We lucked out with some really nice warm weather recently and took full advantage to knock out a to-do list of outdoor chores. The landscaping was cleaned up, trimmed back, and prepped for winter. The entire house was washed. All the outdoor furniture was cleaned and covered until next spring, and I even crossed a few indoor chores off the list before the busyness of the holidays arrive. 

Here are the top tasks you’ll want to complete for your home before the cold weather sets in:

FALL CLEANING CHECKLIST:

– download printable checklist here –

YOU MIGHT NEED:

1. I have this lawnmower cover, this grill cover, this deep sofa cover (currently 20% off), and this outdoor dining table cover (currently 22% off with an additional coupon available).
2. This leaf blower with a rechargeable battery clears all the leaves off my deck and grass clippings off my sidewalks. 
3. This hedge trimmer runs off the same rechargeable battery as the leaf blower, which is super convenient. I have multiple batteries so I can always keep one or two charging while I work.

WINDOW CLEANING TIPS:

This is the method I use, and it works like a charm. 

1. Check to make sure all windows are tightly closed and locked. Mix 1-2 tablespoons dish soap in a bucket of warm water. 
2. Spray the exterior of the window with a hose to wet the surface. Use a mop (I have this one) to scrub the window with the dish soap mixture. This will get all the dirt and grime off the glass. Spray the window again to rinse off the soap.
3. Mix white vinegar with water (around a 1:4 ratio) in a spray bottle. Spray the window with the vinegar solution, and use a squeegee to remove the liquid, wiping the tool on a lint free cloth as needed.

When you tackle the checklist, tag me on Instagram @lizlovegrowswild so we can all keep each other motivated to finish!

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price remains the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

STAY CONNECTED:

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The post Fall Cleaning Checklist appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

Last winter I shared a recipe for this amazing Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin, and every time I make it, this is the rice side dish I serve. I think I accidentally bought multiple bottles of balsamic vinegar and was trying to come up with different ways to use it, and both these recipes ended up being home runs and feel like warm, satisfying comfort food during the cold weather months.

If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, wild rice is a delicious side all on its own. It’s earthy and nutty and so good served with any kind of meat. But the balsamic marinated mushrooms really make this recipe pop, adding a savory tang and really bulking up the dish to make it super satisfying. I hope you enjoy the recipe!

Wild Rice with Balsamic Marinated Mushrooms

 

PRINT

Author: Liz Fourez

INGREDIENTS

• 16 ounces fresh mushrooms (I use white button mushrooms)
• 1 cup wild rice (I like Lundberg brand or Rice Select Royal Blend)
• 1½ cups chicken broth (or amount of liquid specified on rice package)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 
  
• Marinade:
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 
  

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 and line a baking pan with foil lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the mushrooms by wiping them clean with a damp paper towel. Slice the mushrooms in half or large mushrooms into quarters. Place in a large bowl and add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Gently toss until all mushrooms are well coated and allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
3. Transfer the mushrooms to the lined baking pan and roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, add chicken broth to a large pot and bring to a boil. Add wild rice, butter and ½ teaspoon salt to the broth and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and cover with a lid, cooking the rice for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and allow to rest for 5 more minutes with the lid on to finish cooking.
5. Add the roasted mushrooms and any liquid on the baking pan to the wild rice and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3.5.3251

The post Wild Rice with Balsamic Marinated Mushrooms appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

I’ve been making little changes in my home office recently and owe you an update on what I’ve been up to. It all started with finding my dream desk (more on that later), rearranging the entire room, getting rid of a ton of old furniture and things that no longer have a purpose, and adding plenty of really pretty storage. 

With all the rearranging, I ended up with space by a window to create a little seating area and have been working on making my new little reading nook feel extra cozy. Here are 5 elements for creating the perfect Cozy Reading Nook:

THE PERFECT COZY CHAIR

– click any photo to shop –

SIDE TABLE FOR STORAGE

– click any photo to shop –

SOFT LIGHTING

– click any photo to shop –

BLANKET TO CURL UP WITH

– click any photo to shop –

BOOKS TO INSPIRE

– click any photo to shop –

SHOP MY OFFICE

– click any photo to shop –

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price remains the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

STAY CONNECTED:

Our Store: Grow + Gather
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The post How to Create a Cozy Reading Nook appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

I’m always looking for ways to inspire those familiar feelings of fall – the smell of fresh baked pumpkin bread, the warmth inside our homes, the cozy oversized sweatshirts, the perfect cup of coffee, the crunch of leaves underneath our feet… 

I love everything about this season, and I hope you enjoy the items I curated for you below. 

SHOP THE EDIT:

1. Cozy Knit Throw Blanket – the softest, most stretchy blanket I’ve bought in a long time

2. Pumpkin Bread 16oz Candle – clean-burning, American-made soy candles in the perfect fall scent

3. Plum Purple Cimicifuga Ramosa Leaves – the perfect dark, moody, dramatic fall branch

4. Hammered Metal Waste Can – just got this for my office!

5. Modern Taper Candles – I love the unexpected soft taupe color (Dove) of these taper candles

6. Antiqued Bronze Metal Vase – the perfect rustic touch for your fall decor

7. Cottonwood Plaid Wool/Cotton Rug – wood & plaid just scream fall to me, but it’s neutral/simple enough to keep out year round

8. Marc Fisher Garina Bootie – coveted & high quality – currently 33% off!

9. Oversized Half-Zip Pullover – comes in dozens of other colors too & is currently almost 25% off!

10. Washed Cotton Velvet Throw Pillow – comes in 7 yummy fall shades of tan/orange/brown

11. 8-Piece Teak Wood Cooking Utensil Set – perfect for nonstick cookware, and the wood color is so rich and warm

12. Harvest Reed Grass Arrangement – such pretty natural texture, and the vase is included!

I have the washed cotton velvet throw pillow styled on my sofa in the color “dark brown”. 

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price remains the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

STAY CONNECTED:

Our Store: Grow + Gather
Shop my Posts | Shop my Amazon Store
Join our Community | Follow on Instagram 
Follow on Pinterest | Follow on Facebook

The post The October Edit | 2023 appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect time to embrace the beauty of autumn, turn up your curb appeal, and transform your porch into a warm invitation for guests. 

Confession: Many years in the past, I’ve spent way too much money filling my front porch with fresh mums and boatloads of beautiful pumpkins – especially the light pastel varieties with soft green, blue, and peach coloring. 

Fast forward a month or two and everything is dead or dying, and I’m bummed about spending all that money that goes to waste. 

SHOP FALL WREATHS & DOORMATS:

This year I only want to invest in fall porch decor I can use year after year, and the two easiest ways to do that are wreaths & doormats. I’ve paired 10 different wreath & doormat combinations to help get some ideas flowing, but really any of these could be used together. I hope this helps inspire you to create the coziest entrance to your home that can be enjoyed for months and years to come, and I’d love to see photos of your front porches all dressed up for the season!

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

wreath | doormat

Look how little Lady was this year…

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price remains the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

STAY CONNECTED:

Our Store: Grow + Gather
Shop my Posts | Shop my Amazon Store
Join our Community | Follow on Instagram 
Follow on Pinterest | Follow on Facebook

The post 10 Simple Ways to Decorate Your Porch for Fall appeared first on Love Grows Wild.