New Year, New Adventures

It’s true you know, that the older you are the faster the years zoom by. This is why I cannot, for the life of me, believe another year is over. My most important goal (not a resolution) for 2011 is to create memories for me, my children, my family.   This year will be full of adventures. They’ll eventually unfold here on Small Burst  but  First and foremost, I want to share some exciting news. Within the past few months I’ve been fortunate enough to work with women business owners who have contacted me for my photography services and am currently collaborating on a few projects.  My first project for the year is with Distinct Concepts for a Boudoir Marathon. That’s right, photographs for your sweetheart just in time for Valentine’s Day.  Definitely an adventure, wouldn’t you say?  I wish you all a year full of joy, beautiful memories, love, and last but certainly not least, I hope you capture your red rubber ball.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Here’s a repost of my favorite pancake recipe which I’ll be cooking up this morning.

I have to be honest. I got this recipe from Allrecipes.com.  It has received 1891 reviews with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.   I tried to make changes to it by adding a little more sugar or some cinnamon and vanilla in the past.  Today I did the recipe as is and it was the fluffiest pancakes I have ever made! The best pancake recipe thus far.  So, you really can’t change an already perfect recipe.  Trust me, just try it the way it is and you’ll be pleased.

Good Old Fashioned Pancakes

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Giveaway Winner

Hope you’re all on your way to having a wonderful Monday.


Congratulations to Alison from And Flowers Pick Themselves blog. She won the Girl In Gear Studio Plantable Calendar. Check her blog out for her musings and wonderful photography.


If you want to pick up one of these beautiful calendars, Girl In Gear Studio is offering Small Burst readers a 20% discount until the end of the month. Enter key word SMALLBURST at checkout.


Oh, and see the image up there? They already have the Plantable Mini Valentine Kits available.  This is my fave!

A little peak

Since I started off the week with wreaths, I thought I’d end it by showing you one I made.  I know, it’s not the natural variety but because I painted my walls off-white I was in need of some color.

Visit one of my earlier posts for an ornament wreath tutorial here.

Wreaths

Are you done with your christmas decorating? For those of you who aren’t here’s a little wreath inspiration courtesy of Southern Living. They’re surprisingly easy to make too. Visit Sunset here for a step by step tutorial.  I always have a Christmas wreath at my door and in the house.  Do you have a wreath in your home for the holidays? Did you make it?

Girl In Gear Studio Giveaway

It’s giveaway time!  This giveaway is special to me because it involves Girl In Gear Studio. Earlier this year, the lovely and talented Stacie from Girl In Gear Studio offered Small Burst’s first giveaway so I’m happy to have her here again.


Today Girl In Gear Studio is offering one super fabulous 2011 sustainable desk calendar to one lucky reader. The desk calendar is not only beautiful but they’re plantable.  They’re printed on wild flower seed-embedded paper. You can plant each sheet in a pot or garden. Genius, right? Comes with a display easel and is packaged in a kraft envelope with gift tag. Just in time for Christmas gifts and for the New Year.
Not only is Girl In Gear Studio offering this giveaway but a 20% discount to SB readers too trhrough December 31st.  Enter the code SMALLBURST at check out. Did I mention shipping is free!  Didn’t I tell you Stacie was fabulous?


Here are some calendar features:

*Includes major holidays and a place to write your own important dates

*Includes a compostable recycled display easel that can be composted or repurposed to display 5×7 photos at the end of the year

*Easel dimensions: 7-3/4″ x 8-1/2″ (19.7 cm x 21.6 cm)

*Calendar dimensions: 5-1/2″ x 7-1/2″ (14 cm x 19 cm)

Here’s how you enter:

GOOD LUCK!

***Please note, entries must be submitted by Friday, December 17th, not Wednesday. I clearly didn’t have enough coffee this morning:)*****

Cold Hands Warm Heart

I love getting packages in the mail and this is why me + online shopping = . When I read about the Cold Hands Warm Heart event by Much Love, Illy and Sandy A La Mode it was a no brainer to sign up.  Such a fun idea- pair up with a fellow blogger and exchange packages containing a pair of gloves and other goodies.  I was paired up with Christina.  Check her blog out. She’s one active lady who lives in Florida where’s she’s getting ready to wed her true love. I think I’m in love with her cute pup, Lily. That dog is super cute!


So my package from Christina arrived and I was so excited to get the box open.  It came just in time for the chill we’re experiencing here.  I will be wearing these super adorable gloves Christina has picked out for me as I drink the delicious hot cocoa also included in the package. I love hot cocoa!! Speaking of chocolate, I also received some Christmas peeps.  I’m actually eating the tree shaped one right now. I couldn’t help myself. One last item-a gorgeous ornament to adorn our tree.  Thank you ever so Christina for making me feel as giddy as a 4 year old on Christmas morning.


To see more Cold Hands Warm Heart packages click here.

Missing Blog Header :(

Hello everyone.  Hope you’re all well this fine November day.  I apologize for the missing blog header.  This is currently being fixed and the burst we all know and love will reappear shortly.  So stay tuned-there’s some great news and a super giveaway just in time for Christmas.

Rustic Tables

I’m obsessing over rustic dining tables lately because Thanksgiving is coming up and when I think of family gatherings they come to mind and the mountains of food that will top it, of course. Rustic dining tables instantly add coziness to your kitchen. They’re also very versatile and compliment so many different styles. If you’re looking to add a new dining table to your home for the holidays this is a great option.

This is my  rustic table. It was a new pine table with painted white legs.  I stripped the paint off the legs by using a chemical stripper. I wanted to have some of the white peeking through so I sanded the legs lightly. Once that’s done you can stain the wood.  You can find direction on how to strip paint from furniture here. And to stain wood, visit this site.

House Beautiful

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap

Sandy A La Mode and Much Love Illy are hosting Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap.  These two ladies are so creative and when 2 great bloggy minds such as these collide, you know something awesome is going to happen. The concept is pretty simple, sign up and you’ll be paired up with someone which you will exchange a pair of gloves and other goodies with.  Who doesn’t love looking forward to a lovely package?  This is why I’ve already signed up. Visit Sandy A La Mode for details! Hurry, they’re capping the swap at 100 and signups are only through November 11th!