DIY Decorated Mug

This couldn't be easier!  You will need:

• A coffee mug
• A sharpie marker

Simply draw the design you want, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Be sure you let your mug cool completely before you use it.  After that, it's hand wash safe!

As a note, I'm left handed so I did my design so it would face out when I drink it... something to think about when you do your doodle :)

Floating Shelves

We have been slowing adding bits and pieces to our home to make it... homier.  One place that I couldn't quite figure out what to do with was the blank wall above our television.  I wanted something to fill in the space without making it feel crowded.  We found our solution in floating shelves.

Empty space

We xeroxed the boxes and traced the shelves to make them easier to hang

Once we got the shelves up (which was surprisingly difficult), I added some odds and ends: a monotype I bought in D.C., some great rough stones, a picture of Inga, etc.

 

What do you think?  Have any of you had a tricky spot to decorate?

August Book Club

I've started a book club!  And you are all welcome to join us online via blogger or (if you're a MN friend) shoot me a message and I'll give you the details to meet us in person!

I'll be posting a new book each month that we'll be reading, and the first up is Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier.

When I got my copy in the mail, I was a little worried that it might turn out to be a trashy romance novel...

Doesn't it look like a trashy beach read??

... but I've been pleasantly relieved of that anxiety.  It's a story about a second wife who feels the haunting presence of the wife who came before her, and weaves in elements of gothic romance a la Charlotte Bronte. So far it's been an easy and enjoyable read.

Join us and read it too!!

Cucumber Subs

 

 I saw this idea on Pinterest, and immediately wanted to make it.

You will need:

• 1 cucumber
• Lunch meat (I used turkey)
• Veggie dip (I used a DELICIOUS Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, and feta dip, but you could also try a seasoned cream cheese)

 Cut your cucumber in half, width wise, to make it manageable.  Then, cut each half in half length wise.  Scoop the seeds out with a spoon.

Add your turkey and dip

Put the halves together, and enjoy!  I will say, it's a little tricky to eat, so I might recommend putting turkey and dip on each side and enjoying it that way...  Delicious either way!  And so refreshing for lunch on a hot summer day. :)

Working Woman: Office Updates

My office before I made it mine

This week marks my third week at my new job working in human resources. It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but I think I'm finally settling in. To help settle in and feel more at home in my office, I picked up a few odds and ends:

I added this wall decal art to spruce up the plain walls (from Target)

A lamp to combat fluorescent light bulbs,
and a cluster of frames featuring Inga, John, and my parents

A plant, of course. 
Indirect light, minimal to moderate water needs makes this office friendly

A sunny mug for tea, some monogram post-its, and the coolest paper clips!

Baked Brie Tart

 

I think I'm going to just start coming up with as many variations of tarts as possible since they're so easy to make and SO delicious to eat :)

You will need:

• 1 frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed
• 1 wheel of brie (we used just over half of it)
• 1-2 pears, depending on size
• 1/3 yellow onion

Like the asparagus and goat cheese tart, you will need to score and perforate your puff pastry sheet:

Pre-bake your puff pastry according to the package directions.  While it is baking, slice and saute the onion until it is caramelized:

.... slice your pears (excluding the seeds and center):

.... and slice your brie as thin (or thick!) as you'd like:

By now, your pastry should be done pre-baking.  Take it out of the oven and cover it with the brie, the onions, and the pears in layers:

Bake for another 12-15 minutes until the pears are tender.

Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Bacon Cream Cheese Puffs

These are so good!!!  Warm and savory and creamy... I want some more right now!

You will need:

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/3 cup bacon bits (get the good kind, not the crunchy ones!)
• 1 package of crescent rolls

Preheat your oven according to the crescent roll directions.  In a bowl, combine the bacon bits and cream cheese until smooth and blended:

Then, roll out your crescent rolls and put a tablespoon or so of the cream cheese mixture in the center:

Pull the corners together and mush them down to cover the cream cheese center:

Bake for about 15 minutes, until they are golden brown:

Enjoy!!  For an extra kick, add some green onions, chives, or jalepeno.