The Topiary Lady

Florida Vacation 2010

2010-12-01T20:27:00.001-05:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Closing and Moving....

2010-11-13T08:28:00.001-05:00

I realize that I haven't posted in almost a year. A small part of that is that my computer died last December and I lost my continuum to keep posting. Another part is that my business has taken a different direction, away from Topiaries and directly into the food industry.

I've been catering for 1 1/2 years now, on a part time basis. My business is called The Lunch Lady, catering to mostly the office crowd.

I'll be posting on another blog much like this one, just another name!

I just started it, so I haven't posted much yet.

Just giving you a heads up!

http://www.thenewlunchlady.com/

Oma's Belated B-day Gift...THE REACTION

2009-12-30T13:53:00.004-05:00

This post is for the "other" Cerynik Family. We got Oma C. a combined birthday gift. It was sent to my house so we had to pleasure of seeing her open it. Here's her reaction...

http://thevintagepearl.com

Check out their beautiful pieces! I'm really happy with the result.

Now Oma can wear her 7 precious grandsons around her neck!

Free Ornaments

2009-12-24T09:10:00.003-05:00

This year's tree...
It took us a little while to decide where to put the tree this year since we acquired some more furniture since last Christmas from Mom and Dad D. I always love rearranging the furniture (wonder where I get that from?) so it was fun to make a "new" room for the holidays.
Bill took three of the four boys Christmas tree hunting. He went to a local tree farm and found a beautiful 7 foot tree. It's the best one we have ever had! The boys and daddy had fun having snowball fights, hot cocoa, and cookies while Lance stayed home with me and made ornaments. I was inspired by another blog to make ornaments out of what we had lying around the house. I have many many doilies and buttons and shells.

We desperately needed a tree topper. Our star light broke a few years ago and the boys aren't happy with the giant bows I keep putting up! This is made from a old white placemat and ribbons (and hot glue)

The Western Angel Lady

Our first storm brought about 5 inches of snow in the beginning of December. (We got about 12 inches with this past week's storm)

Have a peaceful Christmas Eve!

Beautiful Faces.....

2009-11-27T13:25:00.002-05:00

Be Aware....

2009-10-27T09:43:00.003-04:00

I normally don't post about this kind of stuff, but, I feel VERY strongly about all this mis-information regarding the Swine Flu/H1N1 vaccine.

PLEASE read this information and watch the video on this link. Protect yourselves and your family and friends by not blindly trusting the "powers that be" who make these decisions and bypass the very important trial and testing of the vaccine.

http://articles.mercola.com/swine-flu-article/20091027.htm

Enough said...

2009-10-24T10:55:00.001-04:00

Have a happy day!

Front Door Makeover!

2009-09-25T10:15:00.006-04:00

Little boys and dirty fingers and white front doors don't mix...

I've been thinking about repainting my front door for a while. It was on my project list for the summer, but I didn't get to it till September. (Hey technically it WAS done before summer was over!)

BEFORE

AFTER!

I picked the same color as the hallway wall, just got the exterior paint.
Here is 2 coats. I ended up doing 3.

I love the details on the door now....not so much when they were white.

BEFORE (notice the bench...details coming later)

AFTER

BEFORE (further away)

AFTER

BEFORE - The bench, in such a sorry state! I recently found some pictures of it new! It must be about 8 years old. Sitting outside in the elements has really done some damage. Nothing a little spray paint can't fix!

AFTER

I just sprayed the sides with black Rustoleum spray paint and brush painted on the same exterior paint as I used on the front door. I was done in under 30 minutes!

The old milk can....

This came from the town I was in born in, Hilversum, in Holland.

Talk about rusty!

You can barely make out the word "Hilversum"

I sprayed it with Rustoleum hammered finish

Unbelievable!

A fresh coat of paint does wonders!

I'm linking to DIY at A Soft Place to Land

The Hallway

2009-09-18T18:42:00.002-04:00

I'm finally blogging again!

It's been a short and busy summer and I haven't been motivated enough to blog.

But I'm back!

I've been wanting to update our hallway in so long. The 80's wallpaper wasn't doing it for me, decor-wise.

Taking the wallpaper off in this house is quite a process. It's very thick and has two layers. At long last it's removed to uncover some "not so lovely" sponge paint. (rather reminiscent of the bathroom sponge paint job)

I chose this color because I love it and it's the same color as the dupioni silk curtains in the living and dining room. A great, warm accent color...

I have, since then, also painted the stairs going up to the school room this color as well as the front door.

Pictures to come...I have one more coat to paint on the front door.

Hopefully, I'll get to that tomorrow!

Little Bear dressed up

2009-05-22T09:56:00.002-04:00

Daddy calls L4 "Bear"
Bear likes to dress up.

If they could only stay so little!

Spring Soccer is over...

2009-05-19T08:50:00.002-04:00

L4's team of hooligans. Undefeated, once again.

On the move.

Daddy coached L2 and L3 again this Spring.

2009-03-11T13:48:00.002-04:00

I follow only one blog very closely...www.thepioneerwoman.com and she had a link to this new T shirt company which I have fallen in love with!!

http://www.wildolivetees.com/

It has Bible verses on them, and they are so well done and cute!

They are offering free shipping through the end of the month. Check them out!

I'm hoping for some free shirts!

What a great way to display your faith....

Time for a change...

2009-02-20T19:25:00.005-05:00

I've got the "itch" for change again. I recently visited sister-in-law Linda and loved how she is re-arranging her home to welcome her new little one.

It's so fun to change a room around. I have MANY memories of coming home from school to a "new" house. I think I caught your bug, Mom!

We recently had our community group over for Bible Study. We literally doubled in number at our last meeting and the flow of the living room felt all wrong for the amount of people we had. It has bothered me for some time and today was the day to fix it! Plus, it requires some deep cleaning. Lotsa dust bunnies, marbles, cars, toys, did I mention dust bunnies? It's amazing what one finds under and behind things. Oh, and a paper airplane!

The boys helped me move the piano. That thing is SO heavy, but they are strong together.

The living room is such a large space and can be arranged several ways. We love our large round table. It is often a place where we play games or make large puzzles. Half of our furniture are "hand me downs" from Mom and Dad, beautiful antiques which really fill the space nicely.

Here are some before and after pics.... (sorry, the ambience is really different between the two, the after pics are taken during daylight hours)

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

I'm happy. Of course, now there are decorative "holes" to fill. I think I'm going to paint a picture...

L2...The Sketcher

2009-02-12T19:48:00.005-05:00

Every so often L2 just needs to express himself with art. You can tell because he gets kinda cranky. Mama has to remind him to get a pencil and a piece of paper.
It really helps him.

This is a collage he made a few months ago from magazine clippings on a canvas board.

His inspiration was 3 different animals. I love how he gets inspired and than makes them his own.

I love my boy!

Love is in the air....still!

2009-02-11T15:03:00.002-05:00

My parents, a LONG time ago!

(Cute hair mom!)

Our wedding picture!
We got married in the days before digital cameras were the norm.

This is the only wedding pic we have that is digital.
It's time to start scanning.

I look so young! Bill looks even younger!!

Today I celebrate my LIFE!

2009-02-04T10:59:00.002-05:00

Today marks the ONE year anniversary of my contracting Bacterial Meningitis.

I thank my Heavenly Father for His healing power and his amazing preserving grace. It's been a long and sometimes challenging year, but I'm healthy again.

If you know of any adult who has struggled with Bacterial Meningitis, could you point them my way? I would like to have a "support blog" for adults post-meningitis.

Thank you to all of my family and friends for all of your prayers and love and support this past year.

He is good and His love endures forever.

Let it snow...

2009-02-03T14:08:00.004-05:00

Piggy back, sledding style

Sledding fun!

I love their imaginations!

Swedish Apple Pie...A Pie that's not a pie...

2009-01-28T11:13:00.002-05:00

This is such a good dessert that I can never take a picture of it! We consume it too fast.

It's perfect for low sugar people or no-sugar people.

There is no crust to make, in fact, all you do is make a quick batter to top the sliced apples.

This recipe is adapted from "Swedish Apple Pie" from allrecipes.com

It makes two "pies"

I use about 5ish apples per pie, so you need about 10 medium apples.

Here's the recipe:

2 1/2 cups peeled and sliced
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup spelt flour (or another whole grain flour)
1 egg slightly beaten
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 350.
Lightly grease 2 pie plates
Peel and slice the apples right into the pie plates
In medium bowl: Mix agave and melted butter. Mix in flour, cinnamon, egg and salt. Mix well and spread over apples. (It doesn't have to cover the entire thing, spread it thinly)
Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes till golden brown and bubbly.

It's enough for about 6-8 people.

Someday I'll get a picture of it, someday.

Fun times in NC

2009-01-15T10:31:00.003-05:00

We had great weather visiting Oma and Opa in NC the week after Christmas.

Scootering L4

Biking to their heart's content.

Cousin Camden

Cousin Kinslea.
The rose among the thorns...all those boys!!

L2 and Ryder REALLY hit it off!

Cousin Jalen...mesmerized by the old slides

Opa set up the slide projector so we could view many of our old slides when we were kids.
Part Deux will have to happen next year (there are SO many)

I've come a LONG way baby.
Now my baby is the same age.

Greetings

2008-12-25T11:57:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

We have had a nice messy morning of bags, tissue and wrapping paper, playing games, eating waffles with strawberry sauce, bacon, fruit and yummy hot tea! Oh and lots and lots of guitar music and cuddling with soft blankets.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas!

Cocktail Anyone?

2008-12-21T20:48:00.004-05:00

We hosted a cocktail party for all of Bill's Financial Advisors last night.

I was delighted with the task of making appetizers for 15 adults (and my 4 little boys with huge appetites)

I chose 6 appetizers and 3 desserts. Chances are, if someone brings something, its usually dessert. I guessed right and Jackie brought yummy frosted brownies.

All the appetizers (not the desserts) are:

dairy free, yeast free, whole grain, and sugar free

These are delicious "Chicken Lollipops"

They are based on an Indonesian recipe that I found on my Dutch blog friend (www.kayotickitchen.com)

I served them with Peanut satay sauce.

Here's my take on tacos.

They are mini "pop in your mouth size" tacos. I used flat round tortilla chips, yellow and black sesame.

I spread some refried beans on them, layered on sliced grape tomatoes, shredded mexican cheese, homemade salsa and a tiny dollop of sour cream (I piped it out of a sandwich baggie with the tip cut off)

Next up we have Sage Turkey Sausage Bites with Balsamic Apricot Dip. I borrowed this one from Rachel Ray (off the Foodnetwork website).

I changed the recipe to Turkey sausage because it's nearly impossible to find sausage without sugar. I found fresh Turkey sausage at the little market near by house! I also used white Balsamic Vinegar instead of Black, it has a much milder taste.

This appetizer tasted much better than it looked. It's a Curry Chicken Pate that I made up. Basically a curried chicken salad that I pureed.

I had roasted 4 chicken legs seasoned with curry a few days before the party. The chicken was SO tender and fell off the bone. I threw the chicken, organic mayo, curry powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in the food processor (my new best friend) and pureed it. It was SO delicious, fast and easy!

I served it on whole wheat crackers with a slice of cucumber.

Mini Vegetable Frittatas. These went quick (obviously)

These are simply broccoli, eggs, splash of water, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bake them in mini muffin tins. Oh, and pecorino romano, sheep's cheese.

Meringues dusted with cocoa powder.

Chocolate snowman, trees and stars drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled by my boys.

Oh, and my favorite all time, I should really only make it once a year treat...

Trifle!

It's just a trifle too good.

I made a wreath!

2008-12-08T19:36:00.007-05:00

Check out this great site! I'm linked up!

If you have sticks and an evergreen on your property, you can do this too!

Gather your greens.

I used greens from 3 different trees on my property. I think those are the only evergreen trees I have on my very wooded lot. Trees don't mind getting trimmed a bit each winter.
(A bit of overlapping of seasons, the pumpkins are still out!)

I also used some wire and a hot glue gun.

I cut some sticks to the size I wanted to make my wreath. I was going for a large rectangular look so I cut them quite big, about 3 feet by 1.5 feet. I didn't measure them with a ruler. Just eyeball it.

Overlap the corners

Take the wire and wrap it around sound it is secure.

Hot glue over the wire to re-inforce it and let it dry. It dries very quickly when it's cold outside.

Finish all the corners so you have a frame. You could also use an old frame if you didn't want to bother with the sticks.

Then take a branch and wrap wire around it to attach it to the frame.

You can also hot glue it, I found that the first branch had to be wired and then the rest could be hot-glued on top.

Mix up the greens if you have a variety.

There is no wrong way to do this.

I snipped pieces off here and there. I could have probably given it more of a haircut!

The wreath looked too big on my front door so....

I hung it on my garage

Precious had to get in the picture.

The next wreath I'm making will be a small square one to fit on the front door. Maybe I'll make two matching ones!

Best of all, it was free!

It's a PROCESS...

2008-12-01T09:22:00.005-05:00

I just HAVE to share this "Lukie-ism"

(Wouldn't this make a great CD cover?)

We came home Saturday evening from a wonderful trip to CT and NJ. We had a great time visiting with friends and extended family.

L2 and L4 helped me empty the dishwasher. Lukie was almost finished with his task so I asked him to take the last 3 steak knives and put them away in the knife block.
(Yes, I allow him to handle knives, but only while supervised!)

Putting away the knives would entail walking across the kitchen...

So, I cautioned him...I was next to him, Daddy was at the stove...

"Lukie, be careful with those knives so you don't stab Daddy in the process"

Lukie said, "Where's his process?"

Cutie pie!

Daddy has been playing the guitar a lot lately. He's been composing lots of songs. Someone wanted to get in on the action.

Cuddling Lukie while he still can...

Friends....

2008-11-24T11:59:00.005-05:00

The wonderful part of the Holidays is being re-united with old friends

The hoodlums...

How weird can they pose?

Oh wait... A normal picture?

The Lego Makers

2008-11-19T12:02:00.005-05:00

Can you guess what foods they all are?

(sorry the picture isn't so great)

Here's a hint...

That's a fork.

It's the boy's favorite food, really!

This is their next favorite.

Mmhh Mmhh Good!

I love what they come up with!

Hungry anyone?

Leave a comment with your guesses.