Spring Wreath

Spring is in the air, the birds are singing and Easter is just around the corner. Not having a wreath on our front door for a while now was getting to me, so this is what I came up with. Cute and simple, just like I like it.

First, I began with items that I had used for a dining room centerpiece last year. It had been hanging out in a closet so pardon the distorted mess.

This leftover mess would be perfect for my spring wreath, the white flowers and green twigs, which meant that I did not have to make a trip to Michaels!

I took all the pieces out of the jug and put aside what I was not going to use for this, the feathers and tree twigs.

I cut the flower stems shorter and removed all the green twigs from the larger branch and set all aside to begin to assemble my wreath.

First, I placed all the items where I wanted them go and adjusted a few to get them just right, then it was hot glue time! Don't you just love a hot glue gun project? I do! (minus the glue burns of course!)

 



After the glue was dry, it was time to hang, it is so cute on the front door and the white flowers really stand out well.

I really like it when I can take items that I already have and reuse them, at least this way I feel like I am getting more bang with a buck!

Linking up to House of Hempworths! and Inspire Me Please @ Liz Marie Blog.

Wine Wednesday

Hello people it is Wednesday! Hump Day, whatever you call it. We are almost to the weekend! I thought about starting a new topic, Wine Wednesday.

Now, first off let me tell you that I am not a wine connoisseur but I know a good wine when I taste one, don't we all. And, let me fill you in, my husband picks out most of the wines I we drink so he knows how to pick 'em!  So this is just my opinion, take it or leave it or try it! You may just find a new favorite wine!

This is Truscano by Gervasi Vineyards , Gervasi Vineyards is located in Ohio. My husband said this vineyard is gorgeous and from the photos on their website, it really is and hope one day to see it for myself! This wine is one of the best wines I have ever tasted, and there is another wine that we have enjoyed from this same vineyard but I will save that one for another Wednesday. Anyway, this wine has a rustic yet smooth flavor with hints of plum and black currant. We have has this wine with pizza, pasta, red meat and it is always fabulous. To be honest, it's good by itself too.

This wine takes my mind to what I envision Tuscany is like and one day hope to visit. Italy, one place I hope to go, one day. If you like wine, try this one, after looking on their website, others agree because it has great reviews. I'm just glad I remembered to take a photo of the wine before I drank the last sip in the bottle. My husband saved this last sip for me because he knows just how much I love this wine, we both really like it. Thinking we need to make a trip to Ohio to get more.....

 

I was not compensated for this post, all opinions are mine.

 

 

 



DIY Framed Monogram

I have seen many versions of these on Pinterest and thought they were just so cute! So here is what I came up with using items that I already had here at home.

I had a 5x7 frame that I had in a drawer because I was not fond of the color of the frame and just had no place for it anyone. I had bought Martha Stewart High Gloss Acrylic Craft Paint in Beetle Black and painted the frame and let it dry overnight, one coat was all it took. So while enjoying my morning coffee I completed this in no time flat!

 

I gathered a piece of burlap and stapled it around the cardboard backing of the frame and then placed it in the frame (without the glass in place). The back of my frame looked like this....

 



I started to trim off the excess burlap but it began to unravel and I was scared that if I cut it too close it would unravel to the other side. I hated the back looks like this but it will be facing the wall or be hidden anyway so I am ok with it.

So then I added the monogram, it is one I picked up at Hobby Lobby a year ago and knew it was time to do something with it! I adhered the monogram with double sided sponge tape, its thin and holds well so I found it to work well with this.

 

The reason I chose to use staples & tape to attached the burlap and monogram is because this way I can take it all apart and reuse the items for something else if I want. Unless, I really love something, it will not hang around very long before I toss it out or make it into something else. I guess I have commitment issues with material things.

 

 

This was a quick little item to make that can be easily changed out, I was thinking for Easter that I may just remove the "P" and add a bunny silhouette or  at the end of the school year a graduation cap (since our little one will be graduating preschool). So many options!

 

 

 

 

 





Sangria Punch

This drink reminds me of summer for some reason. Maybe it is the pretty color or the cool taste, who knows, but I really like it! Anyway, I usually prepare this when we have people over and it only makes one pitcher so it never last very long, I mean you would think I would learn and make more than one batch but I never do. Blame the blond my thick skull.

Anyway, I have had this recipe for many many years and honestly have no idea where I got it.

So here goes:

Sangria Punch
3/4 cup Country Time Lemonade Drink Mix
4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup cold OJ
1Tbsp. fresh lime juice
3 cups cold club soda
2 medium oranges, sliced
2 medium limes, sliced

Empty the drink mix into a pitcher, add cranberry juice, OJ and stir till drink mix is dissolved. Refrigerate till ready to serve. Just before serving, stir in club soda & fruit. Serve over ice cubes. Makes approx. 1 gallon.
This would be really good with added wine or rum too :)

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

 

 

Doesn't that look so yummy, creamy, and full of chocolate goodness?

 

Well, don't let the look fool you!

 

Every so often, I come across a recipe that intrigues me and just have to try it out. This one was no different. I mean using certain odd ingredients in places that you normally would not find them is a little tempting and I just have to try it and taste for myself. Like these Cupcakes Made with Beets!!

 

One day while watching Giada At Home on the Food Network, she made Chocolate Avocado Mousse. My thoughts were..."Wow, 2 foods I love and if I can get my kids to eat it then fabulous!"

 

So, I made the recipe and set it in the frig to chill. After a great dinner, out came the dessert. Chocolate Avocado Mousse.

 

The hubby was the one to try it first, he was not fond of the texture, which is VERY thick by the way, and he could tell that there was something in it he just could not figure out......

 

I tried it, a little thick for my taste and while my eyes told me it was chocolate mousse, my mind was telling me it was creamy brown chocolate flavored avocados. See, that plays tricks on the mind and I did not like that one bit.  I knew that it had the potential to be weird but not quite that weird.

 

Our boys? They LOVED IT! Like I mentioned earlier, it was way thicker than chocolate pudding so they filled up on it before they finished their serving but hey! I got avocado in their cute little bodies and they never knew it!

 

So, a thumbs down for us adults but a hit with the kids!

 

This is one that I doubt I will make again, I prefer my avocados alone or guacamole style!

 

If you would like to try the recipe for yourself, here it is. Be sure to read the comments, almond milk and agave was not included in the ingredients so be sure to add those in, maybe if I added more almond milk that would have given it a thinner consistency.  Oh well, I gave it a shot, that was enough for me.

 

If you try it, let me know what you think!

DIY Window Picture Frame

Is that not a beauty? This is one DIY project that my handsome husband came up with, it was his idea, and I have to admit, he did a fabulous job. Don't you agree?!

We found the frame a while back and it had been sitting around so my husband got to work on it, it was going to be a Christmas gift for my in-laws.

He removed the glass from the window first then got busy preparing to paint the frame by first using Kilz to prime the frame. This was important to seal in the paint that was already on the frame, I assume it was lead paint, I think that window is older than we are! Then he picked out and purchased the crackle primer and paint at Lowe's and painted per the directions on the label.

After it was dry we took photos of ourselves. I took a photo of my husband and he took photos of the rest of our family. (I think he takes good photos too!!) And then printed them out at our local Walgreen's.  (8 x 10 size).

Then cleaned the window glass with dish detergent and removing paint with a razor blade, dried, then cleaned with glass cleaner, my fave...Invisible Glass! That stuff works so well!! Love it!

I then cut out the mattes to frame the photos using scrapbook cardstock, I just made sure that they were the same size according to our like then cut all four of the mattes.

My husband then put the glass back into the window, adds the photo matte and photo to each section, adds picture hanging hardware to the back and felt circles to the back to protect the wall while hanging.  I was so happy how it turned out that I forgot to take a photo up close, but I did get my in-laws to hold it up for me before they took it home!

I must say it turned out so well!! I love it and secretly wished we had it in our home, I do have the perfect spot in mind for it!! So we are on the look out for another frame so we can do it again and put one in our home.

Lets have one more look, shall we?

Wow! I just love it!!

Have you ever tried this before?

Linking up to Link Up With Me, Liz Marie.

Its An Obsession......

For Christmas, I gave my husband a Keurig. Enough said!

If you have one of these, you know exactly what I am talking about..........the coffee is amazing!  And for some reason, I nor my hubby can get enough! So many flavors, so much to choose from! Does anyone else have a stash like this?????? (please tell me you do..)

And keep in mind that we have already consumed approx. 3 boxes of K-cups since Christmas morning....each time I go out to the grocery store or anywhere really that carries K-cups, I pick up a new flavor to try. I think it is safe to say that it is an obsession....

Although, today after I added my most currently purchased box of K-cups, I began to wonder in a funny kind of way all the obsessions that I have and ones that occur in periods of my life and ones that stick around for good.

Some that occur in periods (couple of times a month or so) of my life are obsessions with food,  such as chocolate (my husband would disagree on this one, he thinks if it is chocolate and it is in our house, it will automatically be consumed by yours truly or be hidden away from everyone for keep for myself for my later enjoyment) and wine, oh yes wine, I do love it but I go in spurts, I drink everyday for a while then back off for a little while and then back on again. If it is a good bottle(s) you bet I'll be drinking every night!

Other obsessions that stick around are ones that involve being clean & organized. Clean and organized home = a happy me! Don't get me wrong, I am not perfect, but I try to keep on top of it most of the time.  And my car, but with black interior that is another challenge that is very difficult to keep on top of especially with 2 boys who love to put their feet all over every surface in the back seat! Another obsessions is nail polish, love having my toe nails painted ALL THE TIME! If it comes off, it immediately goes back on! And another one, hand sanitizer! I do not like germs and use it every time I get back into the car after being in a store, I use it on my kids & hubby too! Multiple bottles, gotta make sure I have one available whenever needed!

Wow! I guess you guys just learned a few things about me you never knew before! Please tell me you guys like Keurig as much as we do! :)

(I was not paid to write about Keurig, these are my opinions only!)