A Morning Cup of Joe: Cozy Finds, Creative Ideas and a Little Weekend Inspiration

Oh my goodness…all the peanut butter and chocolate goodness of those classic little cookies without having to roll a single cookie! These easy bars even tuck chocolate chips into the peanut butter base before those iconic Hershey’s Kisses go on top. Yes please!

This is comfort food just waiting for a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Tender fresh pears are topped with a crunchy combination of oats, brown sugar and walnuts…simple, cozy and just begging to be made when those first crisp Fall days arrive.

Before we say goodbye to summer…we absolutely need another bowl of watermelon! The combination of juicy sweet watermelon, fresh mint and salty feta sounds unexpected at first, but those flavors work beautifully together for a wonderfully refreshing summer dish.

Rich…buttery…caramel-y…creamy…do I really need to continue? This traditional South African Fudge takes a little patience, but the silky texture and old-fashioned flavor certainly sound worth every minute.

Sometimes a little shortcut is exactly what we need! These adorable Mini Eclairs use store-bought ladyfingers, creamy pudding and chocolate frosting to create a sweet little treat that looks much fussier than it actually is. Perfect for tea time, showers, parties…or Tuesday afternoon!

Now THIS is how we start sneaking a little Fall into the house! Dried sunflower heads, eucalyptus and other natural elements give this unusual square wreath a wonderfully moody seasonal feel…and I especially love that the project encourages us to reuse what we already have.

When it is still blazing hot outside but your heart says FALL…you decorate anyway! This cozy Autumn Hoosier is filled with seasonal inspiration and is just the kind of thing that makes me want to pull out a pumpkin or two…or twelve.

You know how much I love a project that makes you look twice at something headed for the thrift store or recycling bin! A salvaged glass light globe and even a recycled plastic lid are cleverly transformed into a decorative lantern…proof once again that the most unexpected pieces can have another life.

A sweet handmade baby blanket that can be created in about an hour…now that is my kind of project! Add in an adorable little cowgirl theme and you have such a charming handmade gift for a very special new arrival.

Summer decorating doesn’t have to end at the front door! Debbie brings the coast indoors with her whimsical “Under the Sea” tree and beach-inspired living room decor…filled with aqua tones and plenty of seaside personality.

With August temperatures doing what August temperatures do…we will take every bit of help we can get! From blackout curtains to running heat-producing appliances later in the day and even using climbing plants for natural shade, there are some practical ideas here for helping your home stay cooler without making the A/C do absolutely everything.

Here is a wonderful one for the Littles in our lives! This Summer Spotlight is packed with simple STEM and STEAM inspired play that encourages children to experiment, ask questions, build, compare and discover…without requiring a cart full of expensive supplies. They are all so pricey and being able to do it yourself is wonderful!

How incredibly whimsical are these! Simple air-dry clay domes become little jellyfish and colorful glass beads form the flowing tentacles…creating a charming piece of handmade coastal decor that could be customized in so many different ways. Wish Clair was my teacher in school… she would have amazing bulletin boards don’t you think?

Well hello there, little guy! A simple clay pot becomes an adorable Dollar Tree frog garden decoration…a cheerful little project that would be so much fun tucked among the flowers or sitting on the porch.

Oh my goodness…this looks like summer in a glass! Fresh watermelon and lime come together in this cool and refreshing Agua Fresca Punch that is perfect for these warm August days. I can just picture a big pitcher of this sitting on the porch…yes please!