My First Project

After playing around with my sewing machine and using old fabric to test my skills on I decided to put my skills to the test. We have a million pillows on our couch but they are all the same color as our couch, so I thought I would spice it up a bit by making pillow covers for two of the pillows.

Pillow before transformation--boring!

Both pillow covers cut and pinned before sewing:



New pretty pillows --I hope to find a fun orange or yellow to add to the collection next!



I enjoy sewing but I need a lot more practice before I start making anything fancy.

~Laura

The Super Bowl is.......

I don't know about you but when I think football I think lots of Miller light, buffalo chicken dip and PUPPIES!

This year we are going to a friends house and since I don't really care much about the two teams in the Super Bowl I will be more interested in the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. This annual tradition makes me smile. To find out more about the cuteness click here!

If you live under a rock and have no idea what buffalo chicken dip is I've included the recipe! M Make some. Your friends will thank you!

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing

1/2 cup any flavor FRANK'S® REDHOT® Sauce

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cans (12.5 oz. each) SWANSON® White Premium Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

DIRECTIONS:

HEAT oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth.

MIX in salad dressing, Frank's RedHot Sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken.

BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

Now don't let the neon orange color turn you off it is SO worth it!

Photo Courtesy of Roger Puente

Even though they didn't make it to the puppy bowl this year Mia and Cali are still our favorite puppies!!

~ Laura

Chocolate Gravy

I just wanted to share a recipe with y'all on this sunshiny Friday! Fair warning it might add a few inches to the waistline, be prepared!
I got an email from my mom yesterday mid-afternoon, right when my lunch has digested and I'm starting to think about what I want for dinner and I get this:

Pure cruelty!
It is from Saveur.com and this is the link to the recipe, http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Chocolate-Gravy!

I have yet to make it but definitely want to try it out SOON!
Enjoy for me and let me know how it turns out.

~Rachel

Bathroom Makeover

Over my holiday break I decided to take on the task of repainting the bathroom. Check out the before and after pictures.

Before

It took awhile with removing the fixtures, cleaning the baseboards, and doors but it was well worth it.

After

My pictures don't really do it justice because of the flash but it is such an improvement. The color looks a bit purple, but it's actually more greenish in normal light.

Thanks to Rachel, we now have fancy orange colored light switch covers which I LOVE!

We have hopes of putting up shelving, changing the sink, and the vanity. I'll keep you all posted!
~ Laura

Foo Dog After (FINALLY!)

We finally finished painting the Foo Dogs (3 mos. later…) and I lurves the orange! FYI, they definitely needed priming before the orange spray paint went on them. Otherwise the paint just starts to bubble up (yes, this does come from experience, I might have got too anxious and some primer may not have gotten on one of their bellies.) Anyway, once patience and time were appreciated the pups came out looking alright!

~Rachel

Let the New Year Resolution Begin!

New Year's Resolution:

To learn something new.

I have decided to take on the very domestic and useful task of learning how to sew. If you have ever been in a vintage store and found something awesome but it wasn't your size you know how I feel when i think to myself, "I wish I knew how to sew".

I have just purchased my first sewing machine and have decided to document my experience. The adventure should begin in about a week and a half. I will keep you posted!!!

~ Laura

Best Burger in Town...shhhh don't tell anyone!

I hesitate to do this post because I don't want to blow up their spot and have held off until now but...The Hills Cafe on S.Congress has the BEST burger I have ever had.


Hill's is so unassuming from the outside but it’s all a façade. These people know what they're doing! The inside is very laid back, their booths are named after famous country singers. Also, there is a great back patio with lots of seating and even a tree house!

Their buns are made daily and have almost a sweet taste to them. I'm not a big fan of the sweet over savory but they make it work. The french fries are my favorite, big wedge fries with lots of seasoning on them. YUM!

If you are ever down south and in the mood for a burger, do yourself a favor and go to The Hill's Cafe!

~ A very fat and happy Laura