Main Bathroom Update

Many of you might remember way back to the beginning of my blogging posts when I talked about our main bath redo. I thought I would post a somewhat updated picture of the bath. These were taken around Christmas time. We redid the main bath about 3 years ago. Here you go.

Personally this is my favorite shot. I've definitely gone very shabby chic in this bathroom much to the dismay of the two teenagers whose bathroom this is.

Here's a shot with more light.

Just another angle. Yep, that's Seth in the bathtub snapping photos for mom. At least he's a good sport about it.

Another shot with different lighting effects. It's much improved since 3 years ago though there are still things to finish if you must ask. Like the shabby chic shower curtain that I've collected fabric for for 3 years now. I could probably make 6 curtains with all the fabric I have. I also need to refinish the original vanity. I'd like to put molding around the mirror like Rhoda did in her bathroom or find a really cool mirror for in here. I go back and forth. The kids like the big mirror. I'd also like to find a cabinet for over the toilet for all the little stuff that bathrooms hold and there's never enough room for.

Hope you enjoyed the update. So what's in your bathroom?

All for now,

Amanda

Furry Friends

The furry members of our family add so much to our lives. We laugh at them and love them. They all have such personality.

Rascal (our 11 year old Jack Russell Terrier) and Ms. Kitty (our 7 year old Munchkin). They normally do not share a chair, but Rascal wanted a slice of morning sunshine on this cold morning. Ms. Kitty wasn't budging.

Rascal loves to stay in bed on cold winter mornings.

Please don't take my picture. I haven't bathed yet this morning.

Caught cha!! Now we know what you're up to when we're not home.

Ms. Kitty enjoying the morning sunshine. She sleeps like this a lot in the hot summer. I guess it's cooler or something.

How dare you!!
We call this Ms. Kitty's ferret stance. She can hold this position for a while. It's so cute!! Shhh..... we're really not sure she's all cat. (JK)
Miss Cocoa (our 2 year old adopted stray). She is very skittish and I don't usually get a picture of her.
And the newest pet member Rosy the pink-toed tarantula. Seth loves bugs and reptiles. I can handle the bugs, but absolutely not the reptiles. Seth is always joking he's going to go get a reptile and I always ask where his new place is going to be so we can visit.

So how about your furry family members? What do they add to your life?

All for now,

Amanda

5 minute makeover

I just love a 5 minute makeover. It began because I have this cute little frame that needed something new. It still had the little Christmas picture I had put in it. So what to do?
Hmmmm....... Stare at the craft cupboard. Ponder....
I'm sure there is something in here that I could use. Yes, it always looks like this. It might even be a little cleaner today than normal.
Go through the sticker keeper and the scrapbook scraps of paper. Bring out the goodies to the table.
Now I have to make a decision. The opening is small so that should help narrow it done.

I think this one is perfect. A piece of paper.... a little sticker or two or three, put it back in the frame and display. Viola!!!
Here it is; back in its spot. Yup, getting already for spring/summer decor. Gotta love it!
Just another view. This is my shelf with all my cream ware and milk glass. Well, not all of it but a good portion of it. Hmmm.... does that other frame need a pick me up too?
I couldn't resist adding this picture of the kitchen. I was cleaning last week and just loved the way the sunlight was coming through the window. Our kitchen faces southwest so it gets a lot of afternoon, evening light. It's Wednesday and it's my free day so I'm off to craft another project. Have a crafty Wednesday!

Hot Fudge Cake

Those of you who love chocolate are in for a treat! The picture does not do this dessert justice. It's best served hot or warm with ice cream or whip cream. It does not last long at our house. I only thought to take a picture right before the last piece was taken.


Do not double this recipe! Trust me it does not work.

Hot Fudge Cake
1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cup hot water
whipped cream or ice cream

In a medium bowl combine flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in the milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Spread into an ungreased 8 inch x 8 inch pan. Combine brown sugar and remaining cocoa; sprinkle over batter. (At this point I usually put the pan in the oven so I don't have to move it) Pour hot water very carefully and slowly over all: do not stir! Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Top will be firm. Serve hot or warm with whip cream or ice cream.

The bottom is supposed to come out gooey like pudding. Oh you're going to love this. Take care and have a great weekend!

Spring Fluffing Party

Rhoda is having a Spring Fluffing Party. There's lots of gals joining in so go over to Rhoda's and join the party. I'm a little late getting my photos posted. Sorry!!! I have a big catering event this weekend and I was over very early this morning checking out the hall where it is going to take place. So here are my photos. I don't have a lot of spring stuff yet. I've been slowly collecting since last spring. So there aren't very many photos. Enjoy!

The black lamp is one that I want to paint either over break or during the summer break. The little bunny I got last spring. In fact I got everything last spring. I haven't ventured out to buy anything springish yet this year.

Another shot of the buffet in the front room. Those of you who are new we turned our living room into our dining room and our dining room off the kitchen into a sitting room.

I couldn't resist adding a little California with the seashells. It's almost camping time over at the beach. Can't wait!!! Seth made the birdhouse ages ago, but I can't decide what color I want to paint it. I have lots of green and lots of whites but I go back and forth. So what do you all think?

Here's a shot of the whole wall. I'm not sure I like the shelf arrangements yet. I'm still tweaking it.

This sweet thing I got last year on clearance. She might get to stay out all year even if she was meant for Easter.

This sweet azalea hubby got me for Valentine's day. I'll plant it here pretty quick. We just passed our last frost date, so it'll be getting a new home soon.

This little guy was a thrift store find. He stays out all year too.

Here's the arrangement on the table.

Another shot with the candle lit. You can just see Ms. Kitty napping in the background. She's not one bit concerned about a spring fluffing party.

This sits atop the armoire that Seth just redid.
Cocoa wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Why was mama rushing all around taking photos when she could have been petting me? She doesn't like a lot of fuss. She's very skittish.

Hope you enjoyed the party. I'm rushing off to the store to get items for the catering event. Hopefully I'll find some spring gems too. Have a great spring everyone. Thanks Rhoda for hosting this fun event. I can't wait till this evening when I can sit down and read everyone Else's spring fluffery blog. Have a great day. I'll be posting a scrumptious dessert on Friday so check back.

XOXO, Amanda

Signs of Spring

Spring is definitely on its way here where we live. The weather has been gorgeous and the trees and flowers are just blooming. My allergies are a testimony to that!
This is actually our neighbors house. They have such lovely trees. They just finished putting up the new fence. We don't have any pretty flowering trees in our yard. So I just admire everyone elses.
I do have a very old French lilac. My hubby's great-grandmother planted this at the ranch many, many years ago. I understand it was originally on the first homestead site according to my father-in-law. When we moved from the ranch I brought it with me. I'll prune it this year after its done blooming. This was its first year in the ground since we moved almost 9 years ago. So next year the blooms should be spectacular.

This is a friend's tree and the blossoms were just lovely. I couldn't resist taking a picture. The petals from the blossoms where just falling everywhere like snow the day I took this.

Rhoda is having a Spring fluffing party. So go over to her blog and check out the particulars. Can't wait to see everyone's little bit of spring fluff! Have an amazing week.

Later this week a recipe. So be sure to check back.

A Long Lost Post

I haven't blogged a post in so long. I've wanted to but it seems when I get on the computer to blog and catch up with everyone I just don't know what to blog about. There's been nothing exciting going on. That's not to say that there has to be something exciting before I'll blog. You can tell by previous boring posts that's not the case. Maybe it's just a case of writers block, but probably more like the blahs. It's usually pretty gray around here during February and I tend to do nothing without sunshine. We should be having nicer weather coming up as was evidenced this past weekend. 2 beautiful days of sunshine. My solar batteries got recharged a little bit. Unfortunately just enough for me to make lists of what I need to be doing once the sun comes out for good. Ha ha!!! So we're alive and well. Kids are doing good. Seth has gotten a job at Taco Bell. It's only on the weekends so he can stay caught up with school work. Tina would like to find a job but hasn't so far. Maybe this summer. Take care everyone. I'll try to post a recipe or something with pictures in a few days.