The Month In Review - October

Wow! It's Halloween already. Where did the month of October go? 

Here is a recap of what happened around here

 over the past month . . .

Front Porch 

All decorated for autumn!

Fall Favorites

Liebster Award 

Thank you JoAnne at A Pocketful of Blue! 

One Thing Leads To Another!

I started out painting my front door and ended up painting the entire hallway and foyer! 

  Upstairs Hallway  

I loved the paint color so much that I painted the upstairs hallway too!

Gallery Wall

I showed you how to create a gallery wall.

. . . and that is where the month of October ended. Stay tuned for the Gallery Wall Reveal . . .

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!!

Meal Plan Monday

For the week of October 29 - November 4

Monday

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, Rice

Tuesday

Pasta With Sausage & Broccoli, Salad

Wednesday

Tortellini Soup, Breadsticks

Thursday

Pork Stir Fry, Rice, Veggie Eggrolls

Friday

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan w/Pasta

Saturday

Lasagna, Salad

Sunday

Happy 22 Year Anniversary Handyman Hubby!

Eat Out - Just the 2 of us. No kids!

Saucy Stir-Fried Pork

From Kraft Recipes

2 cups instant white rice, uncooked

1/4 cup zesty italian dressing

1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips

1 red pepper, cut into thin strips

1/2 lb. sugar snap peas

3 green onions, diagonally sliced

2 Tbs. soy sauce

1 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Cook rice as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in pepper and peas; cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onions; cook and stir 1 minute.

Mix soy sauce, cornstarch and ginger until well blended. Add to meat mixture; cook 1 minute or until thickened, stirring frequently. Serve over rice.

Have an awesome week!

Linking up:

Creating A Gallery Wall

I've been working on a new gallery wall in my upstairs hallway. This is the third gallery wall I've created and I think I'm addicted! If you want to see my other gallery walls you can click here. 

I always plan everything out on the floor and then cut out templates. This will save you from lots of nail holes to fill in when you change your mind. ; )  I used newspaper ads for my templates but any paper will work. Just cut out the sizes of what you're putting on the wall and hang the templates with painters tape.

I am using my kiddos school pictures and some black & white photos of when they were younger. 

Here is a really inexpensive project that I'm adding with the photos.

You can find the supplies at any craft store (remember to use a coupon!). The wood disc was $1.40 and the 2-pack of numbers was 99¢.

I painted the disc white and then distressed the edges with some sandpaper. The number is a sticker so I added that once the paint was dry. Someday I'll have to tell you all about why the #4 is "our number".

I'm putting the finishing touches on a FAMILY sign and then we can hang everything. So exciting! I'll be back soon with the Upstairs Gallery Wall Reveal!

Sneak Peek . . .

Hello everybody! I just wanted to give you a quick update on my unplaned painting project. Last week I painted my front door and foyer. I loved the color so much that I decided to paint the upstairs hallway too.

I know . . . crazy!

The walls were scuffed up and really needed a new coat of paint. Of course I gave all the trim a new coat of paint too. 

I have a few things left to do before I show you the complete reveal. I'm going to create a gallery wall and add a fun and inexpensive addition to the doors. Here's a hint . . .

Someday I'd like to replace the gold door knobs or maybe even paint them. We replaced all the gold knobs downstairs with satin nickel levers but they are so expensive! It would be nice to find a more thrifty option. Anybody have any experience with painting door knobs? Did the paint peel off? What type of paint did you use?

Have an awesome day!

Welcome to all my new Thrifty Decor Mom follwers!

I'm so glad you're here and hope you like what you see. Remember to sign up for email alerts so you never miss a post! You can also follow me on Facebook and Pinterest. 

Meal Plan Monday

For the week of October 22 - 28

Monday

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff, Noodles, Corn Casserole

Tuesday

Grilled Steak, Garlic Bow Tie Pasta, Salad

Wednesday

Hamburgers/Turkey Burgers, Onion Rings

Thursday

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken, Rice

Friday

Potato Soup, Wheat Rolls

Saturday

Eat Out

Sunday

Ravioli Casserole, Breadsticks

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK!!

One thing leads to another . . . .

Hello and happy Friday!

 I have been busy working on some unfinished projects that I told you about here.

 I can cross one project off the list because it is done!

However, nothing is ever that easy around here so let me fill you in on all the details.

 We ended up taking the front door off and sanding it down before painting. What was supposed to be a quick coat of paint ended up being an all day project.

While the door was off I decided to give the trim around it a fresh coat of paint. Then I got to thinking . . . I'd really like to paint the hallway the same color as the library. Do you see where this is heading?

I know it's hard to see a difference in the door but it looks sooo much better!

While I was painting the walls I realized all the trim really needed a fresh coat of paint too! That is a very time consuming job! 

What should have been an hour project turned into a 3 day painting marathon!

In the end, I'm glad I decided to paint the hallway. The last time we painted that area was almost 10 years ago! It really needed a fresh coat of paint and I love how it looks now!

Now I'm going to try to get all the paint splatter out of my hair. I have plenty of gray hairs and don't need any more!

FYI: The paint color is Valspar "Frappe". I think it is the perfect shade of gray.   : )

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND!

Linking up:

Liebster Award

Exciting news! 

Thrifty Decor Mom has been awarded

The Liebster Award

 Thank you JoAnne at A Pocketful of Blue for

nominating me!

Here is what I am supposed to do:

Tell you 11 things about myself that you may not know 

and nominate 5 other fabulous blogs with

200 followers or less. The Liebster Award helps newer 

bloggers become more well known.

11 things about me that you may not know:

I have 2 younger sisters - yep I'm the oldest and wisest!

I am terrified of clowns. Especially the crazy psycho clowns. They REALLY freak me out.

I love 80's music - Duran Duran is my favorite band -and 80's movies - Pretty In Pink, Sixteen Candles and Breakfast Club are a few of my faves.

Handyman Hubby and I met at a drugstore where we both worked. I was 18 and he was 19.

I've always loved to organize and decorate. When I was a kid I would rearrange my bedroom furniture all the time!

My best friend is also named Lori and we both have 2 daughters. Sometimes it's scary how much we have in common!

I love animals and wanted to go to veterinary school but my allergies got in the way. I'm extremely allergic to dogs, cats and most other animals. Our dog Benny is a Maltese and doesn't shed so he doesn't cause me to have an allergic reaction. 

I've always loved the colors blue, aqua and turquoise. 

I feel very lucky to still have my grandparents around at my age.

Handyman Hubby and I are Survivor junkies! We have watched every episode of every season!

I love to read and just finished "Peace From Broken Pieces" by Iyanla Vanzant. What an awesome book! I also love her new show on OWN.


Here are the blogs I am nominating:

Home Happy Home

Our Blue Front Door

Bell Jar Vintage

Start At Home

Twenty63



I'd love for you to stop by JoAnne's blog A Pocketful of Blue. She has a beautiful home and a real talent for decorating. Thanks again JoAnne!

Meal Plan Monday

Wow! What a weekend! I'm exausted but so happy that we worked on some projects around the house. I finally finished painting the front door. Remember my unfinished project list? Yeah, that one. Of course it ended up being a much bigger project than I expected. So typical for us. I'll give you an update on all that soon! My goal is to get everything on that list finished by the end of 2012. We'll see . . .

 I also found a paint color for the half-bath and Handyman Hubby taped off the trim in the hallway so I can start painting! He hates to paint and I hate all the prep work. That's just how we roll

 around here.   : )

Here is my weekly meal plan . . .

For the week of October 15 - 21

Monday

Chicken Nacho Bake, Rice

Tuesday

Angel Hair Pasta w/Zucchini and Herbs, Texas Toast

Wednesday

White Chicken Enchiladas, Rice

Thursday
Eat Out

(School Conference Night)

Friday

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan, Salad

Saturday

Ladle-It-On-Lasagna, Breadsticks

Sunday

Crockpot Chicken, Corn Casserole

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Linking Up:

Fall Favorites

Here are just a few things I am lovin' this fall . . .

DIY Fabric Pumpkins

From Bell Jar Vintage

 I love that vintage aqua truck!

DIY Pumpkin Art

This would be easy to make with items

 from the Dollar Store. Super thrifty art! Love!

Hot Apple Cider K-Cups

Mmmmm yummy!

Dollar Store Glass Jars 

Filled with mini acorns, pumpkins and candles.

Thrifty and fun. My kind of decor!

Sweater Pillows

I really need to make one of these!

Note to self: check out thrift stores and Goodwill

 for inexpensive sweaters.

Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha

All I can say is "Delish"!

Have a wonderful day!

Meal Plan Monday

For the week of October 8 - 14

Monday

Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Chicken, Rice, Broccoli

Tuesday

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Wednesday

IKEA Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Thursday

Crispy Chicken Strips, Potato Casserole

Friday

Eat Out

Saturday

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu, Salad

Sunday

Tortellini Soup, Breadsticks

Potato Casserole

2 Cups Sour Cream

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/4 Cup Chopped Onion

1/2 Cup Melted Butter

1 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper

2 lb Package Frozen Hashbrowns - Completely Thawed

Topping:

2 Cups Crushed Corn Flakes

1/4 Cup Melted Butter

Mix all ingredients except potatoes in a large bowl. Add potatoes and mix well. Place in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Melt 1/4 cup butter and add corn flakes. Mix to coat. Sprinkle on top of casserole. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes.

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK!!

Linking up:

Fall Foyer & Front Porch

Happy October! 

I have finally finished decorating the front porch and foyer for fall. 

The foyer is very simple. A wreath on the front door . . .

I made the wreath 2 years ago with supplies from the Dollar Store. It's held up well - I only had to hot glue a few acorns and gourds back on. Not bad for $5 bucks!

. . . a few painted pumpkins and free subway art on the table . . .

I wanted to incorporate some aqua items on the entry table since this area is connected to the library.

The white pumpkin is from JoAnne's and I painted a stripe with some leftover aqua paint. For the gourd I just dipped a pencil eraser in aqua paint to make dots.

I decided to do something different for the front porch. I filled my $5 garage sale wood box with faux pumpkins, gourds, leaves, flowers and a scarecrow.

On the other side of the porch I added an orange pillow to the chair and some more faux pumpkins. The fern doesn't exactly scream autumn but it's still alive so I left it. I kinda like the greenery with all the orange and black.

I'm happy with the way everything turned out. It's simple and can easily transition to Halloween and then Thanksgiving. I'll be sharing how I turn all this into Halloween soon so be sure to stop back again for a visit!

Have an awesome day!!

Linking up: