Burnin up the kitchen

I gotta admit that usually cooking is something I really enjoy so the last three weeks have been kind of weird. And totally dissapointing for my husband (and me) even though my kids love it-mac and cheese, hot dogs, pancakes, bagels. That's been my stimulating and nutritious repertoire lately.  For some unknown reason I just don't want to make anything. I'm not sure if it's the very restless nights, super hot and humid weather or no moon last night but whatever the reason I'm just not feelin' it lately.

Doesn't this look beautiful and summery? It's one of my new favorite salads and the first actual meal I made in three weeks. Yum. That's the recipe below.



Then there were these come out perfectly first time I ever made biscuits. I served the with a kind of deconstructed chicken pot pie on top. And just so you know, my husband laughs everytime I take a picture of food. Or my knitting. Well actually at just about everything except the kids. Whom I should now go supervise as it sounds like they are deconstructing the play room. Yikes.

Recipe from Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything"

And isn't that just a well taken care of pan. That's how we roll at this house!

Busy-ness

Well, I have NOT been working on my to do list. But I have been cranking out the knitted projects so there. Whatever. I actually learned to knit last fall and went crazy for the first 4 months. We had yarn flying all over the house and that is literal because my little girls (4 and 3) always had to be 'hooksin' with me. And yes I know that sounds awful but they were just crochetin'. I had to buy them their own yarn since according to my husband I only like the most expensive ___________ insert yarn, fabric, paint, decor, furniture, etc; and I almost cried the first time they knotted up my beautiful Rowan. (There may have been a few new baby hormones involved here) These are my two newest items lovingly modeled by the 2 year old.
Side note-everything I make he says "Dat fo me, mama? Dat mines?" Well of course I have to make him his own 'thing', which conveniently gave me a reason to check out a new shop. And Holy Moly I am in LOVE! If you are ever in Buffalo, MN do yourselves a favor and go to Silver Creek Cabin. Huge selection of everything you could want and I can't wait to go back, by myself and spend a few hours there.




Pattern from Itty Bitty Hats

I did start a super cute hat for my Rory and will throw a picture up here as soon as it is done, or more likely, within a few months. 



Adapted from 60 Quick Knits



12 started

...And none done. I think I've found my problem. I have all sorts of ideas, plans and paint, and I so love to tear into a project. Then...(here comes the problem part) I. Don't. Finish. A couple of theories
     1. I Have four children. Oldest is four. Who can finish anything?! Right?
     2. I get bored. Nuff said. Onto the next thing.
     3. I am not a true 'detail' person. For example: I started painting my kitchen cupboards, and I won't even tell you that it was over a year ago...oops. Anyways. So I got my 8 foot long section done. And then I did nothing, because truly, that part is the main area of my kitchen. It's the focal point. It's the star. Well not really, but I tend to think that I'm done because my eyes just sort of skim right over all the rest. I look at the effect (which I love. Black cupboards. sigh)

Sorry for the un-staged, true to daily life look and bad pictures-working on getting my camera fixed and hopefully they'll get better as the posts progress. But it looks (semi) good, right? Too bad I can't show you the other area...the camera, remember? I will get them up here in a bit. Where was I? Oh, yeah
    
      4. This house needs a lot of work. It's a lot more fun and a lot less work to keep on starting new areas. I think.

    So here's my idea-I'll  put my list up here and may that give me some motivation, or enough embarrasment, to finish. With no further ado, here they are: finish kitchen cupboards, finish paneling in bathroom, paint upstairs bathroom, paint upstairs trim, pain front hall, window treatments in front hall, bug my husband enough so he'll help make the headboard, pictures printed/collaged/hung up, built-in bench for dining room table, finish outside trim,  tile the kitchen backsplash and get my countertops done. And paint my tables and bookshelves (these are the ones me, not the shop). And re-upholster my ugly green chair. And goll darn it, that's more than twelve. Time to get my self off this couch and at least get ready for the day. Wish me luck, cause I'm thinkin I'll need it.

Little Red Hen

Well this is a new adventure for me; instead of spending all my money at this store I will now be *bringing* furniture/thrifted/ upcycled finds. I'm starting out slow with only a few (5) pieces that cost me a grand total of  eight dollars. (side note-The garage sales in this area are pretty much awesome. We are far enough away from any big cities that prices are usually close to rock bottom, and I get the most fun out of finding the true 'cleaning out grandma's farmhouse' packed full of vintage goodness). Below is a picture of an industrial style table (free) and stool ($2). Both remind me of Pottery Barn. I forgot to take a before picture of the table-this is midway through, having been spray painted with rust-oleums Strawflower.

This is one of my favorites and I can't wait to get started on it. Another metal/industrial style but it's a wardrobe. Obviously.

My idea for this comes from this picture, found on Better After. Well dang it anyways that apparently isn't gonna work. Instead you can follow this link and scroll down to the black hutch with the harlequin pattern on the back. I'm picturing a mellow color for the outside and very fun, bright painted harlequin pattern on the inside back and sides. That's not to say my after picture will look anything like that, but it's my hope.

This sweet little coffee table ($5) was already all sanded and ready for paint. Again, no before picture, just a half-way done..this is painted with Sherwin Williams 'Polar Sky' and it's going to get a coat of black glaze. Can't wait to get the afters up here!

Here's the link to Little Red Hen.

Elizabeth

Oh boy,

I can't really believe I am starting this..not sure exactly what my content will be? Probably about the same as my life; a hodgepodge of children, furniture projects, knitting and sewing. Guess we'll see.