Book(something)

Not really sure what to call this:

But I am going to start sanding it tomorrow.  At some point this week, strip the paint and re-stain or paint it.  I know it had to been painted/"antiqued" recently because of the section of the store I bought it in. (Everything was painted white or this blue color).  So hopefully it won't require too much elbow grease.

I hope that soon the finish will look similar to these book shelves:

To stain or not to stain?

Very similar, huh?  I must like it!

Paint Black?

Paint green, to match my "Keep Calm and Carry on" poster?

Def. not painting it white...

I guess it depends on what the wood looks like and how good of shape it is in before I can determine whether to stain or paint.  All I know is that the blue has GOT to go.  Been meaning to do it since I got the piece.  Now that I will be in town the next 2 consecutive weeks, I think I can finally start it!

As I was researching, found this FABULOUS book shelf. I'm LOVING it.

Praying this project doesn't end like this:

Catch up

Today I am playing the catch up game.  Drew left for the Master's Wednesday night and I left for the beach Thursday afternoon.  We both had a great time on our separate trips.

While Drew was gone and before I left I made him a few things before he came back.  He was thrilled about going to the Master's first of all... So I tried to make it a little extra special.  I'm convinced it was his first trip of MANY.

Anyway, his favorite cake is yellow cake with chocolate icing.  Even his groom's cake was yellow cake with chocolate icing!  See below.

Obviously my cake isn't as beautiful as this one, but he loved it!

Normal yellow cake with chocolate icing:

Drew's dream yellow cake with chocolate icing:

I also made him a batch of Arnold Palmer for him to enjoy while I was gone, although I make him some every week...  Also sent some glorified chex mix and home made chocolate chip cookies for he and his friends he went with to enjoy.

This is a birthday cake I made for my grandparents Easter Weekend.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it, it was gone in 1.5 days!

I love to bake and to put a special twist on everything.  Ever need a cake or cookies for something, let me know!

Recipe Thursday!

I am leaving for the beach this afternoon so I won't be blogging any recipes tomorrow!  A few of us girls are going down to celebrate Kerra's bachelorette party! Fun fun.  So while I am basking in the sun here are some refreshing recipes for this warm weather!


Tossed Salad with Apples and Cashews

Dressing: 3/4 Cup Sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/3 Cup cider vinegar
1 tsp. chopped onion
1/2 Cup water
1/2 Cup Veg. oil
1.5 tsp. poppy seeds

Salad: 1 small head lettuce
5 ounces fresh baby spinach
2 LARGE granny smith apples, sliced very thin
1/2 pound swiss cheese, grated
1 (9-1/4 ounce) tin cashews
dried cranberries

Heat the sugar, mustard, salt, vinegar, and onion until the sugar is dissolved.  Do not boil.  Add the water, oil, and poppy seeds.  Chill slightly.  Toss together lettuce, spinach, apples, cheese, and cashews.  Serve with dressing on the side.

Serves 6-8

Cranberry Salad (my lovely Mimi's recipe)

1 package raspberry jello
1 Cup hot water
1/2 Cup cold water
------------------------------------
COOL.

Add 2 cups cranberries-chopped in blender
1 orange
1 Cup sugar
nuts

Place in serving dish and refrigerate several hours.

Hope everyone has a fabulous and safe weekend!!!

Planter Project

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The planter is from Old Time Pottery.  I bought it for $8.99.  I had some left over spray paint that I used on the chairs.

I went to Home Depot today to buy some flowers/plants.  I prepped by laying out a trash bag, potting soil, and all the plants.

From the outside of the planter in: Creeping Jenny- Outside.  Pink Impatiens- Next.  Coleus in the middle.  I spent about $20.  Someone helped me, BIG time, because I don't know what works with shade, etc.  She told me once it got REALLY hot to water them every other day.

The white square pot is from Tuesday Morning.  I bought it off the clearance rack for $3.99.  I bought 2 containers of sweet mint.  I LOVE MINT.  It smells so great and I have already used some in my tea today.

I rinsed off a popsicle stick and with a sharpie wrote MINT on the clean end.  Then stuck it in the soil of my mint pot. VOILA!

Tuesday Morning

This Tuesday morning I am going to Tuesday Morning!  Once I drink some coffee and awake my senses, I am on a mission.  They have some GREAT deals today and I think for the rest of this week.  It starts at 8 am today.  Here is a link showing some of their new items and their great prices!  I am going to try and find a few outdoor accessories to spruce up our front porch.  Maybe a few birthday/mother's day gifts, etc.

Found a great, inexpensive planter yesterday!  Went to Old Time Pottery.  It was green and $8.99.  So far, I've painted it. Going to get soil, flowers, and herbs today!  Trying to do some research to see what would be best and easiest to plant.  I'll post the before and after tomorrow!

These are some of the CUTE things at Tuesday Morning.

Planters with Flowers

I really want to get a planter and put flowers or herbs in it.  It would sit on the ledge right outside on our front porch.  I think a long, rectangular one would look great because the space is slim and long.
Something like these:

I need suggestions on what flowers to use or herbs.  It is in the shade but gets some sun light.  If anyone has experience with growing flowers outside let me know what has and hasn't worked for you!!

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

Happy Easter!

This is sort of recipe Friday on a Thursday.  Busy weekend a head yet again!  When I was younger my mom would always make us an Easter Bunny cake.  When I got older I would help her.  But in the spirit of the holiday I thought I would post a few pictures of what they look like!  Just make a regular cake mix in 2 - 9" round pans.  Then cut like this, once they are cooled.

Ice with white or brown icing, whichever color bunny you like best! Cover the icing with coconut and decorate!  We used to dye coconut green for "grass" around the bunny.

(Picture from "Everyday Celebrating")

(Picture from "Sisterly Savings")

Hope everyone has a wonderful, happy, blessed Easter!  Remember why we celebrate.  God bless!