Simple Pink!

(click on the photo to see it larger)

Well, I finally got my pink/white bathroom decorated yesterday. :) We have a half-bath downstairs that I keep a blank canvas so I can redecorate it often. Right now it's all girly pink and white with a touch of Easter pastels. I just love it! The photo to the right shows the mirror over the pedestal sink. I used my pink Heidi Swapp (Target) rub-on words and put the word "SMILE" on the mirror. Love that! There is a pink antique frame on the wall with a small pink floral china plate hung inside the frame. The pink and white eyelet lace nightlight is from Pottery Barn kids. The pink and white chenille towel is from Target, Shabby Chic bathroom collection. On the opposite wall is my fun white cabinet that I can change with the seasons! I have pink towels, extra TP, and some little Easter bunnies and cute decorations inside.
(you can click the photo to see it larger) So glad to be done with it! I'll leave it this way until May.

I also framed different pink patterned papers to hang on the wall in 4-opening frames. I also added some pink Heidi Swapp rub-on flowers to the glass. They look really cute! (click on the photo to see it larger)

It's Spring Break, but we are just hanging out at home this week. We just made a plan to go back to Disneyworld and Universal Studios in April. We can't wait! This time my sister and her family are going with us, so Noah is going to have his best friend (cousin Luke) with him. They are SO DANG EXCITED to be going together!

I have been very blessed lately with several opportunities scrapbooking-wise. I just KNOW God has something wonderful in store for me. He has put this desire in my heart. It's there, it's not going away...and I know something is coming for me. I want to be involved in the scrapbooking industry in some capacity and know I'm supposed to be there. I read a WONDERFUL quote that I intend to refer to often. Sometimes we as scrapbookers feel intimidated to "toot our own horns" or to brag on the things that God is bringing our way. When I read this quote I said, "yes! That's right!" So remember this next time you are doubting your talents and abilities. HE put them there!

"God created us with an overwhelming desire to soar. Our desire to develop and use every ounce of potential He's placed in us is not egotistical. He designed us to be tremendously productive and "to mount up with wings like eagles," realistically dreaming of what He can do with our potential." - Carol Kent

Last night I made a really yummy dinner. Since everyone approved of the meal I thought I'd share the recipes here. :) I don't like to share recipes I haven't made just in case they are BAD. Here are the two recipes I used last night:

Paula Deen's Old-Time Beef Stew
2 pounds stew beef (very lean)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups water

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 or 2 bay leaves

1 medium onion, sliced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Dash ground allspice or ground cloves (I left this out)

3 large carrots, sliced

3 ribs celery, chopped

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Brown meat in hot oil. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Add carrots and celery. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer. To thicken gravy, remove 2 cups hot liquid. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot. Stir and cook until bubbly.

J.P.'s Big Daddy Biscuits

(from Allrecipes.com)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gradually stir in milk until dough pulls away from the side of the bowl.
Turn out onto a floured surface, and knead 15 to 20 times. Pat or roll dough out to 1 inch thick. Cut biscuits with a large cutter or juice glass dipped in flour. Repeat until all dough is used. Brush off the excess flour, and place biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges begin to brown.

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God bless you this week! :)

-Jennifer