Back From the Unknown Hiatus

Wow! Who knew so much time would fly by between posts? So sorry to all my friends!

Honestly, not much has changed around our house. Just been so busy working 6 days a week that there really hasn't been any time to tackle any more house projects. I also bought a new (used) car, so money gets tight when things like that pop up. Which I know you know how that goes ;) I am quite happy with my car though! She doesn't break down on me while I am driving AND the windows roll down & up..which is something I haven't had in years. So very blessed to have a working car! Anyhoo...

I hope that you guys have continued on with some awesome projects around the house and I can't wait to read some of your blogs or hear about these projects! 

I am planning on sharing more things than just house projects with you guys too! So watch out for another little bloggy on a little bit of everything in my life ;) 

<<3 Laura

p.s. I totally have had a Pinterest for a while but never really got on it. But my my..I started getting on it a couple days ago again (because girls at work are now on it) and wow. I'm so addicted. It's love :)

If you want an invite just send me your email and I'll send you an invite! and if you are on it lets Pinterest together! :D

How To Make Tea Leaves

Nothing says fresh, like your own freshly dried herbs!

Use herbs for Tea, Cooking, Baking and soothing scents!

I have two herbs on my back step. Lemon Balm & Mint.

Lemon Balm

I wanted to trim back the herbs (besides the little I step out and pinch off while cooking) and use the herbs. But trimming back a lot would mean I'd be having to cook a feast to use it all. I decided I didn't have that many friends or the urge to cook a huge feast so why not dry them out for future use? Yep. That's what I learned how to do. (& It's so easy!)

First, Pick all the herbs you want to dry out

Sometimes there are some bad leaves in the bunch

Just set all those aside in a pile. We don't want to use bad leaves for tea/cooking

Wash all your herbs.

I used mini clothespins, that I already had, to hang the herbs on a ribbon to dry.
You can also look online at different ways to dry out herbs.
I wanted the most natural, instead of using a dehydrator or oven.
(You lose a lot of the oils in the leaves when using those methods.)

Voila! Let them dry out for a few days. They will feel dried out
and  crunch when they are ready to be put into an airtight container!

After a few days...

Make sure your container to keep your herbs is clean and completely dry.
You can get these small jar's that have a rubber seal
for $1 at a craft store like Joanns. 

Start taking down your herbs and pull off the leaves from the stem.

Place inside your container :)

Lemon Balm Herb

I inherited this little glass serving dish from the woman who lived here before us :)
Lemon Balm is sitting next to my Organic Cinnamon Sugar

I was anxious to taste it so I went ahead and brewed a fresh cup of tea!

Boiled some water in my kettle

Poured hot water in cup

Added just 3 leaves

Let it steep for 3-5 minutes
(depending on the strength you want) 

Remove leaves..

Enjoy a perfect cup of tea!

Nursery Mood Board

We have 4 nieces/nephews and Joe's sister is going to have another baby. Plus, I just found out that my brother and his wife are expecting their first little one! 

This has put me in baby mode and so I just had to make a Nursery Mood Board!

If you are expecting or just wanting to re-do your nursery I hope this gets you inspired!

---Laura---