That's Tweet Dude!

I have been really wanting to make some art lately.

So, I painted a board black.

And, I'll let you in on a little secret of mine- "mis-mixed paint"- it is the greatest mistake ever. At the paint desk of most paint stores they have a shelf or two of their mistakes, that they sell for cheap. I am addicted to buying this stuff. Two of my very favorite home colors have come from here. I use them all the time, and sometimes mix my own color from them. By the way this quart of paint was one dollar, count it- 1! I have used this one on about 10 projects, from art to redecorating.

After I painted the board black I was a little stumped by the possibilities and it took me a few days to decide what to make. My friend's sister was fooling with texture on her art blog, I thought that sounded fun. Especially since the board I used already has a great texture. A few paintings ago I played around with mixing joint compound (drywall plaster) with acrylic paint and spreading it on with a palette knife, so I thought I'd do it again.

I collected the necessary objects for the project.

Such as chalk, joint compound, palette knives, paint brushes, acrylic paint, decorative paper, scissors, treats and a few silhouettes from online....

Then I drew the branches on the boards with chalk. after i filled them in with the joint compound, leaving it semi-thick and really rough.

It was hard to keep everything in the lines, so some where fuzzy, or not exactly following the chalk lines, as you can see below. To clean this up, I just outlined the branches with my black paint again.

Then I drew out the outline to size on white card stock. I didn't want to ruin the nice paper on my first attempts at hand drawing birds. Drawing is not my strong suit. After they were cut out, I arranged them on the board.

Then I figured out where I wanted the paper to go.

Finally, I came out with this. I just brushed on a layer of polyurethane to seal it all. Hopefully it works out well. I am planning on hanging it in Etta's room, which I have been working on the last few days, but no pictures til I am done.

Flying Saucer

There are those jobs that I just don't care to do.

Translation, they don't get done.

Detailing our car is one of them. I am just not so interested. Seriously though, if you're that concerned about a perfectly clean car, you can come over and clean it. I will not stop you!!! That said, we do this maybe twice a year. Saturday was the first for this year, but I just had to show one little detail that makes me happy (and Justin especially) This is complements of the power of baking soda (a little dish soap, hot water, and toothbrush action)!!

I had to add these pictures of Buddy. He was majorly concerned when Justin brought in the center unit thingy in our car to clean.

Budster is not allowed on the counter, but water going down the drain fascinates him. This was how he was trying to get away with seeing everything but not being "on" the counter. I think he's just cute.

I'm in Chocolate Layer Heaven

Sunday night I really wanted a dessert. In my personal definition of dessert, chocolate is a required word. (hence, no chocolate = no dessert)

I was thinking about a cake that my Grandma Alice used to make, and bring over on Sunday nights when I was a teenager. It is a white layer cake, with whipped cream, and raspberry jam. (Okay, I would count that as a dessert! SO good)

I wanted to put my own spin on it. I think she would be proud- she too LOVES chocolate- it runs in the family!

Here is the recipe:

Cake:

1 chocolate Devils Food cake mix

prepared as normal, although I substituted applesauce for oil

Add Spacial Dark chocolate chips, about a 1/4 or slightly less of a bag.

Pour into two round cake pans bake as directed.

Cool as long as you possibly can (I think a waited 1 hour...)

Frosting:

Mix together:

1 8 oz container cool whip ( I use fat free)

4 oz of cream cheese ( I used the 1/3 less fat)

1 cup Heavy Whipping cream

(I actually would have been okay with just the cool whip, but it totally deflated when I mixed it, then there wasn't enough to frost the cake, I happened to have some cream, so I whipped that up and added about 2 Tbls. sugar and 1 tsp vanilla)

Glaze:

Freezer strawberry jam

( I watered this down to a syrup consistency, and heated up in the microwave)

Now you can do as many layers as you want.

I cut one of the cake layers in half, and frosted three layers.

You simply frost the cake with the cream mixture and glaze with strawberry.

Then add another layer and repeat.

This cake was so delicious warm. The chocolate chips were soft and melty- oh I can taste it now. But since there is no way we would allow ourselves to finish off the cake in one day (notice, I didn't say it was impossible for us to finish it in one day). We had to refrigerate it. And the chips got all hard, but this was also quite good (not best, but not bad).

Chick'n Nuggets

Well, I would like to formally introduce you to our 5 new family members! They are just about a week old. They were given to us by our friend Shannon (actually she has their whole little chick lives documented on her blog, it is really fun to see the little eggs chirping!!)

They are not yet named (by us), we need to get to know them a little better, then we will give them names. But, they are so fun to watch. Justin and I keep running out to the garage to look at them and watch them.

One little chunk thinks that the food dish is her nest, and we always catch her sleeping in it, (with the others trying to peck around her to eat)

I am quite the nervous little mommy! We got them home and turned on their light, they were getting over heated, panting pretty heavily. I went out at 8:00 and bought a big plastic tub for them. But then the light wasn't heating them enough (I was using my meat thermometer, how ironic- don't tell the little gals)

At 10:00 I ran to Walmart to pick up pine chips a heating lamp, higher wattage bulbs, and a little thermometer, to make sure it was all okay.

We got them all safely in their new home, with their new lamp and the temp went up to 120 degrees --TOO HOT! We ended up changing the bulb to a 60 watt bulb, and exactly 98 degrees, equalled happy little chicks. I slept nervously all night, but didn't allow myself to get up to check on them- or I never would have slept, my mind would have been racing. In the morning, I ran out there and all five were alive and peckin' as it were!

Justin is going to be building them a little coop that matches our house- he's been designing for 2 weeks. He is really excited about it!

We just have to be really careful to keep the furry population away from their new siblings. or they really will be chicken nuggets!

Preggers

So Friday was a busy- not highly productive day. I started off hanging with a friend doing some work on a "secret" project. Justin got off work at noon and we were off- "thank goodness it's Friday" for the extra time that we get to be together I love it.

I had an appointment with my midwife at 1:00. Everything was normal- good! But, I had to drink a big old bottle of cough-syrup flavored, sugar drink and wait an hour to see how my blood sugar is. Haven't heard anything yet, hopefully it's okay.

After the appointment we ran to get lunch at a bakery- that has the best tomato basil soup in the most delicious bread bowls! (I needed my second lunch- heaven forbid I last three hours without eating- but seriously I can't try unless I am near a porcelain receptacle, not that I fight the need to eat, pretty much ever!)

So, I ordered the soup in a bread bowl, and jumped in the car, realizing too late that we really needed a drink. We had decided to run to Babies-r-us and Target to get registered for our upcoming shower. On the way, we stopped by a fast food restaurant and got a huge drink to share.

We stopped in the parking lot of Babies-r-Rs (which is 20 minutes from home) to eat. I pick up our huge Sprite and POP! the top flies off. The cup cannot hold the pressure of my grip so it sorta folds and 20 oz of sticky, wet, mess flies everywhere, especially congregating on my seat in between my legs, soaking into my jeans.

Now it looks like I have TOTALLY peed my pants. I am not just saying like a little spot- NO soaked, and in the exact location where said soaking would naturally occur.

There is no way I am going into the store like this- I have got to change my pants- note to self, bring extra pants along in car!

Luckily we had some of Justin's work shirts needing to be dry-cleaned in the car, I wrapped one around my waist- oh wait, don't really have a waist anymore- but you get the picture. Then I held my huge purse directly over my front side, and ran into Target.

I searched for something to wear, not too expensive, since this purchase unplanned and bought a skirt.

Please tell me that you've done something like this too?

By the way registering is like the scariest thing I have ever done- 10 foot tall isles by 40' linear feet of bottles alone, how do you navigate a store like that?

Manifesting FREE Furniture

If any of you have read "The Secret" you may understand what I mean by manifesting good. (by the way I actually really liked the book- it is in video form too, so I hear)

I have been needing a dresser, but not wanting to spend the money, so I have been manifesting a good deal.

While checking out some garage sales one random Friday morning, I happened by a dresser, on the side of the road. FREE!! Not even at one of the sales, and I was already on my way home. I packed it carefully in my car, cuz, I'm prego, and helpless...urgh (toward the helpless part!!)

It was a little sad, well, a lot sad actually. It was highly offensive really, uglier than I can stand. But -I just knew it could be good. I mean- check out that faux marble finish? Huh?.. Huh? Nice!

And the Aztec inspired handles that are the size of flying saucers?

I showed Justin- he was not impressed. But I had more faith in our abilities.

The state of things was bad, first, one drawer was in about 4 pieces, missing the whole bottom. Another drawer was falling apart. The front of the Dresser was missing a few of the rails on the face frame (the horizontal pieces that run between the drawers). And lets be honest it was just plain ugly.

This Saturday we got to work. Justin had a bit more work than he planned. The prior owner had tried to repair the drawer before, with HOT GLUE, so he had to scrap that out. Then re-route a groove for the new bottom, that was a bit thicker. Wood glue, some staples and presto we had a drawer. Then he had to do that again. After that, he replaced the missing rails.

Meanwhile, I sanded. This was not my smartest move. I was outside wearing a mask, but afterward I was like- Oh holy cow! what if there is lead in that paint?! Rest assured though, I researched the manufacturing company, an American based company and the date of the piece was April 1999, so I should be safe- But I promise, I won't do it again!

I did however spray paint, but I contacted the company first about hazards. Then I did it outdoors with gloves, mask and safety glasses.

The spray painting technique I used is actually a favorite. We use a really cheap flat black. Put on two coats til dry (if in a hot area I only wait an hour or so) then with a fine grit sanding block, sand in one direction to burnish the finish, then wipe in the same direction with a wet rag, followed up by a dry rag (all wiping and sanding in the same direction). Repeat painting, sanding and wipe off, then, if needed repeat again. I don't go crazy on the corners, so it doesn't look distressed. But is has a slight shine and a fabulous finish.

We did spend about 16.00 on new handles but I figured it was worth the investment, in a piece that can last our child through the years.

Oh man, aren't those cool handles? We even put it in Etta's room (technically, it is in her closet) But, last night I took my time folding all the wonderful girl clothes that I got from Donelle! THANK YOU- I am so excited for playing dress up!

Change Crazy

I guess instead of being "stir crazy" (which I am a little)

I think I am "change crazy"!

I am so focused on cleaning, organizing and renewing things, that I could no long stand my old blog set-up. I am still tweaking things but here's to a new blog.

What do you think of the changes so far?

Alterations

In the tradition of projects, these three alteration projects took up last Thursday. It was so fun to sew again. I really haven't made much of anything for so long.

I just altered three pre-made finds.

The first is a plaid summer dress from my sister. This is part of the maternity clothes collection that was passed to me! Yahoo! Only one problem, I am the tallest girl in the family, by 3 inches, to my tallest sister. Noelle who sent me this is 5'5", so I really needed an extra 5 inches of fabric, in order to move around with out exposing myself. So here is what I did:

I added some scrap fabric I had to the bottom, but then it didn't look finished, so I added a band around the upper waist. I am really excited for this now! I think it looks so summery!

Front and Back (it is so much harder than you think to take pictures of something you are wearing...)

Then for my birthday, I picked up this adorable knit dress at Walmart. I think it was only $14.00- dang good deal. And it looks so cute for maternity, but again, I like it just a little longer.

I used another scrap of I had of black knit, and jimmy-rigged a hemline that matched some of the other details. This was a little harder, because I didn't have a serger, and the other ruffles, were finished with a serger, but I think it sorta worked out. I wore it to church on Sunday!

I hope you can see the ruffling I added. It is hard to tell with the black knit, what is going on.

And I just had to add the picture of Kitty checking out the handy work! She is so cute and fluffy!

Lastly, I wanted to make some maternity pants, that didn't have a waistband that was tight- meaning no elastic at all!! I am so anti-waistbands right no I can't even tell you. I went to the local Salvation army and bought a pair of jeans (on a 50% off day- so $3.50, score!) They fit my legs and thighs, then I just sort of experimented with finishing the new knit waist band.

Next time I won't cut off the back waistband, I am not sure why I decided to do it this time, but live, do, and learn.

First, I pulled them on and pinned around the curvature of my new belly.

I cut off the top of the pants along that curve.

Here is my belly with them cut off so you can tell what I mean about cutting bellow the new curve of my belly!

I then measured the width of my belly (only on the front from side to side approx 22", and the height I'd like the band to go.

For example, from the lowest point, I wanted the band to be 7" tall, but from the side I only needed 4.5". I folded the knit fabric in half, the height I needed it to be. 7 inches. That fold will be the top of my band.

Then I laid the pants below the fabric the now measured 20" wide and 7" folded (or 14" long) and eyeballed the curve as I cut from 4.5 on the side to the center lowest point of 7 inches. Then folded that first cut half over the other un-cut half, and used it as a guide for the other side. (hope that makes some sense)

I then cut a band for the back, and sewed the sides together, and folded the bad side in and pinned them to the outside of the cut pants, like so:

When I was done sewing the pined area on, this is what I had:
And with a shirt pulled low over it, you can't even tell!

I might try this again.... later.

For now we are on to other projects!

My soapbox....

I must vent.... You don't have to read this if you don't want to, but I would love to hear what you think.

Yesterday, while working on some things I turned on Oprah for background noise. The show was about two 14 year old children who had decided that it was time for them to have sex. The kids were dating and it was only natural that they should now be intimate.

The mother of the boy had had some good talks with her son. They have an open relationship, which I think is good, he told his mother that he was ready for sex. She said, I don't want you to do that, and then promptly goes to the store and buys him a box of condoms and leaves it in his drawer.

Excuse me?

What does this say to a 14 year old boy?

I would like to know what you think.

Here are my thoughts. First of all, many of you know that I am LDS, which is commonly referred to as Mormon. I believe that sex is sacred. Its should be used only within the bonds of marriage. The reason I believe this has to do with the sacred powers that God has. This will be hard to explain quickly but, I will try.

I believe that we lived with God before this life, as one heavenly family. That our purpose on earth is to be tested, to show whether we will pick God's plan and the atonement that was made for us by our Savior, or if we will choose the worlds ways. A vital part of this plan is our agency. We are given agency so that we might choose what we want to do. God will not interfere with this agency. It is His law, and He will not stop our free agency to make our own choices. This is why so many of us make mistakes. This is also why an atonement was made so that we can repent and return to our Father in Heaven.

Now I need to make something clear, I believe that God is governed by , for lack of a better word laws. That if he says something, it must be fulfilled. He is perfect, he cannot go back on his word, he does not change and is the same, yesterday today and forever. These laws and perfect understanding that he has, makes him the supreme creator, and he knows all.

I believe that there are certain sins are very severe, and I want to explain why I believe sex outside of the bonds of marriage is one of them. Hopefully I can do this, let me ask you some questions-

Do you believe that Murder is wrong?
Do you believe that people have no right to take another persons life?

I do. I believe that murder is one of the most severe sins because it takes all the agency from the one killed. It is final, there is no changing it. In that same sense, sex is that power to procreate with God another human being. It is ultimate power over the creation of life for another being. If looked at in a mirror, it is the opposite of death. Birth and Death go hand and hand. God's timing is important, but like I said before, he will not interfere with our agency. He will allow us to make our choices. But to every choice there are natural consequences.

In this life, parents are concerned with pregnancy and STD's, they think nothing of the soul binding experience the act of sex produces. Of the emotional consequences of the decision to share our most God given gift to act as a God ourselves in creating a new life. And whether or not you are using birth control, the powers of creation are being played with and the soul binding ability of sex, is not to be forgotten.

I hope that explains why I believe sex is so sacred.

So, let me get back to my original question. Do you think that giving your son condoms, after you've had a talk about his desire to have sex, is giving permission to have sex?

I do.

I think actions speak much louder than words. By purchasing the condoms, you are saying "here is your ticket, now go".

Let me use two examples to show what this can be likened to. First, lets say your family is very health conscious. You do not believe that people should consume sugar. It is hard on your body to regulate it, it gives you cavities, if consumed to often it can lead to disease but of course sugar is very enjoyable. It is delicious, and lets face it, most people really love candy. Let's say your 5-8 year old comes to you and says, "Mom, I've been thinking about it and I really want a snickers bar everyday for the rest of my life." You have explained to them, that you don't want them to eat sugar. Again you tell them this, you tell them some of the consequences, you explain that sugar is good, but that even though it tastes good, you don't want him to eat it.

Then you go to the store and buy him a box of snickers. And leave it for him in his room. What does this say to the little kid? What do you think they will do? Eat it of course. You bought it, you must have changed your mind and agree about eating a snickers bar daily. There will be more to come to, if you eat these all up, because, mom knows you wanted these and got them for you.

I realize that a candy bar a day, is probably not going to kill you. It is not as serious, but do I make my point clear?

Okay, so now for one more example, a little more dark than a Snickers bar. Let's say your teenager comes home from school very upset. It has been happening a lot. Their friends have turned on your child. You can see there is some bullying or something like that going on. Luckily your child talks to you, you communicate very often. They explain that the are very angry with their friends. They are mad and hurt(the emotional opposite of love). They really want to do something about it. They bought some bullets. They want a gun. You explain to them, that you do not believe in guns. You think that they need to learn to control their feelings and use them properly. You do not believe that they should hurt their friends.

Then next day you go out and buy a gun, and leave them on your child's bed. What does this say to the child? I lets them know that you agree with their thinking. You know what their intentions are, you know why they want the gun, you have explained your views on the subject, but then, you give them a gun? What is the child thinking? They think you've changed your mind, that you want them to use the gun.

I am so bothered by this. I realize, that children may get caught up in sex. You want them protected, but just telling them you don't want them to have sex is not a good enough reason. It may work for an extra 6 months... But there has to be a purpose behind saving yourself for marriage.

The lady on the show was great in getting the kids to think about the actual situation. The best part is she asked them, how long do you plan on being together. The boy answered a long time. Oprah asked, well how long is that? His answer? 6 months to 1 year. The girl was shocked and totally deflated. I am a girl too. I know what her little heart was thinking. We'll be together, we'll share this, it will bring us closer. We will be high school sweethearts. We'll go to the same college, we'll be married at 21..... She began to change her mind by the end of the show.

I could go on, but I won't. It makes me so sad how we, as a society, sexualize children. They see the sexy images of women on magazine covers, it is in music, TV, movies and even cartoons. We are buying little girls sexy outfits, that even adults shouldn't wear. We are grooming them to watch soft porn music videos when they get older, by watching little Disney channel pop music videos. Don't believe me, watch a little child who watches these music videos dance, you'll see a lot different movement in the body. And, to make it worse, we have to tell our children about the dangers of predators, and sex so early that curiosities are being built up for years, long before they are ready, to understand the consequences of their actions.

I would love to hear what you think. That is if you read this whole big long blog.

Creme Brulee Recipe

I did have one person ask, so here it is (this recipe is from our friends the Johnsons!- they are the ones who watched America's test kitchen every Saturday or so and then shared what they learned! Which also included the best cheesecake recipe ever! Thanks guys!)

Creme Brulee
Preheat oven to 300

In a separate pan start about 2-3 quarts of water boiling, for a water bath when they cook, not in recipe!

1 cup heavy Whipping cream
1/3 cup Sugar

slowly bring to just boiling, mix only occasionally (don't over mix)

add:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt(I let these heat up a little, but not too hot)

in a separate bowl:
6 eggs yolks (beaten)

Now in order to put the hot cream in with the eggs you have to add a small amount of the cream to the egg yolks, and stir them it in, to temper them, (so that the eggs don't cook) add a little more of the cream mixture to the eggs, stir and then you can add the rest.

Place a dish towel in a glass casserole dish(this will help the ramekins not to slide all around), add the ramekins on top of towel, fill each ramekin.

Fill the casserole dish with the boiling water (from above) so that the water is 2/3 the height of the ramekins. I open up the oven and pull out the rack and stick the casserole dish there before filling it up. This way I don't spill boiling water down myself trying to stick it in the oven.

Bake 30 minutes

Place ramekins on a wire rack.
Sprinkle the tops with sugar (raw or table whatever you prefer)
cover and place in fridge overnight.

Torch the top before serving. (we got a torch at the kitchen store, our friends just bought one at home depot! You just torch it till the sugar starts to brown and boil.

Good luck!