Decorating 101

For the past couple weeks I have been submerging myself in home decorating blogs, flipping through magazines and trying to compile a list of all the new furniture we need to fill up our new home! Its been a little overwhelming because in the past (even at our little apartment since marriage) We never invested in nice pieces of furniture...and we werent allowed to paint and hang up too much stuff....so there is a whole world of things we need to buy and explore!

I thought Id share some of my findings....partly so I can actually visualize the stuff in one spot, instead of going to each website and looking everyday.

Heres what I've been thinking so far....

When you first walk in the dining room is on your left. I found this VERY AFFORDABLE dining set at Walmart (BHAG Brand) It has been unavailable for the past couple months, and today when I went to add the picture, its back for sale--yea!!!



The guest bathroom is also a little ways down the hall on your left. Im not 100% on this, but its nice...so its a contender. I also found this at walmart.



The guest bathroom is also on the left, we are thinking of making it more masculine: Black, White and Charcoal grey. I want to frame up some vintage black and white baseball pics in there too. We'll have the computer in there along with a small sofabed....havent found one I exactly like for a good price.

The living room will have our olive green couches and this mahogany media center that is a little more than I wanted to spend, but not in the thousands like the Pottery Barn version. (This is also from Walmart--Canopy Brand)



The kitchen will be a rustic red/barn-country red color. Know what I mean? I have been having the DARNDEST time finding curtains/chair covers that I like to match. If any of you come across anything cute let me know. Im thinking of brown/cream/and the same red. I like gingham and plaid but I'm not sure thats the right route I should take....suggestions are more than welcomed!

My craft room. *sigh* I feel so grateful that I have such a sweet husband that is letting me use that space for all my crazy craft projects that never used to seem to get done at our apartment. Since I now have a great designated space, I will be sure to do more and I really really really want to learn how to sew, so thats on my to-do list too.
I love the turquoise/red/white combo...and recently while searching ideas with those combos I realized its pretty popular. I found this girls craft room which is very similar to something I would like to do. Turns out its the girl that has a blog I check out pretty frequently and didn't realize this is what her craft studio was like. Her blog is http://allsorts.typepad.com and she ALWAYS has the cutest stuff posted.

Here is some furniture I found that I think I want in the room. (Most of the stuff is Ikea)





The kids bathroom is upstairs next to the kids bedrooms and playroom. I want to do the aqua and green color combo, with the addtion to some frog decor.



The kids playroom will be a sunny/marigold yellow wall with accents of green, brown, red and blue.
I bought these Dwell Baby curtains on clearance at Target and love them.
The play table and chairs will be in red from Ikea, and the storage unit on the far wall is also from ikea. In the corner will be the "reading corner" where I'll have this neat canopy and there will be bean bags in coordinating colors. (From oriental trading company)

Getting ready for St. Patricks Day....

I know its a week away, but I thought I'd get some ideas and recipes going for St. Patricks day. The family we are staying with has a 4 year old son, a 3 year old daughter and another son who is Briggy's age (actually his birthday is March 12th--Briggy's original due date!) So I wanted to find some fun crafts to make with the kids, since they are at the fun age of enjoying that sort of thing. Here are some of my favorite finds:

Luck of the Irish Leprachaun Hats:

Go to: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10040 for detailed instructions!

Clover snacks:
Green pepper
English muffin
Cheddar cheese
1. To make one, slice a green pepper crosswise near the pointed end to get a small, three-lobed shamrock shape. (If your pepper has four lobes, you've got a lucky clover instead.) Cut a small slice for a stem.

2. Toast half an English muffin, then top it with a slice of Cheddar and the pepper shamrock. Place the muffin on a tray, then broil it in a toaster oven until the cheese is melted.

Homeade Irish Soda Bread:
2 cups white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. butter, chilled
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt

Directions:
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
Cut in the butter until it is pea-sized. Stir in the raisins and buttermilk or yogurt. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, knead 1 minute, and shape into a disk.
Cut an "X" in the top and bake on a greased baking sheet for 45 to 50 minutes.
Makes one 8-inch-wide loaf.

Slow cooker cornedbeef and cabbage:
The slow cooker is the perfect way to go for this traditional dish, since it must bubble away untended for hours, in any event. Be sure to serve with crusty bread, and Dijon mustard and horseradish on the side.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
4 cups hot water
2 tbsp. cider vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 large or 2 medium onions, cut into wedges
1 3-lb. corned beef round or brisket, packaged with spices
8 small white or yellow potatoes, scrubbed and cut into quarters
1 head of green cabbage (about 1 1/2 lbs.), cored and cut into 10 wedges

1. In a 6-quart electric slow cooker, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, pepper and onions, mixing well. Place the corned beef in the mixture. Scatter the potatoes over the top and along the sides.
2. Cover and cook on the High heat setting 4 hours. Remove the lid and scatter the cabbage wedges over the top. Cover and continue cooking on High 3 to 4 hours longer, or until the beef is tender. To serve, carve the beef into slices and serve with the cabbage and potatoes, with some of the cooking liquid spooned on top of the beef to keep it moist. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Felt Food Frenzy!!!

I have been eyeing felt food for awhile--I spot it occassionally on the blogs I scope out ideas from. It is currently my newest obsession. Its just a shame that I am a molly-mormon wannabe that CAN'T SEW! Its holding me back from making the cutest projects. I hope some little lady in our new Texas ward sews and would be willing to teach me...because taking classes out of the home with Wild-man Brigham and new-baby-to-be will be unlikely. Oh....I can dream, can't I?
Anyway, Martha Stewart had the cutest craft segment yesterday where she showcased a woman who sells INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS felt food. You can check out her awesome shop at: http://www.lillybeanmarket.com

I need all of her playfood for my someday daughter. Look how cute!!!






Don't you want to have a play picnic or tea party now?

Briggy's birthday cake recipe

Initially I planned a grand soiree for Briggy's first birthday. I wanted to do a whole monkey theme with brown and yellow galore. I wanted to serve banana cake and cupcakes, chocolate dipped bananas (my monkey fingers), banana yogurt smoothies...all sorts of monkey delights. Well, all of my plans changed when Tom took the job in Texas. I just don't have the heart to throw such a fun party without Daddy around. But, I want Briggy to have fun...so I decided to just have family over for a small lunch/cake. I still plan on making a "low-sugar" banana cake for Brigster to attack, and I bought some cheapy Sesame Street plates and streamers to liven up the kitchen. Cross your fingers that I can get my camera fixed in time!
I can't believe my little chicken nugget is almost ONE YEAR OLD. I keep having day dreams of when Briggy was just brand-new and how I could NOT LET HIM GO! I held him all day long. The only time I set him down was to use the bathroom! I just held him and rocked him and kissed him....now, I only get to do that right before nap/nightime or when he gets a boo-boo...and that only lasts about a minute or so. He is always on the go, my little Brigs!
Anyway, here is the recipe I plan on making for his birthday. The frosting seems like it still has a lot of sugar in it, any of you have any healthier recipes for frosting?

BANANA CAKE

2/3 c. banana, mashed
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 lg. eggs
3/4 c. water
2 c. unbleached flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
Optional: 1 c. chopped walnuts OR 1/2 c. chopped walnuts & 1/2 c. raisins

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch pan. Beat together mashed banana and soft butter until creamy. Beat in water. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until very foamy. Beat into mixture. Blend in flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Beat until smooth. Stir in walnuts or walnuts and raisins, if desired. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool. Serves 8-10.

Cream Cheese Frosting
2 8 Oz packages cream cheese
2 4 Oz stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
6 Cup(s) sifted powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 Tsp almond extract
1/2 Teaspoon lemon juice
Steps
In a stand alone mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. *Tip: Be careful not to over mix the two. Cream Cheese has more water content, and become runny if over mixed.
Add vanilla extract and lemon juice
Sift powder sugar, and slowly add to cream cheese butter mixture on low speed in thirds. Use more or less powder sugar depending on how thick you want your frosting.

(I think I'm gonna skip the almond extract, because I haven't introduced nuts yet..and I don't think it really affects the flavor of the frosting that much...)

Valentines Day Treat from Michaels

Here's another coupon from Michaels!

So cute--so cheap!

Isn't this so cute? I've always LOVVVVVVVVED valentines day ever since...I can remember. Making those valentine mailboxes, sweet treats, cards...candy...its so much fun. I'm gathering all my valentine gifts and thoughts together, so after we get back from super-bowl sunday with grandma and grand-dad, Briggy and I can package up all of our love fun.
I am tempted to buy this, but I am trying to pack and downsize seeing as I'm moving in a month...but I thought I'd share this sweet suprize.


Peanut butter and Strawberry fluff, anyone? yummmm.

Here's the link if you want to buy it, its from one of my all-time favorite companies. They're the BEST!

Gooseberry Patch Valentine Link

A new Michael's Coupon

Just click on the picture and print it out :)

Any ideas on what fabulous crafting supply I should buy?