Watching Paint Dry

We painted the area where the door was walled up this week. I have good news and bad news. The good news...I love it! There is so much more room and the house makes so much more sense to me. The outside painting was SO easy and painless. The bad news...well, if you look closely the paint we bought (because we had none left from the first time we painted) DOES NOT MATCH! It has been about 6 hours since we painted the wall and it is still far lighter than the paint that was originally there. I can't tell you how much I DO NOT WANT TO PAINT AGAIN. Anyone have this issue ever? I reallllly don't want to paint the whole wall.



I started decorating for spring today-more on that later. But, for now I filled my bowl with cute apples and filler.



I also decorated my windowsill a bit.



I made this tree for $2!! I bought a cute .99 pot, and a $1 "Easter tree". I filled the pot with some styrofoam, stuck in the "tree" and plopped some moss on top. I love it!



I love my birdie...he is ready for Spring! And my vase is ready for some fresh flowers from the garden.



Well, I'm off to watch paint dry...literally...and pray that it magically matches in the morning.

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Projects for the Weekend

As you will remember, this was my kitchen window. No it does not have a sink under it, that is one of my biggest pet peeves in the kitchen. Anyways, we had someone coming to replace the window and...



WAHLA!! I LOVE the molding around the window. It is so bright and cheerful in here now (obviously this picture was taken at night).



I especially love the ledge that I can put cute little pots and arrangements on.



He also walled up a door that was, yes, next to sliding doors. We really didn't think that the door was necessary or normal, so we had it walled up and we are going to try and do something really magical on that wall space.

PS--it has been dry-walled better than that since this picture was taken.

IDEAS?

That wall connects over to the kitchen window, just so you can start thinking for me :)



Well, you know what we will be doing this weekend, LOTS of painting!!

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Dinner-In-A-Flash Recipe

I tried the BEST recipe last night from AllRecipes.com for Chicken Puffs. Here are the basics, but click the link for a detailed version.

Saute chicken "bites", chopped onions, and garlic in a pan. Once cooked, let it cool completely. I actually shoved mine in the freezer for a quick 10 minutes to cool it down.

Meanwhile, stir 4 tablespoons room temp. butter, 4 tablespoons room temp. cream cheese, basil and shredded cheese to taste (these last 2 were my additions).

I mean come on, everyone tweaks a recipe just a bit...right??

Unroll crescent rolls and piece together two triangles to form a rectangle (makes 4 total rectangles in one can). Mix together chicken and cream cheese mixture and plop (yes, that is a very specific term) it down in the middle of the crescent rectangles. Then, gather up the sides of the crescents to form a purse (isn't that fun?).

It doesn't have to be pretty to be delicious ladies!




Then bake for 12 minutes and ENJOY! My husband LOVED these and he is a tough judge.



Yes, we are fancy with our paper plates.

The best part, is that if you want to make the mixture ahead of time you can and then when your ready to make dinner, all you have to do is the plopping and baking!

I know, this was incredibly informational, specific, and intelligent. Please, don't judge, just go try them yourselves!

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Spring is Coming

We have had absolutely BEAUTIFUL weather here the past few days...70s and breezy. We have been spending a lot of time on the patio :) Loving every minute!

I'm going to watch the hubs play softball with the church team tonight...so funny. They are all such little boys in big boy bodies! I swear, one home run and you would think they had won the world series. I have to admit, it makes my heart melt to watch him play his favorite sport...and he looks good doing it :).

With my swagbucks, I earned a subscription to the Southern Living Magazine. I am already in LOVE! The pictures and recipes are beautiful and delicious looking. Here are some of my favorites from the last issue.

Because we will be completely OVERHAULING our massive amount of weeds backyard this spring, all the flowers are definitely pulling at my heart strings and make me long for spring to come sooner.




I LOVE hydrangas and cannot wait to plant my potted ones.



And roses will be a must as I would love to cut them and bring them in all summer and fall!



This purple color is GORGEOUS!



We can't wait for April to get here so that we can start!

PSSST...I'm trying this "linked within" gadget...let me know if you had any issues--I haven't seen it work yet!

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Wedding Weekend

We got to travel to Sarasota this weekend and watch a sweet girl I worked with last year get married. She was beautiful! The best part was that their wedding was right at sunset...gorgeous!



They catered with all their favorite foods, from all different restaurants around Sarasota. They met and had their first date at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, so that was the main course! It was INCREDIBLE!

Such a cute picture of the first bites :)



I also really enjoyed spending time with my girls! We don't get to see each other enough, but this weekend made up for lots of lost time.



It was so unique, but worked out so well for them. Beautiful evening, beautiful couple!

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Beautiful Beauties

A good bloggy friend of mine just opened an etsy shop with the most fun fabric flowers. She is so talented, AND she is having a GIVEAWAY! Go on over and check her out...here are just a few of her gorgeous creations--perfect for Spring!


This would look so cute in anyone's hair!



Great accessory for your shoes.



This would look great with a bright t-shirt.



She can customize anything in her shop for your liking and the prices are great!

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Nana's Creations Part 2

Nana sent me a package!! I was so excited to receive it and look at her beautiful creations.

She sent this pillow cover that is nicer than any I have ever bought at a store.





And this kitchen window treatment which is so fun and different...love it!!






Nana is so talented and I am so lucky to have her help decorate my home!

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I'd like to introduce you to....

Today I thought I would show you one of my most favorite designers. Her name is McKenzie Childs and she does all kinds ot decorative accesories for your home. I especially love the black and white "courtley check", but she also does the most amazing furniture and has many many patterns. Her things are definitely pricey, but a fun thing to collect over the holidays.















Hope you all enjoyed seeing a peice of my design taste!

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Vday Recap

We went to Orlando on Friday and spent the day with my mom and dad, and came back Saturday afternoon to spend the rest of the weekend together. Literally, from Saturday afternoon, to Sunday night all we did was lounge. It was THE BEST! I just so enjoy spending free time with my man, nothing on our calendar at all. The next couple of weekends are jam packed, so we were thrilled to lay low.

I made the hubs a Mocha Silk Pie from, who else? The Pioneer Woman!! It is DELICIOUS (can't you tell?)!



We had wings from his favorite spot, can you tell we took it easy?

And I made sure to give my other valentine lots of love...even if she tried to refuse it :)

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Randomness

I am currently on the last leg of my FIVE day weekend--phew it has been AMAZING. We had a very quiet happy weekend, spent a little time in Orlando with my parents for my dad's birthday.

I wore leggings ya'll and they are an INCREDIBLE device. You can wear them under summery dresses in the dead of winter and you are winterized immediately! I am not normally big on fashion trends, but this one won me over!



While we were there I found the most beautiful red china cabinet I have ever seen IN MY LIFE. Of course I did not take a picture because I was so in AWE that I just stood there and started telling my hubs where it would go and how it would look and what we could sell, etc.

So, we came home and I took lots of pictures of this beauty and posted it on Craigslist. I sure hope someone buys it because that will make our purchase all the much easier!!



How about ya'll? Ever sold something large on Craigslist--how did the buyers get it home? That is my one concern--I'll let you know how it goes!

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The Topiary That Could Have Been

Oh friends, I started out on the right track. I visited Abby over at "Tales and Trials" (she has an in depth step by step tutorial you can follow) and made my shopping list.

*1 glue gun with glue sticks, normal people would have this, but for someone who doesn't "craft", of course I did not.

*1 small planter, of course the one I had was far too big.

*1 bag of moss, I used the last of mine for a plant on my bookcase.

*1 faux stick because I live in Florida and we just don't have sticks lying around! And, I am super obsessive and could never find one that I would like.

*1 foam floral ball

*1 foam floral piece for bottom of container

*2 faux boxwood plants

*Red ribbon as an accent

PHEW! I took a deep breath and headed into Michaels with coupons in hand. Well, of course everything was already on sale and as I started to add it all up in my head it was going to cost me around $20 to make this topiary and a huge headache because I am craftily challenged.

I was perusing the aisles thinking how easy Abby had made it seem and wondered if it would turn out like many of the other "easy" projects I had taken on and failed at...

WHEN LOW AND BEHOLD!!!! (Angels sing, chiors unite). I see a boxwood topiary all beautified and perfect sitting with a 50% off sign next to it. It had been $19.99, I would take it home for 10.99!




Well, I swept that puppy up faster than Batman in a crisis. And I threw in a $1.50 spool of red ribbon.

Things I learned:

--I enjoy taking the easy way out.

--I find great joy in a good deal.

--Michaels likes to put everything on sale so that you can't use your coupons, but they get you in there thinking you will be able to use them.

--I like immediate satisfaction.

If you indeed are opposite from me, and enjoy a "project" check out Abby's tutorial because it is so well done foe those of you crafty people!

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Patio Time!

Please excuse the garden hose, unfortunately I am far too impulsive to remove it and put it where it belongs before I take "reveal" pictures.







That is our kitchen window. When we remodel the kitchen I really hope to put a sliding window there so that when the hubs is grilling I can pass food to and from!



I am so excited for spring and summer nights on this baby!

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Unexpected Surprises

First of all, my amazing hubby brought home flowers today so that I could enjoy them all week for Valentine's Day :) He's the best and these are by far the most gorgeous flowers he has ever given me.

He had also cleaned the house when I got home--I mean, WHO IS HE AND WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?



I bought the trunk! I think over the years it is going to be really useful. I just don't like clutter, but I also love a cozy home. If anyone is looking for one it was $75 at Target and is really a nice looking trunk, and well made. It doesn't come into the walkway at all...so I think it's going to be fine. I just take time to warm up to new item in the home...do you?

And yes, my purse has found a new resting place for when I get home from work :)







Tomorrow our backyard PATIO GOES IN!! I am so excited :) Hopefully it will go off without a hitch and I won't have to deal with them...I would be so happy if I came home and it was done without any issues. We will see--can't wait to share it!

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Sweet Finds...

I am really loving the new chair, as is my cat Lola--I am really trying to restrain myself from physically throwing her across the room when she starts putting her claws into it!

Here is what the room looks like now...on the other side is where our media stand and book shelf are.




Here is an EARLY picture of this room, as you can tell. It shows you the other side of the room. There is a large space between the TV stand and the bookshelf and I have been looking for a wicker trunk to go there to store blankets, board games, etc.



Here is the trunk I found at Target--everyone raved in their reviews...I am going to pick it up today at a FANTASTIC price!!



I also have been thinking of a little side table for next to the new chair and fell in love with this pottery barn garden stool. I think cream will be the best choice so that I don't get sick of it.





What do you all think??

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Thank you, Marlboro Man!

I was so excited to receive my giveaway "win" in the mail the other day from Lori! I hung it in my kitchen, the perfect spot for such a cute sign-it goes right with all the colors in our house.







I thought I would treat my man to Pioneer Woman's Famous Marlboro Man Sandwich last night and WOW, was it a great idea!!

You start by slicing the cube steak into strips and sprinkling it with Lawry's Seasoned Salt.



Then you brown the onions in butter...there is lots and lots of butter in this recipe, so don't say I didn't warn you!



Then you brown the meat and throw in the onions with some Worcestershire, Tabasco, and MORE butter and let it simmer for a bit while you prepare the rolls in the toaster.



Then you put your sandwich together and sprinkle some delish cheese on top...YUM!! You have to try this :)

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