Blog - The Moody Mortal

Living Sustainably: Let’s Talk About Plastics

March 16, 2021

Remember my intent to focus on sustainable living this year? Can you imagine me awkwardly clamoring onto my soapbox to talk about the impact of making small changes to our daily lives for the betterment of the planet for a hot second? Obviously there are so many ways that we can live sustainably, but as I was outlining ideas for this series, the use of plastics immediately stood out -- it was like the plastic water bottles sitting on my counter were screaming "pick me, pick me!" So in my next ... VIEW POST

The Best Carrot Cake Recipe

February 27, 2021

I don't use the word "best" lightly, friends. I'm kind of a carrot cake snob. To me, carrot cake must be a delectable mix of the right spices, nuts, raisins, and visible shreds of carrot. I will judge a restaurant by their carrot cake and during my last pregnancy, became obsessive about finding one that would make it right. Then, it dawned on me. I have a kitchen. I have an oven. It's possible that *I* could make a carrot cake. SO the search was on and boy oh boy did I find the best carrot cake ... VIEW POST

Books I’m Reading in February

February 25, 2021

....because I have *so* much time to read.... Okay, really, even if you have five kids and five hundred projects going and haven't showered in days, you *can* enjoy a good book or two (in between changing diapers and chasing the cats around the house). Anyway, I'm focusing on areas that will lead to action in my life. Or, life betterment, if you will. Let's take a gander at the books I'm reading in February!I love self help books. Isn't it simply lovely that you can have the gumption to realize ... VIEW POST

Adding Bead Board Accent Walls`

February 21, 2021

One of the things that I've been trying to do in our home is to add vintage touches that make our home feel less like a new build and more like a 150 year old beauty. We lived in a home built in 1890 for several years that I absolutely loved - so I'm using her as a bit of inspiration. There was a small space off the side of the house that was used as a three season porch that had floor to ceiling bead board walls. So, we decided to take the old school vibe of that space and reinvent it for our ... VIEW POST

Braided Chocolate Swirl Bread Recipe

February 16, 2021

I just want to preface this post by saying - I had absolutely nothing to do with this *wildly waving hands about* baking feat. Okay -- I take that back. I was the one who started watching The Great British Baking Show (I pulled Derek along for the ride, as usual). We both fell in love and Derek became inspired (and, hey, if the dude wants to bake me delectable chocolatey bread, I'm not going to complain). After watching baker after baker struggle to create this Braided Chocolate Swirl Bread ... VIEW POST

Vintage Loveseat Deconstruct Project

February 8, 2021

There's nothing like a great furniture find (the older and cheaper the better)! Now, I've attempted a couple reupholstery/furniture refresh projects that have been absolute fails. After a chalk-paint-gone-bad and a traditional-upholstery-gone-awry, I was put out and frustrated. I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars getting a professional to fix my Marketplace bargain finds -- what's the point in that? I came across an antique sofa deconstruct from my friend Mercedes over at ... VIEW POST