take photos before you take down.

Good idea:  Snap some photos of your holiday decorations BEFORE you take them down for the season.  Then pack the photos in with your Christmas ornaments for a handy reference of what you did last year.  If you are anything like Mother Rabbit, you might tweak your decorations from year to year to keep things fresh.  The photo-reminder will help you know what you might like to repeat.

Before I pack these photos away with my holiday decorations, I thought I might share a few ideas.

Consider browsing vintage shops for your holiday decorations.  I found this antique Swedish candle tree at a charming vintage shop in Lindsborg, Kansas.  I loved the flavor it added to my kitchen.

 

 One of the smartest decorations I have ever purchased are these Pottery Barn "potted" evergreens.  I have them in all the sizes and enjoy changing their locations around the house every year.  People are continually amazed that they are not real, even after touching them.  This adds to the fun.

When I got tired of hanging ornaments on the tree, I piled some in a fabulous china bowl that once belonged to my Grandmother Eunice.  After sprinkling them with some fake sparkling "snow" it was one of my favorite decorations.

Needed:  One keepsake decoration, some yardage of white netting and a footed glass bowl from the thrift shop.  The little angel candle is a keepsake from my childhood, so I set it on the piano.  The glass bowl from Nifty Thrifty with some (fake) cranberries gave the candle a festive twist.  Netting is a simple way to create some holiday magic.

I like fresh evergreen for my holiday arrangements, but this year I added the silvery evergreen and white berries that I found at Pottery Barn.  They were a great touch with the mercury glass.

 

I hung the stockings on the banister again this year. 

 

This photo is going in the Christmas decoration storage box to remind me that next year I should invest in a red throw for the sofa during the holidays.  A red cable knit throw would have added a festive splash of color to the room, better than the soft blue blanket I left on the sofa.

It is fun to improve on decorations from year to year... taking some photos can help.

photo gift tags.

Make your Christmas gift tags with photos of your loved ones!  Simple as that.  Just cut or punch a photo of the recipient and attach to the gift.  An added bonus is that little children who cannot yet read can proudly distribute the presents.

This year I grabbed photos from 2006 and 2007 because that seems to be the last time that I printed my photos.*  I just went to the "extras" pile and had some fun.  I have already heard complaints of "why did you use that photo of me?" which only adds to the fun! Ho Ho Ho.

*Not printing real photographs is about to change for me! More about that later.  #revisedmemorykeeping for 2014!

holiday greetings!

You know that Mother Rabbit loves the tradition of sending holiday greetings!  My mother started this grand tradition back in 1962.  Now it is in my blood.

 

Like this classic from 1967.

Here is a simple idea for displaying holiday cards that arrive in your mailbox.  String a festive ribbon or garland across a large mirror, and attach the cards with miniature clothespins.  The mirror background works well because so many of the photo cards today have images on the front & back.  My photo card garland happens to be in the bathroom, so guests can be entertained when they wash their hands.

Of course you could string your cards across a cupboard, mantle or staircase as well. 

And remember, there is nothing wrong with sending your holiday greeting late... Mother Rabbit is amused by how many people thank her for sending her cards later when they have time to read & appreciate them.  Merry Christmas!

sawdust pie for thanksgiving.

 

If I composed a list of Mother Rabbit's favorite tried & true recipes, Sawdust Pie would make the Top Ten List.  It is an exciting cousin of Pecan Pie, but more intriguing.  Simple to make and more fool-proof than traditional pecan pie, Sawdust Pie is more fun to invite to the party.  You can make a game out of guessing what the interesting ingredients are.  Most guests probably won't guess the graham cracker crumbs or the coconut, but chances are all your guests will love it.

The first time I had this unique pie was at Patti's Restaurant in Grand Rivers, Kentucky.  You can serve it warm or chilled, but they topped it with real whipped cream and sliced bananas which continues to be the way I love to serve it.

If you are looking for something a bit different for your Thanksgiving table, give Sawdust Pie a try.

Mother Rabbit's Sawdust Pie

7 egg whites, unbeaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
1 1/2 cups coconut
9 inch pie shell

Mix all ingredients together and stir by hand.  I use the Cuisinart on the graham crackers, pecans and coconut to insure Small "sawdust-like" pieces.  Pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake in preheated 325 degree oven until glossy and set (about 45 minutes).  Serve warm with sliced bananas and fresh whipped cream.

Happy Thanksgiving!

the 8.5 hour beauty tip.

Mother Rabbit's very first post on May 12, 2010 was about the importance of getting your sleep.  And guess what?  You are going to hear it again.

Back in 2010,  my initial post included these words:

I am convinced that the reason that many people are grouchy, unhappy, cranky, dull, bitter, discontent, and have bad attitudes or the blahs is from not getting enough sleep. I think most of the world lives sleep deprived.

I want you to remember to always get your sleep.

Next time you can't think of ten things to be thankful for in two minutes, ask yourself "How much sleep did I get last night?"

Very recently while perusing a fashion magazine, I honed in on an article about the new book Forever Chic: Frenchwomen's Secrets for Timeless Beauty, Style and Substance by Tish Jett.  Guess what one of the secrets is?  GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP. 

While Americans tend to pride themselves on functioning on 4-5 hours of sleep, French women understand that sleep repairs the body and minimizes the aging effects of stress.  (Remember how Mike's oncologist Dr. Bruce Haughey told us that the body heals while it is sleeping?  Our healing hormones are released only when we sleep - confirmed by world-renowned cancer surgeon and by a fashion magazine. Smile.)

Ponder this fun fact: The French sleep about 8.5 hours a night, according to a 2011 study by Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development, while a 2013 study by the National Sleep Foundation shows that Americans average closer to 6.5 hours.

Mother Rabbit is going to say it again - Make getting a full and restful night's sleep a priority.  The benefits are far reaching, but include a thankful heart, happier outlook and prettier skin!

icing on the cake.

 

I make it a point to not post the same things on my different blogs.     I am making an exception.

 

 INSPIRED HOME OMAHA magazine wrote about our home in the November-December 2013 issue that will be delivered to subscribers this week, and went online at the Inspired Home Omaha web site this weekend. We are humbled and giddy all at the same time.  This truly felt like icing on the cake for our house project.

Editor Chris Christen was gracious to feature us in her opening editorial on Page 6, and our article entitled "A Big House on the Prairie Gets a Loving Restoration" is on Pages 50-57. Use the link below to take a peek!

http://issuu.com/omaha-world-herald/docs/iho_novdec_final/1?e=3790930/5465668

Chris and I went to grade school and high school together. We rekindled our friendship over this process which has made this whole wonderful ordeal even more magical.

 Chris & Karen in Third Grade - Oakland Elementary School

 

Chris & Karen in 2013

It was great fun to see that Chris included 22 add'l photos on the Inspired Home Omaha web site. You can view them by clicking on the Amazing Spaces / More Photos (22) link.

http://inspiredhomeomaha.com/article/20131031/HOUSETOHOME01/131039679#loving-restoration

We really feel honored by the magazine article. Mike said "It feels like a fitting capstone to this project, and I feel that we experienced God's Grace by even getting the house done."  I started the Our Big House On The Prairie blog back in 2010 as a place to encourage Mike with the progress he was making on the house. Back when there was so much yet to do that you could easily forget that you had done anything!  Magic happened when readers followed us, and cheered us along the way with their loving comments & encouragement. 

While you are on the Inspired Home web site, I recommend you click on the SUBSCRIBE tab. For just $9.99 per year you can have this fabulous magazine delivered to your doorstep - 6 beautiful issues. As you can see, it is a gorgeous magazine chock-full of ideas & inspiration, published right here in the heartland.

Guess what else?  Mother Rabbit has been asked to contribute ideas & articles for the magazine.  If you look closely, you will see a couple things that I comtributed in this issue.  Chris is a real dear to allow me to be a small part of her amazing creative team.

the bathroom basket.

Mother Rabbit believes that every bathroom should come equipped with two things (besides toilet paper.)  Flushable wipes and a sturdy box of matches.

The flushable wipes need no explanation.  Matches are the best natural odor-eater you can find.  Light a match after you have finished your business, and no one will know what you have been up to.  It is easy, clean, and works like magic.

How?  It is the sulphur dioxide that is produced when you burn a match.  It turns out that our scent receptors are very sensitive to sulphur dioxide, and it saturates the smell receptors which inhibit our ability to smell 'other things'.   If you asked me, it seems to just absorb the odors right out of the air.

 

You will never find Mother Rabbit wanting to spray a chemical mist into a room that seems more toxic than what you are trying to hide.  You know what I mean.  If you are in a situation with no matches to be found and a cover-up is necessary, you have to stop inhaling - spray - and run from the room before the other nasty smell gets you.  So far, I have never fainted before exiting the room and deep breaths could revive me.

Gift yourself - and your bathrooms - with these handy items.  You (and your family) will thank me!