Do you know when you have one of those days that was just good for the soul?
Yesterday was one of those days.
Much in thanks to a beautiful friend who hosted the most lovely, intimate dinner party I have ever been invited to.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8373-768x1024.jpg)
The evening was filled with familiar voices of friends many of whom I had not see in nearly two years.
It was such a beautiful reunion, one that I am so grateful to have been invited to be a part of.
Speaking of being invited…
I was recently invited and interviewed as a guest on a new up and coming podcast! That was a first for me and turned out to be so fun!
I will share more details on the podcast once it is released in the New Year.
Stay tuned!
And in more exciting news?
I started decorating for Christmas this week.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Home-with-Heather-holiday-decor-inspiration-mantle-decor-768x1024.jpg)
The biggest reason, I like to decorate early for Christmas is for the simple fact that I like to enjoy it for as long as possible.
I also prefer to enjoy the process of unboxing the storage bins slowly. Working my way through them bit by bit, versus on high-speed all squished into one day.
In case you are wondering….
No, I am not pulling out all the red and green just yet.
I start decorating with the natural and neutrals, things that help to add the cozy into the season.
This week, I started with artificial trees and our mantle.
Can you guess what that led to?
Yes…flocking.
Flocking, a little more flocking and more fun DIY budget decor!
Oh friend…in the midst of beginning to decorate, I discovered two super simple Holiday Decor DIY’s that I am super excited to share with you!
You probably remember, that last year I went flocking crazy with flocking all the trees.
And this year?
This year, I found a new easy peasy, no mess, simple two step recipe for flocking all the things that you are going to love!
This flock recipe, shared by my friend Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse blog could not be easier to add fake snow to your holiday decor.
I started with this artificial Christmas tree that I purchased 15 years ago from Frontgate.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/how-to-flock-a-christmas-tree-fake-snow-recipe-768x1024.jpg)
This tree has seen many lives.
And now?
It was ready to receive it’s holiday refresh in the form of fake snow.
Using the easy 2 ingredient recipe from Rachel, I placed a few scoops of this lightweight spackling in a separate container. (Be sure to use lightweight spackle.) I slowly added water until the mixture was of a mayonnaise consistency.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8208_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
Then, using an old paint brush I began to paint the branches of the tree, starting at the top.
You can see me painting the fake snow and flocking the artificial tree here in this IG highlight.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/how-to-flock-a-christmas-tree-easy-flock-recipe-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8222-768x1024.jpg)
Once I had covered the Christmas tree with the flock, I let it dry in the sun for an hour.
The best part about this recipe is that there is no mess, or flakiness and you can keep adding more coats of flock depending on the look you want.
I added a light flock to this tree.
Once the flock had dried, she was ready to come inside.
I no longer care for the base of this artificial tree so I placed her inside an oversized basket.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8292-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8324-768x1024.jpg)
Remember, this is what we started with.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/how-to-flock-a-christmas-tree-fake-snow-recipe-1-768x1024.jpg)
I love how adding a light layer of flocking to this old tree has brought it back to life and added such a cozy Winter vibe to our family room already, without any ornaments.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/flocked-artificial-christmas-tree-how-to-flock-a-tree-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8326_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
Of course, if you were around here for the holiday season last year, then you already know that…flocking leads to more flocking.
I selected these tiny trees as my next flock victims.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8300-768x1024.jpg)
It took 10 minutes to flock these four small artificial tress and I could not be happier with the way it revived and refreshed the look of these older trees from years past.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8432-768x1024.jpg)
Before I washed my flocking paintbrush, I flocked these these pinecones by lighting brushing the outter edges.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8213-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8465_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
Just a little hint of fake snow immediately brightened up these otherwise plain-jane pinecones.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8433_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
What’s that you asked?
You want to know about those metallic Christmas ornaments in that bowl above?
Oh I am so glad you asked friend.
You are going to love this easy DIY on how to make faux mercury glass ornamaments.
Mercury Glass Ornament DIY
I was inspired by this post from another blogger and her easy DIY mercury glass ornaments.
After reading her inspiring holiday ornament DIY, I immediately went downstairs and pulled out these clear ornaments that I have held on to for years after purchasing them for our annual Christmas Caroling holiday party as a craft to keep the kiddos entertained.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8243-1024x768.jpg)
Needless to say, I had several clear plastic and glass ornaments left over, so this mercury glass ornament DIY was calling my name LOUDLY!
Even better?
All I needed was a little vinegar and spray paint.
Let’s do this!
First, we removed all the tops to the ornaments.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8246-768x1024.jpg)
Next, we dropped 4 drops of vinegar into each ornament.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8438-712x1024.jpg)
Then, in a well ventilated area, we sprayed 2-3 sprays of this Rust-oleum hammered silver spray paint directly into the ornament. We sprayed 2 sprays for the smaller sized ornaments and 3 sprays for the larger ornaments.
(TIP: For best results use the spray paint that says “hammered” on the can.)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mercury-glass-diy-holiday-ornament-inspiration-768x1024.jpg)
Immediately after spraying the hammered spray paint (simply choose a hammered spray color you want to go with your holiday decor) we sprayed 4 sprays of this Rust-oleum Mirror Effect spray paint.
(This mirror effect comes in silver or gold, we used silver for our ornaments.)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/how-to-make-mercury-glass-ornaments-768x1024.jpg)
After you have sprayed 2-3 sprays of the hammered spray paint in the color of your choosing and followed that up with 4 sprays of the mirror effect spray paint, you want to start turning the ornament over in your hand to allow the vinegar and spray paint to mix.
Lastly, using a hairdryer, we blew warm air into the hole of the ornament for 60 seconds, while still turning the ornament over in our hand.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mercury-glass-diy-how-to-make-mercury-glass-ornaments-768x1024.jpg)
We laid them out to dry as we continued the process, one by one.
You can see a few finished faux mercury glass ornaments on the left of the picture below, while the other clear ornaments waited their turn in line for their holiday make-over.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8253-1024x768.jpg)
*Of note, I had both plastic and glass ornaments on hand. The glass ornaments worked the best for this DIY mercury glass ornament. Also, you do not want to spray too much of the hammered spray paint into the ornament. For best results, use 2-3 sprays of the hammered spray paint in the color of your choice, followed by 4 sprays of the mirror effect spray paint.
(You can watch my DIY steps in real time here on this Instagram highlight.)
An hour of DIY magic later…this tray of forgotten clear ornaments was transformed from this:
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8243-1-1024x768.jpg)
To this!
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8338_jpg-1024x768.jpg)
And now?
I am SUPER excited to start decorating with these dollar store ornaments turned faux mercury glass masterpieces!
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/how-to-make-mercury-glass-ornaments-dollar-store-diy-768x1024.jpg)
For right now?
I have them simply sitting in a bowl near our fireplace.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8430_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
Speaking of fireplace…I have to tell you about my favorite new artificial Christmas tree that is perfect for just about any small nook in your home.
I picked up this small, artificial Christmas tree from Home Depot this week when I popped in to pick up the spray paint to make the mercury ornaments.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8423-768x1024.jpg)
I fell in love with the basket that it comes in.
You can see my tree up close here on instagram stories from when I shared it earlier this week.
Right now, this little space in our home is about the extent to how far I am along in my Christmas decorating. I love how this new little tree nestles right into the hearth of the fireplace.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/favorite-artificial-christmas-tree-holiday-decor-inspo-768x1024.jpg)
This tree would also be perfect in a child’s bedroom, hallway, entryway, even on small end table in a corner to add height and light to an otherwise dark space.
And friend?
In case you are already starting to feel the faint yet familiar ripple of holiday stresses begin to awake and flinch inside your stomach?
Do not be fooled.
Do not believe the lie that you think everyone else is on the ball.
The lie that everyone has already checked off all the boxes and now you are somehow already…behind.
You. Are. Just. Right.
Right…with wherever you are.
Here is a glimpse into real life.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8421-768x1024.jpg)
Right now?
There are bits and pieces everywhere.
And it kind of makes me feel everywhere too.
But?
What I am finding power in lately is fighting off the feeling of “overwhelm” by heading in the exact opposite direction of where I used to go.
In the past, when I would begin to feel overwhelmed with the daily ceaseless ceremony of never ending “need to’s” I would hurry up, run harder, faster, multi-task Mommin’ was my name and I wore no shame.
But now?
Instead of hurrying up…I slow down.
And everything and everyone is better for it.
Now, when the wave of overwhelm starts to stir, kick up and rattle it’s cage like an animal demanding to feast on it’s daily meal of my own sanity served up on a silver platter…
Now?
I serve that overwhelm that always demands seconds and third helpings from me…a taste of it’s own poison…turned upside down.
I meet the overwhelm, look it straight in the eye as I shake it’s hand and introduce it to underwhelm.
I sneak attack it from underneath, where my roots grow deep in the Truth and up-end it and lay that lie on it’s backside.
No overwhelm you will not win…not today.
No, I will not scurry and hurry for you anymore, every time you shake your cage and tell me I am behind and that I need to feed the beast of hustle and keeping up.
Instead?
When you go high, I will go low.
I will seek to understand the value of my precious right now minutes and re-prioritize what truly matters.
I will self select a purposeful poise of slowing down internally and refuse to robotically respond to the dictational noise of chaos from the outside world that shouts at me to hurry up.
Case in point?
Yesterday, I had a long list of to-do’s and lot of un-done’s left on my desk.
But when the kids bounded off the bus from an early dismissal?
My husband, Shawn and I announced we were going on a family hike.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8351-1-1024x768.jpg)
My mind was starting to feel overwhelmed and I knew I needed to fight the battle of overwhelm by going in the opposite direction of hurried and harried action.
Going under the grace place of God’s hand that is in control instead of over and over the list and worries that want to keep me cycling.
I chose stillness and centeredness instead of hurry and worry.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_1216-768x1024.jpg)
Sometimes, doing the opposite of what we have always done, moving in the opposite direction of where our old habits tell us to go….it moves us into new places and introduces new strategies necessary to breathe in a world that is spinning and headed right into the center of chaos.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8354-768x1024.jpg)
Friend, sometimes I think we pick up the sword of “muchness” to fight our way to through the daily battlefield of proving our enoughness.
Much like worrying too much.
Much like hurrying too much.
Much like forcing too much.
Buying too much.
Fill in the blank ______TOO MUCH.
Just to be enough, have enough, DO ENOUGH.
I love how Ruth Chou Simons says it in her latest book.
The question is not:
“Am I good enough?”
The question is:
“Am I good with God being enough?”
Ruth Chou Simons – When Strivings Cease
It really is the question that will take the weapon right out of the grip of the overwhelm that tries to take us overboard…especially right now…at the sound of the starting gates of the holiday season.
Take hold of Hope…you can go UNDER His great and detailed care any time the anxious worries and stressed our scurries start to steer you sideways.
The opposite of a worn out, hustled heart is a filled up, stilled heart paused in the awe of thanks for the One who created it all.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8348-768x1024.jpg)
Local Friends!!
Join me for my first ever Home with Heather DIY Home Decor workshop at Aroma Candles on November 30th from 6-8 pm!
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8455_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
We will spend one hour making a 12×12 moss wall art basket and the other hour selecting from over 80 scents to pour and create your own candle!
Perfect for a girl’s night during the holiday season!
Tickets are almost sold out!!!
Reserve your spot HERE!
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG_8436-557x1024.jpg)
Hope to see you there!
Dear God,
Nothing compares to how great You are.
Today, please strengthen our faith and expand our vision to see and feel that You alone are enough. Draw us closer and closer so that we may walk with You and understand that our hopes and dreams are just small glimpses into your even greater plan for us.
Help us to trust in You, especially when our minds are overwhelmed.
Amen.
Living on a prayer,
Heather
Shop my favorite Christmas Decor by simply clicking on any image to be taken to the product website for online ordering:
*Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used at no additional cost to you.
. Sometime I will get brave and flock my tree. I voted for you..Happy T day.
Loved your post. Sometime I will get brave and flock my tree. I voted for you..Happy T day.
Loved your post. Sometime I will get brave a flock my tree. I voted for you..Happy T day.
Thank you for voting for me Melinda!! You are the BEST!!!
Thank you so much Melinda!!