New Home For The Trunk!

We finally got our living room re-arranged with our new furniture (two recliners and a couch from Lay-z-Boy) and found a new home for the antique steamer trunk that my hubby re-did.

This is what our living room looked like before:

And now, this is what the area by the window looks like:

Doesn't the trunk look perfect there?  I think so.  Unfortunately I had to shut the blinds to take the picture but I love the way it looks with the blinds open, light shining in, and our pretty trunk in all its glory right in the middle.

I love the way it looks, like the hubby intentionally refinished it to coordinate with the recliners.

It just worked out so well.

In other living room news, see the small entertainment unit against the wall?

With our new furniture, it looked so heavy and bulky, and I just plain hated it.  The hubby and I have been talking for MONTHS about what to do to hold all of our electronic 'stuff'.

Ideally we want to do a built in around the fireplace.  Something like this:

Who knows when that will happen.

But in the meantime, we kept it simple by visiting one of the best stores ever.

LOVE it there.

The hubby took a 2x2 Expedit bookcase:

And made it work for us by turning it into this:

He took out the top divider and put in two shelves that would fit our PVR, Xbox, Wii and Bose system.

I lurve the way this looks, or will look, once I get another basket, cut out the back and hide all those cords on the left side.  Geesh, what an eyesore.  Didn't realize that until I uploaded the photo the this post!

Oh well.

It looks so much better than the old TV stand.  Much lighter looking and airier... if thats a word.

I love it when projects work out!

Menu Plan Monday - Week 145

So, last weeks menu plan worked 50% of the time.  We had two of the four planned meals.  I like it when that happens, because it made this weeks menu plan so much easier to create!

Here we go:

Monday: Spicy Mediterranean Wraps

Tuesday: Rotisserie Chicken (from PriceMart) & Veggies

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Chili

Thursday: BBQ'd Hamburgers

As always, I'll be linking this post to Org Junkie.  Head on over to Laura's blog to get some awesome dinner idea's!

I Won An Award... No Big Deal

While perusing my Google Reader earlier this week, I discovered that I was given two awards!!

I never win anything, so I am thrilled about this.  I may have gasped out loud when I saw I got these (If Jasper could talk, he would verify)!  I was perusing a fav blog of mine, Excuse Me At The Table & Please. Stefanie felt that I deserved these awards and I am so thankful.

With these awards, comes responsibility

1.) Link back to the person who gave it to you (done!)

2.) Share seven things about myself

             1. I have been married almost four years to the most amazing man I have ever met.

              2. Like Stefanie, I also sleep with a stuffed animal (my Popples) and my baby blanket.

I'm sure at some point my Popples looked like this, but not anymore.

             3. I started being 'crafty' only a year and a half ago thanks to one of my best friends Amanda

           

This was before we went to see 'So You Think You Can Dance' a few years ago.
We often dress alike unintentionally, but this was definitely intentional

             4. I like the idea of gardening more than the actual act of gardening.  That would explain why                         my garden looks the way it does right now.  No picture necessary.

             5. I often feel 'over-inspired' after going through my Google-Reader and seeing all the awesome blog posts.  This causes me to shut down, and not be crafty.

             6. I love going on Vacation.  I mean, who doesn't.  We tend to vacation every six months.  Since I've been married, my husband and I have gone to Mexico, Miami (twice), Jamaica, Maui (twice), and a 10 day Caribbean Cruise.

             7. Every time I gain a new follower I do a little happy dance. Especially now that the ratio of people I know to people I don't is extremely heavy on the people I don't know side.

3.) Award 15 other new, or newly discovered bloggers.  Well, these are not all new, but they have been inspirations for me and are some of my absolute faves!

1. Freshly Minted Librarian
2. I Heart Organizing
3. I'm an Organizing Junkie
4. Film In The Fridge
5. Home Stories A to Z
6. Just A Girl
7. The Pleated Poppy
8. Young House Love
9. Beneath My Heart
10. A Thoughtful Place
11. Clean & Scentsible
12. Crafty Sisters
13. Little Miss Momma
14. Sassy Sanctuary
15. Thrifty Decor Chick

Thanks again for the award Stefanie!

Menu Plan Monday - Week 144

What a week!  I come back from Newport Beach Monday evening and get thrown back into my week.  That was rough - let me tell you.  

I am going to be on a bit of a crafting binge for a while here, but will unfortunately be unable to post about most of it until mid-July.  I am planning a baby shower for my Sister-In-Law and will be making a few things for the shower.  I'm super excited about them and can't wait to show them off!

On another need-to-be-crafty note,  Jasper appears to have had some kind of accident (not sure if he peed or puked) on my Grandmother's antique chair.  Sad right? And gross, most definitely, but also the kick in the pants that I needed to finally re-upholster it.  No idea how I'm going to do it, but do it I will!  I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Anyhoo.... on to the Menu Plan!  I tried the Sausage Penne Pasta and we really liked it!  I consider that one a success.  I've got one new recipe on the plan this week.  Got my finger's crossed!

Here we go:

Monday: Spice Mediterranean Wraps (New!)

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Soup

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Chili

Thursday: Creamy Pesto Pasta (use the base of my Alfredo recipe, then add some pesto!)

As always, I will be linking up this post with Org Junkie.  Head on over to find some great blogs with tons of dinner idea's!

Happy Menu Planning!!

And Now For A Break From The Regularly Scheduled Programming...

I debated all day if I even wanted to post about this, but it weighed heavy on my heart.

I'm sure most people have heard by now about the riot that took place after the Vancouver Canucks lost 4 - 0 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

We all saw photos like these:

Watching the news last night brought tears to my eyes and sadness in my heart, that an event as wonderful as the Stanley Cup Final can be tarnished so easily by a terrible group of people.  Even typing this right now I am struggling hold back tears.

Why am I having such a hard time emotionally dealing with what happened last night?  

Because I know we are better than this.

What the whole world saw was not the Vancouver that I know and love.  What, unfortunately, the whole world saw was a small portion of organized thugs and looters that intentionally planned to wreak havoc and destruction in our city.

The Vancouver that I know and love does things like this:

People showed up bright and early in downtown Vancouver to help clean up.  No one was asked, it was not expected but it showed the true colors of our city.

Hundreds of people showed up with trash bags, brooms and lots of heart to show their love for the city.

This is what my city is made of.

People began to write positive messages on the boarded up window of the stores that were vandalized last night.

I hope that the world is given the chance to see, not just the rioting, but also the community that came together to make our city beautiful again.

Vancouver is a beautiful city that I am blessed to be able to call home.  

No riot will take that away from the people who truly love this city.

Menu Plan Monday - Week 143

I know, I know… this is late.

But I have an excuse! 

I just got back from an extended weekend away in Newport Beach, CA with Amanda.  We had an awesome time! 

We headed to Disneyland on Friday and oh boy, it was so much fun!  But so exhausting.  I can’t imagine taking children there – but definitely will one day!

We also did some shopping – ahhh…. Shopping.  I loves me some shopping.

Oh well, down to bid-ness:

Monday:  Nothing planned (I flew in at 5:30, give me a break!)

Tuesday: Sausage Penne Pasta

Wednesday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Thursday: Spaghetti Bolognese

I’ve got to check out some of the posts on Org Junkie to get some new dinner idea’s.  I need to get excited about cooking dinner again! 

I feel like I’ve been in a rut for the last couple of weeks.  The last thing that I have wanted to do when I get home from work is cook dinner – but I do, for my amazing husband.

He works so hard all day, and deserves to come home to a nice home-cooked meal.  I’m pulling up my socks!

Head on over to Org Junkie for an awesome linky party with tons of dinner idea’s!

Reusable Printable Planner

A few weeks ago, while down in the States, I stopped at Target (so excited that they are coming to Canada!) and almost bought a Real Simple weekly white board thingy.  If I was planning ahead I would have taken a picture of it, but didn't, and I can't find it online.  So you'll have to just take my word for it that it was about $12 or so.

I figured, "I can make something like that and it will be free!"  

What could be better than that!?

Here is what I did:

Not bad eh?  I designed it on my computer, printed it off and threw it in a frame that I already had.  I use a Sharpie to write on it, it wipes off easily with a little Windex.  

It serves its purpose well!  I can put our weekly menu on it, and also put our events or plans throughout the week (mostly for my husbands benefit).

I like it because it's reusable, free and pretty!

I originally wanted to put it up on our magnetic wall but my husband had issues with nailing something into our magnetic wall. Argh...

So, for now, it rests above the peninsula in our kitchen.

The one that I am using now is in 'landscape', but I also made one in 'portrait'.

If you would like to use one for yourself, send me a quick email and I will send one to you!  Please specify which lay-out you would like.  

Maybe one day I will figure out how to include a link to a document in my post, but until then, send me an email!

Mission: Accomplished (well, almost)

The hubby and I were super productive last Sunday afternoon tackling a few of the projects that I mentioned here.

We took a couple of hours, and got down to it!

I tackled the kitchen, and the hubby tackled the basement. 

I loves me some Before & After's so here we go!

Before

After

Close-Up Before

Close-Up After

Close-Up  Before

Close-Up After

Before

After



Before

After

Before

After

I feel so much better now that it's all done.  Before, anytime I opened one of cupboards I would get this tightness in my chest and found it difficult to breath.  I'm only slightly exaggerating.

I can't properly describe how good it feels to have properly organized cupboards, especially when there is room to spare!

I was also able to purge more items from the kitchen that was added to the 'Garage Sale' pile in the basement.

If you see anything here that you like, let me know!

The hubby took charge of the basement purge and re-organization, with input from me of course.

And some more Before and After's:

Before - Left Hand Side 

Before - View from Bottom of the Stairs

Before - Right Hand Side

Before - Right Down The Middle

After - Left Hand Side

After - Right Hand Side

After - Right Down The Middle

It's hard to get a good picture in the basement, it's so narrow.

It is so much nicer now.  We were able to clear out a lot of garbage and cardboard that really opened up space.  Everything has its place and there is extra room!  How can that not be a good thing.

We even have space dedicated for items that will be 'garage sale-d' soon.  I can't wait for this to all be open, empty space.

It feels so good to be able to cross these things off of my To-Do list.  There is still my closet remaining.  I've gotten a start on it, but still have to sort and purge my clothes.  I will post again once that is done.

Do you have nagging items on your To-Do list that you just can't seem to get to? Anything that you need to add to your To-Do list?

I seem to constantly be adding to my To-Do list.  It just keeps growing and growing!

   

Menu Plan Monday - Week 142

I did pretty good last week!  There was only one scheduled day that I didn't cook - Tuesday. Don't know why but I was absolutely exhausted on Tuesday and got home and did not feel like cooking - so we had BBQ'd Hot Dogs.  Nothin' better than that!  Three out of four days isn't bad.  


When I first started writing this post, I had meals planned but then our week started taking shape and this is what we are left with:

Monday: Leftover Chinese Food (mmm.... it's always better the next day and bonus: HOCKEY GAME!!)

Tuesday: Sausage Penne Pasta (new recipe!)

Wednesday: Going out to watch the hockey game with family (translation: no cooking for me!)

As you can see, I only have Monday - Wednesday planned.  That's because I'm going to California! Woot Woot! I'm heading down there with one of my best friends - Amanda from Freshly Minted Librarian.  We are headed down to visit with her sister, Elysha.  

Our trip will most likely include, but is not limited to, shopping, going to DISNEYLAND!!, eat at PF Changs, shopping, going to the beach and relaxing. 

I am so looking forward to it!  Five days of fun with a wonderful friend.  Who doesn't like a mini-vacation!

Linking up as always with OrgJunkie. Head on over for a ton of awesome dinner idea's .

Happy Menu Planning!

Partnered Up!

I told you earlier this week that I was participating in Craftaholics Anonymous's Handmade Gift Exchange  and yesterday I received an email from Linda with my partner.

My partner is Liz Noonan all the way from Massachusetts.  I've never known or met anyone from there, and even had to google it to find out where it is.  Its below New Hampshire, and above Connecticut on the East Coast of the States, by the way.

Liz has a blog of her own, that you can check out here.  I like what I've seen so far, great crafts and beautiful stuff to look at!  She also has an Etsy shop.  Me likey!

We 'met' for the first time last night, and I think I rather like her!  I'm going to have to really put my thinking cap on to figure out what to make such a crafty and artsy lady.  It makes me nervous that she said she already knows what she's going to make me ! 

Oh my.

Well, here we go.  I've got less than thirty days to make something great for Liz.

Wish me luck!  

And don't forget to check out Liz's blog!

DIY Antique Steamer Trunk

Through our addictive watching of HGTV, we saw steamer trunks being used as coffee tables and were inspired to make it work for us!

My husband took his search to the handy-dandy, always helpful Craigslist where we found this beauty:

Front View

Back View

The Innards

Apparently, this steamer trunk came over from England full of potatoes over 100 years ago.   So says the guy we bought it off of, who bought it from a guy in Calgary eight years ago.

We bought this trunk for $100.  When we look at other antique steamer trunks for sale, they are significantly more expensive.  It's nutters.

As you can see from the photo's, its in a bit of rough shape, you might also say that it looks over a hundred years old.

While we wanted an antique looking trunk, we didn't want a dumpy looking, beat-up and ratty trunk sitting in the middle of our living room.

So, my husband sanded and stained the wood trim, primed and re-painted the metal, and repaired or removed the canvas and repainted.  He also ripped out the paper from the inside, sanded and stained it.

Had to throw this one in... because my puppy is so cute!

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out.  It far exceeded my expectations!  

As this project was getting closer and closer to the end, my husband became less and less sure that he wanted it to be our coffee table, and more and more that it should be somewhere else in our living room.

At this point, I'm not sure where it will go, but I'm super pleased with how it turned out. 

I clearly had nothing to do with this DIY, but have to give thanks to my super fantastically talented husband.  I heart you.

I will be linking this post with I Heart Organizing's linky party for Project: Projects and Show and Share Day at Just a Girl. Head on over to see some awesome projects!