Cleverly Simple® : Recipes & DIY From Our Farmhouse

This post was sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust Mortgage.  All opinions are my own. When we bought our farmhouse, most would have thought we were crazy. Looking at our bathroom renovation and the before and after pictures, I can see why. The carpet was probably enough to make anyone think they should run.  However, with lots of planning and patience, we now have a beautiful space.  It’s exciting to buy a house and then create the home that fits your style.  And while a renovation project is a lot of work, the reward is truly worth it. I thought […]

This gal loves a good spinach dip! There are many recipes out there, but to me, this one is the BEST. I created this recipe because although there isn’t a spinach dip I don’t like, none of them were the ultimate. Some were not quite creamy enough and others were lacking a bit in texture or flavor. Just one afternoon in the kitchen with a little of this and a little of that produced what I believe to be the BEST spinach dip out there. Sour cream, Greek yogurt and mayonnaise make it triple creamy. Shredded carrots and water chestnuts […]

If you’ve ever thought of refinishing an heirloom, stop right there and think no further. Learning how to strip and refinish furniture can be intimidating.  Below you’ll find my step by step instructions on how you can refinish furniture to it’s original beauty. Transforming a historical piece of furniture into a preserved beauty could not be easier with today’s woodworking tools, penetrating stains and choice of varnishes. So what keeps people from refinishing down to the bare wood? Well, it’s time, my friends. It’s always going to be easier and quicker to rough sand a piece and apply a fresh […]

I  delight in this easy homemade granola recipe. There is something about that crunchy wholesome cereal that just gets to me. I could literally eat it anytime of the day and for any reason. Buy what exactly is traditional granola? Rolled oats and sweetener baked until crisp and served with milk, fruit, yogurt or eaten plain as you hike up a mountain. Granola had its beginnings in 19th century America, but it really became popular during the hippie movement when fruits, nuts and all things good were added. Perhaps you’ve heard of the organic and natural “crunchy mama” stereotype? Yep, […]