Category Archives: Kitchen

January 17, 2019 · 4:14 pm

4 Things To Put In Storage To Make Space In A Cluttered House

The older you get, the more valuable space and storage become in your home. You accumulate so many things over time, from Christmas decorations to furniture, not to mention seasonal items like skis, paddle boards, kayaks and more.

Skis

Every foot of storage space in your home become precious and needed for all the things you use on a daily or  weekly basis. Many people need to make tough choices and decide what they want to or need to keep and which things need to be donated, sold or discarded.

So what can you do? Get rid of everything and go the minimalist route? Do you just accept that some rooms in your home are going to resemble a hoarder’s house? Fortunately, you don’t have to take things to either of these extremes, there’s an easy solution – self-storage.

Self Storage

According to Livible, a Boston storage company, “keeping your possessions in a secure facility away from your home has become one of the best ways to not have to deal with a crowded house. It gives you the freedom to use your valuable space for the things you use every single day.”

Self storage units are a solution that suit many people, lifestyles, life circumstances and budgets. If you’re thinking of putting things into storage, this list of the best things to store may help you clear out your home and organize your life.

 Baby Gear

If you are not done growing your family , you don’t want to get rid of big-ticket items you will need in the future. However, you don’t need to store all this furniture and gear in your home between children or grandchildren.

Items like strollers, cribs and changing tables can be wrapped up safely and kept in a storage facility. You will be able to easily pick up this furniture and baby gear when you need it.

baby, crib

If you have an heirloom bassinet, high chair or other baby items that are sentimental, it’s natural for you to want to keep them. Thanks to self storage options you can do that without sacrificing space in your home.

Old Gadgets & Appliances

When you get a new TV, washer, dryer or refrigerator, you might not want to keep the old one.  You may have children who are young adults and planning a move to their own place who may need these appliances in a few months.

washer, dryer

Having a storage unit is the perfect way to store these items for them. You can rest assured that your older children or other family members will appreciate being able to pick up these appliances when they need them.

 Seasonal Stuff

Christmas trees, Halloween decorations and seasonal clothing are not used year round, so why not free up precious space and keep them in storage until you need them. You will be amazed when you see how much space you have, when you move these things to a storage unit.

Furniture 

Do you have furniture that you don’t have room for presently in your house, but don’t want to part with.  Instead of letting it gather up dust in your garage or back porch, put that furniture in a storage unit until you need it again.  If furniture is wrapped up properly, it will do very well kept in a cool, dry place. Furniture is one of the best things to store in a self storage unit.

Take advantage of storage facilities in your city and keep things you don’t need or use all the time there. It will free up precious space in your house and give you peace of mind knowing your items are stored safely until you need them.

antique, furniture

Today, most storage units are climate controlled,  making it easy to store items that need to be kept cool and dry.  Another benefit. is that these units are extremely safe and secure. So next time you’re looking at your stuff and wondering what to do with it, consider calling  your nearest storage facility.

storage unit

This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas and views do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.


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October 10, 2018 · 6:17 pm

Here’s What to Do When Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

When your dishwasher goes on the fritz, it’s more than an inconvenience – it’s practically a tragedy, especially if you have a family dirtying up dishes all day long. Without a dishwasher, it is even more annoying when your kids get a brand-new glass every time they want a drink. If you suddenly find that your dishwasher won’t drain completely, there’s good news – this is most likely something you can fix yourself, with a little elbow grease and the right tools.

Usually, a dishwasher that won’t drain has fallen victim to a block in the drain or hose. When you think of all the food debris that can go into a dishwasher, it’s no surprise that they’ll occasionally get clogged. Before you call a plumber, take a look at the machine yourself. You could save yourself some money and get your dishwasher working again sooner.

Get Your Tools

You don’t need a lot of specialized equipment to unclog a dishwasher. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Some towels, or better yet, a wet/dry shop vac;
  • Some picture-hanging wire, or some toothpicks;
  • An old toothbrush;
  • A plumber’s snake or a wire clothes hanger; and
  • Some baking soda and vinegar.

Once you’ve gathered your equipment, you’re ready to get started. Remember, safety first, turn off the power to the dishwasher before you start any work. You’ll probably need to turn it off at the breaker.

Clean Up the Standing Water

First things first, you should clean the standing water out of your dishwasher. If there’s a lot, you can scoop it out with a cup and pour it down the sink before sopping up what remains with the towels. Or, you can suck it all out with a shop vac.

Check the Drain Hose for Kinks or Blockages

Before you start taking your dishwasher apart, look under the sink and inspect the drain hose for kinks or blockages. Older drain hoses will get kinks in them over time, and these should be gently straightened out by hand. Can’t find the hose? Check your dishwasher’s manual; if you’ve misplaced or thrown away the manual, you should be able to find a PDF copy online.

Disconnect the hose from the back of the dishwasher, and use the straightened wire hanger or the plumber’s snake to clear any blockage. Then, pour a mixture of a half-cup of water and a half-cup of baking soda into the drain hose. Follow that with a half-cup of vinegar. Wait 15 minutes, and then flush it out with hot water. Finally, unhook the drain hose from the garbage disposal, clear any blockage at the connection, and reconnect the hose, and run the garbage disposal to clear any blockage or air from the drain line. Whatever you do, don’t stick your hands in the garbage disposal at any point.

Inspect the Sprayer Arms, Drain, and Pump

Your problem might be food particles or other debris in the dishwasher drain or pump. To get to them, gently pop out the sprayer arms and, while you’ve got them out, use your toothpicks, wire clothes hanger or picture wire to clean any food debris out of the holes in them. This will help your dishwasher run better, and smell better, after you’ve unclogged it.

Next, remove the dishwasher drain filter and clean it with the toothbrush. Examine the pump for debris and remove any you find. Put the dishwasher back together.

Run a Cycle

Once you have cleared the drain lines and cleaned the pump and filter, you should be good to go. Verify that your dishwasher is back on its feet by running a cycle while it’s empty. Listen for humming or clicking noises while it runs; these could indicate a bad motor or pump. If there is still standing water in your dishwasher after you have cleaned the pump, filter, drain line and garbage disposal, try running the garbage disposal again; air in the drain line could be causing the problem. If that doesn’t work, you may need to call a professional to come in and replace some component of your machine, probably the motor or pump.

Fixing a dishwasher that won’t drain is a job that almost any woman can tackle on her own. It doesn’t require specialized tools or expertise, and it can be accomplished in about an hour. It’s cheaper, faster and easier than calling a plumber, and it will have your dishwasher up and running again before you know it, so you can move on with your life before the dirty dishes start piling up.

This is a collaborative guest post, the ideas expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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September 28, 2018 · 7:59 pm

Best Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Recipe & #MealthyMoms Cooking Kit Giveaway

Oh, as much as I don’t want to acknowledge it, the weather is turning, and a nice homestyle pot roast with vegetables is so nice to have for dinner. However, if you are craving that melt-in-your mouth flavor, you might think you are out of luck if you did not start slow cooking early in the day. Well, procrastinators, busy people and just about everyone can rejoice. With the Mealthy Multipot, you can have tender, delicious pot roast in no time at all.

You might remember my unboxing video of the Mealthy Multipot 9-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, or my delicious beef chili recipe made using the pressure cooker. Now, I want to show you how you can make a delicious, tender pot roast with root vegetables in the Mealthy Multipot. Check out my video recipe tutorial below that will take you step-by-step through the process.

If you want to learn more about the Mealthy Multipot or get your own, you can click HERE. I have even more exciting news, you can enter a giveaway below to win a #MealthyMoms Cooking Kit. 

Giveaway:

Mealthy is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a #MealthyMoms Cooking Kit! Thank you to Mealthy  for sponsoring this recipe post and amazing giveaway. Open to US residents.

#MealthyMoms Cooking Kit Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

Each household is only eligible to win via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.

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July 19, 2018 · 4:38 pm

Mealthy Multipot Beef Chili Recipe and Giveaway #MealthyRecipes

Multipots are so popular these days, but it can be hard deciding what kind to get. I was thrilled to learn about the Mealthy Multipot recently. The Mealthy Multipot is a  9-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker. There are several reason I like this Multipot over the competition.

As a busy mom with a husband, 5 kids and an active life, I understand the struggle of getting a delicious, fresh and healthy dinner on the table when our lives have us always on-the-go.

The Mealthy MultiPot features 9 cooking functions in one appliance. With the MultiPot you can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, bake, cook rice, make yogurt and much more, all at the touch of button. With the MultiPot you can get your meals cooked and on the table up to 70% faster when you use one of the 14 pressure cooking preset programs. You can have fresh corn on the cob in just 2 minutes when you pressure cook it in the MultiPot!

With some of the other brands you don’t get an extra gasket, so you can use one for savory dishes and one for sweet dishes. With the Multipot you also get a steamer basket, silicone mitts, a trivet, easy touch control panel, access to the Multipot app and website where you will find hundreds of recipes and instructional videos.

 

You will understand what is happening every step of the way, thanks to the LCD screen with progress indicator and intuitive icons. You can also join two Multipot Facebook Community Groups where you can get inspiration, share recipes and ask questions. Besides the regular Multipot Community, you can check out the Vegan group too!

You can see my unboxing video of the Mealthy Multipot HERE!  I also made my first recipe the other day, a delicious beef chili that I made using one of the recipes included with my Multipot.

I made some small changes to suit our tastes, and it turned out fabulous. My 9-year-old even asked me if there was any more because he loved it so much! He was not alone and it is going to be one of our regular dinners from now on.

Check out my Beef Chili Recipe Tutorial Below:

You can do much more than make dinner in the Multipot, you can cook oatmeal and eggs for breakfast, make lunches, appetizers and even desserts like cheesecake! The Multipot has a 6 quart capacity enough for families of 4-6.

The everyday price of the Mealthy MultiPot on Amazon, which comes with extra accessories is $99.95.  You can also head over to Mealthy.com and get the same package for $94.95 with two-day free shipping. Let me know what you think of the Mealthy Multipot and don’t forget to enter for your chance to win your own below.

Giveaway:

Mealthy is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own Mealthy Multipot! Thank you to Mealthy for the review Multipot and for sponsoring this delectable giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Melathy Multipot 9-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.

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May 18, 2018 · 12:23 pm

Vremi 10 Piece Colorful Knife Set & Bump N’ Grind Coffee Grinder Giveaway

If you are looking to add some color to your kitchen, you will love the Vremi 10 Piece Colorful Knife Set. You will be on the cutting edge of style with these 5 bright knives and sheath covers. 

Set includes a Chef’s Knife, Carving Knife, Utility Knife, Paring Knife and Serrated Knife. 

For all your prep, cooking and carving needs, you can’t beat the value of this rainbow-colored knife set. Each knife is forged with a heavy-duty real steel blade and perfectly weighted for optimal performance. Knives are odor and stain resistant with never dull edge tip end that will stay rust proof with proper care and sharpening

  • NON STICK with MATCHING BLADE GUARD – Professional Knife kit features food grade non-stick coating and protective cover guards  for drawer storage and kids safety. Magnetic blades also store nicely on any wall mount hanging magnet rack organizer
  • ERGONOMIC NON SLIP HANDLES – Each modern colorful individual knife also features non slip comfort grip on its solid narrow plastic handle that makes big or small fruit vegetable and foods slicing more fun, whether it’s a tomato, onions, or cake.

These knives come in a nice box, perfect for gift giving or for your own kitchen.

From knives to grinding up coffee, we are excited about the Vremi Bump N’ Grind Electric Coffee Grinder. This easy to use coffee bean grinder is equipped with one touch control settings. Grinding is easy as pouring in your beans, placing the top on and pressing the button.

The double stainless steel blades are durable and sharp letting you grind your beans coarse, fine or to a powder consistency to match your needs. Easy to clean with included cleaning brush, no disassembly needed.

Giveaway:

Enter below for your chance to win the Vremi Knife Set and Bump N Grind Coffee Grinder.

 


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April 16, 2018 · 2:30 pm

The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

If you love the savory flavor of tender, hickory brown sugar pulled pork, you will love how easy it is to make in your slow cooker, crock pot, pressure cooker or Instant Pot.

We used a very large over 8 lb pork roast for this, so we a larger amount of spices. You can adjust the recipe for smaller or larger cuts of meat.

Print
The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Ingredients

  • 1 TBSP Kosher Salt
  • 2 TBSP Paprika
  • 1 TBSP Garlic Powder
  • 1 TBSP Black Pepper
  • 1/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • Pork Shoulder Roast
  • 1 Large Bottle of Hickory Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce

Instructions

  1. Stir together your rub ingredients in a bowl ( Kosher Salt, Paprika, Garlic Powder and Brown Sugar)
  2. Rinse and Pat Dry Your Roast
  3. Rub Roast with Spice Mixture
  4. Spray Slow Cooker with Oil Cooking Spray
  5. Place Roast In Cooker
  6. Add Water Down Side (Don't Rinse Rub Off)
  7. Cook on High for 5 to 6 Hours
  8. Shred Pork and Mix In Barbecue Sauce
  9. Serve on Rolls
https://www.mommyramblings.org/2018/04/16/slow-cooker-pulled-pork-recipe/

We made a video tutorial that will give you all of the specifics. Watch it below:

Let me know if you try this delicious recipe.


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April 10, 2018 · 12:41 am

Get Cooking in Caillou’s Kitchen #Giveaway For 5 Winners

If your little ones love helping in the kitchen, they will love Caillou’s Kitchen on DVD. They will delight in watching Caillou’s adventures with food. He makes some delicious messes in the 16 fun-filled episodes on this DVD. Watch Caillou make a surprise breakfast for Mom and Dad, help Mom create a feast for guests and then creates a big gooey mess when he tries to make some cookies.

Caillou also learns all about being on his best behavior when eating out at a fancy restaurant. Caillou and babysitter Julie play dress up and then take turns being the waiters and so much more!

DVD Includes 16 Yummy Adventures:

  • Caillou’s Kitchen
  • Caillou Makes Cookies
  • Caillou’s Surprise Breakfast
  • Caillou Tidies His Toys
  • Caillou Goes Shopping
  • All You Can Eat
  • Sunday Brunch
  • Recipe for Fun
  • Caillou Becomes a Waiter
  • I Scream For Ice Cream!
  • Caillou’s Favorite Plate
  • Caillou’s Milk Run
  • Caillou’s Coins
  • Caillou the Timekeeper
  • Olive Muddle
  • Glitter Glitch

 Run time is approximately 60 minutes.

Giveaway for 5 Winners!!!

 

PBS Kids is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! 5 Lucky Blog Readers Will Each Win a Caillou’s Kitchen DVD!!! Thank you to PBS Kids for the review DVD and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US Residents.

Caillou’s Kitchen DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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December 13, 2017 · 4:25 am

Tender & Delicious Pot Roast Cooked In a Tagine

Wow, the weather has taken a serious dip in the Northeast. Tomorrow is going to be absolutely frigid, the morning will feel like 7 below 0 degrees F. The only bright spot is that next week, we should be back to more seasonable temperatures.

When the weather gets colder, I get into the mood to make hearty meals that stick to your ribs and warm you up. I love a good pot roast, beef stew, pasta fagioli and other flavorful stews and soups, on cold winter days.

If you have been following Mommy Ramblings for a while, you will remember my posts about the best way to cook hearty soups and how to make the perfect beef stew. The right cookware, and the way you cook, really make a difference in how your recipes turn out. I love trying new things in the kitchen and, I have always wanted to try cooking in a Tagine.

A Tagine is a cooking vessel that is used to cook food at a low temperature, for a long time. The unique shape of the Tagine lid allows steam to circulate, which works to keep all the ingredients tender and moist. This kind of vessel and cooking method, works so well with dishes like pot roast. The end result is that type of meat that just falls apart so beautifully, and melts in your mouth.

I just finished cooking my second pot roast in my Emile Henry Tagine, and I don’t think I will cook pot roast any other way. There are so many great recipes you can make in a Tagine. My daughter loves cooking chicken tagine. Any type of recipe that you can cook at a low temperature for a long time, will turn out well.

There are many different kinds of Tagines on the market, but I prefer the Emile Henry Tagine. This Tagine is made of their Flame Ceramic and can be used directly on the heat of the stove or in the oven. This is perfect, because I love starting off on the stove cooking my onions and garlic, browning my meat, and then transferring it all to the oven, to cook for several hours.

You can see the video I made the first time I used the Emile Henry Tagine to make pot roast

We love the Emile Henry Tagine so much, which is why you will find it on Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. A gift of Emile Henry Cookware, is a gift any cooking enthusiast will treasure. I know, I certainly do! My Emile Henry Cookware and Bakeware are staples in my kitchen, and they make cooking and baking for my family and friends, easier and better than ever.

Giveaway

Emile Henry, is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One Lucky Blog Readers will win a set of  Emile Henry Ramekins #9 in Burgundy! Thank you to Emile Henry for the review Tagine and  for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Emile Henry Set of 2 Burgundy #9 Ramekins Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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November 8, 2017 · 12:36 pm

Parmigiano Reggiano is a Staple in Our Home. #ParmesanAmbassador

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is a staple in our home. As an Italian-American, I cannot imagine not having this cheese in the fridge.  Nor would I dream of eating pasta and may other dishes without it. That is why I was thrilled to be asked to be a blogger ambassador for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
If you truly want rich flavor, don’t settle for pre-grated parmesan cheese. There is nothing like the intense flavor you get from freshly grating a wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano right into and on top of your favorite recipes and dishes.  Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is made by a collective of farmers and producers in Italy. If you see the pin-dots on the rind, you know you have the real deal!
This cheese is great on way more than pasta, grate it on of your salad,  it is delicious in soups, I love it on veggies and a real favorite is using it to make oven baked potato wedges. Even the rind can be used to flavor a delicious homemade broth. If you want to see more ways to use this great cheese, click HERE.
If you are lactose intolerant, you will be glad to learn that due to the long aging process, Parmigiano Reggiano is naturally lactose-free. It is easily digestible and a great source of both protein and calcium. It is a healthy cheese for your whole family. One of my favorite comfort foods is pasta and a simple tomato sauce with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano on top.  It is easy to make, and so delicious.
Recently, after a long day running around,  I was looking forward to getting home and making some cheese tortellini with a tomato basil sauce and lots of grated Parmigiano Reggiano. I can tell you, sitting down with that delicious meal, the stress of the day just melted away and I was in heaven. What can I say,  we Italians are passionate about our food.
Yesterday, I made some super greens because they are so rich in iron. I sautéed them in garlic and olive oil and seasoned with pepper. When I plated them, I topped them with fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano! So healthy and delicious!
More About Parmigiano Reggiano:
Did you know that just three ingredients—milk, salt and rennet—and eight centuries of cheese making experience go into every wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano? From the local grasses and forage fed to the cows, to the milk they produce and then the cheese that is produced by nearly 400 cheese makers, Parmigiano Reggiano is a true reflection of its place of origin and the art of generations and generations of cheese artisans. Parmigiano Reggiano is produced exclusively in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of the provinces of Mantua and Bologna, on the plains, hills and mountains enclosed between the rivers Po and Reno.

Enter to Win:

Would you like  a chance to win a Holiday Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Feast? I knew you would! All you need to do is click HERE to enter. Good Luck!

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May 15, 2017 · 2:21 pm

Big Home Improvement Updates & New Projects #HomeImprovement

Hi Everyone, I hope all the moms out there had a very Happy Mother’s Day.  I am here with some very big updates. We will finally be starting the process of having the interior of our home rebuilt. We received great news from our air and surface testing after the mold remediation was completed so we can go to phase 2 and start getting our house back!

Need Help?

We have had a busy week. First off if you are looking for contractors or craftsmen and women, please try Thumbtack. We live in the country and we were having trouble finding contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters etc. One afternoon on Thumbtack solved that. Our house was like a hub for the next few days getting estimates because we had such a great response.

I have to tell you, we found so many skilled professionals we wanted to work with, it was hard to choose. We actually felt really bad about having to tell them that we hired someone. In the end, we found a contractor to do it all, from soup to nuts, everything! It was the best choice for us and we cannot wait to get this home rebuild party started.

Home Depot Pro Accounts Rock

My husband and I went to the The Home Depot the other day with our new contractor and added all the SKU numbers for all the drywall, wall spackle, thin set, grout, insulation, molding and other building supplies to my Home Depot Pro account. If you are doing work on your home and do not have a Pro account, go and get one, it is free, and if you are doing major renovations and will be spending more than $1500 in 7 days, it is well worth it. They also have a Pro special buy each week.

I could kick myself for the $7,000 plus I spent prior to knowing this. The only thing that consoles me is that what I bought previously was on a huge sale, so I tell myself it probably would not have been knocked down more. That is what I am telling myself anyway.

I work with a wonderful man there and he is so helpful and friendly, he knew my contractor immediately and told me he was a good guy. So, we now have just about everything we need except for the wall paint. That is because I need to pick the colors, which I plan to do this week. My kitchen designer told me to use the Cambria site that I am getting my quartz from. It has a paint match tool that is really cool so that is a huge help. It gave me four shades that would work and so I have to decide which two colors I want to go with.

Unbelievable Deal

We bought all the new hardwood flooring for our upstairs foyer, atrium and bedrooms as well. I am so excited about that because we got a great deal on the wood. It was more than a great deal, it was the kind of deal that makes me think of the IKEA commercial where the woman is running out and screaming to her husband, “Start the Car! Start the Car!”

We also have 3 pallets of Italian porcelain tile in our garage for the kitchen and first floor of our home. I still need to choose the tile for my kitchen backsplash, but my kitchen designer has advised me to wait until the countertop is installed, so I can really see how it will look. In the meantime, I am looking at what I think I want. I have just been informed by my contractor to look at some tile mat designs for the special accent tile I want to put behind my cooktop. I will try and do that this week.

Bathroom Renovation Finally Starting

We are going to be demoing the powder room downstairs and finally installing the new vanity and toilet. I did not pick out the new wallpaper yet so that will be something I need to do. I did pick up the new light fixture for the ceiling  and we have a huge medicine chest, mirror unit that matches the vanity with built in LED lighting from Hafele.

We will then be installing a new TOTO USA Guinevere toilet in our bathroom and  the beautiful Guinevere faucet from TOTO USA in the powder room. We will be installing the American Standard Self-Cleaning Toilet in the Powder Room along with the vanity and mirror unit  from Strasser Woodenworks.

Kitchen Cabinets Due To Be Completed Soon

The kitchen cabinets from Wood-Mode are due to be completed on May 21st! I cannot wait to get my kitchen in. I am so excited. I have missed cooking and baking more than you can imagine.

Our refrigerator and dishwasher were delivered this week too! On May 19th, Home Depot will deliver all the building supplies and then work is going to be full speed ahead.

More Projects Underway

I also have some exciting little projects planned for me to do and show you on the blog. Our basement steps are still the unfinished wood from when we built the house. I want to dress them up a bit. I have thought about it for a while, but never got around to doing it, but no more procrastinating.

I bought Minwax Polyshades in the dark brown Espresso color for the top of the stairs and for the risers, I picked up some Wall Pops, Newport Reclaimed Brick NuWallpaper, peel and stick wallpaper to use. There was a photo on the outside of the package showing it used on stair risers and I loved the look. I will take video of the project to help anyone who might want to recreate the look in their own home.

I am also refinishing some windowsills in my house with the Watco Danish Oil and other Watco products. I cannot wait to share that with you, they are coming out fabulous. I am also covering the process on video, I hope it will help others to see how easy it is to get beautiful results.

Lastly you may remember in my master bath, I have the Concealed Cabinets. Well, I have wanted to add a little bling to them and I found some mosaic tile at Home Depot that I thought would match, and it does! I am going to put them all around the frame and then grout them.

I still need to find the right thing for inside the frame. I am thinking of using one of my flower photos enlarged to that size. The lilacs are just starting to bloom and I am going to try to take a photo that might work for that or use one that I have. I may do one in a peony and one with the lilac. I will Have to see. It is either that or one of my lake photos.

So, that is my update and I will be taking lots of photos and videos of the rebuild and all my projects to share with you of our progress along the way.  If you have any questions, please ask.


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