boys fishing room: painted dresser and bunkbed

this was an old dark wood dresser with broken handles. The handles could not be replaced because they were inset handles and an odd size...so I painted fish themed panels to cover the empty insets and relocated new knobs on the dresser.

the dresser was painted green and distressed to fit the fish-themed little boys room.

an inexpensive bunkbed was accented with fly fishing lures on the end rails. Re-consider before you throw out that dated or slightly damaged piece of furniture. You have options!

highchair: painted, distressed, and decorated

i painted this highchair to tie in with my client's dish pattern and kitchen colors...this is the view of the back with added ribbons and tassles, followed by an image of the tray.

chicken mural behind chicken wire

floor painting

free-hand floor painting on screened in porch

Sean Barton: my awesome wire chandelier

Our friend, Sean barton does some incredible wire art...he made the following chandelier for my dinning room. It gives the traditional space a punch of whimsy...casting shadows on the ceiling.

Birthday Cake: our two favorites

Shortcut Sachetorte: basically a chocolate/raspberry cake:

this is the requested birthday cake of my boys...well my 6 year old is torn between this and my carrot cake. it is SUPER easy and delicious

1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix (no pudding)

3 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/3 cups water

1 (10 ounce) jar raspberry jam

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup semisweet chocolate mini-morsels

garnishes: whipped cream, fresh raspberries, grated semisweet chocolate

• BEAT first 4 ingred. at med. speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured 8-inch round cakepans

• BAKE at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

• SPREAD jam between layers.

• MICROWAVE whipping cream at high 1 minute; add chocolate morsels, stirring until melted. Pour mixture over top of cake, using a spatula to spread dripping mixture around sides of cake. Garnish if desired. I make a ring of raspberries around the cake and often shave bits of chocolate over the top.

YIELD: 1 3-layer cake.

Prep: 25 minutes Bake: 18 min.

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Amazing Carrot Cake:

the whole family loves this one...this is definitely my husband's request...

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp ground cinnamon

3 lg. eggs

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup buttermilk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrot

1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 (3 1/2 oz.) can flaked coconut

1 can chopped pecans (or walnuts)

buttermilk glaze

cream cheese frosting

Line 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside. Stir together first 4 ingredients. Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evely over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Yield: 1 9-inch 3 layer cake.

Buttermilk Glaze:

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Yield: 1 1/2 cups.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 8 0z) package cream cheese, softened

1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, softened

3 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Yield: 4 cups

Rosemary Beach, Florida

Great Community for walking or biking to shops, restaurants and of course the beach. We came as a family for our Spring Break and loved the house we rented, Atticus, complete with its own pool and private courtyard. Rosemary Beach is a beautiful planned community with diverse yet complimentary architecture. The beaches of the "Emerald Coast" were true to their reputation.

Paris:

I was fortunate enough to be able to travel with Bren to Paris for a weeklong meeting. We had a few days together before he began his meetings...bicycling and picnicing along the Seine...lovely cafes...truly a romantic city. Once meetings kicked in, I began to wander, map in hand. One of the other wives and myself found a wonderful flea/art market, from which I purchased two wall sconces and a chandelier (my souvenirs). The vendors brought out mulled wine, baguettes, and cheeses at lunch time. It was like wandering thru a museum of antiquities compared to a flea market in the U.S. We found the people charming and very patient with my French. It was wonderful to actually use a different language. I got so much better in one weeks time, and so look forward to going back...next time on a French Canal Houseboat Rental...Au Revoir.

jet lagged and in Paris...

November 4th...Notre Dame, illuminated for Bren's birthday!

Arc du Triomphe...going up

city layout from the top of the Arc...Napoleon could plan a city...

top of the Arc

looking up in Paris...The Louvre, The Arc du Triomphe, and The Eiffel Tower.

Le Louvre en la bicyclette

Our hotel...

room service

loved this finish

a parisian kitchen store

flower store

the subway...loved wandering the city: mid-morning to night-fall.