Easy Blueberry Pie Bars

I do love blueberries, but can’t eat a whole pie by myself. When you want the taste of a blueberry pie, but not the work of rolling the crust, these Easy Blueberry Pie Bars will satisfy your craving. You can store them in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze for future indulgence.

Easy Blueberry Pie Bars grandparentsplus.com

I used fresh blueberries, but frozen berries work, too. If you use fresh, rinse the berries and let them dry on a paper towel so you don’t add extra moisture. For frozen, do not thaw; just use them frozen.

Easy Blueberry Pie Bars

Ingredients

  • 3 Parts....
  • CRUST AND CRUMBLE TOPPING
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed tight
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • pinch of salt
  • FILLING
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 heaping cup of Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp.vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • BLUEBERRY LAYER
  • 12 oz. (2 cups) blueberries (fresh or frozen;( I used fresh) If you use frozen, don't thaw!
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch

Instructions

  1. CRUST AND CRUMBLE TOPPING
  2. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8 inch pan with foil and spray the foil ( I use the spray with flour) Set aside. If you line the pan, the clean-up is a snap and the bars lift up easier.!
  3. Melt butter, add the white and brown sugars, and whisk together. .
  4. And the flour, salt, and stir together. Mixture will be somewhat dry and form some clumps
  5. Take a heaping 3/4 cup crumble mixture out and set aside for topping.
  6. Put remaining mixture in the 8 inch pan and pack it down to form a smooth and flat crust. Set aside.
  7. FILLING
  8. Add the yogurt, egg, sugar, vanilla and whisk to combine. Combine the flour into the filling mixture Pour filling over the crust and jiggle pan to help even it out over the crust. Set aside.
  9. BLUEBERRY LAYER
  10. In a separate medium mixing bowl, add the filling ingredients combine. Sugar will not completely dissolve, but that's OK!
  11. Place the blueberry mixture evenly over the filling.
  12. Now, sprinkle evenly with the reserved crust mixture over the filling.
  13. Bake for about 60 minutes, or until edges are bubbling and there's a little bubbling in the center. Crumble topping should appear set with a pale golden brown color. Important....Cool at least 1 to 2 hours or overnight before slicing and serving otherwise they will fall apart. Keep in refrigerator in air-tight container for up to 10 days or freeze (up to 6 months). Cut into bar size or cut a larger serving and serve with whip cream for a dessert. (or ice cream)
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Ready to bake…….

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Bake @ 350 for 60 minutes.

Done! Light brown and bubbly.

Easy Blueberry Pie Bars grandparentsplus.com

Be sure to let cool for at least 2-3 hours. When set, remove by lifting foil from the pan. Cut and store in an air-tight container in your refrigerator or freeze.

Easy Blueberry Pie Bars grandparentsplus.com

These taste like pie, but no rolling out a crust! Delicious!!!

 

Enjoy!

Phyllis

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Spinach Ravioli Casserole

Need a delicious dish to serve for a vegetarian? I’m not one, but this Spinach Ravioli Casserole is one that I would make for my family whether vegetarian or not! It is delicious and easy to put together!

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Spinach Ravioli Casserole

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. Alfredo Sauce, divided
  • 18 oz. package spinach and cheese ravioli
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 2 fresh garlic close, minced (I used freeze dried garlic)
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 c. chili sauce (I used Heinz)
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 3/4 t. chili flakes (optional - adds heat)

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease 9x13 pan.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. Cover the bottom of pan with 1/4 inch or more of Alfredo Sauce.
  4. Top with single layer of ravioli and 1/2 cup of mushrooms.
  5. Sprinkle with 1/2 of garlic and 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella.
  6. Add chili flakes, if desired.
  7. Repeat the layer.
  8. On the last layer pour the chili sauce over the top and spread it evenly.
  9. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
  10. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered.
  11. Uncover and bake and additional 15 minutes until top is light brown.
  12. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
  13. Serves 4-6
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Layer the ingredients in a lightly greased 9×13 pan. When making this casserole, make two! Freeze one for future use and use the second one for dinner.

Spinach Ravioli Casserole grandparentsplus.com

 

Now, you’ve got another meal to share or serve on a later date.

Spinach Ravioli Casserole grandparentsplus.com

 

It doesn’t take long to put this together for a yummy evening meal! It’s a good way to get kids to eat vegetables, too!

Spinach Ravioli Casserole grandparentsplus.com

Delicious!

Enjoy!

Phyllis

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Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas

Sometimes it’s fun to do something special such as doing a theme for a tea or luncheon. You can carry  out the theme in various ways through food and decorations. These rose tea party or luncheon ideas are ones that my sister and I did for a tea. Some are original and some we found through various sources.

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

The table and place settings of course, reflected the theme. As soon as you entered the room, you knew what to expect. We found some fabric that had teapots and roses on it. It was perfect for making a table runner. Teapots, roses, rose plates and pretty pink napkins carried out the theme. Even rose teacups hung from a chandelier adding to the festive affair.

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

 

Rose Themed Tea or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

We started about a week early and wrote down all the ideas we found and then came up with some of our own. We tried a few of them and then decided on which ones we wanted to use for the tea.

Here is what we used for each course……

Tea, of course! At a local tea store, they usually carry varieties of tea made from dried roses. Check out your local store. Select two varieties and switch teas half way through.

At a tea, scones are traditionally the first course. There are many great scone recipes, but what we did with our favorite recipe was to add dried rose petals. We added a few to the batter and then sprinkled a few on top of each scone. Be sure you order these online and use organic ones; not from your garden. You don’t want insecticides on your rose petals!

Rose Themed Tea or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

 

 

The second course is savory sandwiches.

 

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

This was an idea that I came up with for the savory course. I bought oven roasted turkey and had it sliced a bit thicker than the usual super thin slices. I wanted the brown roasted edge to show. Laying each piece on a cutting board, cut in half and roll up to look like a rose. Place a toothpick in it to hold. Slice off the end so it sits on a cucumber slice garnished with a small spinach leaf. If you like, place a dollop of cream cheese to hold the “rose” to the cucumber. The toothpick also holds the turkey to the cucumber slice. Be sure to warn guests that there is a toothpick in it. This is a nice low-cal choice. In the center of the plate, garnish with a tomato rose made from the outside peeling of the tomato.

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

Not everything needs to look like a rose, but these roll-up tortilla sandwiches look great when they circle around the rose-cut watermelon pieces (use a rose cookie cutter).

 

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

Open-faced egg salad sandwiches is another idea we used. While they don’t look like roses, again we used the rose cookie cutter and created a center accent of roses made from red and green peppers.

Cut squares from a dark pumpernickel bread. Freeze the bread squares for quick preparation. Take out of freezer and spread with a light coating of butter. Add a spinach leaf. Then, using a small cookie scoop, place a scoop of egg salad on top and garnish with a slice of olive. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

We found Rose Petal Jam online and used it with strawberries.  First, cut off crusts from white bread. Freeze. When ready to prepare, slice strawberries, spread bread with Rose Petal Jam on one side. On the other side spread with a little butter or cream cheese and cover with sliced strawberries. Place both sides together and cut into triangles.  In the center, make a strawberry rose for a garnish.

 

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

A small sweet item for this course was a failure that we revived…   We tried making small roses out of refrigerated cinnamon roles. They didn’t look like roses!  We salvaged them by using part of the frosting on top and then used a little bit of green food coloring to the remaining frosting and placed a dried rose on top!

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

Third, and final course, is the dessert. I found the rose dessert on Pinterest and decided I should try it out before the tea. It was fine, but I felt it needed more flavor. I changed the recipe a bit. Check out my version!

Puff Pastry Apple Roses

Ingredients

  • 2 Delicious apples (or any bright red pie apple) for 6 roses.
  • 1 sheet of Puff Pastry (thawed)
  • 3 oz. cream cheese (softened and lightly sweetened)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
  • Powdered Sugar - optional

Instructions

  1. Thaw puff pastry and roll out almost double in length.
  2. Cut pastry into 6 - about 2 - 2 1/2 inch strips.
  3. With cream cheese at room temp. Add 1-2 tsp of sugar in a small bowl.
  4. Mix 1/4 cup sugar with the 2 tsp. cinnamon in a small bowl
  5. Cut apples in half and core. DO NOT PEEL
  6. Slice apples quite thin (as shown in the picture) and place in water with lemon juice.
  7. Microwave apples in the lemon water for 3-4 minutes until just pliable.
  8. Take each section of Puff Pastry and coat with a layer of cream cheese.
  9. Arrange apples across the top half making sure they overlap well.
  10. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the bottom part of the apples.
  11. Fold pastry over and start to roll from one end to another.
  12. Place in greased and floured muffin tin.
  13. Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
  14. Sprinkle with Powered Sugar, if desired, just before serving
  15. Serve with ice cream - optional
  16. Serve warm.
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Rose Tea and Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

Rose Tea and Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com Rose Tea and Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

Puff Pastry Apple Roses….. so beautiful and they look like a rose!  Be sure to serve warm! Maybe serve with a small scoop of ice cream on the side!

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

Another idea for your tea or luncheon is adding small rose mints made from candy melts. These can be done way ahead of time, too. All you need is the candy melts and a mold. You can find rose molds at Michaels.

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

We found these small petit fours and bought them. Not everything has to be homemade!

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

At the end, each guest was given this special Rose poem! The author was simply listed as Elizabeth. It was originally published in Poems on Life.

Rose tea or luncheon ideas grandparentsplus.com

 

Another idea is a rose napkin….   Check the link for an easy demonstration!

Rose Tea Party or Luncheon Ideas grandparentsplus.com

 

Hope you enjoyed these ideas. It’s easier when there a two to do it. Find a friend to work with, divide up ideas, and give a memorable Rose Tea or luncheon.

Phyllis

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Italian Pork with Balsamic Potatoes

This meal of Italian Pork with Balsamic Potatoes tastes delicious. It is low in calories, yet very filling. Now, doesn’t that sound appealing? When you’re looking for an easy dinner, try this recipe! A few basic ingredients and you have a complete meal in one dish! Use an aged Balsamic Vinegar which you can find at an Olive Oil store or check with Love That Olive.

 

Italian Pork with Balsamic Potatoes grandparentsplus.com

 

 

 

 

Italian Pork with Balsamic Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. (about 10) small new red potatoes, cut in half
  • 1 T. olive oil
  • 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into 1" pieces (use 1 1/4 lb. pork tenderloin)
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 4 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 2-3 T. chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 4 tsp. balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a 2-quart saucepan combine potatoes and enough water to cover. Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat until fork tender (approx. 10-12 minutes) Drain
  2. Meanwhile, in a nonstick pan, heat oil, add pork, and Italian seasoning. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally until pork is lightly browned )6-10 min.)
  3. Toss together potatoes, pork, tomatoes, basil, and vinegar.
  4. Season with salt & pepper
  5. Add additional balsamic vinegar, if desired.
  6. Serve with a green vegetable to add more color!
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If you can chop, you can make this!  Cut pork up into 1 ” pieces, chop and seed the tomatoes, and chop the basil into small pieces. Not hard, right?

Italian Pork with Balsamic Potatoes grandparentsplus.com

 

Add a green vegetable and you have a complete meal! I love flavorful and colorful food.  This recipe certainly fits that description. I, also, love easy!

Italian Pork with Balsamic Potatoes grandparentsplus.com

This recipe is also delicious with chicken or beef. Don’t just limit to pork!

Enjoy this tasty recipe! It’s great eating with quick preparation!

Phyllis

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Beef Breakfast Burrito

Switch up breakfast a bit with a Mexican menu. A lot of the fast-food restaurants now have breakfast burritos on the menu. You can do it even better with this tasty Beef Breakfast Burrito recipe. Your family will love it.

Beef Breakfast Burrito grandparentsplus.com

 

Beef Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. ground beef
  • 1 med. red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 t. chili powder
  • 1/2 t ground cumin
  • 4 eggs beaten
  • 2 T. water
  • 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/3 c. shredded Mexican or Cheddar cheese
  • 4 medium spinach or plain flour tortillas. (10 in.)
  • Salsa
  • Ingredients for Lime-Cilantro Cream
  • 1/2 c. sour cream
  • 1 T fresh lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef, onions, and red pepper. Add chili powder and cumin. Break into small crumbles.
  2. (At this point, you can freeze this for future burritos)
  3. Combine eggs, water and 1 tbsp. cilantro in med. bowl.
  4. Spray skillet with cooking spray.
  5. Pour eggs into skilled and scramble them, stirring occasionally. Season with salt.
  6. Add to beef mixture, add cheese and cook 1 minute to heat through.
  7. Spoon beef mixture across center of each tortilla, leaving a 1 inch border on right and left sides Fold right and left sides of tortilla over filling. Turn over and cut in half diagonally. Serve with Lime Cilantro Cream and salsa, as desired.
  8. Serves 4
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This Beef Breakfast Burrito recipe is so easy to freeze the meat mixture for future use or refrigerate the beef, onion, bell pepper for the next morning ready to add the eggs.

Then, all you need to do in the morning is warm the beef mixture up, scramble the eggs, and mix together. It makes breakfast quick and easy.

During the summer around our area, many people head north to a the lake for the weekend. What an easy and yummy breakfast for family and guests at the cabin.

Step 1  Browning the beef, onion, and bell pepper mixture.

Beef Breakfast Burrito grandparentsplus.com

 

Step 2

Scramble eggs   Beef Breakfast Burrito grandparentsplus.com

Step 3

Combine scrambled eggs with beef mixture and add cheese.

Beef Breakfast Burrito grandparentsplus.com

 

Step 4

Wrap in tortilla. Beef Breakfast Burrito grandparentsplus.com

Step 5

Fold it like a burrito or roll it long like a taco!  Either way, it’s a wonderful start to the day. Use ground turkey in place of beef for fewer calories!

Step 6

Serve and eat! Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Beef Breakfast Burrito grandparentsplus.com

I’m all for doing things the night before to make mornings easy. This recipe is perfect to do ahead. You don’t need to get up early to fix this hearty breakfast!

Enjoy!

Phyllis

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Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Watermelon is so good in the summer, but this Watermelon Salad even makes it better and sweeter! It’s a bit unusual, but absolutely delicious!

Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Dressing grandparentsplus.com

 

 

This Watermelon Salad is a summer winner! When you want something different, delicious and quick to make, this is IT! It’s wonderful to take to a potluck or a picnic! The Strawberry Balsamic vinegar actually makes the watermelon taste like candy!

Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Ingredients

  • Watermelon - 2 cups or more
  • Cucumber - diced 1/4 cup
  • Red Onion-diced 1/8 cup
  • Cilantro - diced 2 Tbsp.
  • Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions

  1. Cut watermelon into 1- 1 1/2 inch pieces
  2. Run fork down the outside of the cucumber to make the green part look pretty. Slice and cut sliced into sixths.
  3. Dice red onion and add
  4. Drizzle Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar all over the mixture. Stir to cover all of it. Don't skimp!
  5. Sprinkle Cilantro over the top.(if desired) or substitute parsley.
  6. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  7. Serves 6
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Make your cucumber look fancy, by running the tines of the fork down the side of the cucumber. Then, cut slices and divide into sixths. The green and red look so colorful together mixed in this salad.

Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Dressing grandparentsplus.com

 

Still in doubt? Well, make a small amount to try and you’ll be amazed how good it is! People can’t figure out what is in it!

Purchase the Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar from an olive oil store.

Check out lovethatolive if you don’t have a source for the strawberry balsamic near you. (You won’t find it in the grocery store.) I use this strawberry balsamic as a salad dressing, too. There are so many ways to use it besides this Watermelon Salad. The bottle will not go to waste, I promise. It might just be your new favorite dressing!

Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Dressing grandparentsplus.com

Did I entice you to try it? Hope so!

Enjoy!

Phyllis

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Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3

Part 3 of the Spring Decor Idea House 2017 is late due to the fact that I sold my house and moved in between Part 2 and Part 3! Moving is not fun, but when I get into my new place, it will be fun to arrange things in new and different ways. There are several ideas in this post that I would like to use in my new place.

I hope you enjoy all the inspiration in this Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

The first room for ideas is a “Botanical” Room. The first thing you notice is a rabbit cage turned into a one-of-a-kind coffee table by just adding wheels! On the wall behind the couch is a salvaged iron gate decorated with air-plants creating wall art. On the adjoining wall, permanent fern stems secured in a glass frame form a botanical grouping.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

In the corner, an old folding ladder serves as a plant stand.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

The next two rooms are bedrooms.  The top two pictures show botanical prints above the bed that simply secured with book binder clips. These are easy to change out and don’t require frames.

Vintage ladders leading against the wall, serve as nightstands.

The two bottom pictures show the master bedroom with salvaged door panels and curtains forming a backdrop for the bed. The nightstand uses a vintage sewing machine base with an added limestone top. The arrangement above the dresser, repeats the warm tones of the room.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

In the upstairs bathroom, three hanging metal cages, embellished with candles and artificial greener, perk up the corner.  Remember the rule of 3 in decorating? Check out the post!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Walking into the bathroom, you notice an unusual toilet paper holder.  Try this using a small vintage tray, two hooks, wooden dowel, and two small drawer pulls. I’ll bet you’ll get a lot of comments on this piece!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

Another room is a nursery filled with more ideas. As you walk in,  you’ll notice the light has strips of scrap fabric tied to a metal ring creating a DIY chandelier.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Vintage furniture becomes a changing table by adding a decorative frame for the changing pad. The drawers hold necessary items for changing the baby.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

What a cute idea for a wreath in the nursery! It’s made from disposable diapers and wide ribbon. You might want to remember this idea for a shower gift, too!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

The hutch, in the nursery, holds toys, diapers, books, and other items for the baby!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

The last room is the living room and sunroom combination. First,  you’ll notice a salvaged garage door becoming the base for the wall art display behind the couch. Three metal funnels,  filled with permanent greens, hang from piping. The three metal reliefs of farm animals balance the arrangement.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Notice the table between the chairs. Another vintage sewing machine base becomes a table by adding a glass top.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Looking at a full view of the living room, you can see the fireplace filled with items of interest to add to the Spring feeling of the room.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Finally, in the sunroom, notice the table setting and the vintage watering can arrangement.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

One more idea…..On a small wall, they added a wooden ledge to a vintage corbel. On top is a metal tray with votives. A picture above it gives balance.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Do you see that these decor ideas are not limited to one season? What did you find interesting?

I have a vintage corbel, too! Now, to find the right spot to recreate this last idea!

You might want to save some of these ideas for future reference.

Thanks for your patience with this post! Happy decorating!

If you missed Spring Decor Ideas 2017 Part 1 or Part 2. Just click on the links!

Phyllis

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Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2

Part 2 of the Spring Decor Idea House has just as many ideas as Part 1.  You’ll want to go back if you missed it! The trends are vintage pieces repurposed (especially ladders and shutters), galvanized metal items, and reclaimed wood. You’ll get ideas of what to look for at garage sales this summer!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

At the entrance, an old ladder becomes a focal point. With the addition of the hanging mirror and arrangement on the table, the ladder becomes the backdrop and lifts your eye upward.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

Ever thought of using dish towels on your dining room table? Yes, they are used as a table runner and placed at an angle! Nobody knows they are just dish towels. With dish towels, you have access to a variety of colors, stripes, and floral patterns, too! Try it!

Permanent cabbage leaves serve as placemats. The napkin is folded as a utensil holder with Lilly of the Valley permanent stems inserted and decorated simply with twine.

Wood planter boxes decorated with taper candles,  permanent cabbage, and moss are placed at an angle. In between the boxes, floral vases and candlesticks give height. Beautiful table!

 

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

 

This is simple to do, but looks great!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

 

Two vintage screens from a stable, make a dramatic backdrop for the vintage pieces. Plants on each side give balance and are in galvanized metal containers.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

In the vintage style kitchen above the stove, they used vintage lighting kits along with garden hooks for the pendant lights. A wire basket serves as a cookbook holder.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

The walls are painted in chalkboard paint with old rakes turned into utensil hooks.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

Interesting “curtains” are made from corrugated metal. They used binder rings to hang them and twine as decoration. Have you ever thought of this?

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

More use for shutters….. by adding a couple small shelves, it makes a cute wall hanging.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

The downstairs bathroom uses shutters behind a mirror as wall art.

 

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

A piece of salvaged pipe is turned into a unique toilet paper holder.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

On the wall in the bathroom, a salvaged rake becomes an interesting hanging vase holder!

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

 

In the hallway hangs another vintage wood ladder with wicker baskets filled with permanent stems! Various vintage frames hang in an overlapping mass creating wall art.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

Chicken wire is added to some frames for interest.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 2 grandparentsplus.com

Looks like ladders and shutters are used anywhere! Oh, don’t forget the rakes! What was your favorite idea?

Be sure to check back at Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1!

Now, watch for Part 3 coming up!

Phyllis

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Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1

Spring always gives me a burst of new energy. I get anxious to redo a few things in my Spring Decor for my home. How about you?

This Spring Decor Idea House will give lots of inspiration and energize you to try a few new things in your own home.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

There’s a mix of contemporary and vintage. patterns and prints, galvanized metal with reclaimed wood, all showcasing todays’s trends. A team of decorators have created this showcase and I know you’ll enjoy these fresh new ideas.

Spring container gardens filled with a mix of forsythia, birch, pussy willows, and greenery become show stoppers.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1

 

Birch, forsythia, and greens are repeated in a vintage wheelbarrow.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

 

Next, in case you have the side of a barn or garage that needs decorating, this idea is a real attention-getter! A bit whimsical and fun! Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

Inside the front porch, two vintage horse stable screens become a welcoming background for the containers filled with Spring flowers.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

A bead-board shutter sets off artwork and decorative wood flowers.

Spring Decor Idea House Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

 

This lovely Spring table is ready for a luncheon on the front porch. The tablecloth is simply a drapery panel! In the center, a vintage picture frame is layered with grass mats, lanterns, artificial greens and accented with pink silk tulips. The place-setting uses birdhouse place card holders placed in small terracotta pots filled with moss. Napkins shaped as flowers fill the bowls at each place. Wouldn’t you like to be invited?

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

Dishtowels, clothesline, clothespins, and insulators, create the unique window treatments. The wooden flowers below each window, sit in decorative grass boxes.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

Last, but not least, is a whimsical “wreath” idea. Layer a rattan mat, with a terracotta saucer, a glazed saucer and and small pot.  Inside place something whimsical and unexpected! Another idea is to fill the pot with silk flowers cascading out.

Spring Decor Idea House 2017 Part 1 grandparentsplus.com

Were you inspired by these Spring Decor ideas?

More ideas to follow in Part 2! Don’t miss it!

Happy Spring!

Phyllis

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Favorite Color Day – “Blue”

Favorite Color Day - Blue grandparentsplus.com

I do summer camps with my grandkids. If that sounds like more work than you can do, plan a special Favorite Color Day with your grandchild. A favorite color day can be done any time of year.

My sister asked her granddaughter if she had a favorite color. “Blue” was the answer. So, for her special day, she planned a “Blue” Day of fun!  My sister called me to brainstorm some ideas so I became an adopted grandmother and helped plan this special day.

One of the ideas was to learn about the Bluebird. We have Bluebirds that always nest on our property. It happened to be past their nesting time, but I had made a book about my bluebird story that told interesting facts about the bluebird. We walked to one of the bluebird houses and learned about the best place to put one and why www.allaboutbirds.org.  She is very much a nature lover so learning about them was really fun.

More “blue” ideas we did….

A Blue Lunch:

Yes! You can have a blue lunch. The menu included peanut butter and blue jelly sandwiches, blue chips, blueberry fruit salad, and blue raspberry juice. The table was set with blue placemats, blue flowered china, and blue centerpiece.

Favorite Color Day - Blue grandparentsplus.com

 

Favorite Color Day - Blue grandparentsplus.com

Blue Craft:

This craft can be any color, but of course it had to be blue for this day. Complete directions for this craft are on Easy Notebook Cover.

I had bluebird stickers and other items for her to choose to use. I think she made a beautiful notebook cover out of the various items along with permanent markers.

 

Favorite Color Day - Blue grandparentsplus.com

Other ideas for Favorite Color Day – “Blue” or any other color

  • Make blue cookies
  • Tell about a time when you felt “blue” (sad)
  • Describe the blue sky
  • Blue Raspberry popsicle
  • Mix Blue with other colors. What do you get?
  • Blue Sundae or shake
  • Why do lakes look blue?  Swim in a lake.
  • Find as many objects as you can that have that color (scavenger hunt?)

“Special Days” don’t have to be the color blue. Plan it around any color and adjust your activities to a child’s interests, take pictures, and have fun! That’s the most important thing!

A few green ideas: Green eggs & Ham, frogs, green slime, how to make the color green –

Brown ideas: mud pies, chocolate chip cookies, make peanut butter, leather stamping, building with wood, horse-riding (on a brown horse)

Now, you get the idea! It’s all about enjoying one another, and making memories!

Any favorite color day can be happy and fun!

Hope this gives you some ideas for a special time with your child or grandchild.

Enjoy!

Phyllis

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