Under Sink Fix Up

Under Sink Fix Up

So, the black hole that was under my sink, was really starting to bother me!  So I decided to get some loose tiles and lay them in there to cover over the warped wood.  There had been a slow leak at some point in time and the wood is a mess!  

Before

This is what I was working with!  Yuck!  Add to the warped wood pipes that come from everywhere and it's just a mess!!!  I tried to lay 12x12 tiles, but the pipes were in my way.  I could only lay 1-12x12 tile in there and have it lay flat.  So I had my husband get some 6x6 tiles and they did the trick!

This was the disaster that happened with the 12x12 tiles.

This is how the 6x6 tiles cover everything.  Much better!

Getting a Clean Oven

I found this helpful hint on Pinterest as to how to clean your oven without the super smelly and caustic oven cleaners.  I pinned it and I just got a chance to try it out.  Here's the Link: http://www.newsner.com/en/2014/10/i-used-to-hate-it-but-now-i-wont-have-to-worry-about-cleaning-the-oven-ever-again-this-is-so-brilliant/

Full disclosure, the baking soda did a fair job at scrubbing off some of the curd.  I inherited this stove with the house and it was not in good condition when I got it.  I am use to a self-cleaning oven and so I hate doing this!  So I definitely let this get out of hand.  I also used baking powder with the vinegar on the door and window.  That's the combo that your kids use in a volcano project to make it erupt.  This combo makes it fizz and really gets things to loosen up!!!  After all of that, I still wasn't happy, plus the racks needed cleaning.  So I resorted to my go to when things are REALLY dirty and I have tried everything else!  I got out the Dollar Tree cleaner called Awesome (which lives up to its name) and a Brillo pad.  This final step got a good bit more off.  The Awesome and Brillo also did a fantastic job on the racks!  More on that later.

I would say, if you keep up with your oven and/or you have a self-cleaning oven that can't have regular oven cleaners used in it, I would use this technique.  

After this experience, I have come to two conclusions.  First, this is as clean as my oven will ever be.  Second, I need a new stove with a self-cleaning oven because this is just too much on my back!

Now, for the racks.  Here are a few pictures of the racks.  I'm not sure you can tell just how good they came out.  

Left is the clean one and Right is the dirty one.  

Dollar Store St. Patrick's Day Wreath

St. Patrick's Day Dollar Store Wreath

I made this wreath from items I got at the dollar store!  I used a floral foam ring, some garland, and glittery shamrocks.  I also added a pipe cleaner loop for hanging.  I think it's adorable!  I would cost you maybe $5 to make.  

If you can't find something at the dollar store, improvise!  You can always wrap the ring in crepe paper and add other embellishments that you find.  It's all up to you!!!  Have fun with it!!!  Let me know if you make one and send me a photo!  I'd love to see what you do!!!

St. Patrick's Day Gift Basket

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This is a picture of my oldest grandson from last year.  We do St. Patrick's Day big around here!  This year we have another little one to join in the fun.  

I love to give them little gifts baskets with treats in them.  

Here is a video tutorial on how to make a little gift basket that is sure to make your little leprechauns happy!

St. Patrick's Day Gift Basket Tutorial

Crock Pot Blueberry French Toast with Fresh Blueberry Syrup

Crock Pot Blueberry French Toast

I found this recipe on Pinterest.  I added some extra cream cheese, using 2 full bricks, and I put cinnamon sugar on the top.  I think those changes really made this just that much better!  I also served some cinnamon sugar on the side as an additional topping.  

Here are the recipes as I made them:

Ingredients

8 eggs

½ cup plain yogurt

1/3 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon Vanilla extract

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup milk

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 loaf French bread, cubed

1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries

2 bricks of cream cheese cubed

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Gradually whisk in milk and maple syrup until blended. 

Place half of the cubed bread in a greased 5 to 6 quart slow cooker, layer with half of the blueberries, half of the egg mixture and half of the cream cheese.  Repeat layering.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from fridge about 30 minutes before cooking.  
Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours or until a knife inserted in to French toast comes out clean.  Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top before serving.

Serves 6 to 8.

Warm Blueberry Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons corn starch

1 cup cold water

¾ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

In a small sauce pan, combine sugar and corn starch; stir in water and sugar until smooth.  Add ¼ blueberries.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir until the berries pop, about 3 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, butter and remaining berries.  Serve warm with French toast!

Making A Poster

This is one of my favorite photos of my daughter and my oldest grandson.

I used Picmonkey to create this "poster" and then I had it printed at Staples in a 24 by 36 inch size.

I ordered the poster size frame online.

I absolutely love it!!!

So, go through your family photos.  Find something you love and crop it so that it's just focused on the people in the photo and maybe make it black and white and see what you think.  You just might have something you would want to make a poster.

Lamp Makeover

Breathing New Life Into An Old Lamp

I needed a lamp for our new shore condo.  I have done a ton of shopping and I am just about out of money with buying all new furniture for the condo.  So spending another $50 to $75 for a lamp was just not sitting well with me and I wasn't finding anything I liked for less than that.  But I had the lamp above sitting around doing nothing.

That lamp was a thrift shop purchase that I got for staging our previous home for putting it on the market.  It is a sort of gold-y, bronze-y color glass and the shade (while pretty) has seen better days. 

I got this Rustoleum primer and paint at the hardware store.  I think it was $8 for both cans of paint.  I also bought a cute burlap covered lamp shade for about $15 and then added a little twine to it.

After a coat of primer and two coats of paint, I love how this came out!!!

A much more casual lamp that will fit right in with our beach-y condo!

Here is the lamp in the condo.

It really fits just perfectly.