Around the House

So, I am definately due a blog post or two! I have been meaning to for so long now as I have finally completed a project. About 2 months ago, I had some shelves built and I took on a "do it yourself" attitude to stain them. Whoa was I in for a ride! After staining, pickeling, stripping, sanding, sanding some more, finally I painted, sanded, and then antique glazed. I'm sure I left off a few steps in between. Let me show you my inspiration....

This shelf is from a company called Wisteria, which if you have never heard of them, check out their website! Anyway, I took this picture to my builder and he made it happen for half the price. Oh, and did I mention I had two built? With such a good deal, I decided I could stain myself. From the picture, it looks like a lighter oak stain sanded down and distressed. Well after many weeks of on again off again hard hard work, I am finally pleased! I went to antique shops all around to find books, nick nacks, and TJMaxx is where i found my jinger jars and murcury glass objects. I think the arranging and things may get added to and swapped around, but for now I am pleased. First, let me show you the before....

AGH, such blah space!

Here is the shelf filling in the odd space between a window and the fireplace. Remember I painted the walls a slate-blue accent color which I like against the roustic shelf.

I love the murcury glass trees that I found as a steal at TJMaxx as well as the coral. I am hoping to keep them up year round, they are just trees - who says they are Christmas? Oh, and I found my garden stool for $20 at Ross one day and rushed to the checkout! It fills the space nicely.

Finally, it is complete! And the stockings are hung! Now that it is Christmas time, here is my decor around the house so far.... 

Just spread around my Christmas china.

Hung my hand-made Christmas aprons!

My lit up snowman was a gift at a Christmas shower from Megan's mom, which adds a sparkle!

I set my table, made some Christmas sugar cookies, and filled two glass containers with left over ornaments.

This corner in the kitchen houses a silver platter which I painted the center with chalkboard paint that now serves as a countown til Christmas. It said "War Eagle" before Christmas, so I'm thinking that after Christmas and New Years following our Arizona trip, I'll put "broke".

My pencil tree is just the right size for the space even though I am dying for a real tree next year! I think my topper is leaning!

I picked up some pine garland from the nursury and draped it over the window and used office clips to hang all of our greeting cards, which is now filling up and cards are all over the window ledge, but it adds some spirit to the kitchen as well as a pine smell!

Not alot of fuss,  just enough! Paxton loves Christmas and he has helped me wrap all the presents! 

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What's Cookin Wednesday!

When I got home from work today, I put a pork tenderloin in my dutch oven with 2 cups of chicken broth and let simmer on low for 2 hours. Meanwhile, I started staining a shelf in the garage. In mid project, I realized my plain pork needed some jazz! I ran back in and added some stuff and whalaaah.....

Raspberry-Mustard Pork Tenderloin
1 pork tenderloin
2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons dijon mustard
1/4 cup Raspberry Preserves
1 Tbs Balsalmic Vinegar

Put pork in crock pot or dutch oven and add 2 cups chicken broth. Smother pork with 2 tbs of dijon mustard. Cook for 2 hours or until tender. Before serving, mix together vinegar, raspberry preserves and last tablespoon mustard. The sauce from the pot mixed with the preserves make a great glaze. Our pork was so tender and savory but a hint of sweet!

Easy Carrots
1 bag of chip sliced carrots
2 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp crushed Fennel seeds
1 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients on a cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 min at 450 degrees. Very easy and good!

Happy October!

I love the colors of fall....yellow, red, orange. I think of pumpkins, mums, and candy. So that's exactly how I wanted to decorate my front porch. I have never been able to grow a plant, so planting mums is definately something new for me! Two weeks ago I purchased the pots and mums on the side of the road at a produce stand. The pots were ugly grey concrete, so two Saturdays ago, I painted and stained them to look antique. The mums have really taken bloom, I hope they last! Finally, to complete the look I did a candycorn wreath. My inspiration came from the front cover of Woman's Day.
Here's how I did it:
16'' foam wreath wrapped in black duct tape
hot glue lots and lots of candy corn in opposing directions
hang with a satin ribbon

P.S. I did learn however, that moisture in the air makes the candycorn melt! Take it in if it's raining!

What's Cookin Wednesday!

Tonight I cooked Tilapia with sauteed peppers and roasted asparagus. It was ready in about 15 min! Super fast and super yummy not to mention healthy.... a must try if you like fish. Here's the how to:

Tilapia with sweet peppers

Olive Oil   3 Tbs
Red, orange, or yellow bell peppers: 3 sliced
Garlic, one clove sliced
Dried Oregano, 1/4 tsp
Chicken broth, 1/4 c
Salt & pepper
Tilapia fillets, 4
Paprika, 1/4 tsp
Flour, 1/4 c
Sherry vinegar, 1/2 tsp

1. Saute' the peppers in a deep frying pan over medium heat, warm the 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add peppers and saute' for about 2 min. Add the garlic, oregano, broth, and 1/4tsp salt and pinch of pepper. Cover and cook until the peppers are tender (about 15 min.)
2. Cook the fish. While peppers are beginning to cook, Season on both sides of fish with paprika, then sprinkle with salt. When the peppers are nearly done, raise heat to medium high. Add the remaining 1 Tbs oil. Sprinkle fillets with flour on both side, shaking off excess. Add to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 3 min. Turn and cook until just opaque throughout, about 3 min. Stir the vinegar into peppers and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer fillets and peppers to plates and serve.

Roasted Asparagus

1 Bunch Asparagus
1 Tbs Olive Oil
1/2 Package of Good Seasons Zesty Italian dry package

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees
2. On large cookie sheet spread out asparagus and coat with olive oil and italian seasoning.
3. Cook for 5 min and flip about half way through.
4. Enjoy!

My trendy Splurge..

SJP in a pair of nude clogs, so cute!

Michael Kors, price $120

Coach clogs, price $188

So, apparently clogs are making a comeback. I totally remember wearing these in elementary. I've been seeing them in magazines and on the shoeracks, but kept thinking, these shoes are pretty ugly. Well, on a shopping outing Saturday, I saw a pair and just had to try them. As I picked them up and glanced at the price, a woman came behind me and said "I have to have those." I immediately decided that I wanted them.   We stood there and talked about how these would look great with an oversized top and skinny jeans/jeggins for the fall. I was sold and the complete stranger that I met in the shoe department bought a pair too. She got the Coach black pair (a little less of a heel) and I bought the Michael Kors. They were pricy, but I couldn't resist! Check out the look....they are so ugly, they're cute!

Erin and Adam's First Dance

Well, here it is finally.....Our wedding first dance!

Wedding Album Ready!

http://albumexposure.com/ameliastrauss/butler-norrell

--> Password is norrell619

Amelia did such an incredible job capturing our day from start to finish! It truly tells a story.

Enjoy!