Inspiration Monday

It's officially the holiday season...isn't it wonderful? The party is becoming filled to the brim with festive inspiration every week. We can't wait to see what you share with us today! And we're also kicking off the season with a fun giveaway, too!

Be sure to follow us all on social media, too! We love to feature your creativity throughout the week. Just search for the hashtag, #InspirationMonday:

I Should Be Mopping the Floor | Refresh Restyle

Redhead Can Decorate| | Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

twelveOeight | What Meegan Makes | Your Homebased Mom 

We have some fabulously festive features going on below, a well.

Free Holiday Facebook Timeline Covers

These free holiday Facebook Timeline Covers are

the perfect way to dress up your profile for the season.

 I'm getting a bit addicted to these fun Facebook Timeline Covers. It's officially the holidays and these are such a fun way to dress things up over in the virtual world. Download your favorite {or all of them...why not rotate?} below>>>

Blogger Black Friday Giveaway

Who is ready to shop 'til you drop for the holidays? I got together with 30 of my bloggy buddies to bring you this awesomesauce $400 Cash giveaway! Oh yes...$400 of CASH for one lucky reader right before the spendiest season of the year! All you need is a PayPal account where we can send you the moolah. Enter below for your chance to win!!

May Your Dressing Be Tasty...

One of my favorite turkey day poems, 

May your stuffing  be tasty...

Here's hoping you and yours have an absolutely blessed {and delicious} Thanksgiving.

I'm ridiculously thankful for you. I appreciate you all for supporting me, loving me, loving {and sometimes hating...heehee} my recipes, projects, and printables, and following this blog for almost four years. Have a good one, friends. Love you all.

{and you know I made it a printable...click here for the 8x10}

author unknown

Neglect your chores like me and don't miss a thing:

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Simple Memory Ring with Free Printable Journals {Bigelow Tea Trip Memories}

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Bigelow Tea. 

All opinions are mine alone.

This Simple Memory Ring is easy to make and a great way to keep souvenirs and photos. Mine is filled with memories from my Bigelow Tea trip. I've included the free printable journals and photo pages below for you to use, as well. 

#AmericasTea #CollectiveBias #BigelowVIP

I've mentioned before that I'm not much of a scrapbooker. The year we got married {12 years ago}, I went to a scrap party and purchased the biggest, fanciest scrapbooking kit ever {it came with its own wheelie bag and zip code, y'all...huge}. I had lofty hopes of scrapbooking our wedding and honeymoon trip with all the super cool supplies I bought {chuckle}. Not only did that purchase bring about our first big *discussion* about finances as newlyweds {gulp}, it cinched the fact that I should never be allowed at those kind of parties...with an unsupervised checkbook. Eleven years and six months later, I finally opened the kit {ummm, yeah} and wheeled that thing all the way to the thrift store to donate. And thus ended my life-long {errr, eleven and a half year} dream of being a scrapbooker. 

Because of my lackadaisical approach to documenting big events and trips in our life {the shoebox method really wasn't cutting it anymore}, I came up with something a bit more on my own level {read: anyone can do this}. Check it out below>>>

Downton Abbey and World Market= PERFECTION

Can you believe it? It's almost time for my FAVORITE show {ever}, Downton Abbey, to bring us another amazing season. Cost Plus World Market is getting us all ready for the fun with their exclusive Downton Abbey sweepstakes and merchandise!

 Y'all, I'm so ready to see my Downton Abbey peeps again, I can hardly stand it. As we all eagerly anticipate Season Five {if you're reading this from across the pond and already know things...this is a no-spoiler zone. We don't want to know quite yet!}. Check out the AMAZING goodies and FANTASTIC sweepstakes Cost Plus World Market has put together for us for both Black Friday and December {I'M GIDDY!!}. Details below.

Inspiration Monday

Welcome back to Inspiration Monday, I'm absolutely delighted that you're joining us here today! When you party with us, your links are seen on seven different blogs- but only have to link up to one!

Today, I'm celebrating twelve years of wedded bliss with this handsome fella!
We've been celebrating all weekend with the kids away. It's been an amazing few years and I love him to pieces!

I Should Be Mopping the Floor | Refresh Restyle

Redhead Can Decorate| | Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

twelveOeight | What Meegan Makes | Your Homebased Mom 

We have some fabulous features going on below, too>>>

Holiday Coffee and Espresso Bar

This post for a Holiday Coffee and Espresso Bar contains affiliate links. I make a small percentage when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

Entertaining this holiday season? A holiday coffee and espresso bar is the perfect way to indulge your guests:

it's like a fancy coffeehouse in your own kitchen. See how I put mine together below.

Are you ready for holiday entertaining? From casual get-togethers to the special holiday dinners, a holiday coffee and espresso bar is a welcomed addition by all. When I have my whole family over for holiday events, they tend to flock to the coffee (well, and wine, but it's an even race!). I've got a few fun ideas below to put together your own coffee station this season.

Free Printable Elf Letterhead

This free printable elf letterhead is perfect for all of your little buddy's good times this holiday season. It's available in two different designs and is easy to print (when someone *forgets* to fly to the North Pole and has to explain). Download your favorite elf letterhead design below.

Do you elf? We've been hosting our little "Mario" elf for three years now (he came to us during the Super Mario faze of our oldest son). He doesn't cause too much trouble, mainly because I don't want to clean up after some of the shenanigans I see on Pinterest (I try, y'all, really I do). But there are times I need this elf fellow to leave a message...usually an apology for not moving the day before (oops!). If you need to send a few messages from your elfness, be sure to download your own printable elf letterhead below (two designs available).

Overnight Baked Pumpkin French Toast

Thank you to Goldrich Eggs for sponsoring today's deliciousness.

This Overnight Baked Pumpkin French Toast is the perfect make-ahead breakfast for holiday mornings...or, you know, just a Tuesday.

#GoldrichYolk

I've had this recipe in my repertoire for awhile. The original version came from my friend, Becky, who put it in our church cookbook several years ago. It's not a typical overnight breakfast casserole, but rather actual French Toast, just baked in a casserole dish {and soaking in it the night before}. The bottom layer also forms its own syrup while it bakes. I promise, once you try this version of an overnight French Toast, you'll never want it any other way!

I used Goldrich Eggs to prepare this...and they were such a lovely addition to it. Such a rich and creamy egg. See the recipe below.

Green Tea-Infused Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Bigelow Tea.

All opinions are mine alone.

These Green Tea-Infused Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies are such a fun twist on a classic cookie. They're the perfect holiday cookie...especially with a cup of tea.

Are you a chocolate-chip cookie junkie like me? They're like the ultimate comfort food. My mom always made chocolate chip cookies the best...and I've tweaked her original recipe to add a bit of delicious Bigelow Green Tea to them. The flavor of the green tea just seems to enhance and really bring out all of the yummy flavors of the cookies. Check out the recipe below. They're a lovely twist on the original.

Hot Apple Pie Dip

This delicious Hot Apple Pie Dip is addictively yummy and easy to prepare.

It's the perfect sweet treat for holiday entertaining.

This dip...ohhh, this dip. It tastes exactly like apple pie. But, it's also creamy and cheesy and just over-the-top delicious. The day I prepared it, my husband and I devoured half the dish before making ourselves stop...it was that good. I love that it's sweet, but also has the elements of cheese and pecans to add some really fun flavors and textures to it. As my grandma used to say, "an apple without cheese is like a hug with no squeeze"! I'm super happy that this dip took that into consideration.

Roasted Garlic and Cream Cheese Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

These Roasted Garlic and Cream Cheese Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are the perfect addition to your holiday dishes...and a great way to give your stove top a break.

As the holiday season gets going, so can energy use. From holiday lights, to kitchens in full swing, things can get a little energy-heavy. I've been on the hunt for some recipes to alleviate stove tops overworking {and time in the kitchen}. Today, I'm sharing my own slow cooker mashed potatoes. I've also got a great list of other holiday slow cooker recipes from some bloggy friends below, as well.

Inspiration Monday

Hi, friends! I'm so happy you're here to party with me and my friends. 

Super excited to tell you about a really fun sweepstakes from BLACK+DECKER! So many of us have unfinished projects around the house that need a little jump start {I know I do!}. Now, is the PERFECT time to get them done...and win $10,000 for them!  Enter below to win the $10,000 or one of the weekly prize packs valued at over $400. #YourBigFinish #sp

{sponsored by BLACK+DECKER}

It's such an inspiring season, isn't it? From delicious dishes to pretty decorations, it's all so festive right now. Below I pulled together a round up of delicious slow cooker holiday dishes from last week's party, as well as a few of my good bloggy friends.

Click here for all of these yummy recipes.

{They're perfect to give your oven a break on the big day!}

To search all of our features and faves, use hashtag #InspirationMonday,

and feel free to follow us all on social media via our blogs.

AND, be sure to tweet your links using our #InspirationMonday hashtag, as well.

We LOVE re-tweeting your awesomeness!

When you party with us, you’re always seen on all seven blogs…

but only have to link up to one!

I Should Be Mopping the Floor | Refresh Restyle

Redhead Can Decorate| | Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

twelveOeight | What Meegan Makes | Your Homebased Mom

This week's features were chosen by Meegan from What Meegan Makes.

Check them out below…

Thanksgiving Crockpot Recipes

This post for Thanksgiving Crockpot Recipes contains affiliate links. I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

These Thanksgiving Crockpot Recipes are the perfect way to free up your oven and do some hands-off cooking for all of your holiday dinners. From main dishes to desserts, these Thanksgiving Crockpot Recipes have something for everyone.

Does your stove get a work out out during the holidays? An easy way to lighten its load (and yours) is to pull out the good ol' Crock Pot! Check out all of these holiday favorites, made slow cooker friendly. Some are from last week's Inspiration Monday and some are from some of my favorite bloggy friends! See all of these Thanksgiving Crockpot Recipes below.

Free Printable Coffee Blend Bag Toppers

These Free Printable Coffee Blend Bag Toppers are perfect for a bag of your own special blend of coffee {I'll show you a trick on whipping some up below}. These would be perfect gifts for neighbors, teachers, or just about anyone. Give them with a bottle of International Delight Holiday Creamer and you've got a delightful treat.

#HolidayDelight #IDelight

If you need a cute, budget-friendly holiday gift...I've totally got your back! Download these printables at the bottom of this post. And let me show you how to make some custom coffee, too>>>

DIY Farmhouse Serving Tray

This Farmhouse Serving Tray Post contains affiliate links. I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

This easy-to-make DIY farmhouse serving tray has been on my to-do list for a while. Glad it's now on the Ta-Da list! See below for the complete step-by-step directions. It's a quick project that any level of DIY-er can tackle.

Remember how we *pretty much* finished our DIY kitchen redo last summer? Well, there were still a few loose ends that I just hadn't gotten around to tying, yet. One was a farmhouse-style serving tray for my island to fit my fruit bowl, a candle, and an old scale. I've been dreaming about it forever...I bought the supplies months ago. I would see other trays in shops and think "just finish that thing already". And a few days ago...I DID! It always feels great to rescue a project from DIY purgatory and actually put it to use. See how I made this simple tray below.

Triple Layer Chocolate Pie

This post for Triple Layer Chocolate Pie contains affiliate links. I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you.

My Triple Layer Chocolate Pie is just one of many delicious recipes to have on your Thanksgiving table this year. This post also includes LOADS of other recipes for the big day, too. But, I seem a bit partial to this yummy Triple Layer Chocolate Pie.

I can almost smell Thanksgiving dinner on the table...it's getting so close, y'all! I'm adding my easy and delicious Triple Layer Chocolate Pie to the menu this year. Be sure and grab this recipe. It's a great one to fix in just a few minutes (no, really it's that easy!).

Pear and Apple Crisp

This Pear and Apple Crisp is a mouthful of fall.

This Pear and Apple Crisp is something I fix a lot in the fall. It's warm and delicious and simple to prepare. It was a recipe I found in a church cookbook years ago {not sure I even have that cookbook anymore}. But, I've made it so many times, I just do it from memory now. I've always made it with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! spread...making it a super easy dish as well. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!®  was recently reformulated. It is now made from real, simple ingredients you can recognize. It includes a delicious blend of plant-based oils, purified water and a pinch of salt. Check out this recipe with it below.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Three Topping Options

This post for sweet potato casserole contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I make a small portion when these links are used, at no additional cost to you. 

My grandfather's sweet potato casserole has graced our family's holiday dinner table for over 50 years. I've come up with a couple of alternate topping options as well...so there's a little something for everyone in this revised recipe. See this sweet potato casserole recipe below.

This beloved sweet potato casserole recipe has been in my family for years. My grandfather made it topped with marshmallows, as well as brown sugar and pecans. Up until the late seventies, he made it faithfully for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. He passed away just a couple of months before I was born, and my mom took over making this dish. About ten years ago, I started taking over Thanksgiving dishes a little at a time...this being one of them. I love putting my own spin on them (somewhat to my mother's chagrin), and have come up with some pretty fun stuff over the years. Although I haven't tinkered too much with my grandpa's original recipe, I have been playing around with it this year to give everybody a little something special, in the form of individual casseroles with different topping options. We always have so many folks around our Thanksgiving table, both family and friends, that making individual dishes is such a special touch to add to the day's festivities.

Check out this delicious Sweet Potato Casserole recipe below>>>

Inspiration Monday

Hey, friends! I'm so happy you're here. I've been baking and cooking up a storm this last week...just something about fall that makes me want to stay in the kitchen all day. I can't wait to see what you've been up to as well! 

A lot of you were up to creating fun printables last week! The party was packed with a bunch of Thanksgiving ones...I rounded up 15 of them yesterday>>>

Click here to to check them all out.

To search all of our features and faves, use hashtag #InspirationMonday,

and feel free to follow us all on social media via our blogs. 

AND, be sure to tweet your links using our #InspirationMonday hashtag, as well.

We LOVE re-tweeting your awesomeness! 

When you party with us, you're always seen on all seven blogs...but only have to link up to one!

  I Should Be Mopping the Floor | Refresh Restyle

Redhead Can Decorate| | Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

twelveOeight | What Meegan Makes | Your Homebased Mom 

This weeks features were chosen by Tanya from twelveOeight

check them out below...

Free Thanksgiving Printables

These free Thanksgiving printables are perfect for your festivities.

Most of these printables were linked up to this week's Inspiration Monday party...and I threw of few of my own in as well! These are a great way to help decorate, organize, entertain the kiddos, and more on turkey day! Check them all out below>>>

How to Steep the Perfect Cup of Tea {with Free Printable Guide}

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Bigelow Tea. 

All opinions are mine alone.

Have you ever wondered how to steep the perfect cup of tea?

It's not too difficult to create the perfect cup of deliciousness...

#BigelowVIP, #AmericasTea, #CollectiveBias

"Tea time is a simple luxury best left unhurried."
-Eunice and David Bigelow

Read below the best way to create your own simple luxury.

Cranberry and Mint Tea Holiday Punch

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Bigelow Tea. 

All opinions are mine alone.

This Cranberry and Mint Holiday Punch is perfect for all of your holiday gatherings.

The base of it is Bigelow's Plantation Mint Tea...one of my favorite blends!

#BigelowVIP #AmericasTea #CollectiveBias 

I love a good holiday drink. This one not only marries the flavors of the season, but also the colors! The Bigelow Plantation Mint Tea is the perfect flavor for this...so subtle, but so delicious. Check out the recipe, along with the history of this tea blend, below.

Freezer-Friendly Cinnamon Rolls & Holiday Baking Giveaway

Having freezer-friendly cinnamon rolls on hand is the perfect solution when company's in town for the holidays {or on any busy morning!}. Just pop them from the freezer into the oven and they're ready to go. I'm also sharing a fantastic baking giveaway with some bloggy friends, too {that mixer would be fantastic for these cinnamon rolls!}. Annnd, there's a whole lot of other fabulous recipes to bake below, too!

In all my life, I've never met a soul who doesn't love a good cinnamon roll. If you don't like them, we may need to chat. I mean...really. Cinnamon, brown sugar and butter rolled up into yeasty dough and baked? Then, topped with a cream cheese frosting that will make you go weak in the knees. Oh man...so delicious.

But, sometimes the thought of making homemade cinnamon rolls is a bit overwhelming... especially in light of the fact that these are, technically, a "morning food". Who wants to get up in the middle of the night to knead dough and let it rise? Not this girl. I reworked an old recipe into something that will freeze beautifully...so you can make them any time of day. And still enjoy them at breakfast! Make some now to stick in the freezer for the crazy holiday season. Check out the recipe {AND GIVEAWAY} below.

A TEA-riffic Mom's Day Out in New York City

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

As I mentioned last week when I showed you my Day at Bigelow Tea Headquarters, I had a fabulous time up in New York City and Connecticut in October. Today, I'm sharing all about our fantastic day in the city, thanks to Bigelow Tea. They treated us so well and gave us an amazing memory! This mom LOVED every minute of it.

 #BigelowVIP  #AmericasTea  #CollectiveBias

It had been nearly fifteen years since I had been to the Big Apple. As a work-at-home-mom, sometimes I barely leave the house, except to take kids to activities or to the grocery store. To have this really fun experience and opportunity to get away to New York City for a few days was just awesome. Check out the details of our day in the city below.

Layered Pumpkin and Ice Cream Pie with Printable Thanksgiving Checklist

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone.

This Layered Pumpkin and Ice Cream Pie is perfect for a Thanksgiving dessert table. It stays in the freezer until it's ready to serve, so it can be made well over a week in advance. Plus...this recipe makes TWO!

#Feast4All #CollectiveBias

Every year, I challenge myself to come up with as many make-ahead dishes as I possibly can for Thanksgiving dinner. Since becoming the annual hostess of the big day in our family, I handle about 70% of the menu {my mom still won't budge on the turkey...that bird is hers}. Having a one-oven kitchen makes me get creative with some recipes that I can prepare in advance. This Layered Pumpkin and Ice Cream Pie is perfect! Check out the recipe below and download a free printable Thanksgiving checklist to get organized for your big day, too.

Shaped Thanksgiving Rolls

These three options for Shaped Thanksgiving Rolls all came out of one bag of Rhodes Dinner Rolls. They were all simple to create and your guests will LOVE them!

These rolls were so fun to make...we did created them as a family. Check out the tutorials I created over on the Rhodes Blog here.

Neglect your chores like me and don't miss a thing:

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Inspiration Monday

How is it already November? Before we know it, we'll be carving a turkey, trimming a tree and then ushering in 2015. Let's enjoy these next few weeks of fall with some amazing inspiration from all of you talented bloggers. We're so happy you always join us.

Yesterday, I shared fifteen fall breakfast dishes that were linked up to last week's party. They were all so delicious-looking, click here to check them all out.

To search all of our features and faves, use hashtag #InspirationMonday,

and feel free to follow us all on social media via our blogs. AND, be sure to tweet your links using our #InspirationMonday hashtag, as well. We LOVE retweeting your awesomeness! When you party with us, you're always seen on all seven blogs...but only have to link up to one!

  I Should Be Mopping the Floor | Refresh Restyle

Redhead Can Decorate| | Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
twelveOeight | What Meegan Makes | Your Homebased Mom 

This weeks features were chosen by Kristi from I Should Be Mopping the Floor.
Check them out below>>>

Fall Breakfast Dishes

Happy Saturday Morning! Who is hungry for some fall breakfast dishes that will send you into delicious autumnal heaven? Check out these fifteen amazing ones!

#InspirationMonday 

Each one of these yummy recipes was linked up to this week's Inspiration Monday Party! They're filled with all of the flavors of fall...and then some. Check them out below>>