BATHROOM REMODEL PROGRESS

We have slowly, but surely been remodeling our bathroom.  I posted pictures of the tile work above the shower previously.  We removed the old sink and vanity to replace it with a  pedestal sink and new flooring over the old.  The sink change made a huge difference in opening up the space. 

While doing the floor, CEO apparently needed a little more supervision, so I called in my backup. :)

I cant wait to share completion pictures. Stay tuned.....

TJO

GOING GREEN



After all of the great holiday feasts and winter snow on the ground to prevent running, I have been looking for an affordable option to get back on track to healthy.  I found a ton of good nutrient options, but all with a big price tag on them.  I have prided myself in staying pretty fit, but have that annoying 5-8 extra lbs hanging on since I was put out of running commission for surgeries.  Well, with all excuses aside, I have started doing Green Smoothies.  Yes the top picture is green tinted, but this one is not.

Add some spinach, kale, banana, pear, protein powder, flax seed and some oj for a great lunch in a blender.  So far, I have really enjoyed them.  The first day I put in some regular green lettuce that needed to be used and boy was that not a good idea.  I did get it all down but it tasted just as it was, blended lettuce.  Using the proper ingredients there on out, I have really enjoyed them and they are doing their "cleansing" duties.

Oatmeal for breakfast.

Green Smoothie for lunch.

Fiber bar for afternoon snack.

Healthy, sensible supper.

Now to kick this cold and get back to Zumba! If you haven't tried this latest exercise trend and have the option to, I highly recommend it.  So much fun!

What is your secret to staying healthy?

TJO

BROWN SUGAR BUNDT CAKE WITH SAUCE

I took the time this weekend to play with one of my new toys I received for Christmas.  Isnt it funny to think back and see just how much our Christmas lists change throughout the years. 

We go from wanting Barbie Dolls to wanting a Bundt pan!

My Hubby loved this recipe.  I added a chopped apple to the cake.

Enjoy!

Cake:

2 1/4

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1/2

teaspoon baking powder

1/2

teaspoon salt

1 1/2

cups packed light brown sugar

3/4

cup granulated sugar

1

cup butter, softened

4

eggs

2

teaspoons vanilla

3/4

cup milk

Sauce:

1

cup butter

1/2

cup packed light brown sugar

2

tablespoons milk

1

tablespoon light corn syrup

1

teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom and side of 12-cup fluted tube cake pan or 10-inch angel food (tube cake) pan with shortening; lightly flour. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

1. In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, the granulated sugar and softened butter with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed about 5 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in flour mixture alternately with 3/4 cup milk on low speed until smooth. Pour into pan.
2. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
3. Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat sauce ingredients except vanilla to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Serve warm sauce with cake.

CATCH UP

I am behind in my blogs.  I have been too busy fighting off a cold and reading everyone else's blogs. :)  I saw one bloggers resolution to read less blogs?!?!  Anyone else see the irony in that resolution??

I was mauled with kisses from my cat, Maggie, over lunch and was reminded of how funny she was over New Year's weekend at Grandma and Grandpas house.  First she had to check out the fish tank.  Then she found the goldmine of toys inside the crock next to the fish tank.  Must have been some good ones because she was quite entertaining while trying to attain a few of them.  One in particular had her interest for the rest of the weekend.  I had to take it away a couple of times because there is a limit to her madness and crazy eyes.  It was an old sock stuffed with catnip.  :)  Grandma was getting her grandkitty high! LOL!!

We had a great holiday and will keep playing catch up in between blogging others and completing some PIPs (Projects In Progress).  Better add a catnip sock to my projects list, huh?!

TJO

SHOW AND TELL

I am following my mother's footsteps (again) in posting a show and tell for today.  Check out hers on http://knitandpearl-barb.blogspot.com/2012/01/show-and-tell.html. 

I completed adding the buttons to this cowl yesterday and have debuted it out with today's coat. I LOVE it!

I printed this pattern before our long trip home after a great New Year's weekend with my family. It was the perfect project for the car.  I got the pattern off of Ravalry.  If you are a knitter, you MUST check out this site! Not a knitter, check it out anyway and you will want to become one!

Anywho........the pattern is called Holland Cowl and here is the link to it: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holland-cowl

That is my new project finished, so now that means to go complete 2 PIPs (Project In Progress).

How many PIPs do you have?

TJO

DREADED WORDS

I took the afternoon off a while back and my husband came home to the now dreaded words in our house of "Honey, look what I did!"  He walked into our bathroom to see no light, no medicine cabinet and no more gray plastic tiles on the walls.  I saw the potential and he saw the mess.  I retextured all of the walls with some joint compound we had, primed and painted them.  Hubby put in the new medicine cabinet/mirror.  This last Sunday while he was out hunting with man's best friend, I put up the tile work over the shower. 

He came home and loved it, so do I.  I am going to take some time off this week to get home to grout and seal the tiles and hang our new light.  This weekend will bring new baseboards, trim and wainscoating for the walls.  The project is finally looking like we imagined and is completely different than the rest of the house in color and tiles.

I cannot wait until I get to say "Honey, look what I did!" again and the project is complete.

What home renovations are on your Resolution list for 2012?

TJO