I'm turning into a DIY'er!!

Well.... at least a "Honey please help me with this project"er!!

Sheldon wanted to get me a headoard for my birthday and I was so excited. Once we got looking at some online, we got to thinking - we could totallymake this!! So here goes.

It's not that the before picture is awful - but sometimes change is good. We'd had our bedding for 10 years (yikes) and the paint color has been the same since we built this house - 7 years ago... so heres before

Before

Thanks to pinterest, I found some really great DIY headboard tutrials, so away we went! The headboard took us 2 hours from start to totally finished - that's because our girl-ies were having a dinner date with Uncle James & Auntie Anna. Thanks J&A! We did the wood section of the wall and the chandelier the next day.

First: cut plywood the size needed for your headboard

Then measure, mark and drill where you want the buttons to be

Then use a spray adhesive and lay foam on the plywood

Next, lay batting and cover the foam, and staple in place. Trim Excess.

Then... do the same with your upholstery, long sides first, then the short sides, corners last.

Then pull your buttons thru and your done!!  Here's the almost-finished project

And .... DONE!!!

Happy Birthday Reece!

It's hard to believe our Reece Katheryn is now 6!!! She's in Kindergarden, claims she knows everything (already?!??!) and has a huge kind heart! She loved every minute of our trip down under; from the beach days, sight seeing, and hanging out with her cousins. Here are pictures from her birthday party with school friends, and then we had another little party to include dad and uncles and aunties. Another super-special thing about this birthday is that she will share it with her new adorable cousin Levi Wade!!

Welcome baby Levi!!

Decorating by: Annaleis Walter :) !!!!

All the attendees :)

Beautiful pony cake made by Auntie Angela!
www.thecakebox.net

Pizza Party!

Reece's lunch choice: homamade cheese pizza

Reagy loving the party

Hannah, Reece Ally, Maddy, Denae, Carter, Maren, Reagan and Danica

Heres my attempt at a rainbow cake for the family get-together... Thanks to Angela for her teaching!!

Australia

YIKES!! It's been almost 2 months since we came home from down under... and what?? No pictures on the blog? Well --- here is a slideshow of our pictures.. It's almost 30min .... but how else to fit it all in?? We had an AWESOME trip!!

Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies

I've been dreaming up this recipe for awhile now, and finally, on this lazy Saturday afternoon, I made them :) They have a thousand million calories in every square, but with the salt... they are totally worth it.
Here's what to do: 

One box of brownie mix (bake as per box instructions)

While the brownies are baking, toss pecans with some melted butter, salt them and toast for 15min...

 Next, Start on the caramel sauce ... Yummmm!!!

Melt 1 cup of butter on low heat...

Then add 3/4 cups dark brown sugar

Stir together until butter & sugar have mixed well and is smooth

Next, add 1 Cup corn syrup and 1 can sweetened condensed milk, and 1 tsp salt - (be generous!)

Now, turn up the heat and stir constantly, until thickened, about 10 min

Your brownies should be coming out of the oven soon, and when they do, let them col for 5 min and then pour the caramel on top...

Let stand for 10 min so that it sets just a bit, then sprinkle with salt...

Then all your salted, buttery pecans on top.

Ahhhh YUM!!! Throw them in the fridge for 2 hours and then cut and enjoy with a coffee and some ice-cream... I sincerely apologize for the amount of calories in one square, but, yeah - they're delicious!! So just enjoy!!

New Venture!

I'm So-ooo excited about this!!

About a month ago I enrolled Reece in cooking class. She absolutely loved it!! She learned how to grade cheese, crack eggs, use a knife, measure, and set the table - totally worth it!! 

For the last class Reece wore one of the aprons that I'd made, and the class teacher (who also is the owner) asked where this adorable apron comes from?!?!?

 Fast forward a few emails, phone calls and a very exciting meeting... my aprons are now for sale in the Cookery!! 

This is the poster that will be up in the cookery! The size will be 12" x 36"

Candy Store Girls Apron

http://www.trendsettingtots.com/Aprons_c_20.html

Updated Website!

For a few weeks now, in a large blue tupperware box sat some beautiful skirts, dresses, and aprons!

Can anyone enjoy them when they're sitting in a box?!?

So, while it took a whole day, I've finally updated the website, and it's a cause for celebration! Coupon code FEB2012 will get 10% off purchases!

www.trendsettingtots.com

New Family Pictures!!