Our Weekend and Signs of Progress

Our weekend was full and busy.  Here are some highlights, in a nutshell.  Or not, because those darn squirrels keep digging up my tulips...

I finally picked out a sewing machine!  My parents and siblings graciously gave me a gift card to purchase one and I love it.  I have already spent hours on it, but that's mostly because I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing.  My first project was to make my boys some whales, based off of an idea I pinned off of Pinterest.

Here is my pin.  Yes, I know mine look nothing like the beautiful whales in the pinned picture.  However, I have been bitten by the sewing bug and things can only improve from now on, right?!?  

Pancakes were enjoyed by all.  But mostly by the boys, who both ate more than mom and dad.

I made French baguettes for the first time.

We enjoyed one last meal of boeuf bourguignon before we begin to eat things that taste more like Spring!

I removed hardware on my desk and filled holes.  Priming never happened because that wind was strong this weekend!

We planted grass seeds in a few containers.  The boys are already looking forward to "mowing."

Jason built some shelves for the boys' toys in an unused corner of the basement play room.  I bought some baskets but am unsure yet if I'll keep them.  I also have to paint the shelves.  Obviously, something needs to be done to corral those toys.  Or perhaps we should just have a yard sale.

I started making new cushion covers for our chair in the basement.

I almost ripped my hair out trying to figure out that zipper and I really wished my mom lived next door so that she could just come over and help me!

The bead board wall behind the fireplace is painted, the hearth stained and covered with a few coats of polyurethane, and the the nail holes filled and sanded.  We only have to paint the fireplace mantel and we can call this project done!

I would apologize for all of the boring, simple sentences in this post, but I'm much too tired to care.  How's that for being honest?

Have a great week!

Pencil Cups

I haven't started working on my secretary desk yet.  I'm still paralyzed with indecision.  Also, until today, the weather here has been crummy.  I've decided to try some spray primer for this project.  I've read some reviews on it and everyone seemed to be pleased with the ease of application and the results.  As soon as the weather improves, Jason and I can haul the desk outside for a quick coat of primer and then we can get on to business.

In the meantime, I made some pencil cups to hold pencils, pens, and scissors inside my desk.  It was a pretty easy project to do on a day when the weather was crummy.  I gathered my supplies, which consisted of a clean can, some sharpened pencils, glue, and spray paint.

I glued those old, random pencils to the can until I worked my way around the entire can. 

Since I liked the first pencil cup I made, I made another one, just slightly smaller than the first.

With the smaller cup, I staggered the sizes of the pencils a bit more.

I then spray painted the outside and inside of both cups a glossy white.  To keep the bottom of the can from scratching anything, I cut out some white felt circles and glued them to the bottom of each pencil cup.

Now, about that desk.  The boys and I are headed to my favorite wallpaper store tomorrow so that hopefully I can find some inspiration for that desk of mine.

Alone Time

Sometimes, sometimes it is nice for a mom just to sit down.  By herself.  Because even moms need alone time.

Well, hello there!

But really, alone time can be overrated when you have a sweet little Oliver who wants to sit and whisper with you.  And drink hot chocolate "in one of those fancy cups" while singing the pizza song over and over and over.

I love you, Ollie.  Let's do it again tomorrow, shall we?

Updated Living Room Pictures

We've made quite a few changes to our living room in the past year.  The previous owners in our house painted the room a dark tan color that wasn't our style.  We also were not fans of the orange trim, which wasn't salvageable to us anyway since there were so many imperfections in it.

We painted, added crown moulding, and painted the trim and doors white.

This year we added some color into the room by adding curtains, pillows, and accessories.  When there aren't trains or Matchbox cars lying all over the floor, the room can look like this.

What a difference a year makes!

And, just so you know, I actually prefer the room when there are little boys playing...

A Little Bit O' Green For Ya

That, my friends, are the beginnings of pretty yellow tulips and lemon mint in my herb garden.

Hooray!

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!

Cheddar Cream Soup with Soft Pretzels

This recipe is a new one for us at our home this winter but we really love it!  If you're apprehensive about making a cheese soup, don't be.  This soup is not your typical thick, cheese fondue kind of soup, not that that's a bad thing!  You know how we like our fondue around here.  The addition of a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper gives it a little heat, perfect for these last cold winter days.

I had never attempted to make pretzels before, but using Alton Brown's recipe was simple and easy to follow.  This winter I've also come to love making my own fresh bread, rolls, and buns.  I used to be intimidated by yeast, but no more of that nonsense!  Now I can bake bread like I'm Ma Ingalls or something.  You know, this lady.

Image found via http://www.edelweisspatterns.com/blog

Did anyone else watch this show religiously or was it just me and my sisters?

Here is the recipe for the soup.  I hope you try it!  Please let me know if you do!

Cheddar Cream Soup*

serves: 6  total time:  40 minutes

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/4 cup flour

4 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 1/2 cups half and half (or whole milk, if you so choose)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 cup dry white wine

12 ounces sharp Cheddar Cheese (you may use yellow or white)

Salt, to taste

Optional:  green onions or chives, to garnish

Heat butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.  When hot, add the onion and saute' until softened.  Add the garlic and saute' for one minute more.  Sprinkle flour on top of the onion, butter mixture and stir for two minutes.  Whisk in the chicken stock and half and half and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Add the cayenne pepper and wine until well incorporated.  A little at a time, add the cheese into the soup and after each addition, stir until smooth.  Taste soup and season with salt, if needed.  The cheese may make it salty enough.  

Serve hot and garnish with green onions or chives.

*This recipe was adapted from Sunday Soup by Betty Rosbottom