Do one thing a day that scares you!

I'm excited to be spending time with close friends on New Years Eve that live close to home.
 We are going to sit and chat and enjoy some wine and cheese.  We are making it easy too by ordering dinner from PF Changs, one of my favorites!
My favorite dishes from PF Changs are their lettuce wraps & Crispy Honey Chicken.
So heavenly!
If you haven't tried their melon, shrimp and toasted walnuts you are missing out.  It's to die for!
Time has flown by this year like it does every year, I'm sure you agree. 
I'm not one for making New Years Resolutions but this year, my goal is to invest in my family and friends.  I want to be a more loving wife (love on my husband more and appreciate him daily), more patient mom (do things with them that interest them and listen to their dreams)  and a dedicated friend (stop to relish in the blessing of having friendships that encourage me and spend time with those friends). 

Time ticks by....

This is SO SO true.  Every time I feel fearful and then actually do that one thing, it usually turns out to be a good thing.  It stretches me!
It scares me to think that time could go by and I haven't spent time with those that mean the most to me.  It scares me to think that I have teenage girls that need a mother to be their role model.  It scares me to think that my husband needs me to be his love and support. 
 It scares me because I don't want to fail them.  However,  I will do it with dedication knowing that it will make me have no regrets.  I want to live life to the fullest! It's scary to put expectations out there for yourself but rewarding when you see the fruit it brings to all those that you touch.
Hope your year starts off blessed and filled with new beginnings that bring you Joy.
Visit DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfollio.

Happy Christmas 2011

From my home to yours......
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
I woke up early this morning, couldn't sleep for some reason.   Probably the excitement of Christmas Day and what it holds.  Lots of thoughts running through my head as I contemplated the last week and the week ahead. 
 I decided to write down some of those thoughts that were going through my mind and wanted to share them with you!
 Ruthie's Christmas Thoughts for 2011

Visit DecRenew Interiors to see my portfollio of before and after pictures.

Stenciled Mirror Ornaments

I love to find or create unique gifts for Christmas.  We all have those people on our lists that we want to buy for but just don't know what to buy.   I've found that making them something unique is always a special touch and enjoyed by those that you create it for. 
Sorry, not a very good photo.  It's hard to take photo's of mirrors.
I found these mirrored ornaments about 4 months ago at Michaels in different shapes. 
I immediately loved them and decided I could do something fun with them for Christmas gifts.  I bought 20 of them.
I got out my stencil box and started experimenting.  This one was my first choice.
I got out some of my left over spray paints.  I tend to gravitate towards the metallic choices. 
 Copper being my favorite! 
 I placed the stencil on the mirrored ornament randomly (chose my favorite part of the stencil) and took the risk by pressing the spray nozzle. I lightly sprayed and made sure I was about a foot away from the stencil so the paint wouldn't bleed.
I finished one....
and another.... and I decided they would be a success.
They came with a tacky silver bow so I removed it and replaced it with the above translucent copper WIRE ribbon.
You could use any holiday stencil too.  I just happen to  like something a little more random.
Imagine what fun you could have with this mirror. 
Here is a link to a great stencil source - Dresslerstencils
I gave away a set as a gift exchange the other night and they were a hit.
Hope you are inspired and can create a treasure for someone else this Christmas.
Visit  DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfollio.

Stencils

Best Chocolate Chip Cake EVER

If you are looking for a delicious chocolate cake, look no further.  My good friend Mindy gave me this recipe after I tasted her cake a couple months ago.  I LOVE chocolate and this is the chocolate lovers dream!
Made with chocolate pudding mix, it is so incredibly moist!  The chocolate chips that are added melt in your mouth with every bite.  This recipe makes great cupcakes too! 
I decided to make them as Christmas gifts for those that have everything!  Thought you might want the recipe too so you can share with those that you love this Christmas season.
Chocolate Chip Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
2 small boxes instant chocolate pudding
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
8 oz. chocolate chips (I use the whole 12 oz bag)
White chocolate bark


Mix dry ingredients.  Add eggs, oil, water and vanilla.  Mix until well blended.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Pour into a greased & flowered 10" bundt cake pan.  Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes.  Cool completely on rack.  Melt white chocolate bark and drizzle over cake to your liking.
I made 8 of these and had such fun.  It was a great time with my teenage girls too.  My kitchen was an absolute MESS and we had chocolate all over us by the end of the day.   Good times.
Of course, the gift wrapping has to look just as beautiful as the gift itself.  It's all about the packaging!  I found these fun, sparkly hat boxes and decided these would protect the cakes from getting squished during transportation.
I'd love to receive one of these boxes to store Christmas ornaments or other holiday items.
I placed each cake on one of these cardboard cake plates.  Hobby Lobby carries these items.
Wrapped them in clear wrap.
Placed the cake in the box and filled with sparkly tissue paper.
Each box was tied with a bow and is now ready to deliver.
Wire ribbon is a life saver and makes any bow look fabulous.
Ruthie's Tip of the day:  USE THE ABOVE baking spray when making your bundt cakes.  Not one of my cakes stuck to the pan!  Wonderful product - has the flour in the mix so nothing sticks.
Also, if you want to save time, powdered sugar is a quick and easy way to make the cake look fabulous without having to hassle with the white chocolate.
I added crushed candy cane to some of my cakes too. Drizzle with white chocolate and then immediately add the crushed candy cane for those that love a minty chocolate taste.
Adding a beautiful red, white or gold poinsetta to the middle of the cake is a gorgeous way to add a touch of Christmas Joy! 
Be inspired, bake, wrap, eat
and make something beautiful to share with those you love!
My family says I've been doing "false advertising" with all the smells in our home so I'm off to make us one of these delicious cakes.

Ruthie's Christmas File

Pinterest.com
I'm having so much fun this Christmas season.  I'm so enjoying seeing all the Christmas decorations going up on all the homes in our neighborhood.  This year I'm especially happy to see more cars that are all decked out too.  I noticed the school buses are all sporting wreaths too!
Lots of rudolph's driving around, too cute!
 I'd love to have a wreath on the front of my car like the one above.  I'm still talking my husband into it  but I haven't won the battle yet.  I'd like the lights too please!
In this post, I thought I'd share some of my favorite rooms/ideas in my Christmas file this year!  I know we are all looking for inspiration and ideas as we decorate and entertain for the holidays!

(Sundayinbed.tumblr.com)

So whimsical, simple and chic.

This is such a great idea.  I LOVE empty frames with something special inside them.

(theinspiredroom.net)
A winter wonderland!
(Southern Living)
A happy place to do dishes!  Layered wreaths add a cool touch.
(theinspiredroom.net)
Glass platters with wreaths add a classy touch to any party!
(Southern Living)

Magnolia wreaths are magnificent.

(mydesignchic.wordpress.com)
Again, simple, fresh and beautiful.
(Pinterest.com)
Enjoying a variety of different colors instead of just red and green.
(Pinterest)
My favorite color combinations this year!
(Pinterest.com)
Collected over time with pops of fun colors.
(Canadianliving.com)

Such a soft color palette.

(Photobucket.com)
So creative.  What kid wouldn't love this?
(bhg.com)
Another great empty frame idea.
Creatively fun and beautiful.  Wouldn't you love to receive this arrangement?
Adding moss to any letter adds a fresh touch to your Christmas decor.
Using grocery store items!  Fresh and simple.  Placed on a platter and you are done!
(Pinterest.com)
No excuses, anyone can do this!!!!  Pine cone Christmas trees.
(bhg.com)
A quick festive addition added to flower pots.
(pinterest.com)
Adore this!!
(Southernaccents.com)

Love how this garland wraps up and over the mirror.  I did this last year on my mantel and it was a fresh change from the traditional garland placed on the mantel.

(bhg.com)
Such festive red and white gift packages placed on top of urns.  perfect for business or home!
(Etsy.com)
Double wreaths mixed with rustic elements equals perfect elegance.  Looks like a postcard.
Red berries wreaths are so classy and elegant!
(HGTV.com)
Great color combinations.
(Houseandhome.com)
The Season's Best.  A black entry is always so attractive!
(Martha Stewart Home)
A little sparkle in this entryway
(Pinterest)
Classic red and green.
(Pinterest)
Great idea for Christmas Card display.

All one color is beautiful too!
Ultimate for fresh wreath! 
(bhg.com)
Classic red and white always goes over well.
(thedailybasics.com)
Simple yet stunning.  A Christmas up on a table always looks festive.
(gardenofsimple.tumblr.com)
I've always wanted a blue door like this! 
(Pinterest)
Love these color combinations.  The peacocks are adorable.
Happy Christmas is what we British say at Christmas Time! 
Hope you enjoyed!

Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.  Great before and after pictures to inspire you!