PRE~PARTY PREP & OFFICE REDO REVEAL

Things are moving along quickly on the baby shower front.  I'm trying to stay focused on the priorities, making everything "just right"...not perfect.  Unfortunately some things just can't be done until last minute (putting together the tea sandwiches, putting out hot and cold foods, tidying up the bathroom and the doggy nose prints on the windows).  You get me, right?  Most of all, I'm calm, and that's the main thing.  

I love the little stork banner we have hanging from the fireplace.  And yes, that's a big old crack in the marble that happened when it was being put in.  The installer and carpenter both pointed to each other in blame and it was never resolved.  We've lived with it for 25 years.  Just wanted to point that out in case you thought I didn't know it was there.

I finished up the office yesterday.  Nothing like having company to incite you to get moving on a project!  And nobody will probably even see this room since it's at the other end of the house.  

I could not get good lighting due to the limited light in the hallway and the room is so tiny, that's where I had to stand to get my shots.  The giclee painting was my inspiration...just a little femininity in keeping a very simple, calming decor in a small space.   I had bought the painting for the living room but it was a no go, I knew I would use it somewhere else, either here or the lakehouse.  I like it right here and this is proof positive you can use large pieces in a small space...at least on the walls!  Oh, and that's the clock I painted which I mentioned in my last post. 

Everything has to function here.  Other then the basket, tray and caddy, I won't allow anything in here for storage.  The more storage you have, the more you will hoard/hide stuff away.  I have file folders for The Husband and Abby.  If I see any of their miscellaneous "stuff" lying around...into the folder it goes.  They can sort it on their own time.

When our home was added on to back in the 1950's, this part of it was a Mother In Law's Quarters.  And this room was originally the kitchen, there is actually a gas hook~up.  I turned it into a nursery of sorts when we moved in; a crib, changing table and dresser.  I could stand in the center of the room and reach everything.  It was perfect for the girls until they came out of their cribs into beds, and then they moved across the hall.  It became a toy room and finally an office.

Much better lighting here as I am standing with my back to the family room.  We have some water damage to the ceiling that needs to be repaired (in case you thought I didn't know about it).  I ran to Hobby Lobby yesterday for these fabric message boards (which showed real determination as it was -2 degrees).  I just wanted plain and simple.  They look pretty right now but I'm sure everyone will have them cluttered in good time.  Again, I just can't stand the thought of this space becoming a catch~all.  When I cleaned it out last fall I had five huge trash bags filled, and donated tons of books.  Absolutely nothing was of use.  

In a nutshell, I only added the message boards.  Everything else was here.  It's such a good feeling to have a "new" room.  Did I mention I never go in here?  Nope, maybe just to print something. My laptop and a cozy blanket are all I need.   

I've been busy as you know but I didn't want to resort to our old ways of ordering food when our days are long.  I like to spend little time prepping meals, so something that requires little of that, even if it takes awhile to simmer or bake, makes me happy.  In keeping with the low carb eating plan (and Abby's goal to eat whole, clean foods), I made my favorite quiche last night and I thought I'd share the recipe.  Feel free to use whatever veggies you have.  I sometimes blanch or saute certain veggies as they won't cook properly in the egg mixture.  For example, I will blanch broccoli, asparagus, and other greens that need to soften a bit, and I will likewise saute veggies that need the flavors to come out, like onions and peppers.  Okay.

Cut up a half bunch of asparagus, just the tips and another two inches down for a total of one cup. Chop 1 1/2 cup of broccoli and then blanch both simply by pouring a kettle (or pot) of boiling water over  while they sit in a colander in your sink.  Let cool for five minutes.  I also used two green onions that I coarsely chopped and sauteed in a T of butter for just a minute or two.  In a bowl, whisk 8 eggs, room temperature, 1/3 c. heavy cream, and 1 T melted butter.    Add a pinch of salt and pepper, stir in the veggies and 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded, and then pour into a greased or oil sprayed pie or tart pan.  I grated a little fresh Parmesan over the top but that's optional.   Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.  Let cool before cutting.  Enjoy!

Well, I've killed half the day writing this but diversion is one of my tactics to keep my mind occupied with things other than failure.  And yes, I'm feeling it.  Last night I made mini cheesecakes (you can see a picture of the ones I made last year on my sidebar).  This time I didn't have the pretty pink floral cupcake papers and man, they just don't look as pretty.  I know that sounds so crazy.  They got a thumbs up from The Husband as far as flavor but who cares, I want pretty.  I have a little container of edible flowers that I was going to sprinkle on some of the trays of appetizers.  Well, these cheesecakes are getting the first sprinkle! :)

And then I made Red Velvet cookies, one of those recipes where you utilize a cake mix.  After I baked them for the 14 minutes the recipe stated, I found they were still gooey inside.  So I kept adding a few more minutes here and there and finally, even though they were very soft, I took them out to cool.  Then I put them in a big plastic bag to keep fresh.  I got up in the middle of the night for a drink of water and I just had an odd feeling about those cookies.  I took one out of the bag...it was rock hard.  Seriously, a red hockey puck.  I tossed the whole bag in the trash in case Abby decided to take a few in her lunch.  I could imagine a livid call from her with a  broken tooth.  So this is not a good way to start out working on the menu.  I'm going to throw together a basic sugar cookie recipe today and jazz them up with a glaze and sprinkles.  There were also two other recipes I had to ditch, one required fresh cranberries, the other fresh figs.  Three stores later (in -2 degree weather), I had to give up the search.  I hope our guests come on a full stomach.

Okay, off I go into the land of reality.  Did I mention The Husband put two loads of his clothes in the laundry room?  Perfect timing.  

I'll be back next week!

Jane x

Tea Sandwich picture source here.