Brain Dump Número Uno

It's been a crazy few weeks, so this seems like the most appropriate way to say a lot in a little time.

1. Cromwell and I have started walking almost every afternoon, but today I think I pushed him a little too far. By the last quarter mile, he started up every driveway, like he was thinking "please, please let this be our house."

                                

2. To follow up with that, I'm trying to get back into running. I've done C25K and will probably use it again, but I get bored easily. Any other suggestions to keep me into it? Or race suggestions?

3. Are you a reader? We are both big readers (bookshelf space is a must) but, this article about America's decline in reading made me pretty sad. To cheer myself up, I'm trying a new book, The Zookeeper's Wife. Apropos, right?

4. Only 51 days till MSU Football. I can't wait for trips to Starkville, our super "churched up" tailgate, and cheering on the dogs. #hailstate

5. Random observation: I'm terrible at making friends. After moving (a lot!), I'm good at making acquaintances, but friends to hang out with....not so much. #adultlifeishard

Bake Me a Cake

Patrick had sinus surgery a few weeks ago, and while I was enjoying a bachelorette party in New Orleans, one of our neighbors brought him a chicken pot pie.  Being the good southern lady that I am, I couldn't return the dish empty, but I completely forgot to buy ingredients every time I went to the grocery.  So last night, as we were waiting on the grill to get hot, I decided I would find a recipe that would work with what I had on hand...and I got pretty close! May I present:

 

Sour Cream Pound Cake

 

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the sour cream and mix until incorporated. Sift the baking soda and flour together. Add to the creamed mixture alternating with eggs, beating in each egg 1 at a time. Add vanilla.
Pour the mixture into a greased pan. Bake for 40 minutes to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.


Super simple and delicious.  Ours were in tiny Bundt pans which have about 4 servings each, Patrick's already asked me to make it again, only with strawberries on top.

Do you have a favorite pound cake recipe?

Crafty Update 1

When Patrick's busy, I get bored. Then when I get bored, I do ALL the things.

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com

Why do 1 project when you could do 3? At once. While sick. That's just how I roll.

The easy: curtains.  Totally done. They need to be ironed and hung, but they have beautiful seams and the pattern matches on both patterns. Winner.

                                       

The tables, aka the project I didn't think I was going to have to do. Done-ish. 

                                       

Notice something? Like the ridiculous amount the table sticks out into our breakfast nook? Yep...didn't measure the width. Luckily they are real wood, so I used the jig saw to shave a few inches off each side (tried a skill saw, but it failed), then stained the edges in Rustoleum Kona. One is still drying, but they look great and most importantly, they fit. 

The (slightly) crazy: daybed. 

I mentioned it in my last post, but I really wanted to build this daybed and a weekend at home with dad seemed like the perfect opportunity to knock it out. I forgot that this was a project with my dad. We are the same person as far as OCD is concerned so it may have taken longer than normal. In the hot MS sun. We worked until 11pm Saturday, then finished up with trim Sunday morning. 

         

I'm a tiny bit further than this. It's had the first sanding/putty, but needs another one before painting in antique white. It should be a great addition to our guest room, no more air mattress slumber parties!

So that's the state of craftiness this week.  Hoping to get the curtains up this week and start painting the daybed. The only other crafty project on my horizon (I think), is to sew my niece some new dresses, I can't wait!

Friday Five - 6/21

I'm linking up with Joy from The Sowell Life for another Friday Five:

1. Finally picked a curtain fabric! It was a tiny bit difficult to find something I liked (not that I'm picky AT ALL) but when I saw this from Premier Fabrics, I was SOLD.  Took home a sample and even Patrick liked it.  Now, I have to break out the sewing machine...or talk my mom into a project.

 

2. My tomatoes decided they were BLOWING UP this week! We only have 6 small plants, but here's what I picked in one day. Better Boys, Cherokee Purples, and two varieties of cherry tomatoes.

3. Patrick's surgery went really well. He took a little longer to come out of anesthesia than we would have liked, but everything was great at the checkup yesterday. 

4. Last weekend was one of my absolute favorites in a while. I headed to NoLA for a bachelorette weekend with my friend Jamey. Didn't know any of the other girls, but we meshed SO well as a group. It was nice to get away and have a good girls' weekend. 

5. Sweet pup thinks I should stay in bed longer....can't say I disagree with him!

Let's Get Crafty

A few posts ago, I mentioned the lack of personality in our house so far. And the empty room(s). Well, inspiration has finally struck for a few projects. I've got a few in mind, in no particular order, because frankly, a few of them will need some assistance.

Daybed

So, I love this daybed for our guest room, but I don't love the price. Luckily, there's a solution. Ana White has a plan, complete with cut list available. Whenever dear old dad has some time, we'll get this done. Question: Tufted PB mattress or real one?

Curtains

To help soften up the living room, I think we've gotta get some curtains. Our ceilings in the living room are super high (like 12 feet), so I haven't really found anything long enough that I like, which means the sewing machine will have to make its debut. I'm leaning toward a tan and white lattice/quatrefoil print. 

What do you think?

Next time I'll talk about the other fun I have planned...Patrick's thrilled. 

Always Busy and a bit about me.

Well, I should really update/customize this blog, but I just have been too busy, so this will have to do for now.  Patrick's having surgery tomorrow, work's a little crazy, and I can't say no sometimes.

Instead of a long, dramatic what we've been up to kind of post, I'm going to answer Joy's questions from The Sowell Life.

A Bit About Angela

 



1. Out of the 24 hours in a day, what is your favorite time on the clock and why?
This is a tough one... probably 11 am. I'm at my peak effectiveness around that time.

2. What is your favorite magazine to get in the mail or buy in the store?
 Martha! Even if I don't have time to be quite that crafty, I like to think I could/would be.

3. Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter! I use Facebook so much for work that I like to disconnect from it, but I've met great friends and had the funniest convos via Twitter.

4. What's your best memory of high school?
I loved our little high school.  Favorite memory probably is in Mrs. Herrington's AP English class. 

5. What's your go to website for shopping?
Clothes or homegoods? Clothes - JCREW, Gap...Classic, preppy style.  For the house - Pottery Barn...there's isn't one in Mississippi!

6. A blogger who inspires you?
Probably Sherry Petersik of Young House Love.  I'm slightly obsessed with them and their creativeness.

7. Who is your celebrity crush?
Can I specify a specific time period? If so, Brad Pitt, in like 2005. with short hair.  If current is my only option, Ben Affleck.

8. What's a book you'd recommend to read?
My Life in France - Julia Child

9. A favorite recipe you love to make?
Chocolate trifle - Dark chocolate cake soaked in Kahlua, fresh whipped cream, and fudge.

10. Your favorite app on your phone?
Instagram
11. You've got an afternoon kid free and job free, what would you do?
Lay by a pool (that I don't have) and then get a pedicure.

12. The restaurant you always crave?
Another hard one since I was a food blogger.  In Jackson - Ruth Chris, but only because Jeremy is the Chef.  In New Orleans, Restaurant August.  Best meal, hands down.

So now you know a little more about me, what would your answers be?

Friday Five

I'm linking up with Joy from The Sowell Life today!
1. New Orleans - Still holds a BIG piece of my heart.  We went last weekend for a friend's retirement ceremony and celebration and had the BEST time.  Susan and Mike are fabulous hosts and spoiled us with a crawfish boil that went late into the night.  We stayed at the beautiful Columns Hotel and spoiled ourselves with brunch at Dante's Kitchen before heading home.
2. Home Improvement - As I said last post, we're still look like we just moved in to our house.  I've decided the first step is to get some curtains up!  I found some I love, but they're just too short.  Do you have a favorite place to buy curtains (100+ inches)?
3. Weekend Plans - We're heading to MS Braves baseball tonight and then I'm heading to Starkville for a bridal shower Saturday, with a big hat.

 

4. Husband is still pretty sick and having surgery next week.  Keep him in your prayers!

 

5. Cromwell is NOT a fan of the rain we've had lately and neither am I.  Hopefully that will clear up soon and we can enjoy our backyard again.