Follow Me on Bloglovin'

Alright, it's the first HUGE snowfall of the year and I'm obviously not allowed to go out and shovel or play in the snow. So, while I work away at getting this baby out and more things to put on the blog, maybe you could do me a huge favour?

Follow me on bloglovin'.

For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a website where you can follow all of you favourite blogs in one spot and then just login when you want to read them. It keeps everything in one nice organized spot for you. And of course, my blog is on there!

So, maybe pretty, pretty please you'll go follow me? And have your friends follow too! And then, maybe go play in the snow for those of us who are cooped up inside waiting to pop. :)

Reese's Peanut Butter Chip Cookies | Recipe

These cookies are just enough peanut butter to make deliciousness. Rather than using typical chocolate chips, I substituted them for Reese's Peanut Butter Chips. And well, this is what I've got.

Reese's Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 bag (10 oz) Reese's Peanut Butter Chips


Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs one at a time. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in peanut butter chips and drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until gold brown.

There you have it... pure delicious.

And, that's coming from the one who doesn't care so much for peanut butter! And well I must admit, the best part is they take no time to make. Quick recipes with minimal clean up are my favourite!


Enjoy.

Nothing like a good party :)

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Maternity Leave Week 1

Where to start... I've been bussssy! And kind of bored all at once. I know once the baby comes I'll be wishing for this quietness and time to get everything done. I've been wrapping up so many projects and I got to spend a day with my girl at the Willow Wheat Spa! She spoiled me of course, with a pedicure and lunch! I love her.

Anyways, here's what's going on and coming up on the blog. I'm trying to make pillow cases out of sweaters. I've purchased a kitchen cart (for my mom) and it's getting a complete overhaul. I must finish the final decor touches in the nursery. I've made a cookie recipe I'll be sharing tomorrow! And well... among everything else I have to share... the hubs and I took another trip to IKEA... bought some cupboard frames and his next project is building a buffet for the dining room. That means, yes he did get the new end tables done and I just need to give them some stain!

Is that all?

I will try my best to keep on top of everything - given the baby doesn't come. But, of course... I'd like him to arrive sooner than later. His movements are getting so strong!

Anyways, that's it - except for the fact that I'm definitely missing some coworkers right now and the opportunity to socialize... I'm trying to keep myself busy.

{have i mentioned the tv hasn't been turned on once - maybe today}

DIY | Fireplace Mantel

It's finally done! I've only been talking about it for the last year or so and here it is. Another DIY project... the fireplace mantel.

After finding it online over a year ago and putting it on my to build. pinterest board, it's finally here. At first it was on the hubby's to-do-list... but with just a week left until the baby shower, the brother-in-law came to the rescue.

You probably remember me talking about it (here and here). After searching for the original website it came from (Sweet Something Design), I found their plans on the fireplace facelift they did. Problem was, we didn't have an existing fireplace to cover up. So it was looking at those plans and this picture (oh I can only hope my Christmas mantel will look this good) that the BIL built my dream mantel.

sweet something design.

I'll try and explain as best as I can how he did it... really I'm not quite sure. But I have progress pics and he's available for hire (no lie.. just contact me for more info). So let's take a look and see what he did along the way.

First, him and the hubs cut a hole in the wall... it wasn't weight baring but I was still scared. Then he framed out the fireplace using 1x3s and 2x4s I believe... and then covered it all up with some MDF. The hubs made the grid at the top and then we painted it with like 5 coats of paint - pain in my butt!! But I guess you could say it was well worth it... and the dust we accumulated during the building phase!

Anyways, here's what it looks like today... all dolled up:

That's it! Another item off the list... the long long list. I can't wait to decorate it and share the pics with you for Christmas!!

Oh... did I mention that the hunny-do-list is only going to get longer? Yup, today was my last day of work and I'm off on maternity leave for a whole year! I think the hubs is slightly scared at the ripped apart rooms (or as I'd like to call them - projects) that he might come home to. I have so many ideas and I'm not afraid to test out his workshop. Anyways, that is it for now! Happy weekend everyone!

Join me at these parties:

i should be mopping the floor | sew can do | sumo's sweet stuff | all things fee | diy show off | uncommon designs | seven thirty three | buns in my oven | yesterday on tuesday | white light on wednesday | smart school house | lady behind the curtain | snap | not just a housewife | the winthrop chronicles | the blackberry vine | twin dragonfly designs | homemade ginger | nap-time creations | kitchen meets girl | someday crafts | home coming | the crafty blog stalker | gingerly made | made in a day | shaken together life | just us four | nap time crafters | kitchen fun with my three sons | too much time on my hands | cheerios and lattes | flamingo toes | momnivore's dilemma |

I was featured :)

      

Busy, Sick & Waiting for the Little Man

A whole week without blogging - I know! But, I have an excuse. I've been sick... for almost a week now. It's horrible, especially since I can't take anything for it really. Anyways, there's no better time than now to share with you some recent purchases... YES, I think I'm somewhat nesting. A couple of weekends ago I splurged on some items for the home. Take a look:

These lamps... to die for! Normally $120 each, we scored them for only $52 at Home Sense!

This owl... the hubs really wanted him so we got him. And, then there were these cute deer. They're already on the mantel just waiting for the rest of the Christmas ornaments to join them. I believe they were under $10 a piece. (Both were from Home Sense)

Oh and did I mention the hubs has always wanted candle holders like these. And, our dining room table could definitely use them - so we scored them for $14 to $17 a piece, if my memory serves me correctly. Also from Home Sense.

Then we stopped at Ikea and picked up a thing or two for organizing and two of these picture frames. They were $12 on sale from $25. Just waiting to choose some photos to go in them and they will be hanging over the couch in the formal living room by Christmas.

Oh.. one last thing! A while back... like a month or two. I meant to do a blog post on some new bedding. Yes we scored at Ikea with this great duvet cover - I believe it was only $25.

Alright... that's it for now. I created a list and I mean HUGE LIST of posts I have to get together for you. I'm working on them right now... and of course, the first is the mantel reveal in the formal living room. That room is slowly coming together and I'm slightly in love. Oh... and did I mention it's also because the hubby has been building me new end tables... reveal soon - promise.

And yes, the nursery is pretty much done. A couple more basics and I promise I will share. Now, I better go pack this thing they call a hospital bag... the little man is safe to come anytime now. Oh what the heck, here's his latest mug shot (weighing approx. 7lbs 3oz):

Isn't he cute? :)

It's "Favorites Friday" | The Perfect Farmhouse

I don't need to say much other than it's Favorites Friday and this farmhouse is stunning. I know I normally pick five things for Favorites Friday... but this place is much more worthy than that! I won't even ramble... the pictures tell the whole story.

Restored Farmhouse & Houzz
(homebunch.com)

front porch.

farmhouse.

foyer.

stairs.

living room.

kitchen.

craft room.

master bedroom.

guest bedroom.

mudroom.

There you have it. I mean what isn't to love. I'm trying to convince my mom that she should rip up her old carpet and expose the wood floors below. If they are in really bad shape than paint them like they have done in this home. The color on the floors with the neutrals on the walls is to die for! In love. Check out the full house tour over at Home Bunch!

Anyways, happy Friday - have a great weekend out there and don't forget you get an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning! :)