But I Still Love Technology

Photo from here

This past weekend my teenagers were challenged in church to have a "No Technology" weekend. And since they had to do it, they decided it would only be fair if the whole family was part of it. I was fine with the idea. I rarely use my computer during the weekends anyway. Yeah, right. It was a little harder than I thought it would be, but it wasn't too bad. It did make me realize how "plugged-in" our kids are now days. My oldest daughter had to relearn how to use the home phone. And my 5 yr old told my husband to put the board game on "pause" while he went to the bathroom. We got a good laugh over that one.

I think the weekend was a success and no one was injured.

What I'm Working On

A preview of what I'm working on for Christmas. I love them!

Hope my besties will too!



In Case You Need Some Invitations

I saw these last night and they made me want to plan a party. Not that I am. I just want to use these. Maybe I can find a reason to give little thank you gifts to friends.

I really don't think I'll ever get tired of Chevron patterns. How about you?

Go here to print your own.

Why Waterbeds Should Be Banned

I don't remember if I've mentioned this before on here, but I'll tell you now, we have been sleeping on a waterbed. Yes, a straight from the 80's, wood framed, etched mirror, drawers under bed, waterbed. My husband got it for free a while ago and if it's free then it was fine for him. When we got married I thought I would have enough power to get rid of it. I was mistaken.

Until now :)

I didn't do anything to it, I swear! It must have been God's way of saying, "You really need to get an appropriate bed before this baby comes!" So, it popped. At 1:00am Saturday night. Those beds hold A LOT of water. Luckily my husband also has a small water pump that made the job easier and not nearly as messy and wet as it could have been.

Now we get to go bed shopping, which I don't particularly care for. The really nice beds I want I can't afford so we'll have to make do with something kind of nice. But it won't be a horrible mirrored eyesore.

I want our room to be a mix of these bedrooms....

Photo from here

Simple and comfy.

Photo from here

Love the tufted headboard.

Photo from here

But we need a touch of masculinity for my husband.

Photo from here

A floor to ceiling mirror. The way mirrors are supposed to be in a bedroom. Not an oval on the headboard.

Photo from here

And something a little over-the-top, like this chandelier.

That would make the perfect bedroom!

Spruce Up

My computer station really needed some improvement, floral-wise and usefullness-wise.

 Here is the before shot....

And here is the after with my new bulletin board. I love it! Now I have a place for my inspiration pictures and messages and I can become oh so organized.

Woo Hoo!

I used foam board, taped together to fit the space and then duct taped the Amy Butler fabric to the board. 
Simple and quick, my kind of project!

Dish of the Week

Giant Double Chocolate Cookies

It's a cookie kind of day. And I haven't made these forever. So today will be spent eating giant cookies and finishing my book.

 It will be a good day!



You can find the recipe here.

Inspired

I'm on the search for a pendant light like this one. It would be perfect for my kitchen window. And I love the fancy trim work in the corners. I may have to steal that idea too.



Photo from here

And maybe a blind like this one...

Photo from here

Dish of the Week

Apple Bread Pudding

This is goooood!!!

I have a lot of apples. I'm supposed to be making apple butter for my husband. It will happen. I swear it will. (that is to keep me motivated). But until I get that done I will make a whole bunch of other apple dishes. And enjoy every one of them.

Here is the recipe for this yummy dish....

PUDDING

4 cups soft bread cubes

1/4 cup raisins

2 cups peeled and sliced apples

1 cup brown sugar

1 3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup margarine

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs, beaten

VANILLA SAUCE

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 7x11 inch baking dish.

2.In a large bowl, combine bread, raisins, and apples. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 3/4 cups milk, and 1/4 cup margarine. Cook and stir until margarine is melted. Pour over bread mixture in bowl.

3.In a small bowl, whisk together cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and eggs. Pour bread mixture into prepared dish, and pour egg mixture over bread.

4.Bake in preheated oven 40 to 50 minutes, or until center is set and apples are tender.

5.While pudding is baking, mix together sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/2 cup margarine in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat, and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Serve over bread pudding.

Pumpkin Pickin'

Today we are venturing back to Parma to pick out some pumpkins from my parents' garden. It's really nice to have access to a little pumpkin patch. I've grown them before and hopefully we'll grow them again next year. I'm already planning a garden, are you? I think I'll try to grow some white pumpkins.

They seem so fancy!



Photo from here

Photos from here

Photo from here

My Halloween Decor

Today I'm sharing a little of my house. I did some decorating for Halloween. Not too much this year but our house is starting to feel like our home. Even though most of the colors in my home are on the pastel side, they contribute nicely to fall shades.

 My orange accent hutch loves Halloween.

 My sweet blue table.