It's the Life

Backsplash

Remember when I posted two backsplash options for my kitchen?  I was afraid that the design I really really wanted would be too "bathroom-y". Remember?

Well check it out in this kitchen! (Original Photos found here)

It's official.  I want it. I really really want it.

I just don't think I would love that color as much with my dark cabinets. I think I love it so much because it's in a white kitchen. 

Curse you husband for talking me out of a white kitchen!!  Why? Why?

Here is my kitchen (before we moved in). What if I did the same design, but in different color? Maybe get a tile the same shade as my counter tops and then grout the color of the walls? 

I do have blue bar stools and a blue chair at that desk...Maybe I could do the light blue backsplash...One year into the house is a bit too soon to change out cabinets...isn't it?

Kidding.  Sort-of.

Cupcakes for Two, or Four

I came across the How Sweet It Is blog this week.  She has come up with a cupcake recipe for two cupcakes only!  I had to try it out.

Click here for her recipe for two

Since we have three in our family, I doubled her recipe to make four cupcakes.

Recipe for Four Cupcakes:

2 egg whites
4 TBL sugar
4 TBL melted butter
2  tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt (twice)
3 TBL milk

Whisk Egg Whites and Sugar in a Med sized bowl.  Add Vanilla & Melted Butter, stir.  Add Flour, Baking Powder & Salt, stir until smooth.  Add in milk.  Stir.
Divide the batter between 4 cupcake liners.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 mins.

Now for frosting for only 4 cupcakes. This I came up with on my own.

Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting for Four Cupcakes:

1/2 stick softened butter
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp milk

Whisk all together in a small bowl. 

Use a knife to spread frosting onto the cupcakes.  Top with the cutest pink sprinkles you have.

Eat the fourth cupcake before anyone realizes you made more than three.  Tasty!  Such a great idea, I had to share it.

Love Bug Picnic with my Gift Basket!

My friend Rachel posted a fun picnic idea on her blog.  It is a Lady Bug Picnic.

Super Cute isn't it?  I just love everything she does.

As part of her picnic, she featured the Cherry Limeade basket I gave her!

Click Here to see her entire party!

Click Here to see my picnic gift ideas

 

Sandwich Sunday: Paradise Veggie

One thing I like, almost as much as the lemon cookies from Paradise Bakery, is their veggie sandwich. It's by far, in my opinion, their best sandwich.

Ingredients:
Multigrain Bread
Havarti Cheese Slice
Roasted Red Bell Peppers (I use bottled)
Lettuce
Tomato slices
Cucumber Slices (thin)
Pesto Mayo

I'm not sure how they make their Pesto Mayo at the restaurant, but I just mix mayo, store bought pesto and diced up extra basil leaves. If I had a lemon on hand I would squeeze a little lemon in there too.  Yummy.

Sandwich Sunday Directory

I decided I would make it a little easier for any of my readers to go back and find a sandwich I've featured on Sandwich Sundays.

Instead of clicking on the link on the side bar --> where you have to scroll through every sandwich post to find the one you are looking for.

Click on Sandwich Sundays on the Navigation bar in orange on the top ^ of the page. You will be taken to a much happier place. A Recipe Page!  There you will be able to see a photo of all the sandwiches with their titles in alphabetical order!  Click on the image or the title of the sandwich and you will be taken to the original post with the recipe. 

How fancy is that?

Head to Toe Quilt Tutorial

I saw this super cute quilt at a local quilt shop.

I bought all the fabric to recreate it. I took photos as I pieced it together.  Click here for the tutorial.

Click here for other sewing tutorials!

Picnic Host Gift Ideas

During the summer we get invited to plenty of picnics and barbeque's.  I'm sure you do as well. I have been trying to come up with a nice, but inexpensive "Thank You" gift for the host who invites us to his/her gathering.  Here are two ideas:

(You could also give these as a last minute Father's Day gift tomorrow!)

#1: Vanilla Coke Bucket

Click here to see how to put it together and for a free pdf vanilla coke recipe download!

#2: Cherry Limeade Bucket

Click here to see how to put this bucket together and for a free pdf cherry limeade download!

Masculine 60th Birthday Party

When I was asked to create a party for a male 60th birthday party, my mind instantly thought of three things: Wood, Metal & Glass.

Click here to see all the details!

Sandwich Sunday: Grilled Cheese Academy

For Sandwich Sunday today, I want to send you over to The Grilled Cheese Academy. 

I stumbled upon this website the other day and I can't wait to start trying out a few of these recipes!  Go check it out and let me know which one you think looks the best.

I've Been Featured!

Tip Junkie has featured my Harry Potter Party!

          

Click Here to check it out!

To see other parties I have done, click here.