Escape

We escaped for a one day adventure!
We loaded our girls up and took two friends to
Brown County State Park for the day.

We took a two mile hike in the woods!
Fun in the summer, something I had never done in the snow.
Will do it again

We stayed in the lodge at Brown county State Park just outside of Nashville, Indiana.
(Yes, I forgot my camera and these were taken with one of the girls phones,
Even so they turned out pretty good.)
We slept in, then Dusty and I went upstairs while the girls continued to sleep until 1030 and had a delicious breakfast overlooking the forest and watching the birds.
Then we spent several hours reading in front of a big fireplace, drinking hot chocolate.
They had an indoor pool and the girls spent time playing in it and we took the two mile hike.
It was a day worth remembering!

Birthday Week

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband Dusty!

Monday was his special day and he didn't want a cake ,
because he is really trying to watch his weight.
But I couldn't let the day go by with nothing, so.... Denae made cupcakes
and Darci frosted and decorated them.
We got him a new picture to put in his office at the church and a Dick's Sporting Good gift certificate.
He liked both!

Sweet Melissa Sunday .....SpeakEasy

This weeks Sweet Melissa is called SpeakEasy
and was chosen by Jeannette of the Whimsical Cupcake.
I have not baked with the Sweet Melissa group for two months
but really wanted to get in on this one.
I loved this cake and will make it again.
I have to admit that I have never made anything before with liquor and was nervous about how it would taste but really couldn't tell much difference, however without it , it may not have been as good.
It called for 2/3 cup of Brandy.( I only used 1/3 cup)
I had to go to my first liquor store and thought my daughter would die as she
waited for me to go in.
Imagine seeing your Pastors wife coming out of the Payless Liquor store
with a little brown bag! Ha!

This cake was delicious and very adult.
It had 12 ounces of semisweet chocolate, 1/c up of heavy cream and 4 eggs, it was not for the faint of heart or for those counting calories.
This would be an elegant cake for a special romantic dinner or for guest!
A great Valentines Idea

Last week was our youth pastors Birthday, we wrapped up a good size piece
and put a candle in it, she loved it!
Happy Birthday Sherri !

This was delicious and I will make it again!

A Few Projects...for 2011!

This is my girls bathroom!
It is cute if you are a boy and 6 but not for three teenagers!
We are coming up with a plan, if Denae is in charge it will be pink:)
These are peal and stick squares and underneath it is white,
so it will be just a matter of taking those off and painting.

Next, I want to paint and decorate my laundry room!
Something vibrant and fun
I want a bar to hang shirts and things on and I will need to work around the furnace and the water heater but i think it can still be fun.

This was the before of my bedroom! Dark and gloomy

And now after the Comfort Grey paint.
Those drapes were in my dining room and they match the bedding
but
I want something more feminine, maybe white or a quilt and I may paint that oak bedroom furniture!
I do like it so much better now though...

This is material I bought this summer to make Denae a purse!

She loves her sisters Vera Bradley purse but is not crazy about the paisley.

And these are my girls cute stockings, two made by Aunt Debbie and one by me.
Every Christmas I kick myself because there are not 5 stockings there.
So...

I bought the stuff 3 years ago to make my husband and I one to match,
I am going to do it this year.

They should say Debbie and Dusty!

These are just a few of the projects i want to get done in 2011.
I'm putting it out there for you to ask me about and hold me accountable.
I'll keep you posted if it happens