Mr. Transformer

In four more months Timothy and I will be under the same roof.  We are committed to not live together until after the wedding, but it sure is a pain to have him live in one place and me in another.  One more thing to look forward to when we are husband and wife!

We've been merging our homes (as evidenced by the Georgia Bulldog Red couches!) and been finding pieces here and there to tie it all together.

We needed an end table and couldn't find one the right size for my small TV/family/entry way/front room.  While at Home Goods, (LOVE that store) we found a patio table that was just the right size.  BUT it was silver and intended for outside.  Timothy worked his magic and spray painted it black.  And there you have it, a patio table transformed into an end table for under ten bucks.

Cake Pops 101 with Timinda

For date night tonight we tried our hands at making cake pops.  It was fun and messy and we have a ways to go... but I think they turned out pretty well!

Step 1:  Bake a cake and crumble into pieces after it cools.  We used a Funfetti Box Mix.  

Add a can of frosting.  We like cream cheese and the consistency works pretty well.

After mixing in the frosting, grab a clump and form into golf ball sized balls.

Place balls on cookie sheet and refrigerate for a bit.

Melt chocolate melts (and these work better than the chocolate chips) in a microwave safe bowl in increments of 30 seconds.  Stir in between.

Dip lollypop sticks (purchased in the cake decorating / candy making aisle of craft stores) in chocolate and place in center of ball.



Roll balls in chocolate.  Decorate (quickly) and wait to harden.

Enjoy!

They will cure what ails you...

Timothy finally caught the sore throat/aches and pain/fever/runny nose junk that I had a few weeks ago. 

When I asked what would make him feel better, he said OTTER POPS.  After three stops at grocery stores (because apparently those are seasonal items and it's not Otter Pop Season yet) I found this pack of 80.

Timothy's camped out on the couch with Season 2 of 24 (a show that he's introduced me to and is re-watching with me) and all the Otter Pops he could ever want.

And the whining has subsided. :)

Succulent Success Story!

I developed a love (and a bit of an obsession) for succulents a few years ago.  I found that they are pretty low maintenance and thrive on my third floor (full sun) patio.  I decided that I would like to use terra cota pots to line the aisle for our ceremony and 130 little pots for favors for our guests.

A generous friend and a client from work "donated" some succulent clippings to help with my cause.  I planted them and they took off growing!

I babied, watered and talked to them for several months.  It was awesome to watch them grow and multiply from simple clippings!  They were itty bitty and are now flowering, changing and getting huge.  I can only imagine how much they would grow if they were in the ground instead of confined to pots.  I'm dreaming of a huge succulent garden!

My friend is going to make the pots for our wedding gift.  I can't wait to see how they will look.  I like that they won't be the typical flowers and will blend with the Spanish mission theme of our ceremony and reception.

Stay tuned for more photos!

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Father's Day, Mom and Dad!

So it only took 5 months, but I finally have edited photos (thank you Melvin, we love you!) from The Hughie Family Photos (Click on link to see all of them!) and put together some frames for my mom and dad for Mother's Day and Father's Day.

They are extra special because we are very rarely all in the same place at the same time.

Enjoy, Mom and Dad!!!

Nicolas and Elle's Baptism Party

After the Church service we all went to my sister Janice's house for a party.  There was a yummy taco bar with cook's on site and lots of yummy desserts.  The best part was having so many friends and family together.  Many people came from Oregon for the celebrations. 

Ken, Sonia and Nicolas - who loves to stick his tongue out

Nick, Elle and Dana - color coordinated, but of course :)

Sonia, Nicolas, Amelia and (my cousin) Megan.  Nicolas and Amelia are a month a part.  If was fun seeing them play together.

I tried to get some decent shots of them together.  Nicolas just wanted to nibble on Elle's yummy dress.

Amelia and Nicolas are all smiles but Elle just won't look my way.

Oh well.  At least they are all happy here!!

Practicing crawling can prove to be a challenge on tile floors....

Uh oh.  Sorry, Amelia!!

Sonia and her buddies "Jiji" (her flower girl) and her twin brother "Bubu."  They are going to have a new baby in their family this Fall!

We closed out the afternoon with a little present opening.  Elle and Nicolas received many nice gifts in honor of their baptism.  I gave Elle her first birthday gifts a month early.  Some clothes and her first Madame Alexander doll.  She loves how the eyes open and close, open and close.  Precious!!!

What a fun filled family weekend.  Next gathering will be the wedding... 09/09/11!!!!!!!

St. John's Lutheran Church ~ Walk down memory lane...

St. John's Lutheran Church was the Church that I spent my first 11 years of life.  My family were members and we were actively involved in both St. John's Church and School.  I attended Kindergarten - Sixth grade and then my parents and younger sister moved to a small Central Oregon town.  I love coming back to visit this Church.  It is so rich with history and brings back many memories. 

The sanctuary was erected on the corner of Olive and Almond Streets in 1893. The white Gothic structure cost $4,500. By 1913, the need for a larger house of worship was obvious and six lots were acquired on Almond Avenue between Center and Shaffer Streets. The landmark brick sanctuary now used by St. John's Lutheran Church was originally dedicated on July 19, 1914 and seated 1,100 worshippers. Today, the sanctuary is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

I spent my childhood singing it Church Mouse Choir and Kantate and had many class performances singing my heart out.

The stained glass windows are intricate and impressive.  I remember spending countless hours in Church staring at the windows throughout services and imagining what it would be like to live in biblical times. 

Walker Hall is the place I had gym class, spaghetti dinners, Girl Scout troop meetings and 6th grade dances.  

This is St. John's School.  It has grown to be the largest Lutheran School (K-8) in the country.  The room on the far left of the building on the left was my 4th grade classroom.  Mr. Bode was my first "boy" teacher and I got to be in the same class as my very best friend, Tina Charlotte Gavin.

This is the room where my education began ~ Mrs. Keizer's afternoon Kindergarten Class.  Oh to be in Kindergarten again!

It was neat to walk around campus with Timothy and share a few I remeber when stories.  I can't wait to see his old stomping grounds when we visit Georgia this October!

Nicolas and Elle's Baptism Photos

Nicolas and Elle's Baptism was beautiful today. Our aunt, uncle, cousins, and many close friends came to witness this special occasion.  It was so neat to create the tradition of having Elle and Nicolas Baptised in the same Church that they were Baptised in 1982.

Nicolas and his parents.  Doesn't he look so adorable in his suit and hat?!

Elle (who can't stop biting her fingers ~ teething time!) and her parents



I baptise you, Elle Julianne Everett, in the name of The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit

I baptise you, Nicolas Kenneth Hughie, in the name of The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit

With LaLa

With Nana and Papa

With Uncle Bo

Elle wore the beautiful baptismal gown that my mom made.  My nephew Andrew also wore in in 1993.  I look forward to my future children wearing it at the dedications.

My Uncle Howard and Aunt Ginni (my brother's brother and wife) have 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren .  All 4 daughters and many of the grandchildren were all here to celebrate Elle and Nicolas.  Here they are with their daughter Melissa and family.

YAY!  Thanks for stopping by to see our baptism pics!  The party pics will follow!!!!