Dresser Makeover

So now that we have news to share, be prepared for numerous posts in 'rapid fire succession'. I say that but I caution that my definition of 'rapid fire' is quickly changing as I have my hands fu

ll with a newborn these days. That's right, we have welcomed the arrival of our firstborn, baby boy G.

I've been saving up photos of his room to share when the time was right and as I sit feeding at 2:45 AM, it seems like that time is now. 

So without further ado, here is a before and after of the changing table makeover I did last year. We got the offer to have this table when we found out and announced our pregnancy this summer. The wood work and style struck me as very masculine and craftsman style so I immediately knew I wanted to use this piece if we had a boy.

Fortunately for us, that was the case. I had already dreamt up color schemes for girl or boy so I just needed to decide which direction to head in this case. With a boy, I had envisioned gray as the neutral base color. This was the pin that inspired my paint choices. 

(SW agreeable gray on walls, pussy willow on doors)

So I had paint mixed up and using the following link for tips, http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/04/how-to-paint-furniture/ ,

I bought the necessary added accessories and supplies and began. 

A few notes, I did several thorough cleanings of this piece before even beginning to ensure a clean surface and clean drawers for G's things. I used a primer/sander paint and Floetrol(and I swear by it). The Floetrol helped the paint go on so smooth that not even my sloppy painting strokes could be seen after drying. 

I did stain the top afterwards which I would do first next time. I used the Rust-oleum Kona wood stain that we have on several pieces around the house. I loved the idea of dark wood stain in his room on various things. 

Priming piece after sanding and cleaning. Would recommend doing this in a work shop but M had already gotten help getting it to G's room. 

Look at how clean the finish came out when using Floetrol. 

Then I began staining the top. This took several applications and I had to lather certain areas more than others after noticing certain markings/patterns as the stain soaked in. 

I then had the MIL come and gloss the top. This is to help protect the top surface from wear and tear, but also gave it a beautiful finish. 

After finding hardware at Target of all places, we attached the dark finish pulls and knobs. 

I took my time with this piece so I could make sure to get it right. We were worried the paint and stain wouldn't take, but I think the end result turned out wonderfully. I mean to toot my own horn, I'd like to think it's a piece you could find at a boutique baby store that would cost you hundreds. I left the inside the original wood color for 2 reasons, one was because I wasn't about to begin the undertaking of painting the inside of the dresser cabinet or drawers and two was because I could show off my handy work. 

So all in all, I recommend taking the time to refinish a piece if you want custom design. There is nothing quite like knowing that not only do you have a one of a kind piece, but also that you lovingly worked on it yourself.

Hungarian Paprikash

(This was my 2nd helping!) 

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/chicken/hungarian-chicken-paprikash-chicken-and-dumplings.html 

Cooking is supposed to be fun! That's what we kept saying during the hour and a half it took us to make this meal. However, once we sat down and filled our bellies, we decided it was worth it. 

I have made this recipe previously and we just ran out of the leftovers I froze.  This time I used 1/2 Greek yogurt & 1/2 sour cream bc that's what we had on hand. Other than that, we followed the recipe. And just like before there is a full pot leftover that I will freeze into portions. 

I will definitely make this again. Probably not too often because it is time consuming, but it is soooo good! 

Winter weather is perfect for warm chocolate cake(in a mug)

This was the perfect dessert to cap off a cold frigid night. We earned it after treking to the gym! 

Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• ⅛ tsp. salt
• ¼ cup + 1 tbsp. milk
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp. hazelnut chocolate spread

How to:

- mix dry ingredients

- whisk in milk and oil until combined with no clumps

- pour batter into mug and drop hazelnut spread into the batter(no need to push down into batter). You want to use a mug that's big enough for the cake to rise and put paper towels underneath just in case

- microwave for about 70 seconds

Recipe from Table for Two

Reine De Saba

This cake is easily one of the best chocolate desserts I've ever had. It has a simple but decadent flavor This is without a doubt one if the best chocolate desserts I've ever made. It that has a unique almond influence and decadent yet simple flavors. It is for sure a dessert I will keep in my repertoire.(I used coffee since I had no rum on hand) 

Ingredients:  
For the cake:
4 ounces or squares semi-sweet chocolate melted with 2 tbsp rum or coffee
1/4 pound or 1 stick softened butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/3 cup pulverized almonds
1/4 tspn almond extract
1/2 cup cake flour (scooped and leveled) turned into a sifter

For the icing:
2 ounces or squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
2 tbsp rum or coffee
5 to 6 tbsp unsalted butter

For the cake: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Butter and flour the cake pan.
3. Set the chocolate and rum or coffee in a small pan, cover, and place (off heat) in a larger pan of almost simmering water; let melt while you proceed with the recipe.  Measure out the rest of the ingredients.
4. Cream the butter and sugar together for several minutes until they form a pale yellow, fluffy mixture.

5. Beat in the egg yolks until well        blended. 

6. Beat the egg whites and salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks are formed; sprinkle on the sugar and beat until stiff peaks are formed.

7. With a rubber spatula, blend the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture, then stir in the almonds, and almond extract.  

8. Immediately stir in one fourth of the beaten egg whites to lighten the batter.  9. Delicately fold in a third of the remaining whites and when partially blended, sift on one third of the flour and continue folding.  Alternate rapidly with more egg whites and more flour until all egg whites and flour are incorporated.

10. Turn the batter into the cake pan, pushing the batter up to its rim with a rubber spatula.  

11. Bake in middle level of preheated oven for about 25 minutes.  Cake is done when it has puffed, and 2 1/2 to 3 inches around the circumference are set so that a needle plunged into that area comes out clean; the center should move slightly if the pan is shaken, and a needle comes out oily.

12. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.  Run a knife around the edge of the pan, and reverse cake on the rack.  Allow it to cool for an hour or two; it must be thoroughly cold if it is to be iced.

For the icing:

1. Place the chocolate and rum or coffee in a small pan, cover, and set in a larger pan of almost simmering water.
2. Remove pans from heat and let chocolate melt for 5 minutes or so, until perfectly smooth.  Lift chocolate pan out of the hot water, and beat in the butter a tablespoon at a time.
3. Then beat over a bowl with a tray of ice cubes and water until chocolate mixture has cooled to spreading consistency.  At once spread it over your cake with spatula or knife.

To serve, use the butter icing and press a design of almonds over the icing.

Recipe courtesy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child 

Copyright 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf.  Reprinted with permission from the publisher Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. 

Kolby's Baby Shower

Another successful shower for my dear friend Kolby. Hoping that the photographer gets me some better photos, but I managed to snag a few....

I was in charge of invitations, decorations, favors and location. Once she found out she was having a girl, Kolby made a comment about tutus and I just went from there. 

I created a onesie shaped invitation with a tutu attached and a bottle cutout with registry info. 

I used a modified version of the following template.

http://houseofstirfry.com/chia/templates/onesie01.html

I then basted and gathered tulle and attached to each invite using glue and covered with a glittery ribbon. 

The inside had the shower information on it printed on cardstock and the backside had my Daulton McDaniel Designs label on it. 

Then I googled baby bottle for the registry template. I then used labels with her info on them and attached to the bottle cutout. 

Here's a few diy stuff I did as well. 

Food labels in giant clothespins(from the dollar section at Michaels. 

I bought boxes from Michaels and cut out the letters of baby Dodson's name. It just happened that each name(first, middle, last has 6 letters). Kolby took this for a room decoration. 

I decorated the fans and chandelier in the  kitchen, dining room, front room and living room with various pink, purple, and white paper lanterns. Adds such a fun touch! 

I used a leftover tissue pom from Mel's shower and added a dollar letter from Michaels. I lucked out that the K was already purple, so I didn't have to spray paint and it just gave them to the mom-to-be after for knick knack decor at her house. 

And of course you can't have a shower with out some beautiful floral arrangements. I found a steal of a deal at michaels where the flower bundles were .79 each! Using the two flower boxes I made this spring, I created a fall inspired arrangement with some purple in it. The extras went in a vase and I tied a ribbon to hide the stems. 

How gorgeous did they turn out? And I wrapped them so I can reuse next fall. 

The flower boxes went on the outside tables. The table cloths were made for Mel's shower and I just love them. 

Kolby's gift was a canvas print off her registry from PBK and diapers from Target(some of which were used for the diaper cake below), but the main gift was a hand crocheted blanket to match her nursery. 

Pattern: http://peoplewebs.blogspot.com/2011/01/weekend.html?m=1

I Love This Yarn: purple, orchid, iced violet, mulberry, turquoise, light gray, white

Cookie pop favors. I used plain frosting and then added purple sugar sprinkles. 

http://www.food.com/recipe/copycat-cheryl-co-buttery-sugar-cookies-395864

Close up of the diaper cake. The feathers and flower top were all from Hobby Lobby and can be used as hair(or headband) clips for baby. 

Here is the finished mantle. Flower balls reused from Easter mantle. Purple tissue poms made by me. The hat & tutu were also part of her gift and made by me. 

Love This Yarn; purple, iced violet, & orchid.  http://www.allicrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/free-pattern-lacy-shells-hat-newborn.html?m=1 (With open flower pattern)

All in all, it was a great party and I can't wait to see the professional photos that were taken. The best part about customizing the decorations is that they were all meant to be used as decor for Kolby(if she chooses) in Kelsey's nursery. 

Can't wait to meet this sweet baby due this Dec! 

These two tried to invite themselves....

Chocolate Almond Cherry Cookies

Chocolate Almond Cherry Cookies

Adapted from Martha's chocolate chip recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (about 12 ounces) semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips

I added some dried cherries and slivered almonds(trying to use up what I had in the pantry. 

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butterwith both sugars; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. 

2. 
   
   

3. STEP 2

   Drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

4. 
   
   

5. STEP 3

   Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

6. 
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   SOURCE

   Holiday Cookies 2005, Special Issue 2005

   
   

   
   

Craft room Ideas

Finally getting moving on organizing my craft room. I've got most of it mapped out in my head, but a lot of the parts I plan on building. 

For example, I'd like to have a custom made desk with shelves, a filing cabinet and large work space. Here are some of the photos I've seen on the internet that have caught my eye. 

I like the idea of having my computer and enough space to use any of my machines(sewing, monogram, cricut). 

As for the walls, I have been thinking of creating beautiful storage units that will display my craft stuff as art itself. Here are some of the things I like.

On each unit, I would group things together according to craft(scrapbook ing, sewing, crochet/knitting, photography), etc) 

And for added effect, a gift wrap organizer. But I'm still trying to figure

Out how to store tissue paper. 

Of course, I'd like to have the ceilings scraped and the walls painted first but Maybe after that, and after I sort thru all my crap and get it organized, I can finally start that small business I always talk about.... 

I guess I know what I'll be doing the test of 2014, better get moving!