Laundry Room: Before and After (Pic Heavy)

Our laundry room has seen several transformations since we bought our house over a year ago. But to tell the truth, it is one of my favorite rooms in our house now!

Here is our laundry room before we moved in. The picture is dark, but it was a hideous mauve-color:

Here is the laundry room after we painted it (the first time) and when we moved in:
Please note the hideous peel and stick tile. It was a disaster. And just stained like this:
I hated it. I hated the color, the dark floor, basically everything (except my washer and dryer). This was my inspiration from Kevin and Amanda's blog:
I loved the blues and browns and it just looked so fresh and lovely. I bought the rug from Bed, Bath and Beyond and went from there.

Last summer, I painted the cabinets and walls and tore up all the "tile." This July, C and my dad finally installed all the tile and I was able to put the rest of the room together! Here is the finished project!
Whoops. Forgot to empty the trash before taking the pictures! And neglected to put my paint supplies in the garage as well. Oh well, I am only human and was too excited to show my room off to wait!

Our utility sink area. We need a new one. This one is blech:


Our entryway bench and shelves. And yes, the shelves stacked on top do not have a home yet.

And yes, this is the permanent residence of the cats. A year later and they still hate the dog:

Giveaway!

Stop in over at Karen at Home for an adorable giveaway of a onesie create by J.Company! Karen is offering you SEVERAL opportunities to be entered into the giveaway, so be sure you visit!

Day 24: Where I Live

Cleveland rocks.

Classic Stuffed Peppers

I came across this recipe from Joelen and bookmarked it awhile back. Overall, the dinner was good. I omitted the cheese the original recipe called for and forgot to drain the tomatoes. It was a hit with C and both girls, but I feel like the recipe needs tweaking. More flavor, more spice...just something else. But, the peppers maintained a crispness that made it delish! I did not freeze these, but prepared them on Sunday and made them tonight.

Classic Stuffed Peppers
adapted from Food.com and Joelen's Culinary Adventures

Ingredients
4 medium green peppers, 1/2 inch trimmed off top and cored/seeded
1/2 C long grain white rice
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped fine
12 ounces ground beef
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes, drained with 1/4 C juice reserved (Um...I did not drain nor did I reserve the juice. I will definitely do this next time while I tweak my recipe).
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
black pepper
1/4 C ketchup

Directions
1. Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and bell peppers. Cook until peppers just begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove peppers from pot, drain off excess water and place peppers cut side up on paper towels.
2. Return water to boil; add rice and boil until tender, about 13 minutes.Drain rice and transfer to large bowl; set aside.
7. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350°F.
8. Meanwhile, heat 12 inch heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat until hot, about 1 1/2 minutes; add oil and swirl to coat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook, breaking beef into small pieces with spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant about 30 seconds
9. Transfer mixture to bowl with rice; stir in tomatoes, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
10. Stir together ketchup and reserved tomato juice in small bowl.
11. Place peppers cut side up in 9 inch square baking dish. Using soup spoon, divide filling evenly among peppers. Spoon 2 tablespoons ketchup mixture over each filled pepper. Bake until filling is heated through, 25 to 30 minutes.

*To freeze, prepare peppers and fill as directed. Top with ketchup mixture and place in a freezer-friendly container. To cook, thaw completely and bake at 350 until heated through.

Day 23: A YouTube video

Who didn't play this game as a kid?

24 Weeks: V-Day

Today marks viability for Baby Boy. This means that if something were to happen and the little one would be born, he would stand a chance at survival. He is growing steadily and should weight over a pound now and is over a foot long. He is pretty skinny right now, but has started filling out proportionally. I am working on plumping him up by eating lots of ice cream. His lungs are working hard to develop so they can work once he gets to the outside world. His skin is still translucent, which is REALLY weird to me.

Here is my 23 week belly shot (because I forgot to post it):I am feeling pretty good these days! Today was our first day of school and was teacher report day. Baby Boy must have been right on my bladder because I seriously peed like every 15 minutes. And it was just a trickle, which was really annoying. He was also moving a TON today, so he must have thought our meetings were really interesting :) I was totally exhausted when I came home from school today, and took a brief nap.

People definitely noticed I was pregnant at school. I don't think there is much denying my belly now! Here is my 24 week belly shot. Happy V Day, Baby Boy!

Day 22: A Website

MamaPop is my source of all things snarky and pop culture. I love these people, especially their hilarious recaps of shows such as The Bachelor/Bachelorette and Real Housewives of New Jersey. Be prepared to laugh out loud of you read them!

Menu Planning Monday (Back to School Edition)

It is BACK TO SCHOOL WEEK!!

Monday, 8/23: Spaghetti with artichokes and tomatoes
Tuesday, 8/24: Stuffed Peppers
Wednesday, 8/25: Chicken Enchiladas
Thursday, 8/26: French Toast Casserole
Friday, 8/27: Wedding and kids at their grandparents' house
Saturday, 8/28: Dinner for A's birthday! The big 12! BBQ pulled pork sammies and cheesy potatoes
Sunday, 8/29: Beef Dip Sammies with Twice-Baked Potatoes and Corn on the Cob

What's on your menu this week? Visit I am an Organizing Junkie for TONS of meal ideas!

Day 21: A Recipe

Cabbage Rolls:
extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups steamed white rice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large heads green cabbage, about 3 pounds each

1. Saute onions and garlic in oil, add the tomato paste and sauce, let cool
2. Bring to boil a large pot of salted water and blanch the cabbage heads whole. Let cool, peal the leaves off and cut back the large vein in the middle.
3. in a large bowl mix meat, rice, salt pepper, onion mix, and parsley. Fill each leaf with mix and roll.
4. There are two methods to cook these: Put them in the crock pot, in a single layer and cover with crushed tomatoes, you can season it is you like, but you do not need to, just set for 8 hours and they are done. You can also put them in a baking dish and bake at 350 for about an hour or until the meat is done
To freeze: line them up in large ziplock bags and lay flat till they are frozen.

Day 20: A Hobby of Mine

Source

Day 19: A Talent I Have

I can wiggle my ears.

Day 18: My Wedding

Day 17: An art piece

Willow Tree: Cherish
C brought this home for me as a surprise the weekend we found out I was pregnant.

Day 16: A song that makes you cry

I am a daddy's girl. I am not ashamed to admit it. This is the song my dad and I danced to at our wedding and every time I hear it, I tear up.

"I Loved Her First" by Heartland

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

Zucchini Bread

A few years ago, I was working hallway duty during 1st period and one of the cafeteria workers brought me a piece of zucchini bread. It was the moistest, most delicious zucchini bread I had ever had and I begged her for the recipe. She brought it to me the next day and this has been my go-to recipe ever since! And I NEVER peel the zucchinis because I love seeing the little green flecks throughout the bread.
Zucchini Bread
Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients
3 C flour
3 eggs
2 C sugar
1 C oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 C grated zucchini (pared if desired, which I never do. I like the green flecks in the bread)
1 C chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 C sour cream

Directions
1. Grease and flour two 9x5 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Sift flour into large bowl. Beat eggs and add with rest of ingredients to flour in bowl. Mix well making sure all the zucchini and flour is mixed into the batter.
3. Scrape bowl often and keep mixing for several minutes. Pour into greased pans and bake in oven for 1 hour. If toothpick comes out clean, bread is done. If not, check every 5 minutes until done.
4. Let cool in pans on wire racks and store in plastic wrap. Freezes well.

Menu Planning Monday: Back at it!

The husband and I went on a budget. That is to say, we are making an effort to be more conservative with our finances and do a better job at tracking so we can see where the heck our money goes. And in order to be more effective at budgeting and because school starts next week, I am going back to menu planning! Within the next few weeks, I am also going to start some monthly freezer cooking (but more on THAT later!)

Sunday, 8/15: Dinner at Mom and Dad's for Mom's birthday!
Monday, 8/16: Spaghetti with homemade foccacia bread
Tuesday, 8/17: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and corn
Wednesday, 8/18: Turkey Sloppy Joe's and baked fries
Thursday, 8/19: Meatball subs with salad
Friday 8/20: Pizza night
Saturday, 8/21: I am on my own! Kids at their mom's and C is at a Browns game

What is on YOUR menu this week? For more meal ideas, visit I am an Organizing Junkie!

Day 15: Your Dream House (or room in this case)

Because lately I am obsessed with getting rid of the yellow in our kitchen and getting new dark countertops and putting in white subway tile. This is from the movie "Something's Gotta Give"

Day 14: A Nonfiction Book

Day 13: A Fictional Book

Day 12: Something you are OCD about

(this is NOT my house)
Locking the door. I have been known to turn around and come home to be sure the door was locked.

Day 11:A Photo of You Recently

Taken August 7, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Family Fun Day

Pregnancy Week 22 (plus 2 days)

We will not have a new fruit every week anymore, but ever month now! This month (weeks 22-24), baby is the size of a papaya! Measurements are now taken from head to toe.
Baby boy can now hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. I have started to read to him very often; this week, it is The Wizard of Oz. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. He is most active early in the morning or when I am most relaxed. But I think the heat may be making him lethargic as well, because I feel like total crap.

I am a few days late with my belly shot, but here I am at 22.2 weeks:

Had a doctor's appointment yesterday. Heartbeat was nice and strong and Dr. P. said the ultrasound looked great. She also told me that I was a few pounds under where she likes to see patients by now, but I was in the ballpark so that was ok.

How far along: 22 weeks, 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: 8 pounds
Maternity clothes: Some, but with summer clothes, it is easier to wear stretchy non-maternity skirts and tanks
Stretch marks?: Not yet
Sleep: What is this thing you call sleep?
Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat again on Monday.
Movement: Lots of it, early int he morning and at night. And while I am sitting down eating.
Food cravings: Ice cream. Lots of ice cream
Gender: Boy!
What I miss: Miller Chills on the patio around a bonfire
Milestones: 2 weeks til V-Day!

Day 9: A Photo You Took

Monster Cookies

These were amazing. And I made them super, ridiculously huge, so they truly were MONSTERS. Feel free to adapt to your own tastes and add whatever candies/goodies you want!

Monster Cookies
adapted from Brown Eyed Baker

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon corn syrup
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup (4 ounces, or 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1½ cups chunky peanut butter
4½ cups rolled oats
½ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup chocolate chips
¾ cup butterscotch chips
¾ cup M&M’s

Directions
1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. 2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the eggs, both sugars, vanilla extract, corn syrup, baking soda and salt. Then stir in the melted butter and peanut butter, followed by the oats and flour. Lastly, stir in the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and M&M’s. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes. (Um...I definitely forgot to do this. Whoops).
3. 3. Drop the dough by ¼ cupfuls onto baking sheets (if weighing, each ball of dough was approximately 2.7 oz or 77g). Use your fingers to flatten the dough slightly. Baking for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are a light golden brown. Cool on a rack and then store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Day 8: A Photo that Makes You Sad

This is a cop-out answer, but I don't have any pictures that make me "sad." I have no pictures of lost loved ones or lost pets. So I will have to opt-out of this one, lol.

Day 7: A photo that makes you happy.

Day 6: 20 of my Favorite Things

A List of 20 of My Favorite Things (in no particular order):

1. Feeling the baby kick
2. The soundtrack to Wicked
3. Freshly laundered sheets
4. Hearing J and A getting along
5. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
6. Peppermint Mochas
7. Bad television (Charmed, anyone?)
8. New cleaning products
9. Yoga pants
10. NEW hooded sweatshirts (you know, when they are super fuzzy inside)
11. The Stephanie Plum book series
12. Autumn
13. Halloween!
14. Painting (as in a room)
15. Baking and giving people what I baked
16. Snuggles with Ozzie
17. Christmas lights
18. Sangria
19.Dad's spaghetti sauce
20. My amazing and wonderful husband (I saved the best for last)

Day 5: My Favorite Quote

"There's only us. There's only this. Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way. No day but today."
-Jonathan Larson, RENT

My life was forever changed the first time I saw Rent, the musical by Jonathan Larson. You either love it or you hate it, so I won't judge you if you dislike it (OK, maybe I will just a little). It was truly one of the most moving experiences I have ever had in my entire life. Every opportunity I can, I see the show. And this quote was actually used as our class motto (and I signed everyone's yearbook next to it).

Day 4: Favorite Book

I have a list of books that are my favorites and that I believe should be required reading for life's lessons.

First on that list should be To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is a true literary hero, fighting against society to do what he believes is truly right, even though it is a losing battle. You can learn all you need about life from this book:

I want to punch Daisy in the face numerous times. But I adore this book and love teaching it every year:

Just remarkable. Like the movie:

Nursery Update: Paint

Still need to do some touch-ups on the stripes and another coat on the brown because it is streaky, but here is the current status of baby boy's nursery.


I am THRILLED with the results. The stripes turned out great and I adore the colors. They are Sherwin Williams Jonquil, Melange Green, and Brevity Brown.

Day 3: Favorite TV Show

Summers as a teacher have many perks. One of them being True Blood. I also love the book series but really enjoy how DIFFERENT they are.

And specifically, I watch to see this guy. Yum.

Day 2: Favorite Movie

I have two favorite movies. Coincidentally, both were up for the Best Movie Oscar in 1939. I am full of useless trivia.

First, The Wizard of Oz.
This movie holds a particular place in my heart because I actually played the Wicked Witch of the West while in high school. We had over 150 people in the cast, including 110 elementary school kids as munchkins. Including my brother. I know every.single.word. to this movie. And I am not ashamed. I love all things Oz, including Wicked. And laugh when people do not know Dorothy's shoes were originally silver and they only changed them to ruby because the movie was in technicolor.

And my other favorite movie: Gone with the Wind.
Let's be real though; who on EARTH would want ASHLEY WILKES and not RHETT BUTLER? Seriously, Scarlet. Get with the program. With a slew of Oscar wins, including Vivien Leigh and Hattie McDaniel for her role as Mamie, it is proven to be a classic. And even though I often want to punch Scarlet in the face for her terrible decisions, it still remains one of my favorites. Oh, and the book? Pretty damn amazing as well.

Day 1: Favorite Song

I have many favorite songs. Most of these transport me back to a time and place and involve people and memories from the past. So here is one that reminds me of my dear group of friends and the many camping trips we took during our early 20's.

Freebird
by Lynyrd Skynyrd

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places
I've got to see

But, if I stayed here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird, you'll can not change
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can?t change
Bye, bye, baby it's been a sweet love

Yeah, yeah
Though this feeling I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause the Lord knows
I'm to blame

But, if I stayed here with you girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird, you'll can not change
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

And this bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Lord help me, I can't change
Lord I can't change

30 Day Blog Journal

Since my blog has been lacking of late, I decided to go along with Christy of The Domestic Princess and participate in the 30 Day Blog Journal! I will be doing this along with my other posts this for the next few weeks!

Day 1 - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where I live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habit
Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future