Nightstand to Kitchenette

I wish I had a before picture of this. The transformation is pretty incredible. I found this nightstand on craigslist for $12. A good sanding and a coat of pink paint gave it the little girl look I was going for. It wouldn't be a kitchen without gingham curtains. A simple dowel rod cut to fit and nailed in the sides to make it a child proof curtain. My husband cut a hole big enough for a small mixing bowl to fit for the sink, and we glued it with gorilla glue. I painted on the burners and oven look on the drawer. A modern drawer handle doubles as the 'oven' handle. Matching knobs for the burners, and the cheapest faucet I could find finished of the necessities. I added a chalkboard because children love to color. On the other side are some plastic "commands" hooks I spray painted silver to match everything else. This little kitchen was topped off with a small pots and pans set from Toys-R-Us. My niece loved her little kitchen Christmas morning! It was fun to make and even more fun to play with her!

Diaper Cake

This is the diaper cake I made for Kayte while she was pregnant with Ryn.

We used rubber bands to roll the diapers and then cover them with the ribbons. Lots of flowers and baby things filled in the 'cake'. I used wrapping paper to cover a piece of foam board for the base. It turned out super cute!

Bridesmaid Letters

I made these for my wedding last year asking my girl friends to be my bridesmaids. They turned out really cute, and they love the thought.

Refinished Nightstand

This nightstand was in my husbands bachelor pad before we got married. He hates that 'his' things weren't good enough for me. So I decided to make 'his' nightstand good enough for our bedroom! It was easy. Sand. Prime. Paint. I used a Martha Stewart glaze from Home Depot. Then nobs are from Hobby Lobby. I fell in love with those. It's a little girly, but men don't usually care.

Cajun Lasagna

8 cooked lasagna noodles
1lb. crawfish tails
1lb. uncooked small-medium shrimp
16oz. ricotta
2c. shredded pepper jack
2c. shredded parmesan
8oz. velveeta
1lg. egg
1lg. bell pepper, diced
1sm. Onion, diced
4 garlic cloves
1sm. Jalapeno minced, remove seeds
Olive oil
1sm. Tomato, diced

I used a 9x9 casserole dish
Preheat oven to 350°
Saute in olive oil, bell pepper, oinon, garlic, and jalapeno.
Melt in Velveeta and 1/2c. pepperjack
Add Shrimp, Crawfish, tomatoes.
Cook the shrimp half way done, slightly transparent. (prevents over cooking when it bakes)
Season with an even coat of Tony’s, and pinch of cayenne.
In mixing bowl, fold together ricotta, egg, 1/2c. pepperjack, 1c. parmesan, parsley, paprika, basil.
Spray baking dish w/ non-stick spray
Spread thin layer of Seafood Mix across bottom of pan. (this will keep the noodles from sticking)
1. Add a layer of noodles
2. Spread ½ the ricotta mix onto noodles
3. ½ of seafood mix (be sure to spread around the meat)
4. Top with shredded parmesan and pepper jack
Repeat 1-4 one more time.
Bake for 30min. until bubbly. Uncovered

He never fails to surprise me :)

The fourth of July weekend typically marks the beginning of "Birthday Month!" And since Brent and I have been together, this tradition has begun with the weekend at his parents house. Birthday Month has changed over the years. Now, I share my month. Brent, his dad, and his nephew all share July with me. So, it has become tradition to spend fourth of july weekend there, celebrating Braxton's birthday. Braxton will be three this year, and they are growing so fast. Brent's dads birthday is before Braxton's so in order to not be over shadowed by the SpongeBob party, Brent and I decided to stop by Baskin Robins, grab an ice cream cake, and load it down with 51 candles to be exact. It was covered! I think Mr. Charlie appreciated the fact that we didn't forget about his birthday or appreciated the ice cream cake!

We spent the weekend swimming and birthday partying. We watched fireworks, and popped party poppers. We made "slushies," non-alcoholic daiquiris, with the boys. I let them help me make mashed potatoes and be my little taste testers. Everytime I'd turn around, they were licking those little fingers. The best part about the whole weekend was spending time with my amazing boyfriend. I always say just when I think he can't surprise me, he never fails. I've learned this past year that he'll never buy me flowers or write me little love letters. His love for me has so much more depth than that. And, I always think that these little surprise are somehow for him. They are, they're his way of doing something for me to get me closer to him. It's not just about the immediate and brief gratification of a loving act. It's about doing things and getting things that make us closer and entangle our lives so that we can live as one. This weekend I got to learn how to ride the dirt bike he bought me. When he first told me of his purchase, I was excited but confused. I want to do daring things and learn how to ride, but was this really for me? Or, did he want a new toy and what a perfect way to get one since I wanted to learn anyway. After learning how to ride and realizing he spent time fixing it up for me by putting my number on it...I figured it out. He does these kinds of surprises and gifts for us. He bought the bike for us. So he could teach me. And, "we" could spend time together. So we can grow and experience new things together, learn together, and be in love. He always says how much he hates buying flowers because they are a waste of money and they just die anyway. I get it! He wants to spend money and time on things that will help us fall more in love, things that will create a stronger connection and bond. It's not about things that make him happy or just me, it's about things that make US happy together. I am so in love with him. A true deep love. He never fails to surprise me :)

Vacation

This weekend I finally got a much needed vacation. These days vacation has a much different meaning that I used to know. Instead of going to the beach, relaxing with a drink in hand, and sipping on a Margarita, I spent the days off in Ruston visiting Brent and his family, friends, and celebrating his graduation. Everyone was so proud of his long due accomplishment, that he received three cards which sang "hallelejah!" ...A taste of the humor we experienced this weekend. Saturday our families came together to watch him walk across the stage and receive his diploma. We celebrated afterwords by grilling at his house, a Hazelwood family tradition. They love the grill, and I love that they love the grill! We spent the rest of the evening enjoying friends and family. Sunday and Monday were days of relaxation. Catching up on some sleep, spending a fortune at the bookstore on Alumni gear, and hanging out with Amanda are a few of the relaxing events that occured. Tuesday we headed up to Arkansas to eat lunch at one of Brents favorite places to eat in ElDorado, and then we continued up to watch his nefew play tball. We watched a few warm up rounds and then the game was cancelled due to a lightning storm. Tanner hit the ball very well without his tee durning warm ups while Braxton kept him informed when he missed! Anytime, he fouled it off he would say, "I got a taste of it!" They both played around a little while, and then we decided to go eat dinner. Dinner was entertaining as well. Brent taught Tanner how to high five after they passed gas. Something his mother will have to look forward to experiencing. We drove back last night after dinner, and then back to Baton Rouge for me this morning. Time flies these days, and so does a vacation.

Brent's Graduating!

The day has come! We finally know Brent is officially GRADUATING!!!! He has worked so hard, stayed up long nights, and missed so many weekends visiting me to get to this point. I am so proud of him and all the hard work he has done over this past year. It's true, hard work pays off! I can't wait to see what's in store for us this next year. I love him so much!

IZZO!

It's a breezy saturday morning at the restaurant. We're sitting out on the patio enjoying the nice day. Last night we were kind of slow for a Friday, and when we were walking out to leave Daniel, our kitchen manager, shows up with this stray cat found when they went to take out the trash. He's a little tiny black kitten. Very loveable he rubbed up against everyone and followed us around everywhere we went. I think at that point, we all decided that this cat was going to be around for the long haul. Kayte made him a little bed in the boiler room, and this morning we named him Izzo! He ran and played all over the front porch this morning. Chasing leaves blowing in the wind and jumping in the window seals. After Kayte bathed him, Izzo is making his first trip to the vet! Hopefully he is a healthy little kitten, and everything works out for the best and we can keep him.

Another month comes and goes!

Weeks are flying by, and there is nothing we can do to slow them. It seems there is always something to look forward to, and sometimes it is hard to just sit back, relax, and live in the moment! We are getting super busy at the restuarant, and working constantly to maintain, sustain, and improve everything we've worked for. We've built a family here at the restaurant. We laugh, share our lives and stories with one another, and we bicker and argue with the best of them. In the end, we know we can do it without each other, and when it comes time for one of them to go and move on, we add another "little brother or sister." This past month we upgraded our patio with new furniture, and added a little flare to our staff with new bright colorful t-shirts! It's finally starting to feel like a bonifide restaurant around here!

Each week, Kayte gets bigger. Baby Ryn is growing and before you know it, she will be here! Last weekend we had the baby shower of the year for Kayte and Ryn. It was so cute and fun! We've allowed Kayte to put Ryn's piggy bank that Memaw got her on the bar, and that little girl already makes more money than me! As much as I don't want to, I am going to patiently wait for her to get here. I'm trying to enjoy every last second I have, before our world shifts....and i'm not even having the baby! But, at the same time, I can't wait to see that cute little girl!

As for me, I stay busy! Yesterday was the first time this year that I had nothing to do, and I was miserable. So, I took the good road and went to workout. My goal is to run a mile again under 9 minutes and that's good for me. Then I want to be able to run a mile outside which is totally different. I guess my ultimate goal is to loose weight though. I'm working on it!

Brent and I are still going strong. I love talking to him daily, and when I see him I couldn't be happier. We try to visit every other week, but its hard sometimes. Especially now, that finals are coming up for him. Hopefully he will be graduating in May and find a job down here. I'm ready to be with him forever. Strong words, I know, but when you're in love with someone it's hard to be apart. This year I have definetly learned patients!

I've also been trying to be more crafty this month, and what not a better way than to throw Kayte's baby shower. Here is a picture of the Diaper Cake me and Jennifer made for the shower.