5 step process

My week & weekends have been such a whirlwind. One moment I'm designing houses, roosterizing cars, changing diapers & then the next moment I'm looking for the latest & greatest zit cream... I really wouldn't trade my life for anything! Here's a little {5 step} process to my ultimate happiness:

{Step 1}

Well, I finally finished this {1} project in the kids room {remember this post, click here}... Ryan's body pillow cover. Ryan's friends were waiting so patiently for his pillow to come back to bed... He's in a twin bed now, so I bought it so he wouldn't fall off the back side of the bed between the wall. Trying to be a safe mom! {Crazy for putting a 2 year old in a twin bed with no guardrails... That's me for you!}

I know for some of you it's bam bam pow & the pillow is done, but for me it really doesn't work that way. It takes a little bit longer in my house hold. Thank goodness she's all done!

We like this new pillow cover

The body pillows new cover.

Ryan's friends are so happy... They feel like playing in bed!

{Step 2}

Yaaaaa.... My new work station at home is finally complete. Thanks contractor John! Of course I was trying my hardest to get some good shots, but my kids just wouldn't leave me alone. Hopefully this week I will show you the whole thing. So cute! I feel like working...

{step 3}

OK... This one is really special to me. I've been in business for over 10 years now & when the smallest, littlest thing happens I shed a tear {being honest}... The owner of a very established pre-school {Kids by The Sea} & a fabulous & dear woman Miss Sandy {the owner} asked me for a rooster sticker to put on her car. I almost fell over... Ahhh Ya Here ya go! Thank you so much Miss Sandy! It really means a lot to me that you love the rooster & are spreading the rooster word!

Big, bold & beautiful!

{step 4}

To die for desert. Every Sunday night my family gets together for a family dinner. We either take turns on who brings what & where. I raised my hand to make desert for this last Sunday. OH MY GOSH... I'm so happy I made this scrumptious fruit cake!

OK so I have to tell you... I was contemplating a strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries, homemade whip cream & this Apple-Blackberry cake... So I asked my husband what he thought I should make... What sounded good to him? This is what he said to me...

I'm not really into that kind of cake. I don't like fruit in my cake. Hmmmm I'm not really a sweet guy. I like your oatmeal cookies... Something simple. I probably won't have any.

I walked away discouraged & a little frustrated. Now what was I going to make? Once I sat down at my new work station I said, forget Sean It's all about ME! I'm making the Apple-Blackberry cake. OMG

HOT... HOT... HOT

Let me tell you... my husband had 2 helpings & loved it!

I made a great choice!

If I were you... Make it!

Ingredients
Makes one 9-inch cake; serves 8 to 12
Granulated sugar, for pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 ounces (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan, plus 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) cut into pieces
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
4 McIntosh apples (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges
1 cup (1/2 pint) blackberries
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-inch spring form pan, and dust with granulated sugar. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together melted butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, the milk, and eggs in another bowl. Whisk into flour mixture.

Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Arrange apple wedges over batter, and sprinkle with blackberries. Gently press fruit into batter. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar and the cinnamon, and sprinkle over fruit. Dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Bake until top is dark gold, apples are tender, and a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Let cool. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

{step 5}

Last but not least... Here's another fun interior design project I'm working on right now. Coastal Classic. I wanted to give you all just a peek of the fabric selection. Picture this... Huge vintage nautical maps! This room is making me crazy... Loving it!

Now you can see how crazy my life is {this is just 1 weeks worth}... I wonder what I'm going to do tomorrow? Probably bring Chili to work, go to design meetings, draw a new rooster coloring page for the mini rooster supporters, order more fun rooster products, get dinner ready for Taco Tuesday & kiss my sweet precious babies all night long {Watch the ending of Princess Protection on Disney with Taylor}!