House Tour, episode 1

 Welcome to my house! I can't believe that it has officially been one year since we packed up the Uhaul and drove it across country to Virginia! This whole year has been one crazy adventure filled with so much that is good! One of my favorite things about my life here is our home. I have had so much fun gathering and making pieces to ensure that this space is cozy and inviting. I want to share it with you! Here is a glimpse of two of our most used areas, the living room and the dining room!

 A few of the pieces in this space, I have created and that labor makes them very special to me. The lamp behind the couch is made out of an old lawn sprinkler that I found at a thrift shop and had a clear vision for. I love the way it turned out. I have recently developed a sewing addiction and have made a few of the pillows scattered around, including the heart one and the black and white one. I love the painting above the buffet. I saw a similar one on Pinterest that was in a gorgeous white frame but since I had an extremely limited budget, I decided to paint a piece of wood white, tape off a border, and make my own!

 Almost every piece of furniture in these spaces has been Craiglisted or thrifted and then revamped. The only thing I bought new was the leather arm chair that I am in love with. And even that I got at a deep discount from World Market. I hope you like these spaces and I am excited to continue to share my home with you.

What do you love about your home? I'd love to know.

Ornament Wreath

There are tutorials for this DIY ornament wreath all over Pinterest. I was feeling particularly festive and crafty the other day and thought I'd give it a go. Being especially frugal nowadays, I decided to use this tutorial from Watchout Martha because I did not have to buy a wreath form. I made some tweaks to make it my own like adding a bow and a mixture of gold ornaments. The whole project cost me a whopping $7.00 and I'd say it turned out A OK!! What do you think??

High Altitude Cookies.

So now that I have been living in the mountains for quite a few years, I can finally say that I have learned how to bake at high altitude!!! It is quite a feat, trust me!! After many many trials and tribulations, I have perfected the 8,150 ft. chocolate chip cookie! These are by far the most delicious chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted, and I have tasted a lot!! I am so excited to share this recipe with all of you!!

(And don't worry you low landers, at the bottom I have included the adjustments for you!)

Here is what you'll need:

2 1/2 cups all purpouse flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp kosher salt

1 C (2 sticks) butter

2/3 C granulated sugar

2/3 C brown sugar (light or dark)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbs Vanilla

2 large eggs

1 2/3 C Dark Chocolate Chips

1 C dry oats

2tsp water

You can add some nuts if you are feeling particularly frisky

* If you are at regular altitude, omit the water, decrease flour to 2 1/4 C, & increase both sugars to 3/4 C.

Here is What You Do:

1) Preheat the oven to 375.

2) Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a small bowl.

Add the water and mix into the dry ingredients.

3) In another, slightly larger bowl, beat the sugar, brown sugar and butter.

Add eggs one by one.

Add vanilla.

4) Gradually combine the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

5) Fold the chocolate chips and oatmeal (and nuts) into the dough until it is well combined

I use a 1in ice cream scooper and place the cookies 2 in apart on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

Grab a glass of ice cold milk and enjoy these bad boys!! YUMMMMMM!!!!