I love Fridays, even though I am not back at work yet and have been at home every day, there is still a certain anticipation in the air for the upcoming weekend – the fun, relaxing, and unstructured part of the week. My hubby has been out the last 3 days 24/7 working as a consultant. We are hoping it turns into a permanent position and end his 17 months of living in transition. (The current economy’s term for being laid off). I have not seen him much and am planning to make Ina Garten’s Butternut Squash Soup using the squash we grew in our garden this summer and Kimba’s No-Knead bread that she posted about making this week over at A Soft Place to Land. Doesn’t it look delicious?
You can probably tell I have some time on my hands if I am talking about cooking and baking. It is a nice feeling to leisurely take the time to enjoy planning and making a special dinner and not rush or throw something in the microwave. It also is a beautiful day here which just adds to my happy mood. :)
Oh! and please excuse the construction going on over in my sidebar. It will be completed soon. Making some changes that just take a bit of time to get right. :)
Maybe it is because it’s fall, or maybe it’s because I miss that back to school book feeling that I used to get this time of year when I headed back to academia. I am really loving all the ideas I see using old book pages. I just love how the black type looks against the white background. The pages make me feel smart and nostalgic.
I found instuctions to make a little gift box out of a dollar bill, which I thought was pretty clever, but not as pretty when you use a book page instead.
Don’t have any book pages?
How about shredding some sheet music in your shredder to create this unique look with some branches from your yard . My cat would go crazy over this and he would think it was created especially for him to mess up. I still love the look, though. I don’t know the source of this photo. If anyone knows please let me know as I would like to give them credit for such a great idea.
I also love to find new ways to decorate with leaves this time of year – real ones and the fake ones you can buy at the craft store. Check out the clever way Lindy over at Cottage Hill trimmed a tablecloth by sewing leaves to the edge. Doesn’t it look festive? I want to do this on my table for Thanksgiving dinner. Since people will be eating and the tablecloth gets dirty, I am going to sew the leaves onto ribbon and then use Velcro dots every foot or so to attach to the cloth. This way the leaf trim can be easily removed to wash the cloth.
I hope you have an enjoyable weekend.
alli/hooray says
Oh, I love those ideas for making leaves out of book pages. So simple + cute!
Kristin says
It’s all so pretty! Your table is looking a lot like fall! Thanks for your visit today! Have a great weekend!
Ann says
Great post- very inspiring. Love that you have some time on your hands to be creative and not rush. Very important for a full recovery.
Diane says
Thanks Ann
Diana K says
Oh- I love ALL those bits and pieces using books! They are wonderful art…and that little box is just the cleverest thing ever!
How was your bread and soup? As long as you have a bit of spare time on your hands do you think you could come and cook at my house? just askin…. Hugs, Diana
Diane says
The bread and soup were wonderful and plenty leftover for lunch tomorrow. I am not a cook and only do it out of necessity sometimes. I have my tried and true recipes from family and friends and pretty much stick with that and Ina’a cookbooks. Wish I did have more time to enjoy cooking more.
gnee says
All fabulous features Diane. I will cross my fingers for your husband too. I love the leaves bordering the pretty tablecloth. Such a nice touch, and I make no-knead bread all the time. It’s so easy and perfect with soup and salads. Have a good one!
Diane says
Hi Gnee-
I made the bread and the soup, it was delicious.