happenstance home

Hello again!


Where have I been?

Well, this has been the coldest and longest Winter I can remember.   A little more snow is supposed to find it's way here today - then hopefully it will be finished.   I am getting pretty tired of asking myself if I should wear the brown boots or the black boots.   I am longing for warmer weather and long walks outside.  Real Spring weather cannot come soon enough.

Basically I have been kept busy with Noah's Basketball (now Baseball: first game already cancelled probably because snow is still on the field and it is freezing cold), seeing friends, a few workouts a week (though not being good about cardio at all), and something else really fun.

I had a little job that I did from my house, and while it was good for me to have some work to do it didn't do anything to enrich me so to speak.  I did learn to use the number pad on my keyboard very well without looking - I love that.  In the past month my job is now being done at the new company headquarters which is now out of state :)   Honestly, really LOVE that! 

So now what?  That is the great thing.  I guess anything is possible, and now with the boys being older I can really figure out what that should be.

I already have one project underway which has been so much fun that it is really not like work at all.

The company I was doing the work for is moving to a new much larger space.  This new facility has many rooms that the old one didn't have.  And guess what?  I was given a budget along with a list of rooms to design!

I have been working on the following spaces:

Entry
Reception Office
Formal Entry
Conference Room
Professional Break Room
CEO Office
Artwork

I am hoping that my visions look as well as I hope they will in each space.  I think the style is kind of quirky sophisticated with a manly vibe.  Sometime next week I will start getting things put into place so I will keep you posted.  I will make some boards to show you my ideas, and then we will see how everything looks when it is all together.  I didn't have any time to spare so I had to roll with what I could get my hands on quickly, and what was within my budget.  Luckily I have more of my budget left so after everything is in I can add a bit more where needed.

Thank you for reading.  So glad I got this post out there.  It's kind of hard to know where to start again when you have been away for awhile.  

This is a very cherished family recipe so why not share the love on Valentine's Day.  This recipe comes from my late grandma.  She was very special to me - that one person that loved me unconditionally, and made me feel like I was important, special, and worthwile.  I think everyone needs someone like that in their life, and I was very blessed to have her.  On special occasions her chocolate pudding always makes it to our dessert table.  Sometimes I make large servings, and other times I make taste size servings so we have room to sample some other desserts as well.  It is not complicated to put together - all you really need is patience, and to be ready for lots of stirring.


I like to use canning jar to serve this dessert, and RedEnvelope contacted me to see if I would be interested in trying out one of their products.  Why YES of course!  I must also mention that the email I received from Amy at RedEnvelope was so kind and thoughtful.  Her words really were heartwarming.

So, already being a fan of RedEnvelope trying one of their products was a very easy decision - narrowing down my choices proved to be the bigger challenge.  Seeing that I have been interested in the set of 12 mason jars I went with them.  They are adorable and practical.  I think great for drinks and desserts.  Even a mini flower bouquet would be a nice way to use them.  My mason jars even arrived gift wrapped in their beautiful red box with cream ribbon.  Just another example of how this company is such a class act.



For Valentines I decided to make something that I thought would add a fun little touch and make the jars look festive.  My idea actually turned out more fitting that I anticipated.  I simply wrapped some metallic yarn around the tops of some wooden skewers.  I used some short skewers that had a larger tip on top - the shape turned out to look just like an arrow.  I started wrapping the yarn down about an inch and tied the yarn off at the top with a simple knot.

 
I hope you try and enjoy this very special recipe and have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Lastly, thank you to RedEnvelope.  Love my new mason jars, and I'm looking forward to using them in many different ways.

Joined: 
The Sunday Showcase Party  at Under The Table & Dreaming
Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia.

Thought I would pop in quickly and share some photo's of a corner of our great room.  Mainly because of this new scrap wood heart.



I found it at Jo-Ann's a few weeks ago, and it adds a nice Valentine's touch.  Funny thing is there was a time I really didn't like hearts.  How can one not like hearts?  I blame it on this old country looking bookshelf I had that had hearts cut out at the sides.  I guess I'm finally recovering because I have a fondness for hearts again.


The colors and the distressing are very well done.  Almost like I had made it myself - or paid lots of money.



In other news, we are getting new carpet - again.  If it was just me I would put in wood flooring, but that is not going to happen.  The good and bad news is this - the carpet we put throughout our house - except for the carpet I love that I put in our front room (which I should have trusted my gut & put in the great room as well) -  well the carpet is defective.  It has worn out so quickly, and unexpectedly the manufacturer agrees, and is replacing all of it.  I am actually amazed that they agreed, and super happy and overwhelmingly grateful!  The downside has been having to start all over again looking at carpet, and figuring something new out.  They no longer carry what I chose for our front room so it has been hard to decide on a new look, but I think I have it finally figured out.  Just deciding on the final color now - so hard to choose from the samples.


Also, I am loving this little table.

 
Picture it sitting to the right of the chair.  What do you think?

Well, I have a busy day today.  I'm in charge of the basketball bag lunches.  I've just finished baking delicious chocolate chip cookies.  I think next I will go put the names on the bags, and later think 19 turkey sandwiches!  Thank goodness the snow is holding off until tonight because I have lunch for 19!

Happy Tuesday! 

The boxes are handcrafted in Chicago.  Each box is made of pine, and is reusable.  Add one of their fantastic leather carrying straps, and you are ready to go.


What I like even better is their CakeBox. (maybe because I usually don't bake pie's)


Take along a layer cake...

Here is my short list of must see movies.  While watching both of the films below you really forget that they are movies, and that the people in them are actors.  It feels like you are watching real people dealing with real life - daily struggles - heartaches - laughs.

Up first, People Like Us.   So enjoyed this.  Absolutely a new favorite.  Basically a story about a father dying, a son finding out he has a sister he never knew existed, and the complicated relationship and feelings each of the siblings have despite one having the father present, and the other being abandoned.  It was really good, and I am looking forward to watching it again very soon.



Next on my list - The Station Agent.  I adore this film.  It is one of those stories that stays with you - the characters stay with you.  I first watched this movie years ago (2003) when it first came out, and I loved it!  You really have to listen - more like listening while there is dialogue and even in the silences.  I can't say enough good things about the characters.  I was so excited to find it again - Josh, my big 16 year old,  even watched with me and truly enjoyed it.  It begins with Finbar, played by Peter Dinklage.  He is working in a train shop, and really keeps to himself aside from the shop owner.  Sadly, his friend, the shop owner passes away.  He leaves Fin a piece of property in his will.  It is an old train station in the middle of nowhere, and Fin decides to move there.  He thought it sounded perfect for a life away from people.  Little did he know he would meet Joe.  Joe is super friendly, upbeat, and a talker.   Joe does not clue in on the fact that Fin really wants to be left alone.  Joe is played by Bobby Cannavale.  I read that he starred in a HBO series called Boardwalk Empire, and also in Cupid.  Now I want to check those out as well.  Patricia Clarkson rounds out the main trio of characters.  She is dealing with a great loss, and her character is very complicated.  



When you get time to relax I think you will find People Like Us and The Staiton Agent very worthwhile watches.