August 28, 2009

{ Paradise Bakery Sugar Cookies }

So here's my contribution... cookies! Anyone surprised? No, I didn't think so. I have a weakness for cookies which so many of you already know. :) I came across this recipe on the internet while trying to find the Paradise Bakery Chippers cookie recipe. (It is really secret, because I couldn't find it anywhere... but I'm still looking because it is soooo good) Anyway, we all loved this sugar cookie recipe, so try it!

Paradise Bakery Sugar Cookies
created by sheacakes

Servings: 3 dozen

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 cups shortening (I used butter)3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
4 1/3 cups cake flour (I didn't have cake flour, so I used bread flour and only did 4 cups)3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Sugar for decorating
In a medium bowl, mix together the sugars and shortening using an electric mixer.
Mix on slow speed for 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl with a spatula.
Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes. Slowly add vanilla extract and egg while mixing.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl, mixing on slow speed until just blended. Do not overmix.

Dough may be rolled out on lightly floured board and cut with cookie cutters or scooped with an ice cream scoop and placed directly on cookie sheet. If scooped, flatten with palm of hand. (I didn't flatten them and I thought they turned out better)

Bake at 375 degrees F for 9 to 10 minutes. Cookies are done when small cracks appear. Ideally, the edges do not brown. Sprinkle liberally with sugar after baking.

August 25, 2009

{ Cottage8 }

Well, I've finished my sewing list...not my long list of sewing, but the short one of things I wanted to accomplish by today. So I'm feeling good. I am loving these towels & matching hot pads. I think I may need to make a few more for the holidays. I hope the girls' teachers will like them.

I also wanted to tell you that you need to go check out the amazing before & afters of Jennifer's home, Cottage8, at the The Old Painted Cottage. Wow! I am so in love with her kitchen!

August 24, 2009

{ Finished Quilt }

I finished my quilt! Yay! I haven't quilted in so long. It was fun. But, I'm also very glad it's done!

Ms. Sassypants is holding it up for me.

Can you believe that I stippled the whole thing? Me either. My shoulders are so sore!
I love the fabrics. It's called Hello Betty Retro from Moda. It has kind of an old fashioned feeling. I had a few scraps left so I decided to get started on some teacher gifts for Christmas. I know, don't hate me that I'm thinking about Christmas already.
I made a hot pad & matching kitchen towel. I think I will wrap it up with some wooden spoons or something.
I'm working on a few more with other fabrics. I will show you when I'm done. How cute would this be with Christmas fabrics or Halloween? Way cute!

August 17, 2009

{ Bathroom Makeover Finished }

I thought I would revisit the Guest Bath Redo. You can see the before pictures here. I finished up a couple of weeks ago. I just needed to accessorize a bit more.
It was really tricky taking pictures in here. I threw out a lot of them. These are the best I could do.
I love this bird hook that holds the towel.
And, yes, this is the potty handle. I crammed myself down into the corner to get this shot. My family pretty much thinks I'm nuts. I switched out the cheap one that came with the toilet with this fancy one that matches the faucet & light fixture finish. It wasn't that expensive or difficult to do & it actually makes a big difference.
I decided that I really liked the accessories I had in there before so I just rehung the baskets on the wall & the cross-stitch that Traci did for me & I love it! The baskets are on the wall across from the potty. Perfect place for magazines, don't you think?
And the best part about reusing what I had is it was free!!!
I did get this bird cloche thing (is that what it's called?). Anyway, I saw it a few times on some blogs & loved it. They said it came from TJMaxx & sure enough, that's where I found it. The plant inside is a bit too small (the live one that used to sit there is dead, of course) but, I've replaced it with a little bit bigger one now. And, yes, the new one is fake also. What can I say...I am indoor plant challenged.
Sorry for the horrible pictures. It really looks better in real life...especially the paint color.
By the way, Laurel, I'm dying to see pictures of your new place! (hint, hint)
Have a great day!

August 10, 2009

{ Yuckity, Yuck, Yuck! }

Miss Sassypants has mono! Yep, it started a week ago, Saturday, with a sore throat. We took her to the doctor on Monday & they tested her for strep. It came back negative. Throughout the week her throat was getting worse & she developed a fever. Her glands became so swollen that you could tell by just looking at her. Poor thing didn't eat all week. Just some protein shakes here & there. I took her back in on Friday & they told me it was mono. Ugh! When you looked in her throat it looked like she hardly had room to breath, her throat was so swollen & sore. And, I don't want to gross you out so don't read this next line if you have a weak constitution, but it is all mucussy (not a word) & pussy back there. Yuck! Poor thing has been crying all night long & moaning all day long all week long! They gave us a prescription to help with the swelling & she's finally feeling mostly better today. It has been a tough week for sure.
So, what do you do when you can't leave the house except for short trips to the grocery store for more milk & Motrin? (we've been through 3 bottles) I guess I could clean the fridge, dust the blinds or wipe down all the baseboards. But, instead I decided to do this...
I started a quilt that is on my summer to do list. I haven't made a quilt in quite a while & it has been fun. And it helps me from going stir crazy. I'm actually a homebody but, there's just something about knowing you can't leave rather than choosing not to leave. Know what I mean? I'll hopefully be showing you the finished quilt soon.

August 7, 2009

{ Ahhh, Much Better }

For a long time now I have wanted to add baskets to my entertainment center. It was just too busy for me. If you know me, you know I like non-cluttered & mostly symmetrical decorating. Finding the baskets has been a little difficult. It's not too hard to find 4 of the same baskets that are the right color, size & shape but if you don't want them for cheap, well, let's just say it hasn't been easy.
But...I finally found them at JoAnn's for 50% off. They turned out to be $7.50 each. Still a little more than I wanted to spend, but not too bad.

Here's the after...
You're probably thinking, "I can hardly tell a difference". But to me...big difference! I am so happy with it. Very symmetrical & less cluttered feeling. I also think it brightens the whole area up a little.

August 3, 2009

{ Dresser Makeover }

While visiting my family in Utah, about a week ago, my mom gave me a dresser that she was getting rid of.
If you notice, there are no handles on it. That is because I am lame & broke two of them moving it. Of course, I was planning on changing them anyway so, I wasn't too sad. I decided to use it in the little girls room to replace the desk that was between their beds. Mainly because the desk was a safety hazard as it tended to tip over whenever they opened more than one drawer at a time. But, they also needed more drawers for clothes. I've noticed as my little girls are getting bigger, so are their clothes. Genius, huh?
Ms. Sassypants really wanted to help so, I let her do some priming. She didn't do too badly, either. Might be nice to have a helping hand around.
Here's my hubby, making sure we're doing it right. And can you see Boo pointing out where we missed a spot? The spot was the whole inside. She didn't understand why we weren't painting that too. :)
And here's the after...
I'm really happy with it. I still need to do a bit of accessorizing. I'm trying to decide exactly what I want on top of it & hung above/around it.
What do you think of the lamp, by the way? It was mossy green & I painted it. I'm not sure if it's just a bit too bright. Tell me you think. Also, should I add something to the shade?
Funny story on the lamp. I got it from Target. It was the cheapest one I could find at $16. I got it home, plugged it in & for the life of me, couldn't figure how to turn it on. It didn't have a switch anywhere! Not at the top, not on the cord. I was baffled. I finally pulled the tag out of the trash & read that it was a touch light. By touching the base it turns on & off. Ha, ha! I'm such a nerd! My girls think it's "awesome"!