FINISHING TOUCHES

We embarked on a huge home makeover by adding a 600 sq. ft. addition about seven years ago.  Also included in that project was having a whole new kitchen built. 

 

(Blah brown wall before)

Are we the only ones who have left the final touch on a project unfinished...for years?

 

We never took the time to put a backsplash in the kitchen, not because we didn't want one but because it just seemed to get put on the bottom of the 'to-do' list for some reason.

 

It seemed like now was a good time to bite the bullet and make this happen.  It was also a prime time to do it because our youngest son Dustin and his wife and daughter happen to be staying with us while they have been house hunting.  Dustin is a wonderful handy guy to have around, he did all of this tiling by himself.

 

 

After much debate about tile size and color we finally made our choices and this is what we came up with.  This is the tile up before it was grouted.

 

 

And this is the tile completed.  I am so excited, now maybe I will be inspired to keep my kitchen tidy so I can enjoy the new look.

 

I kind of have to scratch my head and wonder why in the heck it took us so long to finish this project, it makes such a nice improvement to the house.

LOCAL HOT SPOT FOR MY CRAFTS

SOMETIME OPPORTUNITIES COME AT THE MOST UNSUSPECTED TIMES.

 

Before Christmas I was asked if I would like to put a few of my signs and blocks in a craft bazaar at a local salon.  After the bazaar was over the owner asked if I would like to continue to sell some of my crafts in her salon. Well duh, of course I would!!!  It has been fun to be able to make things for seasons other than fall and Christmas.  They have been selling like hotcakes every since.

 

I thought I would share with you some of the fun things I have been making - and selling.

 

 

{I must apologize in advance for the quality of some of the photo's, they were taken only for my benefit of cataloging sales}

 

 

 

 

 

On top of having pretty good success at selling my goods we have been enjoying outstanding spring-like weather.  Today I believe it is near 70 degrees and I was able to hang out sheets on the clothesline a few days ago.  Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and trees are budding.

LIFE IS GOOD!

LET'S TALK COCONUT

When it comes to most desserts, {{and if that dessert has coconut in it}}, you really have my attention.  What caught my attention recently on Pinterest was a dessert called COCONUT CREAM POKE CAKE.  Just the name alone was screaming my name and I just knew I would have to give this delicious and delectable cake a try.

 

Here is the ultra tempting photo that caught my attention from Amber over at Dessert Now Dinner Later:

(source)

Looks heavenly, right?

 

 

WELL...

Not so much!

 

Here are my observations about this dessert:

1. WAY too sweet

2. WAY too mushy

3. Recipe called for WAY too much coconut and cream of coconut.

 

My version of the cake.

 

The recipe was simple enough;  bake white cake as directed for 9x13 pan, poke holes in cooled cake, pour 2 cups cream of coconut (found in the alcohol mixer section of the grocery story), spread one container of Cool Whip on top of that then sprinkle 2 cups of toasted coconut on top.

 

Will I make this cake again? 

Not likely.

 

But if I did, (and you just never know) I would only use 1 cup of the cream of coconut and 1 cup of toasted coconut on top.

 

Moral of the story:  Not everything on Pinterest is a sure thing, proceed with caution!