Sentimental Artwork

Ever since leaving home, I have sought out artwork. I needed something to feel like home, to add my own personal touch, and to fill some blank wall space. Over the years, I had the band posters, chemistry posters, college basketball posters (Go Wildcats!) and goodwill painting portraits. When my husband and I moved in together, we had a lot of things to choose from in our collection. Most artwork we didn't really care about, we just wanted something to fill the wall space.

This post is for the sentimental items that we couldn't put a price on. Most of these pieces of artwork were given to us and possibly the only cost was framing.

Such as, this doily that was croqueted for a wedding gift:




A picture of our 3 little furry ones:



A portrait painted by a family member that hung in an office of the family's business:


A favorite LP with the original stickers and posters:


A favorite movie poster:

Suggestions for Crusty, Chewy, or Stale Bread

In my house we always have bread. Most of the time, we have a fresh loaf, a stale loaf and most likely, some stored in the freezer. You might say that I am a prude when it comes to bread. I love french bread, pumpernickel, baguettes etc. I don't buy enriched white bread. Too bad, that seems to last forever... Why? I don't know. It is okay for some sandwiches but a lot of times, this is what goes to waste in my house.

It seems like I am always throwing away food that has gone bad so to combat this I have put together a list of suggestions for the not so fresh loaf of bread.

Most of these are for french bread loaves or baguettes or something similar:

1. Croutons
2. Breadcrumbs (put in freezer once crumbed in a baggie)
3. Re-freshed bread
Heat over to 300F, put bread in paper bag. Close and dampen bag.
Bake for 5 mintues. I have not tried this but it sounds interesting as long
as you eat it fast!
4. Bread Pudding
5. Scalloped Pineapple (a new found recipe from my mom! YUM!)
6. Add Bread to dip or add consistency to soup (ex. French Onion)
7. French Toast
8. Panzanella (or bread salad)
9. Stuffing
10. Open-face sandwiches
11. Cinnamon Toast
12. Toasted or grilled sandwiches
13. Bread dumplings

If I don't have a use for the bread that is a little stale, I just pop the loaf (covered in a plastic bag) in the freezer.

The Powder (Blue) Room Con't

I never realized until this post how hard it is to get a picture of the entire bathroom!

Yesterday, I discussed our bathroom updates including the removal of tile and wallpaper, updating paint,and installing some sinks.

Today, I am going to show you the finishing touches- the curtains, the homemade seat cover, and some art work. The curtains were purchased from a yard sale for $4, I think. I liked the gray, blue, and brown stripes. When I saw these, I immediately thought of our bathroom because we had been discussing dark gray as a color in the bathroom and these curtains included the blue tile color. (The shower and the floor are blue tile.) The curtains used be much, much longer but that was a little unnecessary for the bathroom so I cut them off and hemmed them. Then, I had leftover fabric left to make that toilet seat cover mentioned here.



We decided on chrome accents such as the chrome wall switch plate (Lowe's, $6) and chrome electrical cover (Lowe's, $6). The picture frames (BOGO Joann Fabrics $12) were also a chrome finish. Since the bathroom was beginning to look a little sci-fi, we decided to frame some movie posters that we cut out of a movie poster book of Mothra and The Day the Earth Stood Still. The poster book was purchased on ebay for $10.

The Powder (Blue) Room

Our bathroom has been "remodeled" for awhile now. However, I wanted to share it with you. It is hard to look at this picture and not laugh! The lacy curtains, blue and white wallpaper, blue and white tiles, and the white cabinets. Plus, the person to got this room ready "to show" for selling added a touch a orange! It is all a bit scary!

This room is definitely not our style! We would like to gut the whole room but we didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on that yet for a couple of reasons:
1- we don't have that kind of money right now
2- this bathroom has the only shower in the house
3- also at the time we were having plumbing problems and ever so often it was a question which bathroom "worked" the best. (no longer a prob though)

We figured that we could live with this room for awhile if we gave it some "updates". New to us, but mid-century style.

We started by taking down the blue wall tile and back splash and painting the wall white. Then, we painted the cabinet underneath the sink a dark gray color.
Both white and gray paint was scored at the ReStore. A gallon of white paint is $5 and color paint gallons are $3!! We threw out the little brass vanity chair and stored our wastebasket and 50's step stool underneath the counter.

Here is an after picture:



We also got an awesome pair of Crane sinks (model Diana) from the ReStore. My husband absolutely fell in love with the fixtures that are built-in the sink. We got a pair of them set in a small amount of countertop for $50 at the ReStore! That was a good day!

Next came installing those sinks and well, Jeff can tell you that it was no picnic. The sinks are attached to the counter top by that chrome band going around the sink. It was not very easy to set them in there and get them level because they are awkward and very heavy! However, considering the sinks that came out of there were just a bit smaller and fit basically the same way, maybe it turned out to be a little easier.




More pics later!

Figuring out Freezer Cooking

I have been thinking for awhile now about trying some freezer cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook but sometimes during the work week, I just want to come home and have my dinner waiting on me and no thinking/work needed.

What is freezer cooking? It is preparing meals to store in the freezer to have ready to eat.


www.30daygourmet.com

Because of my limited freezer space, I am going to start small and see how it goes. I have froze fruit (blueberries, raspberries, bananas) and I have froze stewed tomatoes from the garden before. I have froze the occasional leftover, pork roast, ham, chicken, or turkey because we wouldn't finish it all in time. And my all time favorite, I have also made an extra sweet potato casserole and froze it for those dire emergencies. I think this is what it is all about. Making extra and storing it in the freezer. Right? However, this seems to be more daunting or overwhelming to me.

Here are some websites that I have been looking at to understand what is involved:

http://organizedhome.com/freezer-cooking/guide-once-a-month-cooking

http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2011/05/how-to-save-money-on-groceries-without-coupons/

http://www.30daygourmet.com/Default.aspx

I am realizing that this takes a lot of planning. However, once I get the hang of it, I think it will go faster.

Here's the idea and some of my questions:

I need to figure out recipes. Some cooked vegetables in the freezer such as green peppers, onions, etc make me cringe. They are lifeless. How can I know what is going to hold up? I need more information. What is going to taste good? I don't expect to keep meals for months and months at a time without eating them but it needs to be good. I feel like I am working for NASA on their ready-to-eat meals or something.

What about side dishes? Are those made ahead as well? Such as, if I make meatloaf with tomato sauce. Do I make a separate container of mashed potatoes?

I need to figure out portion sizes. Am I making this recipe for lunches or dinner? Should I double wrap, use Tupperware, bags, etc??

I need to do all of my shopping before the cooking.

I need to be able to tailor the recipe to what is on sale at the grocery.

I need to make room in the freezer (Ha!) and keep it better organized (and figure out some labels that will work in the freezer).

I need to remember what is in the freezer and use it up!

Apparently, I need to do some more research. However, It would be so awesome to cook for a few hours and then, not have to cook for 2 weeks! Ah, dare to dream!

The Leftover Veggie Tray

Well, we are finally through the holidays and into the new year! Happy 2012 Everybody!!

Last night, we hosted my husband's family for a late Christmas celebration. We had tons of food and treats and of course, gifts. We are very lucky to be able to spend the time all together even if it is some days after Christmas.

Every party, I tend to serve a vegetable tray. One reason it is easy and a healthy dish! The second reason is I love the leftovers. There is always leftovers. What can I do with a veggie tray leftovers?? This is so easy!

1. Soup
2. Stir Fry
3. Salad ( DUH !!)
4. More veggies and dip (haha)
5. Veggie pizza
6. Omelet
7. Quiche
8. Muffins (carrot, etc.)
9. Sautéed vegetables with a cheese sauce or savory sauce
10. Steamed Vegetables
11. Pickled Vegetables

It is nice because everything is already cleaned, peeled, and pretty much chopped! Lookout 30 minute meals! Maybe we will work on a 28 minutes meals show!! haha