For the love of LEMON!

 Oh my goodness, are y'all ready for SUMMER or what?!  We haven't seen 70 degrees in Denver since who knows when and I am still wearing my winter coat {#texasforever}.  I recently found the blog {Inspired by Charm} and I am obsessed.  Michael posts lots of DIY projects, home decor and yummy recipes like this {Frosted Lemon Cookies Recipe}.  I made them last weekend and they did not disappoint!  If you are trying to get in bikini shape you might want to consider doing burpees while the cookies are in the oven...Just an idea. 

I still have a few cookies in the fridge and they beckon me every time I open the door. 

I will leave y'all with a few more of my favorite lemon recipes!  Just click on the picture and it will take you to the recipe.

 

 

via

Any Heart of Dixie fans??? 

Hope your long weekend was wonderful, I know mine was. :)

{Leslie}

Red + White + Blue

Hi folks!  I don't know about you, but I can't believe Memorial Day weekend is already here.  I feel like it was just Christmas...  I think I am going to blame the weather.

Fingers crossed that the weather for Monday doesn't change!  Here are some of my past red, white, and blue posts. Just click on the image and it will take you to the post!!! 

BBQ's and spending time with friends is wonderful, but let's not forget why we have Memorial Day.  I am so thankful for all the men and women who lost their lives to protect our country.  God Bless the U.S. of A!

{Leslie}

Linking Up With:
The Idea Box 
Thrifty Thursday
Artsy Fartsy Link Party
The Handmade Hangout
Pretty Pintastic Party
The Party Bunch Link Party
It's Overflowing  DIY Showoff 
Happiness is Homemade

Welcome to the Jungle

I had every intention of sharing an outdoor table centerpiece, but then I remembered our backyard looked like this...

Those are some fabulous before pictures, right?! Our backyard is massive, full of potential and weeds.  Not to be confused with weed, one must clarify this when you live in Colorado.    Here are some of our big to do's:

• Build a Garage or Carport
• Extend Grass 6 ft -ish
• Get new weed blocker 
• Plant vegetable garden
• Plant flower garden

I am hopeful I will be back next week with some fabulous progress pictures {if the weather will comply}! 

{Leslie}

Hello, New Page & Feelings!

I know what you are thinking.

"I sure wish Leslie would organize her home remodel progress on one page."  Well, today is your LUCKY DAY!!!  I have a new page where I posted a bunch of before and after photos of each room.  At some point I  plan on adding links to other major house projects.  :)

Alright, on a completely unrelated note, I miss having friends close to me {definitely the biggest challenge about moving to Colorado}.  These pictures are ridiculous, awesome, and full of joy.

 

This season will pass, until then I will continue to share all my feeling with Tall Tan Man.  He loves when I over-share and cry...

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

{Leslie}

DIY Roman Shade

Hi y'all!  I made this roman shade over Christmas break and I am just getting around to sharing it.  I can be such a good blogger.  I was going to do a full blown tutorial, but half way through the process I decided I needed a little more practice.    I followed {this} Shanty 2 Chic tutorial and it is awesome!  Here is a little picture recap of the process. 

Sew the sides and bottom while the fabrics are inside out. Mark every 11 inches on the backside of the curtain with chalk.

Glue dowels down and stack some books on them until the glue dries. 

Turn the curtain right side out.  {I obviously forgot to iron the fabric before starting...}

I really love this buffalo check from ikea :)

Sew curtain rings around the dowels.  I had three rings per dowel.  I also sewed a couple loops in between these so the curtain would not sag. 

I inserted circle hooks into a 1x2 using the same spacing as curtain rings.

Stapled the curtain to the 1x2.  Then ran a curtain string through all the rings. 

I installed the curtain using L brackets. 

I plan on making a couple more of these for our house so I will be sure to perfect my technique and share!  Sorry for the sub par tutorial directions...but I am bad at teaching something if I have not mastered it!  I am such a teacher sometimes...

What do you think?!  They only cost us $20!!!

Our {office} is still my favorite room.  One of these days I think my favorite room will be the kitchen if we will ever finish it! 

{Leslie}

Linking Up To:
Work it Wednesday
The Idea Box 
Thrifty Thursday
Artsy Fartsy Link Party
The Handmade Hangout
Pretty Pintastic Party
It's Overflowing 
DIY Showoff 
Create Link Inspire
The Party Bunch Link Party

Friday Mantra {#1}

We did it folks, we made it to Friday!  I don't know about you, but I am terrible about taking life too seriously.  I think we should laugh more and not worry so much about everything being perfect today.  Tall Tan Man get's this.  He'll invite people over for dinner even if our house is a wreck, or crack an egg on my head while "helping" me make a breakfast. 

I think those pictures turned out way more awesome than the "pinterest worthy" throwing leaves in the air picture. Alright people, let's be corny, cheesy, and over the top silly today!!! Ready, set, break!

***The pictures were taken by my wonderful cousin and friend {Meghann Jaline Photographie}.*** 

{Leslie}

Linking Up with :
Pretty Pintatsic Party
The Party Bunch

Sopapilla Cheesecake

When you are from Texas any reason is a good reason for chips, salsa, and margaritas.  I have always loved Cinco de Mayo.  I know Sopapilla Cheesecake has been around for a while, and I am little late to the party... but I am HERE!  Let's have a

!!!

Sopapilla Cheesecake
Mommy's Kitchen

Ingredients: 

2 can Crescent Rolls
2 - 8oz Cream Cheese {room temperature}
1 3/4 cups Sugar {divided}
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon 
1 stick Butter {room temperature}
1/4 cup Honey

Directions: 

1.   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. 

2.  Unroll one crescent roll onto floured wax paper.  I have made this twice {it is that good} and the Pillsbury rolls were easier to work with than the store brand.   Now use a rolling pin to press the seams together.  Flip the wax paper over your pan and press crescent rolls into the baking dish. 

 3.  Mix cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla until well combined.  Spread cream cheese mixture over crescent rolls in baking dish.  Try to get the cream cheese as level as possible. 

 4.  Now unwrap your second can of crescent rolls and repeat what you did in step 2.  :)

5.  In a mixer combine butter, vanilla, and 3/4 cup sugar.  Drop butter mixture all over the top of the crescent roll.  

6.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.  

7.  Drizzle the honey over the top while the cheesecake is still warm. 

8.  Let the cheesecake cool completely {about 2 hours} before cutting and serving.  Refrigerate any left over bars. 

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!!!

{Leslie}

Linking Up:
Tip Junkie
Work it Wednesday
The Idea Box 
Thrifty Thursday
Pretty Pintatsic Party
The Party Bunch

Why not?! {Grilled Donuts}

There comes a time every school year that most teachers develop the "why not" attitude.  Here are some wonderful examples:

a.  Student - "Can I write in bright yellow highlighter on my quiz?  I don't have anything else."
     Teacher - "Why not?!"

b.  Student - "Can I go to the restroom for the third time?"
     Teacher - Why not?!"

c.  Student - "Can I listen to music while you teach a lesson if I promise to be quiet?"
    Teacher - Why not?!"

d.   Student - "Can I tweet out a message to see if anyone has fake eyelash glue?"
   Teacher -  Why Not?!"

Can you guess which ones of those is actually something I allowed??!  Yep, it was D.  Pretty serious stuff those fake eyelashes.   I didn't have someone write in yellow highlighter...it was orange. 

Battles, pick your battles. 

I am super excited that summer is around the corner, because that means it's grilling season.  Tall Tan Man got a grill for his birthday and I don't know who was more excited, me or him!

Smokin' hot... :)  We had some family in town and decided to grill up some sausage {which is a great appetizer btw} and donuts.  I know what you are thinking "why donuts?" My response - "why not?!"

I picked up some glazed donuts from a grocery store and TTM grilled them for about 3 minutes on both sides.  Be careful not to grill them to long, because you don't loose ANY of the glaze.  

Let them rest for a second so you don't burn the heck out of your mouth.  They turned out pretty frickin' fantastic if you ask me.  I can't give Tall Tan Man all the credit...check out his adorable sous chef.  

Hope everyone had a good weekend!  My summer countdown is 26 days...I can do this... I am the boss... Yes, you have homework...  Please sit down... Stop texting your "Mom"

sigh...

{Leslie}

Linking Up:
Monday Funday
Crafty Blog Stalker
DIY Showoff 
Tip Junkie
Work it Wednesday
The Idea Box 
Thrifty Thursday
Pretty Pintatsic Party