Hiding those Ugly Cords!

This is what I've been staring at for the past 2 plus months.
See this for a description of why an entry table is our TV stand!
That bird's nest of cords DRIVES ME NUTS!
 Why cant everything be wireless.

So I talked Mark into helping me hunt for a solution to the ugliness.

He's such a good sport.

The bead board cost $9 at home depot.

 Mark cut it down a little and drilled cord holes.

It was already primed so it was good to go for some paint.

I painted with a couple coats of Glidden Deepest Aqua paint I got free in a give away last year. Glidden is pretty cheap paint actually and it's really not bad.
I painted my daughters room using Glidden Ballet Slipper Pink (I usually go with Behr) Anyway I was pleasantly surprised.
Not nearly as many color options though.
Anyway back to my TV Cabinet.
I'm really happy with the results. 
I realize I put cottage-y bead board on a contemporary cabinet but that's how I like it!

Oh yeah and we moved the TV to the other side of the fireplace in case you are wondering what looks different.

Silicon Muffin Cups

I used those Silicon Muffin cups (which I bought at World Market) for the first time yesterday.
And THIS recipe from allrecipes.com
I'm a fan.
Of both the recipe and the muffin cups.
I thought I overcooked them but they were darn good. 


The only negative about the cups is washing them afterwards.
But it's not hard to do...

Making Valentines for the Rugrat.

Sydney is having a Valentines Party tomorrow.
 Thought I'd put a little effort into it this year!
I added the text in picasa then imported the picture to Snapfish.
 I had 36 wallets sized pictures made for $2.36.
 Then just attached a slightly bigger peice of cardstock in pink and stapled a funsized M&M packet to the back.  

Fun and Easy.

Made me feel like one of those crafty moms.

Until I get there tomorrow and see much better from those other moms...

http://creativejewishmom.typepad.com/blog/

Sydney

The Ugly TV Stand.

This is what my TV stand thingy looked like this A.M.
Cords everywhere, Baskets with tags on them Strewn about, oh and yes that is a chunk of dog hair on the floor in front of it.
Anyhow the thing was on clearance at West Elm and I bought it for the entry way.  It migrated into the living room because it was taller than our old one and therefore my three year can't reach the TV to wipe god knows what on it (yes Buggers). 
Well Mark and I went to Home Depot today and found a board to nail to the back. He cut it down to size and drilled cord holes and I painted it a cool color.
New Picture to come as soon as possible.
Paint is drying right now then we have to attach it and probably touch up the paint.
I'm pretty excited cuz it has been driving me crazy for about 3 months now.

Check it Out: I got an Award!

Thank You, Thank You to Deb at http://dejarenew.blogspot.com/

for awarding me a "Stylish Blogger" . 

I feel so cool!

To Accept The Award you must:
1.)Thank and Link Back to the Blogger Who Awarded You With
2.)Share 7 Things About Yourself
3.)Award 12 Recently Discovered Great Bloggers
4.)Contact The Bloggers Inform Them of The Award

Here are 7 random things about me:

1. I hate winter....but live in Michigan.

2. I'm a pharmacist 3 days of the week.

3. I'd rather be decorating.

4. Amelie is my favorite movie.

5. I'm always ABOUT TO START a diet but never get around to it.

6. My favorite book is Water for Elephants

7. I have a constant compulsion to move someplace new. Always wanted to pick up and move cross country (someplace without snow).... alas I still in Michigan.

Here are "Stylish" Bloggers I like to Visit:

http://alittlebusy.blogspot.com/

http://www.oddgirloutblog.blogspot.com/

http://mythirdtruelove.blogspot.com/

http://justlivesimply.blogspot.com/

http://housethatjadebuilt.blogspot.com/

and about 100 more I'm to overwhelmed to think of!

Awesome Blueberry Cake

Baking up a Blueberry Cake.
I used Frozen (thawed) Blueberries instead of fresh.
I also didn't have the lemon.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup all purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon of flour (plus more for prepping cake pan)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups blueberries, rinsed and drained (if using frozen blueberries, thaw and drain first)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Powdered sugar for dusting

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch springform pan and dust with flour. Or use a 9-inch round cake pan, butter and dust with flour and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2 Combine 1 cup of flour with baking powder and salt and set aside.

3 Using a mixer, beat the butter on medium high speed for 2 minutes. Then add the sugar and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy, a couple minutes more. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until well blended. Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and slowly add the flour mixture, beating until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

4 Combine the berries with the remaining teaspoon of flour and the lemon juice in a bowl. Spoon the berry mixture over the batter.

5 Bake on middle rack in oven for 1 hour at 350°F, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully slide a thin knife around the edges of the cake to release it from the pan. Transfer the cake to a platter, berry side up. Dust the cake with powdered sugar before serving.

Serves 6.

Recipe from here.

It Smelled the place up real purty.


Update:
Finished Product
This was soooooo good.
 I wanted to make it again as soon as it was gone it was that good.

I need a pretty cake stand...

Trying to Photograph the Moon Out Our Kitchen Window

We have a Canon Rebel XSi.
 I have no freaking clue how to use it correctly.
 I was watching my husband in awe as he fiddled with the camera until he got just the right picture.
 Using words I didn't understand....
He's just learning too but he got the pic from a blur I would have given up on to this and I love it.


In Other News:

How'd this kid get so old all of a sudden!?!?!
Guess I gotta stop calling her baby...
It makes me kinda sad. 

Josie Dog

She is a beauty.
She was our first baby.
She is 8 and 1/2 years old and has hip dysplasia, but still thinks she's a puppy. 
She makes us laugh everyday.
She also makes us mad almost everyday too (she is a barker.)


Got a few good pictures of her the other day and wanted to post one.

Mod Podge Rocks!: Mod Podge formula guide. You've been waiting for this fairy tale.

This is some useful Mod Podge information.

From Mod Podge Rocks:

Mod Podge Rocks!: Mod Podge formula guide. You've been waiting for this fairy tale.

I Don't Like Hearts.

I have never liked hearts.
 Or Pink.
Something has happened to me and it's freaking me out.
Because all of sudden I like pink.... and hearts.
I blame my princess and pink loving 3 year old.

Valentines Decor 2011:

http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-projects-add-yours/
http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://sassysites.blogspot.com/
http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/february-before-after-pretty-pitcher.html

My Crafts Room: Before and... Now

Getting some semblance of order in here.


 I really do enjoy spending time in my "Crafty Room" now.


 I'm anticipating some future masterpieces for sure!

My desk is awesome.
 I painted my childhood nightstands white and threw a hollow core door over them for a desk top.
 The door was like 17 bucks. 
Great size. 
I wanted to paint it or something. 
Bought laminated canvas to cover it with but now I'm not sure about that idea.

I haven't actually used my sewing machine since the move (last June) but soon I will get inspired to sew something up.
 Sewing table from IKEA.
 I love Ikea...

This is the view on moving day:

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

http://dejarenew.blogspot.com/

http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/

http://adventuresofthemichelenafamily.blogspot.com/

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/

http://www.justagirlblog.com/

http://sassysites.blogspot.com/2011/02/ffafriday.html

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/02/sunday-showcase-party-with-devines-foot.html

http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-41/

http://www.blessedlittlenest.com/search/label/life%20made%20lovely%20mondays

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/february-before-after-pretty-pitcher.html

http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/

i love buttons.

New Red Stools.

 

Ordered From Overstock.
Go Here.
Idea copied from her. Her Kitchen is Grand.

Hello, My Name is Kelly, and I Can't Scrapbook.

I have finally come to terms with this.

After years of buying scrap booking supplies I will never use and continuing to throw pictures in shoe boxes I finally committed to putting the things in a regular old album.

And I feel relieved!

I went and bought these traditional Pioneer brand albums similar to the ones I first saw here. Mine are BP-200 instead of BPD-35 (whatever the heck that means.)

Now I'm organizing them into kind of broad categories and getting the job done. 

Tomato and Basil Flatbread Pizza (Cooking for 2) - 30-Minutes or Less - Eat Better America

Tomato and Basil Flatbread Pizza (Cooking for 2) - 30-Minutes or Less - Eat Better America

Going to have to make this soon.

My New Chandelier.

Found a frame at a thrift store last summer and painted the frame turquoise. 
Then it sat on the floor behind marks chair for months. Finally, on Sunday, I decided to mod podge some old book pages to the picture part. Looked good. 

Syd and I had a Craft day today and while she painted I started drawing a Chandelier. Turns out I'm not very good at drawing chandeliers.... 

But it was fun and that is what matters.

Got out some white acrylic paint and started filling in the lines. I'm not very good at that either.  I still think it's stinkin' cute!