We made it nice
I absolutely love a homemade costume! The storytelling that goes into it makes it all so special.
The Best thing about a homemade costume is you probably already have all the items and you don’t even know it.
The best and worst thing about living in Florida is that it’s summer nearly ALL year round.
I’m a glass half full kinda of gal. So when life gives you homemade chocolate chip cookies and store bought ice cream…what can I say, other than ice cream sandwiches makes everything BETTER!!
Wet Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
Chill dough for 30 minutes – 1 hour.
(sad but true! Your cookies will thank you afterwards.)
Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy!!😊
Assembly!
Set out your desired ice cream flavor to soften about 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile tear out a few sheets of plastic wrap (good luck with this step! Plastic wrap and I are true enemies.)
Take a cooled cookie and top it with about 1/2 cup of ice cream, then your cookie layer, wrap and freeze for about 30 minutes before enjoying. 😊
Some days are made for lemons. The fresh, tart, “Zing” kinda feeling is what you will get with this. These lemon brownies are the closest thing you’ll get to tasting sunshine.
Preheat oven 350
Prepare 8×8 baking pan. Liberally spray with cooking spray or line with fitted parchment paper.
In a large bowl, stir together the *softened butter and *sugar until combined. Gradually add in *eggs one at a time and stir until just barely combined. do not over mix that could lead to tougher brownies.
Stir in the lemon juice (* if you press and roll a lemon on the counter with the heel of your palm before cutting it will yield more juice), lemon zest, salt and flour until a smooth batter forms.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan, smooth out top before baking.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is set and lightly golden brown.
Cool completely before making your glaze.
In a small bowl combine
The glaze should to be thick. ( glue like consistency) Garnish with lemon slices or lemon zest.
Enjoy!😊
I have been trying to re-vamp my twins playroom for some time. Every time I feel like I could close the book on it, another opportunity arises and takes over.
I was left with this wonderful Japanese printed fabric, that my mom brought back from Japan.
Living in Japan for 11 years is always going to be a part of life that I was so grateful to experience.
Our jellyfish are a simple mix of a recycled children’s book (which are my absolute favorite to use. The prints and typography are so bold and wonderful!) Elmer’s glue, and water.
Start by blowing up a ballon to your desired size.
Rip your pages/paper into strips (be aware of what you want to show while ripping.)
Mix 1 cup of glue with 3/4 cup water. Stir with a craft stick.
Add stripes of paper to your glue water. Once your strip is fully saturated with water start to lay out on ballon. (I found it much easier if, I set the ballon in a mug or a bowl. *It didn’t move around much.)
Allow to dry overnight.
Cut fabric into 2″ strips (the length you desire, is up to you.)
Then, cut 1″ slits *at an angle down* on each side of your strip.
Bust your glue gun out…. it’s gluing time!
*I used six to eight tentacles depending on size of jellyfish.*
Arrange the tentacles by seeing where and how it will hang. Try to balance it out.
I used twine to hang but, I’m sure ribbon, or bakers twine will work as well.
These guys would be a great addition to a kids birthday party (or any party), a reading nook, playhouse/treehouse..you catch my drift.
Enjoy!
Is it just me, or anybody else feeling like plants have gotten way too EX-PEN-SIVE!!
The many changes of covid has brought a wave of new plant enthusiasts, Myself included, I remember the day…. I was sitting around my house really looking at my house plants and realized, I have been MORE then neglecting them, with their brown tips and limp leaves.
Since then, I spent every free minute schooling myself into plant 101. I found myself REALLY enjoying learning the process of the “Big 5”
My favourite of the “Big 5” is..
My number one advice for new plant parents is, propagate, propagate, propagate.
Propagation will ensure your investment. Plant pest infestation can happen to the best plant parent, several insects and other pests feed on houseplants.
These pests most often come into the home on newly purchased plants or on those that have been outside for the summer and brought back inside. These pest can wipe out our favorite plant(s) or, severely damage them causing weeks to months recovering.
The one cause of plant death is over watering until you, (like myself) master your “plant’s needs”, propagation ensures you have a “back- up” plan in case it is needed.
My favorite and the easiest, to propagate is by water.
Make a cut with sterile scissor (clean with rubbing alcohol) take a snip below the node (bump like knot), where the leaf meets the stem, take as many cuttings as the mother plant will give without over cutting.
Removing the bottom leaf close to the node then submerging the bare lower nodes into water. Poof! Just like that. After a few weeks you’ll have a brand new plant.
You’ll want to refresh the water once a week to prevent fungus growth.
To ensure a successful transfer, after a week or two start weaning your plant to its desired watering regiment.
Parenting makes you come face to face with your fears and anxieties. And, if not prepared, it could knock you off your pedestal every once and awhile.
The real truth is that, until we are able to acknowledge it. It will return.’
Facing fears, what does that actually mean–standing on top of the ladder without your legs shaking. taking a hot air balloon ride and looking down, taking that cross country boat trip, in the middle of the ocean, out at sea, ALONE, hoping you don’t get stranded, or eaten alive limb by limb from a massive shark.
I hate to admit, driving over a bridge is the only time that my hands are on 10 and 2 position, clenched.
Start little by being ok with letting go of control. contol within your day; allow someone else to pick the show for thr evening. control within your kids; give them choices that they can make for themselves..both people happy.
Just be present. Allow whatever will be.
“The go with the flow” persona is always what I stive for buuuut, life happens, everybody’s gotta eat, house has to be tended to, emotions and thoughts come and go, you can feel your shoulders rising up to your ears….AGH!
The fact is that, just about everyone is feeling this or has gone through it, tis life. By practicing deep breathing in your stressful moment it can bring down that heighten anxiety and bring you back to the “here and now” Where you are able to think logically and acknowledge those as just passing thoughts.
Let your worries and fears be a passing cloud in your blue sky.
“I’m not sure what the secret to happiness is but I am pretty sure it all starts outside”
-Tom Rosenthal
There’s a reason why bread is considered a comfort food…it warms your body like your mother’s warm hug.
The humble loaf of bread starts it’s life with such simple instructions yet, cared for in such a way. You create this “spiritual-like” experience from the aroma, wafting in the air. To the emotinal love you put into the dough as you knead it, almost like a therapeutic exercise. Reflecting on your day ahead and of your past experiences all flood your mind. The gentle reminder of being in the present moment arises and suddenly, you are enjoying the smell again.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 large garlic cloves, Finely grated
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary, give or take to your taste
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•1 tespoon Oregano
• 2 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 cups of warm water
In large bowl with warm water add suger and salt give a quick whisk then sprinkle yeast. Let sit for about 10 minutes or until it foams.
Add in olive oil.
Add flour and knead by hand (or stand mixer) for about 10 minutes.
Add rosemary, black pepper, oregano and finely grated garlic. Continue to knead (5 minutes or so.)
Finally, The dough should come together at this point, the dough will be slightly sticky.
Place dough ball in well oiled bowl, turning dough a few times so that dough surfaces are protected by oil. Tightly cover bowl with cling wrap.
Place in warm area to rise (until dough is doubled)* tip: fill water into a Microwaveable safe glass microwwave for 30 seconds, set aside the glass of water.* You have now created a warm draft free environment for your dough to rise. Place you dough to rise, about 1 hour.
After dough is doubled, punch it down and shape into a rounded loaf. (At this time you can use a sharp knife to make any desired design on top if you wish.)
Place rounded loaf on Parchment lined cast iron pan (or a baking sheet will work) Cover up loaf with dish towel. Let rise until doubled again, approx 1 hour.
After dough has doubled again, gently brush with olive oil, sprinkle with coarse sea salt and more rosemary. Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes.
Pair it with your favorite chili, soup or eat the whole loaf with or without honey butter. Go ahead no one is judging.
Enjoy!
any placemat or plate charger and a mirror. Thrift stores are great places to find unique pieces. I was happy to stumble on these woven plate chargers in a pack of 5 for four dollars. If, thrifting is not your thing then head over to Target or Hobby lobby where you will have much more of an assortment. While you are there grab a mirror that suits your fancy. I was able to hot glue my mirror to my woven plate charger.
Depending on what you find, you can use a couple options. D-rings (used for hanging pictures), wire, ribbon (made in a loop, then glued on) Take weight into consideration when deciding what options you are going with.
I love the fact that it’s so versatile, just like those stackable, octagon shelves I’ve been seeing everywhere. Except, these boxes cost next to nothing.
Before applying stain you want to lightly sand down any rough edges (I’ve even used nail files) You can use a brush to evenly coat front and back of box. I like to use old towels and press in the stain, it makes for more saturation in color. Even when doing this method, I applied 2 coats. It all depends on desired shade. *I usually wait 30 min before applying 2nd coat*
*Allow 24/48 hours and possibly up to 72 hours to be sure your stain is completely dry.
Once your stain is completely dry; then, you can arrange your boxes to whatever your heart desire. Apply wood glue, with foam brush to the sides that need securing. Wipe away any excess glue *you can use clamps to hold together while they dry for 24 hours
Add your frame hooks to the back of your shelf before gluing down the burlap. *By doing so you are able to cover up any dings in the process*I would recommend, D-Ring Picture Hangers
Glue burlap down with tacky glue. *Use a wet rag to press it down, it saves your hands from all that glue*
Allow to dry 1-4 hours.
*optional * I reused a drawer handle from our previous cabinets that we had on hand. The handle is secured on with a screw. *It depends on sizing of handle used to determine screw needed, (most handles come with screws)
This shelf is truly used as a decorative piece and not to hold heavy items. Choose wisely 😉
IconicallyClassicDesign
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