NumberNineteen

Two Little Birdies

Doncha just love those two little birdies??  I'm thinking that they are love birds.  Yes, definitely love birds :)  I work right behind a Crate & Barrel outlet store (I know, isn't that fun?) & I found these over my lunch break on Friday.  I was so enamored of them that I showed them to all of the women in my office as soon as I returned. The men were not as interested. :) They fit right in on my dining room sideboard.

I also recently re-arranged the contents of the little cabinet in my kitchen.  I included one of my favorite garage sale finds ever, a 1920's tourist guidebook to Florence.  I know, who sells these treasures at garage sales??  That day, I was glad that they were selling it to me!

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My urge to bake continued through the week, so I'm obliged to act on it this weekend.  Friday night I baked oatmeal scotchies, today I baked raspberry chocolate crumb bars (taken to a party this evening) & tomorrow I'm going to bake honey wheat bread.  I hope that this weekend's baking will get it out of my system, because I'm undoing the good of the miles on the treadmill with every cookie that goes into my mouth!!

I've got to say, the raspberry chocolate crumb bars are worth every calorie.  They are one of the recipes that I always get asked for.  So, I'll share it here with you!

Raspberry Chocolate Crumb Bars

1 C. Butter, softened
2 C. Flour
1/2 C. Brown Sugar
1/2 t. Salt
2 C. Chocolate Chips, Divided
14 oz. Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 C. Chopped Nuts (I use walnuts)
1/3 - 1/2 C. Raspberry Jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat butter until creamy.  Beat in flour, brown sugar & salt.  With floured fingers, press 1 1/2 C. of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of a 13x9 pan. Bake for 10-12 min.  Reserve remaining crumbs.

Combine 1 C. chocolate chips with the sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan & heat on low, stirring until the chips are melted & the mixture is smooth.  Spread this mixture over the hot crust.

Stir the nuts in to the reserved crumbs & sprinkle over the chocolate layer.   Drop teaspoonfuls of the jam over the crumb mixture.  Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.  Bake for an additional 20-25 min or until the center is set.

If you love raspberry & chocolate together, I guarantee that you will LOVE these!

January Re-arrangement

I'm re-arranging again.  After the holidays, things look so bare, so I had to mix it up.  I pulled out all of my dishes, decorative objects, books & whatnot and just started re-arranging until I liked what I saw.  I recently picked up a few more red & white transfer ware pieces for my little collection, so I was excited to use those.  I'm working on other re-arrangements around the house,which I'll post shortly.

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To give Mom her fix of "news", here is what is up with me this past week....

The commute on inauguration day was surprisingly smooth & easy.  Really, one of the easiest commutes ever...everyone else had the day off & stayed at home!  It was an incredible day here in the DC area.  The mood was absolutely joyful & electric.

My healthy living intentions got a bit off track last week, with all of the birthday celebrations & other social events (read: lots & lots of good food!).  However, I scored a big personal victory on that front -- I continued to exercise on a regular basis & have increased my speed on the treadmill!

I have been in mood to bake!  I got out my copy of the Martha Stewart Baking Cookbook & the Honey Whole Wheat bread is calling out to me.  Baking bread is so satisfying...I really feel like I've accomplished something when it comes out of the oven, all puffy & warm.  And, if I bake, I must make something sweet as well...maybe some raspberry chocolate crumb bars?  Maybe Oatmeal Scotchies?

I have also been in the mood to work on a puzzle...we worked on one at home at Christmas & I've wanted to do one since then, but we don't have one.  Well, there is the Disney Princess 63 piece puzzle that Hope has, but that isn't what I had in mind!  I will search for a good one the next time that I'm out shopping.

Pretty new Bathroom

We've finished updating another room, this time the powder room off of the family room.  I looked for a "before" picture, but I can't find one...previously the room had floral wallpaper, brass fixtures that were getting worn & an UGLY light fixture.  We chose a greyish blue for the walls & chrome, brown & white for the accessories. I picked up the ironstone platter for quite a deal at an antiques place over the holidays & got the smaller ironstone plate at the Salvation Army for next to nothing. I covered a grocery store jar candle in scrapbook paper, ribbon & a lable with a rub-on of our last initial. I'd like to change out the black wire basket that holds hand towels for a dark brown wicker basket, so that it will coordinate better with the rug. 

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Because my mother recently complained that I didn't post news on my blog any more, here is an update.  Today is my birthday AND I got the day off (Thank you MLK for this & more!).  We went out to dinner last night to this restaurant, with Hope because we couldn't find a sitter.  It turned out well & we had a great meal. My hunny gave me lovely indulgent bath gels, the kind that I hardly ever buy for myself:
 
We are having birthday cake tonight. Mmmmmm...cake.

Tomorrow, I have to fight what promises to be unheard of, unbelievable traffic to get to work.  Yes, my boss has decided that our office should be open despite the following facts:
-Over 2 million people are expected to come to the DC area tomorrow for the inaguration.  2 million people!  That is more people than live in North Dakota & Alaska combined!  I looked it up.
-The states of Virginia, Maryland & DC have declared inauguration day to be a Federal holiday
-The persons in charge of transportation in the region have asked all citizens to NOT bring a car inside the beltway.  My office is inside the beltway.

I'll let you know how it goes.

I have embarked on an effort to become a healthier person.  For the past 3 weeks, I have exercised at least 3 times a week, become healthy in my eating habits & started to take a multi-vitamin.  I've lost 3.2 pounds & am starting to see a difference!

Favorite Reads

Here it is, January 11th & this is my first post of the year!  I've spent the past few weeks getting settled back into regular life and cleaning things up from the holidays.  In addition, I'm on a whole-house cleaning out project.  I'm doing it a room a week, cleaning out the extra stuff and organizing what is left.  The first room  was the study, which is where Glenn keeps a lot of stuff.  Let me tell you, it is next to impossible to part that man with anything. This will be a slow process.  I'll keep you updated.

So, I haven't been really doing anything creative or any kind of decorating, which is what I really love to share with you.  But, I've been enjoying some newer-to-me blogs that I will share. Maybe you'll find one that is new to you...

Cherry's Jubilee -- I've mentioned this one before & it's one that I keep returning to for inspiration.  I just love, love, love her style & creativity.

Bloggedy Blog Blog -- Saucy is a HOOT.  And creative.  And stylish.  And, can do the darndest things with dollar store finds.

Vintage Rescue Squad -- Sue is the one bloggy friend that I've met in person & her business is what I want my (now hibernating) business to be when it grows up.  She has an amazing eye for vintage treasures.  And, she is hysterical.

Thrifty Miss Priss -- This is another local blogger (though I haven't met her) & I just can't believe the stuff that she finds at thrift shops.  I need to hook up with her for a thrifting day & observe her technique.

I know, its only 4 blogs, but  perhaps you will find one that you haven't seen before.  I didn't include photos, because I don't know if that is OK to do. 

I'm going to work on doing something creative so that I have more to blog about in the coming weeks!