Eric & Lauren

Jovie’s Room

Lauren — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:57:13 +0000

I’ve promised (for months now) to post pictures of the baby’s room. The rocker is actually my grandfather’s (Dad’s dad) so it has a lot of sentimental value. And, yes, those are real birch trees. I finally feel like most everything is in it’s place, sans baby of course.

Enjoy the pictures! Click to enlarge the photos…

Tree Watercolor

Lauren — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:16:08 +0000

This didn’t turn out exactly like I wanted it. I saw this style (tree with dots for leaves) on etsy and wanted to create my own and change it up just a little. It was originally for the baby’s room, but it doesn’t really match the colors very well and I’m not really liking the tree branch part (all the brown). That said, I invested enough time for me to at least scan it and post it before it goes back in the watercolor book! Oh, and forgive me for leaving the pencil lines…I got kind of lazy at the end when I realized it wasn’t going to work.

Nursery Sneaky Peeky

Lauren — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:03:58 +0000

We’ve finally decided on a color scheme and artwork for the baby’s room. Here’s a few little samples of what we’re working on. The first two are bedding fabrics and the bird is one of four prints we purchased on etsy.

Yudu Screen-Printing Machine

Lauren — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:33:33 +0000

SOLD

I’m sorry this has become more of a marketplace than a blog, but we’re really trying to get “rid” of things we don’t use to make space for the baby. I’ll be honest, this is only for someone who is serious about screen-printing. The bad thing about it is you have to learn how to use it (the website says it’s pretty easy, but amazon’s reviews all say it takes a time or two to get used to it). The good thing is it does a good job of screen printing and on a number of flat items. I REALLY want to use this machine and I have so many great ideas of things to make (like printing on some fabric for making pillow covers, note cards, and shirts), but I’ve had it for months and haven’t had the time to put into it. I’ve taken it out of the box, but that’s it. It’s never been used. Would make a really good Christmas gift for someone creative!

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- YUDU Screen-Printing Machine in original box (including everything you see here)
Things I bought to go with it ($50 worth):
- 2 oz. emulsion remover
- 3 pack YUDU paints (Red, Yellow, and Blue - the machine comes with white and black)
- 2 pack 11×14 emulsion sheets
———————————————-
$225

I added up everything if you bought from amazon and it came to $245 - not including one item required $4.40 shipping. I also followed an ebay sale this morning that came to $205 with shipping (not including the $50 worth of extras).

You know you need it…

Lauren — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:42:15 +0000

SOLD

…a used black futon that is. We’re getting rid of “things” in preparation for the little bebeh. If you’re interested in this futon (looks exactly like this, but not technically the one…there’s a bunch of Christmas gifts I need to wrap setting on it at the moment and I don’t feel like moving them to take a picture) please let me know! We’ll take $30 if you come pick it up and drag it away, literally. It will be $40 if you take it by car.

Welcome Baby Caleb!

Lauren — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:45:26 +0000

It’s been a crazy week! Our 2nd nephew, Caleb, was born last Friday. Eric and I went up to meet him and be with the family, but I stayed for a week in Poplar Bluff to help out as needed. I had the awesome privilege of watching my 2 1/2 yr old nephew. I feel like I really got to know him and his little personality so much better. Normally we only spend a weekend every month or so with family, so it was great to be with them for an extended stay. Here’s a few pictures of our sweet baby nephew! I love the second one - Nathan was a little uneasy around Caleb when he cried at first, but you can tell he loves his little brother so much! Please keep Caleb and his family in your prayers as they adjust to having a new family member (i.e. little sleep).

Henderson Park Inn

Lauren — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:16:34 +0000

We recently took a week long rest-cation to the Henderson Park Inn in Destin, Florida. This is our second experience with a Bed & Breakfast and I have to say it’s leagues better than a hotel. Every morning there was a full breakfast buffet with a chef making made-to-order omelets and waffles, plus a boxed lunch (you pre-ordered the sandwich type the day before) from Honeybaked Ham. It was a definite change of pace from the last vacations at Disney World and the cruise a couple years ago. While we both loved the do-nothing itinerary we “planned”, I still had thoughts of Space Mountain and Epcot in my head. Maybe it’s because I get bored easy It was a much needed time to relax - here’s a few pictures from our week.

Parkour Parkour!!!1!

Lauren — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:20:18 +0000

Watch this…(or at least the first minute or so)

Now watch this…

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Lauren — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:47:07 +0000

I first tasted this cake when our Nana made it several months ago. Every bite I took I let out a “MMmmm!” - so you know it has to be good I really like anything chocolaty, but THIS cake is by far my favorite chocolate dessert. I don’t have a good picture - I made it two days ago, but it fell apart in places (I didn’t get the sides of the springform warm enough to take it out). It basically looks like (and is a similar consistency to) a cheesecake, except chocolate

8 Large Eggs
1 lb. Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup Unsalted Butter, cut in small pieces
1/2 cup Strong Coffee

Preheat oven to 325F

Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper (I used wax paper), wrap the outside of the pan in foil to prevent leaks. Prepare a pot of boiling water and set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs until double in volume - about 5 minutes.

Melt chocolate and butter with the coffee in a double boiler (I simply used a big pot on the bottom with boiling water and set a smaller sauce pan inside with the ingredients) stirring occasionally. Fold in the whipped eggs in 3 additions, mixing only enough as is necessary to incorporate, then pour the mixture into the prepared springform. Place the springform pan into a deep roasting pan and place on the lower middle rack of the oven. Pour enough boiling water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up on the sides of the cake.

Bake about 25 minutes until cake rises slightly and has a thin, delicate crust. Thermometer inserted in the center should read 140F - it will still jiggle in the center. Transfer the springform to a wire-rack and cool to room temp. Refrigerate overnight. Before serving, warm sides of the springform with a hot towel to loosen, then pop open, cut with a hot, wet knife and dust with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.

Any Takers?

Lauren — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:45:06 +0000

I’m cleaning out my guest bedroom closet and realize there’s a few things we can live without. Our bedding from our last house is still packed up in the original bag and has sat there for over a year. We got it from Kohls for between $100-150. Does anyone need a king size bed outfit? It’s a silvery tan-ish type color with four shams and a couple of pillows (one not pictured). Here’s a picture of our bedroom in the last house. Let me know if you could use it and you can have it! I remember washing it before I packed it up and it’s in pretty good shape.

Oh, and I’m in a cleaning mood, so I may end up posting something else