Today it was time to replace these
with these
Happy Friday! I'm hoping to have some good stuff to share next week. There is some spray painting in my future!
French Country Cottage Blog hop
Friday, March 30, 2012
pansies
Happy Friday! I'm hoping to have some good stuff to share next week. There is some spray painting in my future!
French Country Cottage Blog hop
Thursday, March 29, 2012
little stool for the little guy
Thanks for your ribbon votes yesterday. I decided to go with the striped ribbon for the banner. I'll be sharing that as soon as we get them up on the wall. We've got some patching and painting to do first!
When we went to my Aunt's house the other weekend our son spotted a little stool she had and starting sitting on it immediately. She had purchased it to help her dog get up on a chair without hurting her back but her dog wasn't interested in it. She offered it up to us and we gladly took it.
It was cute as it was but it didn't fit in with our decor and we were hoping to use it in our little guy's big boy room.
So I ripped off the tassles.
So I flipped her upside down, unscrewed the legs and got to stapling. No art form there really. One side gets a staple, the other gets a staple and so on. The corners take a bit of finessing but you just fuss until it looks good. In about 10 minutes I had this.
I cut out a piece of felt and hot glued it on to cover the staples and give it a more finished look on the underside.
It looks adorable in the big boy room.
There is lots more to be done in there but it is coming together in my mind and that is half the battle!
It has already supplied endless fun. You can carry it around. Sit on it, stand on it, rest your feet on it while sitting in your blue chair. Ah to be 2 1/2!
the shabby creek cottage
let birdz fly
the shady porch
at the picket fence
French Country Cottage
miss mustard seed
its overflowing
When we went to my Aunt's house the other weekend our son spotted a little stool she had and starting sitting on it immediately. She had purchased it to help her dog get up on a chair without hurting her back but her dog wasn't interested in it. She offered it up to us and we gladly took it.
It was cute as it was but it didn't fit in with our decor and we were hoping to use it in our little guy's big boy room.
So I ripped off the tassles.
Then pulled off the staples that attached the fabric.
I decided the fabric we used in the basement that we are now using in the big boy room transformation would be perfect.
I cut out a piece of felt and hot glued it on to cover the staples and give it a more finished look on the underside.
It looks adorable in the big boy room.
There is lots more to be done in there but it is coming together in my mind and that is half the battle!
It has already supplied endless fun. You can carry it around. Sit on it, stand on it, rest your feet on it while sitting in your blue chair. Ah to be 2 1/2!
the shabby creek cottage
let birdz fly
the shady porch
at the picket fence
French Country Cottage
miss mustard seed
its overflowing
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
ribbon?
I'm making a banner for my little guy's big boy room using maps from an old atlas.
I starting cutting out the triangles yesterday and today I picked up some ribbon but I'm having a hard time deciding which I prefer...
the green which is kind of a woven cotton, like a shoelace almost.
I like it because it is soft and might do a better job of hanging smoothly...
BUT these stripes in a class grosgrain are pretty fun
There is a smidge of pink in there. Probably not generally welcome in a big boy room but I have confidence that our little man is man enough for pink.
What do you think???
I starting cutting out the triangles yesterday and today I picked up some ribbon but I'm having a hard time deciding which I prefer...
the green which is kind of a woven cotton, like a shoelace almost.
I like it because it is soft and might do a better job of hanging smoothly...
BUT these stripes in a class grosgrain are pretty fun
There is a smidge of pink in there. Probably not generally welcome in a big boy room but I have confidence that our little man is man enough for pink.
What do you think???
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
art from friends
My very talented friend Erin came over for lunch today and brought me one of her flour sack towels.
Don't you love that cow? I draped it over one of the chairs on the porch to photograph. It even has "my green"!
Erin prints images of her original watercolor paintings and illustrations on unbleached cotton flour sack towels. They are beautiful. Visit her website here and her etsy shop here. She also sells cards, prints and original paintings. Thanks Erin!
I also found out I won Dee Dee's giveaway and now get the honor of displaying this little beauty in my home.
Thank you Dee Dee!
I'm one lucky lady!
Don't you love that cow? I draped it over one of the chairs on the porch to photograph. It even has "my green"!
Erin prints images of her original watercolor paintings and illustrations on unbleached cotton flour sack towels. They are beautiful. Visit her website here and her etsy shop here. She also sells cards, prints and original paintings. Thanks Erin!
I also found out I won Dee Dee's giveaway and now get the honor of displaying this little beauty in my home.
 |
| Solitude |
Thank you Dee Dee!
I'm one lucky lady!
Monday, March 26, 2012
peacock joins the flock
The birds are multiplying. My latest linocut is a peacock.
I couldn't resist photographing it with some peacock feathers. It is laying on top of an old photograph in a chipped gold frame. Something about peacocks just scream for gold to me.
Here is a close up of those tail feathers.
It is hard to tell from the photo but I used a blueish black ink.
I talk about the process here. I might take a break from the birds for a bit and try some other subject matter. I have a few ideas but I'll have to find my tools first. They have gone missing which isn't a surprise when your "studio" is part of the laundry room and right off the play area. I assume I'll find them stuffed in a shoe somewhere in the next week or so. Wish me luck!
Between Naps on the Porch
Uncommon slice of suburbia
I couldn't resist photographing it with some peacock feathers. It is laying on top of an old photograph in a chipped gold frame. Something about peacocks just scream for gold to me.
Here is a close up of those tail feathers.
It is hard to tell from the photo but I used a blueish black ink.
I talk about the process here. I might take a break from the birds for a bit and try some other subject matter. I have a few ideas but I'll have to find my tools first. They have gone missing which isn't a surprise when your "studio" is part of the laundry room and right off the play area. I assume I'll find them stuffed in a shoe somewhere in the next week or so. Wish me luck!
Between Naps on the Porch
Uncommon slice of suburbia
Friday, March 23, 2012
Mom's sewing room
This is where all the projects my Mom graciously sews for me are done. Wouldn't you love a room like this to dedicate to sewing or crafting or making art?
My Mom quilts so the walls are filled with some of her work. That white slip covered chair with the matching ottoman is dangerously comfy. It is a cozy but light feeling room and when the sun pours in in the morning hours it is a place you want to hang out.
Maybe I would be able to sew if I had a room like this... Well no, probably not but it is an inspiring space isn't it?
Happy Friday to you!
 |
| view when you walk in the door |
 |
| daybed cover she recently completed |
 |
| view from the other direction |
My Mom quilts so the walls are filled with some of her work. That white slip covered chair with the matching ottoman is dangerously comfy. It is a cozy but light feeling room and when the sun pours in in the morning hours it is a place you want to hang out.
Maybe I would be able to sew if I had a room like this... Well no, probably not but it is an inspiring space isn't it?
Happy Friday to you!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
basic quiche
I love a quiche. This simple recipe is super easy and allows for tons of variation. Makes a great, breakfast, brunch, lunch, well you get the point.
You'll need:
1 pre-made pie crust or homemade pie crust if that is the way you roll
4 eggs
1 cup half and half
salt
pepper
garlic powder ( I just randomly shake in all three without measuring)
roughly 3 cups of filling but two cups works fine too. For my St. Patty's green quiche I used:
1 cup frozen broccoli cooked and finely chopped
1 cup frozen spinach cooked and finely chopped
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Lay your pie crust in pie plate or if you are like me and forgot you broke yours you can use a 9" round cake pan. Crimp the edges and get the oven preheated to 425 degrees. There is no need to pre bake your shell. I never do and it turns out fine. Beat your eggs and half and half together with a whisk. Add seasoning. Some people like nutmeg or a little cayenne. Get creative but you can't go wrong with salt, pepper and garlic. Place your fillings in the pie shell and pour the egg and cream mixture over the top.
Bake in 425 oven for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 and continue baking for 25 minutes until crust is golden and filling is set.
That is it! So easy and really delicious. I've done ham, cheese and broccoli, bacon cheese and tomato, just cheese and broccoli with chives. A smoked salmon one would be really good. You could probably do a good southwestern turkey one, with tomato and pepper jack cheese and shredded turkey. The possibilities are endless.
My little guy and I got in the car earlier to run an errand and one of my favorite songs from when I was 13 was on. Smashing Pumpkin's "Soma". I probably listened to that song 25 times a day. I turned it up as loud as seemed appropriate for a 2 1/2 year old's ears and I dare say he was enjoying it as much as me. I can only imagine when he is 15 and I turn that song up really loud again and try to convince him it is awesome he will roll his eyes and find me lame. For now Mama's taste in music seems to go over pretty well and my little pal got a rainbow sprinkle cookie from the bakery for his music appreciation.
Happy Wednesday!
The shady porch
Uncommon Designs
At The Picket Fence
You'll need:
1 pre-made pie crust or homemade pie crust if that is the way you roll
4 eggs
1 cup half and half
salt
pepper
garlic powder ( I just randomly shake in all three without measuring)
roughly 3 cups of filling but two cups works fine too. For my St. Patty's green quiche I used:
1 cup frozen broccoli cooked and finely chopped
1 cup frozen spinach cooked and finely chopped
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Lay your pie crust in pie plate or if you are like me and forgot you broke yours you can use a 9" round cake pan. Crimp the edges and get the oven preheated to 425 degrees. There is no need to pre bake your shell. I never do and it turns out fine. Beat your eggs and half and half together with a whisk. Add seasoning. Some people like nutmeg or a little cayenne. Get creative but you can't go wrong with salt, pepper and garlic. Place your fillings in the pie shell and pour the egg and cream mixture over the top.
Bake in 425 oven for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 and continue baking for 25 minutes until crust is golden and filling is set.
That is it! So easy and really delicious. I've done ham, cheese and broccoli, bacon cheese and tomato, just cheese and broccoli with chives. A smoked salmon one would be really good. You could probably do a good southwestern turkey one, with tomato and pepper jack cheese and shredded turkey. The possibilities are endless.
 |
| my green quiche |
My little guy and I got in the car earlier to run an errand and one of my favorite songs from when I was 13 was on. Smashing Pumpkin's "Soma". I probably listened to that song 25 times a day. I turned it up as loud as seemed appropriate for a 2 1/2 year old's ears and I dare say he was enjoying it as much as me. I can only imagine when he is 15 and I turn that song up really loud again and try to convince him it is awesome he will roll his eyes and find me lame. For now Mama's taste in music seems to go over pretty well and my little pal got a rainbow sprinkle cookie from the bakery for his music appreciation.
Happy Wednesday!
The shady porch
Uncommon Designs
At The Picket Fence
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
put some spring in it
My egg wreath has found a home on the china cabinet. It's much happier there.
it needed more eggs to keep it company so I had this join it
and I lined the base of it with leftover moss from my letter B.
When you have a mess of eggs what is three more?
maybe a moss bunny and a bird to keep one another company?
it needed more eggs to keep it company so I had this join it
When you have a mess of eggs what is three more?
maybe a moss bunny and a bird to keep one another company?
It's looking pretty springy in here!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Green, inside and out
Hope you had a great weekend! We had a St. Patty's day brunch here which was delicious.
I made some tissue poms poms with the help of good old Martha.
and I got out some green which isn't hard to do since it's my favorite color.
and I made a quiche with lots a green that I'll share the recipe for another day
and corned beef hash. Here it is cooking away before it got all crispy and delicious.
Our friends brought some delicious goodies and we had a feast.
We did some work outside too and I'm getting excited to grow some clematis this year.
Have you ever grown it? We have something to train it up and it is supposed to be really beautiful but a bit fussy. I'm wondering if I can manage to grow it. We'll see. My morning glory attempt last year didn't go very well. I asked at the garden center this morning and they said mid April they'll have them. I've got some spring fever and the little guy and I will need to put on shorts this afternoon to play outside. This is crazy for March but I'll take it!
Hey, follow me via GFC or linky followers!
I made some tissue poms poms with the help of good old Martha.
and I got out some green which isn't hard to do since it's my favorite color.
and I made a quiche with lots a green that I'll share the recipe for another day
and corned beef hash. Here it is cooking away before it got all crispy and delicious.
Our friends brought some delicious goodies and we had a feast.
We did some work outside too and I'm getting excited to grow some clematis this year.
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| clematis |
Hey, follow me via GFC or linky followers!
Friday, March 16, 2012
chicken pesto pizza
Once upon a time I was afraid of yeast. Seriously. Anything calling for yeast I automatically thought "nope" and moved on. It just seemed like maybe it was too complicated. When I had my bread lesson my fear of yeast began to subside. This is a wonderful thing because it opens up a world of yumminess like homemade pizza dough!
I don't know about you but I mostly cook recipes I've made a thousand times, recipes I make up, recipes I find in a cookbook, online or a magazine but I omit 5 ingredients and add another 3 that I have instead. I'm not really a by the book kinda cook. I decided that chicken pesto pizza sounded good. Why? Well we like pizza and chicken and pesto so there you go. I feel like maybe I've had it before and I could figure out the rest. So I started looking for a simple pizza dough recipe for the base of our pizza and I found this one from smitten kitchen
Really Simple Pizza Dough
Makes enough for one small, thin crust pizza. Double it if you like your pizza thick and bready.
1 1/2 cups flour (can replace up to half of this with whole wheat flour which I did!)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water (may need up to 1 or 2 tablespoons more)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Stir dry ingredients, including yeast, in a large bowl.
Add water and olive oil, stirring mixture into as close to a ball as you can.
Dump all clumps and floury bits onto a lightly floured surface and knead everything into a homogeneous ball.
Knead it for just a minute or two. Lightly oil the bowl (a spritz of cooking spray perfectly does the trick) where you had mixed it — one-bowl recipe! — dump the dough in, turn it over so all sides are coated, cover it in plastic wrap and leave it undisturbed for an hour or two.
Once it has doubled in size dump it back on the floured counter and gently press the air out of the dough with the palm of your hands.
Fold the piece into an approximate ball shape, and let it sit under that plastic wrap for 20 more minutes.
Sprinkle a pizza stone or baking sheet with cornmeal and preheat your oven to its top temperature. We don't have a pizza stone so I went with a baking sheet and heated the oven to 425. I spread my dough into an irregular rectangularish shape.
Now it was time to top the dough with goodies.
I spread some store bought pesto over the top in place of crust. I chopped about a 1 lb of chicken tenders into small chunks and sauteed in a pan with a little oil. I put about 2-3 tablespoons of pesto in the pan with the chicken and sauteed until they were cooked through.
I realized I didn't have mozzarella cheese but did indeed have string cheese. So, I chopped up three string cheese sticks to sprinkle over the top. I added some spoonfuls of ricotta cheese because I love cheese, probably about a 1/4 cup or so but just do it to taste. Then I sprinkled romano over the top because again I love cheese. What other reason do I need?
In the oven it went for ten minutes.
Yum
At The picket Fence
It's Overflowing
Boogie Board Cottage
Between Naps on the Porch
Our delighful home
I don't know about you but I mostly cook recipes I've made a thousand times, recipes I make up, recipes I find in a cookbook, online or a magazine but I omit 5 ingredients and add another 3 that I have instead. I'm not really a by the book kinda cook. I decided that chicken pesto pizza sounded good. Why? Well we like pizza and chicken and pesto so there you go. I feel like maybe I've had it before and I could figure out the rest. So I started looking for a simple pizza dough recipe for the base of our pizza and I found this one from smitten kitchen
Really Simple Pizza Dough
Makes enough for one small, thin crust pizza. Double it if you like your pizza thick and bready.
1 1/2 cups flour (can replace up to half of this with whole wheat flour which I did!)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water (may need up to 1 or 2 tablespoons more)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Stir dry ingredients, including yeast, in a large bowl.
Add water and olive oil, stirring mixture into as close to a ball as you can.
Dump all clumps and floury bits onto a lightly floured surface and knead everything into a homogeneous ball.
Knead it for just a minute or two. Lightly oil the bowl (a spritz of cooking spray perfectly does the trick) where you had mixed it — one-bowl recipe! — dump the dough in, turn it over so all sides are coated, cover it in plastic wrap and leave it undisturbed for an hour or two.
Once it has doubled in size dump it back on the floured counter and gently press the air out of the dough with the palm of your hands.
Fold the piece into an approximate ball shape, and let it sit under that plastic wrap for 20 more minutes.
Sprinkle a pizza stone or baking sheet with cornmeal and preheat your oven to its top temperature. We don't have a pizza stone so I went with a baking sheet and heated the oven to 425. I spread my dough into an irregular rectangularish shape.
Now it was time to top the dough with goodies.
I spread some store bought pesto over the top in place of crust. I chopped about a 1 lb of chicken tenders into small chunks and sauteed in a pan with a little oil. I put about 2-3 tablespoons of pesto in the pan with the chicken and sauteed until they were cooked through.
I realized I didn't have mozzarella cheese but did indeed have string cheese. So, I chopped up three string cheese sticks to sprinkle over the top. I added some spoonfuls of ricotta cheese because I love cheese, probably about a 1/4 cup or so but just do it to taste. Then I sprinkled romano over the top because again I love cheese. What other reason do I need?
In the oven it went for ten minutes.
Yum
At The picket Fence
It's Overflowing
Boogie Board Cottage
Between Naps on the Porch
Our delighful home
Thursday, March 15, 2012
big boy room
My little guy is getting bigger. Sigh.... in a few months it will be time to move him to a bed. I've been thinking of how we'll change his room to make it feel a bit more "big boy"
Here it is now
The color isn't coming across as bright and cheery as it is in real life. It is such a happy blue. My friend said it reminded her of a candy shop. I loved that! The blue is staying for sure and I love the accents of red. My Mom made that quilt for him so that will stay too.
I've been seeing all these rooms with maps in them and I've been falling in love with the look. I remembered an old or shall I say "vintage" atlas from when we were growing up and asked my Mom if we could use it. She said yes and look how the blue in the maps matches the wall. It is just a smidge deeper
There is a bit of green in there and you know how I love my green so these sheets would be fun.
and how about some pillows in this
We have a tan comforter that would work well in there. This light is staying but maybe getting a paint job? I'd love if it was a more rustic looking metal, a barn light look.
It is starting to come together in my mind but there is more figuring to do. In the meantime these boy's rooms are excellent inspiration.
Here it is now
The color isn't coming across as bright and cheery as it is in real life. It is such a happy blue. My friend said it reminded her of a candy shop. I loved that! The blue is staying for sure and I love the accents of red. My Mom made that quilt for him so that will stay too.
I've been seeing all these rooms with maps in them and I've been falling in love with the look. I remembered an old or shall I say "vintage" atlas from when we were growing up and asked my Mom if we could use it. She said yes and look how the blue in the maps matches the wall. It is just a smidge deeper
There is a bit of green in there and you know how I love my green so these sheets would be fun.
 |
| via |
and how about some pillows in this
 |
| via |
We have a tan comforter that would work well in there. This light is staying but maybe getting a paint job? I'd love if it was a more rustic looking metal, a barn light look.
It is starting to come together in my mind but there is more figuring to do. In the meantime these boy's rooms are excellent inspiration.
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