.diary of bella: The Introduction.

"Hello Everyone!

It's me, the Wonder Dog of the Treb household. My name is Bella, and I am single, female, and a Beautiful ginger-haired Golden Retriever (not to be touched by Mr. Firth! Mom made me add that part. Guess he really likes Ginger's).

I like long walks with mommy and daddy, swimming in the lake (my absolute favorite), and chasing after Dunlop's (that's a tennis ball in case you where wondering).

I also really like to chew my little stuffed animals, especially my hamster or green elephant from my Auntie Kelsey. I think they are supposed to be for a small puppy because they are so tiny, but they fit in my mouth perfectly. I even chewed off Mr. Elephant's ear. See. I like her. I also like my Auntie Kelsey. She spoils me.

My best friend lives next door, and she's named Luna. She's has black hair and is so pretty. We love to play wrestle, and sometimes she steals my toys. But sometimes I pee in her backyard (that's when I'm bad). I love Luna.

I love to take long naps, and snuggle with mommy, especially in the mornings or when Daddy is working nights. Then I get to sleep on her bed all night. And she sneaks me food sometimes.
My Daddy is the best at throwing my balls and playing fetch. He doesn't give me food though. I wish he would.

My favorite time is meal time. I just love to eat, and eat, and eat. I also love cucumbers, and peanut butter. I hate olives (I tried one after it fell on the floor and yucky!). I also love nap time.
Mommy kisses me a lot. And daddy sneaks in kisses when he thinks mommy isn't looking. I think she knows though.

Sometimes, we get to go to Grandpa Wayne's farm. It's sooo much fun, but then I smell after. Mommy hates that. I used to be scared of grandpa's horses, but I'm getting braver and go a little closer. At least to give them a little sniff. I don't think they like me.

Well, I'm off to see what everyone else is doing, and give those puppy dog eyes to mommy because she's about to have dinner. It usually works ;)


Love, Bella."

.Vanilla Bean Cupcakes.

So this is what I did today amongst babysitting a sick boy. aka. the husband.
Poor Baby.
He was running a pretty high fever of 39 degrees (that's what the thermometer was reading as it was glowing in bad 'red' color zone), and I basically was his beck-and-call girl.
I can't lie and say that I don't love being his little nurse though. There's just something so nurturing and loving about it. All wifey.
After dinner however, I was craving these lovely cupcakes that I saw over at Sophistimom.

Mine didn't turn out quite as beautiful as her's did, but they where pretty tasty and super easy to make. Just throw everything together in a bowl and off you go.
Adapted from the original recipe with my notes in brackets.
Enjoy.

Vanilla bean Cupcakes

1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1 stick butter, melted

1 egg

1/4 cup sour cream

3/4 cup milk

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

seeds scraped from one vanilla bean (these can always be left out, and the cupcakes will still be delicious...but the seeds look so pretty!)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners. Combine all ingredients in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Fill cupcake liners slightly more then halfway full.

2. Bake for 15 minutes, or until center cupcakes bounce back when touched (*Mine had to cook like an extra 10 minutes, so make sure that the middle isn't gooey or it won't taste yummy). Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. 

3. Frost with strawberry buttercream.

Strawberry Buttercream

3-5 large strawberries at room temperature

1 stick butter, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1. In a food processor, pulse strawberries until pureed. Add in butter and vanilla, and about 2 cups of the sugar (*My food processor is small, and wouldn't fit all this, so I just used a hand mixer and it turned out pretty good). Pulse until well combined. Incorporate cream. Add in small amounts of powdered sugar, pulsing after each addition, to reach the desired consistency. Frosting should be smooth and soft, yet hold its shape. (Mine was much to runny, mainly because I thought the icing was getting to sweet with all the icing sugar, so I didn't add it all & it turned out to be more of a glaze. Tasty and delicious glaze though!)

xo

.Von's.

So Friday night was date night for this gal and her handsome hubby.

I've been so busy with that little reno project of mine, and with Peter working soooo much overtime the last week (leaving his poor wife all by her lonesome....Sorry, Mini pout session for me.) that we decided to make it a fancy night out. 

Just the 2 of us. 

As mentioned in an earlier post, we're total foodies and we think there's nothing better than a delicious night out with some very yummy food. 

So we decided on an old tried and true, one that's been serving romantic dinners for couples in Edmonton for about 1000 years (okay, maybe a little of an exaggeration).
The only thing was that we had never been there before. We had never been one of those couples!
So we changed that.
Off to Von's Seafood and Steakhouse it was.
And it was just so delicious.

We started out with some Mussels.
And WOW.
These may have been the best mussels we've ever had.
They came in this amazing sauce. Gorgonzola Dijon Cream. It was a 'I'd like to die with this sauce' type of sauce. People think that right? They'd like to die with sauce. Or is it just me?

For our main courses, I ordered the Steak Oscar. Which for me is incredibly strange, as I don't usually get red meat. Must have been the seafood topping that sold me. And I also ordered the sauteed mushrooms to 'share'. But didn't really share.
Peter ordered the special (again) and it was Mahi Mahi (again) with Pineapple Salsa. And it was delicious (again). I always have menu regret when Peter gets his meal. Although mine was so good and cooked perfectly, I just seem to always want something I can't have. Such a woman.
We shared kisses and compliments and spoke about our future.
It was a beautiful night.

Love you Husband of Mine.
Note: You may have noticed that Pete is MIA in my pictures...he hates me taking them, but I'm working on him...be patient my friends. Be patient.
xo

.My Creative Space.

I know, I know. This is a few days late.

Forgive me please. It just wasn't quite ready. The Hubby has been working mad overtime, and to be honest, I'm was just tired of using the screwdriver, paint brush, and heavy lifting all by my lonesome (yes, I know I'm making excuses) BUT......

Here. It. Is!
And I apologize in advance for the crappy quality of the pictures....the Nikon is on the list.

Still a bit of work to go, but all-in-all looking pretty darn fantastic (but I'm biased AND exhausted AND a little tipsy (thank you wine goblet), not really the best combo for an opinion). 

So, what do ya think?

I painted the walls a (what we thought would be) Mid-toned Grey. I always lean towards dark colors, and really wanted this space light and airy, however upon paint drying, it was more of a blue-grey tone. Not exactly what I was thinking, but it's staying. 

Then I went for all white furniture. NOT me at all, but like above, I wanted light and airy, and to be honest didn't want to spend a ton of money, so thank heavens for Ikea and all the white furniture being cheaper than the rest. Weird? Yes. Am I Happy about it? BIG YES. 

I bought the desk, 2 small bookcases, and re-furnished the big bookcase of Pete's during his high school days (yes, it's that old!) with new glass doors. Cleaned it right up.

And I think it looks just darn cute.

Took apart my old desk (just by re-moving the top piece) for a place to do some serious sewing. I'll call this the Sewing Area. Really original hey? However, this is also where I'm keeping a bunch of my craft supplies located in those cute little white boxes. Nice and clean. Out of sight. Perfectly labelled. Still deciding if I should paint the sucker white or not.......

Then I found places for the million picture frames that I had lying around. I seem to have a disease when it comes to buying picture frames. I can't stop. Just ask the Husband. And then be prepared for an earful.

Now, I need some pictures for them (notice that there aren't any framed yet?)......Any photographers wanting to shoot a fun loving couple??? Pretty Please?
FYI: I'm going to put out some of my favourite pictures of friends and family (not JUST Peter and I), and also some very inspiring pics that mean a lot to me. Like my Grandpa Norm. I miss you big guy.

The 2 lamps and mini reading table came from Homesense. And I'm loving them. The old-school rocking chair is vintage c/o my beautiful Grandma M. She's in Phoenix right now, and cannot believe I still have the 'old thing'. That was a quote. I absolutely love the old thing.

Next I made the hubby hang all the shelves that I got at Ikea. This will store more of those picture frames, and odds-n'-ends. Also some inspiring quotes to go along with the inspiring people.
A Favorite: "Choose your Battles". Should be our household quote.
{Pictures to come}
After that....and this part will be coming very soon. My Photo Wall (see I have a serious problem). It will be placed above the chair and lamp (you can even see the frames stacked ready to get hung). I think it'll be heavenly. All black frames with white mats. Various shapes and sizes. Gorgeous. Or it will be.

Also have to get some blinds for that window. I hate to close up the little natural light this room gets, but it'll bring a little personality to the room which it could use, and I also have a mild obsession with fabrics so it has to be done. Also still have to buy a new computer chair, a chair for a guest (I hope to have guests), and a pouf of some sort to put my feet up when reading. Also need the hubby to change out my light fixture, plugs and switch (Does anyone know an Electrician? I can't seem to find one......)

So there you have it. My Office. Library. Craft Room aka. Creative Space.
And Peter's Closet. Poor Hubby.
And just for fun, I thought I'd show you all a 'before picture'. WOW right? Can you see why this room was always skipped during the house tours?
Now you can all be impressed :)

Let me know what you think!
xo

.Happy March.

Today is March 1st.

WOW.

Is it just me, or did February just fly right on by?

Like, blink and it's gone.

But my February was pretty darn sweet.

::I met little Miss Isla Firth. And fell fast in Love.

::I quit my job of 6 years, and am about to start a new phase in my career. And I can't wait to get started.

::Re-painted, and Re-decorated my Office.Library.Craft room. So excited to get into it.

::Celebrated our 1st Valentine's Day as Husband + Wife. And it was perfect.

::Was introduced to the Mac World. Loving it. Never going back. Seriously.

::Went on a mini-ski weekend away to Banff/Canmore. It was pretty sweet.

::Did a lap dance class (This was just fun, so I had to mention it here)

::Rode in a Limousine. Need I say more.

::Started my blog. It's a girl. And I am in love with her.

::And started making soups.

Phew.

What an Awesome Month.

ps. I may, or may not have finished my new room :) I promise to post some pictures tomorrow.

xo