hickorytrailblog-Just-Jared: April 2013

Spring Mantel & Mantle makeover

Posted by Unknown at 12:09 PM Saturday, April 27, 2013 Labels: 2013, Mantel, Spring 0 comments

Most of you know by now that I'm a sucker for chalk paint. I have a few projects I'm currently working on. Once I complete I will definitely be sharing them with you. I currently painted my mantel. When I first purchased it from Pottery Barn, I liked the rustic finish. But, as you know as time goes by, most people likes and dislikes change. I decided to paint it Annie Sloan ''pure white". It seems to match more décor and is a little easier to decorate. I added just a few items for Spring. I'm excited to incorporate my sea shells and starfish as summer approaches. Stay tuned for that!

Before

After

I will be joining These wonderful parties.

Antique Hutch & Chalk Paint Makeover

Posted by Unknown at 2:45 PM Monday, April 22, 2013 Labels: antique hutch, chalk paint 0 comments

Do you ever find yourself thinking about the different kinds of furniture you would like to find. My hubby and I took a weekend trip just to get away back in February. We traveled to Beaufort, SC. While we were there visiting the shops and all the neat historic sites we found this antique hutch. We both eyeballed it and thought how perfect would that be for our kitchen. The size is what we were most concerned about. The area that we had in mind didn't allow for just any hutch to lay. The nice lady who owned the store let us borrow a tape measure; we took pictures and measurements. We left and went back to our Bed and Breakfast to get cleaned up for our evening dinner. We called home and had the kids measure the area in which we had in mind for this beauty to sit. Oh yeah, it was a perfect fit. We purchased and loaded this beauty right into the back of our SUV. It sat in my dining room for a couple of months until I decided what color I wanted to paint it. I fell in love with Annie Sloan "Paris Grey" chalk paint. So, I ordered it and waited patiently for it to arrive. Lucky for me it only took four days. I kept the old hardware because I love the old look.

And now, this is how it sits...I LOVE IT!!!

I'm so excited to paint my dining table to match. Project in the works. :)

I'm linking to These wonderful parties!

Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Posted by Unknown at 6:11 AM Saturday, April 20, 2013 Labels: banana bread, Recipes 0 comments

Don't you just love those evenings where you can enjoy your family and a nice loaf of banana nut bread? My husband returned home after being gone for a few days and I decided to whip up something sweet. We have been doing really well with eating whole foods and watching what we ingest. So, I decided to reward him ;). Isn't that so nice of me? He thought so; he devoured three pieces right away.

Banana Nut Bread Recipe
3 ripe bananas
1 cup of sugar (I have been using Sucanat, but didn't in this recipe)
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat flour (this makes it a little darker, but it was so moist)
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 chopped nuts

Mash bananas with fork leaving some chunks with texture, place half of them in mixer with your paddle attachment. Set aside other half.

Add sugar to your mixer and whip together for about 3 minutes. Add, butter, eggs, vanilla. Mix together until combined. Add the rest of your ingredients ( flour, soda, salt, nuts and remaining bananas) Do Not over mix.

Pour into a greased loaf pan. sprinkle with remaining nuts. Bake of 350 for 50 minutes to 1 hour.

I'm linking to;

Funky junk interiors

Be different act normal

Delicate Construction

everyday moms meals

I should be mopping the floor

Diy showoff

Keeping it simple crafts

Ramen Noodle Salad (Asian Coleslaw)

Posted by Unknown at 4:48 AM Thursday, April 18, 2013 Labels: Ramen, Recipes 0 comments

Have you ever discounted a package of ramen noodles? Well, I'm here to tell you that I'm hooked on this lovely salad that my cousin makes. We spent Easter at her home and she introduced me to this Asian coleslaw. Maybe I'm behind in times, but this stuff is most tasty. I found the recipe on Pinterest under salads.

I put my own spin on it. Spring and Summer says L-E-M-O-N-S to me. I add lemons to everything possible.

1- coleslaw blend
2- pkgs ramen noodles (chicken flavor) set season packet aside
1/2 cup of almonds
1/2 stick of butter
1/3 cup of salad vinegar
1/3 cup of olive oil
1/3 cup of sugar
2- green onions chopped
1/2 - juice of a lemon ( this is my spin)

The measurements are approximates. I usually eyeball everything (unless I'm baking).

Melt butter in pan. Crush noodles and add them into the butter along with almonds. Brown to a crisp. Transfer to a baking sheet to cool.

In a tight lidded container mix vinegar, sugar, season packet from noodles, oil and lemon juice. Shake well. Set aside.

In a serving dish add coleslaw blend, chopped onions, noodles and almond mixtures and blend. Pour liquid mixture across the top and toss. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Delish!!!

This is now my go to dish to bring to a potluck or gathering!

Homemade Lemon Facial Scrub

Posted by Unknown at 5:26 AM Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Labels: facial scrub, health 0 comments

Do you exfoliate?

Dead skin cells suck the luster from your face. Not only that, but they clog your pores and highlight fine lines too. "As you age, the rate of cell turnover slows, causing flakiness and dullness—unpretty signs that you need to step up your exfoliation routine.

But you can't go overboard either; too much scrubbing and harsh chemicals may cause inflammation, damage, and sensitivity.

I found this website and it may give you a little more insight on how you should exfoliate, based off the kind of skin you may have.

I used the following ingredients. I didn't measure. I eyeball most times.

Sugar
Lemon Zest
Lemon Extract
Coconut Oil

Mixed the ingredients together and added it into a jar with a tight lid. Personalize it for Mother's Day or whatever occasions you choose.

I'm linking to;

From my front porch to yours

Sugar and dots

The Thrifty Home

Domestically-speaking

Someday crafts

Sew crafty angel

Dysfunctions junction

French Country Cottage

Romantic Home

House wives of riverton

My girlish whims

I was nominated...Liebster Award

Posted by Unknown at 12:43 PM Friday, April 12, 2013 Labels: Liebster Award 0 comments

I was nominated TWICE for the Liebster Award by Alison at Life a Little Brighter and Alyssa at The Decorating Duchess. Thank you so much! It's such a privilege!

So what is a Liebster Award? A Liebster Award is given to showcase smaller blogs who are up and coming, and who have less than 200 followers. This is an award that you accept with the intention of paying it forward.

The rules for the Liebster Award are simple:
1. Each blogger should answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
2. Choose a few new bloggers to pass the award on to and link them in your post.
3. Create 11 new questions for the chosen bloggers.
4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
5. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
6. No tag backs!

Go ahead and like them on Google+ or follow them as friends :)

My Questions from Alison:
1. What's the first thing you do in the morning? When the alarm goes off, its shower time
2. What's your favorite snack? Chocolate covered almonds
3. Name an oops moment you've had while blogging. I used to never respond to the nice comments people would make on my blog :(...I'm so good about doing this now :)
4. If you could only read one blog, which one would it be? Ah man, this is a hard decision. Buckets of Burlap (the farmhouse style reminds me of growing up)
5. List a typical weekday outfit you wear. Black dress pants, colored shirt and black cardigan, silver charm necklace
6. One thing you wish you could change about your home? the layout of my living room
7. What's one goal you have for the coming year? be more Christlike and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ
8. Favorite take out food? Chili's to-go
9. Favorite chill out activity? my son's baseball games
10. What activities did you do in high school? Softball, FCA
11. Favorite place to shop for clothes? Dress Barn

11 random facts about me;
1. I'm a God fearing, Bible (KJV) believing Christian
2. I'm married to a Marine
3. I was homecoming queen (1991)
4. I have one son
5. I'm a singer. Well, I sing at Church, weddings, funerals and such
6. I'm a daschund owner
7. I HATE to fly on airplanes
8. I love fresh hot towels right out of the dryer when getting out of the shower (thanks to my hubby for making this possible)
9. I have lived in the same county/state all of my life
10. I grew up on a farm (that means extra curricular activities consisted of hay bale jumping, cow patty fights, horseback riding and chicken chasing)
11. I love to decorate and entertain

My nominees are;

QUESTIONS FOR MY NOMINEES;

1. Why did you start blogging?

2. What state do you live in?

3. Do you work outside the home?

4. What is your favorite vacation spot?

5. Do you have pets? If so, what kind and how many?

6. Where do you buy most of your groceries?

7. Are you a coke or pepsi kind of person?

8. What is your most enjoyable moment?

9. Do you eat healthy or fast foods mostly?

10. Do you have a background in interior decorating or just a knack for it?

11. Do you know that Jesus loves you? John 3:16 :)

Don't forget to link me back into your post so I can see your answers to the questions I posed for you :) Have a great Friday!

Whole 30 meal ideas

Posted by Unknown at 5:31 AM Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Labels: health, whole food 0 comments

My oh my, where do I begin? I usually dread talking about or better yet actually eating healthy meals when I have to prepare them. My husband and I have recently started the Whole 30 challenge. I find that it has many meal options. I'm not one to prepare three meals a day, but let me tell you, I certainly have been utilizing my kitchen the past couple of weeks. We have really enjoyed the possibilities and find that we are eating foods we wouldn't normally have around. Its been fun to see the color on our plate. Below are some ideas that I cooked for either breakfast or dinner. For lunch, we opt to enjoy a salad that I prepare the night before. Breakfast I throw together some strawberries, blueberries, walnuts or almonds.