My Big Pink Huffy

How To: Twine Mason Jar Candle Holders

My first big girl bike was totally radical.

It was circa 1982, which made me about 6 years old.

I fell in love the first time I laid eyes on it.

That Huffy bike was all pink with a really fat cushy seat {also pink}. 

And the kickstand made this really great clicking sound when it went down.

{I can still hear it…music to my ears}.

And the wheels…none of those skinny 10 speed wheels for me....they were big and fat.

And who needs to change speeds when you have baseball cards in the spokes?

Although, I think those came later when I was older and wiser about all things bike riding.

The Great Debate of the 1990's

Recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Trifle

There is an age old debate.

It has been talked about for decades.

This debate is very heated....one that draws clear lines between sides even though both sides can be argued equally.

What is this debate, you ask?

It Happened Suddenly

A Porch Remodel Started {Plus Some Dirt and Rocks}

When we had our Realtor come over to appraise our house last month she oohed and aahed over the kitchen tile. 

She told us the living room, albeit long and rectangular, was arranged perfectly. 

She loved the paint colors that we had chosen for the walls.

But she also said something that struck me to my core.

We would have to sell the house from the inside out.

Yikes...Where was that guy from Curb Appeal?

We had spent so much time working on the inside that the outside had suffered.

No Training Wheels

5 Minute Fix for Uneven Candle Wax

My oldest son started reading around age 3. Listening to him made my heart sing {I am a reading teacher, after all}.

And he made it look easy....a natural.

But when it came to riding a bike without training wheels, he gave up. It scared him.

I don't blame him...it is definitely scary.

I am hoping that this is his year though. I will bite my nails all the while he is learning. I will pray that he doesn't fall and skin his knee.

I just know in my heart of hearts that soon I will see him zooming up and down our quiet little lane in the summer sun.

The Real Reason My Husband Married Me

Recipe: Mac N' Cheese

When we got married almost 13 years ago, I didn't know the real reason why my husband proposed.

He kept it on the down-low for a very long time. We just went about our business like a normal everyday couple. I never suspected anything.

And every once in awhile the hubs would say, "Some of your mac n' cheese would be really good in my belly."

Yep. That is how he says it.

And happily, I would make this dish for him.




Then one cold and snowy day, about 8 years in, I figured out his secret.

My husband did not marry me for my smile.

He did not marry me for my savvy money sense.

Indeed, he did not marry for my green eyes {although he would tell you otherwise}.

Egg & Oil Free Cake 

Apparently, Mother Nature is having a good laugh at us right now. 

It is the fourth day of Spring and yet we are looking out our windows at a foot of snow on the ground.

And it was new snow this week.

We had no snow last week at the end of the winter. 

It doesn't surprise me though...we do live in upstate New York.

Super Heroes Wanted

Ceramic Tile

Sometimes ceramic tile is more than just tile.

What I Did on my February Vacation 

Pantry Makeover (Part 2)

Imagine white sandy beaches and clear blue water as far as the eye can see. 

Imagine a chaise lounge close enough to the water to dip your toes in while you sip a fruity "mommy needs a drink" drink with a pretty little umbrella.

Imagine feeling the balmy breeze blow through your hair as you read a fabulous book.

Imagine...because I didn't do any of that. 

And it was all good, because we got stuff done. 

A ton of stuff as a matter of fact.That TA-DO list is almost TA-DONE.

Maybe you remember, or not...that's OK...I started a pantry makeover in August. That is where it ended though. And then we thought about doing a kitchen renovation which would eliminate that pantry all together. But like I said before....best laid plans.

My Favorite Free Fancy Fonts 

(Say that 3 times Fast)

In between catching up on The Vampire Diaries and The Bachelor (Don't judge...I know you watch them too) we have been working diligently to finish some projects around the house.

This week we've tiled, painted, put up sheet-rock, painted, finished molding, and painted. We have been doing a lot of painting...good thing I enjoy it! Why are we doing all these projects? Big decisions are on the horizon.

Anyway, for now I whipped up a list of my favorite free fancy fonts just for you. I dare you to say that 3 times fast. Some of these I have used on my mantel chalkboards...here and here.

Enjoy!

{Trina}

PS...All of these fonts were downloaded from dafont.com. It is super easy too!

How to Make a Duvet Cover

After my last post, which featured pictures of the master bedroom, I got many emails asking about my duvet cover.

"Where did you get your duvet cover?"

"Did you make the duvet on your bed?"

"Who made your bedspread?"

If you can believe it....I made it! Yep. This little semi-city gal, turned mountain dweller can sew a mean straight line. And with the help of my mom, (she rocks) I made this duvet cover about three years ago.

Finding the perfect comforter design in stores, or on-line, was an impossible task. After scouring the special order fabric at Joann Fabrics everyday for two weeks, I finally found the perfect pattern, and ordered it.