Briggy and Ollie's playroom....

is ALMOST done. I need to buy bean bags for the reading center and in front of the TV. I wanted those reallllly cute fancy kid cozy chairs that have their names stiched on from PBK or Land of Nod...but those are 100 bucks each! :( Too rich for my blood...so I'll probably end up buying 4 bean bags for walmart for the price of one cute chair....as long as they arent the shiny vinyl kind, they should look cute. I am also waiting to drive up to IKEA to get the red table and chair set...other than that, I am pretty much done...I have a spot for an easel, but I think I'll wait until Briggy is a bit older to put that in.....oh...and I was trying to figure out what the heck I could store books in that WASNT a bookcase (lack of room and they make me nervous with a very climby Briggy) I found these chrome plated magazine racks that hang (I guess theyre meant for the bathroom) Anyway, I want to buy three and spray paint them red and hang them up vertically in the space between the canopy and the window...they'll hold plenty of childrens books and look cute (I can't wait to post pictures!) I want to hang a large bulletin board up for when Briggy actually starts making pictures so I can display them....but I haven't found any reasonably priced boards (I want a pretty big one...like four feet long) if any of you spot one, could you let me know?
Anyway, the main reason I am posting about the playroom today is the toy storage that I found last night at Walmart. I was planning on buying that (really cute) but really expensive toy drawer unit from ikea that I posted awhile back. It was reasonably priced ($300) compared to all the other storage units I had been looking at at other stores....but still a hefty sum. They had on display a "rollback" of these Sterlite "recycling center" drawer units. They only had four left (I kind of wanted six...so I might venture out to the next town to see if they have any more...) But they are cute because they are a bright blue and green, and the boxes are SUPER DEEP and BIG...so they can actually fit REAL toys...not those dinky little bins....they were only $14 for the 2 drawer unit....so $60 compared to the $300 makes mommy and daddy very happy! In the picture below you'll notice I have a cheap white laundry basket on top...I'm going to buy three more and spray paint them the bright cherry red to fit the longer bigger toys that wouldnt fit in the drawers...and give that wall the punch of red that it needs. I'll probably hang up the bright red clock I had in Briggy's old room up there too.
What do you think? maybe not QUITE as cute as the Ikea unit, but pretty good considering...and it will get the job done!



I found these at www.alwaysbrilliant.com for $10.99 a piece. Not to bad...they'll look cute bright red hanging on the yellow wall!

Vinyl Lettering Party

Last night was my first night out "on the town" without a husband or brigham attached to me. Normally, I prefer to be with them, and have rarely (I think maybe 3 or 4 times) left Brigham with Tom and *once* with a babysitter (while he was sleeping) I know, I'm a freak. I get so worried and the whole time I'm out all I am thinking of is horrible things that could possibly happen to my little guy. (I must also confess that I never even let Tom take Briggy anywhere without me) I know, I really need to loosen up! But actually, last night was the first time I didn't really fret or think too much about what was going on at home while I was out having a good time! Baby steps....
Anyway, I am in the market for some vinyl lettering to fill some space on my walls..so this was the perfect opportunity for me. The hostess was great, the company was fantastic and I even won a 12x12 ceramic tile with a beautiful quote that matches my kitchen wall color! Yippie!

The ladies that sell the vinyl are super sweet and have tons of options..not to mention they will customize anything for you. If you live in the Dallas area...I would definitely check out their blogs (and parties)

Distinctive Designs:
Carrie Folsom and Andrea Petttit
Vinyldistinctivedesigns.blogspot.com
Vinyldistinctivedesigns@gmail.com

Here is the beautiful tile that will really help me spruce up my kitchen!



PS--Gymboree's circle of friends 30% is going on until this sunday! Online code is GYMCIRCLE (purchases will go towards earning you gymbucks!)
PPS-this is my 95th post! I am planning a special giveaway for my 100th....stay tuned for details!!!!

another coupon....

I am making a framed photo wall for my living room with *lovely* sepia tone versions of some of my favorite pics. I always thought Walmart was cheapest...but walgreens is actually really affordable. (2.99 for an 8x10) I missed the free walgreens 8x10 coupon for mothers day--my computer was NOT cooperating :(
anyway, I typed in walgreens coupon codes just to see if anything might pop up and
AFFSAVE33 saved me 33% of my order...so I ended up only paying $11 dollars for 6 big prints....pretty good.

The coupon expires 5/22/09 and it works if you have a photo order of $15 or more.

Jessie made these cooler for me: (they'll be 8 total...but the 3 that are going to be oliver...have to wait a few months! :)

Oriental Trading Company Coupon

I recently recieved the "reading corner" canopy for the playroom, and inside the box was a coupon for 10% off any order of $65 or more. There are a ton of crafts and games and learning tools for sale (which are great for bored summer syndrome and sunday school activities...) anyway, I thought Id share!

This offer expires May 31st:
APRBB09
(thats the keycode you would type in when checking out online)

PS--Briggy loves the canopy!! I can't wait to get that room all done!!

Cherry Rhubarb Crisp

In honor of my new blog background, I dug up a recipe I saved from last summer as a *must make* for a summer barbeque party. I am excited to make this, because Tom has never had rhubarb before! I told him how when I was growing up I would break off the rhubarb stems at my nana's house and she would let me dip them in sugar between swimming breaks....those were the days....


Cherry and Rhubarb Crisp

Fruit Filling
3cups Sweet WA Cherries; washed and pitted
3 cups Rhubarb; washed and chopped
1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
1 Tbl. Cornstarch
2 tsp. Fresh Lemon Juice

Topping
3/4 cup All-purpose Flour
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
1/2 cup Walnuts; coarsely chopped
1/3 cup Butter; melted

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Lightly butter a 2 quart casserole dish.
3. Place cherries and rhubarb in a medium sized mixing bowl.
4. Combine the sugar and cornstarch and sprinkle over fruit mixture.
5. Add the lemon juice and toss gently. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
6. Sift together the flour, sugars, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the walnuts. Pour in the butter and toss with a fork to form large crumbs.
7. Sprinkle topping over filling.
8. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until crumbs begin to brown and filling juices are bubbling. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.