Simply Home by Beth

Simply Home by Beth

Style a shelf, Style a room

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Photo from @lizmariegalvan

Do you shy away from shelf-styling?

Afraid you just can’t “do” what the Creatives “do” on Instagram, or Pinterest?

Then stand in line, my friend!

You’re not the first to feel that way.

Personally, I can’t walk past a hutch or a shelf without thinking of ALL that I could do with it, and it excites me to no end, just thinking of the possibilities running through my head… then, I look at my pile of cups and saucers, vases, baskets, linens and “odd stuff”, wondering how I collected so many mismatched wonders, and most importantly, WHY?!!

photo from @lizmariegalvan

Here’s the “thing,” the reason I love styling…

In my home, I create vignettes, cozy corners, comfy furniture groupings and arrangements, walls filled with art and nubby textiles on the floor, because they make a cold, empty room feel “warm”, inviting and welcoming. A view, a room, a house, that feels. like. Home.

This year, this new 2026, I’m giving myself permission to “add” the patterns, textures and colors I’ve shied away from, playing it “safe” for the past five years we’ve lived in this house.

For years, I’ve considered “resale” and what is “marketable”…and being yourself, my friend, has never been marketable, unless you find a kindred spirit. I have decided to “nest” at home, dig in and make her mine!

How about you? are you adventurous with color, textures and patterns, or does it scare you?

This is the year, to try. To get at it. To see what I can do… if I try something that doesn’t have the effect I wanted, I need only to paint over it and try again.

You may have noticed that the two photos above are from Lizmariegalvan, her blog, and are photos of her home, an 1800’s farmhouse in Michigan. I so admire her appreciation of her home’s history and how she honors its original character. Colorful and curated collections fill her home with youthful energy and a vibrance that I admire. Her home is joyful, and I want others to feel that way when they enter my home as well.

This photo will be more “joyful” with new pillows and something else? Haven’t decided!

A new rug from Chris loves Julia, gave us the opportunity to turn and rearrange the furniture, which opened the room visually, making it feel spacious.

The above seating arrangement is in my “kitchen”, technically referred to as a hearth room. I would prefer a traditional family room, separated from the kitchen seating area. Rearranging the furniture opened the room tremendously, making me feel a bit ashamed that I hadn’t tried it before….

What have you tried at home, that was an instant WIN?

or a flop?

Would love to hear from you, really, just drop a comment in the comment section so I can answer,

and let’s chat!

xx,

Seeds and Snow

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When do you plan your garden?

When the snow flies?

My father was an avid gardener, and an excellent teacher. When I was about six years old, he took me into Grandma’s large garden, and said, “we have work to do, and I want you to be my helper.”

Patiently, he marked out the rows with 2 sticks and a string, hoed a narrow groove under the string, then handed me a small bag of seeds…

Planting Memories in the Garden

“Watch me”, he poked tiny holes under the string down the entire row. Following him, it was my turn to count out 3 tiny seeds and drop them into each hole, then covering them gently with just my finger.

A simple lesson that lasted a lifetime for me, and a memory that has never faded.

Years passed. Grandma’s garden was never neglected, but meticulously cared for by my father.

As I grew, I noticed his pattern of planning and preparation for the garden, and it began in January, of all things! Though the ground was frozen solid and covered with snow, he started his new-year-mornings studying the new annual edition of the Burpees’ Seed Catalog.

At the kitchen table, with his coffee cup beside him and the catalog in front of him, he literally leaned forward over the table carefully studying each “new” seed available for our “growing zone”.

Vintage garden goods, a view I never get tired of.

Another lesson followed.

“Why are you getting seeds in the middle of Winter?”

Farmers work all year. People want to eat all year. Planning ahead is important, crops take time to plant, grow, then harvest, you can’t wait until the last minute. (Ha! he knew his helper so well:))

Today, I still have his old hoe, his favorite shovel with the handle duct-taped together, and a love of gardening and old farmhouses that I can’t quite explain…it seems to be a favorite part of me.

Watch. Follow me. You can do it. Good job!

My friend, as always, I thank you for reading…I truly wanted to talk about gardening, thinking ahead, how crucial it is to plan; but memories flooded over me, and it all came back to my “teacher”, my example for life, my father.

That happens often, with me. Still.

I hope that planting hydrangeas counts as gardening; oh! and I plant an herb kitchen garden, and always, I combine annuals and perennials for seasonal, consistent color in my landscaping. I’m not using Dad’s tools, but I am living out the lessons he taught me, and I’m grateful for that.

Happy almost planting time, buy good seeds and watch your zone…

Now, go play in the dirt!

xx,

Lemon Cream Pound Cake

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YOU’VE GOT TO TRY THIS!!

Quick question: What goes better with Summer than lemons?

You don’t have to think too long or too hard to come up with that answer, lemon tarts, lemon pie, lemonade and lemon garnishes on everything.

Also, lemons are yellow, which is THE “it” color of 2025 !

I found this recipe on Pinterest, and I’m sharing it with you… (just because)…because I haven’t made it yet, but plan to over the July 4th holiday.

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Gather your fresh lemons, and get ready to pucker…

Here we go…

Print Recipe

Creamy Lemon Pound Cake

A fluffy cake, both tart, sweet and creamy in the middle. Summer's best friend!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 10
Calories 315 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 oven
  • 1 springform pan
  • mixing bowls, spoons, measuring spoons and cups
  • 1 mixer, or hand mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz full fat cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 C confectioners' sugar
  • 3 Tbs. unsalted butter melted, and slightly cooled
  • 1 lg egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • Zest of one lemon
  • 2 tbs lemon juice freshly squeezed

For the cake

  • 2/3 C. flour spooned and leveled
  • 1/3 C. white , granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 C. unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 lg eggs
  • zest of 2 small or 1 large lemon
  • 2 tbs lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla or vanilla bean paste

For garnish:

  • additional icing, or confectioners' sugar, lemon slices, thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat to 325* F. not fan assisted
  • Prepare an 8-inch springform pan by spraying with cooking spray and lining the bottom with a round of parchment paper. Place pan on a baking sheet and set aside.
  • Prepare the filling: In a large bowl with an electric beater or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the icing and beat for another 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until completely combined, about 1 minute. Add melted butter, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice. Beat until completely combined, about 1 minute. Set aside.
  • Prepare the cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk in melted and cooled butter, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla and lemon zest just until combined. Do not over-mix.
  • Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared springform pan. Spread to the edges and level batter. Very carefully and a bit at a time, pour the cheesecake filling into the center of the cake, spreading it to within about 1/2 inch of the edges of the pan, leaving that 1/2 inch around the outside rim with just bare cake batter visible.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the outside edges of the cake is light golden and the center of the cake is set. You can test with a cake tester around the outside edges but not the center, as it is mostly cream cheese. You want the center to be set, so you can test by moving the pan a little to see how jiggly the center is.
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and carefully remove the outer ring. Allow to cool completely at room temperature for 1 hour, then transfer to a serving plate and refrigerate to chill before serving.
  • To serve, serve chilled, with a little sprinkling of icing/confectioner's sugar.
Keyword lemons, flour, eggs, cream cheese, sugar, dessert

Please let me know, in the comments, if you intend to make this dessert, or if you have made one similar.

My husband loves all things sour, (I’m talking about FOOD things!!), so he will love this for sure!

Happy baking !

xx,

Treat yourself with flowers!

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Feels funny?… that’s okay, I buy my own, and I’m not mad about it!

Why wait until February to be your own Valentine ?

This year…I suppose you’ll fuss over all of your “people” but neglect yourself, it seems to be a common trait for women, especially wives and mothers alike.

This morning, I was at the grocery store admiring their early Spring blooms, at a reasonable cost…sadly, I did not buy them today, I focused on the grocery list, but now that I know where they are, I’ll be back to bring them home.

How do you feel about Garden Centers?

Personally, I love them!

Despite the fact that today is a true January chill-fest, I enjoy buying the “starts” of the Spring bulbs at stores such as Lowe’s, Home Depot and local garden centers. I group bulbs together, plant them in an ironstone bowl or clay pot, top them with moss, and transplant them when the ground is warmer. For me, this is the best gift to give myself after a long, cold Winter…a bit of Spring in a pot.

Photo of last year’s lilies in a clay garden pot, topped with moss.

Would you like to see some of my craft ideas for Spring? I have several craft projects, all moderately easy, that involve clay pots! Let me know in the comments, and we’ll move forward from there.

Tiny seed pots are used in a Seasonal Garden wreath…an easy craft, would you like to learn how to make your own?

Remember friend, if buying or receiving flowers makes you feel happy, special or loved, buy yourself the flower arrangement, or in my case, a few budding bulbs from the grocery store. I see no harm in treating myself the way I would treat someone else…

Someone special.

Someone I care about,

Someone like you,

remember that friend!

Have the best day, keep your nose in your grocery list, then go back for the fun….

Enjoy!

xx,

I’m still hanging on…

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to this last bit of Christmas decor…my iron doorstop, Frosty the Snowman.,

Wouldn’t you?

Do you “delay” the packing up and putting away of Christmas every year, or maybe just this year? Just this ONE time?

I am still hanging on.

I’ve been dragging my feet this year for several reasons. Mind you, my “reasons” are valid, not to be confused or mistaken as “excuses”!

In this Pinterest and Instagram world, the expectation is that we sweep Christmas away at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve…really? This year, too tired to party, I was in bed at 8:30 pm on New Year’s Eve, and not the least bit curious about the happenings in Nashville or Times Square, I knew the world would continue to turn without me, this one night, this one time, this one year.

The following day, an Amazon delivery changed my mind…

On January 2, our new rugs had arrived, and I eagerly moved furniture and a small tree to make room for the rug. The tree and I walked into the above chandelier knocking ornaments and bulbs everywhere, let’s just say I knew better than to “hurry” the process.

This girl was tired, but determined.

What about you? Apparently, there is a very real sense of “let down” or depression after holidays, I believe it is directly related to exhaustion.

So, rest up friend, because we are now looking forward to the Super Bowl, which is a food/drink related event, Valentine’s Day, Easter and Spring/Gardening in general. The next few months are filled with opportunities to host, to create, to share and gather with friends and loved ones.

Recipes, crafts and a DIY or two will follow.

Are you ready?!!Let me know in the comments what you’d like to talk about, which holiday, which part of entertaining or hosting you’d like to cover.

Remember, it’s the people, friends and loved ones around us that will make this year, this month or very moment worth remembering.

Today, it is January 8th, 2026, and I’m still thrilled with my kitchen transformation, the millwork, paint and wallpaper I added, which by the way, looks great with the rugs I just mentioned! We have more plans for this year, a new shower and flooring for the Primary Bath and Bedroom, more wallpaper in a bedroom or two, or three! will keep you posted.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been helping my brother with his new house in choosing/selecting wallpaper, paint and carpeting for the interior. The exterior just needs new fixtures, paint and a new front door…. why? Because every “Welcome” begins at the front door…it is so important (to me, perhaps you don’t worry about those things, but they keep me up all night) 🙂

Pinterest photo

Side Note Rambling: a new front door has been on my wish list for FIVE years…hoping 2026 is THE year for my own “Welcome Home”.

Let me start this new year by thanking you from the bottom of my heart, your encouragement, support and presence mean everything to me. From my Simple Home to yours, and from my family to yours, I wish you well this new year.

Blessings,

xx,

Focused on the Future

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His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. Matthew 10: 29-31

Welcome January.

Welcome 2026, we’re expecting great things from you!

I suppose you’re wondering why you’re looking at a photo of a tiny bird, a sparrow.

I’ve long had a love of and fascination for birds, not really all birds, but the tiny brown sparrow has always been my favorite. The fact that they are mentioned in the Bible is just a bonus!

And how does a small sparrow fit into January’s plan?

When I think of the new year approaching, the many aspects of it all, I realize there is fear in the uncertainty of life. People want to know; they want to plan and prepare for whatever may come their way. There is a saying, from whom, I don’t remember, that states, “We cower at the threshold of change.”

Unlike any new year that I can remember, this year has so many people shaken. Disease, poverty, job loss or instability, the fuel prices, the supply chain, vaccinations, mandates, our children ‘s education, or lack of education, company’s closing due to a lack of products or employees, empty shelves at the grocery stores…. did I forget anything? I’m sure you can add more to the list!

Oddly enough, I have not jumped on to the “panic wagon”! I’m well aware of the discontent and worries from people around me. Perhaps they’re younger, and new to a life uncertain, unplanned and unexpected.

I understand.

I also know that, like the tiny sparrow, God himself is keeping an eye on me, and on you too, my friend!

Come what may, I believe with all that is in me, that we are loved, cherished and protected… all we need to do is to simply “ask”. This is how He cares for the sparrow, and the Scripture says, “and I know He watches me.”

How Great is His Love for Us!

My New Year’s wish for you all, is that I hope you can accept that Love for yourself. I want you to know His Peace in your life. Remember, God is greater than the world, than Satan himself, we have nothing to fear. Nothing.

Many Blessings and Happy New Year! and may I add a heartfelt thank you for your presence here, on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest…your presence is “taken” by me as support, and without that I’d certainly have nothing to write about, let alone share with you.

This year, know that you are appreciated, you are loved and valued…and who could have a “bad year” knowing that?

Happy 2026, friend!

xx,

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Style a shelf, Style a room

Photo from @lizmariegalvan Do you shy away from shelf-styling? Afraid you just can’t “do” what the Creatives “do” on Instagram, or Pinterest? Then stand in line, my friend! You’re not the first to feel that way. Personally, I can’t walk past a hutch or a shelf without thinking of ALL that I could do with…

Continue Reading Style a shelf, Style a room

Seeds and Snow

When do you plan your garden? When the snow flies? My father was an avid gardener, and an excellent teacher. When I was about six years old, he took me into Grandma’s large garden, and said, “we have work to do, and I want you to be my helper.” Patiently, he marked out the rows…

Continue Reading Seeds and Snow

Lemon Cream Pound Cake

YOU’VE GOT TO TRY THIS!! Quick question: What goes better with Summer than lemons? You don’t have to think too long or too hard to come up with that answer, lemon tarts, lemon pie, lemonade and lemon garnishes on everything. Also, lemons are yellow, which is THE “it” color of 2025 ! I found this…

Continue Reading Lemon Cream Pound Cake