Quick and Easy Holiday Appetizer



When it comes to entertaining, I like to make things simple. My favourite appetizer is to create a charcuterie board where I layer a variety of meats, cheeses, pepper jelly and nuts. My favourite cheese is goat cheese wrapped in herbs and nuts.



It is SO EASY to prepare, under 15 minutes!


**This recipe is part of a blog hop be sure to visit the blogs listed below for more fantastic ideas to get your through the holiday season!**



Walnut Thyme Goat Cheese Log

Printable Recipe

Ingredients and Directions:

All you need is a goat cheese log, a handful of walnuts and several sprigs of fresh thyme. Do not substitute with dried thyme, it just won't have the same taste.



Chop up the nuts until they are in small bits, like cracker crumbs. Then remove the leaves from the thyme by sliding your fingers along the stem. Finely chop up the leaves.


Next you simply mix the two together and spread on a cutting board.


 Unwrap the cheese and roll in the nut-herb mixture. Pressing gently as your roll. Don't forget to dab the ends as well! You can wrap up the log in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for later. Make sure you let the cheese come to room temperature before serving. It makes it easier to spread.








Alternative flavour combinations: You can substitute walnuts for other nuts such as hazelnuts, pistachios or pecans. You can change the herbs to basil, rosemary or oregano. I have added dried chopped fruit such as craisins or apricots as well.

Spread on crackers and enjoy!

 Please visit these other blogs participating in a Holiday Appetizer blog hop to gather a plethora of ideas!


Goat Cheese Log by Barbara of Hodge:Podge
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie by Christina of The DIY Mommy
Cheese Fondue Appetizer by Jo-Anna of A Pretty Life
Festive Crostini with Cranberry Compote & Brie by Shauna of Satori Design for Living
  Stuffed Mushrooms by Dannyelle of Life is a Party
Olive and Cream Cheese Dip by Beth Ann of The Hunted and Gathered
  Loaded BLT Dip by Jen of Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Cranberry Baked Brie by Jenn of Clean & Scentsible
Ritz Pizza Crackers by Shannon of AKA Design
Whipped Goat Cheese and Cranberry Jalapeno Crostini by Kristeena of Motherhood in Stilettos

Gift Ideas For The Home



I am a sucker for home decor items, and love what I can find online! I am never organized in time to hit up Black Friday sales, but I still find there are deals to be had after that date.

The upcoming holiday season always has me nesting and sprucing up the home. I have a few projects going and can't wait to share but here are some items on my wishlist or items I have purchased and enjoy!

Over spring break while vacationing in Nevada and Arizona, I discovered Moscow Mules, LOVE them. There are so many holiday versions swirling around the web. I want a set of these Moscow mules mugs for Christmas!




This appliance, the instant pot, has be intrigued. I have seen several bloggers/Instagrammers mention using this! It's on my wish list!




I LOVE these speakers, the Bose Soundlink Revolve Portable Bluetooth, I use them daily to play my favourite playlists on Spotify.


And lately I am trying to burn only "clean" candles, so these candles are on my wishlist! They would make a great hostess gift. And they are made in Canada!




And this belly basket, along with a black colour one, arrived at my home last week! Can't beat the price!



Stay tuned for a gift guide geared towards children  - my day job as a kindergarten teacher has me playing with fabulous items. Can't wait to share!


***I'm a member of the Amazon.ca Affliate program. Affiliate links have been used***

Gift Ideas: Handmade by Amazon


Amazon has recently launched Handmade marketplace where artisans can list the beautiful things they make. There is even a Canadian specific Handmade Marketplace.  Here are some beautiful things that have caught my eye and are on my wish list. Why not get your Christmas shopping done early??

I love architectural prints, why not have one of some of the nation's famous buildings like this one from Quebec City, Hotel Du Parlement? The artist has other prints of various Canadian neighbourhoods.




And this gorgeous handmade carmel backpack made by Tiny BackPacks is to die for!



I love turquoise jewelry and this one caught my eye. Yes, please!


This cute butter knife would make a great hostess gift!


My hubby would LOVE this t-shirt as it pay homage to his heritage. The artisan who is from Vancouver, screen prints a variety of t-shirts paying tribute to various provinces.




Happy Shopping, only 6 weeks left!
Stay tuned for more gift guides as we get closer to Christmas!

I'm a member of the Amazon.ca Affliate program. Affiliate links have been used



Painting Ikea Furniture

If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that I have painted several Ikea pieces over the years. Waaaaay back before I started blogging and the world of design exploded at my fingertips, we went to Ikea and bought matching sets of everything. Fast forward several years and my eyes were opened to what a well curated home looks like, it wasn't all matching espresso stained Ikea furniture. Slowly I have been breathing new life into the pieces giving them a unique look or bringing them to 2017.  Currently I am painting a piece that is in my family room, if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen a peek on Instastories!


My go-to paints vary from project to project. The key is a good primer. I like this one.



As for paint, I have used Benjamin Moore Aura paint,
and  Behr Paint and Primer in One.



If the surface will get a lot of wear and tear then I use a varathane top coat.


But if I don't feel like priming and want a more shabby look then I choose FAT Paint (created my by friend Victoria and her brother).

For painting tools, a foam roller and a good quality paint brush is a must-have. For chalk paint though I would use a velour roller and not foam, as the foam tends to really suck up the paint.



Here are a few Ikea pieces I have painted over the years.


I used Behr Paint and Primer using a mis-tint on these bookcases.


This bookcase was painted with FAT Paint in Warm White.







This sideboard was painted with Benjamin Moore's Aura paint in Satin in Caliente!
See this blog post for more about this buffet.


Stay tuned for another piece that is currently undergoing a transformation!


**some affliiate links are used in this post**

Colour of the Year in My House

 What a thrill it was to see Benjamin Moore's announcement of their pick for Colour Trends for 2018 as Caliente!  I used that colour about 5 years ago to make over a boring Ikea sideboard for my dining room. It's one of my favourite red paints. Not too cool but with a bit of warmth. I have toyed with idea of re-painting the sideboard navy, but I still love the red! Here is a few shots of Caliente in #reallife.



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This is what the sideboard used to look like! I repainted it when I was a participant in the early days of the One Room Challenge. You can see my posts here. Brace yourself for sad photography!


Nothing like the magic of paint.