Grey Chalk Paint Dresser

Here are the before and after pictures of a dresser I was commissioned to refinish. I combined black and white chalk paint to make the grey and finished off the dresser with dark wax.

Before

Note: The dresser is missing hardware because they will be adding it later.

Potty Training, Day 2

Day 2... That's about all I have to say!

Giada is very aware of the potty and now hiding from me when it comes time to do her duty. First thing in the morning and after naps seem to be the best time for sitting on the potty, but as she gets tired- let the screaming begin.

We did not have any success today with going in the potty, but we had many accidents. All the bribes are being put to use, but I'm trying not to overdue it. Also, The stubbornness deep in her blood is shinning through!

Tomorrow is a new day and I am determined to have better success...

Dried Cranberry and White Chocolate Biscotti

My mom makes these biscotti's during the holidays and I always love how they turn out. This year, I decided to make batches for Anthony to hand out at work. After receiving the recipe, she informed me it was from Epicurious.com – Who would have thought! The only adjustment I made was taking the roll out 5 minutes earlier than suggested.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries (about 6 ounces)

• 1 egg white

• 6 ounces good-quality white chocolate (I used Ghirardelli), chopped, or white chocolate chips

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, 2 eggs and almond extract in large bowl until well blended. Mix in flour mixture, then dried cranberries. Divide dough in half. Using floured hands, shape each piece into 2 1/2-inch-wide, 9 1/2-inch-long, 1-inch-high log. Transfer both logs to prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly. Whisk egg white in small bowl until foamy; brush egg white glaze on top and sides of each log.

Bake logs until golden brown (logs will spread), about 35 minutes. Cool completely on sheet on rack. Maintain oven temperature. Transfer logs to work surface. Discard parchment. Using serrated knife, cut logs on diagonal into 1/2-inch-wide slices. Arrange slices, cut side down, on same sheet. Bake 10 minutes; turn biscotti over. Bake until just beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Transfer biscotti to rack.

Stir chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water until smooth. Remove from over water. Using fork, drizzle chocolate over biscotti. Let stand until chocolate sets, about 30 minutes. 

Potty Training, Day 1

Day 1 of potty training complete! 

Though Giada is only 13.5 months old, I'm on a mission to have her potty trained by the time baby boy Serpa arrives. After hours of research and much thought, I'm on a mission to get rid of those diapers!

Every 15 minutes I had her sit on the potty for as long as she would entertain the idea. Along with the constant potty attempts, it was no diaper during the day and a close eye on that coo! During her naps, I put the diaper back on because I'm not ready to wash sheets everyday. Also, later in the evening I put her diaper on once again, just to see if she would poop before bed. Selfishly, I didn't want to be disturbed at night because she wasn't comfortable or needed to poop. 

Today, we had two successful poops in the potty and one successful pee. With the success, we had several potty accidents. My plan is to stay home until Wednesday and give her three intense days of training ( Which is going to be a long three days!). 

Though I don't feel as if there was much success, I know it's s marathon and not a sprint. 

Bring on Day 2!

'Tis the Season

Giada met Santa for the first time this year! To my surprise, she posed perfectly for the photo and was not scared of Santa.

Giada also picked out her second Christmas Tree! All I wanted was a picture of her standing next to the tree, but that was not going to happen!  Instead, she sat in the dirt and played with the rocks... Oh well!


A couple nights later, we invited several friends and family members, with children, to join us for a night of Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane. Thanks to my father-in-law chauffeuring us around on the trailer, all the kiddos (and parents) enjoyed the lights!

Thanksgiving and Carmel

The Serpa family had so much to be thankful for this year! We are blessed to have a healthy and beautiful daughter, looking forward to our family of three expanding to four in May and we are surrounded by amazing friends and family. 

On Thanksgiving, we were up north with my family and celebrated the day at my aunt and uncles house. It was a quiet Thanksgiving day because we were missing several family members. (We would be meeting the rest of the family on Friday in Carmel for a birthday celebration.) My uncle cooked a DELICIOUS ham and we had all the other traditional Thanksgiving goodies to go along with the meal. After dinner, Giada ate my aunt uncle out of house and home as she demolished the leftovers. Around bedtime, we headed home and called it an early night.... Or I did, Anthony and my dad had to finish the night off by enjoying some time in the hot tub. 

Friday afternoon, we headed to Carmel for the weekend. My mom booked us a house through VRBO. (The best way to go.) We had a three bedroom, two bath with a backyard to call home for the weekend. Shortly after arriving, we drove over to visit with the rest of the family who spent Thanksgiving in Carmel. That night we ate leftovers for dinner and enjoyed some adult time playing games. 

Saturday, Giada woke the house up at 7 AM sharp, which was early for half the group who arrived around midnight the night before. As we lounged around in our PJs for a bit, the boys decided to venture outside for some games of Corn Hole. Once Giada went down for her second nap, the ladies were off to downtown for a little shopping and lunch. That evening, we met back up with the rest of the family to celebrate my aunts 70th birthday. Having all the cousins together was so much fun!

Sunday quickly arrived and we were headed back home.

  

Thanksgiving Day

 Giada enjoying the backyard in Carmel and some sun!

A dad and his girl!

It wouldn't be a trip without doing the girls hair. 

Giada now knows how to stick out her toung - Thanks Uncle John!

 Most of the Kiddos