deceptively domestic

new beginnings.

2011-10-11T13:51:00.001-07:00

it's hard to believe it's been two years since i wrote on this blog. perhaps everyone lost faith in me, but in case someone didn't. here i am! so much has happened. i went back to school at USU and graduated! i had another baby boy in May. and we have moved twice! don't worry i still try to be a little domestic even with my busy schedule. and i also recently started my own business as a Shelf Reliance Consultant. read on...and enter the contest! i'll send the winning prize anywhere in the US.

(including hawaii and alaska)

I am excited to let you know about a unique opportunity that i have recently begun. I have become a Shelf Reliance Consultant! This opportunity will allow me to help people worldwide become self reliant, financially independent, and better prepared for the future!

You can expect great things by participating in one of my Shelf Reliance Parties.

*Education. learn valuable tips and information

on how to build, manage, and cook with food storage.

*Great tasting food. watch a cooking demo and taste

samples of delicious food storage recipes that are easy to make!

*Free and half off products. Earn free and

half off items every time you host a party!

*Business opportunity. Learn about the exciting

benefits of becoming a Shelf Reliance Consultant.

*Pricing. Receive exclusive pricing and product variety

available only to home party customers.

*Fun. enjoy a fun-filled atmosphere with family and friends.

To kick start this new adventure I'm doing a contest!

you will be entered to win a FREE can of THRIVE food!!

here's what you have to do...

1. link to my new blog and read "my story".

2. be a follower on the blog by clicking "join this site." on the right side.

3. encourage your friends to join the site, and leave a comment showing me where you did this. (Facebook, twitter, blogger etc.)

The contest will end October 30!

(my birthday!!)

I will announce the winner on the thrive blog!

taking a break...perhaps a long one.

2009-06-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

i've been sick a lot lately and sadly it's not looking like i'll be better anytime soon. the doc suggested reducing my stress. however that's suppose to happen? so between beinig a mother, putting our house up for sale, finishing the semester with 14 credits, fullfilling church callings and still finding time to spend with my family i've decided to let the creative side of me take a break. so no more sewing all the ideas that linger in my mind, no more recipe searching or food network watching, no more savy grocery shopping, no more room redecorating (all though i still haven't showed you the last three i've done and the one i have to finish....maybe!) and no more thrift store shopping. and you may be asking how can you reduce stress by taking out everything fun? well, for now anyway, every spare moment is spent resting. {sleeping} and so far my body is liking that better than anything i could ever bake. so, months from now when i decide to be domestic again....i'll let you know! untill then, may God bless you and your crafts!

quick fix!

2009-04-21T14:20:00.001-07:00

i've been looking for some cute dark wicker chairs for our back porch. the camping chairs are just a sore eye! well everything i see that i like has a $49.99 tag {or higher} and i just don't want to spend $100.00 on patio chairs {i'm cheap...real cheap!} so when i was at the dollar store yesterday i spotted these.

for only $14.99 i liked the chair. hated the color.

so i changed it with some spray paint!

now i just need some cute lil' outdoor pillows and wa-laa!

need photos?

2009-04-16T20:23:00.001-07:00

this photographer is giving away 2 8X10 portraits for free! a $40.00 value! check her out for the details!!

i understand...

2009-04-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

i bet you've all lost faith in me. not posting for 15 days is a blogging sin, i'm sure! so sorry. i understand if you have found other more dedicated bloggers to occupy your time. perhaps it was a good move. i've been so busy lately. designing...being a mom...visiting family....holidays but my biggest excuse is the absence of my beloved laptop! it got a new hard drive this week and the geek squad had a hard time. i didn't understand anything they were telling me to do. {why can't they just say..."the blue button"? i do know my colors but i have no idea about computer lingo!} needless to say it was a frustrating few weeks with out my buddy! {the laptop, in case you're confused!}

so my creative domesticness has been put on the back burner. if perhaps you haven't lost faith and you want more...ask me questions. i'd be more than happy to share anything your interested in. grocery shopping on a tight budget? decorating before and after pics? home selling tips? how-to make an apron? crafts i do with my one-year old? recipes? what is everyone in the mood for?

thanks for visiting my blog {as boring as it has been} i will try to make it worth your time in the future!

oh and in case you care {like if you're my mom!} I'm in the paper today!! it's not a flattering picture by any means...but check it out! and be sure to read your Cache Magazine that comes out tomorrow for a feature article on our business!!!!

THaNKs, tHanKS, ThAnkS!

2009-04-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

i had so much fun on monday. thanks everyone for wishing me luck!

and just a little side note: remember this?? well.....I WON IT!!!! to cool, i know! but if you are ever in the market for a photographer and you live nearby, this girl really is great!

and happy late april fools day! sorry, no jokes.

Wish Me LOTs and LotS of LuCK!

2009-03-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

BIG NEWS!!! i work for Staged Elements {a home staging business} and they have selected me to be their spokesperson for their first TV debut! can you believe it? i've only had the nervous pukes for 12 hours now. but i'm super excited! we have some great ideas on color schemes for your home. You'll surely be impressed! we'll be on Studio 5 (channel 5 at 11:00am) on Monday March 30!! don't worry it's a LIVE taping. {excuse me while i pee my pants!} so watch for me, and cheer me on! if you miss it... check out http://www.studio5.ksl.com/ after the taping.

here's a sneak peak...

wish me luck {seriously} folks! im gonna need it!!

CONTEST!!!!

2009-03-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

i LOVE this photographer! i'd recommend her to ANYONE! check out her stuff at {kristinwilkersonphotographyblog.blogspot.com} or just click HERE! she's giving away a FREE session including a CD of your photos! check out her blog for the details!!

RECIPES!!

2009-03-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

the bread:

4 tablespoons active dry yeast (i use Saf-Instant)

4 cups hot water

6 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons salt

1 cup vegtable oil

10-12 cups of flour (white or wheat)

4 tablespoons gluten

place all ingredients in Bosch mixing bowl. thouroughly knead on speed 3 (4-6 minutes). Let rise in the bowl ten minutes then punch down. Punch down 4 or 5 times. {I took it our of the bowl and let it raise in a greased mixing bowl }

Divide into 3-4 regular laof pans or shape into rounds. Slash tops with sharp knife and brush with egg wash. Let rise until doubled in size.

Bake 30 minutes at 400 *F! enjoy with homemade raspberry jam!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: {bosch style}

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup shortening

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips

cream the brown sugar, shortening, eggs and vanilla in the mixing bowl, on speed 2 or 3. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Blend well, add in rolled oats and chocolate chips on speed 1.

drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake in 350 *F oven for 8-10 minutes. Cool before removing from pan. Makes 5 dozen!!

Easy Fruit Smoothies:

2 cups fruit juice

2 cups frozen fruit

1/2 can frozen juice concentrate

1 cup fruit flavored yogurt

1-2 cups of ice

1 fresh banana

Place all ingredients in blender. Mix until smooth. and Enjoy!

{Experiment with different flavor combinations such as tropical, berry or melon!}

a true housewife.. at least today!

2009-03-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

i really have no idea what came over me today, but i felt like making homemade bread. the last loaf i made i could have used as a door stop. so, i've been avoiding it for quite a while. i decided to give it another shot this afternoon. i used a different recipe and my brand new bosch...and the bread tuned out great. actually, better than great! i made two rounds and two loaves. both are beautifully golden!!

let me know if you want the recipe. it was super easy. and if your not a lover of your bosch yet, you will be!

as if that wasn't enough homemaking for one day...i did more. while i was making bread i realized all my aprons are old and frumpy. i decided i needed a new, trendy, desperate-housewife-like apron. so i rumaged through my material and came up with this. it turned out so cute! i feel so sassy in the kitchen now. sorry, there's no tutorial for it...i made it up as i went, and since i didn't now if it would turn out or not i didn't take pictures. but the final product was too cute to not show you all.

i'm thinking of adding a cute pocket on the front in the red dot material...what do you think??

want to give your brain a rest??...

2009-03-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

i would probably consider myself not to be a reader. however, i do love a good read! that may make no sense at all, i don't care. i can't remember the last time i finished a novel, but i love to read articles, stories, and blogs (obviously). so when i came across this blog, it quickly became a favorite! check it out. it's a place where random people from random backgrounds stop in and write a daily journal entry. some are extremely emotional, some make you laugh, some break your heart...but all of them leave you wanting to be better. wanting to live your life better. at least it did for me. check it out.

Tuesday Tips

2009-03-03T15:06:00.001-08:00

ever get those nasty blemishes right before a big event. i do. always. so heres a trick...

Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

hoMemAdE ediBlE pLaYdouGh

2009-03-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

there are so many recipes for playdough on the web. like this one. or this one. last night i decided to try some....since baby is only 18mo old he tends to eventually try and eat anything placed in front of him, (especially playdough) so this one worked GREAT!!!

i found this recipe here.

1 box name brand white cake mix

1 stick soft but not melted margarine

3 tablespoons water

mix the cake and margarine in a large bowl. add water one teaspoon at a time until it's well mixed. remove dough onto a placemat or wax paper. sprinkle with flour and play! i dyed some peices with regular food coloring for some variety.

it's pretty yummy! you might like it too!

TuTu for You You

2009-02-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

my cute little neice turned 3 last week! i honestly can't believe it! she LOVES to dress up as princesses and ballerinas so i got a little creative for her birthday this year and made her a tutu! it was SO easy and turned out SO cute!

i started with sparkle tulle, i bought it at hobby lobby for $5.00 and a 1" elastic for $2.00! and that was all i needed!!! Start by measureing a small waist. i secretly used her's while she was over here playing. cut the elastic and pin it where you will later sew.

then, cut the fabric in stripes. this part is totally up to you. the shorter the fabric the more poofy the tutu, the longer the fabric....well, the longer the tutu! (but remember you'll be folding them in half, so whatever length you want, double it.) my length was around 20'' total, i think!

fold the piece in half, hold the folded part on the bottom edge of the elastic. loop the rest of the strip behind the elastic and through the fold!! see...NO SEWING! you're just tying knots.

i used two different colors and alternated every other one.
whe you're getting close to the end, sew the ends of the elastic together.
the easiest way to do this, sew a square with an "x" through it. it will ensure that your elastic never comes undone. (as you can see the blue thread from my burp rags was still in the sewing machine....oh well!)
trim off the loose strings and finish knotting the rest of your fabric around the elastic. if you pull the knots too tight, the elastic will fold. and you don't want that! but pull them through tight enough to stay! (if that makes any sense!) you can sew along the inside knots, threw the elastic if you're having a hard time with the elastic staying unfolded. i didn't though!

and lastly, see how it works. as you know, i only have a BoY! so he was the tester of my latest product. at first he was a little reluctant....
.....but then he really liked it! he ran all over the house pulling out some of his sweetest dance moves to date!!

all in all, it's a fun, easy craft even the kids could make! it only took about a half hour and a small amount of patience!

the tutu was a HIT at the party! and she loved her new dress up attire!!

simple guest room

2009-02-25T13:24:00.001-08:00

don't miss the earlier post today! scroll down!!

oh, how i love decorating. and lately i've had so many opportunities to use my creative juices. i recently turned a "junk room" into a guest bedroom! i'm really happy with the results, but not as happy about my picture taking skills. (oh well)

it started bad. real bad. bright blue carpet (that now lays in my basement so i can work out on it!) and boxes of random old things in every corner. the room hadn't been painted in over a decade and and baseboards were also carpeted in the fabulous blue! i really wish i would have gotten a picture of this, my ramblings don't do it nearly the justice it deserves. but once the room was cleaned out i did get this one. (sorry even the blue carpet is ripped out, but if you'd like a sneak peak...look here.)

once the room was naked i got right to work. this was a project that wanted to be done for under $800.00! pretty small budget for a blank slate, but we (me and him) made it work!

whenever i get these fun projects/jobs my husband somehow gets wound up doing all the hard stuff. (what a sweet guy!) so i got him started with a extra wide baseboard.

then i had him tape off the room and paint it a light blue. i chose a bennet's paint called "smoke."

he did so good at the painting. it's a big plus that he's a perfectionist whenever i put him to work with home-improvments.

to contrast with the blue walls but still keep the room feeling open and airy. (is that a word?) i went with a black metal bed. this was the largest chunk of the budget. the black and white bedding, the side tables and lamps, and the frames on the oppisite wall are all from ikea! (so sorry for the fuzzy pictures! if anyone wants to buy me a new camera...be my guest!)

here's a close up of the side tables!

since all the pictures, i've added this cute clock on the side table.

and hung up a row of "travel" photos in black frames similar to this.

i also added a throw blanket on the bed in a soft ivory to warm it up! so what do you guys think? and if anyone has a suggestion for the small, high windows...do share. please!

A CONTEST!!!!

2009-02-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

hey everyone! check out this website and enter the contest for a FREE photo shoot!!!

this is one of her photos. isn't it so cute? you can see her whole gallery here.

Tuesday Tips!

2009-02-24T10:45:00.001-08:00

since everyone around me seems to be suffering a nasty winter cold, i've decided to post some helpful remedies as my tuesday tip!

{headache}
drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain releavers". try it!

{stuffed nose}
before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. they'll clear up your stuffed nose!

{sore throat}
just mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. the vinegar kills the bacteria.

i hope you all Get Better Soon!

i wanna sleep here.

2009-02-19T15:29:00.001-08:00

yep, definately!

ever wonder how to.....

2009-02-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

....hang your pictures perfectly?

step 1: what do you want? lay out the figure on the floor. measure distance between each picture. then sketch the figure, including measurements, on a sheet of paper.

step 2: where do you want it? decide how far down from the ceiling you want the pictures (if your ceiling is slanted measure from the floor up) mark lightly with a pencil. use a tape measure to make the same mark several times across the wall. use a carpenters level to draw a light level pencil line between the marks.

step 3. make it happen! use a tape measure to determine the center of the grouping. hang the center photo first. measure the distance between the pictures and hang pictures on either side of the center the same distance from the middle nail keeping them on the line.

step 4. finishing touches. straighten pictures, remove any fingerprints and smile! you're done!

it may still take an hour, but with these helpful steps you're sure to only make one hole (per picture) in the wall! and that my friend, is a big plus!!

to make a picture grid. use the same techniques for the horizontal lines. once the top row is complete, make a plimb bob by tying a paper clips to both ends of a string. use sticky tack to hang one end of the plumb bob against one of the already hung pictures vertical edge. the bob will swing and eventually hang in perfect vertical alignment. mark the intersection of vertical and horizontal. repeat for each piece.

[information found in DIY winter 2008 magazine]

to you:

2009-02-14T01:38:00.000-08:00

HapPY ValEntINeS DaY!

i wish i could send this yummy box of cupcakes to all of you. and if you're wishin' i would too, think of it this way: i'm saving you the calories so you can look smokin' on your valentines date!

don't forget to love the ones you love!

20 minute baby gift! (no joke!)

2009-02-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

this is the easiest baby gift you'll ever give! when baby was born someone gave me the cutest burp clothes and although my sewing is as amature as it comes, i have attempted to copy her. {her cute shop will open back up in march!}

i'll share the way I do it!

step 1: pick out some fabric that is both gender specific for the new baby and matches the style of the new mom! iron out all the wrinkles.

step 2: cut the fabric. i usually eyeball measure but this time i really measured and cute 6in x 21in. basically you want long strips about 5-6 inches wide!

step 3: iron each strip again while folding the edges in about 1/4 of an inch. (it's easier if the fabric is layed cute side down, obviously.) when the sides are folded and pressed turn over and lay on the diaper. (gerber prefold cloth diapers. 12 for around$10.00 at walmart!) pin down the thick center of the diaper.
step 4: sew a straight stitch all around the fabric! you can add ribbon, ric rac, or leave plain. just make sure everything is washable.
step 5: fold diapers, stack, and tie with coordinating ribbon!

these diapers make the best burp clothes because they are so absorbant. but now they can be cute too!! get creative. i made some for my baby with funky, fuzzy fabrics and he would fall asleep on my shoulder after burping they were so comfy! and i think new burp clothes make the perfect gift for someone who already has children. every baby should have new burp rags not hand-me-downs, don't ya think? happy sewing!!

i'm coming clean.

2009-02-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

the most deceptive thing about me, is my cleaning. (i really should not admit that!) i am a surface cleaning. you don't know what a surface cleaner is? well everything visible is clean. i make sure that walls, baseboards, windows, furniture, counters, and all other visible surfaces are clean. but open a closet of drawer and you're sure to have something jump out at you. i have decided to change this about myself. i'm sick of the clutter behind closed does. the goal: get organized! i got motivated to kickstart from this great blog. but since it's a little overwhelming i started small.

the before

the after

it's okay to start clapping!

what should i declutter next? what are your decluttering tips?

Stores i {LOVE}!

2009-02-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

....in honor of Valentines i suppose....

i went to IKEA last weekend. {love} ikea and $450.00 (combined total with my shopping buddies) and four hours later i left ikea. [tear] but i found the best throw blanket...

it's so soft and fluffy. unfortunately it's not allowed to be cuddled with. (IT'S WHITE!)

and in case you're wondering...yes, i have new pillows too! i have a secret obsession with pillows. i just think they can quickly change the feel of the whole room. i love them. these pillows were a TJMaxx find. another store i {love}!

and then, after IKEA i went to Gardner Village in Utah county. really i love the whole shopping experiance there. i never seem to go through all the stores. on this trip i went into Down to Earth for the first time.(thanks to Kristi) i walked in and immediately had butterflies! it didn't take long to fall in {LOVE} with this place. i was so wrapped into it's stylish yumminess that taking pistures never entered my mind. until my shopping buddy, said "i want this couch. take a picture of it, so i remember" so here's the picture. it doesn't give the store justice at all.....it's a store you have to see to believe, anyway!

i bought this cute basket there. $7.00!!!! ExCeLLeNt!

when we went upstairs i had the feeling i was cheating on my husband. everything was so beautiful and i did lust after it.

and lastly, you all know i {LOVE} Pottery Barn. and my latest and greatest PB piece that i found elsewhere for a bargain....

well, i believe i am officially out of money. so until, next time. i {love} you all. (stores that is!)

mmmmmmm....

2009-02-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

ok. january is over! {yipee} and if you're like me you're ready to kick the healthy food to the curb, forget the new years resolution to loose 50 pounds and get back to the good stuff.

there are so many yummy 'made-healthy' recipes out there for the good 'ol fashioned comfort food and i found some yummy ones here.

want this yummy home made mac and cheese?

or maybe you're a sloppy joe fan?

and who doesn't love a "good for you" dessert?

now you have no excuse for giving up the goal! you can have your cravings and your waistline too!

remember this stuff....

2009-01-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

this sad excuse for kitchen cupboard decor was EVERYWHERE in the early 90's! but if you lived in the northern parts of the state (utah that is!), its abundance was even more recognizable! the saddest part about these dust infested twigs was it took some prying to get them off my mothers entertainment center. (in 2001!!) but as i was cleaning out my own belongings in her basement one night i decided to give the poor thing another chance. and this is what i came up with.....

a simple round wreath for my simple style. i think i like it. what do you think. now instead of screaming to the world "Utahn from the 90's" maybe it can say..."eco-friendly, earth-loving, goin'-green winter wreath!"

lost in good design...

2009-01-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

him and i decided it's time for a few changes. change #1: the living room. i've been searching for months and months to find an entertainment center/armoire for our living room. my pocket book is now large enough, but i still can't find one i love:( so i'm ready to get serious about it. the one we have in our living room now was given to us by our renters. when they moved out, they asked if we could take it to the D.I. and since we'd been married only a few weeks we didn't have much and decided to keep it. {i'll leave it to your imagination for what it looks like now!} i also want new drapes in a nutral color {maybe the ivory nailheaded ones at west elm} and want to hang up the new pictures {i got for Christmas} i have hiding behind the couch. change #2: our bedroom. it's officially time for a king-size bed! i never thought it would be necessary but it is! so the deciding begins... upholstered? platform? dark? bedding? should i just splurge and get the one i love at PB? can i find something similar somewhere cheaper? and the questions continue. so today as i was wandering though the wonderful world of online design i ended up wasting an entire hour of my time {don't worry, baby's asleep} enjoying rooms that made me feel at peace. and not answering ANY of my own questions.

so i'm enlisting the help on my e-friends (that's you!) do you know where i can find good furniture, at great prices, with clean and somewhat contemporary lines? if so, let me know!! and if you would like to anwer any of my unanswered questions, oh how i wish you would!

a project!

2009-01-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

since when did colds last three weeks? i started to think it was gone {completely} besides the fact that i coughed all through my kickboxing class. but i woke up this morning unable to breath. (i know what you're thinking....'good thing you woke up'! and it's true!) and now my nose is running like a faucet. seriously, i need to find me one of those tp hats. but enough about my cold. i did manage to pull out ONE PROJECT during it all! it was a first and i think this is one of those projects that i'll get better at with practice. so i think i'll try it again. {later}

here are all the supplies needed:

1. canvas, 2. enlarged photo to fit canvas, 3. the cheapo black foam brushes, and 4. liquitex medium matt finish.

paint the canvas with the 'perfect amount' of matt finish. (i know, it's a trial and error kinda thing) lay picture face down on canvas and make sure there are NO bubbles. let dry for 24 hours. (ALL 24 hours!) then spray with water bottle and press until you start to see the picture through the paper. peel off the paper, and wala!

i was only a little disappointed because of the scuffs and scraps on all our faces. but maybe it's just a vintage look. so tell me what you think. should i use this one to hang on my wall, or start over and try not to get so many scuffs? and, should i get a black frame, dark brown frame, or no frame at all?

help me out fellow crafters!

to the comments: for those of you who asked about the cost, and i'm so sorry i didn't say it before. here's the breakdown.

photo: FREE! (i have good friends!)

enlarged photo: $20.00 (i have since called around and you can do it a couple dollars cheaper, i went to kinkos for this one!)

canvas: $8.99 at hobby lobby.

matt finish: $10.99 at hobby lobby. there is plenty left over for other projects!

brushes: 4 for $3.00 at hobby lobby.

the reason for the lack of posting..

2009-01-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

reason number 1: i started looking like this lil' guy. you can imagine how that feels.
reason number 2: i was seriously trying to figure out how to make this.

hopefully 2009 will be better to me, and i can get back to being creative!

up on my soap box...

2008-12-18T07:34:00.000-08:00

so i kinda want to brag for a minute.

this year, i was SO on top of things. i made my neighbor Christmas presents in AUGUST!!! so today, all i had to do was tie on a bow, and make a little note. YAY for me!

i guess you can use the idea next summer.....but for this year, your a little late for jam makin'!! haha! and in case you think i'm being mean, don't worry. i have been there. EVERY year, the week before Christmas i am raking my brain for a neighbor gift. this year, i just feel so glad that i'm DONE!!

p.s. notice the mint milanos. yep, can't craft with out em'!

yummy holiday appetizers....

2008-12-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

i made these yummy appetizers for a party we went to on monday. and they turned out pretty yummy so i thought i'd share, just in case you have a fun party to go to!

i've used this one before and it never fails me....

Bread Bowl Artichoke Dip

2 16-oz sourdough bread rounds

vegtable oil

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup milk

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts in water, drained

1 1.4-oz envelope vegtable soup mix

1 garlic clove, pressed

1 lemon

1 container (8 oz) sour cream

grated fresh parmesan cheese (optional)

1. preheat oven to 450. slice off top of one bread round to create a lid; set lid aside. Carefully remove center of bread round to form a 41/2-inch-wide and 2-inch-deep well for dip. Slice center of first and entire second bread round into 1-in. cubes. Place bread bowl on center of large stone. Arrange bread cubs around bowl; spray with vegtable oil.

2. in a large bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth. Add milk to creamm cheese; whisk until smooth. Chop artichokes. Add artichokes, soup mix and garlic in bowl; mix and microwave on high 5-7 minutes or until hot (do not let boil). juice lemon to measure 2 tbsp juice. Stir juice and sour cream into hot artichoke mixture; pour into bread bowl.

3. if desired, grate parmesan cheese over bread bowl and bread cubes. lean lid against bread bowl. Bake 13-15 minutes or until bread cubes and top of dip are golden brown. remove from oven; serve immediately.

Avacado Salsa Cups

6 (11-in) flour tortillas

1 tbsp vegtable oil

2 small plum tomatoes

2 small avacados

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

2 tbsp lime juice

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 350. for cups, using a pizza cutter trim tortillas to form six 6-in squares; discard trimmings. Cut each square into quarters for a total of twenty-four 3-in squares. Make a 1-in cut from each corner toward the center of eah square. Brush both sides of each tortilla square with oil. Press squares into bottom of mini-muffin pan. Bake 8-10 minutes or until crisp. Remove from oven

2. for filling, slice tomatoes in half lengthwise; scrape out seeds and finely dice. Peel and finely dice avacados. Chop cilantro. combine tomatoes, avacados, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and salt in small bowl.

3. fill cups with filling. Spoon sour cream into resealable plastic bag; trim the corner to allow sour cream to flow through. pipe sour cream over avacado mixture. garnish with additional shopped cilantro, if desired.

note: i didn't fill the cups because they wouldn't stay standing. so i skipped the sour cream...but if i could figure out a way to make them stay up i think filling them would be way cute!

*recipes provided by pampered chef.

gift ideas...

2008-12-16T08:18:00.000-08:00

so him decided very last minute that we were going to the family party one day early! now, i believe ANY woman would be a little overwhelmed. i quickly made about 5 new lists, (packing list, gift list, food list, etc.) and they moved to the top of shopping list, cleaning list, mailing Christmas cards list, and party list. so i had about one hour to make a salad (but i still needed the ingredients), pick up the cards at the photo store (cause i wanted to see how they turned out), and pack (something i can't have him do, or else i have no idea where things are and it only causes frustration.) so i left a new list for him of what to do while i ran to the store: #1 keep the house clean! (nobody likes to come home to a mess, so whenever we're going far away this is VERY important!) and off to the store i went. i had yet to find something to give the siblings as a small reminder we love em' all! i found these cute jars when i snuck into hobby lobby (only for a minute!!) and then while at the grocery store picked up some nuts, and look how cute they turned out!

the initial plan was to find cute jars and fill them with home made carmel popcorn....but i think this turned out just GREAT!

PILLOWS, a first!

2008-12-12T15:44:00.000-08:00

when him asked me what i wanted for christmas i said "pillows for the couch!" but when him said 'something that's for the house doesn't count' i said, "a tricycle for baby" when him said 'something for the baby doesn't count either. i said "ooo ooo i know, chapstick!"

don't get me wrong, i'm REALLY excited about my new chapstick under the tree....but i still wanted pillows. so looking at some of my fabric; i decided, what the heck i'll make some.

when i didn't want to buy the inserts (i know, and you should know by now, i'm cheap!!) i decided to cover old pillows. so i took their covers off and layed them on the fabric of choice to eye-ball the size!*

then i squared the fabric up so the good sides were facing each other and pinned all the way around. don't mind the blue carpet.**

once it was all pinned, it was time to sew. i did an easy zig-zag stitch but left a big whole at the top so i would be able to stuff in the pillow! after the pillow was in, (it's a little tight!) i did a hoop stitch (that's just what i call it, i'm sure it has a real name fancy sewers use!) to close it up with just a needle and thread!

and TA-DA! they're not the ones i wanted. but of course those were $40.00 EACH. and i know, that's not gonna happen any day soon, so untill then*** these will do!

*eye-ball the size: i have no idea what to cut it at so i guesstimate! (yep, it's a word in my vocab.)

** so i'm doing a home remodel (don't worry, many pictures to come!) and when we ripped out their carpet, i decided i'd take the old mat and carpet for my unfinished basement so my feet don't freeze while i craft down there and watch sappy romance movies like 'the notebook'!

***then=we're millionaires!

there's nothing deceptive 'bout my domesticness today!

2008-12-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

ok, except for maybe the fact that only ONE batch was truly 'home made!'

i made a BUNCH of cookies today! for some reason, i feel like it's just not Christmas unless theres LOTS of baking going on! and since the last three days have been strictly shopping days, i designated today as the baking day!

you're hungry now, aren't ya!

here's an idea...

2008-12-09T07:56:00.000-08:00

the last couple of years i have really wanted to do the twleve days of Christmas for someone. sadly, i've never completed this goal. i've had a hard time deciding a lot of the details. how to do it cheap? who to do it to? how to not make it cheesy? i felt like even if i only spent a couple dollars a day, by the time all was said and done i would still have to fork out at least $50.00! and who has that laying around this time of year? so this year, since my desire to do it is even stronger, i came up with a great idea for me.. and all you who find it hard to get the extra cash needed for the extra service projects.

no more partridges or pear trees. no more trying to think of something cleaver when it comed to 'five golden rings'. i have the answer....

tWElVE dAYS Of COOkiES!

here's how it works. everyday for the twelve days before Christmas make a batch of cookies to take to a different neighbor each night. this can be something you and your family decide to do secretly, or something you use to visit and get to know your neighbors better. they wont know that you are on a 'twelve days of service' mission. but what they will know is that you care about them and want to wish them a Merry Christmas. and better yet, your family can get excited about serving others this holiday season.

i have gathered twleve cookie recipes that are EASY! some i have tried, and others...i'm excited to try for the first time. but before you resort to these. make sure you make your best family recipe! our favorite family recipe comes in a tube and requires cutting, baking, cooling, and eating!

DeC. 13th: chocolate chip cookies

deC. 14th: ginger cookie

dEc. 15th: english toffee

DEc. 16th: Angelettis cookies (you may want to cut this recipe in half..or use it twice)

deC. 17th: white chip chocolate cookies

DeC. 18th: cookie dough truffles (you don't need a double-boiler. you can fondue the chocolate, or heat a metel bowl over a boiling pot of water.)

DEc. 19th: peanut blossom cookies

dEc. 20th: chewy molasses-spice cookies

Dec. 21st: green and red cookies

dEC. 22nd: snickerdoodles

deC. 23rd: gingerbread cookies

DEc. 24th: chocolate chunk cookies

now, get bakin'! (remember you can easily freeze cookies so you can be ahead of yourself!)

frame remodel

2008-12-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

i found this sad frame at the D.I. (second hand store!) for $1.50 the same trip i found the bulbs.

i gave it a good spray paint job and hung it up with a collage of white frames. i still need to change out the picture with one of baby, but i just got to excited to see what it would look like.

yes, the picture is crooked...not my hang job!

what do ya think? good find?

Holiday {Dress} Up!

2008-12-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

something about this time of year, and all the parties makes me want cute, festive dresses. so if you too are looking to wear a fun holiday dress to your annual family Christmas party and still have money for their gifts, check out these fun finds.

i found all of these dresses at dillards for 59.00 and UNDER!!! (sorry there was one 59.00 that i just had to put on here, the rest are in the 30's!!)

i think my fav is the grey "v" neck. (and it's probably the least festive...wierd!) what are your favorites??

Happy Holiday {Dress} Shopping!!

tonight's dinner...

2008-12-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

...as deceptive as it gets.

my only job: get rid of the evidence!!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh....

2008-12-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

i {LOVE} helping others decorate for Christmas! this tree was especially fun! i'm usually not a big fan of ribbon on the tree...it can sometimes look so sloppy, but i had some good wire ribbon and decided this skiny tree could use some.

and i LOVE this gold netting! it catches the light so good and fills in all the holes were other sticks and cords were visible.

don't you love the red and gold together? so festive!!

are you hosting a holiday party this year? need some added help making your home look 'just right'? check out this AWESOME website. they specialize in home staging and have a WONDERFUL online staging program, so it doesn't matter where you live. and their prices are incredibly REASONABLE!

check this out!

2008-12-03T08:45:00.000-08:00

ever wonder were you can find a blog on interior design, motorcycles, crafts, arts or any other subject under the sun? here it is.....

world4blogs

i've just joined with world4blogs too, so you can even find me!! i've come across some pretty cool blogs here. go on, check it out!

and in case you don't have time to check it out today, don't worry...i've added the link to my sidebar!

The TREE!

2008-12-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

so this year we (me) made a 'family' Christmas tree. it all started when i didn't want to pay $8.00 for the star tree topper. i was scrounging (yep. it's a word, in my vocabulary) around the house searching for something that could be considered a "tree topper". last year we just went without, which is fine with me. but him insisted that a Christmas tree is not a Christmas tree without a topper. and since i make it an effort to make everyone around me pleased (insert smile!), i had to find something! so deep in the decorating box i found the letter "P"! i had one of those ah-ha moments and decided with a few family pictures and the letter "P" we could chalk this one up as the first "family" Chirstmas tree! him thinks this is a tradition we should stick to. and each year when we (me) decorate the tree we can remenicse over the year-old pictures still left in the frames! sounds fun huh! i think we just might have our first home made family tradition in the making!!! Yay for traditions!!

i {heart} bulbs

2008-11-30T10:25:00.001-08:00

i love BIG ornaments. love them. so when i found these at the DI for only 50 cents each i couldn't resist. and although, they look pretty sad, their potential was GREAT!

so i spray painted them silver and hung them to dry. (as you can see i ACCIDENTLY got some spray paint on the camers lens....oh him is going to kill me! shhhhh)

and lastly, shoved them in the tree.

I {HEART} BULBS!

good ol' Pottery Barn

2008-11-29T09:43:00.000-08:00

ok. so i guess there is something you should now about me. i LOVE pottery barn. LOVE it. i am certain the my celestial life will be in a pottery barn! i dream about it, i browse it, i shop their bargains, and i KNOW that someday, somehow....my home will be surrounded with Pottery Barn decor and furniture. until then, i copy them the best i can on my $0.00 budget! check out some of my most favorite copying skills.....

this wreath. so cute. love the simplicity and it just happens to be the colors of my christmas decor (maybe because i copyed that too!)

and here is my version....

i realize PB did better. BUT! in my defense mine was $99.00 + shipping and handling cheaper!!

pretty good, eh? i added this ribbon i had laying around. but i think i like it! what do you think?

now, this next one i planned on doing exactly like this. real cranberries (if you want to decorate with real cranberries, go ahead. they last for about 30 days and smell yummy!), square vases...the whole nine yard.

but then i saw this....

and i liked the triffle bowl idea.

but then i saw this.....

and i liked the ornament idea.

so i came up with this........

what do ya think?

keep it up Oprah!

2008-11-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

Oprah is giving away a great holiday CD. she has compiled eight of her favorite christmas songs from eight of her favorite singers. you can download it for FREE. that's right FREE!! and then you can burn as many as you want. check out her website, http://www.oprah.com/ and click on her 'thriftiest christmas ever' tab! enjoy!!

it's official!

2008-11-27T23:16:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over, and you can now officially decorate for Chirstmas!!

here's some inspiration....

who doesn't LOVE the DI?

2008-11-24T20:22:00.000-08:00

so i ventured out to the DI the other day. {love that store!} i found some spunky fabric. it had the original tag on it, and would have been $14.99/yd. fortunately for me i paid $3.00 for the first yard and $0.00 for the yards to follow...that's right, all three yards for $3.00! i couldn't pass it up even though i had no idea what i would do with it!

well, i got an idea to lighten up our home office. before today, the curtains were dark brown, and the black desk, book case, and shelf were weighing this room down.

so, after sewing a few straight lines......

i had new curtains and a better and brighter office!

GOOD FIND!

2008-11-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

i found this cute lantern at TJMaxx for $4.00! i thought it was pretty cute and somewhat reminded me of the pottery barn lanterns that sell for $39.99. at the store i was sure i would use it at christmas time full of berries or a candle, but when i got home a realized i had some left over fall decor and shoved it in here....what do ya think? good buy?

pies, pies, pies!

2008-11-19T20:08:00.000-08:00

this year i'm in charge of the pies. the most important food, next to the turkey of course! i'm so excited, i started researching how to make it scrumptous, and decided to share these tips with you. i'll let you know how it turns out!

can't stop thinkin' of thanksgivin' feastin'....

2008-11-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

what's thanksgiving without some yummy mashed potatoes???...Nothing!! this is the best recipe i've found as of yet, sure to impress whomever may be your guest!

Ingredients:

Serves 8
2 large heads garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 pounds all-purpose Maine potatoes, peeled and quartered (Idaho spuds work just fine - me)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups heavy cream (Me speaking: the heavy cream and butter make all the difference, try not to think of the fat and just think of impressing the guests with it's amazing taste!!)

Directions

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Slice tops 1/4-inch off garlic heads, and discard. Coat heads with olive oil, and wrap heads in aluminum foil. Bake until tender and golden, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand until cool enough to handle. Carefully peel garlic cloves; set aside.

Place potatoes in a large stockpot, cover with cold salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until very tender, about 12 minutes. Drain in a colander, and pass through a potato ricer or food mill over a large bowl.

Heat butter and cream in a saucepan until butter has melted and cream is hot. Pour over riced potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and stir well to combine. Gently stir in the roasted garlic cloves; serve. *

*recipe from martha stewart (but of course when you take it to thanksgiving....no one needs to know that!

if only we were all as rich as Oprah...

2008-11-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

Oprah Winfrey is giving away a FREE snapfish 8x11 photo book. all you pay is the shipping and handling for $6.99. this is a screaming deal from the original $29.99 + $6.99(for shipping!) people....jump on this! it only takes a couple minutes to upload your pictures and design your book! have fun!