the Decorating Chica

Pin It I don't know about you but there are tons of things I would rather be doing than cooking dinner. Yeah. But the reality is that my family depends on a good dinner and, honestly, they really are appreciative! Who can't beat that? Easy crockpot recipes What I do love about dinnertime is that this is when we all sit down together and connect during the day. And when you have older children in college and high school, it is important to cherish this time and keep that tradition going. Oddly enough, for all my lack of cooking desire, I seem to have a knack for it. Especially for altering recipes by substituting ingredients and not measuring. I can sometimes even just 'create' a meal by throwing items together. I'm not even sure how I do it but it works. Easy recipes To make it easier, I created Pinterest boards that help with this effort. When I search for recipes, I always start with 'easy'. Every. time. Check them out for some eas...

Pin It I have a confession. I'm a garbage picker. There I said it and I feel so much better now. This is what it looked like in its original state and the way I found it on the curb. In fact, I even have a friend who pick garbage for me...in her pajamas! Now that is friendship. But I have found some amazing things in the garbage and you know the saying "one man's garbage is another man's treasure." This is what it looks like today after a simple fix, some chalk paint and wax, and a quick upholstery. Sharing my treasure with you today. Close up of the finish. So be honest, are you a garbage picker or are you too embarassed to admit it? Found the two adorable pillows at a consignment shop for 8.99 ea. What a steal and they match my kitchen chairs! Linking up today to: Before and After at Thrifty Decor Chick

Pin It Something strange is happening to me. I have felt this over the past year and I can't explain it. Where I used to hate to cook, I now kind of like it! These chicken enchiladas were a BIG hit with the family! The older I get, the more that is true. I even start my online searches with the word 'easy'. Start by slow cooking the chicken in a crockpot for 6-8 hours. Don't forget to add cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Easy italian recipes, easy dog treats, easy DIY table projects. You name it, easy is my game. Make an easy cheese sauce by starting with a bechamel then adding milk and cheese. It is no different when it comes to cooking dinner. You see I have never really like to cook and used to buy frozen lasagna and frozen pizza, or order take out. Lately, I don't know but I am kinda gettin' into it and my boys love it! Maybe it is simply there appreciation! Easy Mexican Rice as a side dish. Whatever it is, I thought I ...

Pin It I thought that today, on this blustery winter Michigan day would be a great time to share my updated living room. New grey on the walls, new curtains, new rug from Pier 1. This room started with the desire to neutralize our house, possibly for purposes of selling in the near future, and mostly because as much as I love color, I have been recently in love with all the new greys out there. Aren't they just fabulous! But most importantly because I wanted to 'unify' all the many transitions that exist in this room to make them flow better. View facing west. Still have to add the curtain/valance on the west window. So a few months ago I took the plunge and painted my living room which led to several other changes. Many of which I wasn't not planning on or expecting! Does that ever happen to you? View facing east that includes the entry way. Oh and of course a cute chocolate lab! Our house was built in the 70s and every. single. wall. is. ...