Inspiration for Decoration

 Found a new blog, Inspiration for Decoration.  It's just like I like it, not much chit chat (which I always read even though I don't have the time, generally to hear someone pontificate over a pretty picture) and lots of pretty pictures. 

Today I'm thinking about mudrooms or the lack thereof.  I'd love to have this:

But instead I barely have room for this:


But mine isn't nearly as pretty.  Darn.

It's About Time for a Pretty Picture

Wouldn't you say so?

This one reminded me of my sister, Chelse; probably because of the yellow and the frames she used at her wedding reception.


I found this along with so many pretty bedrooms on Shorely Chic . 

This one undoubtable belongs in a warm, sunny beach house.

And I would love to have french doors just like this in my bedroom.

Shorely Chic has captured my attention with these beautiful images.  I really want to visit this pool!  You have to go here to see the rest of this beautiful house!

Tenderloin, Cranberry and Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

I saw this recipe on Living Locurto. I just knew you'd all want to make it, so please do. And then bring me some!



Tenderloin, Cranberry and Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients

•4 beef tenderloin steaks, cut 3/4 inch thick (approx. 4 oz. each)
•1/2 tsp. coarse grind black pepper
•1 package (5 oz.) mixed baby salad greens
•1 medium red or green pear, cored, cut into 16 wedges
•1/4 cup dried cranberries
•salt
•1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
•1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese (optional)
Honey Mustard Dressing

•1/2 cup prepared honey mustard
•2-3 Tbsp. water
•1-1/2 tsp. olive oil
•1 tsp. white wine vinegar
•1/4 tsp. coarse grind black pepper
•1/8 tsp. salt
Instructions

Season steaks with 1/2 tsp. pepper. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place steaks in skillet; cook 7 to 9 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.

Meanwhile, whisk Honey Mustard Dressing ingredients in small bowl until well blended. Set aside. Divide greens evenly among 4 plates. Top evenly with pear wedges and dried cranberries.

Carve steaks into thin slices; season with salt as desired. Divide steak slices evenly over salads. Top each salad evenly with dressing, pecans and goat cheese, if desired.

Baby Shower Wreath

I saw this darling wreath on kojo designs. I thought it was so cute.

But then I started wondering, is it polite to request all guests bring gift cards? What do you think? I generally think that it should always be up to the guest to determine what to bring.

The berry themed party was darling. See it at kojo designs.

Fabulous play kitchen

Can you believe that this kitchen was once this:

Awesome huh! Found here.

Just last night I told Matt that when we are old (ish) and retired or at least have older kids, we should make things together (woodish things). He agreed, so we are all set.

Laundry Day Quilt

I want to make this quilt with all my heart.

Problem #1 I have no time.
Problem #2 I have many other projects to do
And oh yeah, problem #3, I don't know how to quilt! Dang, I just might have to learn for this one.

Quilt design by Pine Mountain Designs, seen at Pine Needles at Gardner Village.

MaLM - Organize

Make a List Monday -- What to Organize
There are MANY things that I would like to organize, starting with my life, ha ha!

Let's see.

1. My life
2. my bedroom
3. my closet
4. my laundry room
5. my paperwork
6. my pantry
7. my garage
8. my storage room
9. my scrap/craft/exercise room

Okay, I could keep on going. . .

But let me just say that no matter how organized my pantry is, it will never look like this.

And it's a shame, too, because it is beautiful! But for one thing, I would never stencil all that on the walls. For another thing, my pantry shelves are all REALLY deep, so it won't ever look this good.

But if you want to see more of this beauty, check it out at House of Smith's.

Lunch time

During my many baby feeding times, I sit on my couch and play on my computer. I have found a few new interesting blogs. Like this one, Another Lunch.


It is all about packing cute, fun lunches for your kids in a quick, efficient and healthy way! And don't miss this cute post with these free printable notes!


I really wish I wasn't a lazy mom, then I'd make my kids healthy, cute lunches for school every day. Instead they eat school lunches, Friday pizza, chocolate milk and all! Maybe someday I'll change.

Sarah Richardson's Cottage

I've heard a lot about Sarah Richardson, a designer from Canada, with several t.v. design shows, around the Internet these days. I pretty much love everything in her portfolio on her website, Sarah Richardson Design. I thought I'd share some pretty pictures of a cottage she designed.

I love the pastel colors, of course.

I love the beach house look.

All I'd need are a bunch of cosy rugs to make it work here in snow land. (It's coming. . .)


Watch for more soon.

Sewing 101

Over the weekend, my cute sister-in-law and I visited Gardener Village for a little time away. The store we spent the longest in was Pine Needles, a fabric store. It is pure heaven for the visually inclined, like myself.

Now, I'm not much of a seamstress, but boy did I want to be on Saturday (and the last two nights where I spent hours of pregnancy-induced wakefulness dreaming of sewing projects and other random things).

And today on Bloom, a blog I like to follow, there was a post about a new-to-me blog Pickup Some Creativity that is hosting a big Sewing 101 party all month long with lots of guest bloggers. I've only read a few of them, but already think it will be a gold mine of information. So check it out!

Then maybe you can help me make my quilt.

Making Felt Food

Long ago I posted about homemade food, felt and crocheted or knitted here. I have wanted to try it for so long. We brought the play kitchen out of the play room and put it in Charity's room a few months ago. She likes playing with it, so I thought it was time to try it out.

I started with easy stuff, like cheese and turkey, just making it up as I went. Then I moved on to the bread, fruit and veges and the donuts, which were probably the hardest of all. Hm, my apple slice seems to be missing.


She loves the donuts though. They fit over her wrist, so she'll wear them as bracelets until it's time to chow down.

Kids Bathroom Trough Sink

I think this is so adorable. I don't think I'd ever be brave enough to put something so non-traditional in my house though. I'm too cheap. I would always figure it wouldn't pay off in the end.


From La La Lovely

Darling Play Kitchen

I found a blog that mostly sells refinished furniture, The Frosted Gardner. And while some of the pieces are very cute, I really wanted to show you this play kitchen that her mother put together for the grand kids. Isn't it amazing?


A real fridge with treats, a real sink, lots of play pieces and all darling! I want to make one of these for my grand kids (in a lot of years). Check out the other pictures and a list of all the amenities here!

Who Do You Think You Are?

I just watched the first episode of Who Do You Think You Are? on NBC.com. (If you missed it last Friday you can watch it here.) I loved it. I thought it was very inspiring. At least I wanted to log on to Ancestry.com right then and find some fascinating ancestors.

Did you see it? What did you think?

Inspired Beautiful Bedrooms

Over at Things to Inspire, there is the most beautiful collection of bedroom pictures. The post is all about whether to build in windows on either side of a bed. I think it is beautiful and would always go for more windows (whenever I build my dream house). What do you think?

Birthday parties

I haven't had too many really cute birthday parties for my kids, okay, I haven't had many parties for them period. I just think it is too much crazy work. But sometimes I feel up to it. I may have to use some of these really cute ideas I've seen around the web recently.

A sweet candy themed one at Hissyfits Photography.

A whole slew of adorable parties at Kara's Party Ideas like this adorable Raggedy Ann party.

And more cute parties at One Charming Party.

And a Turquoise Kitchen

I found a beautiful blog today that I've been pursing for longer than I want to admit, House of Turquoise. I think I like just about every picture I've seen. And now besides wanting a pink bedroom, I want a turquoise kitchen. Do you mind honey?

Teacher gifts

Skip to My Lou has a free download for printing your own personalized book plates for teachers. So cute. Go here.

Grinding and other "lovely" dances

I recently was sucked into the show Glee. The first episode was cute. I like shows about underdogs making it big, who doesn't? With a cute teacher, fun music, I thought, let's give it a go.

That thought ended abruptly when I watched the second show online. Are you kidding me? There was such raunch that I was sick the whole day. And I wondered how most of the county was taking it. It seems without reservation.

I was reminded about this when my hubby pointed me to a blog entry about "grinding" at high school dances here at Mormanity. My worst suspicions were correct.

And I wondered, will I be able to encourage my kids to go to school dances? I'm not sure.

MaLM - Dance Moves You Need to Know

Make a List Monday --Individual Dance Moves Everyone Should Know

1. Moon walk

2. Napoleon Dynamite's dance
Napoleon Dynamite Dance Scene

3. A little break dancing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNJsu7sMGL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9NJ4OofEXo
4. A bit of hip hop, maybe something like this
(Start about 1:30 to see the whole thing)
4. The Electric Slide

And of course, we've already learned this one.
What others should we all know?