I Really Don't Like That Wreath...

"I really don't like that wreath, it is not in my taste.."- My next door neighbour

Now that my new door is as pink as Barbie Corvette I have started to contemplating Christmas decorations. I had planned on buying a simple grapevine wreath and spraying it within an inch of it's life with paint and glitter but that idea totally went out the window when I happened upon a wreath at Home Sense. Yes, It is not DIY but in my defence, my door is fuchsia which can make Christmas decor difficult as all traditional decor generally has a lot of red involved. I love red, just not with my bright door. This wreath was white and sparkly and made up of plastic snowflakes that were sure to be able to survive the harsh and windy winters we tend to experience here on the best coast. For nineteen dollars I could hardly pass it up.

I took the pretty wreath home and decided to hang it with florist wire draped over the door and fixed to a command-strip hook on the inside of my door (upside down of course). No offence to anyone who loves them but I HATE wreath hangers. They always stand out like a sore thumb not to mention they have a tendency to scrape door paint which totally grinds my gears. When the wreath was hung at what I felt was to be the "perfect height" I ran across the street to admire my handiwork and thrifty shopping. My next door neighbour was pulling in at the same time  (I can always count on him for an honest opinion and a helping hand) and the first thing out of his mouth was "I really don't like that wreath...". I was quite taken a back and when I asked him what was wrong with it he said "It's not in my taste...needs something else, too bland". Then my neighbour across the street started to chime in, stating she LOVED the wreath and we all had a great debate in my driveway hahaha. The neighbour who happens to not like my wreath also happens to be a wonderful person who has been nothing short of helpful since I moved in. He plows my driveway after heavy snows and always offers a helpful opinion on the best way to go about renovations or projects around the house. To appease him I bought some pink plastic balls and with my handy florist wire, I sporadically affixed them to my wreath to "jazz it up" and prevent further blandness. Pics below, happy start of decorating everyone!
-m

Pink...

"Pink is the navy blue of Inida."- Diana Vreeland

Lets travel back in time, just a little tiny bit...

Remember this door? The door that belonged to my house when I moved in? It was black and all of the trim had also been painted black (gag). It also had an epically heavy and even more epically bent storm door that kept catching my heels as it apparently swung faster than I can walk. No matter how you slice it, it was a sad little door that needed a little tlc. I wish I had a pic of it for you, I have been searching my archives with no luck..

Now do you also remember this door? My DREAM door, on sale and then priced wrong for an even bigger discount? I felt like I was robbing Home Depot!

After it living in my living room for about a month and a half, I finally got it installed and can you guess what happened next? It rained and it rained. It even rained on the days it wasn't supposed to rain! I waited and I waited, each day hating the white door more and more. It was just so...bland. Then my neighbors started asking me about it, concerned that I was choosing to leave it white (for a group that was hesitant about my initial color choice, they sure seemed to love the pink now!). All this waiting gave me lots of time to dwell and of course, I even started to debate painting it yellow or light turquoise.

It was sunny yesterday; foggy as all get out but sunny and five degrees (burr). I cranked the heater behind the door and placed my infra-red infront of it to aid the drying process (my neigbours must think I am insane). I ended up with three good coats on that bad boy before dark. Even though I hmmed and hawwed about whether I should piant the window grill or not, I am more than happy with my choice. She's punchy and doesn't let the rain, snow and wind into my living room like my old door! I also love how it is more modern but mimics the windows, in keeping a little more with the era of the home ! Win- win my friends !

Happy do-it-yourself-ing,
-m

Life Is Full Of Banana Peels....

"Life is full of banana peels; you slip and then you carry on."- Daphne Guiness

This post is coming to you all the way from deep within a very sleep deprived haze. I am post night shift and am trying to stay awake for the day so I can get up and go about my busy week tomorrow morning without feeling like I belong on the set of The Walking Dead. Sounds simple enough doesn't it? If you have ever worked a night shift or if you have ever been a new parent of a screaming child, you may be able to empathise. If not lets just chalk it up to epically horrific. That will be my general excuse for poor punctuation and run on sentences, it is also my excuse for the egg I just smashed all over my kitchen floor....sigh.

This week past, I invited my grandparents over for tea. I am lucky to have them in my city and always (as I have mentioned before ), thoroughly enjoy my time with them. I am generally fond of entertaining but it counts most when it is for the people I love! So what did I do? I baked a cake! I had a few bananas kicking around in my freezer and decided that even though banana bread is great (and my Aunt Dot's is the BEST), that a cake may seem a little more special (because they totally deserve it!). Turns out banana cake is delicious, it has a soft crumb and just the right amount of banana flavor. My co-workers seemed to enjoy the left overs as well. Recipe follows, happy baking and even happier tea-party throwing!
-m

Banana Cake
 

·         2c cake flour

·         1 ½ c sugar

·         ½ c butter

·         3 lg bananas

·         2 eggs

·         1 tsp baking soda

·         1 tsp vanilla

·         1tsp cinnamon

·         Pinch of salt

**Tip ; the night before I mash up my bananas and let them sit in the fridge over night, they become very brown and very sweet. You can use freshly mashed bananas too…your choice!

 In a bowl combine mashed bananas and baking soda. Mix and set aside for later.  In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between. Add cinnamon, salt and vanilla. Slowly add flour mixing between each addition- batter will be thick! Add banana mix and stir until just combined (don’t over do it!). Bake at 350 in a buttered 9x13 pan or in two 9” cake pans (buttered!)  for ~25 minutes- or until toothpick comes clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool!

Cream Cheese Frosting!

·         Small tub of cream cheese

·         1 tbs milk

·         2 tsp vanilla

·         1 tsp cinnamon

·         2 ½ c of icing sugar

Combine cheese, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in mixer. Slowly add sugar ½ c at a time and beat until fluffy! Frost cooled cake and enjoy! Nom nom nom….

"I Am So Glad..."

"I am so glad we get to live in a world where there are Octobers!"- Anne of Green Gables

As I was scrambling to put together a costume last week for a party, I was a little shocked at how fast Christmas pops up everywhere in stores, some as early as the 20th of October.  I know I shouldn't be surprised, it happens every year but it aways takes me aback. Last week I also found myself at a Christmas craft fair. I am convinced they are happening earlier and earlier! A week before Halloween and I was wandering by booth after booth of Christmas crafts, cider in hand and Christmas music filling the air. I enjoyed myself and even picked up a rustic craft for my home but it still seems just a little craaaaazzzzyyyyyy.

Last weekend there was a Halloween blow down. Below you can find pics of  my decor, costume and some treats. I know I haven't had many DIY posts lately, I suppose I am feeling a little un-motivated but not to worry, I just reviewed my "to-do list" which is easily as long as I am tall. Lots is on the horizon!

Have a wonderful crisp, fall week everyone!
-m