When life gives you cold . . .

make donuts.

I should clarify.  When I say "cold" . . . I don't mean "cold" . . . I mean positively, ridiculously, in-the-words-of-the-weather-guy, STUPID cold.  Granted, I live in Minnesota, so "cold" is nothing new during our long, dark winter, but this year is different.  In fact, Governor Mark Dayton cancelled all public schools today . . . it's that cold.  I woke up to a temp of something like -22 (notice the negative in front of that number) and windchills of -46.  Silly, but whatever, we've got this.

In honor of the cold day at home, my boys and I aren't going anywhere.  Unfortunately the hubs headed out this morning, but such is life.  Anyway, I pinned this yesterday . . .

http://camillestyles.com/food-2/the-perfect-bite-french-breakfast-donuts/

. . . so today we thought we'd give it a try.  {THANK YOU CAMILLESTYLES.COM and JESS SIMPSON!}

I followed the recipe almost exactly, except I didn't have nutmeg, so I subbed a little cinnamon instead and used skim milk because that is what I had on hand.  I also don't have a donut pan (is this something people really find necessary?), so I baked them in a muffin tin.  PERFECTION!

Anyway . . . BEHOLD!

It actually made 9, but I needed to sample one for the good of the people.  They are a fabulous treat!  Not overly sweet (you can lay off on the cinnamon and sugar topping too), definitely not health food, but made with real ingredients, so better than plenty of the sweet breakfast alternatives.  Super fast and easy to make too!

A total TEA-reat.

Okay.  Pushing it, I know.  But if you're a tea drinker, you've got to try this . . .

I received it as a gift from a student and cannot get enough!  It's really flavorful and completely delicious, especially on these cold sub-zero winter nights.

Oh, and check out my sweet, sweet mug.  I won this in the "dice game" that I played with my family at Christmas.  An owl wearing a hat?  Swoon!

Just two more things that ROCK MY SOCKS . . . now run to Trader Joe's and pick up some tea.  You'll be glad you did!

Before and After

Not long ago, I asked on a local Facebook page if anyone was looking to sell an old end table.  We had a need in our living room after reorganizing, and I had a hankering to do something crafty.  I also love, love, love the idea of reusing old things for so many reasons, so I was especially excited when one of the sweetest, most genuine people I know (with whom I'm also fortunate enough to share a school . . . we're both teachers) offered me one that she had . . . for a simple "pay it forward".  THAT I can do.  It's the very, very best kind of generosity, the kind that keeps giving.  (I'll report back when I pay it forward specifically with this lovely table in mind, Mrs. McN!)

After taking down the Christmas tree today, I really wanted to get to work to fill the space and have a functional table where we needed one.  Here's what I started with . . .

Not a bad little table by any means, just one that has been loved over the years and one that I was anxious to transform into something that "fit" into our living room.  I hit it with some 100 grit sandpaper, next came a can of Rust-Oleum spray paint in Dark Walnut with a satin finish, and finally a little more sandpaper on the edges and . . . finished!  Oh, and because I'm a huge fan of the little things, I added a square of one of my favorite scrapbook patterns for a pop of orange inside the drawer.  (And in my excitement I couldn't even wait for the modge podge to dry completely . . . )

Finally, here's the finished project!  I'm in love!  I have my eye on a square basket that should fit perfectly in the bottom cubby.  Here's to fun new furniture that will remind me to "pay it forward" every time I look at it!  (Thanks Mrs. McN!!!)

BEFORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AFTER

Getting crafty . . .

 Awhile back we began redoing our laundry room.  It isn't a completely finished masterpiece, but I will say that I adore it.  I'm working on getting some of my favorite quotes and things up on the walls, but first up was my "crafty corner".

After perusing Pinterest, stopping at JoAnne Fabrics, and roaming IKEA with one of my best shopping partners for inspiration, I landed on a few things that I am crazy about.

Aren't these adorable?  I can't take credit, I saw the whole thing somewhere else, but a quick trip to JoAnne Fabrics was all I needed to make it happen.  The letters are maybe 12" inches high (I'd go measure, but that would entail getting up right now.  Not happening.) and originally a "paper bag" brown.  I think I paid $4 each?  I picked up a can of silver metallic spray paint for another $4.  I had some 3M command strips, which worked perfectly to adhere these lightweight little guys.  The whole thing easily cost less than $25.  I did two lightweight coats on the letters, but wanted to give them a little bit of a "rugged" appearance anyway, so I wasn't too careful to get every tiny nook and cranny.  They are completely covered, but I wanted the look of sort of battered metal . . . viola.  Love them!  I cut the 3M command strips into two pieces each and adhered them first to the letter and then stuck the whole thing on the wall.  They are attached well and definitely one of my favorite things in the space.  I purposely put them near the doorway so that I can admire them whenever I walk by!

Another favorite thing in this space is my "crafty corner" . . . I have filled three cupboards with crafty things like scrapbook paper, tiles, felt, cork, modge podge, glues, spray paint, cards of all kinds, various hole punches, you get the idea.  I used some IKEA inspiration to hold smaller items and spray painted a letter K (same as the letters above) and two Mason jars in a fun green that compliments the blue on my walls.

The metal board on the left is from IKEA.  $12.  I also purchased the little magnetic containers that are on the board ($4 maybe?) and the rods and hanging baskets and cans at IKEA (maybe $15 total for all of the rods, baskets, and buckets you see hanging there below the K).  I store my Sharpies, paints, brushes, pens and pencils, scissors, hammer, screwdrivers, etc. there.  I have cutting boards to work on in one of the lower cupboards (also an IKEA purchase . . . 99 cents each?)

I need something to put in the space next to the K . . . I was thinking I'd craft up a clock using some of the fun materials I saw at Michael's the other day, but on second thought I'm not sure I want a clock in this space.  Live on the edge, right? ;)

Finally, my most recent completion is the wrapping paper station under the cupboards on the right.  I.love.this.  It was completely Pinterest inspired and since I was cleaning out my messy storage room anyway, a great way to get rid of that clutter in the storage room and put it somewhere useful.  I had the hooks (though they could be found at any hardware store for cheap) and picked up the wooden dowels for 89 cents each.  I did tie each of the wrapping paper rolls with a bit of curling ribbon to clean it up a bit.  Easy to deal with when I need to use the paper, and I have copious amounts of it in the cupboard above, so not a big deal to keep up with either.  

The sweet girl you see sleeping there is my old cat . . . and she's on a stool that I refinished from our kitchen and couldn't bear to part with.    The teal canvas thingy there is another project that I "finished" but want to fix up a bit before adding it to my classroom.  You can see one of the coasters I made at a girls' Pinterest weekend last year too . . . works well for holding my beverage of choice while I work on stuff.  Feeling uber-crafty these days!  This space helps!  I have several projects waiting in one of the lower cupboards.  Like everyone else "spare time" is a dream around here, but I've found that, like everything, it is all about priorities.  If I want to get something done, I do . . . I just have to carve out time where I can.  It's sort of stress relief, I guess.  I don't really watch TV much and since we're in the middle of a Minnesota winter, this is a great place to go to hang out when I need a few minutes to myself.  I love having the devoted space since it means I can start and pause projects without worrying about having them all over the house. 

Love my space!  Shout out to my fabulous hubby who helped make it happen.  Next up?  My Diva Den (aka library, comfy zone) . . . and no, I'm not kidding.  I live with three males.  This is a necessity!  Good inspiration for cleaning out the junk room in the basement too!