Nesting...and a Recipe

The kitchen island cabinets have been cleared out and reorganized, the laundry room has received the same treatment. Countertops scrubbed and sparkling. Floors scrubbed...sparkling? Not so much! The bedroom, living room and dining room - check, check and check! More loads of laundry than I can count have been washed, folded and put away. I've vacuumed the carpets 3 times in two days. Toilets - same deal(scrubbed clean that is, not vacuumed). This is normal right? I mean I'm feeling a bit obsessive over the whole thing. Kind of like it must all be done NOW, as in, the span of a few days. Nesting perhaps??? Hmmm...yes, I've read about this happening as the pending due date gets closer but my gosh, I don't think I've ever been this obsessive about it before - haha!

Anyway, I decided yesterday to chill, take a break, enough already! I'm getting tired. So this is what I did instead:

Yes, I baked. Macaroons to be exact, coconut macaroons and a cup of tea - bliss! I absolutely could not stop eating them. Paired with a favorite magazine that arrived in the mail and a few good sewing books from the library, this is what I did when the kids went to bed.

Anyway, they were so good, I wanted to share the recipe.

****

1 1/2 cups sweetened flake coconut

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 egg whites

1/4 tsp vanilla

dash salt

Beat egg whites, salt and vanilla until soft peaks form.

Gradually add sugar, beating until very stiff and glossy.

Fold in coconut, drop by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets

(or for easier cleanup, I just covered the cookie sheets with parchment)

Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes or until set and lightly browned.

I doubled this recipe to get about 3 dozen cookies but if you want fewer, just follow exactly as is

*******

Delicious!!

Enjoy!

xo,

Erin

All Ready For Baby...A Peek Into the Nursery

Yes!! It's finished and I couldn't be happier. I love when a plan comes together. It all started with a French Provincial hutch that I wanted to use as a dresser/bookcase/toy shelf. I'm a bit of a French junkie and I knew that I wanted this room to have a timeless, French feel to it.

I found the hutch on Craigslist back in October and knew immediately that it would be PERFECT for the room!!!

We were going to reuse the same crib that all of the boys used but someone whose name I won't mention decided to climb inside and wheeee...use it as a trampoline. I'll give you a hint...he's the oldest of the three. Anyway, he broke the bottom out of it and therefore a new crib was in order. It arrived the other day and was assembled yesterday. The fabulously girlie tulle crib skirt arrived last week and goes perfectly in the room.

So, here's the infamous hutch that started it all. I simply love it! I found some vintage picnic baskets last year that will hold extra blankets and/or toys so I stacked them at the foot of the crib. Pardon the candle tart sitting on top of them - courtesy of little"D"

Another shot of that hutch - see the Eiffel Tower on top? Told you I love everything French!

Here is a pillow that I made. It looks cute in the crib for now but of course I'll remove it once baby arrives. I made it with some linen and vintage lace that I had in my fabric stash and then finished it off with a monogram.

Here are some Maude Humphrey (I love her) prints that I bought years ago thinking maybe some day...

I found some frames from Hobby Lobby that I painted to match the room and then framed, matted and hung all of the prints.

Pretty as a princess sign...

lamps...

and finally, we have a French jardin (garden) box of roses and the most important thing in the room...a bible.

are you detecting a vintage, French theme to this room? Good, that's just what I was hoping for.

I know this was a long post with lots of pictures so thanks for sticking with me to the end! Hope you enjoyed the nursery. Have a great evening!

xo,

Erin

Swimming

"M" finished swim lessons and the next class just started this past week. He really enjoys it and the kids love the novelty of swimming in the winter! "D" had lessons too and loved it. "N" thoroughly enjoys the water but wasn't thrilled with the idea of taking lessons. He'd rather get into the pool at his own pace. No problem - I'd rather not force him. When he's ready, we'll do the lessons.

Kids are off from school Monday and Tuesday so we have a nice, long weekend! We've been keeping busy getting the nursery ready and finishing the other side of our basement. It'll be divided into two spaces - a craft room for me (YEAH!!!) and a gym for Andy. Can't wait!
I'll be sure to post a few "sneak peak" photos of the nursery as well as an awesome piece of furniture that we found for it. Gotta love Craigslist!

Anyway, goodbye for now - we're going to go to the library to pick up a few good books to read.
(and of course do a puppet show in the kids dept.)

Have a great day everyone!

xo,

Erin