House Project: Office Makeover

When we first moved into our house, we had our desk in one of our spare bedrooms. But then we got another bed to make the spare bedroom a real guest room, so the desk moved to what is supposed to be our living room. We knew we never wanted a formal living room, but this room was basically a mess. In addition to our desk with our computer on it amidst lots of junk, we had my 'scrapbooking table' which consisted of a card table loaded 2 feet high with supplies and other random stuff, and my Grandpa's old chair that I inherited when I moved to Houston, also loaded with lots of random stuff. Here are some 'before' pictures.

So on our long list of improvements we want to make to our home was turning the living room into a nice office. After we got the carpet, I really wanted to get new bedroom furniture, but Cory and I both agreed we were pretty sick of this space, and since it is one of the first rooms people see when they walk in, this became our top priority. We didn't think we were going to do it this soon, but a shopping trip to Ikea with Beth will change your mind quick ;) Here are the 'after' pictures! Let me know what you think!

Thanks so much for your ideas and inspiration, Beth!

Crafty-ness

In addition to spending time in the kitchen, I also really enjoy scrapbooking and making cards. I haven't scrapbooked in a while, but I recently made my own wedding invitations, some bridal shower and bachelorette party invitations, and many birthday cards. And I would like to share some of them with you so you know I do other things than bake and eat what I bake ;)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy birthday to the best dad ever! You've always been a great dad, and now that I'm older I'm so glad we're friends too. I wish I was there to celebrate with you! I'll drink a Yuengling with you in spirit!
Here's my daddy at me and Cory's wedding last October (so handsome!):

Feelin' hot hot HOT!

The past few weeks have been so freiken hot here in Houston. I don't really remember the actual temperatures being this high before, but maybe I just blocked it out.

This is what my car thermometer read on the way home from work today at 5:30.

And a few minutes later:

When I washed my face when I got home, I had only the cold water on and it was hot. Usually in the summer here, you can't get cold water, its usually warm, but this felt like I had the hot water turned on. I hope it's ok to water my tomato plants with hot water!

(Public service announcement: My car was not in motion when I took those pictures!)

Wedding Photo

For our wedding 'guest book', we did a signature mat. We finally got it framed and picked it up yesterday and brought it right home to hang it up above our mantel. I LOVE it!!! Cory and I rarely agree in our decorating tastes, and I actually liked a different frame better, but I went with what he wanted this time. And I'm glad I did because I think it looks fantastic in our new family room!
Here's a picture of it hanging up with some sconces that we got for our wedding. The wrought iron matches the shelves we already have in this room.

A little closer:
And here's a close-up of the frame itself:

Blast from the Past, Fifth Edition

This is Heather and me on Christmas morning when we were about 5 I think. We'd just come downstairs to see the tree and presents that Santa had brought! I love the expressions on our faces, and I love my mom peeking around the corner. I'm on the right; this time I know for sure because I know that's my doll ;)

Houst Project: Bedroom Curtains

We're still doing things to spruce up our house and make it exactly how we want it. This weekend I got some curtains for our bedroom and Cory helped me hang them. Since the wall color ended up darker than we thought we'd picked, I thought something white and airy would help lighten it up. We're still playing with exactly how we want to bunch them, but I love them!

Before:

After:

Nom nom nom

Although I was having a great time in Paris, I missed a lot of things while I was gone: mostly Cory, Cosmo, my friends, my bed... the list goes on. I also really missed cooking and baking! It's become quite a hobby of mine this year and I was excited to get back to it! Here are some things I've whipped up the past few weeks! I've also been working on my food photography skills and I think I'm improving a little bit.

PW's Strawberry Shortcake Cake
recipe here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/strawberry-shortcake-cake1.pdf
This was DELICIOUS! I made it for a concert in the park that we went to with some friends (yay 80s cover band!) and everyone loved it. I had to give the rest away so I didn't polish it off myself!


Banana's Foster Cupcakes
recipe here: http://healthyeatsandsinfultreats.blogspot.com/2008/09/bananas-foster-cupcakes.html
I made these as a late birthday treat for Josh since I was in Toulouse on his bday. He loves all things banana, but he's not the biggest cream cheese fan, so I made a brown sugar icing that was to die for! The cupcakes were good, but the recipe has you actually make bananas foster and put it in the batter, so I was expecting a little more. They kinda just tasted like banana bread, so I thought the icing really saved them.

Crumbly Cookie's Pain Ordinaire
recipe here: http://www.crumblycookie.net/2008/10/03/pain-ordinaire/
I've been loving this baking kick I'm on, but my waist has seen better days. So this weekend I made something slightly healthier! This was not my first time using yeast (I've made pizza crust and soft pretzels) but it was my first time baking bread. I think I could have shaped it better into a more 'sandwich' size loaf but it tastes great and I can't wait to make more!

Pastor Ryan's Chicken Tikka Masala
recipe here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/pastor-ryans-chicken-tikka-masala1.pdf
Cory really likes curry, and my taste for it has been growing, so when I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it for him. It was AMAZING! I heart Pioneer Woman, and her guest blogger Pastor Ryan! Please go make it. Now.

'Maters Again

Before I left for my trip to France, my tomato plants were juuuuuust beginning to get some teeny tiny tomatoes on them. When I got back they were at least a foot taller, and I had green tomatoes! And peppers!
Now some of the 'maters are red and almost ready to pick and eat, and the peppers are getting big, but they're still green (they're supposed to be red bell peppers). Thanks to Cory and to my friend/neighbor/coworker Randy who watered them while I was gone!
I'm currently having a bug problem, though. The first three tomatoes to turn red were eaten by bugs. But that should be fixed as of tonight since I went and got some bug killer ;)