fireplaces every year at this time before we turn them on for the winter. I also shared how I used high heat paint on the fireplace surround to get it looking good again <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/high-heat-paint.html">here</a>. </p> <p>I was <em>thrilled</em> when I realized that taking down the wall in the family room meant our kitchen would get much bigger too. We were able to move our table to a spot that works SO much better with a lot more space, which meant a much bigger table would work. I shared our new one and thoughts on finishing it <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-new-kitchen-table.html">here</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gX8CM8IRyzg/VC7JAH3Fk1I/AAAAAAAArno/KXf-UI6uxts/s1600-h/IMG_9878%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood curved leg table" border="0" height="752" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rn636lwIfek/VC7JBOfKV9I/AAAAAAAArnw/9TeQT18PmrM/IMG_9878_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood curved leg table" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Goodness I LOVE this table. I’ll show you what I’ve done with it next week. :) </p> <p>Next up I gathered some of the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/free-fall-printables.html">prettiest fall printables</a> you ever did see from around blogland – and all are FREE: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YUGXQsl4EKY/VC7JBghRlqI/AAAAAAAArn4/XGfyj4z0VoI/s1600-h/Printables%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="free fall printables" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FXbTFsIeXNc/VC7JCTI65qI/AAAAAAAAroA/7FaD9Z9Ef5s/Printables_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="free fall printables" width="500" /></a></p> <p>They are such an easy and inexpensive way to decorate for the seasons. </p> <p>I was needing some warmth in the family room so I switched from our summer neutrals to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/warm-fall-touches.html">some color for the fall</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vd2maz9B8_M/VC7JDMls0II/AAAAAAAAroI/iAEGZRD4zFQ/s1600-h/IMG_9897%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="small sectional" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u_SzCNhRJIM/VC7JEJcLWDI/AAAAAAAAroQ/MtaLaARBxv0/IMG_9897_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="small sectional" width="500" /></a></p> <p>If you’ve never sewn a pillow I also shared some quick tips – it’s not that hard, I swear!</p> <p>I was fed up with some more of the disaster areas in our house of late so I focused on my problem clutter areas. Take a look at them and this space all cleaned up <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-problem-areas.html">here</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H1iGgTiWScA/VC7JE3EszHI/AAAAAAAAroY/Pq1zPT6rQTM/s1600-h/IMG_9901%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rSKpgzU52XI/VC7JFgEZyvI/AAAAAAAArog/Tl474bl1pGk/IMG_9901_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Yowza. That was bad.</p> <p>I love finding new fun places to shop that don’t break the bank – I took you on a tour of <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/lets-go-shopping.html">one of my favorites</a> last week: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jgHYryefKjY/VC7JGTRw1ZI/AAAAAAAAroo/b-lLs_XFpg4/s1600-h/WM5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baked pie sign world market" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TYBoY4tIdw0/VC7JHL3CvvI/AAAAAAAArow/ykS6YC4cqms/WM5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="baked pie sign world market" width="290" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eumt8ip__1U/VC7JIFsOjkI/AAAAAAAAro4/4VZXybTCwHM/s1600-h/17%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="17" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fSYEHncaKuA/VC7JIxkO9bI/AAAAAAAArpA/8BWWakQ3VaY/17_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="17" width="290" /></a> </p> <p>Last weekend I finally got the fireplace finished! I love it so dang much! I shared how I planked the wall above the fireplace for $13 and a bunch of I’m-so-happy-this-is-done after shots <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/13-planked-wall-finished-fireplace.html">here</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oWzr0W3cTE4/VC7JJcydTcI/AAAAAAAArpI/Q5POhi0mObw/s1600-h/IMG_9980%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray fireplace planked wall herringbone tile" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TljqcYve5VM/VC7JKNM-MAI/AAAAAAAArpQ/Kgzouvf14Dk/IMG_9980_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray fireplace planked wall herringbone tile" width="500" /></a></p> <p>A couple of you suggested painting the crown the same color and I think I’m going to try it. I’m not sure it will work but it’s only paint – I can easily take it back to white if I don’t like it. The total cost to finish up the fireplace was less than $200 – that included the metal sheeting, tile and supplies and the wood for the planked wall. I had the paint leftover from the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/dark-gray-accent-wall.html">wall in the bedroom</a>. </p> <p>Someone commented on the rug earlier this week and yes it does look baby blue in that shot – not sure why. It’s definitely a gray/blue color that works great with that whole wall. (You can see the true color in the pics above.)</p> <p>I finished up the month sharing <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/simple-fix-disposal.html">a quick tip</a> that saved us a few hundred bucks: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h87awOrakZs/VC7JK0WukJI/AAAAAAAArpY/rB4UUU7Fr60/s1600-h/disposalheader%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to fix disposal" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aRomMc_24qg/VC7JLpFWkcI/AAAAAAAArpg/GlTl6M1IBjs/disposalheader_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to fix disposal" width="500" /></a>If yours is ever jammed be sure to use this as a resource – most times you can take care of it on your own. </p> <p>Whew! That’s it for this month! It was a great one – now onto beautiful October. :) Hope you have a lovely weekend! </p>

September was a good month

Hello my friends! Don’t you love this month? It’s one of my favorites for sure – and that has nothing to do with the fact that my birthday...

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Oatmeal Lace Cookies

<div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRssM5rgT52n1lPWBTAl6im7STX9vTog-1LcAolh2o85BEG-UOuFyP70gRPnxg9BQzHA_UQVQI2AcScm0z3GafBnxpzECtXboqQxLaDxnGyvbAhgGgLxvOGwbr6zZN1-NH__6_bbU-zM/s1600/oatmeal+lace+cookies+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRssM5rgT52n1lPWBTAl6im7STX9vTog-1LcAolh2o85BEG-UOuFyP70gRPnxg9BQzHA_UQVQI2AcScm0z3GafBnxpzECtXboqQxLaDxnGyvbAhgGgLxvOGwbr6zZN1-NH__6_bbU-zM/s1600/oatmeal+lace+cookies+14.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The kids have been helping out all day, and Big A is in the basement building shelves (and </span>de<span style="font-family: inherit;">-cluttering... or cluttering, it's hard to tell). So I thought I'd do the good wifely thing and bake a batch of cookies for them. </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">(Plus, I didn't have any breakfast.)</i></div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1"></div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought about it and remembered the <strike>easiest </strike>best cookies I ever made are these awesome Oatmeal Lace Cookies. Because you melt the butter rather than wait for it to soften, these Oatmeal Lace Cookies take less than 5 minutes to throw together, and only about 9 more minutes to bake.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">This recipe for Oatmeal Lace Cookies is one of those recipes, that even the baking challenged can manage ~ I admit, that would be me. The recipe requires very limited time, effort or patience. And, when they're done, they look beautiful - golden, with little spaces between the oats, like lace. Plus they're delicious - the sugar caramelizes making them sweet and buttery! They're great on their own, but are perfect with vanilla ice cream.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But wait! </i>Wanna know more good news? You don't even have to wash the cookie sheets, because they are lined with parchment paper! </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Oatmeal Lace Cookies</span></h3></div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Makes 18 cookies <span style="font-size: x-small;">(or less if you eat any of the batter, but <em>who</em> would do that?)</span></span></div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div><div class="section clrfix ingredients" sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1"><ul sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1"><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup butter</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="2"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup quick oats</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="3"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup sugar</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="4"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 egg, beaten</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="5"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="6"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 tablespoons flour</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="7"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="8"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 teaspoon baking powder</span></li></ul></div><br /><div class="section clrfix directions" sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note: you could eliminate the flour to suit your diet if you wish.</span></em></div><h3 class="section clrfix directions" sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Directions</span></h3><div class="section clrfix directions" sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><ol sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="9"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large saucepan, melt the butter. I let my butter brown a <b>tiny </b>bit (trust me).</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from heat and stir in oats, sugar, egg, and vanilla.</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add flour, salt, and baking powder.</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drop 3” apart by rounded teaspoonful on cookie sheet<em> lined with parchment paper</em>. They spread quite a bit so make sure to give 'em some room to grow.  </span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until golden.</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="39" sizset="0"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from oven and let cool completely on cookie sheet. Carefully remove from the parchment with a spatula to a wire rack.</span></li><li sizcache09522323360924393="12" sizset="11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Store in an airtight container <i>(Yeah, right! You won't have any left to store).</i></span></li></ol></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to make your cookies <em>FANCY, </em>you can choose to add one of the following:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for an almond flavor.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stir in a handful of mini-chocolate chips to the finished batter.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stir in a handful of chopped nuts - especially pistachio!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest or orange zest.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melt semi-sweet chocolate and spread thinly over the flat side of the baked and cooled cookies.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Try them and let me know what you think! As always, I would love to hear from you!</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNxeJ6isegs-m86bNQ1B8N7axSnS2bNLP69FKaqV2BM9aTGkAEBak2_JlN29MFXJ-_aS9wOA09ArobB7JAVzyydGiDksGT00IPohaQLVuVq9gjPqEv7kCJHF9quhPu1KoFFkMvRF4HOk/s1600/oatmeal+lace+cookies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNxeJ6isegs-m86bNQ1B8N7axSnS2bNLP69FKaqV2BM9aTGkAEBak2_JlN29MFXJ-_aS9wOA09ArobB7JAVzyydGiDksGT00IPohaQLVuVq9gjPqEv7kCJHF9quhPu1KoFFkMvRF4HOk/s320/oatmeal+lace+cookies2.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>

Oatmeal Lace Cookies

The kids have been helping out all day, and Big A is in the basement building shelves (and de -cluttering... or cluttering, it's hard to...

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Dining room updates

<p>Hello my friends! It’s a lovely rainy fall day here, and what I think will be the last warm day we have in quite some time. I’m actually excited about that. :) I’m tired of sweating – bring on the crisp air, yoga pants and boots! </p> <p>I finally did something in another part of the house other than the family room…can you believe it? </p> <p>A while back I took the drapes down that used to hang in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/living%20room">living room</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RjEyDLFRA-gPtsMcrFEgux6Qc8DjXRMRIB4VDmGo0oyF91AXMcpOVjbzHd8zVoLExv8Kze7paC5zK_PiOmNI-sYrcn4IWvfi7FN2BvDk-lnUBnolxkgjZZ1yJilkofanuX2R_chUWEE/s1600-h/IMG_1405_thumb%25255B7%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGdLjPqK3f0UbCscVYAtvY0kJdFhoCM4G7AHM4R5Uw_d4RRrryMU4XZ9Emm8gwQSHw-g6J06AuQT_76AloOvG6bstGdp7kloz33eX1mIPCqcgYKr2Uvq_4CUhCszQubrzaQaBfTpLUNs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This was in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/pink-walls-begone.html">pink wall era</a>, so glad that color is gone! (They weren’t really pink but sure photographed that way.) </p> <p>Anyway, I took those drapes down after I added new <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/04/diy-craftsman-window-trim.html">trim to the windows</a> up front: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1pby2l600QhgDas8NhhNaZr7RySmjlSZ4FFm3DI4X71ewZ7w0_t7yq9fxtWTGaEFOlT_63OaxIAXvQKMfHoRZvrrNg-9Ud47_rH-0BXLOWncTV6joSm1IN2mzO0TKD2BmfMadgU_zP8/s1600-h/IMG_9214%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9214" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nyKDSTJC-Q3M2RIuhIhvUYIkrVar_J2y_zahB4GQUwqbYbu5alxUzA0s7JEfEjTUyBnkhDhzMJhpzS7u9ux49QsatTNdEmyRD91aY2picVCMmtbR9xoWWtGoe1SMQ6kSaIHCSP01qe4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_9214" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I like them simple like that – so much so that I don’t have any plans to put new drapes up, at least for now. </p> <p>I got to thinking that our dining room windows could really use something though. I do plan to trim them out the same way but in the meantime they were looking pretty bland: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qRYgJMyFJnNuNpWxr7CQO8vncRWOoA-VbZu_2_jYqc5aQ9mA4gG2pRwW2ETGyo7LbawBfRzs9kyeDvxgZFsllqL7uqNOcwvloYqf3wXEGl2Clp4k2eFKNm24vjwp9W8Aaru5JzDus1k/s1600-h/IMG_0005%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuLQ6wQQbf2pLwFYceFXP7DKF1AlsHWF-HWYEiGNsC1FtE9f3JYwlXMA9szMaEVVLRCxodo8pAvAzApiORr4vEag0S0N-EkieaiOmQFWMTG30iQ6XPAJL6Hb2A8kA1ZbA_hz7jSELino/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This was my before picture as I started working – excuse the mess. :) </p> <p>I took down the drapes that were the dining room years ago moved them to the family room: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MuK4nKCShrSJnTS7JjZWvKliiAD7nM2oL_JL0H9yMuRKTniZ8K_oDDnfwLflhe1J8kvj-LH89-VQgGNuaXuhZAZf6ShdDTSSaemp6PFgvxPFXCfOvZ5c1HSgkMYLs5QYUJa7vLBLtWk/s1600-h/IMG_7185%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7185" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbZgfTlOgz_KnGOuekEPzgvJof0WIq5vGvC2_rcNjaJbsNnMoFAsTa2Ms6IKsFH3t2XX2QX_rF7W9SpX70EXCliHZ_TFFkouEcIoI_elR35cgBLH6RtdJksIHeqkHYGnMyXRO-3-kfw8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_7185" width="500" /></a></p> <p>When the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/family%20room%20reno">wall came down</a> those drapes did as well. </p> <p>Anyway…I’ve had naked windows in the dining room for quite some time – I’ve been wanting to replace them but it hasn’t been a priority. Then I realized a couple weeks back I could use the drapes from the living room that I took down months ago. Are you with me?? ;) We’re coming full circle here. Kinda.</p> <p>Of course it can never be as simple as just hanging drapes for me. There’s always all kinds of little things that pop up along the way. The first thing I did was move the roman shades back down to inside the window frame. Years ago I mounted them outside just for a little extra light. It’s felt messy looking to me lately though and it only gives a couple extra inches of extra light so back they went. </p> <p>I had to patch where the shades were hanging:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASaJ-7wtK9XgY72UmF5Znl_W2iAqLWtXNCsQ3IfxunXbtTjwOxE3FuNPLEPJjlE2a1H8Q3w52K9G8HDyZWbKwRsgksr0gKhtF-ryrdHX_utfdP5EzbJQkdhb6zNo6Vim4GnAEhz5AbQc/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pink spackle" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRQlJ7xeFykpe2QekR4mePeKGbbn9PJqsMfyaKAr-Iaa-x1LQPMzaG5rCN3BrDcAK67VNRGhgzugRas56bwouxjRQYRhLun3sz0eHphYYOhOS3Dqt4O1CIZomP7Y4bVEnOVxxoR_vwj8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="pink spackle" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEH2CicssLQacTzAbMTN2-K-5XsvoXTxrvMADnNzLMFDJI3agnYQ7cbc18twJTLc8ub9TROmEiufkICFnjvN9yQg1sofTTppP8mApLCarFa73aFh5Pk5f3TA4A1bYO46wgR-6w7fCVEQ/s1600-h/2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dap spackle" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAquEY_NYowooAVUn-0G5IBwOECMV9pO4jELO0YrjUCA8Ws-ErFJCJFJBwdsrBAU94w2RE5QW0PeRmzyZo9HoAqUY0Q_c5aMrNJwdytlW3Q0e1dGDoTg72vK-MoglzcmxV2VGe8cTks4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dap spackle" width="290" /></a></p> <p>When I took the brackets down they took chunks of drywall with them. Not sure why that happened – usually you’ll have problems with that if you put them up right after painting but I didn’t do that. </p> <p>Anyway, I patched those up with spackling – this kind goes on pink and is white when it’s ready to paint/sand: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNonA95hHyktTlnoBzqM8uJmPlnfndVBi9FKj_nJbd0LDlG0mrfNNvBR4K5PJUWrlI_pC17_OrEjGIrQSi5OE-H5pjQXQR0DniHbXeoHu2iyexZTyxcnj8QdaT3p1c0HhLek8laThDhc/s1600-h/IMG_0010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijmjqvbEx3wuiQHZChd5NmT3XLJgbDmEKj5nV4OkJPkFrvspI6b_iZfXZp8bDQ21FltPFOk-zJtabuWb4Za5JxjP89cQcCa2L4k74hYOwkX_zQ1BVTXK_s_8_f5q1Ch-g09neXqwvThQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Love that!! </p> <p>Hanging drapery hardware isn’t hard, it’s just a matter of hanging the brackets the exact same distance on either side of the window. I like to go out at least five inches from the window and usually at least a few above as well – I couldn’t go too high with these because I didn’t make them long enough. </p> <p>I just trace where the holes go in the bracket and then drill a pilot hole: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXH4C1cG_7HUvpGC2t4DRzfJ5NbavpGr8GFKVY-UPgm-rqfI_qS2FFMmn0c61zqo3KdI2-AQi6QbIpw-9jLIxe_7BYRdVm08jMtjHntnWohEoZxnmrpaPBirDHBaTRKK9nFk57XKepJLU/s1600-h/3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="hanging drapery hardware" border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHPJc0VqSKXfZPjidYZIWzyaEYKUTa5t7RDQA845_ZplEwePHYoMD7OsJnOvAiYTbVbU1LilkiHewvWI9onq1cIAMg097hYJW-lPF7_ErJ-6wZACLiMI7zAG21q_0UzGQ1f3d9nEMxvo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hanging drapery hardware" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I always drill a hole first before trying to get a screw in the wall – if I hit a stud then I’ll need to predrill anyway. If I don’t hit a stud I know I’ll need to use anchors, so it’s a time saver to just do that first. </p> <p>I got the hardware up on both sides and then realized the middle piece was going to hit the small molding I had around the window. Sooooo that had to come down…more patching and then painting to cover up the original chocolate brown color underneath: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4yh7wfxkUPOOtd0iEIRS_DCYSpQH463RoBqWTRis7KwSJVqO1VI1kcYuJDWax2HYv4vCNo-dhYftDz9hXcs6mW9LCUx6y7pZLW_L-ItgApz5Qgst99rMzyZP5BElcRxlYEhbfl6h3hM/s1600-h/5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NcDq7eDVpyj3ma0tzT1eYBvxAz8xJHf0eyXxtINgBYRbWiFP1QGjxSi2mYmb9o6uQ5yj2dXmBDvQNgBoenmm_Qx6agssoI0ckdEG96jvBo9q_MZ4aD3iPVGjuk7WrMRs4nXueakgWvQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Remember those days??: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGD6ITu3qjUT5gE-qYU30XKEAf3TUbe53PLnN37gSbwSe1f6YkTSyK7CKnu9rhCm9X8ujYZNfrq4TEt5YltXB9RYle0mobG6M7nz9gXYnFdCiaMwMBMf9kHMnT8Q61fyS70dT282Oh8g/s1600-h/003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chocolate brown dining room" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7hx0USPfldsWmFRASbEAojEnd1ITyxRAkJ0wNj3M6x4ngHBhv_3xjf0QJUH-D7R08A7OM4fajzmivCZFx_NCa7s5pGu4mi8_g98AdtxZzR0vB84sMV8F7cH93qPPRnBFoBZb6_Gsz0c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chocolate brown dining room" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I don’t miss it. :) </p> <p>So THEN I get the drapes hung up and realize I didn’t like the stripes I added as a leading edge years back. I was using two panels on each side of the windows so the stripes were on either side of each one and it looked circus-esque. Not what I was going for. </p> <p>So I took them down, cut down the sides quite a bit and hemmed. I just left a bit of the stripes and I quite love the dark on the edges now: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KhcMG4zx5uErgYNaNN1LnDgWo6Qsa0QdxFvhXU2WFSSfLacaeC_yyKszCSVRL5BgMtf2Eg5ikg40jqMlUCRGToP0m8Le7LYkzFkAoR7UxKqGcRRv4948olFi06U5CE-qTCGE0fgN7GE/s1600-h/IMG_0026%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="retreat blue citrine" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUadgvWngp8z5rvfHpW6UlkAegvR48lZw49C1hKZHRqg_HbN9vsOgJmgi1WDz7CIxep2L3fS-vdMfu3ziA25zGbgPzLRYa5ztMgM2r8evYqzsrWuIMGZCeYu2SWj4CrBB0pxmjMk1NFs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="retreat blue citrine" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I get asked about his fabric a lot – it’s a P. Kaufman fabric called retreat blue citrine. I’d like something a little simpler in this room eventually but until then these will do nicely. :) </p> <p>I “trained” the drapes like I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/04/easy-drapery-tricks.html">here</a> years ago:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlALFXIEScgUB32mbWSzF3glord8MH6zF_TNZdfoQTUFYZLIAfnTKSuiwW1IPOP3zeK02T7-BFQpgw7jieym0sm2MXzr6lJ58LDr0RS-W6foydISBd5rBjQt8K7mhyphenhyphennIzgHeTEVEgk2yM/s1600-h/IMG_0007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="training drapes pleats" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Mqu_IHQNrhHwrnv7mW1_TVJ31SMc5yHhw70SlzsMYVyCG4S9ZDju0UOIcM1jg-xZIPQNyFuWdLR7Z7EmEocGmRNCHawHQYI2mYVvXISFqQEpV5vU82fw9eGKBRljZoNQ_A-XJykkIyM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="training drapes pleats" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Combined with my fake pleat method it makes them hang much prettier! </p> <p>They add some warmth to the room and make it feel much more finished:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Js_SlgFykyBnQvfkQNKemVH4bLK7GXALDYsBuwBz-dlpDL74iaAeTxjipbCEqNlmZ8qsm_Gt3chVZ7BPDWARm9ZCqgbzRTBAipDZSYVABq3ZFpXbjyvIOr3eI-a2OGHhh8s8CJZRxrw/s1600-h/IMG_0020%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="p. kaufman fabric" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTatahn2BQmtWROMyB5GJ8mVpllUOQCgBJzpgNN_zRw1xvhlNbQ5Zus_bOl0MhFH7wnZ394H_mqHT13vBI8ZsXF-T27DXzTAbCrcxUmFUl3-81I0xdY4Xwt2ievE4U6L8FrdodaBp_TzQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="p. kaufman fabric" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’m so glad I took some of the stripes off – they look SO much better with just the simple color along the side:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JJvFjZNSl2T9mHJYayPotKzNr2aahIMpBxU7sn6I-uYpiGsBLfG1o56qiHQ49TXHjkpqusK-_z31CcNM6Mt_6uOjOLS_VEzpSDvg5iKWrAv5jNQXmtSQNQXPlF8AR6T6zIFmz_EAPkw/s1600-h/IMG_0022%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="leading edge drapery " border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6V1B6NII47YFF9GOVhAhAfl16Yfj7v7fvUkb_6WI2JS-UpxC7yle5luh9ElZ3fS04o13PhGDu5A-m7b7cO5Qs7eel9LJSKxLFtj_Q7ttXqNJYj3z3LCuF34u_mWmcgGQAeY6EaDoGrA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="leading edge drapery " width="500" /></a></p> <p>These are two skinny panels together on each side – I cut the fabric down the middle for the other windows. I didn’t sew them together and you can’t tell. :) </p> <p>I hung these along a full drapery rod so we can close them if needed: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO93tqGYEYd5WED6Mr6VOfkxPTgXz_bldMvs9mzcwKTHXktpX1_d7nmvC68OpUemYn6WlkrsebSUX3GnhFjXh1bN0unn422HnMFk5iYlzrUeEeidq948hWD7DK486kY6fDkg4OJMWhoGk/s1600-h/IMG_0035%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="built ins dining room" border="0" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPCeXNnx5g5IGSXAZVTQ-1aONWqaL7oMruc5VZie4t1Q9GjoXhSkiiNvEdUQCs2x3508A1WomNerFAriuztkKIsHpHr4zQLQ1b-05lDzMQr4yMbiKbK2MIMyzcD0weybrQvkgvQJzJQw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="built ins dining room" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I hear we’re going to get another nasty winter and I like being able to close drapes for some added insulation. It helps!</p> <p>The colors are lovely – the blue edge matches the background on the built ins almost perfectly. Someday I will add the window trim in here but I will still probably keep drapes up even after that. They definitely add some coziness to a room!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONagF0g8QSy-FCIgfxcmcu8CResD9Z2E2ZvT9UdTNMCwP2mjKeZZJPd6LfskptS7Dih7nLm6WW0yAcEFh3M5JryBF6nS5yBk8VxGJkbKzX7x6mLfSknnBmfukrt7kIVeUMx4C1_rWI-0/s1600-h/IMG_0016%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dining room DIY built ins" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoX_fS1Rj3ahuHR_a1c5j6_BNsDhCposxrOG6IBayu7LkmNS9SB02ncakddb6eC3qryGHyFGRAq2UBlfgQ9ubjS-kQbpht5h4UnfvOuA7uoSTBfG2q4WuWHe5UJvZVPbWUnWZSdnPKHc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dining room DIY built ins" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This project ended up taking a lot longer than I thought it would, but it was free so I can’t complain. :) Another fall nesting project done! </p> <p>Do you prefer drapes or none? Do you use yours if you have them? We use our bedroom drapes every weekend so the bedroom is crazy dark, love it. If you want your drapes to be full and pretty while closed you’ll want to add to your yardage to make them wider. I don’t spend money on that since they are usually only closed at night and it’s just us who sees them. </p> <p>OH and we were waffling on keeping a table in this room but now that our kitchen table is plenty big I think we’re going to move ahead with our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/01/dining-room-turned.html">original idea</a> of comfy chairs and a coffee table. Whoot! I think it will look lovely! </p>

Dining room updates

Hello my friends! It’s a lovely rainy fall day here, and what I think will be the last warm day we have in quite some time. I’m actually exc...

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