I don’t recall where I saw this DIY, but it sounds like a project that I could tackle. We have lots of pinecones at our cabin and I brought some back with me during our last trip. But I can’t find them anywhere. Go figure. So I did a garage search and came up with enough pinecones to try this. Actually these are cinnamon-scented pinecones, but it doesn’t seem to matter. Here is how to make bleached pinecones.

The supplies you will need~pinecones (in good condition), bleach, water, a bucket, and bricks (or something to help submerge the pinecones), and rubber gloves. I also wore an apron because I tend to be a bit messy.

Take precautionary measures

First of all, bleach is a caustic substance and not only will it ruin your clothes and eyes if you splash, but the fumes can be overwhelming and dangerous. Why do I know this? Because I tried doing this DIY in the kitchen, vs. outside in the fresh air. It took a matter of seconds but I could feel the negative effects of the bleach fumes. Not smart.

Also make sure your vessel does not leak. I unfortunately didn’t see the hairline crack in my container and had bleach leaking out….in my kitchen while I was nearly overcome with fumes.

Put your bucket outside. Toss in any amount of pinecones you’d like (20-30). Cover the pinecones with bleach (1.5 gallons) and add water to cover.

Submerge the Pinecones

Place the bricks on top of the pinecones (as they will float) and leave for 24 hours.

24 hours later…

Remove the pinecones and let dry. What I didn’t realize is that pinecones, when wet, will close up. But as they dry, they spread open again.

When the pinecones first came out of the bleach solution, they did not look white. But over time, as they dried, the pinecones will get lighter.

I did read that if you leave them in the bleach longer than 24 hours they start to break down. The first batch I did complete within the 24 hour time frame.

Not wanting to toss the bleach solution yet, I am trying another batch. We will see if the chlorine is still strong enough to bleach them. The second batch was left in for two days. They are still drying out, but look fine. You can see how tightly closed the wet pinecones are compared to the dried ones.

Add to Your Holiday Decor

Now I am excited to use these pinecones around the house for the holidays. Yesterday, I created a holiday theme for the top of a cabinet in the family room, using a few bleached pine cones. If you have a beach house, wouldn’t these look great? Also, the pinecones do not smell like bleach either.

So remember, if you do this DIY, please take more precautions than I did. I am really happy with the results. Since I love regular pinecones and now bleached ones, it will be fun to decor with both this holiday season.

Have a fabulous Wednesday. The decorations are going very slowly, but I am certainly not complaining. Trying to take my time and enjoy every minute.

The crystal chandelier in our dining room has traveled with me from house to house. Found in an antique store and electrified, I love the elegance and beauty of it. Not too gaudy, but just enough sparkle to make the dining room extra special. Once a year, every December, I clean the chandelier by hand. Since I am participating in a blog hop that involves lighting, this seems like the perfect opportunity to accomplish this task and share with others. Make sure you check out the other bloggers and their lighting tips and tricks at the end of this post!

The Before

I look at the chandelier and say, “does it really need to be cleaned?” Probably me just trying to talk myself out of this task. Even though it looks nice, you’d be surprised how much dust and dirt land on these crystals and arms.

Prepping the Work Space

Every year I seem to try a new method. But before I even begin, I lay several beach towels over the dining room table. Not only to protect the table, but the first year I didn’t do this and 3 crystals fell…..and shattered. At least if they fall on the towels, they have a soft place to land.

The first year I cleaned the chandelier I sprayed the entire fixture with vinegar and water. The towels help protect the table from all the drips if you choose to clean the crystals this way.

Pulling back the upholstered chairs ensure you don’t accidentally stain those either.

Select Your Cleaning Product

This year, I decide to use a foam glass cleaner, as I have good results with it on windows and glass table tops. I believe we buy this at Costco as I tend to have several cans of it. Or you can find it online here.

Be Safe

Make sure you use a sturdy step stool to prevent any falls or injuries. Not only do I use the step stool, but also kneel and stand on the table while I’m cleaning.

Start Cleaning

Saturating a microfiber rag with the foam, I start on the saucers under the candles. The minute I wipe both sides with the foam rag and wipe it again with a clean dry rag, I can see a difference in sparkle already.

Here is where most dust settles. In doing this, the chandelier really moves around increasing the chances of a crystal falling or breaking, so be extra careful. Look at the dirt collected in just a few of the saucers.

Repair and Replace

I do have an assortment of extra crystals in case one breaks. They are kept in an old cigar box for safe keeping. Someday I will turn the unmatched ones into ornaments for the tree. You can find additional crystals in antique and thrift stores. Unique ones can be found on eBay or sourced on the internet.

This is also a good time to make sure the wires attaching the crystals are secure. I pinch them closed so they will not fall off with all the swinging associated with cleaning the chandelier.

After doing the saucers, I start in the center of the chandelier and work out. Don’t forget to wipe down the arms or any other surface that collects dirt and dust.

These long 3-sided crystals are difficult to find so I take extra care in wiping them down.

Use Scissors for Snags

Occasionally the microfiber gets caught on the wire between the crystals. Do not pull to separate it but use a small set of scissors. Any tugging on the crystals can cause them to dislodge and drop. I’d rather ruin the rag than the crystal.

The project doesn’t take very long and it’s actually rather soothing to do this. Plus the end result is a sparkling, clean chandelier that will just glow for the holidays.

Replace the Bulbs

I step back to admire my work and notice a light bulb is out. Fortunately I do have a few extras on hand because this particular bulb is not easy to find locally. The bulbs are covered in a silicone material that look a bit like a flame. Naturally, they are available on Amazon here.

Even though this bulb is slightly larger than the dead bulb, no one will notice.

I keep any additional chandelier related items nearby in the buffet so I am not searching for them every December.

So now the chandelier cleaning is finally completed! Remember if you have issues with height, use a good ladder or have someone else do this for you. After looking up for a period of time, it is easy to get dizzy.

While I had the ladder out I also cleaned the foyer chandelier, which took only a few minutes because it is much smaller.

Hopefully this post will inspire you to clean any chandeliers or glass globe pendant lights. It is amazing how something this easy makes a subtle but dazzling difference around the holidays.

Thanks for joining me today and now for other lighting ideas, please keep reading.

This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday #622

Niky from The House on Silverado shares her Cozy Lighting Tips and Tricks.

Kristin from White Arrows Home has 3 Christmas Lighting Projects.

Kim from Shiplap and Shells teaches you how to make a Mercury Glass Lamp Base with a Twist.

Andrea from Design Morsels show us how to Paint a Chandelier.

Amy from Health Home and Hearth demonstrates how to add wireless under cabinet lighting.

Chas from Chas Crazy Creations makes this adorable lampshade makeover.

Tarah from Grandmas House DIY creates a moody speakeasy with Basement Lighting.

Kippi from Kippi at Home makes these pretty DIY Wooden Lanterns.

Thank you for joining me. Please remember that all of us love your comments and feedback!

Happy Saturday, my friends! I hope you have enjoyed the past two posts on the two mantels my dear friends created when they visited here a few weeks ago. Today I want to present the last two holiday mantels. With 7 fireplaces, I will have three to decorate on my own. I can honestly say my friends have set the bar high and I only hope I can decorate the remaining ones with the same ingenuity and creativity as these.

If you missed the previous posts, here is the one on the romantic mantel in my art studio. And the link to the stunning, abundant one in the living room is here.

The Library

This cozy, small room is well used during the winter months. With the fireplace going, it is a popular spot with the pets. It is also a good place to stop and warm up as you are passing through to the family room. With only two chairs, it is also the perfect place for conversation or a glass of wine or cup of coffee.

The mastermind behind this mantel design is Chas from Chas Crazy Creations. Chas is such a sweet person and I think she should have her own crafting show. Find an unusual object? Chas will quickly come up with 100 uses for it. Seriously, she can turn a pumpkin into a carriage. Not only is she creative, but I may have mentioned her Mindful Minutes~60 seconds a day to stop, breathe and do some relaxing exercises. Mindful Minutes can be found on Chas instagram account here.

Starting with a string or two of white lights, Chas patiently tucks coffee filters, yes, coffee filters in between each of the lights. Aided by the very talented Andrea from Design Morsels, they create an ethereal, angelic look in the library.

Since this is only the dark colored fireplace we have, the coffee filters look like a string of petticoats. How beautiful would this be in a girl’s room? I’m not sure you can dye coffee filters but I’m imagining pink ones like a ballerina’s tutu.

Even Sox loves this room and he approves of the garland! Often we find him sleeping in front of the fire. I love that the feminine look of the garland goes with the delicate inlaid design in the fireplace surround.

This garland also reminds me of a feather boa~with all its simplicity but impact. To see more about our library, click here.

The Outdoor Back Terrace Fireplace

Just when the talented team thought they were done with decorating fireplaces, my husband asked them to tackle the one on the back terrace.

If you read the post about the antler centerpiece on the table setting in the orchard, then you know my friend Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate loves these antlers.

Since the fireplace is already rustic, Chloe uses the other antler as the base to the decorations. Chas and Andrea lend their expertise to the design.

Greens and sprigs are layered in between the antlers.

Red berries, crystal branches, pinecones and a red plaid ribbon really spruce up the look.

Over the summer, I purchased these lovely lanterns from Home Depot (see that bargain blog post here). Chloe made the fluffy bows and we use 4 lanterns to decorate the fireplace. These narrow pine trees are my favorite especially when they are clustered like a mini forest. Plaid bow from Home Depot. You can find similar at Amazon here.

So now the pressure is on for me to complete the last 3 mantels. My house looks confused~fall in one corner and Christmas/winter in another. But for some reason I’m in no hurry. With holiday music playing, I am taking my time. The goal is to truly enjoy this holiday without all the stress and rushing around.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! It was actually 32 degrees here the other morning and I’m afraid to see if any frost damage occurred in the garden. Chilly starts and ends of the day, but nice and pleasant in between. Love the weather this time of year. Be well, everyone!

If you liked this post, please share on Pinterest.

As promised, I want to show you another beautiful mantel done by my fabulous friends. Quite honestly, wouldn’t it be nice to have your creative and talented friends help decorate your home for every holiday? There must be a business idea in there somewhere! If you missed yesterday’s post about the romantic mantel in my art room, click here.

Let me introduce you to Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate. Chloe lives in Celebration, Florida and she is one talented gal. Not only does she have boundless energy, but she is a skilled actor and an innovator. I have fondly nicknamed her, Take Charge Chloe! Check out the above photo of her holiday tablescape. Wow!

After raiding the Christmas room (read more about that here), Chloe began working on the living room mantel. This mantel is long and deep and each year I have struggled with decor that didn’t fulfill the needs of the mantel.

Assisting Chloe is Andrea from Design Morsels. Being the very witty and dry-humored one, Andrea always downplays her creativity, but she is marvelous as well. Check out these Star Wars ornaments she is hand making for her son!

If you need a deep dive into anything (linens, vacuum cleaners, bookcase design), Andrea is the person to follow. Her blog, Design Morsels is the Cliff notes of design tricks and products.

Since the living room only gets good light in the morning, we set up professional lighting to help with the photos.

Starting with garland and using Command hooks, Chloe is able to drape an abundant amount of garland and have it stay on the mantel.

Asymmetrical mantel designs are big this year and Chloe did not disappoint. I think this is the first year I have a mantel in style! She twists the garland to attach to the ends to each other too.

Next she adds artificial red berry garland. Some of the red has come off so I need to take a marker and do some touch up.

This old, inexpensive set of cow bells (can’t recall where I purchased them) are used at the far end, nestled in the garland and berries.

On the right side of the fireplace, balance is created with 3 small artificial trees. I did buy the trees at Scottsdale Marketplace last year but you can probably find them online too.

Above the trees I will hang the stockings (haven’t done that yet), again adding more weight on this side of the mantel.

Chloe cleverly stacks the battery operated candles on various items to create different heights. She uses what she can find~small books, boxes and even the bottom piece of my tuliperie (to see more about my tulipieres click here). She is just so creative!

At night, the candles provide a warm glow to the overall look of the mantel.

Stepping back, here is a picture of the entire mantel with the new holiday decor.

Now isn’t this just beautiful? No more wimpy looking holiday decor on this fabulous fireplace! Once I hang the stockings and get the rest of the room ready for the holidays, I will definitely share the final look!

I hope this has inspired you to try something different if you are decorating a mantel or a shelf. Chloe is a dynamo and threw this together in a relatively short period of time. I was speechless and so over the moon with the results!

Happy Wednesday, my dear friends! I hope you aren’t tired of mantel decor because I hope to share the last two mantels with you on Saturday. Stay safe and healthy and live brightly!

Resources:

Green garland here

Red berry garland here

Command Hooks here

Battery Operated Candles here

Bells (similar) here

3′ small trees here

If you enjoyed this post, I love it when you share it on Pinterest!

Happy Saturday, friends! I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as mine. From the food to the family to the weather, it couldn’t have been more perfect! I am so happy you are joining me this morning for Saturday meanderings~a glimpse into the previous week’s activities.

The Turkey

We always buy a big turkey for this holiday. Whole Foods provided the 22 pound organic bird. When I picked it up, I asked if the butcher could break it down for us, however, the turkey (though fresh) was too frozen to cut it apart. This is the first Thanksgiving my son is able to convince me to try cooking it this way. So Benjamin (a big, strong guy) googled how to break down this bird and I can say, it isn’t for weaklings. So happy he is home to do this!

Again, we used the dry brining method on the turkey 2 days prior to cooking. This year we added a different dry brine recipe that has many more spices.

I can honestly say this is the BEST TURKEY EVER! Cooking a 22 lb. turkey took 2.5 hours. And it is delicious! Moist breast, crispy skin, perfectly cooked thighs….just yummy.

Here is the link to the Bon Appetit recipe in case you want to try this. Also, I highly recommend you have your butcher break down the bird or find a handsome, strapping young fellow to do so.

The Table

The weather has been very chilly (for us) in the mornings, but the day time temperatures are perfect. On Thanksgiving Day it was 71 degrees and we decided to set up the table outside on the back terrace. We’ve never eaten our holiday meal there, so it was very pleasant and gave us the space we needed.

My son’s girlfriend, Delaney did the lettering for the place cards. Aren’t they pretty? Calligraphy will be on list of new things to tackle in 2021. Anyone else want to do that?

The Cocktail

I love this picture so much that I thought I would share this cocktail. Created in the 1970s at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton, the Jungle Bird is a tropical rum cocktail featuring a bitter hint of Campari. Recipe below.

The Desserts

Our dessert selection includes pumpkin and cherry pie. My husband is responsible for the pumpkin as he has his “secret” recipe. The cherry recipe is straight from Oregon Fruit’s website. No fancy cakes this year.

Cashmere Problems

With the change in temperature, I find myself reaching for sweaters to wear in the morning. One of my favorite gray cardigan is cashmere and when I put it on I discovered dreaded moth eaten holes. I’ve never had moth damage in the closet before. Sadly, we also have a cedar closet and some of the items in there have moth damage too.

So after reading a blog post from Between Naps on the Porch, she suggested buying a cashmere bag to store your sweaters. I will try this and see if it works for the very few remaining cashmere sweaters that I have.

Christmas Jammies

As you well know, Christmas holiday decor and celebrations do not start here at Bella Terra until after Thanksgiving. In order to welcome in the new season, I just bought these fun red/white striped pajamas from Soma. The pants have pockets and a drawstring waist~so very comfortable. Even though these pajamas are featured in their catalog, I could not find them online. However, the store at the Biltmore Shopping Center does have them in stock. Plus Soma has an extensive collection of other pajamas online.

Family Photo Holiday Card

Does anyone else have difficulties getting the family together for a photo? At least this year we didn’t have to google how to set the timer and have someone run back to the group before the camera clicks! Anyway, it is time to write the family holiday letter and get the card created. The annual goal is to get cards in the mail by December 15th.

Well that wraps up the week. If you are a reader, please check out my post this week on Reading and Relaxing here. Please enjoy the last few days of November. The holiday decorating begins and next week I want to show you the gorgeous mantels my blogging friends created! Stay safe and warm!

During this time of year, I feel the struggle between the slower pace of autumn and the frenzy of the upcoming holidays. The rhythm of the seasons, the changing of the temperature, and the harvest are all reasons to stop, reflect, enjoy and to give thanks.

I long for the days where the start of Christmas was the day after Thanksgiving. The retail push gets earlier and earlier every year. Even though I do understand those wanting to be the first to share their Christmas design, decor and all things to buy, I miss the slower pace of just enjoying November. To see a previous post on my love for November, click here.

I love Thanksgiving because there are no gifts, just family, friends, food (and football if you like). Planning for the meal, creating a beautiful table setting and breaking bread together, makes it an extra special holiday. A time to reflect on the previous months of the year, a time to reflect on the blessings of life, a time to gather.

Thankful for my Community

Just a few days ago, our local police commander put out an appeal for turkey donations, as our food bank is short for Thanksgiving this year. A few members of our neighborhood board donated money and yesterday, my son and I went to Costco to buy frozen turkeys.

Unfortunately, when we arrived in the meat area, there is a sign indicating a maximum of 5 turkeys per customer. After speaking with a manager and the head of the meat department, we packed 16 turkeys into the shopping cart and headed to check out.

When we arrived at the police station, the reaction from Officer J.B. Klima is pure joy when he saw the trunk of my car filled with turkeys. It is heartwarming to see a big refrigerated truck in the parking lot of the police station filling with turkeys.

I am grateful to live in a neighborhood where people take an active role in caring for others and step up when there is a need. And what a fun experience for me to share with my son!

Thankful for My Health

During a year when health is top of mind for everyone, I am so grateful for my health and vibrance. Much of it has to do with genetics, but also I do try to take care of myself (for the most part). Naturally, there is always room for improvement, but having a positive attitude, remaining connected, eating correctly and exercising helps the situation.

There are many things you can do to feel better, look better and not get sick. If you haven’t read my blog post on 10 Tips on Aging Well, please do. Also, with flu season around the corner, please check out my 10 Tips to Stay Healthy. I wrote this before the pandemic, but it still applies. Together, let’s commit to a healthier 2021.

My Family and Friends

My family is my life. Raising 3 rather amazing children (if I don’t mind saying so) and having a life partner who supports me and all my interests, is the fiber of my being. On Thursday, everyone will be home for Thanksgiving and I am so excited to share time together.

Unfortunately, both my parents are gone, and my siblings don’t live nearby. But when we connect through phone calls and emails, I look back on my childhood fondly and am happy to have many years of fun memories with them.

What would we do without our girl friends? Last Saturday I spent a spontaneous day with my friend, Barb and it was balm for the soul. It’s been hard to really laugh this year, but we did and boy, it was exactly what we needed!

Thankful for You

I can honestly say that I love writing this blog. But often, after I press the SEND button, I have a moment of anxiety thinking that no one will read it, and no one will like it. However, you are the best subscribers anyone could have. Your kind comments and feedback are the food I need to just keep writing. Hearing that you’ve made one of my recipes or tackled a DIY project is music to my ears.

Plus, I am always so thrilled when you refer this blog to someone else. We all need to pull together, share beauty, and keep each other’s spirits up. An unexpected gift is that I have made many new friendships through blogging.

So as we approach Thanksgiving (with or without Christmas decorations), let’s take a moment and be still. Know I am thankful for you and grateful for all that God has given me. Sending warm hugs to you!