Mmm easy.

This is a fairly well known blogger, http://ana-white.com/ but I thought I'd give my review of the plans for the amazing "Tommy Media Base" as seen here:

It's not painted yet, but it's based on the Thomas' Media Base by Pottery Barn for the Thomas Media center. The plans were surprisingly super easy, and my husband tackled this and had it completed within 40 minutes! He is NO carpenter, but he is really proud of how well it turned out. I'd recommend measuring your T.V. first, because it looks like we came a little short! I'm going to paint it a dark turqoisey-teal color I think, and rough it up a bit. He was just so eager to show off his handiwork that he had to set the T.V. up. I plan on doing the kid's $4 chair and the easel, myself; they are SUCH easy plans, and she is great about explaining the steps to beginners like us! Thanks, Ana!

Wish List

After spending my long, lazy hours lusting after various crafting projects on the computer, (Thank you Lord for the internet; otherwise women like me would be at a loss for creativity!) I am compiling a wish list.

1. A Sewing Machine. Because I have a million ideas flowing through my head. At this moment I have an idea for a jersey knit pillowcase based on this idea for a scarf: (makeitandloveit) Add a few buttons and it'd be durable enough for even my terrors...uh, kids; to toss around.

2. A stock pot. Just to own a stock pot. Really... I'd feel like Ina Garten. I'd find some use for it!

3. A nail gun and a table saw. Yes; and I'm even going to see if I can find ones that are pink. Just to annoy my husband. Well, maybe I won't go that far...

4. Chalkboard paint. Really seems to have a lot of neat uses... I like this idea I found to use a piece of tin found at like Hobby Lobby or Ben Franklin to turn into a rustic looking menu for the kitchen. Menu Board


I'm just stuck on the idea of a sewing machine. How neat to be able to make pillowcase dresses or twirly skirts for the girls? Or hey, this looks neat too:
Now how sweet would my little angel boys look in this? (Pattern from makeitandloveit on Etsy)

Easy Chicken Bruschetta

Dinner was amazing and my husband actually ate the entire thing. Very cheap, fast, and easy.

You need:
2 thawed chicken breasts sm-med in size
1/4 a small tomato diced
About 1/4 cup diced green onions
Tomato herb spice (I used Pampered Chef's Sun-dried tomato for dipping)
Garlic powder
Italian cheese blend
Some butter and oil

First, heat up a smidgen of oil in a frying pan on medium heat and then melt in a little butter. Preheat oven to 320. Season the chicken breast with the garlic powder and tomato spice and set in the pan. I added a little water to get some juices going but to each their own. You just want to brown it, but do it slowly so you don't dry it out or fry the outside. While the chicken is cooking tear off two pieces of foil long enough to create a packet around each chicken breast, and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Once chicken is browned, place each piece on the foil. (I dripped last of the sauce on the top of each piece, too. Don't do this if you want lower fat.) Toss on the tomatos and green onions in heaps and then sprinkle with a bit of the cheese. Fold over tops of packets leaving just enough room for air, tuck in sides, and put in oven for 35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy with cheesy smashed potatoes or on pasta with a tomato sauce!

Kiddos, a broken vacuum, and no hot water...

Life will be perfect... when pigs fly! As a rather new mom, I'm slowly learning life doesn't give the theatrical happy ending we youngsters naively expect. What do you expect with all of the glossy magazine photos of clean, happy children, and couples holding hands walking into the sunset?

Today I sit and ignore the massive pile of clothes that need to be sorted through and the girls' bedroom that needs to be cleaned. At least I made the bed. And attempted to fix a broken vacuum! (A thread of some sort shredded my belt, so I can't fix it until I go to the store.) I washed dishes in the bathroom sink due to a broken hot water pump to the kitchen, and both of the youngsters are clean and happy.

Amidst all of the chaos comes a bit that proves God has a sense of humor: my husband left his money for chewing tobacco at home. As a supervisor, he's cranky without it. Why is that so funny? Because last night I prayed God would show him he doesn't need tobacco as a crutch. <3 I love you, honey!

I'm off to pull out some playdough, put the baby in a swing, fold some clothes, and maybe clean my daughters' room. Eh, but first I'd better get my foil chicken bruschetta going. If it's good I'll post the recipe... !

Knock Off Knock Out Wood

I'm as thrilled as a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar to have found this website; Knock Off Wood. It is amazing! I'm always looking at furniture thinking "I can make that..." and wondering why it costs so much. Here's a woman that not only thinks that, but takes it to the next level by designing knock-offs of designer furniture that are almost free to make! I'm in love with her designs for shelving and am already planning to put a magnetic-chalkboard tree in my girls' room! I'm excited to start a shopping list; I'll be sure to post my final costs and pictures as I go! For now, check the website out and do some drooling---and start your own to-do list!