Sarah’s House

Pin It

Do you watch Sarah’s House on HGTV? 

Canadian designer, Sarah Richardson, is one of my all time favorite decorating divas.  I’m in love with her style and have watched her shows from way back when she only did little crafty bits. 

Last year, she came out with the first Sarah’s House, where she bought an old house in the city and completely made it over.  Start to finish it was just amazing!  Way, WAY over any budget I would ever possess, but she has so many fabulous ideas.

This year, Sarah’s House is focusing on an old farm house.   Apparently this is Season 3 according to the HGTV-CA website..the Canadian HGTV has yet another (I’m sure awesome!) Sarah’s House season. 

 

Lucky Canadians! 

(Sarah Richardson Design)

In the current US HGTV season, she’s once again gutting a place AND adding a huge addition.  I love how she makes even the new spaces feel like they’ve been there forever.   The soft hues that are her signature, truly make these spaces so livable and cozy.  She has an unique way of weaving old and new to make something like contemporary country maybe?

Anyway, just wanted to share a show that some of you might find inspiring.  I drool weekly over Sarah’s style.  Check it out!

Pin It

i heart faces - yellow

Pin It

My first time participating in an “i heart faces” challenge.  Love that site…so many great photographers out there. 

Alita…you inspired me to join in the fun this week.  Thanks! 

 

Pin It

Kid Incident #4 – Who’s That Crazy Lady In The Blue Striped Robe?

Pin It

I have to apologize in advance to my little man, Braden. He seems to be the subject of all of the “incidents” so far. My bad, B. You little stinker.

I’m sure many of you have experienced a similar point during the day to days with little boys where you can’t keep them out of anything…nor can you keep them IN anywhere either.

Braden was (maybe still is?) at that stage for an unbearable amount of time. You see, God blessed me with with my first son and decided to cut me some slack (he was a bit of a surprise) and give me a fairly calm toddler the first go round.

The second one? Well, he’s like a dozen wild boys rolled into one. Everything that I didn’t experience with Lanham, Braden gave me ten fold.

I never had baby locks on my cabinets. With Braden, everything is locked up.

Lanham was always cautious about climbing on anything…still is. Braden is a totally monkey boy and could climb on the kitchen table. He once tried to hang from the kitchen table light fixture.

He also helped me with dishes. What a sweetheart. ;)

Lanham always stayed by my side, happily watching TV on my bed, while I snagged a quick shower. Braden…

Well, that leads me to today’s INCIDENT.

Braden became strong enough to open our sliding glass doors that leads out to the deck. Not a huge deal. We have a fence, but he would go out there rain or shine. He also would let the puppy out at will and she came running back in covered in mud. Irritating, but still…that’s motherhood, I suppose.

Most days I try to shower during his naps or after everyone goes to bed because Braden has proved that he can come up with mischief I could never dream of.

One day, I threw caution to the wind and thought, I stink, I need to shower. I’m showering. P U mama!

I wet my hair, I talk to B, he talks back. I shampoo my hair and just before rinsing, I talk to B…he doesn’t talk back. I just knew I’d regret that shower.

Quick hair rinse and I hop out of the shower, yelling his name for all the world to hear…no answer.

But do I panic?!? Nope, I just take a look out my big bedroom window that over looks our back yard and see my fears become a reality.

Picture this: Half naked toddler (its chilly weather mind you) running across the deck, chasing his 4 month old puppy, round and round. Our deck has two entrances. Fab.

Now picture this: I grab the only robe I have, which is a snazzy, XL blue stripey number that I picked up on clearance right before I gave birth to the now streaking toddler. I race downstairs and out to the deck and begin a very strange version of cat and mouse. Except my version goes puppy (mouse), B-boy (cat) and then myself (gorilla in a blue striped suit).

Round and round we go, my voice getting nastier by the minute. Did I mention we live in a fairly newish suburban area where anyone can see anything going on within a 6 house radius? Yes, a fine moment. Oh and all the trees are kind of small so noise (mother’s screaming!) carries really really well.

I did finally capture Braden and get him in the house. I called my husband and was at Home Depot within the hour getting one of these.

My husband was away on business, but I installed the new top of the door dead bolt before we headed to bed that evening. Works like a charm, btw.

Once again Braden, cuteness is your saving grace.

Pin It

Crock Pot Crazy – Beef Pot Roast

Pin It

My recent post on Pulled-Pork Sandwiches got me hungry for more slow cooker meals. 

This pot roast is based on a recipe from my recipe bible, the Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book.  I swear, I wouldn’t have cooked nearly as much with that this book over the years.  Great gift for your gal pals that are newbies too cooking too!

Anyway, my changes to the original are relatively small on this recipe.  Any way you slice it, this is a family and wallet friendly meal that leaves the cook free to do as she pleases during the day.

 Beef Pot Roast (adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book)

• 2-1/2- to 3-pound boneless beef chuck pot roast
• 3/4  cup water
• 2  tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1  teaspoon instant beef bouillon granules
• 1  teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1  pound tiny new potatoes or 4 medium potatoes, peel a strip of skin off each potato (if using larger potatoes, cut in half)
• 1 1/2  pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2  small onions, cut into wedges
• 2 cloves of garlic, whole
• Black pepper (optional)

1. Place potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic to Crockpot. 
2. Trim meat and place on tope of the vegetables.
3. Combine the 3/4 cup water, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon granules, basil, and salt. Pour over meat.
4. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 9 to 11 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours.   Serve and enjoy!

Pin It

Cookies In A Pinch

Pin It

What do you do when your hubby comes home and says that he’d like to bring a treat into the office tomorrow?

Well, before you run to the grocery store, check your pantry first.

I give you…the cake mix cookie. My mom shared this one with me years ago. (Thanks, Mom!) In a pinch, it’s always a hit with both the baker and the eater .

Cake Mix Cookies

• 1 cake mix
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• Any extra mix-ins you want (for these I used 1/2 bag of the chips)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Form drop cookies from heaping tablespoons of dough. Bake on an non-greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then finish cooling on a rack.

This recipe is super versatile. I made my favorite combo this time: Devil’s Food cake mix and semi-sweet chocolate chips. I’ve also tried white cake mix and nuts or a milk chocolate mix and white chocolate chips. The variations are endless.

The cookies remind me of Mrs. Fields cookies or those Grandma’s cookies you see at the gas station. Soft and delish…AND EASY!

Pin It

You Capture – Depth Of Field

Pin It

Depth of field (DOF) is something I love to play around with, especially now that things are finally perking up outside.

I decided to focus on what was blooming this week…our lovely weigela bush. 

Another beautiful one-time-only-snap-it-while-it’s-hot- bloomer.

Muting the colors a bit…

How about a little DOF fun?

I played around with the aperture and decided it might be fun to try to take the same shot, multiple times, changing the aperture a little with each shot.  I tried to get the exact same composition each time, but the wind was against me.  I think it still worked out though.

(f 7.1)

(f 5.0)

(f 2.5)       

See the difference? 

One last little capture to share…I couldn’t help myself this week.

 

 

Head on over to Beth’s blog, I Should Be Folding Laundry, for more amazing captures!

Pin It

Earthboxing 2010

Pin It

Last year, we were Earthboxing fools…yes, I made a commercial product into a verb. I’m just that happy with this gardening wonder.

For those of you that are going “Huh, what’s an Earthbox?” right now, please check out my Earthboxing posts from last year here, here and here. Basically, an Earthbox is a self-irrigating planter (SIPs) that allows me to grow a little veggie garden on my deck.

Why container garden?!? Well, for us, it’s a few reasons. One, we have an overpopulation of bunnies in our area and they eat everything! Seriously, these little monsters have eaten large holes in our fence to gain easier access from yard to yard. Little furry ravenous monsters!

Second, we have an average size yard, but a very large deck left by the previous owners. My husband is clinging to every little inch of grass that he can, so gardening on the deck makes him happy too.

(setting up the Earthbox)

With all the success of last year’s Earthbox crop, I decided to buy a second one this year. Today, I was finally able to make a trip to the nursery to purchase my tomato plants and then set up the Earthboxes for the season.

This year we’re trying out all new-to-us varieties.

Box 1: Arkansas Traveler & Superfantastic

Box 2: Sugary (grape tomato) & Box Car Willie (heirloom)

We also planted a hot Anaheim pepper, basil and cilantro in a regular pot. The cilantro was started from seed by the kiddos a while back.

Salsa and bruschetta by August! Oh, how I love summer gardening!

How about you guys? Any maters in the ground yet?

Woo hoo! Let the gardening begin!

Pin It

Guest Post @ Recipe Lion (Pulled Pork Sandwiches)

Pin It

Today, I shared one of my favorite Crock Pot meals as a guest blogger over at the Recipe Lion blog! 

These Pulled Pork Sandwiches are super easy and a crowd pleaser.   Plus, with the weather finally turning warmer, it’s great to pull out the slow cooker and turn off the oven.   

Recipe Lion featured my Tater Tot Casserole recipe a few months ago and I’ve been hooked ever since.  The site features tons of great recipes and tips from chefs to regular old at home cooks like myself.  Be sure to check them out!

Big THANKS to Recipe Lion for the sweet introduction at their site!  I know, I know!  Two guest posts in one week…I’m in shock too!

Pin It

Guest Post @ Still Alive

Pin It

Just wanted to let you know that I wrote my first guest post at Still Alive today.  It features my recent canvas photo transfer project.

Nitsa is an amazing artist and does some unbelievable things with photo transfer, collage and experimental photography.  Her blog also features many helpful techniques and tutorials.  Be sure to check her out for great DIY art ideas.

Pin It

You Capture – Yellow

Pin It

The yellowest thing I could find during a dreary and rainy week.

Forgive my dusty yellow.

 

My yellow friend works pretty hard around here.  It earns that dust.

It has loads of pretty yellow curves.

And battle wounds from the job.

Oh, Mr. Dyson, you had me at “doesn’t lose suction”.

-----------------------------------------------------

Each Thursday, Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry hosts a party for a specific photo assignment and gives the assignment for the next week. Great idea, huh? Like homework for your hobby.

But the fun kind of homework.

Pin It