Daughters of Promise November/December 2014 | Page 43

3. BLING IT UP! Gold spray paint is the

easiest way to take your décor up a notch.
Try using it on an old frame, dried flowers
and leaves or old bottles. For a Thanksgiving
centerpiece, transform a pumpkin with gold
paint and elevate it on a cake stand or flower
pot. If you have access to a magnolia tree,
spray the leaves gold and hot glue them to
a simple wreath form. They make an elegant
wreath that will last all winter!

2. GET COZY. Pull out that old blanket that you inherited from your grandma,

and drape it over a chair, or look for a cozy new fleece to store in a woven basket.
You can’t have too many to snuggle in at bedtime! Make a cup of hot coffee,
tea or even some hot mulled cider to sip on. One of my favorite winter drinks is a
homemade chai latte. It’s a wonderful addition to a holiday brunch, or just to drink
as an afternoon pick-me up.

Homemade Chai Latte
2 Lipton tea bags
2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole clove
¼ tsp ground ginger
Combine ingredients and
bring to boil. Reduce heat,
cover and simmer for 5
min. Stir in 2 ½ cups of milk
and return to a boil for 1
min. Strain and discard
non-liquid ingredients and
stir in 1/3 cup sugar until
dissolved. Top with whipped
cream and sprinkle with
cinnamon. Yield: 4 servings.

5. INVEST IN PEOPLE RATHER THAN THINGS.

It is so
easy for us to get lost in the frenzy of getting rather than experience
the simple joy that comes in giving. Develop the art of hospitality! If
preparing a full-course meal overwhelms you, ask your friends to bring
salad and bread to add to a pot of soup. A simple, hearty meal is often
as satisfying as an elaborate one. More important than the dishes we
prepare is the connection we make with the people we serve. And
more important than a perfectly styled home is one that is full of love.

4. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH
REMINDERS TO BE GRATEFUL.

I loved the “thankful tree” project that Ann
Voskamp wrote about. On her blog, you can find
leaf templates that are printed with a variety of
verses about thanksgiving. I printed them onto
cardstock, cut them out and hung them onto
branches with fishing line. There are enough
leaves to hang one on each day of the month;
a great Thanksgiving project for the whole
family! DIY chalkboards are another way to
display inspirational sayings while creating a
bold statement in any room. Look for large
framed paintings or mirrors at thrift stores
and spray several coats of chalkboard
paint over the art or onto the glass to make
your own!

Ruby is a farmer’s wife and mommy
of two. When she isn’t chasing her
mischievous toddler or having tea
parties with her little lady, you can
often find her creating decor for her
home or artwork for her business,
Diamond Designs. Ruby loves a good
book {with a cup of tea} and capturing moments
of beauty with her camera. Though she loves
to travel, home is her favorite place to be and
she is passionate about making it a beautiful
one. Ruby blogs about homemaking and life at
rubyshowalter.blogspot.com.
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