We Got a Housewarming Gift...

And we're not even home owners yet:-)  What a sweet present!  It was an unexpected surprise--a very pretty set of vintage cut crystal candlesticks with prism drops.  They're gorgeous and I can't wait to use them.  We enjoy using candles often, and these will be great on a mantle (hopefully we will have a mantle!).  

Perfect Fall Day!

I spent the perfect Fall Sunday today relaxing before inspections tomorrow morning.  October is in full swing, and after a tough week it was nice to have some time to breathe.  I usually relax at the stove ;-)  I couldn't resist putting a few Fall touches around the house to enjoy today in the form of some glittered leaves from the craft store.

The leaves outside are changing, and the weather was so gorgeous so I opened the windows.  Then I baked some old-fashioned pumpkin bread.  I love the way the house smells when I bake this.  It has become a yearly tradition for me to bake the same recipe to give away to family & friends.  The house smelled fantastic (and still does) with the aromas of clove, allspice, cinnamon, and clove.  MMMmmmm! 

First Purchase for Our New Home

What makes a house a home?  This is what we've been thinking about lately as we're in the process of buying our first home together.  We want it to be a haven for friends and family and to reflect who we are.  We really want to make it “ours.”


For me, it's the little touches that count.  We just bought the first item for our new place:  window candles for each window (21 of them).  I really enjoy the ambiance and warmth they add to a home’s exterior--a home just looks more welcoming with a soft glow in each window.  To come home and see those little lights in the dark will make the house even nicer as we fix it up.




We chose cordless candles with a solar sensor that allows them to light at dusk and turn off at dawn and to be set to turn on and off at specific times.  They are going to make coming home really nice--like the house is greeting us.  Love them!