Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Best Cake EVER!!!!!

This cake takes me back to my childhood and reminds me of some of my fondest memories of my grandma. Everytime I make it I think of her. It is without a doubt my favorite cake ever. And...I know if you make it you will love it too.

Coconut Cake
Yellow or White Cake Mix
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Cream of Coconut
Cool Whip
Shredded Coconut

1. Prepare cake according to instructions on the box.
2. While cake is baking, mix together sweetened condensed milk and crem of coconut.
3. Once cake is removed from oven, poke holes in the cake and pour mixture over it. It might seem like too much, but go ahead and use it all...it will be worth it.
4. Once cake has cooled completely top with cool whip and sprinkle coconut on top. There is no measurement for the amount of coconut, you can use as much or as little as you like.
5. Enjoy!


I want you to know I had the best intentions to take a picture of the completed cake, but forgot. And then when I did remember most of the cake was gone, and it is not a cake that really photographs well. It falls aparts and gets gooey.....but that really is the best part.

Now go make some cake.......

Where I am partying......
Homework
Project Queen
Coastal Charm
Vintage Wannabee
Sugarbee Crafts
A Diamond in the Stuff
Not Just a Housewife
Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
Home Stories A to Z
Todays Creative Blog
The Trendy Treehouse
aka Design

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Some updates and organizing

When I decided to start this blog, I really wanted it to have great content, and be consistent. I haven't really been consistent at all. So I am working on a plan/schedule that will keep posts more regular and full of variety. I know I want to share recipes, furniture projects, house updates and simple and quick projects. So, soon I will share some ideas and new themes with everyone.

I am also considering changing the name of my blog. From the Ground Up completely describes that process we are going through with building our house but doesn't really work for all the content that I want to be able to share. If you have any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

Stay tuned........

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

a month of thanksgiving.....

Today I am so grateful for my husbands job. He is a fireman and works 24 hours and then has 48 hours off. It give us time together that we wouldn't normally have if he worked an 8-5 job.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

a month of thanksgiving.......

Feeling so blessed today to have my children. It is unbelievable how much fun they are. Love them both so much!

Monday, November 21, 2011

a month of thanksgiving...

Today I am so grateful for God's creation. I see so much beauty in nature and in the people around me that it is impossible not to give Him all the glory and praise.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

a month of thanksgiving......

Today I am thankful for having plenty. It is so easy to forget how blessed I am. But, I truly am thankful to have enough, and not just enough but extra. We have all we need and then some. Thank you Lord, for all you have given us.

Restored Card Catalog

I cannot take any credit for this project at all, but I had to share it. My husband spent so much time and energy tuning this into something worth displaying. The results are incredible!
Here is the before

He had already started working on it before I had a chance to take a complete before. But you get the idea. The drawers were cracked. There was a lot of sun damage.


This is after most of the sanding was finished.

And the after......

Amazing, huh! I love it!


Linking up to these parties:
Funky Junk Interiors
Between Naps on the Porch
Boogie Board Cottage
Making the World Cuter
The DIY Showoff
Under the Table and Dreaming
Home Stories A to Z
Not just a Housewife
A Diamond in the Stuff
Vintage Wannabee
Homework
Blue Cricket Design
Creations by Kara
Handy Man Crafty Woman
Savvy Southern Style
Southern Lovely
2805
504 Main
Simply Designing
Keeping it Simple
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Project Queen
Coastal Charm
Sugarbee Crafts
Funky Polkadot Giraffe
Todays Creative Blog
The Trendy Treehouse
The Inspired Collection
aka Design

Thursday, November 17, 2011

a month of thanksgiving....

Today I feel so blessed and thankful for my home. We live in a small 2 bedroom 85 year old house that we just love. It is cozy and so cute. I am so grateful to have a place to call home.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

a month of thanksgiving...

Today I am thankful for my project list and a creativity. I love having projects to work on, just wish I had more time to get them done.

a month of thanksgiving....

I completely forgot to post what I am grateful for yesterday, but it was definitely patience that I did not have under my own strength. God gives me so much patience and peace in times that I would be falling apart.

Monday, November 14, 2011

a month of thanksgiving....

Today I am so thankful for motivation and amazing parents who are always willing to babysit.

Friday, November 11, 2011

a month of thanksgiving...

I am beyond words grateful for all the men and women who have given their time, loyalty, and many of them their lives, so that I would be able to enjoy the great freedoms of this country. Thank you to all who serve in the military.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

a month of thanksgiving...

Today I am thankful for answered prayers.

a month of thanksgiving...

Today I am thankful for my Mema. She passed away a year ago and is greatly missed. But I am so grateful for the time that I go to spend with her. She was an amazing woman who is dearly missed.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

a month of thanksgiving....

I am so thankful today for my parents. They ahve always been so wonderful to me and taught me so much. There is no way I could ever thank them or repay them for all they have done, but I am beyond grateful for their influence and love in my life.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Bubble Magnets Tutorial

I want to share a super simple tutorial with you today. I wanted to make some really cute magnets for my kids.

Here is final product:

So here is what you will need to make some of these for yourself or for your little ones:
~scrap book paper or cardstock
~glass beads with a flat bottom
~hot glue gun
~any craft glue that dries clear

There is a few different ways that you can do these. I used a printer so that all of my letters would be the same style and much cuter than my own handwriting.

Just figure out what font you would like to use and test print so that you make sure you are happy with the size. Then trace and cut out your letters. Cut slightly smaller than your trace line so there is no overhang on you bead.

This step is tedious, unfortunately there is no way to avoid it.


Next you will just paint glue on the side of the paper you want to show, then stick it to your bead. Make sure to get it straight and get any bubbles out of the glue.

Lastly, you will hot glue your magnets onto the back of the bead. It is best to let the craft glue dry completely before hot glueing. I used ceramic magnets with a strong hold. The other option is to buy magnetic sheets and cut it to size. I didn't like that option as much because the sheets don't have as strong of a magnetic hold and I wanted magnets that really are very funtional as well as attractive.

The end results are so fun and the possibilties are endless. I made a few memory verses for my kids also, using larger glass beads.

These would make great stocking stuffers, teachers gifts....just think of the possibilties. Now, go get busy and make something cute.

Come party with me here:
Making the World Cuter
Between Naps on the Porch
Keeping it Simple
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Dittle Dattle
Todays Creative Blog
Home Stories A to Z

a month of thanksgiving...

Today I am thankful to our new home. We are so blessed with the opportunity to build our new home. The process is starting and we are overwhelmed with gratefulness at what a blessing this opportunity is for us.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

a month of thanksgiving......

Today I am thankful for my church family. There is so much love and fellowship together that it really is a second family for me. I love serving our Lord with them.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

I have become quite addicted to pinterest, who isn't? Browsing through recipes I found a new version of rice krispie treats, to say the least I was intrigued. Seriously, rice krispie treats with the added flavor of cake.....delicious!

With the help of my son, we made these...


Trust me, you are going to want to make a batch. So here it is:

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats
3T of butter
10oz mini marshmallows
1/3 cup of yellow cake mix (unprepared)
6 cups of rice cereal
Sprinkles

Melt together the butter and marshmallows. One they have begun to melt slowly add in the cake mix.
Then the sprinkles (I think we used 3T).
Mix in the cereal, and transfer to 9x13 pan. Top with even more sprinkles.


Enjoy!!!


Parties I am linking to:
Funky Junk Interiors
My Simple Home Life
Stuff and Nonsense
The Shabby Nest
Dittle Dattle
Making the World Cuter

a month of thanksgiving....

Today I am thankful for rest.

Friday, November 4, 2011

a month of thanksgiving.......

Today I am thankful for freedom. I am so grateful to the men and women who have give their lives and time to protect the freedoms that we often take for granted. I am also so grateful for the freedom I have in Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

a month of thanksgiving..........

Day 3
Today I am thankful for my husband. He is so hardworking and dedicated. I am beyond blessed to have a man that is so kind and wonderful to me.

a month of thanksgiving....

Day 2
I am so thankful for forgiveness and love. Everyday God makes it more and more obvious to me how much I need Him and how deeply He loves me. Thank you Lord!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

a month of thanksgiving..........

Day 1
Today I am so thankful for the time I am blessed to spend with my family.