My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
Try to wipe down your stove after every meal. It's annoying, but it's much easier to clean off any food before it gets dry and crusty.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Paint!
We've been painting for days! The bathroom, bedroom and closet are done. However, it's been cloudy for days, so these pictures are terrible. I still have to take a non-blown-out photo of the closet.
Slowly, but surely, it's coming together.
Bathroom: BM Hale Navy
Bedroom: BM Tundra
Slowly, but surely, it's coming together.
Bathroom: BM Hale Navy
Bedroom: BM Tundra
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Stained!
We went with Nutmeg (the left side, middle stain from the previous post!) Here is the floor with the stain, but no poly yet.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Stain Options
This picture is terrible, but which stain do you like for the floor? The top right is hard to see, it's no stain, just a clear coat of poly.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
Sorry this tip is late, I've been out of commission with the stomach flu.
To help prevent your pictures from shifting and becoming crooked on the wall, stick rubber bumpers (the little round clear ones) on the back, on the bottom corners. If you are too lazy to do this and then you start renovating your attic, the pictures in your house will move around EVERY SINGLE DAY AND MAKE YOU INSANE STRAIGHTENING THEM. I might know from experience.
Sorry this tip is late, I've been out of commission with the stomach flu.
To help prevent your pictures from shifting and becoming crooked on the wall, stick rubber bumpers (the little round clear ones) on the back, on the bottom corners. If you are too lazy to do this and then you start renovating your attic, the pictures in your house will move around EVERY SINGLE DAY AND MAKE YOU INSANE STRAIGHTENING THEM. I might know from experience.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
Keep a sponge under the sink in the bathroom. When your sink starts looking a little gross mid-week, wet the sponge, wipe down the sink and counters and just rinse the sponge. This is also a great way to clean up when dinner guests are arriving in 5 minutes and you realize you never cleaned the bathroom!
Keep a sponge under the sink in the bathroom. When your sink starts looking a little gross mid-week, wet the sponge, wipe down the sink and counters and just rinse the sponge. This is also a great way to clean up when dinner guests are arriving in 5 minutes and you realize you never cleaned the bathroom!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
We have a vanity!
And it looks good! It's this vanity with square sinks. It also came with a large framed mirror that we aren't using in the bathroom, so we are trying to find another place for it.
They had to cut some of the drywall out to get the countertop in, so there we aren't able to paint just yet. Which paint color do you like? They are Symphony Blue on the left and Hague Blue on the right (both are Benjamin Moore).
They had to cut some of the drywall out to get the countertop in, so there we aren't able to paint just yet. Which paint color do you like? They are Symphony Blue on the left and Hague Blue on the right (both are Benjamin Moore).
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
Roasting garlic for a recipe? Roast a few extra heads at the same time and squeeze out the cloves into a big pile. Line a mini-muffin tin (ice cube tray works too) with plastic wrap (this step is important unless you want all future muffins to taste like garlic) and spoon the roasted garlic into the muffin tins. Cover the whole business with more plastic wrap, going around the sides to meet at the underside. This prevents the garlic smell from invading your freezer. Stick the whole thing into the freezer. Once it is frozen, pop the garlic pucks out of the tins and transfer to a freezer bag. Each garlic puck is approximately one head of garlic.
Roasting garlic for a recipe? Roast a few extra heads at the same time and squeeze out the cloves into a big pile. Line a mini-muffin tin (ice cube tray works too) with plastic wrap (this step is important unless you want all future muffins to taste like garlic) and spoon the roasted garlic into the muffin tins. Cover the whole business with more plastic wrap, going around the sides to meet at the underside. This prevents the garlic smell from invading your freezer. Stick the whole thing into the freezer. Once it is frozen, pop the garlic pucks out of the tins and transfer to a freezer bag. Each garlic puck is approximately one head of garlic.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
You can make your own cleaning wipes! If you have a tall, cylinder-shaped container, wait until you have a partial roll of towels (not larger in width than your container). Pour water and a small amount of all-purpose cleaner in the container, closing the lid and shaking it up. I like the lemon verbena cleaner from Mrs. Meyers. Open the container lid, slide in the paper towel roll, close lid again and shake it up. When the paper towels are completely saturated, pour out any extra liquid and you are ready to go! I have found that the entire roll has to be removed from the container and the towels pulled off, the magic lid insert that is supposed to let you tear one at a time doesn't work with these.
You can make your own cleaning wipes! If you have a tall, cylinder-shaped container, wait until you have a partial roll of towels (not larger in width than your container). Pour water and a small amount of all-purpose cleaner in the container, closing the lid and shaking it up. I like the lemon verbena cleaner from Mrs. Meyers. Open the container lid, slide in the paper towel roll, close lid again and shake it up. When the paper towels are completely saturated, pour out any extra liquid and you are ready to go! I have found that the entire roll has to be removed from the container and the towels pulled off, the magic lid insert that is supposed to let you tear one at a time doesn't work with these.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
Got a banana that's getting a little brown? Break or chop it into 1" pieces and throw it into the freezer. You can use 1/2 of a frozen banana in a smoothie (then you don't really need ice) or save up until you have 2-3 and make banana bread.
Got a banana that's getting a little brown? Break or chop it into 1" pieces and throw it into the freezer. You can use 1/2 of a frozen banana in a smoothie (then you don't really need ice) or save up until you have 2-3 and make banana bread.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
Once per month, to clean it, fill the coffeemaker with a 50%/50% mixture of vinegar and water. Turn the coffee maker on, wait 2-3 minutes for the water to heat up, then turn it off. Let it sit for 30 minutes, turn it back on and let it run through its cycle. Once the vinegar/water cycle is complete, empty the coffee maker and run 2-3 more cycles of plain water to get rid of the vinegar smell. This will cut down on the oily residue in the maker and keep your coffee tasting great!
Once per month, to clean it, fill the coffeemaker with a 50%/50% mixture of vinegar and water. Turn the coffee maker on, wait 2-3 minutes for the water to heat up, then turn it off. Let it sit for 30 minutes, turn it back on and let it run through its cycle. Once the vinegar/water cycle is complete, empty the coffee maker and run 2-3 more cycles of plain water to get rid of the vinegar smell. This will cut down on the oily residue in the maker and keep your coffee tasting great!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Drywall!
It's getting closer!
The bedroom:
The bathroom:
A medicine cabinet goes in that open spot and the vanity is below it.
The shower is on the left and the toilet is on the right:
The sitting room:
The bedroom:
The bathroom:
A medicine cabinet goes in that open spot and the vanity is below it.
The shower is on the left and the toilet is on the right:
The sitting room:
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
In the late winter, buy a bag of lemons. Juice all of the lemons and use the juice to fill an ice cube tray. Stick it in the freezer and once the juice is frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. (You may have to repeat this step depending on how much juice you have.) Now you have fresh squeezed lemon juice to make your summer cocktails, salad dressings, and desserts!
For extra awesomeness, slice up the juiced lemon halves and throw them in the freezer. Once every couple weeks, throw a frozen half down the garbage disposal to clean and freshen it.
In the late winter, buy a bag of lemons. Juice all of the lemons and use the juice to fill an ice cube tray. Stick it in the freezer and once the juice is frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. (You may have to repeat this step depending on how much juice you have.) Now you have fresh squeezed lemon juice to make your summer cocktails, salad dressings, and desserts!
For extra awesomeness, slice up the juiced lemon halves and throw them in the freezer. Once every couple weeks, throw a frozen half down the garbage disposal to clean and freshen it.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Menu for the Week
Here is our menu plan for the week:
Sunday: Gingerbread Dutch Baby for breakfast, French Onion Soup & Rosemary Olive Oil Bread for dinner
Monday: Potato Chip Chicken Fingers, Sweet Potato Fries
Tuesday: Penne Rosa (made by Kevin)
Wednesday: Venison Meatballs, Chickpea Salad
Thursday: Homemade Pizza
Friday: Pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and anchovies
Saturday: Roast Chicken (unless it's warm, then steaks on the grill!)
Sunday: Gingerbread Dutch Baby for breakfast, French Onion Soup & Rosemary Olive Oil Bread for dinner
Monday: Potato Chip Chicken Fingers, Sweet Potato Fries
Tuesday: Penne Rosa (made by Kevin)
Wednesday: Venison Meatballs, Chickpea Salad
Thursday: Homemade Pizza
Friday: Pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and anchovies
Saturday: Roast Chicken (unless it's warm, then steaks on the grill!)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends, magazines, blogs, etc.
Before you start the dishwasher, run your sink faucet until hot water is coming out. Then push the DW start button. If you do this, the DW will pull in hot water immediately. If you don't, it pulls in cold water and uses its heating element to warm it up. That heating element is less efficient than your hot water heater, so you are wasting energy. Probably not a ton of energy for each cycle, but over time, it adds up!
Before you start the dishwasher, run your sink faucet until hot water is coming out. Then push the DW start button. If you do this, the DW will pull in hot water immediately. If you don't, it pulls in cold water and uses its heating element to warm it up. That heating element is less efficient than your hot water heater, so you are wasting energy. Probably not a ton of energy for each cycle, but over time, it adds up!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
Use a lint roller designed for clothes to clean your lamp shades. Much better than a dusting cloth, which just seems to make it worse.
Use a lint roller designed for clothes to clean your lamp shades. Much better than a dusting cloth, which just seems to make it worse.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Insulation!
Look at all that (incredibly expensive) spray foam! We will super warm now!
Next steps: windows and drywall. It's coming together!
Next steps: windows and drywall. It's coming together!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
A tip on Tuesday
My
friend Tammy (http://tam-sense.blogspot.com/) says I have lots of
awesome ideas and tips on how to make life easier/more efficient. I
thought I would share some of them here. I did not come up with any of
these, they have been picked up along the way from my family, friends,
magazines, blogs, etc.
If you are making cookies, freeze some of the balls of dough on a cookie sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. You will always have a dessert to take to a friend's house for dinner. Or if you are having a bad day, just eat the dough!
My go-to recipe is here.
http://lifewithoutchocolate.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/oatmeal-cookies/
If you are making cookies, freeze some of the balls of dough on a cookie sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. You will always have a dessert to take to a friend's house for dinner. Or if you are having a bad day, just eat the dough!
My go-to recipe is here.
http://lifewithoutchocolate.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/oatmeal-cookies/
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Menu Plan
Kevin went to an out-of-town curling tournament at the last minute, so some of last week's plan got shifted to this week. While he was gone, I ate lots of cheese!
Here is our menu plan for the week:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Crockpot Bolognese
Tuesday: Smitten Kitchen Book Signing at Mpls Central Library
Wednesday: Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry
Thursday: Curried Cream of Tomato Soup with Chickpeas and Spinach
Friday: Pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and anchovies
Saturday: Icehouse with the Stockmans
Here is our menu plan for the week:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Crockpot Bolognese
Tuesday: Smitten Kitchen Book Signing at Mpls Central Library
Wednesday: Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry
Thursday: Curried Cream of Tomato Soup with Chickpeas and Spinach
Friday: Pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and anchovies
Saturday: Icehouse with the Stockmans
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Menu Plan for the week
Here is our menu plan for the week:
Sunday: pot roast at the Callahans
Monday: Chicken with tarragon and quick-roasted garlic
Tuesday: IU-MN college hoops
Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday: Shrimp and andouille pot pie
Friday: Pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and anchovies
Saturday: Roast chicken
So far, the pot roast and the chicken were delicious.
Sunday: pot roast at the Callahans
Monday: Chicken with tarragon and quick-roasted garlic
Tuesday: IU-MN college hoops
Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday: Shrimp and andouille pot pie
Friday: Pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and anchovies
Saturday: Roast chicken
So far, the pot roast and the chicken were delicious.
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