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a slice of life
crafts

molded salt dough “gingerbread” ornaments | Christmas crafts

These molded salt dough “gingerbread” ornaments were one of those crafting happy accidents.  They started when I made an impulsive purchase from an Instagram ad for a couple of cookie molds.  Minutes after I purchased them, I thought it was a stupid purchase.  But, I really loved the patterns and they were inexpensive (I think $16 for both.)  I thought it might’ve even been a scam because the site had one of those not-quite-right names that I can’t even remember now.  But the carved cookie molds arrived at my house a few weeks later.  I was relieved they weren’t a total waste of my money, but I still questioned the hasty buy.  I put them into the cabinet with my other baking gear, cookie cutters, gingerbread house templates, etc. On Monday, I decided I would try making “gingerbread” houses out of cinnamon salt dough for Christmas instead of using traditional

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December 8, 2021 16 Comments
a slice of life

mini cheese balls recipe & a holiday grazing board

Disclosure:  This mini cheese balls recipe & holiday grazing board post is sponsored by .  As always, all words and opinions shared are honest and my own. As a lover of cheese-and-crakers and grazing foods in general, I am a big fan of the charcuterie board/grazing board trend.  Not only are they beautiful and visually impressive, but they are simple to put together and require little or no cooking.  It’s just about arranging things together in a way that looks appetizing and inviting.  So, I headed to my local to pick up all of the ingredients I would need to make my favorite recipe for mini cheese balls, a holiday grazing board, and even a kid-friendly grazing board for pickier eaters. While I was picking up ingredients, I found this .  It is a really cute set at a great price, so I bought it to test it out and

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December 7, 2021 12 Comments
a slice of life

a few favorite affordable fountain pens

As I’ve been sharing some of my fountain pens on Instagram and here on the blog, I’ve received some messages asking for recommendations for affordable fountain pens for fountain-pen-beginners or for those who don’t want to spend a lot on a pen.  When I bought my first “real” fountain pen a few years ago with my birthday money, several people warned me that I had just opened a door into a whole new (addictive) world.  Several fountain pens later and I see they are right.  I’ve said before that I’m not into designer shoes and purses, but give me a pair of Crocs and nice writing/art supplies and I’m set. When I was in a fountain pen shop in Paris a couple of years ago, buying a 1920s fountain pen as a souvenir, an older gentleman was buying a young woman a €900 fountain pen.  Wendy, who was translating for

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November 28, 2021 24 Comments
Favorite Things

small business saturday | small shops & big sales

I’ve never been a big Black Friday shopper.  I went out to do some Black Friday shopping one year just to experience it and I waited in a line that wrapped around the store to buy a Playdough set.  When I got to the checkout, the woman ringing it up asked me, “Is this it?”  “Yep.  That’s it.”  And that was it.  We went home and I haven’t gone since.  I might buy a few things online if I see a special sale, but I’d rather hit a local antique store or cruise around on Etsy to eBay for goodies.  So, instead of sharing Black Friday deals today, I’m going to get you geared up for Small Business Saturday by sharing some of my favorite small shops.  Several are offering coupon codes through the weekend for my readers or they are already running special sales, so make sure you write

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November 26, 2021 10 Comments
Holiday

favorite family holiday recipes

We are in the thick of yummy food season, so I thought I would share a round-up of some of our family’s favorite holiday recipes.  There are still a few more that I need to add to the blog like Linda’s sweet potato casserole, our Christmas cheese grits, and Rosa’s cheese spread.  It’s always such a flurry in the kitchen during the holidays that I don’t always think about taking pictures!  I just need to get things made and in the oven. Anyway, here are some holiday recipes we enjoy making and eating through the holiday season… pomegranate & barley salad I will readily admit that this holiday recipe is a strange one, but this pomegranate & barley salad is surprisingly yummy and a great way to use seasonal pomegranate.  In this recipe, I also share some tips on seeding a pomegranate quickly and efficiently.  This makes a good snack

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November 24, 2021 5 Comments
Holiday

Maple Sugar House Cookies & Finding Home Farms

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by .  I’ve known Laura of Finding Home Farms for years and I’m so pleased to officially partner with her family’s business.  As always, all words and opinions expressed are honest and my own.  There is a coupon code at the bottom of this post to help you save on your holiday shopping. We need to rewind back to the very early days of blogging for this story.  Laura Putnam of was one of my blogger peers.  We did blog-hops together and linky parties and met up at blog conferences.  We also were both vendors at the very first Chapel Market in Pike Road, AL.  Laura is actually standing directly behind me in this picture! (Oh man, what a crew!  I’m still in touch and friends with so many of these people.) I even have her book!  It’s DIY Rustic Modern Metal Crafts. At that

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November 12, 2021 11 Comments
Fall

simple fall simmer pot

This week, the temps started to drop and we only recently had our first frost here in Minnesota.  It’s actually come pretty late this year and we haven’t even seen a flake of snow, yet!  But, I am ready for fires, slippers, hot chocolate, and for the house to smell like fall.  So, yesterday, I made up a simple fall simmer pot with what I had on hand. I started by filling a 4 qt. dutch oven with water and then dropped anything in the simmer pot with a yummy, homey, fall scent.  Sliced apples, dried cinnamon sticks (these were out of a Christmas decor bin from last year), fresh rosemary, and a few drops of clove essential oil.  I thought I had some whole clove and all-spice, but I only had ground, so I just used what I had.  It really is hard to go wrong with a simmer

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November 4, 2021 10 Comments
a slice of life

a day in stillwater, mn

For a few weeks now, Jeff has been trying to get me to go on a day trip.  As someone who is a natural homebody, the pandemic, lockdowns, and busyness have all made it easier to become even more of a homebody.  And I recognize that isn’t necessarily a good thing.  So, when some of our friends shared about the oldest town in Minnesota, Stillwater, Jeff decided we needed to do a day trip there before winter set in.  He has Mondays off, so he picked yesterday to whisk me away.  I packed a small bag with some sketching supplies in case we just sat by the St. Croix river for a while, but our plan was to hit some of the local shops, grab lunch, and walk along the river. It was the perfect day weather-wise.  Clear and sunny, warm, but with a crisp fall chill in the air. 

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October 19, 2021 49 Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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