before and after

I know... I don't post for a couple months and now I am a posting machine. I just wanted to show a before and after picture of our house. The last picture is what the house looked like when we bought it 5 years ago. The first and second pictures are what it looks like now... not quite finished but coming along nicely if I must say. I definetly have a very talented handyman for a husband!

a new week

what a blessing kids can be... my dd made chocolate cake for me on my birthday - she is such a nurturer.

Busy with graduations this weekend and now for more moving up and cleaning up ahead for this week. Exciting though!

God's Blessings- K

5 minute chocolate mug cake:

4 tbsp flour

4 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp cocoa

1 egg

3 tbsp milk

3 tbsp oil

3 tbsp chocolate chips

small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil to mix well.

Add the chocolate chips and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. Eat! this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous.

You say it's your birthday...

it's my birthday too! :) I am banished to the boys room for a bit while my daughter whips me up something special in the kitchen. Can't wait! She is so thoughtful and such a "mother" it just makes me smile.
Carpet layers are busy laying carpet upstairs for my birthday too. Not really for my birthday but it's a nice thought. The kids' anticipation is building, trust me. I promise to post SOON with pictures of the house.
I have been cleaning, throwing, returning, painting and more this first week out of school and today we went to a fishing clinic, so this afternoon, I am just going to bum around. Going to work was a lot easier than summer vacation!
Here are some pics of some canvases I did... and of course some pics of the first real swim of the year, courtesy of Tyler, mine won't be until the water is a wee bit warmer!
Tyler, my cannonball champion, and look at the smile!


this one is going the wrong way but I love the quote:
"Every once in an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale."

(pieces of fabric and a felt heart ...)

"keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows" - Helen Keller

Happy Saturday everyone! -K
(if your name happens to start with an "N" and end with a "K" a big I love you and lots of hugs and kisses from all of us ;) - we miss you!)