Monday Love

We didn't start the weekend off with any grand plans...and we pretty much kept it that way.  Other than the time we spent swimming at the gym (or in my case soaking in hot tub) we stayed in and just enjoyed the down time. 



They all eventually made their way into our
bed to watch cartoons :)

Weather got warm enough on Sunday to actually play outside!  I made my first walk around the yard to get an idea of what I would have to be doing this spring....as far as replacing plants.  I was shocked to see green on several plants.



I finished the weekend by making this orange cake.  My mom made this a couple weeks back and I declared it my second favorite cake.  And now I have the recipe! 

This week is busy with work, more work and a splash of wine to help make it through all that work.  I am thankful Indoor Track is done for the season....however I only have about a week of  break time before Outdoor Track starts for the year.  Tommy has reminded me that in a months time he can get his learners permit....I remind him constantly I CAN'T WAIT til he can drive!  Hope your week is starting off great!

Paint by Number

Ok it's not REALLY painting by numbers....but it's just as easy.  Last week Mark and I both visited the Richmond location of Wine and Design to get our Art Buzz On. The concept of the class is simple: get some friends together, grab some wine and enjoy a night of painting while sipping your favorite drink.  The studio provides everything you need to paint a master piece, you just bring the wine.  If you didn't have time to pick up a bottle they have wine and local beer available for purchase.  They also have a menu with food options. 

This particular night we were painting The Winter Cardinal.  Our canvases were already set up for us when we got there so that allowed time to get the wine started. 

The instructor leads you step by step through the painting.  She tells you what brush to use, how to hold it, what paint to use and how to mix it for the right color.  So it really seems as easy as painting by numbers!  And the more wine you drink....the better your painting looks :)

If this sounds familiar it might be because I blogged about going to the same studio here.  You can choose what painting you want to do by looking at their on line calendar and then going that particular night.  Most classes are $35 and the entire thing is done in a couple/few hours.  It's the perfect place for a girls night....or in our case a date night. 

Monday Love

We had big plans to spend part of our weekend touring some of the wineries of Charlottesville.  But after listening to weather reports we decided to make the most of the local area and hang close to home.  That did not mean staying home.  We were just as busy as if we had gone out of town.

Wine and Design class on Friday night

Emma met up with some of her girlfriends

Saude Creek Winery.....we love this place

I had the giggles

We'll push the Charlottesville trip back a month and try it again later.  For now we are content with the three bottles of heaven we brought back from Saude Creek Winery.  What did you do this weekend?

Valentine Goodies

I wanted to make some homemade goodies for Valentine's but was short on time.  I turned to my favorite....Pinterest and my Valentine Board.  I had pinned this idea and decided to give it a try.  You'll need  square pretzels, Hershey Hugs and M&M candies.

Lay out the square pretzels on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.  Place individual Hershey Hugs on each pretzel. 

Bake for 4-5 minutes at 200 degrees.  The original site recommended just a couple of minutes but my oven must be on the cool side because they took a little longer.

After they have melted down (but before they are totally runny) remove from the oven and place an M&M on each one.  Let them cool and you are set to go.  If you want them to cool faster put the cookie sheet in the fridge for about 10 minutes. 

 Mine are going into jars so that I can give them to parents/family and friends.

Hope your week is going well!  Until next time.....

The Heart Garland

I was looking for something to decorate the mirror in our entry hall for Valentine's Day....but couldn't figure out just the right thing.  So of course I went searching on Google for ideas.  With a few ideas tucked in my hat I went about cutting out dozens of hearts in red, pink and white felt.  Then I had my mom run a basic stitch through them so that they would be connected.  I love how it turned out.



Had to sneak my turquoise door in here
somewhere

The week is gently moving in the right direction.....towards the weekend :)

Monday Love

It was a calm weekend by Bryant standards.  We did a lot of hanging out at the house and I did a lot of catching up on rest after my resent tummy troubles. 

Saw Swan Lake with Tessa at the
Carpenter Theatre

Make some Valentine Goodies



Ok I didn't totally rest my stomach from
everything!


It was a relaxing weekend.  But the week has us both off and running like crazy mad.  Hope it's off to a great start for everyone! 

Do Not Feed the Wildlife

Just when I thought I was back....I had a terrible case of the norovirus.  And let me tell you it's a bad virus to have!  I lost 5 lbs overnight!  Yes I said 5 lbs.  All fluid I can assure you.  I can also assure you BBQ Freetos have the same zesty flavor coming up as they do going down :-/ 

But today I am feeling better.  My stomach is making a lot of noise....it sounds like a bear growling every time I eat.  Thus the "Do not feed the wildlife".....Mark came up with that one :) 

While in re cooperation mode I worked on a few projects that required very little movement.  Thought I would share them with you guys along with a few more pictures of the tree.



The Valentine Card Swag



Just use a window cling and press it to a flat platter



A new Valentine Wreath

The card swag came from an old deck that Emma got her hot little hands on.  She lost a few so the deck was no good.  I found the idea on Pinterest and couldn't wait to try it myself.  I just punched holes in them, strung them on some pretty ribbon and added valentine material strips here and there. 

The platter....SO EASY.  I bought some cheap window clings for the girls room (cause you know I decorate every room in the house).  As I was walking through the house I glanced up at the kitchen self and boom it hit me....How about that platter up there?  Wonder how this would look?  I think it worked well enough to try it for all my holidays.  WIN!

The wreath....again....super easy.  I grabbed a wire hanger, bent it into a circle (actually I asked Mark to since my tummy was screaming at me) and just tied strips of valentine fabric around it.  See I told you, easy!



My cheap wreath :)



The Valentine Table setting

My mom crocheted the pink
centerpiece eons ago for me



I still have a couple Valentine crafts to finish up.  My mom has to help with a felt heart garland I am making and I have an old table cloth that doesn't fit the new table so can be changed into a tree skirt.  I may or may not get to that this year....either way, no worries. 

Monday Love

Yes, yes I know....I went MIA for a little over a week.  Ever bite off more than you can chew?  I do....ALL the time.  But usually I can manage.  But not last week.  Between working extra hours, kids sporting events, a birthday party, teeth being pulled (Emma not me) and having "the crud" (me not Emma) I just wasn't able to do much more than keep my head above water.  But I'm back and this week is looking a little brighter :)

This weekend we had Emma's 3rd birthday party, went to a friends house for the Superbowl, changed out the seasonal tree and prepared for another long week.






Check out the food!



I have a few Valentine's related crafts I want to get to this week....but we will have to see where the days take us....Happy Monday everybody.