Teresa Sheeley

contentment

It's a good thing to feel contentment in your home; the things that surround you and being with the ones you love. 

home, little spaces here and there, my sisters and mama. ♥

I made brownies

 

I am an admitted chocoholic.  I have to have it, and these brownies are my go to when I need it badly; well maybe except for a Snicker bar.  But this recipe is so simple, quick, and easy peasy it's worth it to wait for them to cool.  Top them with powdered sugar or frosting. 

Here is the recipe:

3 1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate; you can also use unsweetened powerdered chocolate with this ratio.  {9 TB, 3 TB oil.}

 1 1/2 sticks butter {I use salted}

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cake flour

Preheat oven to 350°   {for those of you who want the keyboard shortcut for the degree symbol it's ALT 248}

Melt chocolate & butter according to package directions, if using powder chocolate just melt together with butter & the oil.

Place the sugar in a medium bowl add the butter/chocolate and mix.

Add vanilla, and the eggs; beat at medium speed until well blended and silky.

Add the flours, mixing at a low speed, make sure you scrap sides of bowl during mixing.

Prepare your 8 inch square pan with cooking spray, or oil/flour combo so these will not stick.

Spread batter evenly in pan.

Bake for 30 minutes or longer depending on your oven.  

For convection oven baking; bake at 325° for 20 minutes.

Cool.  

Top with your choice of frosting {mint, buttercream, chocolate, etc.} or just dust with powdered sugar.

Enjoy with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk!

make-up routine link up

Jeanne & Kimberly collaborated together today to give us "showing you mine"; their make-up & beauty routines.  I thought I would share my part with ya'll; and trust me it isn't anything elaborate at all.

I just wash my face with plain soap & water everyday.  I use simple make-up nothing too expensive or fancy.  I've never really worn gobs of make-up on my face and am not a huge fan of mascara, but will wear it when I have to....

So here it all is; my daily routine of make-up.  I occasionally use the Kiehl's

instagram fun

I am now addicted to Instragram!  Honestly I think I get better photos than with my big old Canon camera, plus all the fun things you can do with your photos.  iphone you have stolen my heart.  

1) burlap pillow i am making for the porch adirondack  2) bookstore  3) yummy restaurant  4) me & kayla hanging out  5) my beloved boyfriend "the cat"

Helloooooo....is anyone there???

Wow, I really am bad at blogging.  It's been awhile hasn't it; well I am saying this I guess to anyone who might be reading still.

I think there are just times in your life when you feel private and withdrawn.  I believe I am in that cycle right now.  Time for breaks to feel creativity again, to just be a happy spectator right now and be inspired by happenings around me.  As I continue to be a purveyor of sorts this sitting and being quiet is helping me discover new avenues I would like to pursue.  

I think it is good just to feel grounded in my own soil and not so much in cyberspace.  I think it's good to withdrawl and regain a new focus.  Have you noticed my pattern here of thinking a lot?  I am a really good daydreamer.  I caught a glimpse of this hotel in Palm Springs and think it would be super sweet to go there someday, only because it looks vintagey and very retro.  Ahh, my daydream place...

Doesn't that look like a nice place to relax and unwind?  We have had so many changes lately in this family with a death, some new beginnings, new opportunities and decisions about where the future is going.  Sometimes you can feel the shifting of change happening right under your feet, even when you aren't ready for it, it happens.  But then there are some things I am so ready to change.  

I have been thinking about my mom, most days a lot since she lost her beloved man of over 30 years.  They were super close and now that he has passed away I worry about her being alone {although she says she is just fine}, but I can't help but worry.  Her name is Stella, and it is amazing how many things out there are named Stella.

I ♥ this camera bag from Epiphanie named Stella.

I found these cute little owl pillows named Stella & Stewart {perfect since her love was named Stewart}  I should make these for her.

Too cute.  Of course you can't forget the infamous line from Marlon Brando "Hey Stella"  I love that too.

Oh so many things with the name Stella.  Kayla is going to name one of her kids *crossing fingers, praying and everything else* Stella.  She invisions a little red-headed girl.

Signing off now because I have to leave to go watch the movie "The Lucky One"  I ♥ Zac Efron, oh my goodness he is a cutie.   *Chat soon!

oh and ps:  that is Stella {my mom} on my banner with cousin Ida and a few of their friends.

books

I would have to say there are two things we love around here more than anything; well besides our pets and that would be books & cupcakes.

Although since having a Kindle my actually physical books aren't stacking up like they used to since most are now digital.  But there is one thing I will never go digital on and that is a good cookbook.  

This week I am on a spring break from working at the school; and am enjoying reading just a simple Nicholas Sparks book, which is about to be an upcoming movie with Zac Efron.  It's a good read if I could refrain from taking a nap while reading it.  I indulged in a two hour nap today, and it was wonderful.  When I woke up I had some delicious Tazo Zen tea, and now feel like I could get something accomplished even though it is pushing upon eight o'clock.  

I love having some time with no expectations; nothing looming over my head where I can think about reading books I want to read;  and dream of doing my very own children's book someday.  Please tell me what's on your reading list lately...I would love to hear from you instead of looking at the top list from Amazon.  

muffins

This morning the weather was just perfect so I was able to clean out a few garden beds, clean the front porch of pine needles and other earthy things.  But with RA problems I can only do little bits at a time before I start feeling pain and fatigue; so I came in and baked some banana nut muffins.  Baking seems to soothe everything; even my aching joints and muscles.  The weather doesn't help with pain issues either; it seems it's up and down with the air pressures.  My body does better with a constant flow.  Anyway I used Tyler Florence's recipe for the muffins, found here.  

Things are going okay so far with the e-course.  We have had a few mishaps with video problems; but hopefully that will be straightened out soon.  I love love love the interaction with other artists and the camaraderie that happens; it's really inspiring!  If you would still like to come hang with us; there is still time to join in!  We would love to have you and  your friends.  It's an art party!!!  

in the making

..of Making Something Beautiful!

Kayla and I working on our e-course...doing a lot of laughing, making suggestions, collaborating, instructing, and having a great time.

We would love it if you would join us if you haven't signed up yet.  We are layed back; easy going, just trying to teach a few artist techniques....please trust me there are some things I struggled with, but it made me want to keep practicing until I got it the way I wanted it.  

I've found, as Kayla and I were working on this, is that I am not very good at seeing black & white; but can use a watercolor and make it work better.  These lessons have been GREAT for me!!!  I need to learn to do these things better, and make my mind to my hand work better.  Fabulous!!!  Please join us!! :)

The class starts this coming Monday, April 2; but you can feel free to join up anytime if you need time to think about it.  

Here is the link to register.  

busy getting all ready for the art workshop!!

What an art salon may look like!!  Oh my oh joy, just think at the end of our workshop, week five to be exact; we will be having our ART SALON!!  This is where all the workshop participants will have the option to show and sell the art they have been working on during the course!!  I do hope you think about participating if you are signed up.  I can't wait to see all the different art that will be available!!  

If you haven't signed up there is still plenty of time to do so!  Get your creative mind flowing; imagine yourself picking up that paint brush or artist sketching pencil for the first time.  Go by a moleskine to keep all your sketches in; think of big canvases!!  Oh the possibilities are endless; let yourself go and wander and dream of the artist you are.

First two photos * from Pinterest

Last photo - our moleskines sketchbooks

To sign up:  click here

 

*sunday

Most Sunday's we fix a yummy breakfast/brunch and listen to our favorite church service via livestream.  I look forward to it every weekend.  This morning we had Kayla's yummy crepes, fresh homemade blueberry muffins, bacon, sausage, eggs and of course Nutella for the crepes and homemade raspberry sauce.  Mmmm, so tasty.  

 ⁸ This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.  ~ Joshua 1:8