Month

September 2013

Repurposing Furniture and Other Things

Who doesn’t love something repurposed? It just means money in the bank. Already owning something and being able to use it in another way is awesome for saving some money, or making something more beautiful.

I have to introduce you to my friend, Ernie Lopez. I met Ernie back in our high school days, and he, now, is an amazing floral designer and the brains behind New York’s The Oak Leaf. Ernie has taken repurposing to the next level. He often takes every day objects to make the most beautiful and elegant floral designs you have ever seen. Take a look at some of these gorgeous arrangements made from things like tin cans, soda cans, and pallets.

 

Photos Courtesy of The Oak Leaf and Martha Stewart American Made

Gorgeous, right? Ernie Lopez is now finalist in the garden category in the 2013 Martha Stewart American Made Awards! I couldn’t be happier for my friend! If you think Ernie’s creations are as wonderful as I do and would like to make sure he wins you can VOTE HERE!

Speaking of repurposing. I have a few things up my sleeve lately. Here is a little preview of something I’m working on.

 

I may or may not have garbage picked this dresser…

Stay tuned for the full story and a finished product!

 

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Not Just a Hobby

I have always enjoyed crafting and DIY, but I can actually pin point the exact moment that it became an almost obsession. I was 18 and got invited to my first Creative Memories scrapbooking party. As part of my graduation gift, my Dad bought me my first starter kit of pages and tools and paper.

I was bitten by the scrapbooking bug, and I loved it.

 

Sometimes I got made fun of a little bit for being an 18 year old girl that would prefer scrapbooking over chillaxing. However, Scrapbooking was a wonderful hobby for me. I loved that I could kind of go to a cathartic creative place and cut and paste and journal to my heart’s content and kind of forget about the problems of the day.

I recently sat down with my kids and we looked through some of the albums and we giggled and talked. Then, they asked me to break out the baby books (Caroline’s still in progress) and they asked all sorts of questions about what each of them was like when they were babies.

In that moment, I was incredibly happy for having taken some time to document a time that was incredibly chaotic. There is no other way to describe having three kids in 33 months except chaotic. But, I was thankful that I stayed up late some nights to write stories in those books for them to recount forever, perhaps someday with their own children.

In that moment, I realized that my scrapbooking was not just about buying fancy paper and cutting and taping, but it had a real purpose of preserving our memories.

 

As my kids get older, it is getting harder and harder to find the time to scrapbook, but I still write everything down and save tons of pictures and ticket stubs and their drawings for the days that I will have time to scrapbook again.

No matter your creative hobby, stick with it. I am sure that you will find that it has real purpose. I’m sure every quilt you sew, photo you take, scarf you knit, piece of furniture you build, cake you bake, card you stamp, or album you make will just be a wonderful reminder of a period of time in your life that you don’t want to forget.

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Thirsty Thursday: Manny’s Salted Chocolate Milk

Welcome to the best part of the week, Readers!  THIRSTY THURSDAY!!

I love television. I don’t watch nearly as much as I used to. However, this time of year, I still get a little giddy about premiers of my favorite shows (did anyone watch New Girl the other night?). I am a sitcom-aholic (comedy is kind of my thing, yo). I also love that now I’m going to school at Second City, sometimes sitcom watching is part of my homework.

One of my favorite shows is Modern Family. My hubby and I cannot wait to get the kids in bed on Wednesday nights so we can kick back relax and watch a half hour of ridiculousness (in a good way). Since next Wednesday is the premier, I thought it was time to have a tribute to one of my favorite sitcoms, and I attempted Manny’s Salted Chocolate Milk.

 

We are big chocolate milk drinkers in this house. Chocolate milk to my kids is like my morning coffee. They love to have a cup with breakfast and get the day going.

 

Manny’s Salted Chocolate Milk
8 oz ice cold milk
1 – 2 Tbs Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
pinch of Kosher salt

In a large class stir milk, syrup, and salt vigorously until well combined.

 

I was not expecting that much of a difference compared to regular chocolate milk, but it really was better. Amazing what a pinch of salt can do (a swirly straw makes everything taste better too). Thanks for the tip, Manny!
What is your favorite sitcom?

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Autumn Inspiration Feeling Fancy

The air is getting a little crisper. I just pulled out a cardigan to wear today, my boots are on standby and I’m drinking HOT tea for the first time in months.

Autumn is making its way here, and my brain swimming with projects that need to be done, fall decor ideas, and savory recipes perfect for a chilly fall night. Here are some things that I have my eye on for Fall. Everything is so FANCY!

1. Fancy Sweatshirts – Sorry, but there is nothing better wardrobe combination to me than comfort and bling. I love these new adorned sweatshirts from Old Navy. They will be added to my “Mom on the go” wardrobe.

 

oldnavy.gap.com



2. Fancy Tea – I have been in love with Mighty Leaf tea since my first taste on my Honeymoon 7 years ago! (Brian and I celebrated 7 years yesterday). My favorite is this Vanilla Bean. It is a great morning alternative to a morning coffee.

 

www.mightyleaf.com

3. Fancy Pillows – This time of year there are lots of opportunities to be snuggled up on the couch watching college football. I’ve been in the planning stages of a little addition to our family room, and the inspiration is this pillow from Target. Colorful and comfy is the name of the game.

www.target.com

4. Fancy Doughnuts – I have had my eye on this awesome recipe from King Arthur for a few weeks now, and now that it is sweater weather I think it is time to make some doughnuts!

 

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/pumpkin-cake-doughnuts-recipe

5. Fancy Totes – This time of year I am in desperate need of tote bags. I need them for trips to the library, toting shin guards and ballet shoes and tennis rackets, carting my homework to and from Second City. Instead of using the same old bags, I think it is time for me to create some unique ones. I have a little inspiration from Hi Sugarplum! and cannot wait to get started on that project too.

 

http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-dip-dyed-ombre-bag.html

What is your inspiration for Autumn? For more things I like, follow me out on PINTEREST!

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Autumn is Near: So Much for the Lazy Days of Summer

I mentioned how busy we were this summer, and while I sometimes dream about laying back and kicking my feet up, I must say this summer has been such an awesome opportunity for my kids to be doing and trying all kinds of new things. I am really grateful that they are able to have these experiences like I did (many moons ago).

I have loved every minute of watching them grow, learn, and develop life long skills. While my kids are just being introduced to these activities, I feel like we have already seen the benefits to being a part of them.

We started the summer with swim lessons. This was my children’s first experience with swim lessons, and I have to say they have taken to the water pretty nicely considering they were all a bit tentative in the beginning.

 

 

Then, my daughter was enrolled in a beginner to ballet class. I was amazed at how not only how my daughter followed directions and danced her little heart out but how all the little dancers in this class hung on the teacher’s every word.

 

Next up, was soccer camp. Watching the boys was amazing. I could not believe how much they had improved from last year, and how they were not nearly as timid with introducing themselves to their camp mates.

 

We also tried a t-ball clinic, which basically taught the kids the rules of the game and some fundamentals like running the bases, fielding, catching, throwing, and hitting.

 

With all of these organized activities, I also tried to make a conscious effort to make time for some other summer fun such as running through the sprinkler, going to a few movies, and hitting the bowling alley.

 

Now that school has started we are glad that used up every bit of summer.

HAPPY NEW SCHOOL YEAR!!!

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Smart Cookies: Cran Apple Oatmeal Cookies

It’s that time again! SMART COOKIE TIME!

September means the start of school and apples. I cannot help it, but when I think the start of school, I always think of students putting apples on their teachers desks as a symbol of appreciation.

This tradition stems back to the 1600’s when parents often fed and housed teachers in order to have education for their children in America’s early frontier. Apples were plentiful and did not cause financial hardship for families to provide them for teachers. Over time, it has become a symbol of thanks and appreciation for educators.

 

If you are looking to thank a teacher in your life or be a part of the Smart Cookies organization, these Cran Apple Oatemal Cookie recipe is a PERFECT way to give someone a pat on the back for a job well done. I think any teacher or student would be happy to receive them especially as we head into Autumn.

 

Cran Apple Oatmeal Cookies
(for a printable version of this recipe click here)

2 sticks unsalted butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 large apple grated (about one cup of grated apple)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed. Then, add eggs, vanilla, and apple until well incorporated.

On low speed add the flour mixture until incorporated. Finally, add oats, chocolate chips, and cranberries.

Drop dough in about one inch rounded tablespoons on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-11 minutes or until edges are just golden brown.

 

Remove from oven, and let cool for about 15 minutes.

 

Pour some milk and have this waiting for your favorite student or teacher after school.

 

For more information about Smart Cookies click HERE.

PRINTABLE VERSION

For past Smart Cookie recipes, check out the links below:
Oatmeal Dark Chocolate and Dried Cherry CookiesLucy CookiesWhite Chocolate and Cranberry BlondiesChocolate Dipped Vanilla Biscotti Italian Butter Cookies with Lemon Glaze, and Salted Carmel and Dark Chocolate TrufflesIrish Creme DelightsErin’s Light Lemon Squares, Salted Caramel Brownies

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Buh Bye Summer: August Wrap Up

While it is still very warm out, and the official end of summer is still weeks away,at our house it is time to say “buh bye” to summer. Everyone has officially started back at school, and after school consists of homework, soccer practice and mostly fall activities. Now, it is time to look forward to my most favorite of seasons: Autumn!

Before we move too quickly into the future though, let’s take a look back at August.

The last few weeks of summer typically mean that my family is trying to soak up the last of the time being spent outdoors doing summer activities, and I am trying to enjoy the last of the seasonal foods.

 

With all the fruit that has been in our house lately, I thought I would finally give the fruit wash with vinegar that has been making its way around Pinterest a try. It has been fantastic and I have made it a part of my kitchen routine.

 

This month had an abundance of Thirsty Thursday recipes containing tons of seasonal fruits like Nectarine Green Iced Tea, Plum and Rum Cocktails, and Cherry Rum and Cokes. I also whipped up a couple nice Thirsty Thursday Treats for the kids like the Old Fashioned Chocolate Malts and Orange Cranberry Coolers.

 

With the very hot and dry weather we’ve been having here in the midwest, I haven’t been too keen on cooking or baking unless it is on the grill, but I couldn’t resist making a special treat for my sister. With a little help from my favorite Entenmann’s doughnughts, I made a Cake Doughtnut and Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding that was rich and delicious.

 

Also, this is one of the many times of year that I kind of freak out around my house and do a little bit (ok a lot) of organizing. Because of this, I tried out making some Mason Jar Salads, and they have been wonderful. I love having something healthy to grab right out of the fridge on days where we are extremely busy.

 

Also, in the month of August I was nominated for a Leibster Award, and shared some of my own blog love with some amazing blogs that I read on the regular.

 

Finally, my oldest boy is off to Kindergarten. It is official. We are no longer the parents of babies anymore.

 

Fall is certainly shaping up to be a wonderful time. Also, it has been awhile since I have broken out some paint brushes. I think some home projects are definitely on the agenda.

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