September Wreath

The absolute longest month of the year for me is September.  The kids are back in school and our summer adventures are behind us.  Thus, I start looking forward to cooler weather and pumpkins.  But, the reality in southern Texas is, it's still summer.  Sweltering, humid, the swimming pool feels like bath water, summer.  A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling especially trunky for fall.  Seeing that it was approximately 103 degrees outside, I had two options.  Either, feel really sorry for myself, or turn the A.C. low, light a spicy candle and craft me up some autumn.

I chose option 2.

 My first project (of several to be revealed later) was this lovely burlap wreath. 

Burlap wreaths seem to be on every crafters to do list this fall.  Since I had yet to make one, I decided to join the burlap train.  It helped that Hobby Lobby had a display of needed materials staring at me right as I walked in the door.

There are tons of online tutorials that I perused to get me started.  But, I tweaked mine just a bit to add a little versatility to my wreath.  As I was about to hot glue my "S" to the wreath (making it a permanent situation)  I thought to myself, I've got some extra pipe cleaners here, why don't I use those instead.

It just took a staple gun, a couple of well situated pipe cleaners, and a few seconds to stick that bad boy on.  I also attached my big floppy green bow (actually a cheap scarf) using another pipe cleaner.  Now I have the option of mixing things up in a couple of months.  I'm thinking some indian corn for thanksgiving, a wooden snowflake for January, a pink polka dot bow and heart for February...you get the point.

Don't worry, I didn't forget about October and December.  It's just that those months are so special to me that they warrant their very own wreaths entirely.  Of course, this burlap confection would look pretty snazzy with a pumpkin or winter greenery attached too.

Now my front porch is slightly prepared for cooler weather, even if its months before we see any.

xoxo,

Sugar and Spice baby shower

Meet my sweet friend Angela. (She's the gorgeous one on the left and that's pasty me on the right)

She actually has a waist now and the cutest little baby girl that she carries everywhere.  But, a couple of months ago, she was very pregnant and I threw her a baby shower.  This post is long overdue.  But, I was having too much fun with my kids this summer to spend time uploading pictures on blogger.  At least, that's what I tell myself.

She was having a girl. Since there aren't nearly enough of those in my house, I went very girly with the decor.  I designed the pink wooden sign for the party but might add it to my etsy shop soon.  The pink topiary was made by wadding up some scrap paper, wrapping it in duct tape, then shoving a stick from my front yard in in.  Then I cut some circles from pink flowy fabric and hot glued them on to make a Dr. Seuss style flower.  This project proves just how cheap I can be.  I had all the materials on hand and just made them work, even the white pot I fished out from under my sink.

The topiary sat atop my mantel along with a bunting that spells out gifts.  

Hanging from the gift table are some streamers I made by glueing circles punched from scrap book paper onto fishing line.

I used those same streamers all over the room to add some more girly flare. 

Here they are again with another simple bunting (scrap book paper glued to twine)

And again on the food table.

This is where this post gets exciting.  Everyone loves treats, right!?

But. before I expose you to all of our saccharine joy....I have to dwell on my favorite part of the party...the Chalkboards!

I saw a tutorial on pinterest on how to make your own oversized chalkboard here.

I just had to have one for my house and finished it just days before the baby shower.  I was so smitten by my newest project, that I just scribbled some girliness on it and propped it on the table.  I feel like it totally Made the buffet!  I am too OCD to stop with just one chalkboard and thus made several more mini ones to label my treats.  I loved how they turned out and need to host another girly get together so I can use them again!

On the menu was some tasty pink lemonade cupcakes.

Platters of mini lime tarts.

Baby fruit pizzas.

Antipasto salad.

Homemade breadsticks.

And a garlic and herb spread.

My kitchenaid and I definitely got a workout prepping for this one.

I'm getting hungry just remembering.

Here are a few pictures of the lovely ladies in attendance.

It turned out to be a wonderful day, thanks in large part so my amazing and very patient husband who offered to take all 3 boys to the movies during the shower.  

Sweet baby dreams,

Spring Fever

We've had some gorgeous weather lately and it's put me in the mood for some bright spring time decor.  I'm thinking grass green, sunny yellow, and aqua blue.  I've added a couple of signs to my etsy shop for celebrating spring holidays.

This one is cause I'm feeling so lucky these days.

With Easter right on the tails of Saint Patty's day, I couldn't leave it out.

I just love that little bunny.

I saved one for myself to put on my mantel.

Hope spring weather comes your way soon.

xoxo,

Peanut Butter Frosting

Last week my oldest entered the realm of the double digits.  I now have a 10 year old.  I'd prefer he not keep getting older.  But, since he did anyway, we celebrated with cake.  A Reese's cake.  His favorite.  

It was a very simple, two layer 8" round cake.  Reese's miniatures circled the base and Reese's pieces were piled on top.


Please ignore the mess of frosting.  I'm sure you could do better.

He made a special request for peanut butter frosting.  I had never made peanut butter frosting before, but was sure that it could be done.  I must admit, I was not super excited about peanut butter frosting.  But, I soon discovered, peanut butter frosting is GOOD.  Lick the bowl with your finger good.  

So, in case you have a Reese's lover in your life... here's a delicious way to celebrate them.

Peanut Butter Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup to 1/2 cup milk (till you get a spreadable consistency)
1 teas vanilla

Whisk it all together in your kitchen aid (at least that's what I do).  And try not to eat it all before you frost your cake.

xoxo,

Piccadilly Pico

We pretty much live in the birth place of Tex Mex.  And thus have been spoiled with some pretty amazing food.  One of my favoritest inventions ever has to be Pico De Gallo.  It's pretty much a cross between salsa and salad.  We can get it fresh in all the grocery stores around here.  But you end up paying a pretty penny for a tiny container.  I've tried chopping up my own by hand, but don't have the time or patience to go that route very often.

Fortunately, my taste buds have been saved!  My cute husband bought me a food processor for Christmas.  I just may have hinted a few times and even circled the ad and taped it to his forehead   But, that's besides the point.  Anyways, it turns out that food processors and fabulous for making mouth watering pico.  So here is a little recipe for all my peeps:

Piccadilly Pico
Ingredient round up:
8 Roma Tomatoes
1 small bunch of cilantro
1 1/2 teas salt

1 teas minced garlic
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice

Basically, you just dump it all in your food processor and pulse.  Couldn't be easier!  I do like to twist off the largest stems from my cilantro bunch, and wash it of course.  In fact, wash all that produce, for good measure.  Also, I like to add my tomatoes and onions last so they stay a little chunky.  

Be sure not to leave on the food processor too long or it quickly turns to mush.  I know from sad experience.
Sometimes I use fresh garlic and lemon juice, and sometimes I cheat and use the prepared kind.  It's all good.

Now go make yourself some fajitas or grab a bag of chips, and enjoy!

xoxo,