BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve, and Happy (almost) Valentine's Day! After almost 32 years of marriage, we don't do a big thing. I'll probably still make a nice dinner and dessert but I've kinda outgrown it. That's not being a Debbie Downer for anyone who does it up big. For us, it's about the day-to-day love we know we have for each other. The little things that you do just because. But am I ever not going to celebrate a day in which chocolate features so prominently? Hello! 

I do love making special Valentine's cards to send to friends and family. I shared those here: Black White Gold and Pink Valentine's Cards In recent years, I've enjoyed celebrating Galentine's Day with friends. I made some special gifts I'll share next week. 

Thanks for another great party. Seeing the link-ups is a weekly treat for me. Let's take a look at a few of the wonderful ideas shared so this week, I'm featuring treats that are perfect for Valentine's Day. 

Claire Justine shared Heart Shaped Recipes to make for Valentine's Day and isn't this gorgeous?!

Then there are these Kahlua Mocha Parfaits from The Kitchen Is My Playground. So much chocolate...so little time! 

If you're not into chocolate (*GASP*...just kidding I know not everyone is or people have allergies etc.) then this Lemon Cheesecake With Lemon Curd and Blueberry Sauce would be lovely! From Scratch Made Food For Hungry People. 

Finally, couldn't resist these Fancy Pigs In A Blanket from Homemade On A Weeknight. This hits on so many levels: childhood memories and adult appetizers. Comfort food. Perfect if you're celebrating with kids but want to make them feel fancy. You name it! 

Now, onto this week's party! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! Hope you've all had a good week and those of you who either as teachers or parents went back to school this week, I hope it was peaceful. We had a fun getaway for our 31st Honeymoon last week. We drove up to Las Vegas for the week and loved checking everything out. It seems like every Food Network or other celebrity chef has a restaurant or several! Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Buddy Valastro (Cake Boss) Lisa Vanderpump, and Martha Stewart's "The Bedford". We stayed at Resorts World which has three hotels in one and enjoyed their "Street Eats" choices as well as a fun place called "Sun's Out Buns Out" with great breakfast sandwiches and the Carver Steakhouse where we celebrated our Anniversary dinner which they made special. It also housed a 24 hr Starbucks which was great for me with morning and late afternoon iced mochas. We didn't do any shows this time mostly because we're such early birds and are in for the night well before they  start. It was good for me to get away since I suffer from some crippling anxiety and depression at times and the timing was perfect. Sometimes that helps me create. Other times it just paralyzes me so being distracted helped. 

Fall is here (I don't care what the calendar or thermometer says). I guess I should say "Fall Craft Time" is here. I'm going to start on a Halloween tree skirt for the black "Christmas" tree I got for 50% off from Wayfair. Found some great fabric 50% off at JoAnn's!

Let's see some of the ideas from last week's party. 

This is brilliant and perfect for any space. A DIY in this case Journaling Station but could be used for SO many thing including just as extra storage! From Thriving With Less.

I love what Penny's Vintage Home did with this Antique Wooden Dough Bowl! We have one from my husband's family's old farmhouse and last year I filled it with greens and baubles for the holidays but I love it with these Fall blooms!

Being a lover of neutrals, this Neutral Baby Shower from Saved From Salvage caught my eye. It is so elegant and fun and you really have to see all that she did! 

Lastly, I hadn't thought about using my InstaPot to make Bread Pudding but this Gooey Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding from Scratch Made Food may change that! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what everyone's been up to this week!

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BFF Open House

 

Well Hello, Creative Peeps! I hope everyone had a peaceful Fourth of July. One thing I love about where we are now is we heard NO fireworks. Last year was a nightmare between professional and amateur noise that sent our big girl into a loud barking frenzy. Not scared, just telling everyone what she thought which is cute the first time but not when people don't know when to quit at 3AM. But I digress. 

Back in the saddle with features this week and I even had a chance to make something! Actually two things so far, only one of which I've posted yet. See how I modernized a ceramic candleholder to fit with our new home here: White and Silver Cactus Candleholder Makeover

I haven't been in any craft stores in a few weeks so I'm predicting by the next time I go I'll see Halloween and maybe even Christmas. Time will fly from here on out. Let's take a look at some of the things you've been up to lately! 

I haven't made any jewelry lately so these beautiful Boho Bracelets from My French Twist caught my eye. Aren't they pretty?!

Speaking of Halloween supplies, start being on the lookout now for this Witch Hat Frame at Dollar Tree. The Apple Street Cottage has a great way to transform it into an Ice Cream Cone themed piece, perfect for Summer. 

I just love this idea from My Thrift Store Addiction to add both nature and lights to an outdoor space with these Vine Light Covered pieces! I can see the Faeries coming to them now. 

Finally, how about this delicious looking Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People? Yes please! 

Thank you to everyone who linked up and your patience with no features for the past few weeks. Now let's see what amazing feats you've been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy New Year's Eve Eve everyone! Can you believe we're about to say goodbye to 2021?! Or is it still 2020...some days it's hard to tell. I hope everyone who celebrated Christmas had a wonderful holiday. Santa Hubs was very good to me and I am now the proud owner of a Cricut Maker 3!!! I haven't unboxed it yet because I remain being lazy and enjoying time w/ my son but soon! I cannot wait to play with it. 

NYE has never been a big deal in our house. Aside from the first year we were married, we've never gone out and basically celebrate at midnight East coast time because we're usually asleep by midnight unless we set an alarm. I hope everyone is safe and above all healthy this New Year's Eve. 

Light party last week given the timing, but some great ideas that could be done for tomorrow night! 

I love potatoes. LOVE. When I lived in Denmark, the joke among my fellow students about living with our host families was not IF we were having potatoes but what kind every night for dinner. Fine by me! These Melting Potatoes from The Lou Lou Girls are on my list to make! YUM. 

If you are hosting a NYE or New Year's Day event, a dessert open house is a great idea. This post from Scratch Made Food has some "food for thought". 

Pots and Planes shared this amazing Salted Chocolate Bark which looks amazing! More than enough time to whip up a batch. 

Finally, wrap up the old year and wash things down with a White Chocolate Eggnog Cocktail from Cindy's Online Recipe Box. 

Well...that's a wrap for 2021 link parties. I'd like to thank you all for spending time here at my place this year and hope to see all of you back in 2022! 

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