Frames...

I have finally put up my black frames that I got for Christmas. I LOVE how they turned out. We moved into our home in August so putting pictures up feels a little funny. I think we have gotten accustomed to blank wall spaces...ha ha...here are the two walls..I also painted the trim around my front door. Originally I had just the door black and the trim white but I think this really completes the look. What do you think?

garden party

This has to be one of the cutest ideas for a garden display!
























and look at this beautiful garden of fresh fruit skewers and a 'dirt' birthday cake...found here.









































I think that these ideas would go nicely with the garden idea. I have had these photos saved on my computer for a while, so I'm not quite sure where I found them...

Project nursery # 7 kissing balls

I love, LOVE how this turned out! My daughters room is like my little sanctuary now. I love adding little pieces here and there to make her room beautiful. So this these kissing balls are actually tissue paper flowers! I used this idea here and instead of using pipe cleaners I just used silk pins, just pinning the flower right onto the Styrofoam ball. It was really easy and it didn't really take that much time at all. I started to do this project but I didn't have the patience for it. I really enjoyed this project! And I think the results speak for itself!!

Project nursery #6 painted name

I painted my daughters name on an old cabinet door front that I bought at Ikea for 99 cents! It was really fun for me. I started by painting the board the same color as the wall. Then, I took some white paint and just started painting designs. I really like how it turned out. My favorite thing about it is that you can't see my mistakes!! Then I just painted the letters on using this technique. I'm not cool enough to own a cricket so I needed some way to paint without it looking so much like it was hand painted! What do you think?

baby shower gift idea

instead of giving the traditional clothes or baby items why not give something that can be played with through out the years...BEANBAGS! Beanbags are so simple to make! I found this site here with different game ideas that can be played with you and your child. All this can be attached to the beanbags for a great gift. I found this great idea here!

Rose pillows

I have a love for pillows. Especially fun pillows such as these! Check out Alisa Burke's tutorial http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2010/03/recycled-roses-pillow-tutorial.html!

Spring Wreath

You HAVE TO check out this adorable wreath by capture the details! I instantly fell in love! check out the tutorial here!

Spinach and cheese strata

Recently I have been obsessed with food! Food is so yummy and I just love when it turns out better than planned. Although, the best is when my hubby approves! But this recipe from Annie's Eats sound delish and I will definately try it for breakfast soon! Check out her amazing site and yummy things to eat here!

marshmallow fondant

Check out this amazing recipe! I have to say that I LOVE the decorated cookies site! She has some really great things!


2 cups mini marshmallows
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 pound confectioner's sugar
Crisco or vegetable shortening

Grease a microwave safe bowl with Crisco. Pour 1 cup marshmallows in bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon extract over marshmallows. Heat in microwave until marshmallows puff a bit, about 20 to 30 seconds. Stir well until fully melted and smooth and runny. Put confectioner's sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer with the flat beater (I greased the beater with Crisco. I'm sure a handheld electric mixer will work, too). Pour marshmallow mixture into the sugar and blend on low speed. Clean marshmallow bowl and repeat with another cup of marshmallows, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 teaspoon extract, melted and stirred. Pour into sugar and continue blending until dough forms. Knead briefly on a surface dusted with confectioner's sugar. Wrap in plastic and let sit about half an hour. NOTE: I did the marshmallows in two batches because I thought one batch would be enough, but the dough was too dry. Next time I make this, I'll try melting the marshmallows all at once.

Color fabric book

This is the cuttest idea for a toddler book on colors! I am going to make this for my daughter, she would love it! If anything at least she will love to eat it right now, she is not quite old enough to learn the colors...but the sooner the better right?! I found this on everyday celebrations here.

Strawberry Lemonade bars

I saw this post on homemade by jill...it looks so yummy and who can't go wrong with lemonade and strawberries!!! View the original recipe here!

Strawberry Lemonade Bars
Crust
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt



Filling
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2-3 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup pureed strawberries (about 3/4 cup berries)
1 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (or use the Baker’s Edge pan, if you have one).
Begin by making the crust.
In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until smooth and fluffy. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly. Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for about 17 minutes, until set at the edges.
While the crust bakes, prepare the filling.
In the bowl of a food processor, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, strawberry puree, sugar and eggs and process until smooth. Add in flour, baking powder and salt, then pulse until smooth.
Gently pour the filling over the hot crust when it has finished baking. Return pan to oven and bake for 23-26 minutes, until the filling is set (There will be a light colored “crust” on top from the sugar in the custard - nothing to worry about).
Cool completely before slicing and use a damp knife to ensure clean slices.
Store bars in the refrigerator, especially on a hot day.
Makes 24 bars.

Project nursery #5 monogram

This was really a simple project! All I did was take an old frame, paint it white and glue some scrapbook paper to the backing. I had a left over piece of wood that I just painted purple and I painted the letter "R" onto. I felt like it needed something else so I glued my extra Christmas beads around the wood piece, and I love the result! I hung it over my daughters crib!

Paper flowers

Go here for the beautiful Rose how-to!





Go here for the how-to for these beautiful carnations!

key lime cupcakes

KEY LIME CUPCAKES
found here!
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
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 or pipe onto cupcakes.

Just add water Pancake mix

I have always bought just add water pancake mix but I have decided that it would probably cost less if I made it myself. Thats when I came across this lovely recipe! Everything I all ready have! Hope you all enjoy it!


photo courtesy of bfeedme.com
8 cups flour
1.5 cups dry milk (the powdered stuff)
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons baking powder

Combine all ingrediants and store in an airtight container. To make a batch of pancakes, stir together 1 cup of the dry mix with 1/2 cup water and cook as usual. Nuts, dried fruits, etc can be added as desired.

Bagels

I can't wait to try this! I have been on a kick where I want to make everything from scratch! We'll see how this recipe turns out! Click here for the link!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of yeast.
3 tablespoons of sugar.
1 tablespoon of salt.
4 ¼ cups of bread flour.
1 ½ cups of water, 110 degrees.

Water, for boiling.

1 gallon of water.
1 tablespoon of sugar.
Preparation Instructions:

Place the dough ingredients in your bread machine as directed in the manufacturer's instructions.

Set the bread machine on dough cycle.

When your machine signals, remove dough to well floured surface and cut into 8 equal pieces and shape to form donut shapes.

Cover and allow to rest for about 20 minutes.

In a large kettle, bring about the gallon of water with the sugar to simmer.

Preheat your oven to 475°F (240°C).

After the bagels have rested, put them in your oven for 5 minutes, turning once after 3 minutes.

Remove the bagels, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).

Place 3 bagels in simmering water for total of 5 minutes, turning after three minutes.

Remove the 3 bagels from water.

Drain on paper towels while simmering remaining bagels.

Place simmered bagels on a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes or until brown.