French Toast - Guest Post from Julie of This Gal Cooks

Hello there! I'm Julie from This Gal Cooks! I'm delighted to be guest posting for Kristina today. Isn't her blog great?! Be sure to head over to my blog today as she is guest posting for me! Also, I am currently having a HUGE giveaway at my blog that you're sure to love.

A little about me: I'm a foodie who loves to cook and bake. I dream of one day owning my own cafe or bake shop. I'm also an aspiring DIYer. If you love cooking with a dash of DIY, you'll love my blog!

Now, on to my recipe! What I am going to share with you today is a simple french toast recipe. Be sure to use fresh bread for this recipe as it makes it super delicious! I've always loved french toast. It's one of my favorite breakfast treats. What's your favorite? I hope you enjoy my recipe!

Ingredients

Inspired by allrecipes.com

• 6 slices of fresh bread
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup of milk
• 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp of vanilla

Directions

1. Beat together the egg, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.

2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Dunk each slice of bread into the egg mixture. Be sure to coat both sides with the mixture.

4. Cook on both sides until golden.

5. Serve with syrup or your favorite topping. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Willow Wednesday

I am so glad to be back home from the vet. It is so noisy there I have a hard time sleeping. 

Plus, Mom and Dad have been giving me lots of treats because they missed me so much.

(Mom said she would fill you in on what has been going on with me 

next week once she learns more about my conditions.)

Tout It Tuesday - #21

It's time for Tout It Tuesday - #21

I am sorry that I didn't get  chance to visit each of last weeks link ups. That is one of the things I enjoy most about Tout It Tuesday is gettig to check out all the projects, recipes and posts you have all linked up.   It has been a bit of a rough week.

Willow, our fur kid and the star of Willow Wednesday, has been in and out of the vet's office several times. After some suspicious lab results and a weekend of not eating and barely drinking, the vet decided to keep her overnight last night.  They think they have narrowed in on the problem and are waiting on the results of some tests so we are hopeful she will be home tonight. I am sure I will be posting how things all turns out. But, understandable, I haven't been blogging while dealing with that. On top of all that, some of David's family was in town for the weekend so we needed to spend some time with them.

All of this mean's I didn't pick out any features for this week.

However, we still have our Fan Fav Feature since that one is picked by you!
This week there were 2 link ups with the same number of clicks.

Naturally Mindful's Natural Flea Protection.   I need to look into this for Willow.

The Wilderness Wife's Blueberry Sour Cream Pound Cake (try saying that 3 times fast so you are distracted while I eat another slice of this tasty cake)

Make sure to grab the Fan Fav button.

<a href="http://claimingourspace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/?action=view&amp;current=COSButton-FanFav.jpg"/></a>

---

I can't wait to see what people will be share this week and know that I will be inspired by everyone's projects and recipes. 

Just a few rules/guidelines.

1. I would love it if you would follow through GFC or Bloglovin'.

2. Please do not link shops or link parties that are not related to a project, photo or recipe challenge. Everything else is accepted.

3. Linking to Claiming Our Space isn't required but I would appreciate it if you would grab my button and either display it with the post you are linking up or under your list of parties.

<a href="http://www.claimingourspace.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/COSButton-ToutIt Tuesdays.jpg" /></a>

4. Don't forget to click on the "like" button on your favorite project or recipe so I know which one should be the week's Fan Fav.

5.  Please try to visit at least two posts for each link you submit and leave a comment. Comments make everyone happy!

With all that out of the way, let's Tout It!

Willow Wednesday

I love playing with my ball in the dog park pond!

Tout It Tuesday - #20

It's time for Tout It Tuesday - #20

There was so much great stuff linked up last week.  It is amazing how much creativity you all have!  Thank you for taking the time to add your projects to the party. I love visiting each link up and reading all the posts.

Now for the Features!

Small Things with Love's Baby's First Watercolor. I think she has a budding artist on her hands. Love the colors!

A Flock in the City's Cinnamon Swirl Bread. I am pretty sure D would do all the yard work for a month if I made this for him.

A Rosie Sweet Home's fab Mod Ruffle Top Tutorial is definitely going on my To Do List.

In honor of all the zucchini we are getting in our CSA basket, Poised Perfections Scrumptiously Soft Zucchini Cookies look like a tasty way to use some up.
(Additionally, there were several other zuke recipes linked up last week if you need some ideas on how to use up your never ending supply.)

Make sure to grab the Featured button!

<a href="http://www.claimingourspace.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/COSButton-Featured.jpg" /></a>


This week's Fan Fav is

The Thrifty Rebel's Pink and Pearls Mirror Makeover. I love the pearl detail. Why oh why do I never find anything this cool when I am out shopping?

Make sure to grab the Fan Fav button.

<a href="http://claimingourspace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/?action=view&amp;current=COSButton-FanFav.jpg"/></a>

---

I can't wait to see what people will be share this week and know that I will be inspired by everyone's projects and recipes. 

Just a few rules/guidelines.

1. I would love it if you would follow through GFC or Bloglovin'.

2. Please do not link shops or link parties that are not related to a project, photo or recipe challenge. Everything else is accepted.

3. Linking to Claiming Our Space isn't required but I would appreciate it if you would grab my button and either display it with the post you are linking up or under your list of parties.

<a href="http://www.claimingourspace.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/COSButton-ToutIt Tuesdays.jpg" /></a>

4. Don't forget to click on the "like" button on your favorite project or recipe so I know which one should be the week's Fan Fav.

5.  Please try to visit at least two posts for each link you submit and leave a comment. Comments make everyone happy!

With all that out of the way, let's Tout It!

Bad fan + too much heat = one new laptop

Sorry for the lack of post but my laptop gave up the ghost. It was overheating and shutting down at random since there was an issue with the fan.  Thanks to Dell and their fast shipping, I have a new and fabulous laptop (plus a new XBox - it was a package special.)

So this past weekend was spent moving files and recovering data (and maybe playing some too much Fable III).

On the plus side, I did finally find some pics of old projects that I never got around to blogging. On the negative side, what a giant pain!

I am back up and running now.

See you tomorrow when Tout It Tuesday will be up and running.

Willow Wendnesday

What the first thing I do when I get a new toy? Act silly of course!

Tout It Tuesday - #19

It's time for Tout It Tuesday - #19!

Check it out! I am posting on time early this week! No power outages, no surprise dinners, just our usual Monday night schedule of hanging out in the basement at my desk with Willow snoring on the couch while watching an amazing show about Pixar Studios. I loved it!

I was again inspired by a past Tout It Tuesday link up when I needed to make a dessert for our last family dinner. I made my version of Tartan Tastes in Texas' Victoria Sandwich Cake.  It was a-freaking amazing. Thanks to Angela for helping me look good!

Now onto this week's features.  Make sure to stop by and check them out!

I love the color of Pressing On's Sassy Plumage Dresser.

D has already asked me to make Stop Lookin' Get Cookin's Homemade Salsa

I am going to hit up our local thrift shops to try and duplicate Blissfully Shabby's Vase Jewelry

Make sure to grab the featured button!

<a href="http://www.claimingourspace.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/COSButton-Featured.jpg" /></a>

This week's Fav Fav is

About Blogging Time's DIY Floor Mat. I can't believe she made this from rope and sheets.

make sure to grab the Fan Fav button.

<a href="http://claimingourspace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/?action=view&amp;current=COSButton-FanFav.jpg"/></a>

I can't wait to see what people will be share this week and know that I will be inspired by everyone's projects and recipes. 

Just a few rules/guidelines.

1. I would love it if you would follow through GFC or Bloglovin'.

2. Please do not link shops or link parties that are not related to a project, photo or recipe challenge. Everything else is accepted.

3. Linking to Claiming Our Space isn't required but I would appreciate it if you would grab my button and either display it with the post you are linking up or under your list of parties.

<a href="http://www.claimingourspace.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/COSButton-ToutIt Tuesdays.jpg" /></a>

4. Don't forget to click on the "like" button on your favorite project or recipe so I know which one should be the week's Fan Fav.

5.  Please try to visit at least two posts for each link you submit and leave a comment. Comments make everyone happy!

With all that out of the way, let's Tout It!

Grilled in the HuskCorn on the Cob

Last week in our CSA basket we got our first corn of the season. I was so excited. Being able to make corn on the cob on the grill is one of my favorite things about Summer. Something about cooking it this way, versus the usual boiling, makes it taste so darn good.  I think it takes on some of that grilled, smokey flavor.

We have tried a variety of ways to cook corn on the cob (wrapped in foil with and without an ice cube, seasoned and unseasoned, cooked in the husk and cooked not in the husk) but I think this preparation is my favorite. 

It is tender, flavorful and pretty darn easy to pull together. I hope you try and and let us know how you like it.

Grilled in the Husk Corn on the Cob
Source: Just the way we have always done it
Ingredients

• Corn - still in the husk
• Olive oil
• Seasonings of your choice (we like salt and garlic powder)

Directions

• Soak husks for at least 20 minutes, placing a plate on top to make sure they are completely submerged. 
• If we are just making a couple of ears, we use the sink and a bucket works great for larger batches.
• Once soaking is finished, remove the outer layer of husks but don't throw them away yet.
• Peel back the remaining husks, but do not remove them completely. Leave them attached at the bottom.
• Remove the silks and rinse.
• Dry corn (so the olive oil will stick)
• Pour a bit of olive oil on the ear and rub to cover entirely (this will ensure the seasoning you add will stick to the corn)
• Sprinkle with your seasonings
•  Rewrap the cob with the husks
• To hold it all together, use one of the husks you removed, torn in half, as "string" to tie the husks together at one end.
• Now you are ready to grill!
• Place on the grill over medium heat, grilling on one side for 5 minutes, then flipping it over to the other side for another 5 minutes. 
• After 10 minutes, move to an upper rack or farther away from the heat and let cook for another 5 or 10 minutes.
• Remove the husks, add butter or any other seasonings and enjoy!

Plastic Horse Bookends - A Guest Post

I was happy to do this project for a guest posting on Adventures of a DIY Mom.

---

I was horse-mad as a kid and had horses all over my room. Over the years, they were given away, broken, or donated but a few managed to get boxed up.  I had previously turned one into an art piece and when I found this beautiful palomino in another box, I knew I had to transform him as well.

This project is a bit time consuming, mainly because of the wait time for the caulk and paint drying, but I really like how it turned out.

You will need 

• a large plastic horse
• tape
• hack saw
• sanding block
• 2 small pieces of wood
• gorilla glue
• kreg jig
• wood glue
• 4 larger pieces of wood
• screws
• caulk
• spray primer
• spray paint

1.  Start with your large plastic horse.  Mark with tape where you will want to make your cut.

2.  Make your cut. If the edges are a bit rough, sand them with the sanding block. Give each side a quick spray with the primer.

3.  My horse was hollow so I needed to add an additional support to screw into the wooden part of the bookcase.  I cut 2 small pieces to fit inside, rounding the edges. I used the gorilla glue to secure it inside the horse.

4.  I used my Kreg jig drill the holes to secure the pieces of wood for each bookend.  I used the wood glue for a little extra insurance.  If you don't have a Kreg jig, just make sure to pre-drill your holes so the wood doesn't split. 

5.  To secure horse pieces to wood, I pre-drilled a hole and screwed everything together.

6. Using caulk, fill in any gaps. 

7.  Give everything a spray and you are all set. I used Krylon Ivy Leaf.  It is the same green that is in the fabric for the chair I am reupholstering.

So if you come across a plastic animal from your childhood, don't throw or give it away, turn it into bookends so you can see it every day.  I like that a piece of my childhood has been re-imagined in my present.

Perspectives - A Photo Challenge: Black & White

It is week #4 of "Perspectives - A Photo Challenge hosted by Lena B Photography, Agape Love Designs and When Shutters Click.


This week's challenge was Black & White.

Since I didn't actually have any photos of zebras, pandas, oreos, dalmatians  or other things that are actually black and white, I went with black and white versions of the photos.

1.  Sweet Willow getting ready to take a nap on her fluffy bed.

2.  Giant palm leaf I saw at Meijer Gardens. This thing was huge - about three feet across.  I think the swirly bit in the middle looks a bit like the nose of some crazy plant monster.

Thanks so much to Lena B for featuring my palm leaf as one of her photos of the week.

3. This is my husband, D. We were messing around while on vacation.  D was making these crazy faces while I was playing with all the settings on my new camera.  He makes me laugh every day.

---

Here are the deets so you can join in if you like. I really hope you will! I would love to see the photos that represent Black & White to you.

Each week the hosts will choose a "theme" and on Friday, they ask that everyone link up 3 different photos representing their PERSPECTIVE of the week's theme. 

It's all about YOUR perspective and interpretation! {If you don't have a blog, you can link to a flickr account, etc. They just want to see your photos!!} 

By the way... 
you dont have to be a professional photographer to join in! 
You can even use your camera phone. (I know I will!) 
They just want to see YOUR perspective! 
They want to see how YOU view the world. :) 
So don't by shy, or afraid to join in! 

The following week, each host will choose and highlight their favorite photo from the linkup! The next linkup is going to be happening today, August 10rd... Link up your post with 3 photos you've taken to represent this week's theme: Black & White.

They want this to be successful, so if you're IN give a few shout outs! Grab a button a spread the word! 

Feel free to tweet using hash tags #Perspectives or #PerspectivesPhotoChallenge as well as tag @mariagridly, @Mom2MandR and @shuttersclick.

Victoria Sandwich Cake

Sunday was another family dinner. We have them the first Sunday of every month.  D and I love having family gather and spend a relaxing afternoon chatting and catching up.  Another nice part about the family dinner is that I get the chance to make the dessert so I have another reason to try a new recipe. Wahoo!

I knew I had seen a recipe that would be perfect linked up in a past Tout It Tuesday from Tartan Tastes in Texas. The recipe was for a sponge cake with jam in the middle topped with powdered sugar. It sounded delicious! Plus, there was the added bonus of it being named after England's Queen Victoria - so it was the perfect dessert to have during the Olympics.  

The original recipe called for self-rising flour and round pans - neither of which I had, so I adapted the recipe making my own self-rising flour, using a high sided baking pan and cutting 2-7x7 squares of cake to sandwich together.

This cake looked great and tasted even better. No one passed on dessert when I brought this out. Definitely the sign of a successful recipe.

Victoria Sandwich Cake
Adapted from this recipe from Tartan Tastes in Texas

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 8oz Butter
• 8oz Sugar
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 8oz AP flour
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 1/2 t baking powder

For the Middle Layer

• 8 Tbsp (or so) strawberry jam

For the Top

• Sifted powdered sugar

Directions

• Set oven to 350F.
• Spray bottom of a high edged baking pan (like this one) with cooking spray.
• Line with a piece of parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Mix together dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
• Add a bit of the beaten eggs, alternating with the dry ingredients.
• Mix only enough to combine until smooth.
• Pour the mixture into the baking pan and level off.
• Bake in oven for 20 minutes until cake has risen and is springy yet firm to touch and a light golden color.
• Turn out to cool on wire rack.
• Cut out 2 pieces, 7 x 7 inches in size.
• Once cooled sandwich together with strawberry jam.
• Sieve powdered sugar over the top.

Willow Wednesday

You mean all dogs don't get tucked in for a nap with a pillow and blanket? Too bad for them. :-P

Tout It Tuesday - #18

It's time for Tout It Tuesday - #18! 

Sorry for the delay in getting this week's party up. But better late than never right?

D surprised me last night with flowers and dinner out on the town for the 7th anniversary of our first date. He is just the sweetest man! Makes me glad I married him. :-) We had a fabulous dinner at our favorite sushi place and left full and happy to have had the chance to take some time away from the house projects, busy work schedules and the usual evening obligations. But all that eating and taking a break meant that my plan to visit everyone's link ups and get the post written went out the window.

So this week we only have the Fan Fav. Next week I will get back to the usual features and visits.

This week's Fav Fav is

How to make your own pizza at home from Countrified Chicks.

make sure to grab the Fan Fav button.

<a href="http://claimingourspace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/?action=view&amp;current=COSButton-FanFav.jpg"/></a>

I can't wait to see what people will be share this week and know that I will be inspired by everyone's projects and recipes. 

Just a few rules/guidelines.

1. I would love it if you would follow through GFC or Bloglovin'.

2. Please do not link shops or link parties that are not related to a project, photo or recipe challenge. Everything else is accepted.

3. Linking to Claiming Our Space isn't required but I would appreciate it if you would grab my button and either display it with the post you are linking up or under your list of parties.

<a href="http://www.claimingourspace.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/gooch100/COSButton-ToutIt Tuesdays.jpg" /></a>

4. Don't forget to click on the "like" button on your favorite project or recipe so I know which one should be the week's Fan Fav.

5.  Please try to visit at least two posts for each link you submit and leave a comment. Comments make everyone happy!

With all that out of the way, let's Tout It!