15-LOVE... (see what I did there)

A fun little D.I.Y

Add a little color to your home with some homemade Rainbow Rackets. 

A few months ago I made my tassel bag with my friend Emy (see previous blog post).  I had a bunch of left over embroidery thread from that project that I wanted to put to good use. Emy had just finished a cute racket of her own (that inspired me-obviously) and with my  3+ hour drive from DC to NC, I figured I had time to waste tying knots and wrapping thread. I started with the "heart" racket... which was super easy and just takes some planning before you start.  This DIY can definitely be done while watching TV in your PJ's. Trust me.  I think they would be so cute hanging in a kids room! And I love that you can create whatever you want.  

Supplies:

1.  I found the rackets at a thrift shop for about $1. Can't beat that! I prefer older looking rackets (all wood). Plus, I like reusing!

2. Embroidery Thread (Michaels or Joann's fabric has a bunch). 

My embroidery thread. I like lots of options. 

How to:

1. Gather your materials.

2. Choose a design... you can create anything that you can visualize in squares. 

3. Choose your starting point and tie your embroidery thread in a knot in that location. 

4. Wrap the thread until you get to the desired stopping point. 

5. Tie another knot to end the color. 

6. Move to the next color and/or design.

The heart.

Modern plus signs.

 The finished products...

Have fun!

-Nicola & the little pup

The best french toast...

We've searched high and low for the best french toast recipe. My husband and I are big French Toast fans. But I don't like too much cinnamon or toast that's soggy. For Easter, we had decided to go for a mixture of things that were delicious. So, I searched long and hard on my beloved Pinterest, and there it was... The most delicious French Toast.  Well, good news everyone,  I think we've found the perfect recipe!

 

We got fresh baked bread from the farmers market. We sliced it nice and thick. I think that's the trick... fresh & thickly sliced bread. The bread we picked was sourdough, soft, and delicious. Then we just followed the recipe below.

The Best French Toast...
(from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Cook's Illustrated)

Ingredients:
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted, plus extra for frying
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon table salt
4 to 5 slices day-old brioche or challah sliced 3/4 inch thick or 6 to 8 slices sandwich bread

Instructions:
1) Heat 10- to 12-inch skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, beat egg lightly in shallow pan or pie plate; whisk in butter, then milk and vanilla, and finally sugar, flour, and salt, continuing to whisk until smooth. Soak bread without oversaturating, about 40 seconds per side for brioche or challah or 30 seconds per side for sandwich bread. Pick up bread and allow excess batter to drip off; repeat with remaining slices.
2) Swirl 1 tablespoon butter in hot skillet. Transfer prepared bread to skillet; cook until golden brown, about 1 minute 45 seconds on first side and 1 minute on the second. Serve immediately. Continue, adding 1 tablespoon butter to skillet for each new batch. Yield: 4 to 5 slices.


This is not my recipe... I would like to thank Cook's Illustrated and Mary from the blog, "One Perfect Bite" for their contribution to our new breakfast staple.

 Hope you love it as much as we did.

-Nicola & the Little Pup

The sun is finally shining...

And I've been outdoors! Hallelujah!

My bulbs! 

Cherry Blossoms between us and the neighbors

Tulips

This is all over my grass- I guess I should be considering it a weed. But I like it too much. 

Things are blooming around here... Including my allergies. 

SAYONARA winter! 

- Nicola & the Little Pup

Guest Room Upgrades.

The last few months have been pretty cold. We haven't had many visitors in a while, so I decided to spend some time switching up the guest room bedding and pillows. I do this often.

Our guest room has become more of a "California Dreamin" room if you ask me. It has all of our old beach decor and some of the art...

Don't mind the light. This room has a lot of windows. 

It's coming along just swimmingly. 

-Nicola & the little pup

I've returned from hibernation...

Just in time for a

SNOW Day!

 Is there anything more wonderful than waking up in the morning and seeing your house covered in snow (go with me on this people- it was COVERED). I think I was more excited than the kids around here ( they get a "late start" day at school). 

  It’s like I’m in a Charles Dickens book or something…

The downside... an icy windshield.

Tip Toeing around the place during his morning inspection...

He began to shiver...

Don't worry, he has clothes for this...

Fur Coat

Not too sure about going outside...

He had to survey his land first...

Once he found the balls out there, he was humming a different tune....

Snow is exhausting.

We had just enough snow to dust the place without being too messy or closing down the roads. It felt like plenty of snow for the little pup and I. I plan to stare at it all day...

- Nicola & the Little pup

Time for some holiday flair up in here...

Happy Holidays!

This year, we will be going to California for the holidays, so the decorations in our house were cut to a minimum. Just enough for it to feel like Christmas...

- Nicola & the little pup