Getting to know you: Chelle

About Me: I go by Shelley. I am 26. And in my “humble” opinion, if I am not " thee", I am at least one of thee "luckiest," (i.e. blessed) girls on the face of this earth. Married to this amazing guy who I totally adore, as well as being Mommy to the sweet two year-old Annabelle Lucy. I like to describe my self as being a desperately happy housewife. We live in a tiny bungalow house, on a little over an acre in the greater Seattle area. I lead a cozy, happy little life. Spending most of my time loving and being loved on by my little (the 3 of us) and not so little (the 40 +of us) family, and all the laundry-folding, dinner-fixing, oowie-kissing, bed-making, toilet-scrubbing, story-reading, infinite smiles, shirt-mending, cuddle-bugging, and picture-taking, that requires. And I can't think of anything I like better in all the world than the sound of my husband and small daughter's laughter filling our house. Ultimately it proves to me not only that God is, but also that He is love.

What is your definition of Home?
I desire that our home would be open and inviting...where family, friends are always welcome. Parties are thrown, Thanksgiving dinner is served, even if that means we are packed in like sardines. The more the merrier! Safe and Secure. A place to be real. An expression and extension of our personalities. Cozy and Comfortable. Full of laughter. Where most of all we feel free to be just us.

Favorite Creative Outlet(s)-
Anything that has to do with color/texture combinations.
Quilting, Cardmaking, Blogging, Flower Gardening, Scrapbooking, Photography, Creating Flikr Mosaics , and more.

Favorite Decorating Elements?
Anything from Nature: Fresh Flowers Sea Shells, Birds Nests, Pussy willows, Feathers, Berries, Glass Bottles of every shape and size, Bulletin Boards covered in pictures. Old Books, Framed Vintage Sheet Music, Hanging Vases, Quilts, Red accents.

Book Recommendation-

‘ Decorating With Color’ by Martha Stewart

Where do you Find Inspiration-

From nature. From my daughter. From magazines, and a stroll through your friendly neighborhood Anthropologie. Or Target. From Etsy. From Flickr. From the outfits people have on at church every Sunday. From being in other people's homes. From Martha Stewart. But
mostly from the others in this happy little world of blogging that I look up to on a daily basis, here, here and here, and here, here, here and here, and here and here and here, here , and here, and that is only the beginning.

Tried and True Recipe-

Here’s my new all-time favorite cookie recipe. I like to whip a batch of these up in my handy dandy Kitchen Aid to put in David’s lunch .

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time 15 Min
Cook Time 10 Min
Ready In 25 Min

INGREDIENTS :

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until
smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the
flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats
and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly
greased cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown.
Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool
completely. Makes 18.

Favorite Color(s)- Red, Green (all shades) , Robins Egg Blue, Yellow, Brown, & all the rest of them!

Teach us delight, in simple things. -Ruyard Kipling

Corners of Your Home- I think I’d rather show than tell.

Favorite Household Tip -

1. Get up happy.

2. Stay that way

-Unknown