Nikson's Flat

this may have taken me a while, but i will have you know it's been well worth it and you will benefit greatly from knowing that the process of putting this room together was so fun and rather inexpensive. i waited patiently for the right pieces. There is a story behind most of the pieces and although it has taken me six months to put it together, i am extremely happy with the result and confident my baby boy has a little man cave. so without further adieu, the flat.

The color scheme was grays, black and white, tomato red, and mustard yellow. I wanted a mountain man feel, but not a log cabin look. No trout stuck onto the wall or a log crib. We wanted it to be really simple. 

The stripes were painted by myself and friend, Natalie. The base color is Valspar's Tempered Gray and the dark stripes are in the same family. The unanimous vote was to make a bold contrast stripe, but you can tone it down it you want. 

The mobile was made by myself from an aspen branch in our yard and Crate and Barrel's metallic leaves. I just sewed them and tied them on. 

The rocker is actually a family piece. My mom got it 35 years ago when my brother Mike was born and I talked her into letting me have it. I think she was reluctant, but I don't even think Mike knows! The buffalo checked blanket was made by a lady in my ward and the pillow by my friend Nat.

The owl lamp pretty much started me on this theme. It was a gift and I have been in love with him. A little Tim Burton looking i think. Target carried it. A picture of baby's mom and dad and the Draper LDS Temple keep the nightstand simple. The nightstand was bought at DownEast for $7 and painted with a cherry tomato paint and I am not sure of the brand.

I made the drapes, but don't get excited. I am no seamstress and they are crooked, but they serve their purpose and the fabric is cute. (Joann's)

The plaid quilt was a gift. It was actually tied at my ward baby shower and made by some very dear friends.

The dresser was a complete steal off ksl.com. Posted for $275 and we got it for $180. I looked everywhere for a nine drawer and everything was too expensive. I love the color and how modern looking it is.

Little Tongue Stickin Out. So cute!

The story of the bookcase will blow your mind. When we moved into this house our back porch had this old beat up trunk that was used for outdoor storage. I washed it out, bleached it, and took the top off. Voila, an awesome, rustic bookcase... for free! I put in tons of different pieces from different times in our lives. The nesting dolls are a gift from Grandma Audrey, a case of used thank you cards from when we were married, old books I grew up with, and rock and twig from camping. The bear is from Blake's mission. Thanks Matty. I got the vintage "3" from Details in Sugarhouse and the elephant bank was a gift from UO.

I found this darling baby to adorn the floors and the crib at night. he cost me a few pounds and some late nights, but totally worth it.

artwork in the room has really been fun to find. Etsy sells the dapper reindeer prints and I got the Sacred Grove picture a while ago for Christmas. The moustache print was made by myself in CS5. the pictures of the baby were taken by our friend Tyson. The frame around the initials was bought for $2 at a garage sale and painted yellow (Southern Glow by Benjamin Moore) The letters were gifts from UO. (B= Bret N= Nikson, yada yada). the Jesus and boy print is a Greg Olson and one of my favorites. I have a couple more ideas for artwork in the future, but I just really felt like it needed to be simple, fun, and inspiring.

the antlers are actually kind of a fun thing. i know there are some of you who don't like hunting and killing animals, but i happen to have a father-in-law who does so you may have to just skip this part. Nikson was named after his grandpa, Bret and so to celebrate that, we hung antlers from one of his hunts. so yes, they are real and i am sure that sweet little woodland creature is in a far more beautiful place, frolicking in a meadow filled with poppy's.

I have two more small projects to finish out the room. A chalkboard door by the bookshelf and a palate wall shelf. Those will be for another time, when I find the time. I need a rug and most likely it will be a faux polar bear one, but that's just my brain storming.

I have loved creating this place. I am excited for Nikson to be "sent to timeout" because he will at least like to be there. let me know if you have any questions.

LOL- Lots of Love (Garrett:)


Photos done by Allyssa Zemke.

wow, that's good cake

As per usual, I am posting this a few months late, but at least you are getting it now right? I made coconut cake for mr. darling's birthday. the man loves coconut. my sweet friend brandi gave me her recipe and it turned out divine. decadent. delicious. any other d words you can think of...insert here. so here is the recipe for your baking pleasure. i made the birthday sign out of wire and some patience.

Mix together
1 box white cake mix
1/3c. heavy whipping cream
1/2c. coconut milk

Cook
1 box of vanilla pudding

Fold pudding into the cake mix

Bake with the directions on the back of the cake box. The cream, milk, and pudding create a culinary masterpiece. Julia Childs would be proud.

Now for the frosting. This gets tricky.

Cream until fluffy with mixer
1c. softened butter

Add to butter
1/4tsp. salt
1TBSP vanilla
1TBSP corn syrup

Add 1c. at a time on lowest setting
4c. powdered sugar

Once blended add
1/4c. heavy whipping cream

Return to high and whip for 3 minutes

Frost your cake. I sprinkled coconut flakes all over it. It's easiest if you put the flakes in your hand and press it against the cake, otherwise more is on the counter than your cake. Then get some milk. Its so rich you will need a chaser. You can do a layered cake like mine or a pan one. I figure, the more layers the better.

Enjoy.

A Mom Moment

So for the first time in a long time, I have had a moment to myself to think a few things through. Nikson is asleep, I don't have to work, and the laundry is going. A few things have been going on in the Bishop household and I thought I should get it all down.



Around four months my happy baby seemed a little cranky. He didn't ever freak out or cry non-stop, but I could just tell something was wrong. My pediatrician wasn't super helpful with my concerns and so I just started to figure things out on my own. I started thinking that he had allergies. That's when I cut chocolate and peanuts. Remember? Well things still weren't 100% and Nikson's skin was starting to be affected. He had cracked ankles and his knees and elbows were bright red all the time. During his diaper changing time he would rub his ankles on the carpet to relive whatever was going on. He would be up at night every hour because his neck would itch him so badly that he would wake himself up and I would find him bleeding. I have a couple sisters who have had to deal with baby allergies so I switched pediatricians and got this baby tested.

Peanuts.
Diary.
Wheat.
Egg Whites.

Yeah I know.
And yes, I am still nursing.
I don't have any problems with nursing and I have been finding really yummy things to eat sans these major food groups. Why am I doing it? Because I have never seen a happier, more pleasant child than Nikson. He is the definition of the golden child. His future siblings have a lot to live up to. So my amazing doctor ordered some tests, and prescribed some antibiotics and cream to get rid of the skin infection that was so irritating. This baby is at 100% and now I wake up every morning to Van's wheat-free, diary-free, egg-free frozen waffles and pack my diet full of fruits, veggies, chicken, and brown rice. If you have more questions, feel free to ask.



I suppose another reason for posting is to express something I have been learning as a mother. You know, the things I learn at three in the morning when I am up nursing a sleepy baby. People have expressed what a drag it is to have children and how they seriously cause your life to stop. People make fun of those who's lives revolve around their children. I am here to say that those people are very wrong. Life is so much more now that I have a responsibility to this little person. When Blake and I got married we felt like we could do anything. We were going to move to New Zealand and live on the beach, learn how to surf, and make lots of money doing things that we love. When we found out we were pregnant, of course our plans changed. It wasn't that they were thwarted, it's just that reality sank in. It was time for us to grow up and be adults. Adults with a baby. But not just any baby. God sent us the very best baby for us. The one we would need for right now. Nikson's feelings are so sensitive and he knows what goes on in this home. Blake will agree with me when I say that who we are has taken on a completely different meaning because of him. We pray together to be great parents, to know what to teach this baby everyday, and to have the Spirit direct us. We never prayed for that kind of help before. Our dependence on God has become so much more real and living. When Nikson gets shots or is crying, I call on Heavenly Father very first. This baby has made my relationship with God vital. Not that I didn't have a strong connection with Him before I had a baby, it's just that now I really feel Him in my life and a part of this family. Miracles happen here and I know it is Him. Sure we have our problems. Every family does. But I go to Him with my problems and it allows for peace to be here.



I have been told not to include religion in my blog, in case it turns people away, but I don't care. These are my feelings. It is amazing to know that Heavenly Father is real. I love that the knowledge of that infuses my energy and creates great moments for me. Great moments even at three in the morning.

Nikson goes Boating

and he loved it.
we spent saturday up at Echo Lake and had a blast.


he loves hanging out with dad.




and licking his lifejacket.


blake seemed to enjoy himself.


sacked out.
so cute.

So busy...

It is Tuesday.
What happened to Monday?
Holy moly.
Well, I will update you soon.
For now just know it's been busy.
We are in some serious need of R&R


Nikson has been so HILARIOUS as of late.
He will definitely be one of the top ten funniest Nikson's you will ever know.


and he likes to laugh with his dad.
which i wouldn't argue.
he is funny.
i guess that is where the babe gets it.

Mustache Soother

its really simple.
cut out of felt the style of mustache you would like.
glue dot it to the soother.
voila, your baby has instant sophistication.

Campfire and Smores

We took our first camping trip for the summer this past weekend. Seriously, I am so glad we went. Not only did we survive with a baby, but the little LOVED it. And he didn't freeze which I am grateful for. I think it was because we bundled him in five layers of pure warm-ness.






Nikson smiles ninety five percent of the time. I don't think we could have gotten a happier baby.


We hiked to Haystack Lake. It is so beautiful up there and there is no one for miles.


Except for Lucy.


And Noni and Lyss.

We had such a great time and hope we can fit in a few more trips before the weather turns.

Postage long overdue

My apologies for the late posting of this event. Time has slipped between my fingers. Now on with the news.


Every summer my sister Jenn drives over her herd from Colorado to spend July 4th with us Utah'ns. This year Blake and I were able to host a sleepover, and boy was it exciting. We spent hours in the backyard and ended the night with a viewing of Dennis the Menace.

These were just some of my favorite shots of the night.


Elena is seriously a RIOT! We love her.


Halle Gal and her snail. She may or may not have put salt on that poor fella after this shot.


Luke and the plasma car. Can't get enough of this boy.


Seriously, if all the children of the world looked like Lydia. There would be more love, sweet love.

Sweet Jeni.


These two had their first REAL sleepover this go around. Their moms were worried they may not make it all night. I was worried we would all die laughing at them! CA-RA-ZEE.




i fell in love with this shot. I love these two.

Blake managed to lure all the kids onto the tramp to spray them with the hose. They acted mad, but pretty soon they were loving it! I was just loving Blake's muscles. Yum!

A foreshadowing of the weekend.

Although it will probably look a lot more like this...


and yes, the baby is going too.
wish us luck.
and warm weather.
and lots of perseid meteorite shower seeing.

I want...

Actually I need a sparkle skirt. And this outfit.

One Tough Guy

We had to go get our six month shots yesterday and on top of that blood drawn for allergy tests. The little man didn't even cry and he got pricked five times. We came with all sorts of band-aids and bandages. It was a real "motherhood" experience for me because it was the first time he really knew things were scary and so I had to coach him a little. He just stared at me with big eyes and I knew he was nervous. I just told him he was super brave and we had a major bonding moment. You can't substitute moments like that and I am grateful for it. I love this little man. When we got home, we waited for Blake and as soon as Nikson saw him he started laughing. Now those two have something I will never have. And its OK with me.