The Comfort Of A Sunday...

I think Sunday is probably one of my favorite days. Usually, the house is clean, because I took care of that the day before. All of my errands have been run, because I took care of that the day before too. So, on Sunday, I can just relax! This morning I worked on the new socks I have been knitting. These are turning out rather cute. The colors are so vibrant. My sister gave me this yarn for Christmas, thanks Sissy! To me, there is nothing better than sitting on the couch, kitting something sweet, and sipping coffee while watching No Reservations on a Sunday Morning. I love Anthony Bourdain and I also just discovered his blog today.

I spent the afternoon along the same trend. After shopping for a very needed new pair of shoes at DSW (I actually ended up with 2) I needed a post-shopping snack. So, I had my usual...Quattro Formaggio Triscuits and Laughing Cow herbed cheese, yummy!

Then, I sipped on some hibiscus tea (through a fancy raspberry straw), flipped through the pages of a couple of my favorite magazines, and worked on the socks some more. Unfortunately, the No Reservations marathon was over so I ended up watching the Discovery Channel instead. There was something on Discovery about the Earth narrated by Sigoruney Weaver (I think). That really is Jeff's doing. He must have been watching it before he left for work. We had a meaningful conversation about entomology earlier in the day. He likes that kind of stuff. So, since this show is not something I would usually watch on my own, I guess I kept watching to determine if it really was Sigoruney Weaver narrating. I remember her most from Ghostbusters! "When there's something strange in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!" Um, ok, I am over it. My apologies, got off track with this here blog entry.

Anyhoo, I received another Amazon shipment.

This book is really is great and has some quick and easy sewing projects. I think I want to make one of everything in this book!

My first project from this book will be to make the ironing board cover. My ironing board needs it! And, it will make ironing exciting!

Cheers!

I'm Done (For The Moment Anyway)!

Finally! The kitchen project is finished!

Before:

(Sorry, she loves the camera. Seems like every time I take a picture she is there)

After:

(We are having a bit of cloudy weather, which made it difficult to take a clear picture)

I hung 4 of my most favorite mugs on the shelf and displayed a few vintage finds in addition to the Rachel Ray Hipster Bowls I got for Christmas. I thought they blended well. I already rearranged the shelf 3 times, so this arrangement may only be temporary! The little white bucket hanging on the left side of the shelf is for the chalk and eraser. Chalkboard paint is amazing!

Now I just need to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls to make the kitchen complete, but that will come later...much later.

Cheers!

Sanding Walls And New Books, Oh And Happy Friday!

At this very moment, I cannot feel my arms. Hand sanding is hard work! If I sanded like this all the time I would have biceps like a pro-wrestler. I only had to sand a small space but it was more work than I thought it would be. Whew, at least I am done, with the sanding anyway.

With my new found old age and all, I am pretty lame these days, I came straight home from work this lovely Friday evening and started sanding the wall. Ha! How exciting! But for the record, while sanding I rocked out to a little Michael Franti, K'naan and G. Love and sipped on a Cuba libre . :-) So, does that still make me semi cool?

Tomorrow, I am going to put the chalkboard paint on the wall and then after that dries I will put the frame around it. Stay tuned for pictures later on. I don't want to post any pictures until my Ikea shipment comes in which will be on Tuesday so, I figure I will be completely finished around Wednesday or Thursday of next week. I can't wait!

During my kitchen project breaks, I have been a little Amazon.com happy. I ordered a few books and 2 of them arrived this week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

First Wildlife Discovery This Spring, First Skein Of Yarn For Sale, And Fish!

I am not sure what brought my attention to it but I spotted the cutest little bird nest in the tree in my flower bed! I have found little blue spotted eggs in my flower bed in years past so, I guess I have permenent residents that I really never noticed before. I love little bird's nests. There is something so sweet about them. I like to examine them to see what the mama bird made the nest from. This one is made from things from my garden, fallen leaves, sticks, and some plastic! I wish I could have gotten a better picture, but I am short, and the nest is up high.

Also, I have added my first skein for sale in the shop! I am excited and very nervous at the same time.

Tonight, in celebration of my first skein for sale, I am grilling cedar plank salmon. This is the first time that I have grilled with a cedar plank... so, I guess there is trial and error to everything. Note to self: do not grill cedar planks on the bottom rack. It will cause an incredible inferno.

Here is a picture of my charred plank, but the salmon was still fantastic!

Luckily Jeff was on site when the inferno started and so was the water hose. So, we just hosed the plank down to get the raging fire out and then moved the charred plank to the top shelf to finish cooking the salmon. You know, charring your plank must be key because that was the best salmon that I have eaten in a long time! I made a honey lime glaze salmon, with a spring mix salad and garlic herb broccoli. If you are interested in trying she salmon glaze out it, here you go. I got the plank at Target.

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

Mix together and marinade for about an hour to two hours.

Throw on your cedar plank and get to grillin'!

We had a really nice dinner and Jeff even snagged some Skinny Cow ice cream pies from CVS for my dessert!




Cheers!

Spray Paint Is The Bomb!

I am so silly and forgot to take a before picture. Right when I pushed my finger down and started to spray, I thought, "duh". But anyhoo, I sort of have a before picture from a previous blog entry so at least that will give you a very small idea of what the little wicker table looked like before:

And after! Have I mentioned that I love spray paint?

It turned out to be the perfect color of red. It definitely perks up the kitchen.


As for the kitchen, my project is to paint a chalkboard on the wall. Now, follow me here for a minute. I am sure you are thinking that is a very strange idea. But, I am not entirely crazy, I have seen the concept in Cottage Living and it looks really cute. You will soon see! Unfortunately, I was waylaid today when I realized that I can't put chalkboard paint on a textured wall because then when you try to write on it, it will look bumpy. So, I am going to have to sand paper the wall. Ugh. I did, however, get the frame for the chalkboard painted with the same red spray paint that I used for the table. I think I just may have this project completed by the end of this week! Stay tuned!

Cheers!

First Skien For Sale....

...is almost ready for the shop! It is hanging to dry now. I tried a different way of finishing it (which involved a plunger, but a very very clean plunger) so the fibers would fuse together better. So far it looks nice and fluffy. I can't wait to see how it turns out after it is dry. I think it will make a fantastic scarf.























I have been working on house projects today. I even busted out the painting overalls. It has been over a year since I have done that! And, I am only just getting started. I will be posting my progress. I am working on a small project in the kitchen that required an Internet order from Ikea, chalkboard paint, and red spray paint. Spray paint is the bomb!

Jeff and I went shopping today. I love shopping with him. He is funny and shopping with 2 people is so much better than shopping alone! Last week Jeff told me about a new Bissell vacuum that we could not live without. Having 5, yes 5, animals (including an antique chihuahua) and absolutely no carpet in the house requires a good sturdy vacuum with maximum suction (ha, I said maximum suction). Now, you know it is time to purchase a new vacuum when you have to continuously pop the left wheel back on your vacuum during the vacuuming process. I have to admit, bending down every 30 seconds while vacuuming is a pretty good workout, but...I have my elliptical machine and Pilate's video for that. So, needless to say, today we went on the hunt for the irresistible Bissell vacuum. Target was sold out, Lowe's didn't carry it, but Best Buy, as usual did not disappoint! I am getting way too excited about this. I need therapy. So, anyhoo, It is fantastic and has the ultimate maximum suction. You can watch the video here. OK, I should sooooo get therapy AND compensated for my promotion of the Bissell product.


While I was oh so busy fluttering about in the house working on projects, Cedella lazily gazed out the window, as she usually does on a nice sunny day.


Cheers!

Just Another Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone! It was a another beautiful day outside today. The sky was blue and the clouds were so fluffy! I started my day as usual with my morning cup of coffee.

I worked on making a few snap wallets for the shop while watching the Millionaire Matchmaker (I have no idea how I got sucked into it for the record. There are far more interesting things to watch like the National Geographic Channel).

I made a Dutch Apple Pancake for breakfast. Oh it was GOOD!!!!!!!!

It was so yummy, (and healthy) I will share the recipe:

2 tablespoons trans-fat-free margarine, melted, divided

1 medium organic Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch slices

1/3 cup organic whole-grain pastry flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon sugar substitute

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup 1 percent organic milk

4 eggs, lightly beaten

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Heat 1 tablespoon of margarine in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add apple and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Puree remaining margarine and ingredients in a blender until just combined, about 1 minute.

Pour batter into skillet, over apples. Bake until puffed and set, about 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with cinnamon for garnish after done.

I worked on the garden. Oh, did it ever need some TLC! Here is the before, with the garden covered in leaves with signs of Spring peeking out! Poor little neglected garden....

And the after! I raked all the leaves out, laid down new soil and then added a layer of mulch. I think it looks so happy and fresh! Next weekend I am going to plant new flowers and herbs.

Those little signs of spring peeking out, I could not resist to bring inside to enjoy!

Oh, I almost forgot!! My mother and I went estate saleing and antiquing on Saturday. I found a divided casserole dish with lid. So exciting!

Cheers!

Great Success!!

I finally finished the socks that I have been knitting off and on since October. I am very proud because I taught myself how to do it. This is the first complicated knitting project that I have completed without instruction from someone else. They are by no means perfect because I made a load of mistakes but, they turned out in the end none the less and they are very warm and cozy! I am knitting another pair asap! My sister gave me some really colorful sock yarn for Christmas so I am going to use that next. I am also going by Yarns Ewenique because they are having a 40% off sale now, since they are closing, sniff sniff.

I also completely forgot to post pictures of the angora bunny hair my sister gave me for my birthday. This angora bunny hair is from her very own angora bunny, sweet little Pickwick. Well, he really is not that little but he is very sweet with a cute little personality!

Also, I got the Sublime Stitching Black Apple Pattern for my mother for her birthday and of course had to get one for myself too! I think I may embroider a few tea towels for my kitchen. Jenny Hart is awesome!

Cheers!