Let There Be Light

I love chandeliers. Over our dining room table, over our bed and now in our laundry room, love them. I've had my eye out for one, not too big, good lighting and nothing that would break the bank. Bingo!
Hubby installed it this week, of course NO project is a slam dunk here. The ceiling around the old fixture was in bad shape. So, we bought one of those circular thingys and painted it and covered up the bad ceiling. And tah dah!




I love what my friend, Patrick said, "How decadent." Yes, a little over the top and unexpected, just how I like it.
Edited to add, please excuse the laundry on the counter. It is my work room. And I plan on being in there all morning.

Bookshelf Makeover

You may remember Sam's book shelf in his old room, from the home tour last year. When we moved, and rearranged the upstairs last week, it was in need of a serious makeover. We got rid of most of the movies and junk.

Hubby sanded and cleaned it. I painted it with black satin.
I found some baskets at Michael's today and insto facto, a whole new look.

Everything is tidy and organized. We'll see how long Sam can maintain.

Putting My Best Foot Forward

Okay, so it is not really a job, but more of a help out a friend thing. I am going to work at Sole Obsession for Kelly. She is going to a shoe show. Lucky! And leaving moi large and in charge. It is March 20th, Friday and I'm telling you now so you can mark your calendars. She has some sweet deals and I am counting on each of you. Make me look good and come shopping on the 20th of March!

I got my patent leather red danskos from Kelly and never have I received more compliments on any pair of shoes than my reds.

How about some Keenes?

These summery danskos are going to be mine. Love them! Sausalito in toffee.

Simple shoes, not much to say because Jerrie said it all. I think I need the brown linen with the lilac laces. I want a lilac cardigan this Spring. The shoes, the cardigan and a fresh white T, screams Spring to me.
See you at the store.

Big News

Such exciting news. I finally feel I can make an announcement. I have a new JOB!
Woot Woot!
Oh, I'm not leaving my real job, as a wife and mom. Or my other job, at the museum. Love and need those jobs too.
This is an additional job!
I didn't dare to say anything earlier in case the boss changed her mind. But it looks like I am in.

I will have to get a photo and tell you what and where later.

Oh, and did you see the moon early this morning? Absolutely breathtaking!

Oh, and have you ever done circuit training? I have, at boot camp this morning where I nearly died.

You may have not known this but I have had many different jobs, including working in the berry fields, in the azalea greenhouses, testing cows (by far the most disgusting and interesting), installing insulation, the cannery, waitress, nanny (best benefits), grades 5-8 Language Arts and Science teacher, at the bank in the securities department, and at the museum.
So, what is next?
This next one, I am real excited, is going to be great. Just hope I can do it...

And because a post without a picture is like, ummm, I don't know, um cereal without milk or coffee without cream, here is our dining room. The sun only hits right in early Spring and Fall for the light to catch the chandelier. It is like a disco ball and I just love it when it happens. The picture hardly does it justice but hey, it's all I got.

Celebrate

While at Costco on Saturday I found a new magazine. Well, new to me. I had never seen Celebrate.
Several recipes to try, including a series on pound cakes.

So many clever invitations. It made me want to throw a party. Some cute shower ideas too.

Many magazines are closing up shop, it's nice to see something new and fresh on the newsstand.

Recipe/Book Review/This & That

Today I am sharing a recipe that I made yesterday afternoon. We had friends from our church over for dinner and some sorrows needed to be drowned. I got this recipe from Rococo written by Adriana Trigiani. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and have read the book several times. Never made the cake but always wanted to try it. Perfect opportunity.
I love this line from the book. "Buttercream frosting is our family Valium, and boy do I need it now." So, if you've got a little Recession Depression goin' on, here is the cure.

Our Lady of (Drown Your)Sorrows Cake with Heavenly Frosting
3 Milky Way bars. cut into small pieces
3 Three Musketeers bars, cut into small pieces
3 Snickers bars, cut into small pieces
1/2 butter
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 X13 inch pan. Melt the candy bars and butter in a saucepan. They smell really good. Blend.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder and sugar. Then mix in the shortening and eggs. Beat well. Slowly add the buttermilk, beating until fluffy. Then add the vanilla and the candy bar mixture from the saucepan. Beat well. Pour into the pan and bake 60 minutes until done.

While cake is still hot, ice with:
Heavenly Frosting
1 bag of marshmallows, cut in half
1 cup chopped pecans, unless you live with my guys, then skip them.
2 cups shredded coconut
1 box powdered sugar
4 T. cocoa
8 T. heavy cream
4 T. softened butter
Place the marshmallows halves, sticky side down, on top of the hot cake. Scatter the nuts and coconut over the marshmallows.

In a bowl, whip the confectioner's sugar, cocoa, cream and butter. Pour over the hot cake and cool. I served it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Hey, we were in deep already.
This and That Part:
Max got home safely and had a great time. It was fun to listen to the boys coming home from Sea Tac. I forgot to warn Tyler about this.
I am going back upstairs, close, but not finished with the bedrooms. Need to paint a book shelf too.
I did not create this weather, give me a break. Northeast winds up to 40 mph and a low of 16 degrees, in March. Urgh.
I have a planned nap today and movies from the library. I need a break and am taking one.
Happy Monday!