Wardrobe, a new life in my daughter's room

Growing up my parents collected antiques and so we always had really cool interesting (and not matching) furniture.  This is the style I gravitate to now.  It always seems odd to me that someone would go to one store and pick out a furniture set, all perfectly matching.  Personally, I love furniture that has more character, life, and memories embedded in it.  One of my favorite things to do when browsing flea markets and thrift stores is to imagine the possibilities a piece has and how I can make it new to me. 

Thrift Store Toad Makeover

A couple weeks ago I was at my local thrift store and over heard some people making fun of this frog and teasing about who would actually buy it. I passed by and it immediately caught my eye. I giggled because I thought it was totally cool!    After the women scoffed when I asked if either of them where going buy it, I scooped it up and put it in my basket and went to the check-out grinning.  The pictures may not show it but this toad is quite large- it took up the whole basket. The large plaster amphibian had so much character, the funny smerk and warty texture,  I knew with a little TLC, it would be a great spring addition to the yard.

Keeping bees

 

Honey comb

      It's official. I am a bee keeper!  Ever since we moved away from the city and into the country, I am longed to have a big garden and keep bees.  When talking about my desire for bees, people either look at me like I am crazy and say, "Why?" or smile and talk about their own bee keeping stories. 

Chocolate Ganache Crepe Cake with Strawberries

This is how I say "Happy Birthday" to my hubby- luscious layers of chocolate ganache and sliced strawberries in between layers of light fluffy crepes. This truly decadent cake was a hit at my husband's birthday dinner. 

Big things are happening!!

With spring here, we have been making some big (and little) changes over here at Big Sky Ranch.  

Garden boxes

Child's Chef Hat tutorial

My kids have always want to help out in the kitchen when I am baking.  The chance to like the spatula or eat a couple of chocolate chips does not require coaxing, but I need help with more everyday food preparation.   To inspire their help with dinner prep, I whipped up these cute chef hats. I love result. My cutie pies feel extra official while cutting up veggies like broccoli and bell peppers that they snack on as they go. Also I notice that they do not scoff at the site of green beans if they help make them.  So make one of these hats for your little one and tell me what you think.

Our Handmade Tepee

For my son's 7th birthday, his big awesome present was a tepee.  My husband did not want to just buy a tepee and give it him.  His plan was to build a tepee.  It was really a chance for the two boys in our family to do something together and create something AWESOME!!!