Help!

I was browsing at Hancock Fabrics this mornng and came across this fabric in the home decor / upholstery section for $3 / yard!  I LOVE it, so I bought two yards (and want to go back for more), but I'm not sure what to do with it!  It's currently spread out on my dining room table, and I actually like it there as a tablecloth, but was also thinking maybe curtains either in the dining room or foyer.  Or maybe my bedroom.  Or maybe the duvet I've been wanting to make....help!

Any ideas?

I feel like I am drawn to patterns and color, but might have a few too many going on around here.  But I'm determined to find a place for this.  :-)



I also picked this vinyl up for half-price for the kitchen table.  I had been using regular fabric with a clear cover, but this is heavier weight and easier to wipe.



I think I could easily become a fabric addict.  :-)

{Super} Simple Muffins

These muffins are so easy it's ridiculous.  I started making them last fall when I had some fresh cranberries on hand and didn't know what else to do with them.  The variety above are blueberry (the last of the ones we picked in Maine a couple years ago....is that gross?), but you can add any variety of fruit or mix-in you'd like.

The recipe comes from my all-time-favorite "red and white" cookbook - aka the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.  This is the cookbook I always saw (and still see) my mom cooking from.  It has all the basics.  Shameful confession:  I even use this cookbook for things like scrambled or hard-boiled eggs.  :-)



So, just thought I'd share the recipe.  They are easy to whip up for a nice, warm breakfast.   Our boys love them - the batch never lasts a whole day.  You could also maybe try a healthier version with whole wheat flour?

I also add about a teaspoon of turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw) to the tops of the uncooked muffins.  It's gives them a sweet, crunchy glaze.  I've done it with regular sugar, too.


Muffins
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teasoon salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup cooking oil

Set oven to 400 degrees and grease a 12-muffin tin or line with paper baking cups.  Combine dry ingredients and set aside.  In a separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients in.  Mix just until moistened (batter will be lumpy).

Mix in a cup of fresh cranberries (chopped) or blueberries (or just about anything else....they give variations for cheese, oatmeal, etc.).  Fill muffin cups 2/3 full (sprinkle unbaked batter with turbinado sugar if you want) and bake for 20 minutes or until golden.  The muffins are pretty small if you make 12.  I think next time I make them I might either double the batch or just make 6.

Enjoy!

Tissue Paper Pom-Poms

Remember Martha's pom-poms from this post and the Encyclopedia of Crafts?  I tried the mini-version for my mom's birthday last week.  I just layered 4 sheets of tissue, and kept cutting sections in half until I ended up with 12 squares.  Then I accordian folded each one, trimmed the ends to a point, tied a piece of embroidery floss around the center (with enough length to hang them) and then separated the sections.  They took some time, but I love how they look and now I don't want to take them down.  :-) (...though I have lost several to light sabers...hmmmmm....)

Did I mention I love spring?

Couldn't resist posting one more of my favorite pictures from this spring.  Anyone know what type of tree this is?  I really wanted to do a little photo shoot with a magnolia tree this spring (that sounds wierd, I know), but it seems they are all past their prime.  I dream of having a big magnolia in my yard; I love the huge, beautiful blooms.  But then again, I love blooms of all kinds. 

What is your favorite spring bloom?

{photo: me}

Focus

I am really enjoying spring, but I feel like I'm lacking a little bit of direction and I apologize for the absence.  I think I'm just trying to figure out where I need to focus my efforts at the moment.  As always, I have so many ideas rolling around in my head, and so little time to decide what to do with them!  I love blogging; it's a hobby and a great creative outlet.  I have to be careful not to let it become a stressful thing, you know?  I have a habit of doing that - making thing that should be fun stressful.  :-)

So, I will get back to posting at some point soon, once I can find my focus.

{photo: me}

Happy Easter

It's been a busy couple of weeks.  Lots going on, but we are having a great, low-key Easter weekend so far.  It's my favorite holiday, and I'm looking forward to celebrating with my boys and family tomorrow.

May you have a joyful Easter as you celebrate the resurrection of Christ!