We're House Shopping!

All I want for Christmas this year is a brand new house. Yes, that's all! :o) Okay, so the deal my husband and I made this year is that we wouldn't do Christmas and instead we'll finish renovating our house. Goal in mind - sell and build brand new in the Spring! We have a tight schedule ahead of us, so we're house shopping now to make sure we're prepared for what's to come.

Anyways, I'm overly excited, so excited I can't even explain. I have been drawing house plans for as long as I can remember, waiting for this day. Of course, I have to keep things realistic and within budget. After all, we didn't win the lottery.  I'm just so fascinated with houses that I don't know how I'm ever going to decide, I mean how "we" are ever going to decide. Yes, sometimes I forget there are two of us making these decisions because I get so excited. Okay, so I think you get it, I go absolutely gaga for houses (laughing). Here are a few we've been looking at:

This Exterior

With the Interior from this House

Or Maybe this House

There are so many to choose from, plus there are so many house plans I've adjusted and designed, trying to find that perfect old home charm with new age look. I love scattered rooms and a grand room, but I dislike everything in one big square room. I am dying to have a huge kitchen island with a walk in pantry and my husband only cares that the garage can hold his workshop and the basement his man cave. It's so much fun looking for that perfect home, but so stressful when you can't see it in real life and you want that perfect home to meet the budget! Right now, this is our focus. Maybe you have some advice for us as we continue down this road? I'll keep you posted on how it turns out, maybe we'll just give in and buy... but I sure hope not.

We're halfway through another work week, have a great night!

Mmm... Five Minute Fudge

About a month back, I was making a recipe that called for evaporated milk, only I didn't use the whole can. As I looked around on Google for evaporated milk recipes, I found this amazing Five Minute Fudge. Well, let me tell you - I hate fudge! It's sweet and the sugar grits between your teeth, and I'm not one for sweets, but I knew my mom would love it. So, I dug in and began making it, and now, a month later I find myself making it again! It was delicious... not too sweet and I didn't need to fight sugar grains between my teeth. I'm in love.

 Carnation Classic Five-Minute Fudge

Originally found on the Carnation website, here is the easy five minute fudge recipe I'll be using again and again.

Five Minute Fudge

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnut (optional)

Line a 9x9 baking pan with waxed paper and set aside. Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat while stirring constantly. Continue to boil for 4 or 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in marshmallows, chocolate chips, vanilla and nuts until well blended. Pour into prepared pan and chill until set. Cut into squares and store in refrigerator.

Okay, now go make some chocolate-y fudge goodness for your family & friends! I've already bundled mine and dropped it off at the in-laws. Everyone I know loves it. Just don't tell them I've revealed my secret recipe... I might need it for future bribing rights! :)

It's Monday... How About Brunch at Saks?

Like most people, I hate Mondays! It's the beginning of another week in the corporate world, the beginning of limited sleep and the beginning of rushed nights - making dinner, cleaning around the house and trying to work up the energy to come and post, let alone, make some more items!

So, to escape my Monday blues, I wandered on over and had Brunch at Saks. Okay, so not literally, as I live in Eastern Ontario, nestled in the countryside and can't seem to find a Saks Fifth Avenue in sight! But, my wandering eye did venture on over to the Brunch at Saks blog, where I perused the blog of Annemarie - reading up on contemporary and classic elements of home decor, fashion and entertaining.

 Brunch at Saks

I won't say to much more, but go and check it out! I'm definitely placing it on my must read list for future entertainment and day dreaming.

Hope you have a great week!

It's "Favorites Friday"!

It's Favorites Friday again, and as promised, I have came up with another list of my favorite things. This week I decided to pick my favorite places I have traveled. I have only been within Canada and the U.S., so this list isn't too comprehensive - but still great getaways for a weekend trip. I insist you visit one next time your looking to escape or get away!

1. Lake Placid, New York

2. Mont Tremblant, Quebec


3. Burlington, Vermont


4. Old Montreal, Quebec


5. Bar Harbor, Maine

 

And that's my list for "Favorite Fridays". Have a great weekend everyone, I can't wait for tonight - I'm going to pick up my niece and have her for the whole weekend - Christmas presents, shopping and cooking are on the menu, amongst some relaxation. It's been a while since we've had her spend the night at our place, so I'm definitely excited!! Hope your weekend is just as fun!

Apples in Bloom Recipe.

 

Ready for Fall?

Alright, as my treat to everyone out there and as a Happy Thanksgiving to my neighbors to the south, I'm going to share my favorite apple recipe with you. When I was in grade 7, we used to travel to the high school one day a week to participate in a home studies class. While there, I picked up my absolutely favorite apple recipe and have been making it ever since. Here it is:

Apples in Bloom

4 to 6 apples - I just peel whatever I have, you can never have too many apples!
1 tsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar 

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1ml salt
3/4 cup white sugar

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Wash apples, cut into quarters, core and slice. Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl. Mix wet ingredients together in a separate bowl, then add to dry ingredients. Put batter in 9x9 pan and place sliced apples on top of batter. Dot with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Bake for 25 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

My Favorite Ways to Reuse a Pallet...

So, you've probably noticed the latest trend hitting the internet - ways to reuse a pallet. Well, I must admit, I have found a few designs that I absolutely love! Now, if only I can convince my husband to make them for me so I can find a place to put them :o) Here's a few of my faves:

Pallet Glass Top Coffee Table

Pallet Sofa Table

 Pallet Entryway Bench

Pallet Sofa or Day Bed

 Pallet Headboard

Okay, so there you have it. A few of my favorite things to do with a pallet. :o) Once again you caught me dreaming... I must go now and think of making some more products for my Etsy Shoppe, as I need to get it opened soon! 

Have a great night out there.

Dreaming of a New Home...

traditional exterior design by nashville architect Norris Architecture

What a long Monday back to work. On top of a day at the office, my husband has lost his wedding band and we spent the evening searching the yard and gardens, with no luck. The metal detector we borrowed isn't picking up anything! So, as disappointed as we are, I knew I still had a blog post to make. So, tonight I thought I'd make a quick post and introduce you to one of my favorite new websites: houzz.com. Now, before you go, I must warn you - you are going to fall in love with the interiors and exteriors of many homes. This website is amazing and allows you to save pictures to your own idea books. It's fun and it allows me to dream of a house we may someday build. So, while I venture out to take another look for my husband's wedding band, go ahead and take a peak at one of the dream worlds I I live in. :o)

Mmm... No Yeast Cinnamon Buns.

here

What a perfect day for some no yeast cinnamon buns! It's rainy, cold and of course, it's Sunday. I called my mom first thing this morning and invited her over... tempting her with some fresh cinnamon buns out of the oven. It was nice to have a visit! I showed her my latest star ornament creations and took her on a tour of Pinterest. Then I showed her the house plans I had designed recently as a possibility of something we could be building. Now, I'm off to create more starts and perhaps some other creations. In the meantime, it's Sunday - curl up, watch a movie and try a new recipe, here's the no yeast cinnamon buns I created.

No Yeast Cinnamon Buns

Dough Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp butter (I use Becel Buttery margarine)
3/4 cup milk

Filling Ingredients:

4 tbsp butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

Set the oven to 400ºF. Mix all of the dough ingredients in a bowl, work together and then roll out into a 1/4 inch thick rectangle. Mix the ingredients for the filling in a separate bowl; then spoon half of it into a 9x9 pan. Take the other half and spread it across the rolled out dough. Now, roll up the dough and cut into 10 small cinnamon buns. Bake for 25 minutes. The original recipe states 18 cinnamon buns and offers an icing recipe as well, be sure to check out Quick Cinnamon Rolls - No Yeast.

Enjoy the last moments before another work week!

It's "Favorites Friday"!

I'm going to start a trend for Friday postings. As a new blogger, I'm hoping I'm not committing myself to too much here. If all goes well, every Friday or so, I am going to provide a list of five. Whether it's five websites, blogs, pictures, ideas.... anything that inspires or excites me. So here goes...

This week is going to be my Five Favorite Pieces of Furniture
(courtesy of Pinterest.com)

1. An old crate end table.

here

2. A glass hutch for the bathroom.

here

3. An antique finished dresser.

here

4. An old armoire for storage in a main room.

here

5. Old dressers with lots of drawers - two together is fabulous!

here

And that's my list for "Favorites Friday", I hope you come back next week to see more. Oh yes, and have a great weekend everyone - I think we'll be putting up the Christmas lights outdoors!

Meet My Husband.

I'm a little late posting the blog tonight, but this one will be quick. The other day while I was at work I received an email with the picture below. Of course I laughed. This is my husband, Ryan, who hates his picture being taken by the way. Doesn't it look like he's having way too much fun?

Well I envy him. He is an assistant superintendent at a golf course in the area and loves his job. In fact, he doesn't even consider it work and gets excited to go! Now, that's what a career should be. Maybe I'll make that dream come true too someday, a little store in a well toured town. Oh I am still dreaming... :o)

Anyways, if I don't get a chance to blog tomorrow, Happy Friday and have a great weekend!!

The Start of a New Business....

As some of you already know, I have a small design business on the side doing design for people and businesses. From photo cards to logos, and everything in between, I do custom greetings and branding. Well, not that I don't enjoy it, I'm thinking of putting it to the side for a while, fulfilling the odd jobs as requested and branching into a more product based business.

So, today I started to experiment. creating felt start ornaments and clay tags. The ornaments are as expected, in hues of grays and white with a visible stitch. They're fun to make. But the clay tags, they're giving me the most problems. I've experimented with a few different clay recipes and can't seem to nail the right one. The one I'm trying today requires 24 hours to see the results of the creation. So... we'll see how this goes.

Next up on the product line, perhaps some homemade stockings and pillow cases? I don't have a lot of materials yet, so I'll have to make some prototypes with what I have. What do you think? Should I venture into something else as well? I'm constantly experimenting and looking for that perfect thing to do. In the meantime, stay tuned as hopefully I'll start having enough to add them to my etsy shoppe! Have a great Wednesday - we're half way through the work week!

I Must Confess.

 here

Okay, so if I'm going to write a blog, I need to get a few things out. I am obsessed with architecture, big old homes with an inviting front veranda, huge kitchens with butcher block islands, stone fireplace mantels with envious designs, french doors and everything else interior design - and why not, homes are the place we come home to at the end of the day, the comfort and soul of our lives.

here

Now, I also like to think I'm in love with cooking. But I need to also confess that I really don't know the art and creativity behind cooking - spices, flavors, etc. I can't just throw a whole bunch of things in a pot and voila a masterpiece. Although I'm working on it, I more or less love finding amazing recipes on the internet and experimenting. Now, I will confess, my husband not so excited. Of course, I'm not the biggest fan of desserts, but I love making them, but I also love feeding them to my husband who then gets not just one bite, but the rest of the cake - pie or what have you! Whether he likes it or not.

here

Lastly, my new found obsession for Pinterest. Forget Facebook - I rarely even go on it anymore. Pinterest is the place to find inspiration, to dream, to cook and to live through a life of creativity. Catch a laugh, get ideas and spend your day exploring the possibilities that are out there. I'm in love. And those are my confessions.

My First Blog Post.

Hi There,

I am new to the blog world. I am hoping to continue on this path, so bear with me as I learn to excite and entertain through writing. I have a strong passion for design, the interiors/exteriors of homes and cooking. I'm starting this blog in hopes that it may just lead me towards the dream I'm chasing - a full-time career exploring my creative urges - creating whatever appeals to me that day. But of course, in the meantime I will keep my full-time position as a Marketing Coordinator in the corporate world. Also, fulfilling the odd design job from a quaint home desk (I won't say office because I don't consider it an office, just a corner of the room dedicated to my stuff).

As I continue to write, look forward to some amazing recipes that I aspire to cook, pictures that inspire and allow me to dream of another world just slightly out of my reach and some of the pieces I will be creating to sell in small hometown world. As I continue to build on my blog, create a product line in my bare walled etsy shoppe and work towards redoing my facebook fanpage, please keep reading and I hope you'll find inspirations in the pieces that mean the most to me.

Oh and keep your fingers crossed, maybe someday I will be able to make this my living... working from the comfort of my cozy home, sipping on a warm tea and taking in the calmness that surrounds me. Until then, that is me...