Stark Contrast

Yes, I'm fully aware that I haven't blogged since the end of February; but, it's been a busy few months. This is also just a quick post, not a full recap of spring. Maybe that will come later.

I was just scrolling through my Google Reader (which btw if you don't have one, you really should) and saw these two posts back to back.

Post 1: A blog from a site called Project Nursery started by a woman in Los Angeles whose mission is to design creative kid spaces. She seems to do great work and has lots of fun designs!


Post 2: A blog from a site called Real Hope for Haiti led by two sisters and their families in Cazale (I think that's the city), Haiti. They run a Christ-centered medical clinic and rescue center and do amazing work there.


If you click on the links and see the pictures from both posts, you'll see why this caught my attention. Both posts are well written and adequately relay the message they are trying to send.

Please do not read this with the thought that I'm bashing one of them because that is not the case. It's fine to be interested in interior design and showcase your creativity in that way.

The irony for me is that the posts appeared back to back in my Google Reader. One has me thinking "how cute is that $1400 glider" and another shows me the stark contrast of a woman named Vanessa who now has a home (much less "designed" than the nursery shown in the first post).

This is a constant reminder that Christ commands us to serve others by meeting needs and sharing His gospel. People with nurseries like those pictured in the first blog and people with homes pictured like those in the second all need a Savior.

My favorite Banana Muffins

This is the start to my favorite crunchy banana muffins.

1c mashed ripe bananas (3 small or 2 large)
1/2c brown sugar
1/3c butter, softened
1 egg
1tsp vanilla
1 1/4c all-purpose flour
1/2c wheat germ
1tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
1/4c milk
1/4c sugar (white)
1tsp cinnamon

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2) In a mixing bowl add banana, brown sugar and butter. Beat until smooth and light.
3) Beat in egg and vanilla.
4) Add flour, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and milk. Mix lightly, just enough to moisten.
5) Spoon into greased muffin tins or use cupcake liners.
6) Mix white sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the top of muffins.
7) Bake for 20 minutes.
You should definitely let me know if you make these. I love to hear what other people think of my favorite recipes!

Also, someone gave us these Wilton silicone baking cup liners as a wedding gift and I just decided to use them for the first time this week. I must say that they are so wonderful! It's much easier to wash the muffin pan when there aren't crumbs stuck to it.

*I didn't create this recipe. I copied it from Jamie Ivey's blog who got it from someone else's. It's just a communal recipe. :)

Craft Project #2 of 2011, finished product

I know all 2 of you that read my blog were in great suspense over this post a couple of weeks ago. Well, here is what I was up to that weekend. It's nothing nearly as big as big as the suspense I'm attempting to create. :)

My coworker Amy is having a baby this week (well, we hope it's this week) and we had a baby shower for her a couple of weeks ago. We played some fun games like Price is Right Baby edition and Baby Gift Bingo. Here were our fun prizes that I found in the dollar bins at Target. Small ceramic pots with cute sticky notes. Just one more reason why I love that store!
I've also become quite the fan of making banners so I made one for Baby Lathers (Lathers is their last name and they aren't finding out the gender until the birth, hence the more generic banner title). I bought an X-acto knife to make these and it's soo much easier than trying to cut a straight line. I know, I'm a little behind in the crafting world since I just discovered the wonders of this product. Anyways, here's the banner. I must say that I adore the paper with the owls and deer on it. How cute is it?!
And here's the whole banner. I must say that for all of you who say "I'm not creative" or "I can't do cute things like that," I have to say that you can do this. All it takes is cutting paper, threading ribbon and placing sticker letters on the flags. So easy, yet so cute and fun!

Valentine's Dinner 2011

So I know that most people take pictures of themselves on Valentine's Day; but, I love to cook so I have some pictures of our meal. This year we celebrated at home since Dane works until 7:30 on Mondays. I follow this blog, Tastespotting which gave me a great idea for an appetizer. (Only downside to following this in your google reader is that there are approximately 80 posts a day.) I bought a jar of sweet peppers and a roll of mozzarella and prosciutto. Now I realize that not all grocery stores carry the pre-made roll; but, you can easily do a little ham and cheese roll-up yourself if you'd like. Here's how you can do this. It's super easy!

Ingredients
1 Jar sweet peppers (can be found near the pickles in the store)
1 roll of mozzarella and prosciutto

1. Cut the tops off of the peppers and scoop out the seeds.
2. Slice the ham and cheese roll then quarter each slice.
3. Stuff the ham and cheese quarters into each pepper.
4. Done! Wasn't that easy?

I also discovered this recipe for String Beans and Shallots by the Barefoot Contessa. This is not the time of year to buy fresh green beans; but, I was surprised to find some that looked good considering they are very out of season.
As for the rest of the Valentine's evening, Dane bought the most beautiful flowers and made a very nice card. I love the simplicity of the holiday and I love my husband! He's simply the best.

Craft Project #3 of 2011

Seriously, I'm seeing a trend here in these posts. Let's just chalk it up to the fact that I love to make things.

Last winter I decided that I wanted a stylish ear warmer. The one I had was just made of orange fleece and I think we can all agree that it's not the cutest when you want to look a little nicer. I searched online and found a crochet pattern for one. So off I went in search of yarn. I found three skeins of yarn for $1 each at Big Lots in a great chenille texture. So I guess you could say that this is 2010-2011 craft project. I made a purple ear warmer for myself last year and made this green one for a friend last week. If you're into crocheting, it's a super easy project!



You can get the pattern here.

Craft Project #2 of 2011, part 1

So it's purely a coincidence that I'm blogging about two crafts in a row. I don't have some New Year's resolution to do lots of crafts and blog about them. I'm not a New Year's resolution kind of girl.

So I'm headed to Hobby Lobby in just a bit in search of some cute paper, ribbon and gorgeous flowers. What am I making you ask? Well, that will just have to wait until later this week. Let's just say it's for a good friend. No more hints. That's all.

So check back in a few days to see the finished results.

Craft Project #1 of 2011

My Grannie is absolutely one of my favorite people, hands down. She's so creative and I love learning new things from her. Lately, she's been making these cute and incredibly practical cotton, crochet dishcloths.

After trying to remember her verbal instructions, she finally sat down and taught me the trade. Here are a few of the gorgeous dishcloths that she has made for me. I've only made two so far, the solid red one and a green and white one.

Add one more to the google reader

If you know me, then you know I love a good recipe blog. Like Pioneer Woman.

Well, I have just discovered this new (to me) blog with wonderful baking and photography; because, we all know that a recipe without a picture is just not a good recipe. (The only exception would be those oh-so-good handwritten, family recipes.)

You should definitely check this one out.

Brown Eyed Baker

Don't these treats look yummy?

Isn't that such a fun name? I'm slightly partial to my fellow brown eyed friends.

2011...the beginning

The party last night was great! We had everything from great food, fun hats, a game of Things and Telephone Pictionary to a less than stellar viewing of Mariah Carey's Auld Lang Syne. I'm slightly disappointed that no one else has mentioned how horrible that video was. The graphics appear to be done back in 1980 or as a middle school design project. And really, it's not a sexy song Mariah. If you really want to see it, you can go here.

I hope you all had as much fun as we did last night! Happy New Year from the Hays Community Group (well, here's half of us).