Room Progress

Oh boy oh boy oh boy. Life has been absolutely insane since my last post. What a hectic summer. Between visitors and trips and this construction project, I'm swamped. But despite the insanity, I wouldn't change a thing. Wait, that's a lie. I would gladly go back and keep my husband with me in NY during my family's work week, rather than letting him come back to work. And I would pass on two of my kids getting pneumonia. I think I would just opt out of that completely.

This past week I have been frantically trying to get Julia's room taped and mudded before she arrives home. I wanted it to be painted so it would look like some serious progress had taken place. Because she won't be able to see the hours and hours I've put into this mudding process. This evening I finally finished the skim coat on the room. Unfortunately, she arrives tomorrow afternoon, and unless the sanding goes really well, I'm afraid there will be no paint on the walls.

Just to keep things interesting, I'm also trying to refinish a bunk bed I picked up for the girls from Craig's List and a pretty little chandelier I scored at Goodwill. I have a guy coming tomorrow to measure for carpet and a door order on hold at Menard's that we discovered we have to cancel because the opening is not large enough. My vision for the paint in the room is more involved than what i can slap up tomorrow, but if i could at least get it primed I think she would be pleased.

So here are a few photos from the process. I think they were taken during coat #1.





Being a giant comes in handy when mudding the ceiling.




I need to collapse into bed, but maybe I'll put one more coat of spray paint on that chandelier first...

Oh how I love barnwood...

My cousin had a shed in her backyard. A shed that she wanted to disappear. She mentioned wanting to tear it down, so I piped up and asked if I could have some of the wood if I helped tear it down. Thinking me some kind of sucker, she of course agreed. My original intention for the boards is probably not going to work out. I don't think I saved enough for the project. But here is my first piece:




Not a great picture, but here is a sneak peak at another project- the slipcover on this chair is part of a sewing project I've been working on. More of that later.




I see more frames and some window boxes in my future.

A Healthy Recipe and One That Is Anything But....But Is Unbelievably Delicious

I've been working on lots of projects lately that I'm looking forward to sharing with you. I've done a bunch of home decor sewing, some redecorating in our master bath, and a fun project in the family room that I'm just beginning. I've had a kitchen project on the back burner for quite some time and I'm anxious to get moving on that too.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a couple delicious recipes. The first is gingerbread muffins. I have tweaked it a bit to up the nutritional value, but I'll list both options.

Gingerbread Muffins:

1C Flour (i use whole wheat)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
1 slightly beaten egg white
1/3 C molasses
1/2 C water
3 T cooking oil (i use unsweetened apple sauce)
Sifted powdered sugar

Line eight 2 1/2" muffin cups with paper liners. In medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, b.p., ginger, cinnamon, b.s., and salt. Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, stir together the egg white, water and oil. Stir the molasses mixture into the flour mixture just until blended. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin cups.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes in 350' oven. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve warm or cool.

This really only makes 8 muffins. You'll probably want to double it. And of course, you can add anything you think sounds good- raisins, nuts, craisins, chocolate chips, whatever floats your boat. These are really yummy and with the whole wheat and add-ins they are pretty filling. My kids love 'em.

The next recipe I got from a friend at church. She used to run her own bakery so she knows a thing or two about yummy recipes. This one she seems to have gotten from Martha Stewart, who also knows a thing or two about yummy recipes. And Martha seems to have gotten it from Julia Child, so there you go. Click on the link for the recipe.

Rhubarb Shortbread

I just used some vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean. I also threw in some strawberries with the rhubarb because I love that combination. This is simply to die for. Literally. A pound of butter. 4 cups of flour. I don't know an equivalent measurement for a pound of rhubarb. I wish the recipe called for cups instead of pounds. I just guesstimated.

Happy baking!

Another Little Project I've Been Working On...

My kitchen has lots of the same wood tone in it. The cabinets, the floors, the island. Even the walls are a beige. I had to do something to break up all that wood tone.
(Here's a before and after within a before and after. I installed under cabinet lights recently. Boy do I LOVE the extra light in the kitchen and on my workspace.)





The island seemed like the perfect spot to get to work.

Dull, boring, more of the same.


I decided I would install beadboard around the sides and back, trim it out, and paint the whole thing in chocolate brown. I also added some hardware to dress it up a bit.


I love how this gives the island more of a furniture look. And it's hard to tell from the pictures, but the brown goes beautifully with the countertops.

Some recent treasure finds...

Let's start with this cute little footstool I found at a garage sale. I LOVE the woven top.



I wasn't too crazy about the light bamboo base, though. Too much tan. So I spray painted it and I love the results.



And how 'bout this dresser and this bunny I've had around for a while. I got the bunny at Goodwill and the dresser off Craigs List for $10.


I FINALLY got the dresser done yesterday. I will probably get new handles, but for now the old ones spray painted in a brushed nickel finish will work nicely.

I love how this detail stands out now that the horrible rag painting finish is covered up.


And this bunny looks so much more sophisticated now, all dressed up for Easter.


And lastly, here are some pieces for my china hutch that I've collected from Goodwill and yard sales.

I love the ironstone tureen. And the pitcher/vase. Who am I kidding. I love them all.

My best find recently is not ready to show yet, but I am SO excited about it. I can't wait to share!

*Sorry about the poor quality photos. I'm still trying to find a good spot in my house for photographing stuff.

My Dream Home

Recently I purchased a copy of the magazine House Beautiful because I did not have the power to resist the images of this gorgeous Houston home. I enjoy and appreciate many various decorating styles, but without a doubt, this is the one that is the most me.

Just look at this beautiful entry. All of the wood and stone in this house in reclaimed. This is a brand new house made of antique materials. I think I would change out the doors for something similar but with windows.


It's like being in a castle. I like the play of light from the window here.

I'm pretty sure I could be a better cook in this kitchen. My favorite part? The fridge covered in zinc. I love how rustic it is.


And after cooking a fantastic meal in the kitchen, we could retire to this fabulous dining room. I've already posted about my love affair with this clay color. I think the chairs are a bit ornate for my taste. I would replace the dining set with something more casual, a farm table perhaps.

After dinner, I would curl up next to the fire with a good book. My favorite thing in this image? Those double doors in the background.

Who doesn't want a gorgeous grand staircase like this?




And those shutters make me swoon.


I love love love the shutters here. The chandelier and chair are just the right touch in this space.

And my very favorite image:


Seriously, I love everything about this so much it makes my heart ache. I kid you not.

You can click on the link for a few more photos I didn't include here.

Progress at a Snail's Pace...

The basement project is progressing, just very slowly at this point. We decided we would frame the bathroom and the next bedroom and install the electrical in both, before we proceeded with the drywall in the first bedroom. We needed to have the inspector come out to look at some changes to the electrical and we figured, why not have all the electrical done so he could make just one more inspection. This seemed simple enough, considering how quickly we banged out that first room. However, a few factors are now coming into play that weren't before. First of all, I had squirreled away some funds for the start of the project. Now we have to have some time to squirrel away some more. Next, now that Lincoln is here and participating, we need to work around his schedule as well. He and I want to learn as we go so we can do this ourselves at some point. And lastly, we have a plumbing question that needs to be answered before we can build the next wall.

But here is what we have accomplished in the past week or two.

More electrical work in the first bedroom and hallway. The proper outlets have been installed. The first ones we put in did not meet a brand new code. They must now be the tamper resistant kind. Doug also put in a light fixture in the new hallway and wired for the other two. These will eventually be recessed lights.

Our friend, Jesse, came and put two new circuits in the box to accommodate the bathroom and the second bedroom.



Lincoln and I put in a heat run to the first bedroom and consulted with our friend Spencer to determine what our plan for cold air returns should be.


We have picked up the building materials we need for framing the next two rooms. Hopefully I can get a plumber out here today to answer our question and give us an estimate on future plumbing work. Once that is done we can proceed with framing.

In the meantime, maybe I'll start working on my kitchen backsplash today...