tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67920813364507113172024-03-14T03:35:49.701-04:00Roly Poly FarmJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-88896115040113808282013-01-11T10:32:00.005-05:002013-01-11T10:44:30.040-05:00Laundry Room RevealOur laundry room is complete.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XZKH0d3ZMA/UO8QPMVQjeI/AAAAAAAAA18/qiyMcYJbAj0/s1600/Laundry+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XZKH0d3ZMA/UO8QPMVQjeI/AAAAAAAAA18/qiyMcYJbAj0/s640/Laundry+room.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Well, mostly complete. ;)<br />
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I still have to hang a few things on the wall. You know, the last 10% that I mentioned <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2013/01/returning-with-updates.html">here</a>.<br />
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I am so happy with how it turned out. It is one of my favorite rooms in the house and truly is MY room, since no one else in this house would <i>dare</i> step foot in there. That's ok though. I like having my own space, even if it is just the laundry room.<br />
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Today, I am just going to share photos of the space. I'll be back later to share the details such as paint colors or how things came to be.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAVz4GpCb4s/UO8P1Tw3_tI/AAAAAAAAAzM/6v7TbMnmA_8/s1600/Laundry+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAVz4GpCb4s/UO8P1Tw3_tI/AAAAAAAAAzM/6v7TbMnmA_8/s400/Laundry+room.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CthS01YQBP8/UO8QOOL6RGI/AAAAAAAAA1o/h9OF-ea6kmY/s1600/Laundry+room+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CthS01YQBP8/UO8QOOL6RGI/AAAAAAAAA1o/h9OF-ea6kmY/s400/Laundry+room+wall.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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I painted the existing oak cabinets:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ8ZpQuRqmY/UO8QHzyd9BI/AAAAAAAAAzs/4SkVEJvU8Z4/s1600/Laundry+room+cabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ8ZpQuRqmY/UO8QHzyd9BI/AAAAAAAAAzs/4SkVEJvU8Z4/s640/Laundry+room+cabinets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Remember what they used to look like? A reminder:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnRRo6lZZ3M/UPAv6sked6I/AAAAAAAAA3U/bpV5kXlJVLI/s1600/Laundry+cabinet+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnRRo6lZZ3M/UPAv6sked6I/AAAAAAAAA3U/bpV5kXlJVLI/s640/Laundry+cabinet+before.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a new countertop was installed:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ktXvforJIOQ/UO8QIHxMKkI/AAAAAAAAAzw/lPzvODc8XTE/s1600/Laundry+room+counter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ktXvforJIOQ/UO8QIHxMKkI/AAAAAAAAAzw/lPzvODc8XTE/s640/Laundry+room+counter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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New hardware on the cabinets:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2slRrcPZrII/UO8QIRhuyeI/AAAAAAAAAz0/gqmrx-wOiUc/s1600/Laundry+room+drawer+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2slRrcPZrII/UO8QIRhuyeI/AAAAAAAAAz0/gqmrx-wOiUc/s640/Laundry+room+drawer+closeup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I lined the drawers in a pretty fabric:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA559PH-PqY/UO8QLg10MQI/AAAAAAAAA00/_phAyUMAYLE/s1600/Laundry+room+inside+drawer+liner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA559PH-PqY/UO8QLg10MQI/AAAAAAAAA00/_phAyUMAYLE/s640/Laundry+room+inside+drawer+liner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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New farmhouse sink and faucet. You can also see the white subway tile backsplash we added:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GllImYvUJaM/UO8QJSkBp_I/AAAAAAAAA0M/aMCnzrQMleE/s1600/Laundry+room+farmhouse+sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="545" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GllImYvUJaM/UO8QJSkBp_I/AAAAAAAAA0M/aMCnzrQMleE/s640/Laundry+room+farmhouse+sink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The new beadboard ceiling with crown moulding and a "new" light:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zqo4RR1lBU/UO8QG9GTsMI/AAAAAAAAAzc/CAbacDy9Py0/s1600/Laundry+room+ceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zqo4RR1lBU/UO8QG9GTsMI/AAAAAAAAAzc/CAbacDy9Py0/s400/Laundry+room+ceiling.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARLnczNmy6E/UO8QMgws62I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/lmrAtNFKf9Q/s1600/Laundry+room+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARLnczNmy6E/UO8QMgws62I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/lmrAtNFKf9Q/s400/Laundry+room+light.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SV6TLlpK100/UO8QHpujdtI/AAAAAAAAAzk/ZHfAlM8WCRc/s1600/Laundry+room+close-up+ceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SV6TLlpK100/UO8QHpujdtI/AAAAAAAAAzk/ZHfAlM8WCRc/s640/Laundry+room+close-up+ceiling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I painted an old hutch:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWR6l2KpTB0/UO8QJuXUp4I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/0HjiSnOgk6Y/s1600/Laundry+room+hutch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWR6l2KpTB0/UO8QJuXUp4I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/0HjiSnOgk6Y/s640/Laundry+room+hutch+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And added new hardware and distressed it a bit:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9ajtET_P2c/UO8QGWl2woI/AAAAAAAAAzU/8drbsbX_h1o/s1600/Laundry+room+cabinet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9ajtET_P2c/UO8QGWl2woI/AAAAAAAAAzU/8drbsbX_h1o/s400/Laundry+room+cabinet+1.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cgJKpbLBEw/UO8QKS6C0vI/AAAAAAAAA0g/Dim0cJpkd8I/s1600/Laundry+room+hutch+closeup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cgJKpbLBEw/UO8QKS6C0vI/AAAAAAAAA0g/Dim0cJpkd8I/s400/Laundry+room+hutch+closeup2.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHiYzd0x9qk/UO8QK6WLSyI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uE5wle5JsNk/s1600/Laundry+room+hutch+closeup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHiYzd0x9qk/UO8QK6WLSyI/AAAAAAAAA0o/uE5wle5JsNk/s320/Laundry+room+hutch+closeup3.jpg" width="302" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNVbN2HtdAk/UO8QJOR3qBI/AAAAAAAAA0I/2Eb0QUIYb5w/s1600/Laundry+room+fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNVbN2HtdAk/UO8QJOR3qBI/AAAAAAAAA0I/2Eb0QUIYb5w/s400/Laundry+room+fan.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNdiNbETNUM/UO8QNnOFrVI/AAAAAAAAA1g/0tHJRSLDqJw/s1600/Laundry+room+shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNdiNbETNUM/UO8QNnOFrVI/AAAAAAAAA1g/0tHJRSLDqJw/s640/Laundry+room+shelves.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgLM5M1q5eU/UO8QKLklAGI/AAAAAAAAA0c/ASiQ9-IiEZM/s1600/Laundry+room+hutch+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgLM5M1q5eU/UO8QKLklAGI/AAAAAAAAA0c/ASiQ9-IiEZM/s400/Laundry+room+hutch+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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An Ikea shelf with flea market brackets. The middle box holds all lost socks, which we have a ton of:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MCqm1qAlGg/UO8QNOZQDBI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/2_f6rfPzDOs/s1600/Laundry+room+shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MCqm1qAlGg/UO8QNOZQDBI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/2_f6rfPzDOs/s400/Laundry+room+shelf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A custom roman shade:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbrwT1XpTr4/UPAqQ0FY0OI/AAAAAAAAA2k/yy7i06QUxVI/s1600/Laundry+room+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbrwT1XpTr4/UPAqQ0FY0OI/AAAAAAAAA2k/yy7i06QUxVI/s640/Laundry+room+window.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Board and batten walls and an ironing cabinet:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CthS01YQBP8/UO8QOOL6RGI/AAAAAAAAA1o/h9OF-ea6kmY/s1600/Laundry+room+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CthS01YQBP8/UO8QOOL6RGI/AAAAAAAAA1o/h9OF-ea6kmY/s400/Laundry+room+wall.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mVLipu87A4/UPAq4nQkvoI/AAAAAAAAA2s/_8qaEoDQyUQ/s1600/LAundry+room+board+and+batten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mVLipu87A4/UPAq4nQkvoI/AAAAAAAAA2s/_8qaEoDQyUQ/s400/LAundry+room+board+and+batten.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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I recovered the ironing board in a coordinating fabric:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwX17jGdQ1w/UO8QMO-V1bI/AAAAAAAAA1A/TytV5hTXxoM/s1600/Laundry+room+ironing+board+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwX17jGdQ1w/UO8QMO-V1bI/AAAAAAAAA1A/TytV5hTXxoM/s400/Laundry+room+ironing+board+up.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhvNl9ml4-A/UO8QQHsZBVI/AAAAAAAAA2E/t6fETGPClVc/s1600/Laundry+room+ironing+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhvNl9ml4-A/UO8QQHsZBVI/AAAAAAAAA2E/t6fETGPClVc/s400/Laundry+room+ironing+board.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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This is a $1 garage sale find that I plan to turn into a drying rack and hang next to the window. I am going to attempt to do a knock off of Ballard Design's drying rack, pictured right:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3ZgX0UWfPc/UO8QI2VfB4I/AAAAAAAAA0A/Y42oWXa_5aw/s1600/Laundry+room+drying+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3ZgX0UWfPc/UO8QI2VfB4I/AAAAAAAAA0A/Y42oWXa_5aw/s1600/Laundry+room+drying+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xyPSPkIweeI/UPAuPAk-h7I/AAAAAAAAA3A/lhqS1RtKHs0/s1600/drying+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xyPSPkIweeI/UPAuPAk-h7I/AAAAAAAAA3A/lhqS1RtKHs0/s320/drying+rack.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3ZgX0UWfPc/UO8QI2VfB4I/AAAAAAAAA0A/Y42oWXa_5aw/s1600/Laundry+room+drying+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3ZgX0UWfPc/UO8QI2VfB4I/AAAAAAAAA0A/Y42oWXa_5aw/s320/Laundry+room+drying+rack.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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This is just a flea market find that I want to hang somewhere in there.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ct__KjlDb7Y/UO8QOo-j61I/AAAAAAAAA10/GQSHdTrC8ow/s1600/Laundry+room+washboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ct__KjlDb7Y/UO8QOo-j61I/AAAAAAAAA10/GQSHdTrC8ow/s400/Laundry+room+washboard.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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I still need to find a few more items for the walls and probably add some hooks on the walls for winter coat storage, etc (maybe).</div>
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That's the laundry room! I hope you enjoyed looking! I'll be back with all the details soon!</div>
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Linking up to these parties:</div>
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<a href="http://thecsiproject.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Visit thecsiproject.com" class="aligncenter" src="http://thecsiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/thecsiproject.com-logo-150.png" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-91617179693620984302013-01-08T12:57:00.002-05:002013-01-08T12:59:12.492-05:00Returning with updates!Hello?? Anybody still out there?<br />
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It's been so long since I've written a post on here. I'm not sure I remember even how to do it! I apologize for the long delay in case there is anyone who was following some of my projects and wondering how they've turned out.<br />
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It's been since May 2011 that I've posted. A lot has happened since then...<br />
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Home wise, I'm 90% finished with my laundry room:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPO0eDhtwsI/UOxci2UuU_I/AAAAAAAAAy8/13KDVwfUOwo/s1600/Laundry+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPO0eDhtwsI/UOxci2UuU_I/AAAAAAAAAy8/13KDVwfUOwo/s640/Laundry+room.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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(You can see what we started with, in all its sponge painted, orangey oak glory, <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/thinking-aheadthe-laundry-roomand-deal.html">HERE</a>)<br />
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And 90% finished with our office:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Piht9BXMtV4/UOxYWZTMDdI/AAAAAAAAAys/dtcUERGdSu8/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Piht9BXMtV4/UOxYWZTMDdI/AAAAAAAAAys/dtcUERGdSu8/s640/office.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's always the last 10% that gets me! The finishing touches. The fun stuff (usually). I don't know why decorating ADD sets in and I stall.<br />
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We added this beauty to our family four months ago:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfVXEpwvzmw/UOxX1A9V51I/AAAAAAAAAyU/R-ZJMsXmR-c/s1600/Helena+4months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfVXEpwvzmw/UOxX1A9V51I/AAAAAAAAAyU/R-ZJMsXmR-c/s640/Helena+4months.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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She is our little ray of sunshine. Our cherry on top. I could probably think of 100 more similar ways to describe her, but you get the idea. We are all so in love with her. Our boys, 4 and 6 yrs, adore her and take their role of big brother very seriously. They revel in her everyday and it warms my heart to see them love her so deeply and openly. The feeling is definitely mutual too. She is always ready with a smile whenever she looks at them.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFYgPN1-56k/UOxYDbIHBRI/AAAAAAAAAyc/KFpF6uQURTw/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFYgPN1-56k/UOxYDbIHBRI/AAAAAAAAAyc/KFpF6uQURTw/s640/096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbgIM8plCFM/UOxYHOg54dI/AAAAAAAAAyk/D-XmoYzpU6E/s1600/SamHelena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbgIM8plCFM/UOxYHOg54dI/AAAAAAAAAyk/D-XmoYzpU6E/s640/SamHelena.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just wanted to quickly update with a few photos. I'll be back in a few days with more pictures and details on my laundry room and office. I'm looking forward to sharing soon!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-15484116619048432202011-05-25T08:03:00.001-04:002011-05-25T08:03:23.998-04:00A Tour of Our Outside Space<div style="text-align: center;">Hello!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you are all doing well. We've finally been having some wonderful weather here. With the wonderful weather, I've been spending a lot of time outdoors.<br />
So, because of that, I want to show you some of our outside living space. I love being outside and if I can spend that time gardening, then I am even more happy. With living in Michigan, I only get a few months a year to indulge myself, so every year, I go all out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll start with the front. Here is what our home looks like from the street:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jnrrk1SWqCA/TdnBrRQimPI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ZAoAqrIIY-k/s1600/DSC_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jnrrk1SWqCA/TdnBrRQimPI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ZAoAqrIIY-k/s640/DSC_0655.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My rhododendrons are in full bloom:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdMiy9Q3TJ8/TdpJ721phGI/AAAAAAAAAbw/Gdv4paDBuqY/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdMiy9Q3TJ8/TdpJ721phGI/AAAAAAAAAbw/Gdv4paDBuqY/s640/DSC_0631.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KB-J7lU83Bk/TdJdV4HixPI/AAAAAAAAAXU/WBjb5X-Rvl8/s1600/DSC_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KB-J7lU83Bk/TdJdV4HixPI/AAAAAAAAAXU/WBjb5X-Rvl8/s640/DSC_0632.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I added window boxes this year:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfJOoakOZhc/TdznvSdyA6I/AAAAAAAAAhE/3_qkrk5eIbc/s1600/DSC_0651-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lfJOoakOZhc/TdznvSdyA6I/AAAAAAAAAhE/3_qkrk5eIbc/s640/DSC_0651-2.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm hoping they'll look like this eventually:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23372269_z8KFOgKU_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/23372269_z8KFOgKU_c.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its funny, I didn't even think to do window boxes until I saw this picture. Then I HAD to have them. I didn't realize until just now that I put the vines on the outside vs the middle, but I still love it! Maybe next year, I'll do it that way...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought trailing begonias for my front porch. They are also called Illumination begonias. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyRoQTNcRnk/TdpJyjN8ANI/AAAAAAAAAa8/4Lnb-GOJUcQ/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyRoQTNcRnk/TdpJyjN8ANI/AAAAAAAAAa8/4Lnb-GOJUcQ/s640/DSC_0615.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The one on the end has a robin's nest in it with three eggs. I would make a home there too if I was a bird!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As they grow, they will cover the pot and become even fuller.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XADXTp_q6UI/TdpJySscpRI/AAAAAAAAAa4/4MFHhF8cIw0/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XADXTp_q6UI/TdpJySscpRI/AAAAAAAAAa4/4MFHhF8cIw0/s640/DSC_0614.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our porch:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omV5xflbMaI/TdJdQ_NbPPI/AAAAAAAAAW0/YTBeT_9Ppso/s1600/DSC_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omV5xflbMaI/TdJdQ_NbPPI/AAAAAAAAAW0/YTBeT_9Ppso/s640/DSC_0623.JPG" t8="true" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the view going down the front steps:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFZp4KMzpO4/TdJdQvE2v_I/AAAAAAAAAWw/pSCjNDYeWIc/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFZp4KMzpO4/TdJdQvE2v_I/AAAAAAAAAWw/pSCjNDYeWIc/s640/DSC_0622.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have an island in the front with large rocks. I have creeping phlox growing around the rocks and its so pretty when its in bloom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqCr8EaK1y0/TdJdKOEW6lI/AAAAAAAAAWE/33noiERMZdk/s1600/DSC_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqCr8EaK1y0/TdJdKOEW6lI/AAAAAAAAAWE/33noiERMZdk/s640/DSC_0612.JPG" t8="true" width="424px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHnOEaJLM2U/TdJdK8vUPiI/AAAAAAAAAWI/oAWG0UKjzb8/s1600/DSC_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHnOEaJLM2U/TdJdK8vUPiI/AAAAAAAAAWI/oAWG0UKjzb8/s640/DSC_0613.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-puZ4CWV6TOM/TdJdJfboyHI/AAAAAAAAAV8/wczYAgqQuGs/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-puZ4CWV6TOM/TdJdJfboyHI/AAAAAAAAAV8/wczYAgqQuGs/s640/DSC_0610.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below the rocks are hostas:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yO-w3fhcDQ8/TdpFSD2l_KI/AAAAAAAAAgo/es09wnfP_lA/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yO-w3fhcDQ8/TdpFSD2l_KI/AAAAAAAAAgo/es09wnfP_lA/s640/DSC_0631.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a view of the whole island. You can't see them now, but I have 16 hydrangeas in there that are beginning to leaf out.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb_9ZYl-AzY/TdpFPH0UD3I/AAAAAAAAAZE/p86gkgF9o-I/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb_9ZYl-AzY/TdpFPH0UD3I/AAAAAAAAAZE/p86gkgF9o-I/s640/DSC_0627.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the other side of the driveway, I have this beautiful lilac bush:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHeJJ-rVEvw/TdJdTjYTFfI/AAAAAAAAAXM/nmsGx0H8KG0/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHeJJ-rVEvw/TdJdTjYTFfI/AAAAAAAAAXM/nmsGx0H8KG0/s640/DSC_0630.JPG" t8="true" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back is still being cleaned up, but here are some more trailing begonias we have hanging on the back porch:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWGh9slXxxs/TdJdPhRkd6I/AAAAAAAAAWo/TNp6eoIdDUA/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWGh9slXxxs/TdJdPhRkd6I/AAAAAAAAAWo/TNp6eoIdDUA/s640/DSC_0620.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_5-iXEUekw/TdJdQN4sLNI/AAAAAAAAAWs/CJK-Zn2cx4c/s1600/DSC_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_5-iXEUekw/TdJdQN4sLNI/AAAAAAAAAWs/CJK-Zn2cx4c/s640/DSC_0621.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything looks pretty and not too bad from certain views:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_CWvBp4w94/TdJdOwLBtxI/AAAAAAAAAWc/wgks3t128HM/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_CWvBp4w94/TdJdOwLBtxI/AAAAAAAAAWc/wgks3t128HM/s640/DSC_0618.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But we have these spots from our dog all over!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKIjraKn-o8/TdJdNIrwyaI/AAAAAAAAAWU/ZCTVYfKFZwE/s1600/DSC_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKIjraKn-o8/TdJdNIrwyaI/AAAAAAAAAWU/ZCTVYfKFZwE/s640/DSC_0616.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QqOE4ayDUE/TdJdOHvHurI/AAAAAAAAAWY/4VkUk4Hoysg/s1600/DSC_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QqOE4ayDUE/TdJdOHvHurI/AAAAAAAAAWY/4VkUk4Hoysg/s640/DSC_0617.JPG" t8="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My husband is an obsessive lawn guy and these spots drive him nuts. Therefore, I am driven nuts having to listen to him. Any have any solutions to keep these areas from occurring? I think its just part of having a female dog, but maybe someone out there has found a way to manage it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not even going to show you the pool area. Its a mess!<br />
I have a project going on with the gazebo that I'll show you soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you enjoyed my little tour! Have a great day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-56661186449832706882011-05-17T08:37:00.004-04:002011-05-17T08:40:12.716-04:00Crawling Along in the Laundry Room<div align="center">Hello all! </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have been busy working outdoors and it has taken me away from the laundry room a bit. We have made some progress though. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The ceiling is complete (well, minus some crown molding, but that is painted and ready to go up too).</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD1o74WA_l0/TdJdRIDM_XI/AAAAAAAAAW4/bBf8f9mybaw/s1600/DSC_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD1o74WA_l0/TdJdRIDM_XI/AAAAAAAAAW4/bBf8f9mybaw/s640/DSC_0625.JPG" width="596px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Habitat Restore pendant is painted and up as well and I love it!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGvMZiok6_Q/TdJdRq9pWHI/AAAAAAAAAW8/q9ApnmO_SWE/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGvMZiok6_Q/TdJdRq9pWHI/AAAAAAAAAW8/q9ApnmO_SWE/s640/DSC_0626.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It started out like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc39b3127ccefc31d7d8bc5100000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464px" j8="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc39b3127ccefc31d7d8bc5100000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, my ironing board cabinet is painted. I am just waiting on some fabric to cover the ironing board.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQvwncByO4w/TdJdR8jUtUI/AAAAAAAAAXA/atL8jGDQG_Q/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQvwncByO4w/TdJdR8jUtUI/AAAAAAAAAXA/atL8jGDQG_Q/s640/DSC_0627.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember, it looked this this before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc37b3127ccefc341c3bcb2b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464px" j8="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc37b3127ccefc341c3bcb2b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">This cabinet is important because I am using it as a test to see if I like it enough to paint my kitchen cabinets the same color. I also wanted to see how difficult the process is, although I know one cabinets is nothing compared to the thirty or so in my kitchen. I do like it. A lot. Eeeek!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Finally, I think I found <u>the</u> fabric for the laundry room, since I sold the other fabric I talked about<a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-fabric-dilemma.html"> here</a>. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here is a sneak peak:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/17859766_I33uRylx_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/17859766_I33uRylx_c.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/17314222_brhmmdUe_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/17314222_brhmmdUe_c.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/18202506_vNe1IF4M_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/18202506_vNe1IF4M_c.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/17859143_7ymJKofH_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/17859143_7ymJKofH_c.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From doing a little research online, I have found the blue is actually a little more blue, IRL. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some examples from Etsy:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.211115235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572px" j8="true" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.211115235.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.214214040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478px" j8="true" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.214214040.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.223269623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468px" j8="true" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.223269623.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its crazy how different they look! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a great day! Next time, I'll be back to show you my garden! I love decorating, but I am just as passionate about gardening and I can't wait to show you what I have!</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-42336375930570283352011-05-03T06:51:00.001-04:002011-05-03T06:51:45.125-04:00Flea Market Love<div style="text-align: center;">My in laws have been telling me about a flea market they go to every spring and fall. Finally, this past Sunday, my husband and I packed the boys up and we all went to check it out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't you know it rained early Sunday morning and it turned the flea market grounds into a mud pit? (If you've read my blog before, you would probably expect it though). We're talking ankle deep mud in places. Mud and two young, potentially bored boys? Not a good recipe, but I am happy to say they did great and the flea market was a success! We were still a mess, but it could have been so much worse!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I had taken my camera, but its bulky and I just didn't think it was a good idea with the rain and with keeping an eye on my kids. There wasn't anything too unusual about this flea market, but I would have loved to have shown you "The Guys on the Hill," as my MIL calls them. They have a huge section of goods set up on a hill. Boxes and boxes of things just thrown together and set down on the grass. Tons of furniture, old doors, stained glass windows, dishes, books, records, mirrors...you name it, they have it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As you shop, they shout out, "Good deals here!" or "Lots of good deals on the hill today!" Then, when you stop to look at something, say a chair, they'll say, "Good deal on that chair". Then you ask how much, they give you an ok price and you counter with an awesome price that they are pretty good about taking! Love that!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, what did I get, you ask? Let me show you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First thing I bought was this old milk crate for $5. Its fairly heavy with a metal bottom and in great shape.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-erpre6uERkw/Tb9acQkwURI/AAAAAAAAARo/8FvTheT0UuA/s1600/DSC_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-erpre6uERkw/Tb9acQkwURI/AAAAAAAAARo/8FvTheT0UuA/s640/DSC_0535.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAnSQVWzv5Q/Tb9adi4L9UI/AAAAAAAAARs/ZEqhNZr1yP4/s1600/DSC_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAnSQVWzv5Q/Tb9adi4L9UI/AAAAAAAAARs/ZEqhNZr1yP4/s640/DSC_0536.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A73o4DQOhDY/Tb9aeIF3x6I/AAAAAAAAARw/zYEHymat9w8/s1600/DSC_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A73o4DQOhDY/Tb9aeIF3x6I/AAAAAAAAARw/zYEHymat9w8/s640/DSC_0537.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I found this light:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZZOogmAqQU/Tb9aeyIKrAI/AAAAAAAAAR4/1ztZtnkZ5bk/s1600/DSC_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZZOogmAqQU/Tb9aeyIKrAI/AAAAAAAAAR4/1ztZtnkZ5bk/s640/DSC_0539.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved it, but I needed two that matched for my back patio. So, as I was holding it, my husband called me from about 50 feet away and held up another one! It was a slightly different color, but the style was identical! We asked the man how much and he said $10 for the pair. Not bad, but my husband countered with $5 and we settled at $7! Woot!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here they are together. Forgive my husband. He forgets he's not 15 anymore.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVhrxRv-Y8I/Tb9aeQuT-ZI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Jn7L-1kb04I/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVhrxRv-Y8I/Tb9aeQuT-ZI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Jn7L-1kb04I/s640/DSC_0538.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this vent at another seller's and thought it would look so nice painted and in the laundry room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPXxVKwt4po/Tb9aggxlf2I/AAAAAAAAASI/TsBsOi5qSnI/s1600/DSC_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPXxVKwt4po/Tb9aggxlf2I/AAAAAAAAASI/TsBsOi5qSnI/s640/DSC_0542.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I paid $5 for it and believe me, it is heavy! Unfortunately, its too big for the laundry room, but I will find another place for it, don't you worry! If I can get a second similar one, it will go in the basement when we redo it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband even found an old small gas tank that he plans on redoing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ONP4iXrMqE/Tb9aat7np6I/AAAAAAAAARg/AhlQlxg8HHA/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ONP4iXrMqE/Tb9aat7np6I/AAAAAAAAARg/AhlQlxg8HHA/s640/DSC_0533.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center">It was $30, which he tells me is a great deal. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I painted the lights already and they are even up!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here's the pitiful lights we had before. Don't judge. Our house was a foreclosure and the old light fixtures were stripped out and replaced with cheapos.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpbjM3u0L00/Tb9aiLIXR7I/AAAAAAAAASU/ndVXgG288Ks/s1600/DSC_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpbjM3u0L00/Tb9aiLIXR7I/AAAAAAAAASU/ndVXgG288Ks/s640/DSC_0545.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
<div align="center">And here is the after:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TM-KAcBt98/Tb9amE0lKeI/AAAAAAAAAS4/5b2D1W4gzps/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TM-KAcBt98/Tb9amE0lKeI/AAAAAAAAAS4/5b2D1W4gzps/s640/DSC_0554.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bNTWJybYRCQ/Tb9aj1bR7yI/AAAAAAAAASk/V2BU24JpoK8/s1600/DSC_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bNTWJybYRCQ/Tb9aj1bR7yI/AAAAAAAAASk/V2BU24JpoK8/s640/DSC_0549.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the glow it gives with the lights on!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEMSINmOXqs/Tb9akF4JlGI/AAAAAAAAASo/OvmYxpy1bEE/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEMSINmOXqs/Tb9akF4JlGI/AAAAAAAAASo/OvmYxpy1bEE/s640/DSC_0550.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not bad for $3.50 each!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This flea market happens again in the fall and I am definitely going again, only earlier this time! </div><div align="center"></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-45965147580377690772011-04-29T07:49:00.008-04:002011-04-29T14:13:32.785-04:00What I'm Loving Right Now<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you watch the royal wedding this morning? I was up at 6am, so I did get to see most of it. What a beautiful wedding!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">OK, back on the homefront, I thought I'd share some things that I am loving right now. Some home related, some not. </div><div style="text-align: center;">First, I love Fiddes and Sons Supreme Wax Polish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4JYzX6SUyE/TbqaGlINnBI/AAAAAAAAAQU/RyD3fZbM-dc/s1600/wax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4JYzX6SUyE/TbqaGlINnBI/AAAAAAAAAQU/RyD3fZbM-dc/s640/wax.jpg" width="610px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so impressed with this product so far! I used a water based poly on my ironing board cabinet and then I used this on my hutch and now I wish I had waxed the hutch first because I don't think I would have used the poly at all. I'm even thinking of sanding the poly off the cabinet and putting the wax on it. That project went too smoothly and I guess I just have to think of a way to complicate it!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've heard people say something went on like butter and thought I used some paints that I could say that about, but this product truly does goes on like soft, warm butter. I put it on with a chip brush, let it dry and then buffed it out with an old nylon. The buffing is a pretty quick process and its kind of therapeutic to physically work at something and see the soft sheen appear right before your eyes. It leaves such a soft, silky finish. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been reading all about the chalk paint craze and I am intrigued, but I just used this over some Sherwin Williams Pro Classic latex paint. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a sneak peak at one of the shelves:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A33NK0MNIfc/TbqkixqTwrI/AAAAAAAAARE/V6g2TXuTjxs/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A33NK0MNIfc/TbqkixqTwrI/AAAAAAAAARE/V6g2TXuTjxs/s640/DSC_0533.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The second thing I am loving is pinterest.com, which you have probably heard about if you read even half as many blogs as I do. If not, pinterest is like a pinboard, or a place to catalog everything you see while surfing the web. You can also follow people whose taste you admire and see what they pin. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndZJB8dV7OI/TbqeRPzPHJI/AAAAAAAAAQY/gzDGL3k9j9g/s1600/Pinterest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndZJB8dV7OI/TbqeRPzPHJI/AAAAAAAAAQY/gzDGL3k9j9g/s640/Pinterest.png" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you haven't joined yet and would like to, leave me a comment, with your email if you are a no reply blogger, and I will send you the invite you need to join!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In honor of the royal wedding, I thought I'd make some scones. Then, I got lazy and thought a coffee cake would be easier, which I am sure is not English at all. Oh well! This<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/sour-cream-coffee-cake-recipe/index.html"> recipe</a>, by Ina Garten, is fabulous!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2006/07/31/ig0703_cake2_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480px" j8="true" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2006/07/31/ig0703_cake2_med.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Food Network<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And my version:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rGJKkqChEFk/Tbqkhi_qZrI/AAAAAAAAAQw/dBFS0xaEMoo/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rGJKkqChEFk/Tbqkhi_qZrI/AAAAAAAAAQw/dBFS0xaEMoo/s640/DSC_0522.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here is what it looks like sliced:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QG-PvSZtD7k/TbqkiVshAYI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/BJjxuegl69s/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QG-PvSZtD7k/TbqkiVshAYI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/BJjxuegl69s/s640/DSC_0526.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I made it as the recipes states, except that I doubled the filling.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of the wedding, I loved Kate's dress!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42WgdL0D4CU/TbqftkpSlCI/AAAAAAAAAQc/E74z53TzGB8/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42WgdL0D4CU/TbqftkpSlCI/AAAAAAAAAQc/E74z53TzGB8/s640/dress.jpg" width="480px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just gorgeous!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And finally, have you seen The Voice on NBC?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYX_5VCPRhaLF7NcfPP628ktzRY4QSZGOTrjFQMsWjmOIKwGGsng" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328px" j8="true" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYX_5VCPRhaLF7NcfPP628ktzRY4QSZGOTrjFQMsWjmOIKwGGsng" width="640px" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">With these judges:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSX6Y2SJuDTmKZCTaNA-57_PINgVajnD1ouPHm87mQreasq3vae" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435px" j8="true" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSX6Y2SJuDTmKZCTaNA-57_PINgVajnD1ouPHm87mQreasq3vae" width="640px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It just aired this past Tuesday and I love it! You can read <a href="http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/about/">here</a> about the details of the show. I am looking forward to next week's episode. My husband and I have watched American Idol in the past, but this may be more my thing. We'll see as the weeks go on!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's it for now! How about you? Have you recently discovered anything that you just love?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-21044414095726368002011-04-26T07:56:00.001-04:002011-04-26T07:56:18.884-04:00My Fabric Dilemma<div style="text-align: center;">Good morning!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am moving forward with the laundry room and looking at fabric. I need fabric for my window, to cover my ironing board and to line the back of my hutch. The colors I'm looking for are blue, grey and green. I'm flexible on the green and if I found the right fabric, I can work with it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I did find some fabric I love. I saw Amy Butler's Daisy Chain collection and loved it right away. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are the three I liked:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.188072381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402px" i8="true" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_570xN.188072381.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Jasmine-Grey<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.205827062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.198889152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402px" i8="true" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.198889152.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Stripe- Grey<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.205827062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.205827062.jpg" width="600px" /></a><br />
Dandelion Field- Silver<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> I ordered all three and received them last week. Do you see the words in the description that follow all three? Grey and Silver? They don't mean a thing when it comes to describing what the fabric actually looks like! There's no grey. No silver. Its brown! Or tan. Or on a really good day with the right lighting, its taupe. My husband even said it was green. No one that I showed it to said grey though. Looking online, the vast majority of the images show it as being grey, but there were a few that showed its true color.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here is a picture I just took this morning:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abRhQ4c95Ug/TbayKQnEgiI/AAAAAAAAAP8/RCZhmR2dRak/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abRhQ4c95Ug/TbayKQnEgiI/AAAAAAAAAP8/RCZhmR2dRak/s640/DSC_0514.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> So, sadly, its not going to work and I am back to square one with the fabric.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Which brings me to the true dilemma. The other stuff not working out isn't a big deal because I can sell it on ebay. Its annoying, but I understand things like this happen when ordering online. The problem is that I can't find anything I like! I want grey and blue and maybe green or yellow and I can't find anything. Everything I see has brown instead of grey in it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So, share with me, if you can, what is your favorite source online for fabric? Have you seen any fabric like what I described? I saw this at Marshall's last night after looking without success at every single style of fabric for the third time at JoAnn's and had to laugh. It kind of spoke to me:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQsVWv9IHhc/Tbaw4WOrNhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/mvmWU2SPnJM/s1600/desperate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="485px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQsVWv9IHhc/Tbaw4WOrNhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/mvmWU2SPnJM/s640/desperate.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">That's my newest challenge for today! What are you working on? Is it going smoothly?</span><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-36277706435390260672011-04-25T08:01:00.004-04:002011-04-25T08:04:53.983-04:00Leftover Ham? No Problem!<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Happy Monday!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and Easter Sunday. We had a great day here. Lots of good food, fun with family and even some decent weather for a change! (those of you who live in warm climates may debate that last one since it was only in the 50s and partly sunny, but we've had a brutal Spring so far, so I'll take it)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I thought I'd share an easy way to use leftover ham. This year, we had pork for Easter dinner, but I had bought a ham last week and made this dish with the leftovers. My boys loved it, which is always a bonus. They are normally good eaters, but need to be reminded constantly during dinner to eat, so when I find a meal that they eat without any prodding, its a keeper!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILyHiFs4Tjk/TbVeu7lY7_I/AAAAAAAAAPE/yNBULPRwyTU/s1600/DSC_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILyHiFs4Tjk/TbVeu7lY7_I/AAAAAAAAAPE/yNBULPRwyTU/s640/DSC_0408.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Its inspired from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Ham-and-Potatoes-Au-Gratin/Detail.aspx">this recipe</a>, but I modified it to get this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin</strong> </div><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"><h3>Ingredients</h3><ul><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">3 cups diced cooked ham</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">15 oz can corn or frozen corn</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">3 tablespoons minced onion</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">2/3 cup butter or margarine</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">6 tablespoons all-purpose flour</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">3 cups milk</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">1 TBS dried parsley</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">1/2 tsp paprika</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">small pinch cayenne</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">generous dash pepper</li>
<li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient">Chopped fresh parsley</li>
</ul></div><div style="border-top: #ccc 1px dotted; margin-top: 20px; width: 300px;"></div><div class="directions" style="margin-top: 10px;"><h3>Directions</h3><ol><li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Combine potatoes, ham, corn and onion in a greased 9 x 13 casserole; set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; stirring constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles. Add cheese, parsley, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper; stir until the cheese melts. Pour over potato mixture and stir gently to mix. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly and slightly browned on top. </span></li>
</ol></div><div class="recipe-details-lg"><a class="nutritionanchor" href="about:blank" name="nutritionpanel"></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"> Like I said, these guys loved it:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aEjsonZYkhI/TbVftGS8keI/AAAAAAAAAPo/e8YeEyrkPbw/s1600/DSC_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aEjsonZYkhI/TbVftGS8keI/AAAAAAAAAPo/e8YeEyrkPbw/s640/DSC_0499.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plus it was easy. It doesn't get much better than that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the remodeling front, I have to admit that my little mishap with the hutch sucked up a lot of my energy and enthusiasm last week. I am happy to say that the doors no longer look like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjqC1ecgPw8/Ta1wAzioSlI/AAAAAAAAANs/iKIKETUbSr8/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjqC1ecgPw8/Ta1wAzioSlI/AAAAAAAAANs/iKIKETUbSr8/s640/DSC_0490.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNqZhaqXmHw/Ta1v_soKteI/AAAAAAAAANk/gJ7fgbtTeE4/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNqZhaqXmHw/Ta1v_soKteI/AAAAAAAAANk/gJ7fgbtTeE4/s640/DSC_0487.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and now look like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWQv15Pr_XQ/TbVevu0u4GI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/jfyo1gVE7cc/s1600/DSC_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWQv15Pr_XQ/TbVevu0u4GI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/jfyo1gVE7cc/s640/DSC_0505.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Ignore the orange oak cabinets...their day is coming)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dm9AejvBdZs/TbVewwGwCDI/AAAAAAAAAPY/zlhrmCCneE8/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dm9AejvBdZs/TbVewwGwCDI/AAAAAAAAAPY/zlhrmCCneE8/s640/DSC_0507.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdBRyPaSBQA/TbVewH8W4ZI/AAAAAAAAAPU/X-i5HIEOtFo/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdBRyPaSBQA/TbVewH8W4ZI/AAAAAAAAAPU/X-i5HIEOtFo/s640/DSC_0506.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It really wasn't that difficult to fix after all. It just took a lot of detailed sanding, but the repainting was a breeze. I am planning on finishing it this week with a little light distressing and then some finishing wax. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for your patience as I crawl along! Have a wonderful week! </div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-66367598514272101112011-04-19T07:50:00.001-04:002011-04-26T07:39:58.545-04:00The Big Fail<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Alternately known as, "I Wanted to Give Up"</div><div align="center">or</div><div align="center">"Is This a Joke?"</div><div align="center">or </div><div align="center">"I know I'm Being Overly Dramatic, but I Don't Care"</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">It all started out just fine. I finished painting the hutch that is going to go up in the laundry room. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOrxktCIG1A/Ta1v7P3gmVI/AAAAAAAAAM4/qaVrvm3yRX8/s1600/DSC_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOrxktCIG1A/Ta1v7P3gmVI/AAAAAAAAAM4/qaVrvm3yRX8/s640/DSC_0477.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I still have to wax it, but the sanding, priming and painting is done. The plan is to put the doors on the end and leave the middle as open shelving.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Which brings me to the doors. The doors.</div><div align="center">I sanded them, sprayed the wire front, taped around it, primed, sanded, painted, sanded and one and on and now it looks like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZgCcP2pXtQ/Ta1v74PxdcI/AAAAAAAAAM8/rGT0gsBG5Bc/s1600/DSC_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZgCcP2pXtQ/Ta1v74PxdcI/AAAAAAAAAM8/rGT0gsBG5Bc/s640/DSC_0478.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Insert scary music here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLcviWVQ8PY/Ta1v8rwjLlI/AAAAAAAAANE/0uMvB7Kkoxw/s1600/DSC_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLcviWVQ8PY/Ta1v8rwjLlI/AAAAAAAAANE/0uMvB7Kkoxw/s640/DSC_0480.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbrK7Q21VwY/Ta1v97zymQI/AAAAAAAAANQ/12NwyY8fXck/s1600/DSC_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbrK7Q21VwY/Ta1v97zymQI/AAAAAAAAANQ/12NwyY8fXck/s640/DSC_0483.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5aHqUPf2ks/Ta1wAIzk2mI/AAAAAAAAANo/E9hxQexIpOk/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K5aHqUPf2ks/Ta1wAIzk2mI/AAAAAAAAANo/E9hxQexIpOk/s640/DSC_0488.JPG" width="424px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once I removed the tape that was protecting the wire, it started coming off in CHUNKS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PN4zx1RZMc/Ta1wCM9cTiI/AAAAAAAAAN8/7UNsp9O1iBA/s1600/DSC_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PN4zx1RZMc/Ta1wCM9cTiI/AAAAAAAAAN8/7UNsp9O1iBA/s640/DSC_0494.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Even though I sanded, I am guessing I did not sand the inset area well enough. Even now, as I sand it again, it is hard to get a rough surface there. The paint on the rest of the door, so far, seems just fine. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Now, I need to fix this fiasco. We are going to remove the wire front, which I wish I would have done first, but I was afraid it was going to be hard to staple it back in place. My husband has informed me that it would be really easy to do that (Thanks for mentioning that NOW, Dear).</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Speaking of the wire front, the tape pulled some of the paint off:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNqZhaqXmHw/Ta1v_soKteI/AAAAAAAAANk/gJ7fgbtTeE4/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNqZhaqXmHw/Ta1v_soKteI/AAAAAAAAANk/gJ7fgbtTeE4/s640/DSC_0487.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsAbvefIf0M/Ta1v-I3jQWI/AAAAAAAAANU/SSBI12FFBJo/s1600/DSC_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsAbvefIf0M/Ta1v-I3jQWI/AAAAAAAAANU/SSBI12FFBJo/s640/DSC_0484.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">It just gets better and better!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Ok, I am almost done with all the belly aching and self pity. It could be worse, I know. I just thought I was following all the steps so carefully and really didn't foresee this hiccup. It will be better.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">For now, though, I just want it D.O.N.E.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Hope your projects are going better than mine, but if not, please feel free to commiserate with me and tell me all about it!</div><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-68689736317873733042011-04-13T07:26:00.003-04:002011-04-13T07:27:11.913-04:00Free BM Paint Sample and Target Reusable Bag!<div align="center">Happy Hump Day!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I just wanted to post a great coupon for anyone thinking of doing a little painting.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Print <a href="http://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/PDFS/Coupon_Exp_6_11.pdf">this coupon</a> to get a FREE 2 oz color sample of Benjamin Moore paint. The coupon expires on June 30, 2011.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://queenbeecoupons.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/BenjaminMoorePaintSamples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="http://queenbeecoupons.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/BenjaminMoorePaintSamples.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Also, if you head to Target on Sunday, April 17, 2011, you will get a FREE (with purchase) reusable bag. Go <a href="http://www.target.com/b?node=2670210011">here</a> for more details. Get there early because they tend to go quickly! I love the strap on it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.swaggrabber.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/target-free-bag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" r6="true" src="http://www.swaggrabber.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/target-free-bag.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a great day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-34809493834158622382011-04-12T08:29:00.008-04:002011-04-12T08:49:01.698-04:00Getting Crafty<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Good morning everyone! </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I took a little break this past weekend from working on the laundry room and worked on a baby shower gift for a friend. I always struggle with what to give someone who is having their second child and the sex is the same as the older sibling. They already have all the big stuff and if the seasons match, clothes aren't that helpful either. Usually I go the diaper route, with maybe an outfit as well thrown in there. For this friend, though, she has been wisely stocking up on Amazon's awesome diaper sales and really didn't need those.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So, I decided to make some changing pads as part of the gift:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ_AVgHaQI/AAAAAAAAALM/brP5OaOeEqQ/s720/DSC_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ_AVgHaQI/AAAAAAAAALM/brP5OaOeEqQ/s640/DSC_0474.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRDotsMXAI/AAAAAAAAAME/egpnRBH5izE/s720/DSC_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRDotsMXAI/AAAAAAAAAME/egpnRBH5izE/s640/DSC_0475.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ_A2n3IOI/AAAAAAAAALQ/isQKrVVkEac/s720/DSC_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ_A2n3IOI/AAAAAAAAALQ/isQKrVVkEac/s640/DSC_0477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ETbsTs_6wx4/TaRI68S2ldI/AAAAAAAAAMk/94rjfrk9-dM/s1600/DSC_0472-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ETbsTs_6wx4/TaRI68S2ldI/AAAAAAAAAMk/94rjfrk9-dM/s640/DSC_0472-1.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Don't you love the fabric? Who says you can't be stylish while changing a diaper?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">When my boys were little, my mom made me something kind of similar and I used them for changing diapers on my family room floor. There was no way I was going to go upstairs to the changing table everytime I changed a diaper...I had two in diapers for a while and that just wouldn't have worked for me. I also kept them in my diaper bag and also used them as a mattress or sheet protector. They got so much use around here!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am not a skilled sewer at ALL, but these were so easy and a great project for someone just learning to sew. I bought some soft flannel fabric from Joann's in patterns I liked and had some leftover blackout liner that I used as the waterproof pad. The material really seems to repel water, so why not? </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Then, its just a matter of sewing all four sides together with the nice side facing in, leaving about a 6" opening. Then I pulled the fabric through the opening so the nice side was facing up and sewed the opening shut with my machine.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I also took a little break to go through the cabinet where keep our medications and some first aid supplies. It was so full that something fell out everytime I went in for something. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Its started like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRBj7PzytI/AAAAAAAAALo/GQx1Uuv1xkI/s720/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRBj7PzytI/AAAAAAAAALo/GQx1Uuv1xkI/s640/DSC_0400.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Looked like this during:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRBkN4C1NI/AAAAAAAAALs/rISbFVEUWq4/s720/DSC_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRBkN4C1NI/AAAAAAAAALs/rISbFVEUWq4/s640/DSC_0401.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did all this fit in that small cabinet?! Expired meds are on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div align="center">And looked like this when I was finished:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRBlAmOIaI/AAAAAAAAAL0/64WhLgRBVio/s720/DSC_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaRBlAmOIaI/AAAAAAAAAL0/64WhLgRBVio/s640/DSC_0405.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Much better! I love a little order!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Wish I could say the same for my basement. The room where I am painting my cabinets and hutch looks like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ-_xLG7tI/AAAAAAAAALI/QTpPT6WJFnk/s720/DSC_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ-_xLG7tI/AAAAAAAAALI/QTpPT6WJFnk/s640/DSC_0473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And the laundry room still hasn't changed much and looks like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ-9PJBifI/AAAAAAAAAK0/HYFbUihyQAU/s512/DSC_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ-9PJBifI/AAAAAAAAAK0/HYFbUihyQAU/s400/DSC_0465.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ-9Vv8-sI/AAAAAAAAAK4/0ck6q19Quco/s720/DSC_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ-9Vv8-sI/AAAAAAAAAK4/0ck6q19Quco/s640/DSC_0466.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ--caJ6hI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zrtVcrVj_Mo/s512/DSC_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4s7fRRrTYP0/TaQ--caJ6hI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zrtVcrVj_Mo/s640/DSC_0469.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Lots of big changes coming up though! The ceiling will be up and finished soon and the hutch will be completed in a few days. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And finally, one of my all time favorite blogs, <a href="http://www.justagirlblog.com/2011/04/sas-in-review.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+justagirlblog%2FTjAN+%28Just+a+Girl%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Just a Girl</a>, featured my <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/04/boys-room-decor-license-plate-mirror.html">license plate mirror</a> on her blog! I think my heart skipped a beat or two when I saw it. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc930010716800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc930010716800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I think I will ride that high all week, thank you very much!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">OK, I will be back next time with some laundry room PROGRESS! Have a wonderful week!</div><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-51830991907533476232011-04-08T10:00:00.014-04:002011-04-08T10:00:10.974-04:00Rethinking How to Use Shower Curtains {by Lisa from A Vintage Vine}<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been a very busy week here. Since it was Spring Break here, I was asked to work for a coworker and the twelve hour days have kept me from getting as much accomplished as I was hoping. The laundry room is moving forward though. I have my hutch primed and I hope to paint it this weekend. Then we can put it in place and finish the board and batten in there. Lots to show you coming up!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's talk about today though! I am excited and honored to introduce you to Lisa from <a href="http://www.avintagevineonline.com/">A Vintage Vine</a>. We are swapping blogs for the day and she has something very special to show you. <br />
Lisa and I became friends before I started blogging. She was new herself (though you would never know it) and was so helpful as I was starting out, answering all my newbie questions with such patience.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lisa's blog,<a href="http://www.avintagevineonline.com/"> A Vintage Vine</a>, is full of amazing DIY projects. She is so talented when it comes to refinishing furniture and pulling a room together. Her ideas are unique, creative and sure to inspire you to try them yourself.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I was trying to find some fabric for a roman shade in my laundry room and picking Lisa's brain, she came up with a great idea to use a shower curtain for something other than its intended purpose. What a great idea! I knew within minutes exactly what I would do. I knew Lisa would come up with something divine as well, which she has.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, hop on over to <a href="http://www.avintagevineonline.com/">A Vintage Vine</a> to see what I have done and enjoy Lisa's post today . You'll never look at a shower curtain the same again!</div><br />
<div align="center"></div><div align="center">Hi fans of Roly Poly Farm....I am Lisa from <a href="http://www.avintagevineonline.com/">A Vintage Vine</a>. I am so glad to be here blogging today....Jodi is over at my place...blogging a great project.....and I am here showing you a project I made out of a Target<br />
fabric shower curtain........it was even on clearance!</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1kMlCJLHfU/TZzSgoORphI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/16dewhqmUVo/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1kMlCJLHfU/TZzSgoORphI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/16dewhqmUVo/s320/014.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shower curtains are great resources of affordable fabric.....I saw this fabric shower curtain and knew it was a great option for a chair makeover project in my daughters room. I bought this chair at a thrift store for $7....After some TLC, it is perfect for her room..</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9zy6JKSpIY/TZzTpoUkIyI/AAAAAAAAAqU/PF1ZE2A3R-M/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9zy6JKSpIY/TZzTpoUkIyI/AAAAAAAAAqU/PF1ZE2A3R-M/s320/012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I first cleaned it with TSP and then sanded it...I painted it with Krylon Fusion</div><div align="center">Dove White spray paint.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyy3PSFvdIg/TZzUK_wRUwI/AAAAAAAAAqY/rjFOHiallFo/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyy3PSFvdIg/TZzUK_wRUwI/AAAAAAAAAqY/rjFOHiallFo/s320/013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">Tore off all this lovely black fake leather.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpqJ2NZQ5Bg/TZ0F6mFDWFI/AAAAAAAAAqw/ma43BZ4ithM/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpqJ2NZQ5Bg/TZ0F6mFDWFI/AAAAAAAAAqw/ma43BZ4ithM/s320/035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div align="center">After adding new batting for the cushion, I recovered it with the fabric shower curtain....... </div><div align="center">I won't bore you with all the details of how I recover cushions or benches...I blogged about it <a href="http://www.avintagevineonline.com/2011/02/my-fabric-arrivedlet-work-begin.html">here</a> if you need any tips....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26yndnp8-Cc/TZzWSlaPp5I/AAAAAAAAAqc/Fyv9f4NWIgI/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26yndnp8-Cc/TZzWSlaPp5I/AAAAAAAAAqc/Fyv9f4NWIgI/s320/023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpvmpmb29kU/TZz6R0bcZMI/AAAAAAAAAqs/pqNIeHPnYy0/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpvmpmb29kU/TZz6R0bcZMI/AAAAAAAAAqs/pqNIeHPnYy0/s320/026.JPG" width="170" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ2MB8OT2nk/TZzXBsYjTLI/AAAAAAAAAqg/PjKmDRmcE9k/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ2MB8OT2nk/TZzXBsYjTLI/AAAAAAAAAqg/PjKmDRmcE9k/s640/028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center">I think she fits perfectly in my 5 yr olds room......</div><div align="center">Look how much fabric I still have......Don't worry I have a project in mind for this too!!!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qf-ENUavNeo/TZzX8cpMy3I/AAAAAAAAAqk/qy_nrw8dzG8/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qf-ENUavNeo/TZzX8cpMy3I/AAAAAAAAAqk/qy_nrw8dzG8/s320/032.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">Now go find a great shower curtain and use it for something besides the shower!!!! <br />
Have a great weekend!</div><div align="center"></div><a href="http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/?action=view&current=AVintageVineSignature.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/AVintageVineSignature.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-41632137827323331812011-04-03T22:19:00.011-04:002011-04-08T09:20:31.136-04:00Boys' Room Decor: A License Plate Mirror<div style="text-align: center;">I have two boys, both of whom have inherited the car gene that runs throughout my husband's side of the family. Before I met my husband, I always appreciated a nice looking car and the tradition behind making them. After all, my father worked 42 years at Ford Motor Co. Once I met my husband though, I learned what true passion really is really about. They are all true car aficionados and I love that it is something that ties his whole family all together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband has a classic car, his father has three and all the other uncles and cousins, for the most part, have at least one classic car. The first time I went to my future IL's house, my husband and I walked through the house to the garage where my FIL was. He looked at me and said, "Its ok that you had your shoes on in the house, but you're in the garage now. You need to take them off." He was kidding of course, but he does keep a clean garage!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, when we moved and were choosing which decor route to go with for my oldest son's room, we knew it would be a car theme. One of my favorite things in the room is this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc930010716800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc930010716800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I first saw an article a few years or so ago on<a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/accents/license-plate-mirror/"> BHG</a> about making a mirror like this. I mentally filed it away until we moved and then got started on it once we moved. Because my husband is a <strike>hoarder </strike>collector of car related things, he had a stash of old license plates for me to go through and choose from. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's really nothing complicated to making this. To make mine, I used a .5" thick piece of plywood that was 15 1/2" x 15 1/2". I painted in red with a gallon of BM paint that I found at ACO for .50! (No kidding!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc9336f1719200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc9336f1719200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc92056011ce00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc92056011ce00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Using a ruler, I drew a line from one corner to the next, making an "x" on the board. Your mirror and license plates will cover the "x", so don't worry about it showing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I then secured a 10" square mirror that I bought at Michaels in the center with mirror mastic. To get it straight, line up your corners so they are all touching a line. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After that was secure, I took four license plates that were all the same size and figured out a layout that looked best. Once I had that figured out, I used more mirror mastic to glue them to the board, framing the mirror. Be sure to not put the mastic too close to the screw holes or it will seep out once you add pressure to the plates. Now, all you need to do it find some heavy books to add some pressure to the plates so they stay secure while they dry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This <a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/accents/license-plate-mirror/?page=1">BHG link</a> will show you how to add a wire to hang your mirror. We opted to just use one of these and it is as secure as can be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc920bce905700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc920bce905700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We let it sit overnight before hanging it and it was an instant hit with my son! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here it is again:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc930010716800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc930010716800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few more shots of my son's room so you can see how well the mirror fits in with everything else.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc9377d9310200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc9377d9310200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And whoever guesses who came up with the design for this mural and can tell me how they knew wins top honors:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc93a938318c00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da22b3127ccefc93a938318c00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you love how whoever built this house decided to just randomly stick knobs and switches in the center of the wall? Argh!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I actually think this mirror would look great in a variety of decors. I like it for my son's room because it will grow with him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a wonderful week ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am still plugging away on the laundry and finally primed the hutch that will go in there today. </span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Linking up here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/08/before-and-after-party-clock-turned.html">THRIFTY DECOR CHICK'S BEFORE AND AFTER PARTY</a></div><br />
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<a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Making" border="0" src="http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo119/tiffhewlett/Crafty%20Stuff/MondayCuter.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Keeping It Simple" border="0" src="http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad206/kaysinerwt/th_DSCF63832.jpg" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/CalamityAnne/debbiedoosnewbieparty1.jpg" /></a></center>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-37761689173943181312011-03-31T06:00:00.006-04:002011-03-31T07:06:06.643-04:00Shredded Pork for a Crowd<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce31706e7b100000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce31706e7b100000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A week ago, Ree from The Pioneer Woman Cooks posted a recipe for <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/spicy-dr-pepper-shredded-pork/"> Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork</a>. I was hooked instantly. It looked delicious. Did you notice how I titled this post "Shredded Pork for a Crowd" though? Well, I was so smitten with this recipe that I had to make it ASAP. I held out for a few days and then I made it for the four of us. I have LOTS leftover. Like another eight dinners maybe. Good thing we loved it! I think it will freeze just fine for those lazy cooking days I have <strike>all the time </strike>every so often.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This recipe is so easy. Just dump your ingredients in your pot, stick it in the oven and then come back six hours to take it out of the oven. No searing. No excessive chopping. No hard to find ingredients. There's really only a handful of ingredients in making the meat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This would be a great BBQ recipe or for graduation parties that are coming up. The meat can be made the day before and then just reheated. And did I mention it serves a crowd? ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I started out with this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce2b123c78b00000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce2b123c78b00000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep. 6.5 pounds of meat for two adults and two little boys.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Added a large onion to the bottom of the dish:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce23f3d46e200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce23f3d46e200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And added the seasoned pork:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce24eef069000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce24eef069000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really need a large dutch oven. Once I added the liquid, this was almost overflowing!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Added chipotle peppers to the top:</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"></span> I just them on there and left them like that.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then I added 24oz ( or a few ounces shy since my pot was too full) of Dr. Pepper and a TBS of brown sugar. I didn't get a pic here because I was worried about how full my pot was and I just wanted to get it in the oven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The recipe says to cook it for 6 hours at 300 degrees Fahrenheit or until it is falling apart tender, turning it a few times during cooking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After maybe 5 hours, mine was like this:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce229f4462000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce229f4462000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Definitely falling apart!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I shredded my pork and then added it back to the liquid:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce369bbe73300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce369bbe73300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">See where it overflowed while cooking? Good thing I put a pan under it to catch the drips!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Pioneer Woman had a great tip to cut down on the fat. After making this dish, if you're making it ahead, keep the meat and liquid separate and refrigerate them both. The saturated fat will harden and you can scoop it off the top of the liquid the next day. I do this for soups I make and it works great.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">To serve, I had tomato, avocado, lettuce, lime and cheese:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce37e3b261000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce37e3b261000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Like my fancy dishes? I knew you would!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I made a mistake of buying corn tortillas the first day. I don't really care for the rubbery texture of store bought corn tortillas, so it ruined it a little for me. The second day, I bought flour tortillas and it was 100% better. Wow! So good! They are slightly spicy, but my boys ate them, so it wasn't horribly so. Ree even has a recipe for <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/05/homemade-flour-tortillas/">homemade flour tortillas</a> on her blog and I am going to try them someday!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce31706e7b100000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce31706e7b100000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the recipe, but I strongly recommend you check out <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/spicy-dr-pepper-shredded-pork/">Ree's post</a> about making it. She has some great tips and her pictures are a million times better than mine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork</div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Ingredients</h4><ul class="ingredients" id="ingredients-126421"><li><div style="text-align: center;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">1 whole</span> <span itemprop="name">Large Onion</span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">1 whole</span> <span itemprop="name">Pork Shoulder ("pork Butt") - 5 To 7 Pounds</span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount"></span><span itemprop="name">Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper</span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">1 can</span> <span itemprop="name">(11 Ounce) Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce</span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">2 cans</span> <span itemprop="name">Dr. Pepper</span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;"><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">2 Tablespoons</span> <span itemprop="name">Brown Sugar</span></span></div></li>
</ul><h4 style="text-align: center;">Preparation Instructions</h4><div itemprop="instructions" style="text-align: center;">Preheat oven to 300 degrees. </div><div itemprop="instructions" style="text-align: center;">Peel the onion and cut it into wedges. Lay them in the bottom of a large dutch oven.</div><div itemprop="instructions" style="text-align: center;">Generously salt and pepper the pork roast, then set it on top of the onions in the pan.</div><div itemprop="instructions" style="text-align: center;">Pour the can of chipotle peppers over the pork (include the sauce.) Pour in both cans of Dr Pepper. Add brown sugar to the juice and stir in. </div><div itemprop="instructions" style="text-align: center;">Place lid tightly on pot, then set pot in the oven. Cook for at least six hours, turning roast two or three times during the cooking process. Check meat after six hours; it should be absolutely falling apart (use two forks to test.) If it’s not falling apart, return to the oven for another hour. </div><div itemprop="instructions" style="text-align: center;">Remove meat from pot and place on a cutting board or other work surface. Use two forks to shred meat, discarding large pieces of fat. Strain as much of the fat off the top of the cooking liquid as you can and discard it. Return the shredded meat to the cooking liquid, and keep warm until ready to serve. (You can also refrigerate the meat and liquid separately, then remove hardened fat once it’s cold. Then heat up the liquid on the stove top and return the meat to the liquid to warm up. </div><div itemprop="instructions" style="text-align: center;">Serve on warm flour tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, avocado slices, salsa, and whatever else you’d like. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Have a wonderful day! </div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-54902423583180860642011-03-28T06:01:00.002-04:002011-03-28T06:01:00.812-04:00Laundry Room Progress<div style="text-align: center;">The laundry room is coming along! We spent most of the weekend working on it and I am so in love with the progress we made so far. How weird would it be for me to say that the laundry room may end up being my favorite room in the house? And I'm really not a big fan of doing laundry. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Is anyone?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was planning on waiting until it was finished to post any more pictures of it, but then I realized that it may WEEKS before anyone heard from me. Cue crickets chirping here....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I am going to share the progress we've made so far!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As of this afternoon, this is where we are:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce23941c7ad00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=720/ry=480/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce23941c7ad00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=720/ry=480/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And to remind you, this is what we started with:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc37b3127ccefc341c3bcb2b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc37b3127ccefc341c3bcb2b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I still have this side of the room to deal with, where 80% of the overall work to be done in the room is:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce24a8906f400000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce24a8906f400000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For now, though, let's just look at this side of the room:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce23941c7ad00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd06b3127ccefce23941c7ad00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great Monday!</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-85926982689864570082011-03-22T09:04:00.006-04:002011-04-07T21:53:35.002-04:00Burlap Spring Wreath<div align="center">Since we officially had the first day of Spring a few days ago, I thought I would attempt to do something crafty and make a Spring wreath for my front door. While I sometimes get great ideas for crafts (or see great ideas for crafts that I want to copy may be more like it in this case), the execution of creating those things sometimes falls short for me. It requires patience. And time. I am low on both those things at times. That said, this project turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself! Really, it didn't take much time at all. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Of course, true to form, it was a bit of an adventure like most of my projects around here are!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So, first I needed a wreath, right? It was the only thing didn't have on hand. One requirement for this project was that I use what I had on hand and didn't run out to buy everything. So I headed to Michaels and bought this:</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf91cff9d2f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf91cff9d2f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">Sorry for the dark pics, it was really cloudy here yesterday.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I had this burlap on hand and knew I wanted to use it for this wreath:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8793a7c3c00000060O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8793a7c3c00000060O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The original plan was to use a colorful burlapish (real word? probably not) ribbon I had to intertwine with this and call it a day, but once I got it out, I realized the colors screamed "Fall". Literally. I thought it looked a little "Fallish" and then looked at the name on the spool and it said "Autumn Harvest" or something, so yup, back to the drawing board. Or Google, if you want to be technical. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">A little Googling for burlap wreaths found this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NgH-mlTcwHE/S0Dso2kHxMI/AAAAAAAAHTY/gQ7gNrVnq_w/s640/first+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NgH-mlTcwHE/S0Dso2kHxMI/AAAAAAAAHTY/gQ7gNrVnq_w/s640/first+picture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-burlap-wreath-and-giveaway.html">Tatertots and Jello's 2010 Spring Wreath</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I loved it and I had what I needed on hand for it. Perfect!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The above link will give you a great tutorial on how to make this wreath. I just took my burlap and wrapped it around my wreath so it looked like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8e89c3c4a00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8e89c3c4a00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">I hot glued the ends to keep it in place. Then I just cut random size circles out of my burlap from some fabric I had on hand. The burlap I had was really loosely woven, so it was hard to get a perfect circle shape, but that didn't really matter. The fabric I had on hand worked, but in a perfect world, I would have had some cuter stuff on hand. This project was about using what I had though, so its ok!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">This is one of the fabrics I had on hand. I originally used this fabric for curtains in my son's nursery:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8bcafbd6300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf8bcafbd6300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">I also had this beaded garland on hand from when I bought it at Pier One 8 years ago. A store closed and they were clearancing all their inventory. I went a little crazy when things got to 75 and 90%off and bought two of these. I've never used them, so it probably wasn't such a great deal after all!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf84ba77cb800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf84ba77cb800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9f5125c1e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9f5125c1e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">I just pulled some beads off and used them for the centers of my flowers. There are so many on there, you can't even tell I touched it.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Then I just stacked the random sized circles of burlap and fabric, hot glued them together and then hot glued the beads on so it looked like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf817b57c8400000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf817b57c8400000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I was done with this part and glueing them all in place on the actual wreath when it was time for my regularly (un)scheduled mishap to occur. I am about 90% finished when I hear my napping two year old crying. I run up to his room and he greets me with, "I need to go to the hospital", which he sometimes randomly says ever since we visited my stepfather one time at a hospital. The place really made an impression on him. I think he's just trying to get out of his nap, lay him back down and return to my wreath. A few minutes later, he's crying again. I go up and there it is...My poor baby is sick. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say we revisited lunch up there.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">After a long break and some cleaning, I managed to get a few minutes to somewhat frantically finish the wreath in between his little stomach bouts. I would have just put it away and finished it another day, but I was SO CLOSE to being done that I couldn't.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So, without further ado, here it is:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf80b82fd8d00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf80b82fd8d00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf99efc9d6d00000040O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf99efc9d6d00000040O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice my dog looking out on the left there...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9a4019d8d00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9a4019d8d00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf88ddbfd9700000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf88ddbfd9700000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf95b9f5cc400000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf95b9f5cc400000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">This little bird was .01! (Ok, so I bought two things)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf86971fd4f00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf86971fd4f00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9bb3d5c1600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd03b3127ccefcf9bb3d5c1600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">Project complete!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/CalamityAnne/debbiedoosnewbieparty1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/03/fwf-spring-projects-link-party/"><span style="font-size: large;">Centsational Girls's Spring Projects Link Party!</span></a></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-76143655062388516252011-03-18T16:32:00.004-04:002011-03-18T16:36:04.479-04:00Alright, The Plan...<div align="center">Happy Friday!! What a quick week this was!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I've made a little progress with the laundry room , but its not going quite as fast as I had hoped. This weekend is not going to be super productive either since we have our nephew's hockey championship game Saturday and a visit from my in laws on Sunday. Once we get rolling though, it shouldn't be long!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Last time, I threw out two colors I was trying to decide between:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">BM Buxton Blue (right) and BM Wedgewood Gray (left):</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf55c9de78b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf55c9de78b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">I really love the Buxton Blue. Its such a pretty color. When I put the two next to BM Wickham Gray though, the Wedgewood seemed to go better. So I picked that one and I think I will save Buxton Blue for my son's big boy room or for our master bath. We shall see.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Since then I have started to paint, but have only gotten this far:</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf12a44f04100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf12a44f04100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf0d87e517e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf0d87e517e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">This was it before I painted the molding:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc37b3127ccefc341c3bcb2b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc37b3127ccefc341c3bcb2b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
<div align="center">So, in other words, not very far! I was finished with most of the trim, but then decided to paint the window. I have one more coat to do there and then I am done with that part and can finish the blue.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here are a few pictures to show you the plan for the rest of the room:</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_8114-450x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_8114-450x600.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are three things in this picture from <a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2010/11/3-00-brass-pendant-light-turned-into-pottery-barn-style-and-giveaway-winners/">Traci's blog Beneath My Heart</a> that will show up in my laundry room. Can you guess what they are?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iz9tkZpQP_4/SzfCXVxuGEI/AAAAAAAAAHw/B3z91pn-ACQ/s800/domsjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iz9tkZpQP_4/SzfCXVxuGEI/AAAAAAAAAHw/B3z91pn-ACQ/s400/domsjo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Farmhouse Sink</div></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/pragel-countertop-white-wood-effect__0099054_PE240522_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/pragel-countertop-white-wood-effect__0099054_PE240522_S4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New countertop<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">See anything in common with these two following pics?</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Source unknown. If these are yours, please let me know so I can credit you!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf0233911dc00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf0233911dc00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cloud.cooltiles.com/review-4169-1-zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" r6="true" src="http://cloud.cooltiles.com/review-4169-1-zoom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Open shelving:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eVUWcwzqgK8/S0Qsnp4dMfI/AAAAAAAAEL4/n3H20ZC_P0E/s640/Open+Shelving+in+laundry+room+via+apartment+therapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eVUWcwzqgK8/S0Qsnp4dMfI/AAAAAAAAEL4/n3H20ZC_P0E/s640/Open+Shelving+in+laundry+room+via+apartment+therapy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/cleaning/inspiration-organized-laundry-rooms-084998">Apartment Therapy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some mudroom type storage:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mroGU3kIpCI/TJjqhSD1GbI/AAAAAAAABuw/m4WYBc34FPY/s1600/BH&G+Mudroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mroGU3kIpCI/TJjqhSD1GbI/AAAAAAAABuw/m4WYBc34FPY/s640/BH&G+Mudroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thegatheringplacedesign.blogspot.com/">http://thegatheringplacedesign.blogspot.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Love this! Ours will be much smaller scale though...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe these are more realistic:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mroGU3kIpCI/TJjqeWhV3fI/AAAAAAAABuo/LWMadq1JAYg/s400/Nic%2520Mudroom%2520bench-resized-600.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mroGU3kIpCI/TJjqeWhV3fI/AAAAAAAABuo/LWMadq1JAYg/s640/Nic%2520Mudroom%2520bench-resized-600.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.connorbuilding.com/"><span style="color: #999999;">http://blog.connorbuilding.com</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AYcJHu9lS40/TLu76tU-FjI/AAAAAAAAAIg/s41VLdwPEwM/s320/lot48mudroom.JPG.w560h420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AYcJHu9lS40/TLu76tU-FjI/AAAAAAAAAIg/s41VLdwPEwM/s640/lot48mudroom.JPG.w560h420.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Source Unknown</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">How about new hardware? I found these at Target for 75% off! I like that they are a little oil rubbed bronze and a little silver. It was exactly what I was looking for. The sticker says $13.98. but they were really $6.98! This was just today too, so check your hardware section at Target. Mine also had Command fasteners, hooks, and lots of stationary and party supplies at 75% off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf1ac55f01300000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf1ac55f01300000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf1b7dab00900000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf1b7dab00900000040O38CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=3/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the part I am most excited about:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf0f406511000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd39b3127ccefcf0f406511000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My $40 garage sale find last year that has been patiently waiting for our date with a paintbrush.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it! A little sneak peek to what I have in mind for my laundry room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">OK, back to work now!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-83723138154563866992011-03-16T14:33:00.003-04:002011-03-16T14:39:39.137-04:00The World's Quickest Project<div style="text-align: center;">Howdy Ho!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been meaning to show you something I bought at HomeGoods a few weeks ago. I don't know exactly what to call it. A rack? Wall hanging thing? I don't know, but here it is:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4e72287bd00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4e72287bd00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband wrote, "Peeka Poly Po Wishes There Was No More Snow" on it after a particularly bad day of spring fever. Peeka Poly Po is just one of those random nicknames he assigns to people or things. No rhyme or reason to it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought this thing for $20 something dollars and with the intentions of using it as a place for the boys to display their artwork. I struggled for WEEKS trying to figure out how to attach to clip to the rungs. I imagined tying picture wire and a clip to it and a bunch of other things, but none were right, until I remembered these crazy things:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf5b2eb66ba00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf5b2eb66ba00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">Ummm, DUH! </div><div align="center">Its always the simplest solutions that elude me, I swear!</div><div align="center">A little hot glue and I had finished the world's quickest project (if you don't count the brainstorming part).</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So now my shabby cute display thing looks like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4598a067a00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4598a067a00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4e5e8064600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4e5e8064600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4dc42466800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4dc42466800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Cute, isn't it?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And its supposed to be 60 here tomorrow, so I better think of something new to write on that chalkboard because that snow is gonna GO!! Woot!</div><br />
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<div align="center">Right now, I am working away on the laundry room. The paint is bought and up a little on the walls and we made a few other major purchases for in there this past weekend. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">It took me a few days to decide between the two blues you see here in these pictures. The grey and white were easy to decide on.</div><div align="center">The top blue is BM Buxton Blue and the bottom blue is BM Wedgewood Gray.<br />
I took these pictures at night, so they are pretty dark.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf44f1087db00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf44f1087db00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This pic is a little more representative of that they look like IRL.</div><div align="center">Left is Wedgewood and the right is Buxton:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf511f6266e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf511f6266e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Again, this picture is dark, but it shows how close the two colors are to eachother:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4475c879300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf4475c879300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll be back next time to tell you what we picked and show you a few more pictures of where we're going in this room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before I go though, how about a picture of my little demo guy? He LOVES tools and was so excited to get this baby in his hand. Anytime you ask him what he's doing, he says, "I'm workin'". He loves to walk around the house and just randomly work on the walls with his little plastic hammer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf46dfc061600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" r6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd37b3127ccefcf46dfc061600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a great day!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-81369657981143634112011-03-11T16:40:00.008-05:002011-03-14T12:26:00.789-04:00How About Some Irish Soda Bread?<div style="text-align: center;">With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I thought I'd share a recipe in honor of the day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once I decided to make this in honor of St. Patty's Day, I got to wondering just how this bread came to be. From what I understand, in the early to mid 1800s, making bread with yeast was not common in Ireland. Because time and other resources were limited, using baking soda as a leavening agent was popular and therefore, soda bread was a staple in many households. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The recipe I am sharing together isn't as traditional as the original soda bread recipe they used back then, but it is so very good. Trust me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you've never had Irish soda bread and you're wondering what it tastes like, the closest thing I can thing I can think of is a scone. Well, at least this version is. Its very similar and while scones aren't really that hard to make, this Irish soda bread is way easier. So if you just imagine you are making a giant scone, you won't be that far off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The recipe I like is from Martha Stewart. It is called Sunday Best Irish Soda Bread.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I made this, I had a little helper who decided he didn't need a nap that day and wanted so badly to help me. Of course, I said yes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So here is what you'll need:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc3543d6d8600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc3543d6d8600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Notice the almost empty container of milk. If you read my post <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-love-your-oak-cabinet-again.html">here</a> (towards the bottom), you'll know where it went.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix the dry ingredients together (<em>except baking soda</em>):</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2ddd10dfa00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2ddd10dfa00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cut in the butter:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2ed830db000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2ed830db000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stir in the raisins:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc39e0fece100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc39e0fece100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wait for a little crumb to fall:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2f4c0cc5700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2f4c0cc5700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whisk buttermilk, egg and baking soda together and then add to dry ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc316966d0c00000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc316966d0c00000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stir with a fork until fixture holds together. Press into a round, dome shaped loaf, about 8" in diameter:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc30cf56d6200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc30cf56d6200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet (I was out and used Pam Spray without any sticking at all) and brush with egg and cream mixture. Make an "x" in the loaf about 1/2" deep:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc3ca5bec9f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc3ca5bec9f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 70 minutes and you will have this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2b7478c6900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2b7478c6900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc32f5e2d4000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc32f5e2d4000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc272e1cc3500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc272e1cc3500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc3b40cecf700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc3b40cecf700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I kid you not, this was just my husband's serving:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2e9448c4500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc2e9448c4500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why can men eat like this and not gain weight? How is that fair?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 125%;">Sunday Best Irish Soda Bread</span><br />
<i>From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Living-Cookbook-Original/dp/0307393828"><span style="color: #993200;">The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The Original Classics</span></a></i><br />
<br />
<i>ingredients ~</i> <br />
<br />
4 cups all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
1 teaspoon kosher salt<br />
2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
2 tablespoons whole caraway seeds (<em>I omitted this)</em><br />
<i>1 teaspoon cinnamon (my addition)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter<br />
2 cups golden or dark raisins (I plumped mine in heated fresh orange juice, then drained and pat dry) <br />
1 1/2 cups buttermilk<br />
1 large whole egg<br />
1 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 large egg yolk<br />
1 tablespoon heavy cream (<em>I just used 75% buttermilk and 25% skim since I didn't have any heavy cream)</em><br />
<br />
<i>directions ~</i></div><ol><li><div style="text-align: center;">Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, caraway seeds (if using) and ground cinnamon (if using) until well combined.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;">Using a pastry cutter or 2 knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Stir in the raisins until evenly distributed.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;">In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and baking soda until well combined. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour-and-butter mixture all at once, and stir with a fork until all the liquid is absorbed and the mixture begins to hold together. Using your hands, press the dough into a round, dome-shaped loaf about 8 inches in diameter. Transfer it to the baking sheet.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: center;">In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and cream. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg wash over the loaf. Using a razor blade or sharp knife, make and x-shaped slash about 1/2 inch deep into the top of the loaf. Bake, rotating halfway through, until it is a deep golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the center, about 70 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.</div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">P.S. Here is my funny little outtake from baking with my son. He is an expert egg cracker and so proud that he can do it without breaking the yolk. So, I was taking his picture:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc36f382d0600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc36f382d0600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
And he wanted to take a picture himself of the unbroken yolk. He went to take it and this is the unedited photo he took:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc258f74d0600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd30b3127ccefcc258f74d0600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">Can you say "easily distracted"? Looks like something better caught his eye! He is the perfect combo of his father and me, at least! ;)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Linking up with:<br />
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<a border="0" href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap
up party!" src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/825895175_xmTVA-O.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/search/label/Link%20Parties" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party.png" /></a> <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com"><img border="0" src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RecipeSwapSundaysRemodelaholic125x1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src=" http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/CalamityAnne/debbiedoos.jpg " /></a></center><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-3297316284995458292011-03-10T04:50:00.002-05:002011-03-10T07:59:22.398-05:00How to Love Your Oak Cabinet Again<div align="center">Today I want to tell you how I updated our oak vanity that I showed you when I posted about our completed bath remodel <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/bathroom-complete.html">here</a>. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here is the finished cabinet:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda8e37160000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=720/ry=480/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda8e37160000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=720/ry=480/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is what it started out as:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DS2OXszOOG0/TVC2Q1kXViI/AAAAAAAAADk/DVVDecg8BpY/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DS2OXszOOG0/TVC2Q1kXViI/AAAAAAAAADk/DVVDecg8BpY/s640/DSC_0320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7749c21b400000070O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7749c21b400000070O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc722fca0cf00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc722fca0cf00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Staining the oak was incredibly easy. Like I think my four year old could have done it easy. Seriously.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">This is the stain I used:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc70748e0f100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc70748e0f100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Um, next time I'll remember to take a picture before I make a mess of the can. For those of you who don't have x-ray vision to see through the stain blotches, it is <a href="http://www.generalfinishes.com/retail-products/oil-base-wood-stains-sealers/oilbase-gel-stains">General Finishes Gel Stain in Java </a>. It is an oil based gel stain. Gel stains are foolproof, IMO. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">After doing a lot of research, I settled on the General Finishes brand because I read and saw nothing but positive things about it. Some of the other products, like Minwax (especially the polyshades) , had some spotty reviews. The price of the General Finishes gel stain is similar to the other products with the main drawback being that you have to go to a woodworking store like <a href="http://www.woodcraft.com/">Woodcraft </a>or<a href="http://www.rockler.com/index.cfm?keyword=rockler&ne_ppc_id=776&mkwid=sTvMZP93Z&pcrid=5067067080&ne_key_id=sTvMZP93Z&gclid=CI_B9ub7wqcCFQTNKgod7W5YFw"> Rockler</a> to find it. The <a href="http://www.generalfinishes.com/where-buy">General Finishes website has a store locator</a> feature to help you find its products. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">To stain the cabinet, I first removed the doors. Then I wiped everything down with mineral spirits. After that, I lightly sanded the cabinet and doors until I didn't see any glossy surfaces. I used 220 grit paper and I was thorough, but didn't go crazy with the sanding.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">After I sanded everything, I wiped everything again with mineral spirits. Then I used tact cloth to remove any remaining dust on the surface. If you aren't familiar with tact cloth, its just a sticky cloth that picks up any dust on the surface of what you're working on. It looks like this:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSiLt6-343fQtsCCvNcKGlceJyC5MC9Ub5o4--C6EuYRu-S2M6w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSiLt6-343fQtsCCvNcKGlceJyC5MC9Ub5o4--C6EuYRu-S2M6w" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To apply the stain, I put on a pair of gloves and used a foam brush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7bcf3a08f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7bcf3a08f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(The brush I used was too big for my can, which is why I made a mess out of it)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">To apply, I just got some stain on my brush and painted it on with the grain of the wood. Once I had the entire surface coated, I used an old t-shirt to wipe it off. I just wiped with the grain of the wood and wiped it LEVEL, not completely off.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">**One IMPORTANT thing to note is that this product is flammable while the cloths are still wet, so store them in water after you use them or be careful where you leave them lying**</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is what it looked like after one coat:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc6bf3b41a200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc6bf3b41a200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">To get the color to be completely even, I did three coats total. Two may have been enough, but I wanted to be safe. I followed the instructions on the can and waited six hours between coats (because its oil based, it takes longer to dry). In between coats, I very lightly sanded with super fine sandpaper (400 grit).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here it is after three coats, but before the poly:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7e720e0e900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7e720e0e900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7e0d1a08300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc7e0d1a08300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Again, this is what it started out as:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc716e0a0c900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc716e0a0c900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">To protect the surface, I did one coat of this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xEiq+608L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xEiq+608L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After I did the front and doors of the cabinet, there was still this:</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc649b4415600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc649b4415600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, that kind of ruins the look, don't ya think?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So the hubs went out and bought some laminate board and I stained it following the same procedure I described above, after my husband cut it to fit. There were some knot holes in it that I filled with wood filler and then sanded:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc75834210a00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc75834210a00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This board absorbed the gel stain way more than the cabinet:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc78752e0ab00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc78752e0ab00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;">When it was done, I put Liquid Nails on the back:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc785a6616e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc785a6616e00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and attached it to the vanity. I have no idea how much you're supposed to put on, but this is what I did. We ended up using finishing nails to attach it too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now 99% of you are smarter than me and won't do this, but for the other 1%, this is for you... Don't do this when your husband is at work and you have two kids at home. Or at least be more prepared than me. I put the Liquid Nails on and then realized that I had nothing to hold the board in place while it dried. I didn't know where my husband kept his wood clamps and everytime I let go of it, it popped off. So I had my son bring me my phone and I called my husband who luckily was on his way home to rescue me with some wood clamps. I guess I could have pulled it off and wiped the Liquid Nails off, but I was worried it would be a big mess and ruin things. So while I held it in place, my two and four year old decided to pour themselves some milk. Only they didn't grab the regular milk, they grabbed the BUTTERMILK and dropped it. There was thick buttermilk all over the kitchen floor when my husband walked in, Not a little. Picture a whole half gallon. And I had just cleaned and polished my floor the day before. See how things go around here? I'm not even going to tell you about the can of gel stain I may or may not have dropped on the new bathroom floor. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The counter and sink are from Home Depot. We paid $218 for the sink and vanity. It is by Stone Effects and the color is Capri. It looks and even feels somewhat like granite, but it is not. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc6941e010a00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc6941e010a00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The faucet is also from Home Depot and was $80 (originally $160) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdba448362600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdba448362600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We added some simple knobs to the doors and called it a day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc62355418200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd28b3127ccefcc62355418200000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's all there is to it! If you have oak cabinets that you are thinking about updating, I highly recommend staining them this way. It was easy, inexpensive and the final product looks pretty good, in my opinion. If you have any questions, I am more than happy to answer them. I hope I inspired you to try something new!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linking up here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<br /><a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/tightwadtips/buttonwithstarfish.jpg" border="0" alt="Transformation Thursday" /></a><br /><br /><br />
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<div align="center"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-73840738936621518812011-03-07T11:03:00.020-05:002011-03-30T21:48:52.685-04:00Bathroom Complete!!<div style="text-align: center;">Its finished! Finito! Done! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our half bath remodel is complete and I am so happy with the results. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda80bf97bf00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda80bf97bf00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Our cost for this remodel right around $600. $220 of that was for the vanity top and sink. Another $80 was for the faucet (on clearance from $160). The rest was tile,trim, our window blind and misc. We had all the paint and hardware on hand already. I was able to save some by finding Home Depot gift cards for 50% off, which I used for the crown molding and some misc things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And to remind you of what it looked like before, here you go:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DS2OXszOOG0/TVC2Q1kXViI/AAAAAAAAADk/DVVDecg8BpY/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DS2OXszOOG0/TVC2Q1kXViI/AAAAAAAAADk/DVVDecg8BpY/s640/DSC_0320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p4G4Ibtjbcg/TVC2OoBcpeI/AAAAAAAAADg/IXfau4hNkJU/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p4G4Ibtjbcg/TVC2OoBcpeI/AAAAAAAAADg/IXfau4hNkJU/s640/DSC_0328.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GPIrtdD48W8/TVC18aHGmpI/AAAAAAAAADY/Juy_3gS9Nhs/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GPIrtdD48W8/TVC18aHGmpI/AAAAAAAAADY/Juy_3gS9Nhs/s640/DSC_0337.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jeT8cebFA_E/TVC2YV2RloI/AAAAAAAAADs/NyeoHRKIu5w/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jeT8cebFA_E/TVC2YV2RloI/AAAAAAAAADs/NyeoHRKIu5w/s640/DSC_0339.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W4KGxfvdORw/TVC2CXeQPII/AAAAAAAAADc/ZqhyastWwEM/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W4KGxfvdORw/TVC2CXeQPII/AAAAAAAAADc/ZqhyastWwEM/s640/DSC_0294.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_mpPNiUTS3Y/TVC2Svx_tII/AAAAAAAAADo/zbXzgPM3BGg/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_mpPNiUTS3Y/TVC2Svx_tII/AAAAAAAAADo/zbXzgPM3BGg/s640/DSC_0331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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In this room, we:<br />
<ul><li>replaced the vinyl floor with tile</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda26fa97a900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda26fa97a900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><li>restained the exiting oak cabinet and added new door hardware</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda4412164000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda4412164000000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb360b362c00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb360b362c00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdba448362600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> Again, it started out as just a builders' grade standard oak cabinet:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DS2OXszOOG0/TVC2Q1kXViI/AAAAAAAAADk/DVVDecg8BpY/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DS2OXszOOG0/TVC2Q1kXViI/AAAAAAAAADk/DVVDecg8BpY/s640/DSC_0320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To see my tutorial on staining my cabinet, go <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-love-your-oak-cabinet-again.html">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><li>replace the existing vanity top, sink and faucet</li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb11b4761800000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb11b4761800000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdba448362600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdba448362600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a chrome caddy that was spray painted in ORB:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Can we talk about toilet paper holders? I went to Home Depot to buy a new one and talk about sticker shock! $40 for a toilet paper holder? Really?! Even Overstock was expensive. I found this beauty at HomeGoods for $9.99. Just a tip to you in case you are in the market for one. Avoid the potential heart attack and just go to HomeGoods:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb4b80f73100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb4b80f73100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>added beadboard</li>
</ul>After being undecided about whether or not to do the beadboard <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_371403094"></span>here</a>, we went ahead with putting it up and I am so glad we did. It is my absolute favorite thing we did to the bathroom. If you want more details about the process, you can read about it <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/its-up-and-i-love-it.html">here</a>:<br />
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<ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda0d03d7dd00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda0d03d7dd00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdbd1c5f73900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdbd1c5f73900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda30a616ce00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda30a616ce00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda866a976900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda866a976900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><li>added crown molding</li>
</ul>We ran into a little problem here when we found out the ceiling along the first wall you see when you walk in the room was uneven:<br />
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<ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdab175d7f500000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdab175d7f500000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A closer view. The top part of the picture is the ceiling. The gap was huge:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda90a397ab00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda90a397ab00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I caulked away at it and for the most part, the unevenness is not that noticeable anymore:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda249597c700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda249597c700000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><li><a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/painting-wood-trim-tutorial.html">painted the existing oak trim</a></li>
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<ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aBE5VgNiu6E/TVC2fUEj54I/AAAAAAAAADw/62arCCcgxUo/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aBE5VgNiu6E/TVC2fUEj54I/AAAAAAAAADw/62arCCcgxUo/s640/DSC_0295.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again, this was the before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W4KGxfvdORw/TVC2CXeQPII/AAAAAAAAADc/ZqhyastWwEM/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W4KGxfvdORw/TVC2CXeQPII/AAAAAAAAADc/ZqhyastWwEM/s640/DSC_0294.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><li>painted the ceiling</li>
</ul>After caulking all along the top and since I had to paint the molding after it was installed, the ceiling needed to be touched up. I was out of the existing color paint. I tried it in the same color as the molding, but I am not a white ceiling kind of girl, I guess, so it ended up like this:<br />
<div align="center"></div><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda50f3979b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda50f3979b00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><li>added wood blinds</li>
</ul>These are from Overstock:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb4d8bf73900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb4d8bf73900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I also found this garbage can from HomeGoods:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdba8ce36a600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdba8ce36a600000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We also repainted this light fixture. It had been bothering me that it was brown and didn't match the rest of the bathroom for a while (like a few years), so we finally got around to fixing that:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda5867970b00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda5867970b00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband being goofy by really trying to show it off with a little "flair"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdbe08036cc00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdbe08036cc00000040O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It matches now, but I'm not sure how well that shows in this picture. </td></tr>
</tbody></table> So, there you have it! Its done and I am so happy with it! I'll be back next time with a tutorial on how to stain an existing oak cabinet and to answer any questions you may have!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda80bf97bf00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda80bf97bf00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a><br />
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</tbody></table><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb11b4761800000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcdb11b4761800000030O18CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda26ca979900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" q6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd26b3127ccefcda26ca979900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a><br />
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Finally, Housewife on a Dime is having a blog swap party! IWhata great idea! Basically, its a way to meet new bloggers and also increase your number of followers! Join me over at <a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2011/03/swap-followings-linky-pary-030711.html">Housewife on a Dime</a> and link up!<br />
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Also linking up with:<br />
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<a _mce_href="”http://www.beneathmyheart.net/”" href="http://www.blogger.com/”http://www.beneathmyheart.net/”"><img _mce_src="”http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af61/beneathmyheart/best125_0000s_0004_best-DIY-projects-of-March.png”" alt="”beneath" border="”0″" heart”="" height="”125″" my="" src="http://www.blogger.com/”http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af61/beneathmyheart/best125_0000s_0004_best-DIY-projects-of-March.png”" width="”125″" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">*******************<a href="http://www.decorchick.com/molding/molding-link-party/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Decorchick+%28Decorchick%21%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Decor Chick's Molding Party!</a>*********************</div><br />
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<div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-13775805630537183122011-03-03T08:16:00.000-05:002011-03-03T08:16:57.705-05:00My First Feature!!I am so, so excited to share that my fireplace project has been featured on <a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2011/03/update-color-of-your-brick-stained.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Remodelaholic+%28Remodelaholic%29">*Remodelaholic</a>! Yay! <br />
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If you haven't visited Remodelaholic yet, I highly recommend checking it out. Cassity not only shares all the home projects she is working on, but also features some of her favorite projects from fellow bloggers. What an honor to have my fireplace chosen to be shared on her site! Oh, and she is super kind and she *just* had a baby. I don't know how she gets it all done!<br />
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So, if you get a second, stop by and check it out! Thank you, Cassity!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-47335739274862418772011-03-02T16:43:00.002-05:002011-03-03T09:16:51.322-05:00Finally! Some luck at Goodwill!I have to admit...I am green with envy when I hear about all the great finds you all discover when shopping at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Craigslist, Habitat, etc. $10 buffets, $3 tables, a whole bedroom set for $18.50 (ok, maybe I made that last one up, but I bet someone out there has done it or even beat that deal-outside of being given something) Anyway, I never find anything! ::insert annoying whine here:: When I do find something that catches my eye, it is waaaaay overpriced! ::more whining::<br />
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There is a Salvation Army store about 10 minutes from my house. I have been in there maybe 6 or 7 times and I have left empty handed every.single.time. But...not this time! <br />
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So I went in yesterday morning and found this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd111f84caa00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd111f84caa00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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The price? $4.99, with half off that!! Finally. A decent deal. The wheeels were turning in my head with what I wanted to do with this soon to be lovely thing. The poor girl had seen better days.<br />
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I paid my $2.49 and brought her home with hopes of painting her white and replacing the current black shelf above my toilet in the bathroom we're almost finished remodeling with this one. <br />
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So, I hung her up outside and wouldn't you know it was incredibly windy so she was spinning like a top as I tried to paint. It made for some very interesting and clutsy spray painting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd011566c4800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd011566c4800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So after one coat (of Rustoleum's Heirloom White), she looked like this and I had almost as much paint on me and you see on her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd0f5ededb100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd0f5ededb100000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I finished her up in the garage after meticulousy laying down paper so that the entire floor and all of my husband's toys were protected so that I didn't have another paint mishap and have to hear all about it from him. (Yes, I said ANOTHER paint mishap and no, the wind blowing my shelf around isn't what I'm talking about...more on that in a bit).<br />
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I also picked up a few knobs at Home Depot for the shelf that were gold and $1.19 each. I likled very similar ones in ORB that were $3 each, but I couldn't justify the price difference. I bought the gold ones and sprayed painted them to look like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd1ab20cd1f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd1ab20cd1f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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After I painted her white, I held her up in my bathroom and decided NOPE, it wasn't going to work. The white just didn't look right with the other things I have on the wall. OK, I probably should have thought things through before I just started spraying away, but I'm impulsive that way. You'll see this is a recurring theme with me.<br />
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So, I went back to the garage and after a few coats of black last night and some distressing this morning with fine sandpaper, my new shelf now looks like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd148c38d1500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd148c38d1500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I ran into a little problem when I sprayed my clearcoat. Some of the surface cracked! After doing a little reading, I found out that the paint underneath was not completely dry when I sprayed the clearcoat and since the clearcoat dries so much quicker (I guess), the surface gets stretched, hence the cracking. So now I have a little repairing to do, but oh well. What's done is done! And I am a little bit done with it for today, to be honest. Here's another after pic:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd11905cd6300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd11905cd6300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Oh, and my other little paint mishap had do with my doorknobs that I mentioned <a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/spray-painting-doorknobs-big-sigh.html">here.</a> Since I was in a painting mood yesterday, I thought I would just quickly touch up a the knob on my laundry room door. So, I put some paper behind it and sprayed and all was fine. Since that went well, I decided to do the pantry door. At that time, and I am not blaming him, my 4 year old walked up and started asking what I was doing and begging for treats, etc. Well, since I am easily distracted, I forgot to be precise with my backdrop while painting and my door looked like this (excuse the blurriness):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd04d826cb200000060O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd04d826cb200000060O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Oh my God! No good! I have to admit that even my son was horrified, but he became really distraught when I took a picture of it for you guys! "MOM! Why are taking a picture?!" Luckily, Magic Eraser exists and no one but us, and now you, knew what happened!<br />
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Oh, and one last thing. My kitchen ceiling. My mom came over for a visit the other day and as usual, had some tiny presents for my boys. This time it was little men that stick to the wall when you throw them there. Do you see where I'm going? Well, SOMEONE, not me, but either my mom or husband told them to throw them up on the ceiling. They thought it was hilarious. Turns out, those guys really stick. We are on day three of my ceiling looking like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd167b14cd800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dd23b3127ccefcd167b14cd800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
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Yup. Those guys really stick! If you look close, you'd think they were going to fall any minute now....SEE:<br />
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...but nope. Its been three days! I refuse to remove them out of principle (not sure what principle yet) and also because once they are down, they'll just end up somewhere else...<br />
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Have a great day!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-18271845249057979432011-02-28T06:00:00.006-05:002011-02-28T22:18:42.474-05:00Mmmmm...Chocolate Chip Cookie BarsHappy Monday...Hope everyone's week is off to a good start. If not, I have something that will make it turn around in a hurry. How do chocolate chip cookie bars sound?<br />
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I love to bake, but there are also plenty of times where I just want to eat something yummy without having to spend a lot of time making it. How many times have you made cookies but lost interest after the first batch came out of the oven? If you can relate to feeling that way, then this recipe is for you!<br />
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Here is what you need:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc23b5046ab800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc23b5046ab800000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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1 3/4 cups all purpose flour<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1 cup butter, softened<br />
1 1/2 cups brown sugar<br />
1/2 granulated sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips<br />
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Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. Cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs one at a time and then add vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread mixture in a 9"x13" pan (I sprayed mine with Pam). Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.<br />
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I'll be honest, even eating them like this would be pretty good with me:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc22a80f8b5900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc22a80f8b5900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
But trust me, its even better like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc231a0aab4900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc231a0aab4900000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Do you SEE all that caramelized wonderfulness in there?!?! <br />
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How about here?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc22e7e6cb0f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1dc06b3127ccefc22e7e6cb0f00000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
These are so easy. The best thing about these bars are the caramelized edges! And the fact that they're easy. So yummy. I have been making these for years and they are always loved. <br />
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I hope you love them too!<br />
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I'm linking this recipe up to these parties:<br />
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<a href="http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/iheartnaptime/iheartnaptimebuttonsundayscoop.jpg" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com"><img border="0" src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RecipeSwapSundaysRemodelaholic125x1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src=" http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo161/CalamityAnne/debbiedoos.jpg " /></a></center><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6792081336450711317.post-67175097628466532862011-02-25T19:55:00.001-05:002011-02-25T20:01:25.056-05:00Spray Painting Doorknobs.. (big) *SIGH*Happy Friday!!<br />
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What a busy week! Unfortunately it was a week busy with nonhome projects for me. Even though I love it, I don't normally work very often outside of the home, but this week was a little different and that meant I didn't get a whole lot done here. We're almost finished with the bathroom. We're putting up some crown molding this weekend and I have one panel to poly for the vanity and one wall to finish decorating and then its D.O.N.E.! So far, I love it!<br />
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Since I don't have anything I am currently working on, I thought I'd show you some doorknobs I spray painted last year. When we moved into our home 2 1/2 years ago, we had shiny brass doorknobs on all the doors. Since it would be quite expensive to replace them all and we had a ginormous list of other things to spend our money on (who doesn't, right?), I wanted to try to spray paint them. <br />
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So, here they are before:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d907b3127ccefae1c28ba87300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d907b3127ccefae1c28ba87300000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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And here they are after, in ORB:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d907b3127ccefae0ccf6884500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" l6="true" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d907b3127ccefae0ccf6884500000030O08CZsXLlo1bg9vPhA/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Lovely, isn't it?<br />
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To do it, I sanded the old finish very thoroughly, sprayed primer on them and then used Rustoleum's ORB. Finally, I sprayed a clear coat on them and waited a day before reinstalling them. The whole process was very easy.<br />
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Here is where the big *sigh* comes in....a year later, they have not held up well. :(<br />
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Honestly, they still look better now than before (for the most part), but they are not holding up to the wear and tear at all. The smaller knobs on our closet doors where we just use the tips of our fingers to open them are doing ok, but the larger lever doorknobs where we use our whole hand to open them are not. <br />
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Looking back, I probably didn't let the knobs cure long enough before we put them back on. Also, I used a primer, but not a primer specifically for metal. Finally, I was probably too heavy handed (although I did do it without any drips anywhere) with the spray paint. I'm disappointed, but I think I am just going to cut out a backdrop for the knobs and just keep a can of paint on hand to do touchups every so often, with them right there on the door. I still need to do my upstairs, so I am curious if I see any difference when I correct some of my errors from the first go around. Truly though, I have a feeling I am going to be replacing these babies with the real thing one by one sometime in the future. Maybe (or probably more than likely) I won't even attempt to to spray the upstairs knobs. We'll see when the time comes. From a little googling and talking to other people, it sounds like my experience isn't an isolated thing, unfortunately.<br />
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How about you? Have you tried spray painting your doorknobs? How have they help up? I'd love to hear about your experience...or if you have a favorite uncle who works in the doorknob industry and is looking for a poor soul to take pity on by donating, say 17 sets, not including closets to, I'd love to hear from you as well!...<span style="font-size: xx-small;">What? A girl can dream, can't she?</span><br />
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Have a fabulous weekend!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/64/5359C8927832D850F64E841C2362CE81.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Jodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773815590261228682noreply@blogger.com3