The Painting Continues

The only casualty today seems to be paint in my hair. It won't come out. It almost looks like I'm going grey. Lovely.

Day 3
1. Paint the cabinets upstairs. Discover the roller is making bubbles. Paint the rest by paint brush. Ugh.

2. Put the neglected feeling pug to bed at 8:30. Go downstairs and start paint coat #1 on the sides and backs of the cabinet doors.

3. While painting, listen to Chester crying upstairs (1.5 hrs after being put to bed). Poor little guy. Almost 4 hours after starting... go to bed.

Only 3 more days of painting left. Then we get to start all over again on the lower cabinets. Oh joy.

It's going to be worth it though. Totally worth it. Or at least it better be.

Weekend Recap: Cabinet prepwork, Boston and movies

Oh what a weekend. As I type this, I notice I still have some white primer on my hands. Lovely.

Friday night was just a low key evening. We made dinner and then watched a movie - The Tree of Life. It was terrible. Completely awful. I have no idea how it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. It was seriously that bad. Adam and I agreed it was probably one of the worst movies we'd ever seen. It was like random clips stream of consciousness style. The first half hour seemed like you were watching Planet Earth, except there was a part with dinosaurs? No idea. It was just bizarre. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. And I'm someone that usually likes indie flicks. I think a review on Netflix summed it up best, "Who needs water-boarding when this film is available, pure torture..."

On Saturday, I got up at 8 so I could stalk the Boston Red Sox website for their Virtual Waiting Room to open to buy tickets. I got into the Virtual Waiting Room at 8:50 (tickets went on sale at 9 am central). At 9 am, I was the third stick man in line. I thought I'd be in by 9:30. Nope. Finally at 10, I was able to get into the ticketing. Unfortunately, by then the seats we wanted were no longer available. Sad face. We had to settle for less than fantastic seats, but they're still decent and we're excited to go. I'm happy we got tickets to begin with though, because when I checked the Saturday game yesterday there were only single seats left. We'll be in Boston for a long weekend in the beginning of August. I can't wait to see the Twins play at Fenway! Now that we for sure have the tickets, I can start booking our hotel and airfare.

Adam and I went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant in West St. Paul which was actually very good. Then we started on our kitchen update supply list. First, it was Lowe's to get the subway tile, grout, adhesive, tiling supplies, primer, sander/deglosser, wood putty, etc. Next it was Hirshfield's where we bought Benjamin Moore paint to match the white subway tile. Our last stop was at Menard's for new white outlets, outlet covers, paint thinner, roller, trays, paper, etc.

Back at home, we hauled all of our loot inside and decided to get started on the cabinets.

The supplies are taking over the table

Day 1:
1. Remove upper cabinet doors.

Removing the cabinet doors - apparently people didn't the last time they were painted because the very top edge of the cabinet doors weren't painted

NAKED!!! Doors removed
* BONUS * You get to see our disorganized cabinets. ::embarrassed::

  2.  Carry downstairs in pairs and label on paper (this was my job)

Labeled

And in order

 3. Wipe cabinet doors down with sander/deglosser

3. Wipe cabinets down with sander/deglosser
(No pugs were harmed despite the stinkiness. We had the window open and hood vent going. Plus Chester was barricaded in the bedroom with a closed door. He pretty much hated it.)

4. Clear counters and cover with paper

So helpful...

5. Fill in all the cracks in the cabinets with wood putty

Look at all these lovely cracks between the cabinets. Yes, that big thing down the middle.

That I fixed

After all the prep work fun, we rewarded ourselves by going out to a movie in Roseville. We saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and really enjoyed it. I read all the books a few years ago and loved them. It's been a while though, so I wasn't sure how close the movie adhered to the book. It seemed to be pretty close though. Just not quite as darkly disturbing as the books were in parts.

We slept in Sunday morning, and then started Day 2 of our kitchen project.

Day 2:
(Really, it is Day 2. We're just both wearing the same things as Day 1 because they're our project clothes)

1. Sand the wood putty on the cabinets until smooth

Sanding

 2. Prime 2 sides and the back of the cabinet doors

Backs are primed

3. Prime the cabinets upstairs

Primed cabinets

4. Prime the other 2 sides and front of the cabinet doors

I did the details like the sides and around the hinges

Adam did the rolling

5. Fill in unsatisfactory spots in cabinets with 2nd layer of wood putty

6. Prime the 2nd layer of wood putty

We were all ready to start the actual painting in the afternoon, but our paintbrushes weren't dry. So we just relaxed instead. I think we got a lot done over the weekend, but there's still so much to do!

Naughty Puppy: The Bench

Last evening, Adam and I were watching tv on the couch. Both of us tried to get Chester to snuggle on the couch with us, but he wanted nothing to do with it and kept jumping off. He was roaming around the house but then I couldn't hear him anymore. This usually means he's doing something he's not supposed to be doing. But that wasn't the case this time. For once he was being good, he had just jumped onto the bench and was hanging out.

Apparently he wanted to give himself a timeout, or maybe he just wanted his own couch to sit on.

Regardless, he looked adorable and little. Of course I had to quick grab the camera and take a photo.

Weekend Recap: Motivation Lost

Adam was gone, so this is what Chester and I did all weekend.

Seriously. Those are my feet at the end of the couch.

Mixed with a little bit of this

Look, I made Adam's favorite cookies!

 And a visit Friday night by my old roomie Laura.

But otherwise, it was mostly this

So. sleepy. AND snuggly.

And it was wonderful.

I did read 500 pages of my book, World Without End, which means I'm over half way done! Oh, and watched 3 movies and a little bit of TV.

I just couldn't find any motivation. And sometimes, that's okay. I am not ashamed.

2012 Goals

2012 Goals

So what if this is a little late, it's still January right?

These are our goals for 2012 at the Dang House, in no particular order.

1. Get organized!
We I have way too much stuff. There are boxes upstairs that haven't even been opened since we moved into the house over 2 years ago. And everytime I go back to my parent's house, I get stuck hauling back more junk. Enough is enough. In 2012, I will go through all this junk and get rid of what we don't need. My upstairs will be organized, clean, amazing and no longer embarrassing.

2. Embrace our DINK(S)dom
We stole this from another couple that are friends of ours - DINKS = Duel Income No Kids
This year we will travel a lot and enjoy being kid free.

3. Plan a trip to Europe
We (but mostly me) will plan a delightful vacation to Europe (London, Dublin/Ireland and Paris) and enjoy every moment of it together. I've been longing to return to London since I left in 2005. I can't wait to show Adam London and Paris and discover Dublin with him. CAN. NOT. WAIT. Seriously.

4. Revamp the Kitchen
Our kitchen just needs a few cosmetic updates to be fab. I already have the cabinet hardware picked out and ordered. The subway tile is picked out, as is the countertop. The only decision we still need to make is the exact paint color, but I already know the color family I want. Now we just need a few free weekends to buy everything and get started on it.

5. Do something with the Yard
Ugh. Our yard. I'm not sure what we can do about it, but it needs help. In a bad way. There are mutant weeds everywhere that seem to grow back thicker and stronger every time you think you've killed them. Help!

6. Healthy Living
Continue to eat healthy, exercise and maintain/lose weight. I've lost 20 lbs since the end of September. Yessssssssssss
This applies to all family members, even little chunk Chester with his "winter weight."

7. See the Twins in a Different Ballpark
Our goal is to see a new ballpark together every year we're married; preferably with the Twins playing in it. Last year  it was Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The year before (2010), it was Progressive Field in Cleveland (only we didn't see the Twins play there) and Target Field in Minneapolis (I know that's kind of cheating, but it was new). This year we are planning on Miller Park and possibly another ballpark that shall remain nameless for now. It's so much fun to see a new ballpark. They all have their own unique characteristics and little quirks. I never thought I'd be so into baseball?

8. Save $
Now this may seem to counter #2, #3, #4 AND #7 but if we follow my spreadsheet (yes, I'm that much of a planner) we'll hit our bank account goal for this year. I guess this is the time to save money before you have kids running around bleeding you dry.

Anyone else have a bunch of goals for this year?

Rocking Chair Re-Upholstery Project

It all began with a rocking chair my dad got us at an auction a few years ago. It was a really neat antique rocking chair, but the fabric on it was hideous. We (and by "we" I mean Adam and my dad) had done some re-upholstery before (remember our dining room chairs?) but this looked complicated - arm rests, a back and front with wood trim in between, a separate seat and a foot rest. So the chair just sat upstairs at our house for a year.

Then while looking for fabric for the dining room chairs, I found the perfect fabric for the rocker online at Fabric Maven. It's Massoud Hadleigh.I was obsessed. I ordered a sample and it was beautiful. I also was able to get an idea of what it would look like on a darker chair like my rocker-

Then for my Christmas present this year, my parents gifted me the re-upholstering of my chair. Awesome! My mom contacted the lady that had been recommended by her interior decorator and had done some cushion upholstery work for her in the past, took her the chair, and found out how much fabric I should order (2 yards).



My 2 yards of fabric arrived last week just in time for our visit to La Crosse.

Isn't it gorgeous?!

So Mom and I went out to the re-upholstery lady's house on Saturday morning. There we discussed which part of the pattern to use on the seat back, what kind of welting to use (create some with the fabric or use a different solid colored piping). She made some up for me quick so I could get an idea of what it looked like which was so helpful.

This is the chair, taken apart - she's putting new stuffing in too so it'll be more comfortable.

Decisions decisions - she gave me lots of options

Then we looked at a few different nail heads and discussed where to all place them. I decided on the plain nail head and it will only be across the top of the chair. It will also be all around the base of the foot rest.

Here's a before of the foot rest to give you an idea of the hideous fabric that was on there

Foot stool options

I can't wait to see it completed! It's going to be so pretty.

On the top you can see the fabric welting and where the nail head will be across the top.

Sadly, I don't have a "before" picture as the chair was down at my parent's house for a while before being taken to the re-upholstery lady. My mom thinks she has a before shot of it on her camera, so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll have one to share when I get the completed chair back. Excited!

Weekend Recap: Ava & Wyatt's Birthday Party

We headed back to La Crosse on Friday for Ava and Wyatt's birthday party that night. The party was a lot of fun and it was nice to see all the family.

Ava with her presents from my mom, dad and sis

Fun project!

Dress from Adam, Chester and I

Microscope for Wyatt from our fam

Caroline and Cocoa - I don't think Cocoa liked the flash

Ava with her Paris hat from Stine and Kelly

Me and Cocoa!

It was great to spend some time with Cocoa too. She's such a little cutie! Chester was invited but we kept him at my parent's house as he gets a little overstimulated/stressed in a new environment with lots of people.

On Saturday, my dad and Adam went ice fishing all day with no success. Mom and I went and met with the re-upholstery lady to discuss my rocking chair and the fabric (more on that in another post). I'm so excited to get the completed chair back! Then we got a bunch of stuff at Sam's Club. Who doesn't need a giant jar of pickled jalepeno slices?

We picked Stine up back at home and then went out for lunch. The rest of the day we just spent at home. I was feeling run down and tired so took a nap with Chester as well.

Chester found a new fav hiding place at my parent's house in my old room - under the bed by the trunk

That evening, the four of us (Christine had to play at a basketball game for band) went to a movie together. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. It was pretty entertaining even if I got a little restless towards the end. I actually liked it better than the first one which was super far fetched.

On Sunday, my dad and Adam attempted more fishing. I slept in and relaxed with the pug. Then we headed back home around 3:30. It was nice to be back home at a decent hour.

Foodie Friday: Party Food

We had so many delicious items at Adam's Birthday Party that I thought I would share a few of the recipes.

We made a lot of food including Cucumber Rotel Salsa, Guacamole, Hot Artichoke Jalepeno Dip, Brie en Croute, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Cream Cheese Brownie Cupcakes, Brandy Slush and Garlic Infused Vodka for Bloody Caesar's.

Some of the ymmy food included Pub Mix, Cucumber Rotel Salsa, Adam's guac with chips, our Hot Artichoke Jalepeno Dip with pita bread, Brie en croute and veggies with dip

Garlic Infused Vodka
Perfect for Bloody Mary's!

Ingredients: vodka, head of garlic

- Fill a large mason jar full of Smirnoff vodka
- Peel and separate a head of garlic
- Place garlic in vodka filled mason jar
- Put on cover and place in a dark cabinet for 4 days

Infusing away

Brandy Slush
This is a Christmas tradition with my family, but would be refreshing in the summer as well

Ingredients: Brandy, can of lemonade concentrate, can of orange juice concentrate, 1 cup sugar, 4 bags of green tea, 5 cups boiling water, liter of 7Up or Sprite

- Boil 5 cups water
- Place 3 cups of the water in a 9x13 pan
- Steep the tea in the remaining 2 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes, then dispose of tea bags
- Meanwhile, in the pan dissolve the sugar in the water. Stir in the lemonade and orange juice concentrates until they have melted. Add brandy and tea water.
- Freeze overnight

To serve: Scoop desired amount of brandy slush into a glass. Fill the rest of the glass up with the 7Up/Sprite. Add more brandy to taste. Stir.

Steeping the tea

Cucumber Rotel Salsa
Really easy and really good

Ingredients: Packet of dry Ranch Dressing, can of Rotel (any flavor), one cucumber diced, 1/3 cup vinegar

- Peel and dice the cucumber
- Add cucumber, can of Rotel, 1/3 cup vinegar and packet of Ranch Dressing to a bowl and stir
- Let refrigerate for 30 minutes for the flavors to marry

Brie en Croute
Ingredients: Brie wheel, 1 puff pastry sheet, egg wash (1 egg and approx 1 tsp water)

- Defrost the puff pastry sheet for approx 1/2 hour
- Roll out the puff pastry
- Place the brie wheel in the middle of the pastry and fold pastry over the top. Flip the covered brie over so the seam is underneath. Use any extra dough to cut out shapes (I did a few little starts with cookie cutters)
- Make the egg wash by mixing the egg with approx 1 tsp of water. Brush it all over the puff pastry.
- Cook for 25 minutes at 375
- Remove and let cool for at least 1 hour. It will stay warm but will allow the cheese to harden and not be oily and melty when you cut it open.

Serve with entertainment crackers and water crackers.

Brie en Croute

Chocolate Covered Pretzels and Strawberries
These are super easy to make

Ingredients: Large pretzels, strawberries, white or chocolate flavored almond bark

- Melt half a large block of the almond bark in the microwave - microwave one minute at a time and then stir until it has a smooth melted consistency
- Cover the strawberry or pretzels with the chocolate and then place on a sheet of wax paper
- If desired, you can make the strawberries look a little more fancy by melting white chocolate and then drizzling them with it

Chocolate covered strawberries, pretzels and my Cream Cheese Brownie Cupcakes

 Can you tell we like food?

Dinner at Meritage - early Foodie Friday AGAIN

Day 2 of early Foodie Friday brings us to Meritage in downtown St. Paul. We went with Adam's parents and brother to celebrate his birthday on Sunday night. It was excellent of course!

Adam started with an Oyster Bloody Mary Shooter followed by a large crock of French Onion soup. The one bite I had was very flavorful.

I went for the "Recession Sunday" 3-course Prix Fixe meal. They also have excellent drink specials on Sunday nights.

My first course was a salad with pickled beets. I also got a Foie Gras Macaroon which you can see on the right side. It was really creamy and delicious. I shared half with Adam.

Salad and Foie Gras Macaroon

My main was a Carbonara with bucatini (like spaghetti but with a hole through the middle) and pork belly. It was very flavorful and just the perfect size for me (but probably wouldn't have been for Adam).

Carbonara Bucatini

Adam's main course was a Cassoulet (Ragoût of tarbais beans, garlic sausage, pork & duck confit). It was not my thing, but he really enjoyed it. It's not often when we eat out that he doesn't finish his whole plate! It was a very hearty meal.

Cassoulet

  Adam received a little chocolate covered ice cream lollipop for being the birthday boy. I had a very good dessert of French Toast with vanilla bean ice cream, caramel and sunflower seeds as part of my meal. The caramel covered seeds were awesome.

Yum.

We love Meritage!

Dinner at The Strip Club - early Foodie Friday

So I know it's not quite Friday, but I wish it was. I have "foodie" type posts for the rest of the week. Prepare yourselves.

We begin with our lovely dinner together on Friday night at The Strip Club in St. Paul. It's in an old building and has a really charming and old-fashioned, albeit a bit dark, interior. They have finger flashlights for you to read your menu. Seriously...

It was so dark I had to use a flash to photograph the food which made me feel a bit silly. Oh well.
We were on the small second floor which overlooked the first. I loved the atmosphere. It was really casual too - I would have felt out of place in anything other than jeans.

We started out each getting the Soup du Jour (and drinks) I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was a potato soup with paprika broth and duck confit on top. Unfortunately, it also had celery, so after eating half while trying to pick it out, I just gave the rest to Adam. It had excellent flavor though.

Soup du Jour

Then, we shared an order of Poutine Obscene. We've been obsessed with poutine (traditionally french fries with gravy and fresh cheese curds on top) ever since our honeymoon to Quebec. Their take had french fries, pork belly, white cheddar, and port wine gravy. Delicious! It was a nice sized portion for us to split.

It was obscenely good

For our main course, I had the fish du jour which was a Lake Ontarior walleye in a butter/lemon sauce with capers on top. I have no idea what the red in the sauce is. It was served on a bed of kale and yukon gold potatoes. I was a little afraid of the kale since you know I hate wilty warm lettuce family products. However, it was prepared perfectly and had a nice crunch to it. Yum!

Adam was jealous of my awesome food

 Adam ordered the Grilled New York Strip served with poached carrots and a lemon. And here's where I think this restaurant is overpriced. If you want any kind of sauce or topping or anything with your steak, it's extra to the tune of $3-9. The steak alone was $34. Really? Kind of a rip off in my opinion... If you go and don't want any of the sauce accompaniments (like Adam), then make sure you get soup and/or an app or you will leave hungry.

Adam's steak

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed our experience and would definitely go back. It's just an expensive meal for what you get.

Kitchen Facelift Begins: New Faucet!

I suddenly decided last Friday to make this kitchen revamp happen. I ordered our new faucet online, ordered samples of the cabinet hardware we like, picked up the faucet after work Friday, and Adam installed it on Saturday. And so begins our kitchen facelift!

Okay so the faucet is the only thing we've done so far, but the rest will be in the next few months. So I count it as the beginning. Can you tell I'm eager to redo our blah kitchen?

I ordered this little beauty from Moen -
Moen Finley

We LOVE it.

Here's the before -

Ugh. I've always hated that faucet. I have no idea why we didn't change it sooner!

During -

Chester was really interested in what Adam was doing!
(Notice the scratches on the cabinet? They need hardware and to be properly painted in a bad way.)

And the after -

LOVE

And a close up, just because I think it looks so awesome

Adam did a great job taking out the old one, making adjustments so the new one would fit the hoses (had to run to Home Depot for supplies and tools), and installing the new one. Already I think the kitchen looks so much better.

You'll notice that we're keeping the same sink. It didn't make sense to replace it. There's really nothing wrong with it, it just needs a good cleaning!