That's What's Up

I think 'nesting' is in full gear. I finally finished a project 2 years in the making.

 A gallery wall going up our stairs.

 It was really simple and I wish I would have bit the bullet and done it sooner. 

 Here's how I got it done. 

 Step 1. Buy your picture frames. Take to Pinterest for inspiration. I ended up buying the IKEA Ribba frame in 3 different sizes. Word of warning, the longest part of the this project is putting the wire on the back of the frames to hang. If you are going with Ikea frames to save some cash, this is the trade off. Also the largest size frame I purchased fits an 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 picture. Who makes that? No one. So I have to order a print off of Etsy to fill this one. 

 Step 2. Trace each frame with newspaper and cut out a 'mock' frame. This is the most genius idea ever. Takes some time to cut out the paper but just do it in steps. One weekend I bought the frames, the next I traced out the paper, one weekend I put the wires on the back the frames... you get the idea and it now makes sense why this project took two years. Ok I'm exaggerating a bit on the time frame but I'm just protecting you from 'project gallery wall' burnout . You're Welcome. 

 Step 3. Order appropriate pictures sizes and prepare frames (dreaded wiring). You will need wire cutters for this if you use Ikea frames. The wire they give you is about 5 feet long for each frame. If you find yourself cursing out Ikea during this process, don't worry it's totally normal. 

 Step 4. Hang your paper frames with painters tape on the area where you will be displaying your gallery wall. Rearrange about 10 times, remove yourself from room, go back, assess, rearrange another 10 times and then give in because you can't look at it even one more time.

Step 5. Ahh, the most satisfactory of them all. Actually hanging your pictures! Push nail in middle of paper frame to make small hole, remove paper frame and hammer in nail. Hang frame.

VOILA. I'm still waiting for a few pictures I ordered from Snapfish, but overall..

 Mission Accomplished.

Lately...

Louey has been acting really strange. Like sitting on my shoulder and staring at me while shaking when I eat milk duds. Not sure what's going on but pretty sure she knows somethings up....

Hubs apparently has no shame in playing the 'pregnancy card'. Found this lovely note when we got back to the car after he dropped me off at a restaurant to find parking. Kicker is he found parking in a church parking lot.

Purchased this lovely little mobile from Etsy for above the crib. I have been told I'm not allowed to put anything heavy hanging over the crib. I won't say by who but it starts with an H and ends with an UBS.

Slowly, and more slowly the nursery is coming together. My OCD has kicked into overdrive so this lady needs to see some action and soon. Things have been ordered but need to arrive or be put together... The clocks a tickin.

And just in case you haven't been privy to witnessing my cankles. Here they are in all their glory. Yes, the doctor said it's normal and no it doesn't hurt. Well, it hurts my eyes..to look at.





More to come. I promise that's the last of the cankle photos.

Bump

Finally getting a bump around here. ...

Happy Weekend!!

Ahhh

There's just something about it.

The smell of honey suckle and salt air

The sound of cicadas and tree frogs

The sunsets and water views

Took me long enough to appreciate this place

But pretty proud to call it Home.

Oh did I tell you my Mom just takes off from the backyard and stand up paddle boards now?

She's a bad ass.

I Guess This Makes It Official

Jiminy Crickets

Have you ever seen a more adorable Valentine's Day card?

Me Neither!

That's Skylar Grace

Her Mom's got it goin on.

Why Yes

I am the type of person who goes to a doggie bakery and purchases a peanut butter cupcake for my dog's birthday

She's 10

She deserves it
(that's 70 in dog years)

She told me she's planning on moving to Boca to spend her days playing shuffle board and dining on early bird specials

I can't blame her after the blizzard we had this weekend

Maybe i'll join her.

Happy Birthday Lu-dog!

Happy Birthday Momma!

(There she is in all her 'Gigi' glory)

On your birthday, I think it's appropriate to tell you

even though it stings a little coming from my lips

that

you

are

usually

always....

RIGHT

(most of the time)

Okay 80% of the time

Okay 90, 90% is my max

(Maybe 95)

Just thought you should hear it

as much  as I have fought you about it over the years

ARGH.

Love you so much Mom.

You make my heart smile and I am so lucky that in all the universe,
I am lucky enough to call you my 

MOMMA

Holy Cannoli

So I may have made this Cannoli Dip from Mama Basirico's recipe book for

my friend's Surprise Party this weekend

And it may have been a hit.

I also may have bailed on a Super Bowl party, and watched 'Girls' instead

Whilst eating left overs of said dip

Very wise decision on my part

(do you see my Vday decor on the mantle?)

I'm so crafty.

Survey says you should probably make this dip for Valentines Day for your significant other.

Much easier than the cake pops I attempted to make this weekend as well.

Are you worried I'm getting to be a chubster with all this baking?

You probably should be.

Cannoli Dip

1 cup of Ricotta Cheese

1 Cup of Mascarpone Cheese

1 Cup of Cream Cheese

1 tps of Vanilla Extract

1 Cup (or more) of Chocolate Chips

1 Cup of Confectioners Sugar

Mix Together and Serve with Waffle Cone Pieces

SO. GOOD.

Please join me in my quest for obesity.

Worth It

My clothes all smell like a camp fire

The scale has tipped in the wrong direction

I overdosed on birthday cake and bubbly

I may have fibbed about my birthday and was included in on a stranger's 50th birthday champagne toast at the restaurant we went to for dinner

My wallet is aching from my over expensive but completely amazing massage

Despite it all,

Vermont Weekend was totally worth it

This Week

It's cold. Like Bone Chilling Cold. Like 12. Degrees.

("I want my mom!" said in whiny 2 year old voice)

In order to avert my attention to the icicles forming around my nostrils I turned to baked goods and bubbly.

That's cake. In a mason jar.

And mini champs. Seriously?

All wrapped up for my home girl's 30th birthday which so happens to also be

our Annual Vermont Weekend

(hurrah!)

I'm planning on handing these out on our Sleigh ride.

You heard.

But just as you are about to get jealous, just remember..

it's 12

degrees

So we're even. 

2013

Happy New Year!!