delightfully denton

Update

2010-06-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have been ridiculous, sorry for the dead air. I started my full time internship last Monday, which has been really awesome and equally exhausting. I'm hoping at some point my body will get a little more used to working full time so that I can manage more than working, sleeping, and soaking my feet in epson salt. Standing for 8 hours a day really takes a toll on your feet. Does anyone have any solutions for shoes?

I'm most excited about bringing home this sweet baby on Thursday morning. I've wanted one for quite a while, and with my discount at work and an upcoming associate shop day I just can't resist. Or, maybe it would be more accurate to say, I won't resist. Thursday is going to be the ultimate baking madness.

In the next 4 weeks I am finishing up my LAST class at school. I can't believe it!

Hot Diggity Dog House

2010-05-15T20:16:00.001-07:00

So I wanted to make a dog house, but I wanted it to be pretty cool. Problem: That requires power tools. Solution: A trip home to mom & dad's house. I have worked and built things with my dad since I was tiny, I actually have a picture of myself riding on my dad's shoulders while he was tilling the garden. Haha. This project is different because I learned so many useful skills during this project. Example: Why you build things to certain specifications because of the sizes lumber comes in. It was awesome!

This was my inspiration dog house. Unfortunately the extra small is $1000 and the extra large is $1600, putting it WAY outside of my price range.

Beginning of the design and explanation of lumber sizes.

Cutting out the pieces.

Putting pieces together. Not gonna play, it took a while to get to this point, but if I added pictures of every step we would be scrolling for a while. The roof is made out of a sheet of fiber glass, because it wouldn't be a project built by my dad if it wasn't a wee bit overkill (I love you daddy :) )

Then we took it all apart so that I could fit it into my car to get it back to Denton.

Painted and all put back together. Added some slats to hold up the herb pots. Notice far right: power drill. I seriously shook with excitement when my parents gave this to me. About as much when I got my sewing machine.

Larry came out to check out the handiwork. It took him about a week to actually get into it without my prompting, but he really likes it now. I also finally got around to planting herbs up top. It is now complete.

Introducing Larry!

2010-05-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

I adopted Larry about 2 weeks ago. He's adorable and i'm completely in love with him, so I thought it would be appropriate to let him say hello...

The dog on the left is my first dog Kandi, who has now turned into my parents dog. We all shared a little cuddle time while I furiously studied history.

The grass is so stinkin' green at my parents house. I wish we could grow St. Augustine in Denton.

Looking forward to summer....

2010-05-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

Starting my new job and having to re-think what I wear almost every single day. Hoping to pull off some classic looks like these.

via: Ann Taylor

Hanging out with my latest addition to the family, Larry :)

Best dog a girl could ever ask for.

Summer cooking via my favorite food/recipe blogs:
Closet Cooking

101 Cookbooks

Watching my little garden grow....(it's already 2 times this size)

Working on more building projects with great friends. The next thing on my list is a dog house.

Turning this row of mis-matched warriors into a family that might sit around a dining table some day.

The smells of summer, both the good and the ones that are just nostalgic, like when someone has just mowed over a patch of wild onions.

Last but not least: Graduating!

I'm probably more nervous than excited, considering I just threw my highschool hat in the air 3 years ago. But on the less nerve racking and more exciting side, there will be a graduation party, featuring fried fish, hush puppies, and key lime pies. Yes, please!!

Happy Summer Everyone!

Backpack

2010-04-22T12:34:00.001-07:00

Well, i'm about 4 months away from not needing a backpack for school anymore, but if I had a few more years left I think I would spring for this one from instinctive. Conststructed using fair trade practices and 100% recycled polyester, not to mention cute little panda faces, this backpack looks like a win-win-win!

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

2010-04-14T08:17:00.001-07:00

This recipe is from my roommates family. One of the easiest and best recipes for cookies I have ever made. These are great when you need to take a dessert or a treat and you only have 20 minutes until you need to leave. They are also great when you have a sudden craving for sweets and don't have anything ready to eat in the house (that never happens to me... ya right)! Plus, you probably have all of these things in your pantry on any given day.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

2 C. Cruncy peanut butter

2 Eggs

2 C. sugar (I used brown sugar one time and it still tasted great)

2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To prepare pan use cooking spray, butter, or parchment paper. Stir all ingredients together really well with a large spoon or use an electric mixer. Drop onto baking sheet in about 1Tbs amounts. Dip a fork in a warm cup of water and use to press the tops down a bit. Dip the fork back into the water between each cookie.

Bake for about 10-12 minutes.

Oh How The Garden Grows

2010-04-13T17:14:00.001-07:00

Spring has burst my little garden into life! I'm moving soon, so I thought it would be best to go ahead and get the seeds started so they will be ready to put in the ground as soon as I arrive. Until then, I thought I would show them off a little bit.

The Herbs: Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Dill, Thyme

The beginnings of the 'salsa garden': tomatoes (top 3 rows) & jalapenos (yet to sprout)

More Veggies: Beans (that need to be put in immediately) & Lettuce

Little planters waiting for more seeds - Idea via: Design Sponge

Today I added: chives, basil, carrots, zucchini, green beans, cucumbers, & okra!

Happy Gardening!!

Perfect for Spring

2010-04-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

The girly side of me that just wants to throw on clothes and look adorable all day is loving this outfit from Eileen Fisher. Perfectly floaty silk cami with side pockets...yes please.

Slippers

2010-04-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

Just added these cute little slippers from Martha Stewart to my list of crafts to work on!

Right Hand Ring

2010-04-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

I've been wearing the same tiny little ring on my right middle finger since sometime in highschool. I think its origin is my mother's jewelry box, but i'm not really certain. It used to be silver, and has now faded/chipped into some kind of gold color.

Since I can't really imagine going without a tiny little ring that I can wear with anything, i've been contemplating its replacement. I'm thinking that this cute little set of whisper rings from oli+me looks perfect.

photos via: oli+me

Spring Break

2010-03-11T11:13:00.000-08:00

It's time to bust out some shades, i'm officially on Spring Break!!

via The Sartorialist

Lounge Pants

2010-03-10T17:33:00.001-08:00

For my birthday my sweet sweet boyfriend gave me a collection of new fabrics. Oh danger. Me and new fabric with an upcoming spring break, which = time to sew.....delightful. I'm hoping to get into some lounge pants like these from Amy Butler.

Hopefully I can get some pictures up from the results of my spring break sewing!

Beard Hats

2010-03-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

I can't stop giggling! Check these out from Beard Head

via beardhead.com

Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food | Video on TED.com

2010-02-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food Video on TED.com

Stuff for Thought

2010-02-16T16:14:00.000-08:00

I know she's pushy. But it really is good thought. It's worth the time to watch it.

Design Sponge today

2010-02-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

I don't have a ton of time for posting right now, but the ladies over at design*sponge are blowing my mind today (as always)!

source

Click here to head on over there and be inspired. I don't think it could fail to brighten your day a little more!

Send Caroline Fontenot to Mexico!!

2010-02-11T08:05:00.001-08:00

Caroline Fontenot has some of my favorite wedding photography, well actually just photography in general.

(click here to check out her blog)

Caroline has made it into the top 4 of a wedding photography Mexico Workshop Scholarship! Jose Villa, one of the most successful andrespected photographers in the industry, is hosting a workshop in Ahualco De Mercado, Mexico at Hacienda El Carman built 350 years ago. The scholarship would pay for the workshop and all of her travels expenses, over $5500!

To apply for the workshop she has submitted a 12 second video saying why she deserved to go. To see the video and VOTE FOR IT, go here...
http://josevillablog.com/2010/02/mexico-workshop-scholarship-top-4/

Chocolate Puddle Cookies

2010-02-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

Well, before I get back to my homework, I thought I would let all of you dears know that I have all the ingredients on hand to make these Chocolate Puddle Cookies from 101 Cookbooks which is pretty much my all time favorite place to go for recipes.

(image via 101 Cookbooks)

So glad that tomorrow is Thursday, which equals my de-stress from the school week baking day.
I will definitely be whipping up a batch of these tomorrow!

Valentine's Day Idea

2010-02-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

In the past I haven't really been the biggest on Valentine's Day....to be honest I've never even been taken on a Valentine's date. But, I thought I would share a few cute ideas i've run across for DIY projects for your loved ones.

Make your own word search or crossword puzzle here.

Wouldn't it be fun to put in words that have things to do with your relationship? Or just to tell a friend or roommate how much you love them.

(via real simple)

Or, check out this idea for making a cute personal card for your loved one. I know this idea is for children, but do this with your own phrase and pictures and you'll have a winner.

(via Martha Stewart)

As for me, this week is a complete doozy. So, all of my Valentine's Day crafting is going to take place Friday & Saturday. Promise to get a post up with pictures of the results.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

2010-02-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

Thursday is my last day of class for each week, so I always get home a little antsy and ready to clean and bake something. Which is perfect since my homegroup meets on Thursday nights so I always have an audience to feed whatever i've baked to.

This week I was not in the mood for a trip to the store because of the weather and the time, so I started searching for any baked goods that I could make with the ingredients I already had on hand. I came across these cupcakes from Martha Stewart:

Peanut butter cupcakes with peanut butter and jelly frosting!

Oh delight! I'm really not sure what the fascination is that we have with the most simple ingredients between 2 pieces of bread, or rolled in tortilla, or whatever your style is....but it's so fantastic, even when in a delightful little piece of cake.

While on the subject of peanut butter and jelly, I also found this completely useless but very fun little kitchen gadget. When you think about it, it makes as much sense as any other kitchen gadget that accomplishes the same thing as something else in the kitchen. Well at least in my mind it does.

Anna Tovar

2010-02-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

Well, since it's Denton themed, I think a local Denton artist is in order. Anna Tovar of Anna & Art is a sweet and amazingly talented friend of mine and definitely someone I look up to. You can check out all of her stuff at her etsy shop.
Her work was also selected as a finalist in the Hunting Art Prize! Congratulations!

Her pretty wreaths have also gotten some sweet attention!

Yet another person that makes Denton home sweet home to me. Thanks, Anna.

If I only had a mac book.....

2010-02-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

Via: Bookbook

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2010

2010-02-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Via: Temperley

Borscht - Russian soup

2009-02-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

This soup was the best! I find that most soups are either flavorful or pretty, but not many hit both. This is the homerun of soups. It has the most intense magenta color and a flavor that is not traditionally American at all but not so far out that it can't please a crowd.

1 onion, chopped
1lb raw beets, peeled and chopped
1 large cooking apple (granny smith), chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
40z mushrooms, chopped
2tbsp butter
2tbsp sunflower oil (I used grapeseed oil)
8 cups vegetable stock (dissolve 4 vegetable bouillion cubes into 8 cups of water)
1tsp cumin seed
pinch dried thyme
1 large bay leaf
fresh lemon juice
salt & ground black pepper
2/3 cup sour cream
few sprigs fresh dill, to garnish

1. Place all the chopped veggies (and fruit) into a large saucepan with the butter, oil and 3 tbsp of the stock or water. Cover and cook gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Stir in the cumin seeds and cook for a minute, then add the remaining stock or water, dried thyme, bay leaf, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

3. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn down to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes.

4. Strain the veggies and reserve the liquid. Pass the veggies through a food processor or blender until they are smooth and creamy.

5. Return the vegetables to the pan, stir in the reserved stock and reheat. Check the seasoning.

6. Serve the borscht with swirls of sour cream and topped with a few sprigs of fresh dill.

Cheery Chairs

2009-02-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

Picked up these beauties at the UNT surplus store this morning for $1 each!! Such a fantastic find for our lovely little house.