Quiet Beauty

This is a place where you can surely hear the Spirit within you speaking....

Kindness


Why, Hello!


And just where are you off to, Mr. Bug?


Spanish Moss


My husband took this picture while in Savannah, Georgia. He says that it's very beautiful 
there, and really enjoyed his stay!

Mission Accomplished

Earlier today I determined to clean and tidy the basement. It's just a basement, so I try not to go overboard, but since it's used often, I like to feel good about it when I'm down there. I don't enjoy seeing pet fur, spiderwebs, lint and loose bits of kitty litter all over while doing my laundry and such. I also don't want a lot of this stuff being blown about the house when the furnace comes on! Besides changing the furnace filter often, I like to pull the filter out and vacuum it in between changes. This helps out a lot since we have a handful of animal children. ☺ (See my post http://simplymekimberlymarie.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-animal-children.html)

Before:



After:




That's better! It was a productive day. I celebrated with a small dish of ice cream out 
on the back patio to enjoy this beautiful, sunny afternoon!!


Agenda For Today



Seems deceiving with only ONE thing on the agenda, doesn't it? But I've got my work cut out for me! Opening the windows, tidying up, removing the dust and lint, and vacuuming down there will be about all I want to tackle for today! Well, off I go........   (I know it'll look so much better when I'm done!) ☺

P.S. Having a daily "to do" list like this one (http://simplymekimberlymarie.blogspot.com/2013/04/daily-to-do-list.html) really helps to keep me focused!

Great Breakfast = Great Day

Getting myself some vitamin C, calcium, potassium and protein

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But I'm finally beginning to understand just how healthy and good for you a great breakfast can be. I'm the type of person that starts my day off with a comforting cup of tea. Then, when I get around to it, usually near noon, I think about getting myself something to eat. It's about that time when I start to feel "blah". Just can't put my finger on it, but I don't seem to have the energy or incentive that I'd like. So, about a month ago, I decided to put into practice what I've heard so many times throughout my adult life, "Start your day off right! Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast!" 

I'm happy to say that I really have noticed a difference. I don't get sluggish, and my mood is actually better because I'm not feeling a bit "grumpy" inside while trying to get things done. My body has been nourished, and received the food it needed to give me the benefit of a properly functioning, and healthy feeling body. I once heard breakfast described as "breaking the fast" - as in you've typically had no food since bedtime the night before, and now you need to get some nourishment in you, so you're "breaking the fast". Ahhh! I finally get it.

Well, what do you know? This old dog has learned a new trick!

Painting Nails

Time to take a break from the household stuff, and do a little something for me. That means spending time clipping, filing and dolling up my fingernails. They've really needed some attention! It's also getting to be that time of year when I like to start wearing my open toed shoes; especially my "Cleopatra" sandals (fondly named this by my sweetie) so I want my toes looking nice, too. My favorite color is something in the red family. Generally I pick a deep rose or maroon color because my husband says it makes my nails look like little jewels.....I've never thought of it that way before, but now that he's mentioned it, I kind of agree!

Red, red and more red
© Star Stevenson


My Cleopatra'
Since they are THE MOST COMFORTABLE high heeled sandal 
I have ever worn, I also bought them in gold!

Repurposed / Redesigned Fireplace

Over the winter, I decided to display lights and candles in my fireplace, which I could enjoy everyday, rather than a fire of which we've lit very few and far between lately. The candles gave a warm, cozy glow when lit; and when they weren't lit, the lights livened and brightened things up in true Christmas spirit. But......it's way past that time now, and I've been itching for a more natural, green and earthy change!

Here's what the fireplace looked like before:
(Ugh! Really in need of a facelift!)



I set about clearing everything out ~


Which sparked the interest of my curious critters.


These lights are all mine, Mom!
 Then I moved in some plants that I potted in simple containers.

(Not sure if I'm going to keep the little mirrors in for helping to reflect the light in the back.)

The plants are variegated vinca vine, lobelia and asparagus fern.



And here is the finished look, which I am very pleased with. My daughter said, "It looks so lush now, Mom!" I agree. When you walk into the room, your eyes are drawn right to the fireplace for how simply clean, green and lovely it is.


I chose some spike dracaena to accent the hearth, along with these lovely framed nature photographs from my sweet step-daughter. It's amazing how a change which was relatively simple and inexpensive, can bring about such a different feeling to the entire room! 

Isn't it such a nice change, too?

What Is Happiness?


www.juxtapost.com
Artist:Pierre Auguste Renoir

Easy Pizza Dip


pizza dip

Easy Pizza Dip:

 

Ingredients:

    • 1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese
    • 1/2 t. Italian seasoning (optional)
    • 1 c. spaghetti sauce (any flavor/variety)
    • 1-2 c. mozzarella cheese (I like mine extra cheesy!)
    • 1/2 c. parmesan cheese
    • 20 slices pepperoni (I cut them into quarters) 

Directions:

  1. Mix Italian seasoning and cream cheese. Spread on the bottom of a glass pie dish.
  2. Cover with spaghetti sauce, then parmesan cheese, then mozzarella.
  3. Top with pepperoni.
  4. Bake covered at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Remove cover for last 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
  5. Serve with tortilla chips, or on baguette slices.

© 2013 Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved. http://www.food.com/141565
 

How He Loves




Taking time today to reflect on the great love 
that Jesus has for all of mankind in the words of this beautiful song......

Simple Sandwich

What's for lunch?

Genoa salami, marinated, roasted red peppers and dijon mustard.
Nothing fancy, but it sure was good and woke up my taste buds!

Rose Pitcher


This was found without its wash basin, which is kind of disappointing, but I just love  how beautiful it is!
Maybe someday I'll come across a matching basin at a garage sale or thrift store.

Quaint Country Church


Amish Horse And Buggy

horse and buggy

Another Farmhouse

Love the simple look and welcoming front porch!

Road Trip

It was a gorgeous day to be out for a drive! Warm Spring air is finally taking hold, and nature is coming alive, little by little.

The vehicle for our road trip...but it wasn't warm enough to put the top down yet!


There wasn't a cloud in the gorgeous blue sky all day!



Just look at the color on those forsythias!!

Dinner here finished off the evening nicely!

I Am Here.....





.....for now, anyways!


Then I'm off on a road trip! Enjoy today, wherever you are, my friends!

Cream Cheese Icing

Found this on a package today. Made it for my sweet rolls and it tastes great!


Small Flower Garden Ideas


for small spaces

along the front walk

on a balcony

Time To Relax

weekend baby

Get cooking, get reading, get hiking, get shopping, get together with family or friends......
Just get doing it!!

Sunny Dining Room


Computerized ink sketch

I love when sunshine floods through the windows.
 

Homemade Pizza

A simple dinner tonight.....Not a lot of fuss, not a lot of clean-up!


Here's my recipe for pizza dough that you can mix up and use right away, or you can choose to let it rise for about an hour or so. I've made it both ways and either one is good.


Easy Pizza Dough

3 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1 1/4 c. lukewarm (not too hot!) water + 2 T. oil
2 1/2 t. yeast (or 1 of the square packets that comes in a group of 3)
2 t. sugar
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Pour yeast into water/oil and add the 2 t. of sugar. Stir gently and let set about 15 minutes, or until yeast dissolves and looks a bit foamy. Measure 3 c. of flour into a mixing bowl. Add the 2 T. of sugar and pinch of sugar. Stir. Pour water with yeast into the mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Then, use your hand to gather and squish any residual flour into dough ball, kneading and squishing until it has formed into a nice ball. 
If letting dough rise, lightly oil a glass mixing bowl. Set dough in bowl, turning to coat all with oil. Cover with wax paper, and let set on counter for approx 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Then punch down, knead several times and prepare for pizza as directed in the paragraph below.
If using immediately, put onto lightly greased baking sheet and spread out until even and uniform. A small rolling pin is great to use for this. Cover with all toppings except shredded cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, or until bottom is slightly golden brown. Top with shredded cheese and return to oven for another 5-8 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Simple, Low-Carb Ricotta Cheese Dessert


I added a few chips on top to make the picture pretty!

This is by far, the quickest dessert I have ever made. It's a creamy, tasty, no-guilt treat that's surprisingly quite refreshing. The best part is you don't have to follow a recipe - that's how easy it is! Here's what you need to make it:

Ricotta cheese
Mini chocolate chips* (I used regular because that's all I had)
Stevia, or other similar sugar substitute
Orange extract


Scoop out desired amount of Ricotta cheese into a mixing bowl. Add a small amount of sugar, and several drops of orange extract. Mix thoroughly and determine if you'd like to add a bit more sweetness, or more orange flavor. (The flavor will become enhanced as it sets in, so don't overdo on this.) Once you've added the right amount of sugar and extract to your liking, pour a small amount of chocolate chips into the mixture so that it looks like you'll get a few chips with every spoonful. Stir them into the cheese thoroughly and turn into a container to refrigerate for a couple of hours. When ready, scoop out portions into custard dishes, sit back and enjoy! If you've never had the flavors of chocolate and orange together, I think you'll really be surprised at how wonderful a taste their combination makes with the creaminess of the Ricotta!

*The idea behind using mini chocolate chips is to keep the carb count down. But, hey, if you're not low-carbing, any size chip will do!

Floating Balloons


 Such beautiful feelings of hope and renewal are found in this symbol of letting go......

Oh, To Be Gracious


~ A beautiful attribute to possess ~