A Few Accessories

Every now and then I have a bit of time to blog hop. Usually it begins with Nester, and then I search for organizing solutions or decorating ideas from other moms. I found this idea last week
here. It originally came from Pottery Barn and the idea was passed down a few times since. The above photo is how our version turned out. We used some of the hundreds of buttons I've accumulated over the years (Dabney picked her favorites) and a $3 canvas from Wal-Mart. The kids and I had a great time sorting and classifying buttons but I did all of the glue gun work, obviously. We also finished the canvas with grosgrain ribbon around the edges and made a loop to hang it. I think it turned out really well and now David says he wants one or two for his room~ an airplane and a truck.

This little white lamp was a $4 score from a thrift shop down the street. It had a hideous shade (imagine a DIY gone very, very wrong), but I loved the base. I took off all of it's former "decorations" and covered it with a cute simple shimmery fabric. Dabney and I both love it and we think it's a great fit for her new room.


I also found this lamp next to the white lamp on the same thrift shopping trip. Don't you love it? The price? Yeah, you don't want to know. But I'll tell you. Another whopping $4. Don't hate me.

I'll be back to show you more progress later.

Out With The Old...

The mistint strikes again!

Once again we will soon begin playing musical bedroom furniture! To make a long story short, when we moved into our home, we had 1 girl child and were pregnant one more child, gender-yet-unknown. We obviously gave our daughter the biggest bedroom. We have since been blessed with 3 boys in a row. Now, things need to be adjusted a little between bedrooms. We WILL NOT have our boys sleep in a pink room. Of course, I will keep you posted on all the changes.

For You Grandma!

Here's the picture she's submitting to the coloring contest.

Love you!

More Blue Stripes

Adam Loves His Exersaucer

Can you believe he's such a a big boy? He'll be 4 months old on Saturday. Boy does the time fly!

Kennett Square Apple Cake

Um, this picture is awful. On top of not being a photographer, this was a spur of the minute photo towards the end of the last Bible study hosted at our home. I had been meaning to post this recipe, but by the time I remembered to take a picture of the cake, there was only one last lonely piece left. I'll try to post better picture when I make it again. I am in love with this cake. It is on my list of "Top 5 Things I love about Autumn".

Although I live in Colorado, I grew up in the Delaware Valley and this cake reminds me of home. The cooling days and the crisp nights, especially after Daylights Savings Time. I love to remember our gorgeous crabapple tree and the most extraordinary yellow mums you've ever seen lining the front of our house. Remember the night we went to that community meeting in that ancient Shaker Church to learn about the history of New Garden Township, Mom? So much fun. I thought for sure we'd see the headless horseman on the way home on those back roads. Ah, my beloved Landenberg.

Anyway, I digress. Back to the cake. You will be so happy that you've baked this cake. It will fill your home with the smell of comfort and warmth. Your kids will smell it's goodness from down the street and be so thankful that they live in your house. Your husband will take a bite, sigh and tell you that he loves you.

It's possible to make the cake without the caramel sauce but I wouldn't recommend it.

1.5 c vegetable oil
1.5 c sugar
1/2 c light brown sugar
3 eggs
3 c flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg (fresh, of course)
1/2 tsp salt
3.5- 4.5 c. apples, peeled cored and chopped
2 tsp vanilla
1 c. chopped walnuts (opt.)

Mix together oils and sugars well in a stand mixer. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Sift all dry ingredients into a bowl, then add to the sugar and egg mixture. Mix well, the batter will be very stiff. Fold in apples, vanilla, and walnuts (if you wish). Bake in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes in a 10" tube pan.

Caramel Sauce
Combine 6 Tbsp butter, 6 Tbsp brown sugar, 6 Tbsp white sugar, 6 Tbsp heavy cream, and 1/2 tsp vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir constantly. Boil 2 minutes. Allow to cool and pour over cake, or slice the cake and pour over the individual slices.

Savor the gorgeous autumn.