HELLO MARCH AND A DIY PROJECT

I feel like I've been away forever!  I had computer and blog problems, thanks to those of you that emailed me about my blog looking all wonky.  Thankfully it fixed itself, I love when that happens.  My laptop is in the shop as we speak and I am using Abby's when it's available.  So, what have I been up to?  Well, I had a very quiet, cozy and relaxing week.  I did a lot of cooking and baking and fluffing and reading.  I wanted to share some awesome recipes I've been making for dinner, I am in love with one of my old cookbooks and have been making something new every night.  I also made some incredible triple chocolate brownie cookies that are to die for.  I will include all of this is my next post.

 

Friday I had had enough of the great indoors and Emily and I were off on the run.  First stop, Michael's.  With the upcoming shower and wedding, and she and her fiance moving into their new house soon, we had all sorts of projects in mind as we stocked up.  As much as I love monograms when I see them, I only have them on towels and I have been coveting the boxwood covered letters at Ballards.  I'm fresh out of boxwood (except for the tons of it we have at the lakehouse...that's a project for this summer), so I bought some moss and this letter. 

Very simple.  I used spray adhesive and just smashed the moss on it and then trimmed it with nail scissors.  And no, the B is not for Blondie!  It's for my last name.  When I do my spring mantle, I'll show you how it looks.  And that's going to be soon, Charlie the painter is coming on Thursday.  Yay!!

So, Friday night turned into craft night with Emily, my SIL Megan and Emily's bestie, Ashley, who are both in the wedding.  We worked on table numbers and favors for the shower.  As you know, I'm in charge of tables.  We are having Ball jars filled with spring flowers, votive candles, and these little acrylic thingies that look like ice cubes scattered around.  The favors will be homemade cookies in embellished Kraft bags, that's all I can say on that, but I will share pictures after the shower is over.  Emily and I threw together some appetizers;  fresh baked beer bread with an artichoke spread, a Caprese salad with avocado and these little crescent roll sandwiches.  These were very simple, just roast beef, Swiss and provolone cheese, a dab of horseradish if you like and then just roll and bake.  They were absolutely delish!  You can ask your deli for au jus for dipping.  We were up until 1:00 a.m. doing this, dancing to 90's music and trying not to wake up The Husband!  The next morning I felt like I had moss up my nose and in my lungs!

I planned on having a low key Saturday, just chill and read the Sunday newspaper, and then someone came up with the idea to go to the Offtrack Betting Parlor.  Whoo Hoo!  We had a big group and everyone won a little something.  Actually, 3 of the guys split a $10.00 bet on a horse and shared the $300.00 win.  But, typical guys, they bet it all on another race and lost it!  I definitely would have left while I was up.  I'm looking forward to the weather getting warmer and going to the "real" horse races.  The Husband and I try to go a few times every summer but the lakehouse sometimes gets in the way. 

 

Well, that's all I have for today.  I have a busy week ahead, a dermatologist appointment (my rash is getting better, hurray!), a bridal gown fitting for Em and a vet appointment for Layla, who is doing really well!  She chewed her stitches off!  I guess once the swelling went down she had at it.  She still follows me around all day and whimpers a bit but I think she just wants me to pick her up.  Big baby~

 

I have 2 more chapters of that never ending mystery series and then I am moving on to The Silver Linings Playbook, (yes, that was a book before it was a movie) The Good House by Ann Leary, and The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes.  These are all ready and waiting in my Nook library.  I haven't even peeked at the pile on my nightstand from the used bookstore.  As Charlie the painter will be coming later in the week, I have to clear out my living room and kitchen.  I know I mentioned this but I'm procrastinating big time.  I can see the dust blowing around and a lot of convulsive sneezing! 

 

Have a good week! :)