Family Growth Chart

I've had a growth chart in my mind for a while and yesterday I finally made one. I had intended to do one just for DD but decided instead to make one for the entire family. Mickey will always be a family favorite, even if DD doesn't maintain her obsession so I figured it was pretty safe.

It was easy enough to do, just a little time consuming. After completing it a light bulb went off and I realized an easier way. Next time I guess.

DH asks me almost weekly, "did she get taller overnight?" Now we can check. At 30 months and 8 days old she is just short of 3 feet tall. Don't ask me where she got the height.

Living Room Makeover....Phase 1.2

I wanted to work on the living room today but DH was enjoying his first day off on about 3 weeks, so I decided to be a nice wifey and wait for another day to nag him for help. But I did complete a quick little project that made a world of difference.

We have been staring at these 10 square feet of hideous green tile for a year and a half.
After browsing Home Depot and seeing the great options they had for laminate tile, we decided to go with that.
Before :

10 minutes and 10 dollars later:
Couldn't have been easier but what a difference.

Bridal Shower Chocolate Chip Cookies

I had these cookies last week and my sister-in-law's bridal shower, hence the name (and I can never remember the name of the lady who made them:))
Anyway, I think they're quite good.

1/2 cup shortening

1.2 cup butter

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream shortening, butter, egg, vanilla and sugars.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.

Slowly add flour to creamed mixture.

Add chocolate chips.

***Note: dough will be crumbly

Drop onto parchment lined cookie sheet using a Tbsp. measure.

Bake for 11-13 minutes at 350°.

Transfer to cooling rack.

10 Minute Table Runner & Cake plate

I wanted to add a little Spring to the kitchen so I whipped this table runner up in literally 10 minutes, maybe less. Possibly the easiest thing in the world to sew. If you want a tutorial, let me know.

Also, I found this awesome plate at DI for $1 so I made it into a cake stand using an upside down sundae dish and some gorilla glue. Pretty self explanatory.

My kitchen feels spring-y. Mission accomplished.

Living Room Makeover....Phase 1

Our living room has been on my to-do list for a while now. Two day's ago my friend and I painted her family room in 3 hours so for payback (and personal motivation) I got her to come help me paint my living room today.

I saw a blog recently where someone did a board and batten look in their bathroom and I fell in love. Gorgeous!

And one day I would simply LOVE to have a playroom like this:

I've been a lover of wainscot for a long time but board and batten is so much cheaper. I decided on a dark tan on the top and white board and batten on the bottom. My board and batten isn't going to be as tall as the board and batten in the pictures, but it's still 4 1/2 feet. Had to get DH to help with the top

I am so excited to hang this above the fireplace:

Or something very similar. I'll be taking a class at Hobby Lobby for Roberts. I told DH it will be my birthday gift to myself.

Recipe Book

I mentioned before that DH's baby sis is getting married next month and that I was making her a recipe book. I've been having too much fun making these recipes cards with my Memory Mixer software. Here are a few:






I hope she likes it!