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| 1. Shayne Kitchen Table |
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Baking, Reading, and DIYs
Baking...
I made a coffee cake! I used a basic coffee cake recipe and added about 1/2 cup of sour cream to make it more creamy. It turned out very good and the good thing was that my dad liked it probably more than all of us. That is surprising because my dad is not one to eat homemade food. I know, completely opposite from me, but the fact that he liked it says something! |
| Mixing in the sour cream |
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Reading...
I am still reading Spoken From The Heart!
DIYs...
#1 I needed to still unpack all of my jewelry from moving back to California. I had nowhere to put it and it was time to figure something out. So I found an old cork board in my sister's old closet. I covered it with some extra white fabric I had and just tacked on the back. The fabric was actually left over from some curtains I cut from Ikea. So the fabric on the board matches my curtains. I used tacks and hung my jewelry throughout the board. I added a fabric flower I made a couple weeks ago to the corner to add some flair! THis project only took about 30 minutes.
#2 This next project was a little more involved. So I wanted a bedside table that would fit in my room really well, was very practical and cheap! The cheapest one I could find that I liked was from Ikea for $40.00. I was opposed to spending that much money but I was hoping to find something else. I went to Micheal's and got some ideas white I was there. This is what I came up with.
The items...
- 1 sturdy basket which was on sale and was the perfect size to store books but not big enough to get cluttered
- 1 small square piece of wood
- 2 long wood decorative border pieces
- 1 small bottle of white paint
- 1 bottle of light yellow paint
- 1 large fake decorative flower
Here is the finished project with help from my dad!
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| Painting the square piece |
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| Waiting for the paint to dry |
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| Finished project! |
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| The beautiful flower I couldn't pass up! |
Other Fun Things...
#1 Adorable new Tea Pot and matching cup from Cost Plus World Market!
#2 To go with my new tea pot I bought some tea which should be here in the next few days. I bought the tea online at Teavana. I bought Cacao Mint Black Tea and Cocoa Praline Tart Rooibos Tea. They are both dessert teas which are perfect for me and my sweet tooth! I will let you know how they are when I get them!
#3 My to dos for the weekend...
- Get hangers to for the rest of my clothes! I have no where to put them and my room is too messy.
- Bake chocolate and pecan scones
- Wash my car
- Finish cleaning my room
- Read, exercise, and have fun!!
My mom is in Wisconsin until tuesday and boy do I miss her! I love her so much :)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Coffee House Adventures
Because I have been working at It's A Grind Coffee House for a few weeks now, I thought I should update you on how it is! First, I must say that I love working there! It is my favorite job I have ever had. So a couple of mistakes/funnies I want to tell about. One happened this morning when I opened. I got there at 5am and It was my first time actually opening the door and dealing with the alarm. I typed in the wrong code and set the alarm off. My co worker said that she has never experienced it before which got me a little worried. She said the police sometimes come and charge a big fine if they are false alarms. Fortunately nothing happened and I certainly learned my lesson! That will never happen again :)
The next one involved me and another co worker. We were cleaning the syrup bottles and one of them fell off the counter, broke and got everywhere on the floor. Broken glass and sticky syrup! We had to sweep and mop and then the other person had to clean on his hands and knees because it was just so sticky. Of coarse, that one as well got fixed and everything worked out just fine.
I have experienced other mishaps as well. Small ones like messing up a drink and having to redo it. At the moment, it seems like a big deal but then a few minutes pass and I realize that it happens and I am still learning. I really enjoy working with my co workers! All of them are so nice as well as our customers. I loved coffee shops before I started working here so I feel like this is the perfect job for me!
My favorite shift would have to be the 5 am shift. This sounds crazy but I do really enjoy it. I get up at 4 in the morning which I thought would be so hard and it is not my favorite thing in the world but once I get to work, I wake up, get some coffee flowing through my body and forget all about it. I also really like how fast the shifts go by. There are people that come in consistently throughout the shift at a pretty steady pace so there aren't moments when I am just waiting around or doing boring odd end jobs. I get off at 1030 in the morning so I work a full shift and then come home and have the whole rest of the day to get things done that I need to! It is really great!!
Another great thing about working here is that I absolutely love coffee. I love espresso as well and being able to use coffee and espresso in so many different ways is so much fun! I get a free drink while I work so free coffee or tea every day is the best!
I would have to say my favorite drink to make would have to be an Iced White Chocolate Mocha. Their are so many aspects to making it, getting the chocolate, espresso and milk. It is easy yet complex! Love it :)
Very blessed to have a job right now! And a job that I love <3
The next one involved me and another co worker. We were cleaning the syrup bottles and one of them fell off the counter, broke and got everywhere on the floor. Broken glass and sticky syrup! We had to sweep and mop and then the other person had to clean on his hands and knees because it was just so sticky. Of coarse, that one as well got fixed and everything worked out just fine.
I have experienced other mishaps as well. Small ones like messing up a drink and having to redo it. At the moment, it seems like a big deal but then a few minutes pass and I realize that it happens and I am still learning. I really enjoy working with my co workers! All of them are so nice as well as our customers. I loved coffee shops before I started working here so I feel like this is the perfect job for me!
My favorite shift would have to be the 5 am shift. This sounds crazy but I do really enjoy it. I get up at 4 in the morning which I thought would be so hard and it is not my favorite thing in the world but once I get to work, I wake up, get some coffee flowing through my body and forget all about it. I also really like how fast the shifts go by. There are people that come in consistently throughout the shift at a pretty steady pace so there aren't moments when I am just waiting around or doing boring odd end jobs. I get off at 1030 in the morning so I work a full shift and then come home and have the whole rest of the day to get things done that I need to! It is really great!!
Another great thing about working here is that I absolutely love coffee. I love espresso as well and being able to use coffee and espresso in so many different ways is so much fun! I get a free drink while I work so free coffee or tea every day is the best!
I would have to say my favorite drink to make would have to be an Iced White Chocolate Mocha. Their are so many aspects to making it, getting the chocolate, espresso and milk. It is easy yet complex! Love it :)
Very blessed to have a job right now! And a job that I love <3
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Small Updates
A few things I have been doing lately.....
Finishing invitations for my cousins baby shower that I am throwing for her!
I made some wonderful scones! I got the recipe HERE! They are from one of my friends blog. I used whole wheat flour and dark chocolate chips. They turned out great!
To make them last longer, I wrapped them individually in plastic wrap and put them in the freezer. In the mornings, I would take one out and put it in the microwave to warm in up. That worked perfectly!
I picked some beautiful roses from the garden!
I also noticed that my cat found a new bed in our flower pot!
Other than these things, I have just been working a lot and spending time with family and friends. I am planning on doing some more baking this week so look for that!
Currently reading: Spoken from the Heart(still, because it is so long) and Charlotte's Web
New fave website: pinterest.com
Finishing invitations for my cousins baby shower that I am throwing for her!
I made some wonderful scones! I got the recipe HERE! They are from one of my friends blog. I used whole wheat flour and dark chocolate chips. They turned out great!
To make them last longer, I wrapped them individually in plastic wrap and put them in the freezer. In the mornings, I would take one out and put it in the microwave to warm in up. That worked perfectly!
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| Before they go into the oven |
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| All done and delicious! |
I also noticed that my cat found a new bed in our flower pot!
Other than these things, I have just been working a lot and spending time with family and friends. I am planning on doing some more baking this week so look for that!
Currently reading: Spoken from the Heart(still, because it is so long) and Charlotte's Web
New fave website: pinterest.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Today's List
Things completed today so far:
- Work from 5am-1030am
- Met my sister at the gym. Walked on treadmill for 30 minutes and then did an hour pilates class.
- came home and made lunch. A veggie burger and a nectarine. I also made a coffee drink to keep me awake!
- Hung out with my sister and chatted. Much needed!
Things I want to do today:
- Read a couple hours
- Finish making baby shower invites(I am throwing a baby shower for my cousin)
- Clean my room
I love to do lists!!! :)
Happy Tuesday
- Work from 5am-1030am
- Met my sister at the gym. Walked on treadmill for 30 minutes and then did an hour pilates class.
- came home and made lunch. A veggie burger and a nectarine. I also made a coffee drink to keep me awake!
- Hung out with my sister and chatted. Much needed!
Things I want to do today:
- Read a couple hours
- Finish making baby shower invites(I am throwing a baby shower for my cousin)
- Clean my room
I love to do lists!!! :)
Happy Tuesday
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Needed Changes
Since starting my job, I have failed to continue with some other important things this summer. This includes reading, keeping my room and things organized, journaling and spending time with God. Because I have been really tired when I come home from work, all I am motivated to do it sit on the couch and watch TV. Friday was a little different. I was rushed when I came home from work because I had a skype date with a friend from Seattle. Then I went to the gym for just a little bit. After that I came home and watched TV because I was very exhausted.
I have noticed a lot thought that the more I watch TV, the more exhausted I am. I want to try and go to bed early(around 10pm), wake up around 6am and be productive with my days. I really need to get back into reading and baking and doing other important things rather than wasting time watching TV. Exercise is a whole other story. I get unmotivated to exercise the more I am out of shape. Now that I am pretty out of shape, I need to make my self go to the gym and run because the more I go and do it, the more I enjoy it. I am really enjoying working at the coffee house! Because that gives me a little structure in my days, I need to focus on creating structure for the rest of my time.
I am still in the beginnings of reading 2 books, Spoken From the Heart and Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God. After I finish with these two books, I want to begin reading youth novels and kid's books to prepare for teaching. I want to begin building my library for when I teach in the next few years!
Lots of things to reshape in my life but they will all improve me as a person which I want!
God Bless and Thank You for Reading!!!
I have noticed a lot thought that the more I watch TV, the more exhausted I am. I want to try and go to bed early(around 10pm), wake up around 6am and be productive with my days. I really need to get back into reading and baking and doing other important things rather than wasting time watching TV. Exercise is a whole other story. I get unmotivated to exercise the more I am out of shape. Now that I am pretty out of shape, I need to make my self go to the gym and run because the more I go and do it, the more I enjoy it. I am really enjoying working at the coffee house! Because that gives me a little structure in my days, I need to focus on creating structure for the rest of my time.
I am still in the beginnings of reading 2 books, Spoken From the Heart and Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God. After I finish with these two books, I want to begin reading youth novels and kid's books to prepare for teaching. I want to begin building my library for when I teach in the next few years!
Lots of things to reshape in my life but they will all improve me as a person which I want!
God Bless and Thank You for Reading!!!
Friday, July 8, 2011
It's A Grind Coffee House
I have been working at It's A Grind for 4 days now and LOVE it!!! It is a coffee shop, where I belong :)
I will post more about my first few days later. I have been so busy!
I will post more about my first few days later. I have been so busy!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Substitutions in Baking
Last night I made Mini Pies and they turned out great and wanted to share the recipe and pictures. Summer has been so much fun and I am learning the more I bake the more I love it!
It was a bit of an adventure regarding ingredients. I began with the crust which calls for 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 3/4 cup sliced butter, and 4 tablespoons of water. Depending on what I am making, I try and do half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour. So I proceeded to do that with the pie crust. Although after measuring out the flours I realized that it was not whole wheat flour that I measured but rather wheat bran. I called my mother and she said to just use what I measured and it would turn out fine. So that is what I did. I proceeded to make the crust and then put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
While the crust was in the fridge, I made the pie filling. My original plan was to make apple pie. But then I saw that we only had one apple so that would not work. I had a recipe for filling which included raspberries and blueberries which I had but it called for cornstarch which I did not have. I looked up on the internet and saw that I could use flour instead if I use double the amount. So for the filling I used 3/4 a bag or frozen raspberries, 1/2 bag of frozen blueberries, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 8 tablespoons of flour. I mixed it all together.
I used mini pie dishes that we had but you could also used cupcake pans. I rolled the crust out and cut them into the correct size circles. Then I filled with pie filling and covered them with another circle with a slit in the top. Right before I put them in the oven, I brushed egg on the tops of them. I cooked them for 25 minutes on 375 degrees.
They turned out VERY good! I like using whole wheat flour because it gives a lot more flavor to the baked goods and the wheat bran did the same. If I made these again I will use the wheat bran again just because they turned out with a lot of added flavor(and fiber!). We had them with Trader Joe's vanilla ice cream and whip cream. They were great!
Here are some pictures!!
It was a bit of an adventure regarding ingredients. I began with the crust which calls for 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 3/4 cup sliced butter, and 4 tablespoons of water. Depending on what I am making, I try and do half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour. So I proceeded to do that with the pie crust. Although after measuring out the flours I realized that it was not whole wheat flour that I measured but rather wheat bran. I called my mother and she said to just use what I measured and it would turn out fine. So that is what I did. I proceeded to make the crust and then put it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
While the crust was in the fridge, I made the pie filling. My original plan was to make apple pie. But then I saw that we only had one apple so that would not work. I had a recipe for filling which included raspberries and blueberries which I had but it called for cornstarch which I did not have. I looked up on the internet and saw that I could use flour instead if I use double the amount. So for the filling I used 3/4 a bag or frozen raspberries, 1/2 bag of frozen blueberries, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 8 tablespoons of flour. I mixed it all together.
I used mini pie dishes that we had but you could also used cupcake pans. I rolled the crust out and cut them into the correct size circles. Then I filled with pie filling and covered them with another circle with a slit in the top. Right before I put them in the oven, I brushed egg on the tops of them. I cooked them for 25 minutes on 375 degrees.
They turned out VERY good! I like using whole wheat flour because it gives a lot more flavor to the baked goods and the wheat bran did the same. If I made these again I will use the wheat bran again just because they turned out with a lot of added flavor(and fiber!). We had them with Trader Joe's vanilla ice cream and whip cream. They were great!
Here are some pictures!!
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| Cutting out the pie crust |
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| Mini pie pans filled with crust |
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| Pie Filling! |
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| Before the go into the oven |
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| All done and ready to eat! |
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