love with sprinkles

no sirens involved

2010-05-29T05:55:00.001-07:00

This is what we were up to between 11 last night and 3 this morning. Because you always wanted to know, right? The call came shortly before 11 saying "Graham's doing well, but he is being transported (by ambulance) to a nearby hospital."

Warning: NOT PRETTY! If you are his mother or grandmother or queasy in any way, you may not want to look.

Like his new shorts? One of my first questions(after seeing that he was smiling being unloaded on his stretcher) was "are those your new jeans? They weren't. More on what went down later, I've only had a couple hours of sleep.

number four

2010-05-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

uh huh.12 weeks along.heard a tiny heardbeat this morning.so happy.

tweet, tweet

2009-11-04T20:20:00.000-08:00

My baby is turning 2 next week! So, of course I am turning my sadness about that into party planning! This post from Party Perfect is perfection! Tweet, tweet! {I am such a copy cat, I know} Late last night I was madly finishing invitations and tonight I had my girlfriend over here slaving over stuffed birds(as in fabric and cotton, not turkey and seasoned bread). Tomorrow I need birdhouses. And who thinks I can pull off the cake in the top photo?

penne rustica

2009-11-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

recipe and photo found here

Look at me! 2 posts in 1 day! I had to share this with you, I am just popping it into the oven for dinner and it is so yummy! Warning though, the recipe is HUGE!I made a few changes(in brackets) to suit our family's taste and what I had on hand. It took some time to prepare all the steps, but I probably ended up with at least 4 meals for our family.

Ingredients:

12 oz. grilled chicken breast (marinate in olive oil and garlic salt overnight, then grill on barbecue for best flavor)-{rotisserie chickens are my best friend}

½ pack thick bacon-{used whole package, who doesn't like more bacon?}

48 oz. (3 boxes) penne pasta-{I used rotini}

2 large red bell peppers- diced-{I used 4, I don't want to cook a separate vegetable, do you?}

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

½ tsp paprika
Gratinata Sauce:

2 tsp butter

2 tsp chopped garlic

1 cup marsala wine OR 1/3 cup apple juice + 2 tbsp red wine vinegar +enough chicken broth to equal 1 cup

1 tsp dijon or dry mustard

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chopped rosemary

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

8 cups heavy cream-{I used 4c.cream and 4c. half & half}
Directions:

Saute garlic in butter in large pan. Add marsala wine, mustard, salt, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and heavy cream.Cook pasta according to directions. Cook bacon. Slice chicken into medium-bite size pieces.Combine sauce, cooked pasta, diced chicken, cooked bacon, bell peppers, parmesan cheese, and paprika and mix thoroughly. Spread in pans. Top with chopped rosemary and mozzarella cheese.
Bake @ 475 for 10 minutes. If frozen, thaw in refrigerator the day of. Cover with foil and bake @ 375 for 1 hour. Remove foil during the last 15 minutes.

Number Of Servings: Yields one 8×8 and two 9×13 casserole dishes.

Preparation Time: More than an hour

olivia taps

2009-11-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

Olivia started taking tap lessons this fall. This is what we get to watch every Monday afternoon. I took this video through glass, so it looks a it funny.

winner winner!

2009-10-28T16:57:00.001-07:00

**Let's say I will pick a winner for the giveaway below on Friday morning**

-----------------------------------------------

UPDATED: All right girls, thanks for playing! The winner is...

km said...
would LOVE it!
October 26, 2009 10:04 AM

Please send me your mailing address and I will mail you your prize!

here again, and a giveaway! hip hip horay!

2009-10-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

I've had a bit of a break, haven't I? Besides the recipe, that is. Have you made that pie yet? You really should. mmmm. I realized this week I turned 1 over here! Blogging for a whole year. Not as frequently as I hoped or imagined, but I won't make excuses for that. Instead, I have a treat to share with you, well one of you anyway. I would like to give one of you a copy of Ultimate Cookies, (Better Homes and Gardens Special Publication) and a Wilton Cookie Scoop! I noticed the mag/book on the newsstands the other day and thought it would be perfect inspiration to start planning holiday baking. And the photo's are really pretty. So, leave a loving comment and in a few days I will pick a winner!

And in the meantime, let's hope that the 'scoots' pass through(no pun intended) my children quickly.

open apple pie

2009-10-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is for making pie, right? It is for me. I made 2 pumpkin yesterday and today I wanted to make apple. I found this recipe in The Mennonite Treasury of Recipes. Open Apple Pie. Did you notice the 1/2 cup of cream you pour over the pie just before baking? Yep, 35% cream. That's a Mennonite recipe for you. Delicious!

Open Apple Pie

9" unbaked pastry shell

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

4-5 large cooking apples

Mix flour and sugar and cover bottom of shell with this mixture. Arrange sliced apples over this and cover with the following:

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp cinnamon - I used 2

1/4 cup butter

Pour over all 1/2 cup cream. Bake at 350 until crust and top are golden brown.

a wallpaper quilt

2009-09-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have been following Kelli's blog for a long time now. Those of you who know me well, I am sure would agree that she and I are the same. Well, close anyway. She even has her own chickens! {smile} Today she posted the most beautiful quilt made with vintage fabrics and I just had to share it! Go to her blog and check out a few more photos. {she also has a few kits to make your very own for sale in her etsy shop}

feeling hopeful

2009-09-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

Kendra read the post from the other day and sent me this! Yay! There is hope for some good shots of Sadie! This one is pretty awesome, don't you think? {Click on the image to see a larger version.}

family photos

2009-09-20T08:51:00.002-07:00

Yesterday afternoon/evening we had some family photo's taken. I had pretty high expectations for these. When we arrived home and and I was not feeling too hopeful about how they will turn out, I realized something. To get really great photos, you really need to have willing participants, which we did not. Especially Sadie. Basically the entire time she was uncooperative, shrieking, and running away. What else should I have expected from a nearly 2 year old, right? So, here's to hoping! And here are some of the photo's Kendra took of our children last year.

picking dinner

2009-09-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

As in, not just choosing what to make for dinner, but literally going to my little back yard and picking these nice ripe green and yellow zucchini's along with fresh parsley, all for our pasta; that is rewarding. And fun.

checking it off

2009-09-01T21:08:00.001-07:00

Today is the first day of September and we are busy checking things off of our 'quick, we only have a few more days of summer left, what do we still want to do??!!' list. Yesterday we headed off to the beach with friends and today we ruled Tinkertown, a amusement park for the younger set. What's next? Definitely more beach, picnics, play dates home brewed herbal iced tea and ice-cream. Oh, and camping this weekend!

working on stuff

2009-08-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

One project is near finished, one is just beginning.

beans

2009-08-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

We have a lot of beans around here right now. today was an extra big haul(you can't really see in the photo, but I barely have my arm around them), but we have already picked double that. I made soup out of them yesterday, now I am thinking about freezing some of them to use later.

homemade granola bars

2009-08-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

Today Graham is off to a 8 hours race (mountain bike) which he is relaying with my brother, Josh. So, last night I made him some good for you, yummy granola bars to pack along.

Whole Grain Energy Chews (found here)

1/4 cup almonds, roughly chopped
2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped up
1/2 cup dried cranberries(I used dried sour cherries-yum!)
1/4 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup Red River Cereal or Bob's Red Mill 10 Grain Cereal
1/2 cup honey(I only used 1/4 cup, I have made them once before and found them to be a bit too sweet for us)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350, and toast the oats, almonds, and pumpkin/sunflower seeds on a baking sheet until just golden and fragrant. (Watch carefully, they burn quickly!)
Add the fruit and seeds to the oat and nut mixture. Mix well.
Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add cereal, stir and remove from heat. Allow to sit for 2 minutes.
Add peanut butter, honey, salt and vanilla to the pan and return to medium low, stirring often for 7 minutes. The mixture should start to shine and pull away easily from the sides of the pan. Stir constantly to avoid it sticking to the bottom. Do not overheat.
Add the warm peanut butter mixture to the oat mixture, and combine thoroughly. Press very firmly into an 8×8 glass or metal pan (place a piece of foil that matches the size of the pan on top and press with your hands.) Leave to rest for at least 2 hours. Cut in 36 small squares and freeze indefinitely, or refrigerate/wrap and keep at room temperature for up to a month. Since the ingredients are all non-perishable, they will likely go stale before they go “bad.”

old/new dining chairs

2009-08-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased 6 of these chairs off of a local buy/sell website. Beautiful, don't you think? I plan to spray them and re-upholster the seats. The fabric is nasty. I am thinking either white-ish or black for the frames (I have recruited a spray paint extraordinaire/friend to help with the frames-she does a much better job than I do armed with spray paint?) and have no idea what I want for fabric! I know that will be a tough decision for me, narrowing down the 20 or so fabrics I decide I love. Feel free to give advice...

some fashion help please

2009-08-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have this dress (it's from Old Navy) and I need shoes to wear with it. Preferrably inexpensive, not too high shoes. Can you help? I'd like to wear it to celebrate our 9th! anniversary coming up this Tuesday. By the way, this model in the photo makes the dress appear much hotter than it does on me; it looks more casual when I wear it.

home again home again jiggity jig

2009-08-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

We spent the last week in Calgary visiting my cousin and her children and yesterday we made the long long drive home. The trip went pretty well, if you cound a blown out tire as pretty well. Photos to come soon, hopefully. Today we brought the tire to be fixed, had lunch at grandma and grandpa's and then came home for long naps, lot's of laundry, and some brownie making. Feels good to be home again.

growing veggies

2009-08-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

Here is what our garden looks like these days. Or what it looked like 2 weeks ago when I took these photos.

Tomato bed-not really doing that well. I think the bed is just not deep enough for the plants. We'll have to fix that for next year. Anyway, all the plants are producing fruit.

Giant sugar snap peas growing all over my potato box. In fact, I gave up trying to add more boards to the potato box. Growing the peas on the box was a good idea, just not totally thought through. You can also see some carrots and some dill.

Rhubarb-thanks to my brother Luke. It's growing nicely, but will probably be more usable next year. I love rhubarb. Behind it are the cucumbers, purple cabbage and parsley that produces much faster than I can use it. Anyone want some?

Chives, onions, zucchini, butternut squash.

Beans, lettuce (pretty much done growing and being eaten for that matter), brussel sprouts (which I mostly planted because I was instigued by the way it grows. looks like we're going to have lots though, so I'll need to some up with some yummy ways to serve it) and more varities of tomatoes (these are doing way better that the others).

tressa's birthday

2009-08-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of this year I made a commitment to have homemade sibling gifts for all of our brothers and sisters this year? {We have a total of 10 between the 2 of us, including in-laws and 1 boyfriend} Well, Tressa's (Graham's sister) birthday sort of snuck up on me this weekend and since we were in the midst of packing to head out of town for awhile, I slacked a little. Here is the 'homemade' part of her gift. A moleskin journal wrapped cutely. And really, who wouldn't want a new moleskin journal?

I better get cracking on some more homemade gift ideas since 6 of the 10 birthday's are in the next 3 months!

our bags are packed and we're ready to go

2009-07-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

Me and my children are heading to Calgary this evening to visit family. We're super pumped to see them! We'll be gone for a week, then we'll be home for 2 days before we take Olivia off to kids camp for another week(almost). Busy, busy. Keep visiting here though, I have a few posts scheduled to appear while we're away. Keep me in your prayers too; the trip there takes 12-13 hours and I am driving it solo-eek!

toddler beds

2009-07-29T11:22:00.001-07:00

This is the coolest toddler bed I have ever seen! We have never used a toddler bed for our children, they have just been old enough to transition from a crib into a twin sized bed, but maybe Sadie will be a lucky girl and get to rest in a sweet bed like this diy one. Here are the instructions to make your own.

face plant

2009-07-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

Today at the park, Olivia was hanging upside-down on the monkey bars. She slipped. This is how she looks now. Poor girl. At least nothing is broken or in need of stitches.

graham's work

2009-07-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Go here and check out what my talented hubby has been up to, I believe he is being referred to as 'the young carpenter'. The homeowners brother said the other day, "Graham, your framing is like finishing". I bet Graham got all giddy(only on the inside of course) when he heard that. I know I did.

ballet in the park

2009-07-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

Last night Olivia, my sister and I went to ballet in the park. It was free and lot's of fun. Our favorite was the last, I am not a dancer, but I would have called it a cross between ballet and highland dancing. Very cool.

a new bag

2009-07-16T08:55:00.001-07:00

When Olivia finished grade 1, I was trying to think of a cool way to reward her for working hard and finishing well. Someone suggested a purse or a cool bag, so I came up with this. I allowed her to choose 2 prints for the project (she didn't know what I was making) and used these instructions. Both she and I were quite pleased with the way it turned out.

**stay tuned in the next few days, I am nearing my 100th post and there may be something pretty up for grabs to celebrate!**

olivia's exciting news

2009-07-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

She has finally lost her first tooth! It has been hanging there for awhile now, almost ready to come out, so she asked grandma to do the dirty deed a few days ago after berry picking. Grandma says it actually took quite a tug(after the first tug didn't do it, she admitted to being a bit worried!), but Olivia didn't shed a tear! She couldn't be happier that the tooth fairy finally paid her a visit!

strawberry season

2009-07-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Once summer arrives in these parts, I live in anticipation of berry picking season. Today was the first day we could pick strawberries, so we packed up early, picked up grandma and headed out.

Proper supplies-a old-blanket-lined trunk so you don't get squished strawberry stains all over your car. Plus lots of water to drink and a bucket of warm soapy water to wash really dirty children (and mommy) afterwards.

On the way to the fields.

I am bloated from eating so many berries, really hot and it is past my naptime. Please take me home.

Hard work.

The reward. Yum.

win a quilt kit

2009-07-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

Head over to Kati Cupcake to win this quilt kit called 'Porch Pots' by Quilt Soup. I think I am a little bit obsessed with Amy Butler prints right now, I can't get enough!

another anniversary milestone

2009-07-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 10th anniversary to Mark and Tressa, Graham's sister and her hubby. Pretty sure they have some fun plans today, but earlier in the week they sent these out to celebrate with friends and family. Thanks guys!

spray pad fun

2009-07-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

Do you have these in your city? They are fun. We met a bunch of friends/cousins today and splashed around for awhile.

My sister in law, Tressa, sitting pretty in her cute outfit, on her cute handmade picnic blanket.

Cute pregnant woman (who probably thought I was snapping a photo of the kids and not of her belly-I couldn't resist!)

Cute kids lounging in the sunshine. Living the life.

it's worth the trip

2009-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I pack up the children (and a big container of homemade pizza pretzels), picked up my mom and we headed to Steinbach for a bit of shopping. It was fun. I chose some fabric for a quilt for our bed and picked up some fun things from The Scrapbook Cottage (the best little scrapbook store around) The best deal? They were clearing out all of their Heather Bailey paper! 3/$1! We bought all 30-some sheets, of course.

You can check out her stuff here and here.

Also, today my parents celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary! They have made it through 30 years of marriage, raising 5 children (I am the oldest) and running their own business the whole time. That's worth celebrating, don't you think? Happy anniversary Mom and Dad!

pizza pretzels

2009-07-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last night I was thinking about what I would have in the house for Graham to take for lunch tomorrow and had the thought to make pizza pretzels. I wanted the recipe my mom uses, but she wasn't at home. (I attempted to have my youngest brother look for the recipe, you can guess how that went. Smile.) So I scrambled around to find another recipe, also without luck. The ones I found just didn't look the same. I think my mom ended up calling me back with the recipe around 8 or so. Then I started! Around 8? I was up until midnight getting them done, cooled and packed up.

oh good gracious

2009-07-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

This is my kind of shop! Layer Cake Shop has everything I you need to make all your baking dreams come true!

all done now

2009-07-01T18:22:00.001-07:00

we have been anticipating Levis surgery day for so long and we're all done now. {sigh of relief} Here is a small re-cap of our day at the hospital.

Changing into cute jammies. This photo is deceiving. He didn't want the pj's and he definitely did not want the bracelet.

We were supposed to go in at 11:45 and didn't end up being called in until almost 2:00. Lot's of television that day. Lot's and lot's.

"Mom, are you seriously taking another picture? I am in the middle of a race." That's the look on his face, right? In every waiting room there was another video game to play.

This was in recovery. Television and popsicles.

Ow. Everything went very well. Now we keep the area dry for a week and wait for the stitches to disolve.

surgery day

2009-06-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

Today Levi is having a bit of surgery. Just minor, don't worry about it day surgery. He has a very small mass on the side of his face, just under his side burn. Minor, but I feel that the whole process is just as detailed as if it were something bigger. Fasting? For a 4 year old? I keep telling him how fun it will be to have a popsicle for breakfast. Hopefully he isn't still expecting his usual 2 big bowls of cereal to chase that popsicle down after. I am feeling the normal amount of mommy nervousness and preparing for a day of babying my son.

He's cute, hey?

slushy rhubarb punch

2009-06-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Got lot's of this growing in your back yard? Or, like me, you don't but were able to beg some off your mom or an un-suspecting sister in law? Then make this yummy summer drink:

First, combine 8 cups of chopped rhubarb and 8 cups water, and 2-3 cups of white sugar ( I used 2):

add 1/2 a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice and boil for 10-15 minutes.

Once the rhubarb is very soft, add a 4 oz package of strawberry jello. Then you need to puree it. This is where I found out that my perfect tool for the job (a hand held immersion blender) no longer works. So I did it in batches in my food processor(the one my mom passed on to be when that kitchen tool also died-thanks mom!). Then just pour it into 2 ziploc freezer bags and throw it in the freezer until you want to use it.

To serve, put the rhubarb mix into a punch bowl and add a 2L bottle of your favorite clear fizzy drink.

today...

2009-06-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

...I peaked out the window and saw the sun shining! What? Could it me? I haven't seen it in so long...
...I put on a pair of jeans I haven't worn in, what? 2 years? and I could do up the button.
...I packed lunch for Olivia and got to school to be reminded that it was hot lunch day. No packed lunch needed(so I could have had time to brush my teeth?) and not really 'hot' lunch since it was a booster juice smoothie and a chicken and cheese wrap(yum!).
...I am thinking about how sweet it was to watch this last night. Sadie would not let me do it, only her big sister!

...I just pulled these yummy, good-for-you banana muffins out of the oven. I bake everyday, or mostly everyday.

...me and my kiddos are meeting friends and their kiddos at the zoo for some fun and a picnic.
...I really need to just finish up my planting already. I'm so close!
...I need to relax and focus on one task at a time.
...I need to love Olivia more and help her relax (up-tight and rushed mommy = up-tight and emotional olivia) and finish grade 1 in a way she can be proud of. Is there really only 11 days left? Yikes!

mmmwah!

2009-06-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

name our business contest

2009-06-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

Since Graham has officially began working for himself, we have been racking our brains for a new name. Two years ago when he finished school and was sub-contracting himself to another company, he quickly decided on Earl Grey Builders in order to do a few things you need to do to work for yourself. We always had it in the back of our minds to think of something a bit cooler, but here we are and we have nothing! Can you help us? We are looking for a one or two word name pertaining to home building. If a word suggesting that something is being built, we prefer 'builder(s)' to 'construction'. Oh, and Graham prefers we don't use our name(s), so G N' R Construction is out :) If you come up with something really great and we choose to use it, we will probably even throw in a prize! Get cracking everyone!

Raspberry Cupcakes

2009-06-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

Another cupcake recipe! These raspberry cupcakes are truly yummy! Heidi and I had fun baking them last week. The recipe comes from Nigella Lawson. It also says to use her method for white chocolate ganache for the topping. I don't think you should, not super yummy and it stays really runny, not matter how long you chill it. I recommend vanilla buttercream or the lemon frosting for the lemon cupcakes I posted the other day.

Raspberry Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups plain flour
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

METHOD:

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly spray with non-stick spray, muffin or cupcake tins (depending on how big you want these, they can make 12 large or 24 small cakes). Gently melt the butter in a medium heatproof bowl in the microwave. When the butter is just melted, whisk in the brown sugar. Let cool to lukewarm temperature, about 4 minutes.

2. Whisk the eggs into the butter/sugar mix. Add the milk, vanilla, salt, and baking powder; whisk to combine. Whisk in the flour until just combined. Fold in the raspberries.

3. Fill each muffin tin as desired and bake until a skewer inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes for small cupcakes; 25 for larger ones.

4. Leave muffins in the tin for 5 minutes after baked then transfer to a cooling rack. You need to do this, they are really soft when they first come out of the oven.

5. When muffins are cold, frost with white chocolate ganache(recipe below). These are best eaten fresh. (convenient eh?)

6. Enjoy!

White Chocolate Ganache

INGREDIENTS

340 grams good quality white chocolate
1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Method:
Place the chocolate and cream in the top of a gently simmering double boiler (or just put a heat-proof bowl on top of a saucepan). Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer to a bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill, stirring occasionally, for a few hours until thickened.

lemon coconut cupcakes

2009-06-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

I am getting together with a girlfriend tonight to make and frost some cupcakes, so I thought I would get a bit of a head start on some of the baking. This recipe is awesome! If you like lemon, you have to try it!

Lemon Coconut Cupcakes
*adapted slightly from Canadian Living Magazine

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (250 mL) white sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded sweetened coconut
4 tsp (20 mL) lemon zest
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) whole milk

Lemon cream cheese icing:

2 tbsp (25 mL) cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp (15 mL) unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp (2 mL) lemon zest
2 tsp (7 mL) fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 cup (250 mL) icing sugar

Preparation:
In bowl, beat butter with sugar until light; beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each. In separate bowl, whisk flour, coconut, lemon rind, baking powder and salt ; stir into butter mixture alternately with milk, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of milk. Spoon into 12 greased and floured or paper-lined muffin cups. Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for 20 minutes or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Remove from pan to rack; let cool completely.

Lemon Cream Cheese Icing:
In bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until fluffy; beat in lemon rind and juice. Beat in icing sugar until fluffy. Spread over each cupcake; dip icing into coconut.

I was having trouble getting a good photo of the finished cupcake, hence the funny one of me holding one!

life's a bowl of cherries

2009-06-02T18:08:00.001-07:00

when you have a bowl of cherries

business cards

2009-06-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

I have been brain storming and hunting for business card ideas. We(Graham) officially need them now and they officially(I need them to be) need to be really hot. I would love for them to be letter pressed. Or printed on a material other than paper(did I just say that? no paper?)

These are beautiful.

a new sandbox

2009-05-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

our former sandbox was nasty. we had built it out of cheap lumber and also put a wood base on it(no drainage). so this weekend our kids were treated to a new sandbox! yay! we also relocated it to a shadier area of the yard. it is bigger than the last one, we will need more sand. and a cover - there are a couple neighborhood cats around, we don't want to find any 'surprises' in there!

my strong, willing hubby working to finish previously mentioned 'fun project'.

an already bathed and pajamaed willing helper.

finished.

happy monday

2009-05-25T08:43:00.001-07:00

http://isuwannee.blogspot.com/2009/05/few-wedding-pictures.html

a busy weekend

2009-05-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

we did so much this weekend, let's re-cap:

friday night was mommy night at gems, a carnival and plenty of embarrassing games for us mom's to participate in-potato sack races, high-heeled running races...

saturday-graham worked/interviewed/went to his brother's place to watch a 'fight'?, so me and the kids packed up early in the morning to go garage saleing and to old navy's $1 flip flop sale(did you go? NUTTY!)

some old suitcases, perfect for storing toys and dress-up clothing, and candlesticks for $.50? yes please.

lovely vintage trims

we waited in line outside the store, fought our way in, rummaged for our sizes, waited in a line to pay that wrapped around to the back of the store and came out with this! we're set for summer.

sunday began with starbucks and continued with lot's of yard work - it is really coming along, I'll have to start taking some after photo's, since I avoided the before shots! - and a fun project for the kids. a bbq and going our for ice cream was a fun way to end a busy weekend! what did you do?

delicious amy butler bedding

2009-05-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this new organic bedding line from Amy Butler? It's not available for purchase yet, just for drooling. The print in the top photo is my favorite!

key lime cupcakes

2009-05-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

These are delicious! Limey and dense and moist. Don't be cheap with the lime zest or juice, they really need that much!

Ingredients

Cupcakes:
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup self-rising flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel
1/4 teaspoon neon-green food coloring(I omit this, kinda creepy)
3/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin pan with 12 paper liners. Whisk both flours in medium bowl. Beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar; beat to blend. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then next 3 ingredients (batter may look curdled). Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions. Spoon scant 1/3 cup batter into each liner.
Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool.

Frosting:
Beat all ingredients in medium bowl until smooth. Spread over cupcakes.

happy mother's day

2009-05-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

I was wondering around and thinking about the perfect mother's day post/photo and came across this(you'll need to scroll down a bit) http://jodified.typepad.com/a_mom_and_her_camera/2009/05/we-wake-up-every-morning-to-little-girl-giggles.html and smiled. For me, dandelions are a big part of mothering in the spring and summer. My kids love giving them to me, constantly, like a few times a day. In fact, it was just this week that the first of the season appeared for us, just beside O's school. Yay! ~~Luckily~~, I mean too bad a bunch hasen't made it onto my windowsill yet :) Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in my life, especially the one who gave birth to me!

thinking gardening

2009-05-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

For some reason I cannot stop thinking about the fabulous garden I will have this year. I am not a gardener, but my inner green thumb seems to be causing me to want to grow things. Vegetables in particular. I have grand ideas of providing my family with vegetables for all of next winter! I can't help it. If you could see my back yard/mini garden right now, you would laugh. Heartily. There are some big changes that need to happen before said garden happens! Right now I am particularly interested in small space gardening and finding some great ideas of how to maximise my mini plot of land. Here are a few articles I have found useful. Any other ideas?

http://www.digginfood.com/2009/03/inexpensive-diy-vegetable-trellis/

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/072508/nei_309624417.shtml

http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/gardening/how-to-grow-100-pounds-of-potatoes-in-4-square-feet-081760

family photos

2009-04-29T08:35:00.001-07:00

These are my favorite kind of family photos. I would love to have some of our family.

Check them out here: http://www.designmom.com/2009/04/central-park.html

Almond Cupcakes

2009-04-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe in an issue of Canadian Living, which is not a mag I have ever purchased before, but I was tempted by the cupcakes pictured on the front. These almond cupcakes are divine! Super moist and flavorful and that nice slightly sticky top, yum! Here is the recipe:

1/2 cup soft butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp almond extract(I used more like a whole tsp)

1 cup flour

1/2 cup ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

In a large bowl, beat the butter and the sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in almond extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the ground almonds, baking powder and salt and salt. Stir into the butter mixture alternately with milk, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of milk. Spoon into paper lined or well greased muffin tins.

Bake in a 350 oven until cake tester(umm, toothpick anyone?) comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool.

The recipe suggests frosting with a butter frosting.

the look a child has...

2009-04-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

...when handed a hunk of chocolate for the first time. Thanks grandma and grandpa Wiebe!

I deserve an award

2009-04-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

The blogging slacker award, that is! Oh well, I am back now. This week we celebrated Earth day and although I wouldn't say we really 'celebrated'(is it really a holiday to be celebrated?), we did have some fun making these compost cupcakes.

Then yesterday I took my oldest 2 children to see Earth. Can I just say WOW! It was incredible! And beautiful! And informative! All 3 of us really enjoyed it! Today was a day off of school for Olivia, so we made use of the Manitoba Museum pass they were given for their birthdays last month. Also fun, but would have been more fun with a dad involved, or with a baby(who now insists on walking everywhere and not sitting her stroller) uninvolved. You know. So I guess we did sort of celebrate in our own way.

Easter

2009-04-11T19:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter to all of you! Here's a re-cap of our weekend, filled with lot's of family and food. My girls wore matching dressed this year, which makes my totally giddy! I suggested a pink button down to Levi-that was totally out of the question!

On Friday we drove out to my grandparents, and on the way home Graham and I enjoyed all of the kids doing this:

I have made paska(easter bread) every year since we have been married, but this year as I was kneading, I really felt like, hey, I know what I am doing here! That felt good, since I generally begin baking with yeast with a bit of dread. Will it turn out this time, or not?

Check out this dessert my sister in law make for Graham's family Easter dinner! 16 layers, really, count them! And totally delicious!

2009-03-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend we hosted birthday parties for my big girl and my boy; they're actual birthdays are this weekend, but with spring break happening, we decided to do them early. They were lot's of prep and lots of fun! Here we go...

7 year old rockstar fun...

and robots for a 4 year old...

it's party time!

2009-03-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

My big girl and my boy both celebrate birthdays in March. We are having both of their parties this weekend! Eek! It's crunch time! Here is some of my inspiration for each of them:

My boy is turning 4 and decided on 'robots' for his party:

My big girl is turning 7 and can't seem to stop talking about Hannah Montana and High School Musical. These are definitely not things we encourage(for many reasons-poor influence and I just am not a fan of crazes like they are) or have ever let her view for that matter, so it has to be all school influence. Anyway, we decided on a generic 'rock star' theme for her party:

we do have it DOWN!

2009-03-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

check out this post: http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/03/canadians-how-got-it-down.html

I love that as so many shelter mags are shutting down, that Canadian mags are being sought after! And getting such raving reviews!

vote for me!

2009-03-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

Go here http://karenhunter.typepad.com/karen_hunter_photography/2009/03/let-the-voting-begin.html and vote for my daughter! I entered her in a contest that is being held by Karen Hunter Photography here in Winnipeg. It is not a beauty contest, the results are based on votes...get as many people to vote for your daughter as possible! The prize is a free photo shoot and a pair of James jeans from Madi Couture! Anyway, she is #4! Go now!

color inspiration challenge

2009-03-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Every week over at kwernerdesign blog (www.kwernerdesign.com/blog) there is a color inspiration challenge. Her blog is all about paper crafting and so is the challenge. Create a card/scrapbooking page/whatever in the colors she chooses for the week. Since this weeks colors happened to be the colors of the party invitations I just finished, I thought I would finally participate in the challenge! Go over there and check out everyone else's entries!

Can anyone tell me how to rotate the second photo? Can't seem to do it and it looks pretty silly right now.

Aunt Mary crochets

2009-03-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

Does she ever! My mom's sister crochets like a mad woman! She happened to send my mom a photo of her latest project (just made out of scraps she said) and when I saw it I was totally impressed! Check it out! The first photo is all the pieces not yet stitched together and the third photo is the afghan partially stitched together. I think something like this would look fab on a child's bed or to snuggle with on your family room couch. She also mentioned how many others she has made over the years-prepare yourself-54 adult sized and about 12 baby sized blankets.

pink velvet cupcakes

2009-02-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

These were yummy, like red velvet cupcakes, but pink and made with white chocolate. When I made them, the recipe made exactly 30 little cakes.

Makes 24-30 cupcakes

Pre-heat your over to 350 degrees

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups milk

8 ounces white chocolate, melted
pink gel-paste coloring

1) Sift the flour with the baking powder and salt.

2) In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter at low speed until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

3) Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating for about 10 seconds after each addition.

4) Add the vanilla.

5) At low speed, alternately beat in the dry ingredients and the

milk in 2 additions.

6) Add the melted white chocolate and beat just until incorporated.

7) Add anywhere from 1/8 - 1/4 tsp. of the pink gel paste

8) Scoop batter into paper-lined muffin tins, about 2/3 full.

9) Bake 20-24 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the middle of the cupcake. If it comes out clean, they're done.

9) Cool cupcakes on a wire rack.

Frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting.

Recipe found here:http://cuppincakesforyou.blogspot.com/

spread love

2009-02-14T09:51:00.001-08:00

our valentines

2009-02-07T12:24:00.001-08:00

This year we decided that we would do something a bit different for valentines. Instead of making a card, I took a photo of each child(actually many, many photos), each with a different valentine sentiment and also different ways to 'say it'. Every time we have a 'photo session', there is always one child who won't cooperate. Usually that someone is Levi. Today it was Sadie. Which means her photos aren't good. I even let her suck a lollipop to get a few decent shots. Oh well, I think the overall result is still totally cute!

i love you

2009-02-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

how do you say it?

je t'aime-french

ti amo-italian

wo ai ne-mandarin

mina rakastan sinua-finnish

te amo-latin

jeg elsker dig-danish

ngo oi ney-chinese

ich liebe dich-German

olivia's quilt

2009-02-03T20:41:00.000-08:00

I have been talking about making each of my children a quilt for awhile now. I have been gathering fabrics, staring at them, and really thinking about starting. Today I finally did just that. I cut out Olivia's whole quilt! I do think I would like to swap a few of the pieces, but I will need a trip to the fabric store first. Somehow I also cut a bunch of extra large squares, so that will probably become a matching dolly blanket, I know Olivia would love that.

please fix this mess

2009-02-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

So last Thursday I went for a hair cut. Mistake. I have a really hard time even just getting a trim, never mind a cut. And wouldn't you know it, the cutting girl messed up. big time, in my opinion. So today, I am heading back for someone {hopefully} better to fix it up a bit and for the owner of the salon to make my bad experience better. Wish them luck. I mean, wish me luck. You just don't mess with someone's hair like this.

enjoy it

2009-01-30T12:40:00.001-08:00

found here:

http://eliseblaha.typepad.com

uh oh

2009-01-20T13:20:00.001-08:00

This morning I allowed Sadie to feed herself her own oatmeal.

It was fun. For her. I cried a little over my pretty bowl. And then I stripped her down for a bath. Anyway, oatmeal baths are good for your skin, right?

making tortillas

2009-01-12T11:28:00.001-08:00

Heidi came over today and we made tortillas! It was fun and even went pretty fast. I am guessing we made around 200 or so. Of course we had tacos tonight for dinner. Yum.

sweetness overload

2009-01-06T08:20:00.001-08:00

I hope I can get some of the same sweetness from the other two in the next few days. She is way too cute, don't you think?

i can stand!

2009-01-05T07:48:00.001-08:00

My baby learned how to stand! She is quite proud.

2009-01-03T13:29:00.001-08:00

My baby won't nap. Help.

good bye 08

2008-12-31T14:28:00.001-08:00

Today is the last day of 2008. We actually have plans to go to a friends place to ring in the new year, in a very relaxed, low-key, taking the kids sort of way. But I really wouldn't want it any other way. Oh, and we are also bringing tin foil hats, more on that later. I am trying to get excited and also get some food ready to bring. I've been a bit ill the last 24 hours, so it's slow going. Happy New Year all.

baking and breathing

2008-12-30T12:47:00.000-08:00

I don't know about all of you, but these days after Christmas and before Olivia goes back to school and the routine that goes along with all of that, are times for breathing. The mad days of preperation are over. Graham is still at home, although he is spending time working on our basement, still home if I need to run out for a minute, or a diaper needs changing. Smile. The kids are spending lots of time playing, inside and out. Olivia went skating yesterday. Today we are packing up the Christmas decorations, baking foccacia bread and preparing spinach canneloni for dinner. I got a panini press for Christmas, so the the foccacia bread and the new press made yummy lunch. It is nice to have time to do things, hope you do too.

i totally copied!

2008-12-23T21:25:00.000-08:00

I thought that this year would be a good year to start 'sibling gifts' between my children. Mostly for Olivia. She is a fantastic gift-giver and always has a card ready for any occasion. Smile. At first I thought I would just let them each choose a small toy, but then I ready this post and it totally clicked! Handmade sibbling gifts! So, yesterday and today(last minute, hey? maybe you should ask about the project happening as we speak in the basement...just the way we do things) I only have a photo of the gift from Levi and Olivia to Sadie, the other 2 are wrapped already. A tutu!! Olivia had a harder time making it than I had anticipated, but I thought it was tons of fun! And SO CUTE! Go ahead and check out the original post(http://www.designmom.com/), but for those of you with little girls, you will likely be getting one or more of these item sometime, for birthdays or whatever, so don't bother making them yourself. Smile again. We made a fabric sack for Levi to tote around all his small cars and I made 2 ribbon covered flower headbands for Olivia(I think those are my favorite) I didn't involve Levi in that project since he can't keep a secret if his life depended on it! Maybe next year. Here is Olivia really concentrating to get the ribbons even in length.

All done.

7 days of Christmas...

2008-12-17T21:27:00.000-08:00

Recently I came across a post on a blog I enjoy frequenting, {A}, entitled 'December Daily'. "December Daily is a way to celebrate the traditions and everyday blessings during the month of December." Neat idea; I am officially inspired. But since it is already the middle of December, and I am really not such a devoted crafter(lots of ideas, not much time), I thought maybe I would try to do it for just a week, the week before Christmas. I also happen to have a cute little chipboard journal that I think would work really well for just one week. I hesitate to give you the link to what has inspired me in fear of not living up to it's greatness, but here it is anyway. Enjoy.

http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/december-daily-album-2008.html

divine caramel popcorn

2008-12-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

I have been bugging a friend for awhile about this recipe, and now I have it! It is divine! The best I have ever tasted. When Olivia came home from school this afternoon, we quickly shelled the peanuts, popped the corn, and now we have a big panful cooling on the table. Levi can't stop sniffing it. I can't wait to chow down when the children are in bed tonight. Hopefully there will be some left for tomorrow's after-christmas-concert-treats...

Caramel Popcorn
(you will need a very large bowl to toss the

popcorn and the sauce in)
16 cups popcorn
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup peanuts

Pop kernels and add peanuts.
Melt next 3 ingredients and bring to a full boil.
Add vanilla.
Pour the liquid ingredients onto the popcorn.
Mix until evenly coated.

christmas stockings

2008-12-11T12:39:00.001-08:00

Here are our new christmas stockings. I started and finished them this afternoon! Yay! Looks like I should have ironed before taking the photo.

our morning latte's

2008-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Mommy and mini style.

gingerbread boys

2008-12-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

Holiday baking has begun! Today we made gingerbread boys. I think gingerbread is my favorite holiday cookie. Levi's 'help' stopped when I handed him the whisk for the dry ingredients and he realized in made a nifty guitar. Olivia would do it all if I asked her to, and today she did fabulously carefully cutting out the boys and dressing them up with silver 'buttons'.

after school treats

2008-12-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

After we make the chilly trek to retrieve Olivia from school, ,my children always claim to be 'starving'. Today was extra chilly and I had the thought to make apple cider. Perfect for the time of year, don't you think? And so easy to make. Apple juice and cinnamon sticks are all you really need. Cranberry juice and a few extra spices are nice, if you have them. The amounts are also up to you, whatever you family enjoys to sip. We also had a nice little bowl of maple popcorn today, thanks to my nice epicure lady, Denise, from the other evening. Yummy.

Scrounging for the last bits.

Cheers!

going to crafty planet

2008-12-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

A couple weekends ago my mom, my sister, Sadie and myself headed to Minneapolis for a weekend of shopping. Minneapolis has so much great shopping! It was fun to go to all of our favorite places. But this was hands down my favorite of the weekend. Crafty Planet. A little shop we found when searching online for a place to get fabric by Amy Butler. It was way better than we were expecting! There was not one piece of fabric in there that wasn't pretty. And the prices were great! The girls that were working were very helpful and fun. I really have nothing negative to say about it. I will definately go again. You should too. In the meantime, you can check out their website, http://www.craftyplanet.com/.

Amy Butler heaven.

More yummy fabrics.

Lots of cute patterns and books.

Have a seat.

santa

2008-12-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

There have been a few time lately, in the mall, walking down the sidewalk, where I have heard the occasional parent pull out this line, "you must listen to me, or santa won't come to our house" What?? Is santa god? Who still tells their child that santa exists?? Seriously, I sort of thought that was a thing of the past. I am wrong apparently, Olivia came home from school yesterday and said, "you know mom, Julia really believes that santa is real(insert eye roll here)". My girlfriends daughter also cam home and said, "I'm pretty sure our family are the only ones who don't think santa is for real". I thought it was understood by all around here what was real and what was not, until this morning with Levi(who is 3), who started saying "so, when santa comes..."(what??!) I thought comparing the old man to something Levi relates to would work. Bob the Builder. Santa isn't real, just like bob the builder isn't real. "MOM! BOB THE BUILDER IS REAL!" I guess we'll have to work on that.

christmas countdown

2008-12-03T11:22:00.001-08:00

I did it! It took many hours, but now it is done and so cute! Our Christmas countdown 'calender'. sure beats the really ugly cardboard ones with the gross chocolate, don't you think? It is instead filled with little activities, riddles, and outings.

catching up

2008-12-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

I am SO behind in my posting...I have many good ideas that I intend to share, and then don't. I will try to get caught up this week.

laundry day

2008-11-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

After my man graham mentioned that he may not have any more clean undies and sadie barfed on our sheets this morning, I decided that today better be laundry day. Is this what laundry day looks like for you? I count six big loads here, this doesn't include graham's work clothes(since he is at work), about half the bedding, and also at least one more load that I know is waiting downstairs. Laundry is not a task I hate, but it is going to take a small miracle to complete today. Here I go!(smile)

Sadie's birthday party

2008-11-17T20:33:00.000-08:00

Here are some images from Sadie's birthday party. I was pretty pleased with how things turned out. Of course there are always things I would have done differently...next year, right? Sadie was also under the weather, as you can tell in the photos. But, we had given her tylenol, so she was pretty calm throughout. A good thing for a little girl who doesn't fair well in crowds. We served brunch, and cupcakes of course. Coconut and chocolate, both with vanilla cream frosting. I made those fun purple pom-pom flowers that are hanging from the ceiling. Too bad they all fell down a few times and one of them looks pretty squished in the photos. I will definately make those again; super cute, super cheap, super easy!

Hey there, you're standing a little close.

Frosting!

I made mini berry-banana muffins for the children, grown-ups had a full-sized version on their table. My favorite banana muffins, hands down. I will post the recipe later.

how to know a boy is the son of a framer

2008-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

Today at lunch, Levi was eating a slice of pizza, and as he took a bite, all the toppings slid off at once. He laughed and said "Mom! The roof came off the pizza!"

it's winter now

2008-11-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

Winter has arrived in Winnipeg. We had our first snowfall of the season last Thursday and it was a big one! Luckily, our kids find this first snow quite amusing, so they've been have lots of fun outside. Looks like Levi also finds it relaxing. (hint-go buy your kids some nice sturdy kid-sized shovels and your front porch will stay nice and snow free!)

house projects and margaritas

2008-11-12T13:52:00.000-08:00

I thought this was pretty funny. I don't use margarita's to get though my home projects, I can relate to the house in shambles part. Maybe I should try a margarita...

http://decorno.blogspot.com/2008/10/why-i-did-with-my-summer-vacation.html

happy birthday baby!

2008-11-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

sadie turns 1 today! although we are not having her official celebration until saturday(with lots and lots of family) we are taking many pictures and having a 'just our family' special dinner and banana cake tonight. here she is super happy to be getting into her birthday bath.

the last few nights...

2008-11-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

...have looked like this. Is it her lingering cold? New teeth? We don't know. Does Mommy have a headache? Yes. The second image is dramatic Sadie, hanging her head in a desparate attempt to look extra sad. The last image is the worst quality, but gives you the best idea of how it's been.

2008-11-04T15:42:00.001-08:00

Here is another sweet homemade kitchen for the kids. For the details, click on the link below.
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/inspiration/haleys-homemade-play-kitchen-068247

counting down

2008-11-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Sweet November! I love it! All the nastiness of halloween is over and the preperation for Christmas can begin. Today also began the official countdown to Sadie's 1st birthday(nov.10)! Yikes! Where did the time go? Look at that baby! I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. Party plans are in the works and my heart is aching a little, not quite ready for her to grow up.

look what came in the mail!

2008-10-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

I recieved a package in the mail yesterday from someone close to my heart. Anyway, it was a belated birthday gift for me and an early birthday gift for my youngest, sweet Sadie. Check it out, I am totally in love with the birds she sent for our Christmas tree!

kitchen for the kids

2008-10-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

this kitchen is so cool, I sent the link off to my parents, maybe Dad wants a project??? If not, I will have to figure out a way to inspire G to make it.(smile)
Apartment Therapy ohdeedoh How To: Build a Play Kitchen from Ikea Components

our bedroom

2008-10-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

I have put off writing my first post for oh-so-long now because I felt it needed to be perfect/inspirational/make you wanna come back...since I haven't come up with anything that meets that criteria, I thought I would start off with my bedroom mini reno. Since we have lived in our little house (4 1/2 years now) the only thing we ever did to our nest was throw a coat of paint on the walls. It was an easy room to throw stuff in and just shut the door if anyone happened to pop by. I have finally had enough of the nastiness! No, I won't be posting any 'before' pictures, way too enbarrassing! But here is a bit of what I have done so far. I love this paper. I am happy.