Happy Easter from the Raleigh Towlers!

I think it's safe to say spring is finally here!  Although the last two nights we've had a freeze warning...here's hoping the weather we've experienced so far in Raleigh (the summer monsoons, the winter blizzards, and the frigid spring temps) are not to be expected every year.  Hard to believe we are closing in on a year of being North Carolinians!  Spring is the only season we've yet to experience fully here and even though it's been a cold few days, it's shaping up to be a good one so far-

Our front and back yard are blooming quite nicely!

Looking forward to spending more time outside again and hopefully doing some spring and summer entertaining, Dan has been busy sharpening his carpentry skills with this latest project.  He gets full credit on this one-  he's imagined it for months and started making it a reality a few weeks ago....I don't even have a whole lot of pictures because I was inside making a crib skirt while he was busy at work.  But here you get an idea of the process in building our Outdoor Bar-

The idea was inspired by our old kitchen sink and a how-to tutorial we came across on none other than This Old House.  A little help from Ana White on how to build a potting bench and there you have it!  Some "oops" stain (yes, that is redwood stain) that added to this budget friendly piece and we are just about ready to chill some drinks in the sink and serve up some hors d'oeuvres.  We need to add a few finishing touches like casters so that it can roll easily around the patio and a little something to disguise the under side of the sink but we are almost there!  Impressive, huh?

We've also finished the other valance in the nursery-

My next nursery project is getting under way today while I enjoy this Good Friday off of school-  I'll share the finished product with you soon!

And if you need a good Easter dessert or just an anytime dessert you HAVE to try these- 

Brown Sugar Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Brown Sugar Frosting

I'm not usually big on cake but the peanut butter frosting had me sold.  These were out of this world!  Easy to make with everything I already had in the pantry and fridge but they tasted like I spent a fortune at the local cupcakery.  Mmm mmm mmm!!!  I forgot how fun a cupcake is and what a treat they are!  I may just try my hand at some more cupcake recipes soon.  

Today marks 6 months for Baby T-  measuring in close to 9 inches tall and weighing over a pound and half now, the size of an eggplant they say!  Since time isn't slowing down, in fact it seems to be doing just the opposite, we are continuing to make headway on the nursery.  We've completed one of two valances using some extra crib skirt fabric.  I showed Dan the inspiration I'd come across on Pinterest and he was of course able to whip something up in no time!

With plywood we had on hand from our old kitchen counters, Dan measured, cut, and screwed three pieces together.  Then we measured fabric to fit-

Pulling tightly, we covered the wood with the fabric using a staple gun.

The sides fit snuggly around the window box and are screwed right into the molding.  Ta-da!

This is one of those easy projects that packs a big punch.  What a transformation it makes to a plain old window.  The lines are so neat and clean and it really adds a nursery feel to the room.  Loving it!

The other valance will be hung above the window seat but we didn't have enough left over kitchen counter wood.  To Home Depot we will go to complete the whole window treatment look- a small price to pay for a fantastic finished product.

We also celebrated Dan's birthday over the weekend with a delicious key lime pie I made with the help of the Pioneer Woman-  the recipe was quick, easy, and out of this world good!  So good that I didn't get a chance to snap a pic before it disappeared.

And even though it's a few weeks late, here is a family photo from our trip to Charleston for a friends wedding 2 weeks ago-  Baby T starting to get in on the action:)