From the bottom of my heart...

Thank you.

For being such good friends...

For hanging in there with me when times were tough...

For listening to me complain... 

and for sharing the good times too...

Thank you for following me along..

and for being there.. just being there...

I wish you and your family a wonderful and Happy New Year.

I hope this next one for you is the best ever. :)

Jen

2010: The year the house hated us but we loved it back...

Have you ever had a year you were glad just to see go? Like a bad house guest?

2010 was a bit rough for us I might admit.  I know everyone kinda waxes nostalgic about all of the good things that have happened the previous year; but I know in reality for most people, an entire year is about the whole roller coaster ride, including all of the ups and downs.

But, always look on the bright side of life, right? So I thought I would cover some highlights. 

In 2010, there was the:

Blogger get together in IL. We really need another one of those! I met so many wonderful women. We miss you Annie!

  I had the thrill of meeting Anne Marie there and then joining in on her Nada Sales in both May and October. They were a huge success and mark you calenders for May 2011... The 20 and 21st. Not are there going to be some amazing vendors, but Fifi O'Neill is coming herself to sign her book!

 It was the year I decided to get back to my artistic roots and just create with  furniture, Santos dolls and one of  a kind clothing items. Things I could put my personal touch on.

 I was thrilled at how well my Etsy  opening went. I've decided to release my Spring collection April 3.

 I was able to go to Farm Chicks with some amazing friends and I met even more amazing women.

It got even  better when I was able to meet one of my heroes, MaryJane Butters at The Creative Connection.

There were all of those awesome things. And then there was the house.

 My house. The house I loved...until it turned on me.
Like a good relationship gone wrong....
like a country song...

We had fun times, like the project of my girls room. Oh house, how we enjoyed that one.

And our room. We laughed and cried for joy. You seemed so happy then. It was so romantic. We were so.. in sync..

  

And then, there was the infamous kitchen project. Even though our relationship struggled, and I wasn't sure where we were going to end up; we made it through and came out even stronger. So thrilled to be together. I actually felt fulfilled and at peace.

I was so happy to see that we were able to patch things up after  a bit of a rough road, onto new adventures.

It must've found out that I was two-timing.

Well, it's confirmed.  It just keeps breaking my heart. It's hates us again.

But I still love it. Kinda.

Like a bad high school relationship...

Onto 2011~!

Jen

Winter scenes...

Wishing you all Happy Holidays, a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! May all of the celebrations you have be joyous and wonderful! I am going to have just a few days off from blogging to hang with my family and hit the after Christmas sales. :)  I'll see you sometime around the new year! :)

Jen

Dark, chocolatey goodness....

While I enjoy cooking for my family; I really love to BAKE.

One of my favorite recipes comes from this book by Nigella Lawson.. How to be  a domestic goddess. 

It has some of the yummiest baking recipes ever. Most of my husband's family is from across the pond in England, so I  identify a bit with her recipes. We enjoyed watching her first show when it was on Style network years ago called Nigella Bites.

This is one of our favorites. It's a dense, dark, moist, chocolatey, but heavenly cake that is awesome with a morning cup of coffee.

Even though I think the recipe is  a bit fussy, it's so worth it.

The light color of the mixed batter doesn't come anywhere close to conveying how fabulous this cake is going to be. I think it's better made with organic flour, eggs and pasture butter, but that's just me. :)

 When it comes out, it's actually better to let it stand over night, but lot's of times I can hardly contain myself,

and I barely bother with a fork and just shove and entire piece in my mouth at once like the glutton I am, occasionally pausing to exhale. I found a version for you of the recipe here.

Jen

Famous ladies.....

The latest issue Spring 2011 of Romantic Country was an exciting one for us. Anne Marie's Nada Farm Sale was mentioned with a few of my pictures; but even more exciting were the other ladies mentioned in the issue.  I felt like we've walked among celebrities!!!!

There was Tracey from French Larkspur, Ruth from The Beautiful Life, Dusty Lu from Dusty Lu Interiors and Maria from Dreamy Whites.

Joy had her sale mentioned as well, with Angela's pictures.

  

IT got even better when I turned the page and saw my girl TARA from Blondie n'SC. Talk about keeping secrets!

 It features page after page of her GORGEOUS and creative home! I was so excited for her I called everyone I knew that knew her. Tara's in there! Tara's in there! I know, I'm a total nut. But, you have to see it if you get  chance. Tara is the sweetest, and her home is just beautiful and has such personality.

Best. Issue. Ever.

Jen

I found....

This super super cute idea for a tree topper at Holly Mathis Interiors

  This fabulous idea for a winter morning wreath at  Beekman 1802 using some of my favorite.. Borax.

This GORGEOUS pillow at Dear Lillie.

And this amazing bread bag from Faded Plains...

Jen

"Cheater" gift candles...

I love little gifty things to give like candles, but I don't always love the jar they come in.

 I have  a candle warmer that I use when the kids are around, and I found it perfectly heats candles just above melting.    

 A vintage punch cup holds just about the same amount of wax and is sooo much prettier.

Carefully pour the wax into your container in the center to make sure it doesn't run down the sides.

Please make sure wear something to protect your hands from the heat. And always be really careful when handling hot wax. Please take all of the proper precautions. 

  I do this on my range top, so if I drip any wax, I can easily get it up. A smaller jelly jar also works well.

 I just reset the original wick for a few seconds. I have tipped over the cup at this point many time, so be very gentle at this stage. All of the stuck on wax is not a pretty site or easy to clean, and it's hot.

Don't touch it for at least an hour while it sets up and it's good to go! Put a cute little tag on it, or enjoy it for yourself!

Jen

Glittermen....

We needed an indoor day activity to do since our mounds of beautiful snow also included negative 10 degree weather and bored kids.

I found a salt dough recipe and added 2 TBSP. of pumpkin pie spice to give it that holiday smell, feel and color.

  I also used whole wheat flour so it started off a tad browner.

 We decided to do fake cookies. I did put hole sin the top with a sharpened pencil incase we decided to hang them up.

 Since many of our "cookies" came out like this, I decided to help out and do a few more traditional gingerbread man shaped ones myself.

 After air drying; we brushed them with white school glue and used craft glitter and those colored glitter glue pens for "icing".

 and the glittering began...

I didn't know what I was in for.

 glitter pens, glitter table, glitter girls, glitter mom and of course a glitter floor.

 but we had a blast.

  I strung mine on twine with the crystals  and greenery over my sink.

  the other  extra "cookies" we put in the hutch.

They actually still have  a faint gingerbread scent which is nice.

I don't know if they will keep until next year, but  we might make  a few to use as gift tags on packages with a clay stamping kit... if I'm up for more glitter.

Jen