The DI Projects

Are you ready? I am so excited for these I could explode...

So.... One king size Pier One headboard... and two nightstands... a grand total of $40.

In my first attempt... I got a little carried away with the electric sander (who wouldn't?)....Bryan said it looked like a cow.
So, I decided just to go jet black...
They turned out so fantastic. I am officially addicted to the DI.


Second hand bench found on Craigslist... $35 and then $5 for material
(couldn't get them to give me the bench for $20 - COME ON PEOPLE!)
(pillows not included - they're from TJ Maxx. Had to.)
The 'before' picture of what I call 'the chair'.
Currently a work in progress... obviously.
$15 at the DI.
The fabric -$4.97/yard at Walmart. Nice!
Guess we'll see how many yards it takes to re-upholster.
Guess what color I'm doing it.....?
Yep, Black. Can't seem to deviate. I have a problem.
SOOOOOO comfortable.
Seriously, soooo comfortable.

One of the best things about this whole process is when Bryan saw me diligently cutting and pinning and asked ,"Do you even know what you're doing?"
And I, of course, respond...
"That is not the point, my love, for I am doing my best and enjoying myself immensely".
Is not that the purpose of life?

In the market for.... book case for the kids, another headboard and nightstands, bunk bed for the kids.... or two cute twin headboards.
A daily trip to the DI outta win me these prizes eventually.

On another note... the weather is SO FABULOUS here (70's).... this is how we spend our evenings....
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Oh, and here's my favorite DI purchase of the day... little outside plastic chairs for the kids.
$1 ea.
A little steep, I know, but couldnt' resist. ( :

Idol

I CAN'T WAIT for Idol next week. And the next. And the next.

I am TOTALLY in love with this show.

I think Megan Joy Corkrey deserves another chance in the wild card week.
Scott Mycintire already has my vote next week because he makes me cry and I love him.I will also vote for Taylor Vaifanua from Hurricane for obvious reasons. ( :

Other than that, I think Danny Gokey's gonna win the whole thing anyway.
But I WOULD like to see more of Mr. Gentle. I LOVE him.

Pocket Edward

I LOVE Pocket Edward.
I keep up on ALL his adventures.
You can too if you clickety here.

I WANT THESE SHOES!
Why am I screaming?
Because they're an OLD model and NOT available anymore.
Yes, they have a 3 1/2 in. heel and yes, I would still buy them against my better judgement.
All I know is I walked all over Disneyland in them for 3 days last time I was 6 months pregnant and my feet didn't hurt ONE BIT!!!!!!!! A Christmas MIRACLE!

I may have to settle for these 2 1/2 inchers.... (sigh)

And I must add that I am a Norman Gentle fan. So sue me.

Um

Adam Lambert being compared to Edward Cullen?

Um...... no!

Uh, no!

Nope!

No.

Those are pretty much all my thoughts on American Idol tonight.

My Beautiful, Loving Children

I would like to repent, and 'rephrase' my post from yesterday. ( :
These are my 2 beautiful, loving children...HAHA, you're not buying into this are you?
No really, my feelings are MUCH different today.

Take Bowen, for example, who snuck into our bed last night at midnight. He hasn't snuck in in a long time and I was absolutely delighted. What a cute, cuddly little love muffin.

And then this morning when they brought (as depicted above) 16 trains to the breakfast table. Seriously, I could eat them up for their little antics.

I have heard 4 'pleases' and 3 'thank yous' this morning.

Bowen's going to preschool and Bryson and I are going to the fabric store. It is going to be a good day.

And I really can't wait to show you my DI projects.
And how wonderful it is to have your 4 year old son take a picture of the BACK of you and not realize it until later when you see the fabulous result on your 19 inch computer screen... that's a wonderful surprise.
I also can't wait to make a cake to auction off at the Blue & Gold Banquet this Friday.
Good times comin' up.

One of THOSE days

So I sit down at the computer to blog and I'm staring at the screen for seriously 5 minutes wondering why the heck I sat down at the computer...

My dearest Brain, WHERE ARE YOU?

Oh I know, Bowen took you out of my head, mushed you up and flushed you down the toilet.

That little rascal.

It has been one of THOSE days.

You know THOSE days... where you feed the kids ramen for lunch and Tutti Fruities for dinner.

Where somehow an entire box of donuts ended up in your cart at the grocery store... and disappeared before dinner. A mystery to me.

Where monster mom came to visit. No 1,2,3's today. It's one strike and you're out. And why are we on out #25? It's a good thing it's dark out because that means to bed with you. Kindly... brush your own teeth, read your own books, say your own prayers (pray for your mom), and go to bed. I would really like to just sit here and watch it all happen. And that I will do... until I realize it's not going to happen. Then I'll use blunt force trauma. ( :

Dearest Bryan, best to leave the hip fractures to their own devices and come home to your wife NOW.

Things I'm working on today....

• how many days I can go without mopping my floor.
• how many times I can refold the throws on my couch in one day.
  

Oh, Bryan's home. Hallalujah. He heard my 'order to the universe'.

um, bye

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

I thought these were AWESOME!!!

Recipe
Tip: Do NOT overcook! They will go dry and crunchy and you will not think them awesome.

A Best Ever

Stonemill Kitchen Spinach & Artichoke Parmesan Dip.


Available at Costco

I'm currently eating it for what the Hobbits would call '2nd breakfast' or 'Elevensies'.

Best Lasagna EVER

...according to the Pioneer Woman.
Her recipe here.
I'm on her website so much now I'm starting to dream about her.Honestly?
I think Costco's Kirkland brand of Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna tastes just as good.
And it's highly possible it could be cheaper (since you can get 2 for under $13)
So I'm stickin' with the frozen stuff.

It's a Boy

We're all having boys...

(Katie, Stephenie, Me)

This was Bryson's reaction when we told him it was a boy...
I can't wait to make this...

A Milestone in our Marriage

We went to our first ever buffet BY OURSELVES!"I'll sit with the purse while you go get some food."
"You're back. K now I'll go"

And that was pretty much our whole night.
It was like I was on a date with mashed potatoes.

We've since sharpened our buffet skills and figured out how to actually 'eat together'.

FYI: I have clearly assessed that Golden Corral is BY FAR better than Chuckarama.

I cannot believe how our marriage has progressed. (shaking my head with delightful pride)

I want

this...

I posted a comment today (for the first time - big stretch for me) on the Pioneerwoman.com to try and win a kitchen aid.

In my wittiness I came up with a comment that I thought was SO CLEVER I'd for sure be a winner

So I go back a little later to re-read my comment to see if it really was as clever as I thought only to find out that 11,000 other people have commented already.
I can't even FIND my comment. (sigh).
So much for free stuff.
Guess I'll have to actually work for it.
My life is SO HARD!

Made Pioneer Woman's Tomato-Basil Pizza. Once again SUPER easy, totally delicious, and tastefully gourmet.

Bowen & Bryson's Birthday Party

I love this picture... you would think it was Addison's birthday! Bowen gets a little camera shy when there's a lot of people. This pic is to show off the Wally cupcakes (BIG HIT)...
Bryson specifically enjoyed the florescent green frosting. His shirt is being reprimanded for being white (sitting in a timeout tub of bleach)...Attempt at getting all the munchkins in one picture. Bowen exuding his shyness again. Bryson just wants to get his hands on Wally... Are Meg's glasses just not completely ever the cutest ever?Bowen ate and slept with his new remote control James train...Eden makes a perfect Wally, don't you think?...And here is a pic from the joint party at my parents house a few weeks ago.
We have like 20 family birthdays in January. It was SO FUN being there to celebrate together.

Alyssa's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are SUPER DUPER (and I emphasize Duper) good. They are MAJOR soft which is my favorite quality about them... probably why they're the best pumpkin chocolate chip cookie that I have been blessed to have crossed paths with. Recipe HERE.

Awesome Sandwich

I made THIS sandwich yesterday and IT. WAS. FABULOUS!It is called Marlboro Man's Second Favorite Sandwich by the Pioneer Woman. I can't wait to try his #1 favorite.
Bryan LOVED it. Very juice. Very peppery. VERY easy.
Alyssa also loved it. I make lunch for her at least once a week. In turn she promises to be my friend. HaHa