simplifying.

I'm sure many of you have read Nester's simplifying posts these past few days.

I think they were just what I needed.

Sometimes I look at a space and just have a crazy urge to fill it with something, anything.

Then later I look around and I don't like the flow of all the "randoms" mixed together.

I desire for my rooms to be purposeful.

Which is why I cleared the mantle, the sofa table, and other areas of our family room.

My decorating mind needed to take a deep breath before deciding what I want in each space.

Here are a few things that I know now...

I want to add more natural color to our family room. 

The colors need to come from nature, in plants and colors from botanical prints, for starters.

I would love a boxwood wreath for the side of the armoire.

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Botanical prints in simple gold frames, 2 or 3 on each side of the armoire.

Emily A. Clark found a book full of them and they look fabulous in her dining room!

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That's where I am currently. I love nature and all of its beautiful elements.

My new mission is to incorporate more of it into our home!

And I am sure there will be more to come on this later...

picture definition of domestic

Saturday night little one was sound asleep,

and hubby was tinkering in the garage...

What's a wifey to do with so much time on her hands?

I decided to bake one of hubby's favorite cakes...

it's SUPER easy, low in sugar and calories, too!

O, and it's chocolate.

Hubby = Choc-aholic

It's the most moist (say that 10x's fast)

spongy chocolate cake you'll ever eat!

::Recipe for Mexican Chocolate Cake::

{ingredients}

 5 egg whites

2 1/2 c. applesauce - no sugar added

1 box reduced fat/sugar chocolate cake mix

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

{topping}

2 tbsp sugar

3/4 tsp cinnamon

{directions}

Pre-heat oven to 350

Beat egg whites with electric mixer, until foamy.

Mix in applesauce, add dry cake mix, vanilla, & cinnamon.

Mix at medium speed for 1 min.  

Coat a 9x13in pan. with non-stick spray for baking (meaning with flour)

Spread cake batter in pan.

Mix topping and sprinkle on top.

Bake for 25-30 min.

Even better topped with whipped cream, ice cream, or strawberries!

Follow with an ice cold glass of milk.

 hubby loved it.

While that deliciousness baking, I decided to pull my 

Christmas gift new sewing machine out of the closet...

and learn how to use it!

So, that's just what I did.

With the smell of chocolate cake filling our home,

I popped in the Brother DVD and was on my way 

to becoming a sew-aholic!

Can't wait to show you what I work on this week 

while my sweet mom is in town!

Hubby walked in from the garage, grabbed the camera,

and said "you are the picture definition of domestic."

click.

I'm so thankful for my hubby who loves 

and appreciates my domestic talents!

 
 He is the perfect man for me!

 i love him.