365 Project

When a teacher spoke the words, "Project, due in two weeks, AND you will be sharing it with the class." I would cringe.

Well those days are over.

I've found the coolest site to share photos and I'm loving it!

Day 1/365:  A Fresh Start

Granted some of you may have already heard of it and kudos for rockin' it like that.  

Guess I'm a sort of a late bloomer...  

So if you haven't heard the word and are crazy about perfecting your awesomeness into the awesome-EST photos I'm pleased to introduce the:

365 Project

As you've probably guessed (because you are so smart like that), you take one photo for each day of the year.  It is a visual journal of your life for 365 days.

You can tweak it, mangle it, or do nothing to the original photo and then upload the awesomeness and watch the party begin.

Day 2/365:  Outsider

I've only been on it for a couple of days and have had great feedback so far.  

The photographers there genuinely are interested in challenging themselves to take a better shot, try a new angle, or play with a new texture and showcase their treasure for the whole group to witness.

Oh, did I mention the 365 Project is FREE!

Day 3/365:  When Darkness Falls

So I challenge you to inspire me and countless others with a visual journey of your next 365 days.

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging."

~ Joseph Campbell

In Good Company

Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming...

I really wanted that glass cupboard and all the vintage linens inside.  

Don't you love how you can use your old sewing patterns to make flowers?!

All of these lovelies just tempting me to give them a good home...

Those lockers sure would've held all my crafts so nice and neatly.

And look how many books you can pile on that ole' desk!

I could have room for some of these buttons....

Were those boots REALLY made for walkin?

Not sure how I could fit that metal armoire in my Jetta.  

They really are some mighty FINE doors.

  

I was lucky enough to have enjoyed good company, sip lots of wine, and mingle for hours looking at antiques yesterday in Fredericksburg.  

I'm already having withdrawals.  

Make some memories you'll dream about this weekend!

Eat Your Veggies

I'm always trying to find ways to sneak more veggies into our meals.

(I found out carrot cupcakes aren't the best way...)

So I came across this recipe for Roasted Vegetable Pie from Family Circle.

I like pie.

And I DO really like vegetables too.  

I've made it twice now and both results have been scrumptious.

So go ahead and grab some veggies.

You will need:

Ingredients

• 1  small cauliflower, cut into florets, about 4 cups 
• 1  small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2  medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1  cup baby carrots
• 1  sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1/2  teaspoon black pepper
• 1  cup vegetable broth
• 1  tablespoon cornstarch
• 3/4  teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4  teaspoon dried oregano
• 2  tablespoons plain bread crumbs
• 1  package (15 ounces) refrigerated rolled piecrusts
• 2  tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1  egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Alterations:

I used broccoli instead of cauliflower since that is what the hubby prefers.

  Also, I'm not exact nor selective on adding the veggies, just whatever looks good... sounds good... have available in the fridge... is what goes in my pie.  

I put a full teaspoon of both dried thyme and dried oregano for more flavor.
If you like more filling, I use about a cup of bread crumbs.

AND of course I use more cheese... 

Directions

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a large baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, add cauliflower, squash, parsnips, carrots and pepper. Toss with olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Spread out on the baking pan in a single layer. Bake at 450 degrees F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway.

3. Meanwhile, place the broth in a medium-size saucepan and stir in the cornstarch. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 1 minute until thickened. Stir in the thyme, oregano and remaining salt and pepper. In a large bowl, gently toss roasted vegetables, bread crumbs and sauce.

4. Fit one of the piecrusts into a deep-dish 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the cheese over the bottom. Spoon in vegetable mixture and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon cheese. Place the second piecrust on top and crimp crusts together. Pierce a few times with a paring knife to vent. Brush lightly with the egg-water mixture.

5. Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. Lower heat to 425 degrees F and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing.

Finally, make sure you have a glass of this:

Bon Appetit!

“The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.”

~ Fanny Fern

Happy Tails

Just a little sugar to help sweeten your day!

"When you feel lousy, puppy therapy is indicated."

~ Sara Paretsky

The Sky Keeps Falling... Pt.2

As I look outside my window, another shower of fluffy, white stuff is drifting down.

And yes... I'm outside taking photos in flip flops with my toes covered by my pj's...

Snow days are meant for lounging, baking goodies, and staying in your pj's all day, right?

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.  You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?"

~J.B. Priestley

The Sky Is Falling

Tap... tap... tap...

We woke up to the sound of rain softly falling.

But when we went outside the rain had turned into white stuff.

Noah did not understand why this white stuff kept sticking to his fur.

So he decided to take shelter under the front porch and give me "you're crazy looks" while I'm out playing in the snow.

I'm not sure if his hedgehog toy enjoyed the snow much.

Guess I won't be planting flowers today...

Can you tell we don't get white stuff falling from the sky often?  

Hope you are enjoying whatever today decides to shower you with.  

"When snow falls, nature listens."

  ~Antoinette van Kleeff

Hello Monday

"Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I can walk undisturbed." 

 ~Walt Whitman

Dream In White

Wandering through blog-land I happily found myself in an amazing dream.

A dream filled with frilly pompoms, fresh flowers, sweet words, and inspirational photos.

I entered this stunning dream and thankfully I still haven't woken from it yet.  

Because you see, this dream gets even better. 

This is a dream that gives back to anyone that dares to dream in white.

Please won't you head on over and visit Maria at Dreamy Whites. 

 She is hosting a fabulous give-away for all of these Anthropologie spice jars and I'd hate for you to miss out.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."

~ Anatole France

Sweet As Sugar

If you like cookies, keep reading.

If your dreams are laced in chocolate then you've come to the right blog post.

If sugar is considered part of your diet then by all means keep reading.

I've been lucky enough to stumble across a super easy, super tested, super scrumptious

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!

Emily over at Inside A Black Apple introduced me.  She is an extremely talented artist, fashion diva and baker extraordinaire who couldn't have summed up this recipe any better than this:

" They are my ideal chocolate chip cookie: chewy and soft-ish but not underbaked (and so good with big walnuts, white chocolate, macadamia nuts, anything thrown in). The low cooking temp (325) is genius, because it allows thorough cooking to the center while not over-browning the bottoms. "

Emily found it from www.allrecipes.com at this link:  Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thanks Emily!!  

I still have plenty left... surprisingly.

  So please won't you come over and join me for some sugary goodness?

Cheers to a sweet Friday!

"There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate."

  ~Linda Grayson

Are You Strange?

I'm strange.

I fancy the way it smells after a rain shower.

The scent of pine trees, moss, and other earthy delights are ever so soothing.

Lavender, chamomile, sage, clove, cedar... I can get lost in such potions.

If any of this sounds incredibly intriguing to you, please visit Jill at her Etsy shop here:  For Strange Women

She is hosting a give-away for TEN winners to grab a hold of some of her lovely concoctions.  

Become a fan of hers on facebook and find out how you can enjoy being strange too!

(all images courtesy of For Strange Women)

Lovely Bones

I was pleasantly greeted this morning by warm rays of light filtering in through my blinds. 

You see, our little Cupcake Cottage doesn't have the best insulation... and although I LOVE all the windows, it does make for a rather chilly night.  

While perusing through the real estate listings.  I swear it is like therapy to me.  I came across this tiny doll house in desperate need of some tender loving care (and I'm sure some insulation).  :)

I fancy any home with a fireplace near the front door. 

 It always reminds me of a page right out of a fairy tale.

Archways seem to make a room feel more intimate.  

I wonder if the counter tiles could be salvaged and used somewhere else in the home?  

p.s.  Isn't she a pretty ole' door?

Looks like most of the wood floors are in good shape and could easily be refinished.  

Did you notice all of the exposed plank walls?  

My heart flutters...

So if you can look past all the dirt and grime, a home is hiding in there.  

"Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace."

~ Eugene O'Neill