In case you hadn't heard . ..

SORRY WANTED TO ADD THESE IN BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS AND THEY WOULDN'T BUDGE!! KEEP READING!!

(Love this pic of a reading nook- inspiration for Studio! Sorry forget source, I can research if you want it. )

It SNOWED here!



The best thing about this day is that I woke up under no extreme pressures.The last two snow days I struggled through obligations. 1- Studying all day for a teaching and 2- Cleaning, organizing and purging the basement.


During the start of the snowfall yesterday I cleaned half of my house, including scrubbing walls and baseboards, which totally counts to me as finished for the week. I made all of our dirty laundry clean. I even managed to buy groceries when the snowstorm began to get serious, with 2 small children, and I was able to make enough food last night for leftovers today. I am relieved, excited, and relaxed.



I do have to work but since I enjoy my job I am looking forward to working during the girls' quiet time. Which I might add I can execute at any hour! School is not dictating how I use my time today. I am boss. One of the many reasons I consider homeschooling, often.



I'd like to share the 2 fun events we were all looking so forward to today. To accomplish at my leisure!



1- BAKING- One of the loves in my life is BAKING. The exactingness of the whole process calms me down. Strange I know.

The girls and I made MOCHA Cupcakes, from scratch. (almost 2 hrs.) The combination satisfied all parties involved.

RECIPE

CAKE: 2 C. All-purpose flour
1 1/2 C. Sugar
3/4 C. Cocoa
1 t. Baking Powder
1.2 t. Baking Soda
1/4 t. Salt
1 1/2 Sticks of butter, Softened
3 Lg. Eggs
1 C. Water
1 1/2 t. Vanilla

Frosting:
2 Sticks of softended butter
1/8 t. Salt
1T. Vanilla
2 lbs. Powdered Sugar
1/2 C. Strong brewed coffee

For Chocolate add: 1/2 C. Cocoa Powder


DIRECTIONS:
Cake:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2-8in. cake pans. Beat butter, eggs, and vanilla. When smooth, alternate adding dry ingredients and water for 3 min. Divide evenly between cake pans. Bake for 25- 30 min.
Frosting:
Mix butter, vanilla and salt. Then add sugar and coffee, alternating. Beat until smooth. Remove 2 Cups and place in decorating bag. Add 1/2 C. cocoa to remaining frosting. Use this chocolate frosting to ice the cakes and then save a little to make little peaks on top. Using the buttercream pipe more points on to the cake. Continue until all frosting is used. Enjoy!


Blogging is another favorite past-time of mine. I would love to at some point highlight a comprehensive list of my must read blogs. I got this recipe and my supper menu last night from 2 different wonderful blogs. Which I intend to post about tomorrow. IF you love food or cooking you must come back.

But for this post I will stick to my plans for my day ahead!





2- STUDIO ?- We have yet to come up w/ a good name.



Our basement is unfinished and though mike is ansy to build his music studio but I am in no hurry for walls. I love the freedom the basement allows us. We ride bikes, roller blade, play four-square, jump rope and run wild. I utilize this space when my patience is abou to burst. It works in the girls favor as well.


There is one corner in the lower level that has caught my attention. A few months ago I threw all my "crafty" items there. The time has come to organize, TODAY IS THE DAY!



Items of Business:



1- Sewing: Set up work space for machine and organize fabric, thread and tools.


2- Scrapbooking: Organize and label.


3- Painting: Designate space for girls to paint to their hearts content, a place for everything so that everything goes back to it's place!


4- Knitting: I have collected glass jars to store my yarns.


5- Cross-stitch: Ab just started her own project again. We'll see if she finishes this time.

6- Hair bows: Set up a permanent station for my glue gun, ribbons, flowers and jewels.

7- Lastly, Decorate: I have a few ideas and will hopefully show you a picture when I get a new camera. Same old story, I know!

The studio does not include my desing material those are kept at my desk up stairs. I want the studio (shout out suggestions anytime) to be for me and my girls to escape and create art! I imagine a special place to learn and grow, that hopefully they will think back on w/fond memories. I think sewing and clothing design may be in someone's future? She has already tackled making homemade lipgloss. I love having daughters! SO fun. Hu-um, "EM".


I hope everyone who is stuck inside today is relishing their downtime as much as we are!

**I am sure the girls will play in the snow as soon as M gets home.**