Trimming the window

One of the most intimidating things for me is taking apart something that looks perfectly fine. Okay, so this picture is a little dark, but it depicts a perfectly fine window. So what's the problem? I want to trim out the window. I want the top and bottom moulding to match. Therefore, I have to somehow get rid of the bottom piece of moulding.

I'm not one for destruction. I'm more of a fixer-upper kind of gal, however, give me an idea I want to execute and it shall get done.

Thanks to my little putty knife, I removed that piece. It broke while doing so.

Trimming the window wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Add a little paint and everything looks a lot nicer.

Do you notice a piece of panel missing? It's the last piece I need to cut out, but it's late and I really don't want to wake the neighbors so that will have to wait till another day. Will have to get a little jiggy with the jigsaw to get that cut to happen. So, not looking forward to it.

Painting the boards

I can honestly say that this project has been one of the longest projects that I have worked on. Landscaping my entire backyard may be the only project that has taken longer. I'm not quite done with this just project yet, so it may come to be the longest.

I finally had a chance to run out to get some putty and caulk. I ran out on my last project (my kitchen cabinets) which still needs to be stained. My to-do list just keeps growing and growing.

When I first had an inspiration to board and batten this room, I had no idea it would be this time-consuming. I've multiplied the time definitely by changing my mind so many times. I did get a chance to paint the boards this weekend. It took three coats of paint. I had a dejavu moment when I painted the third coat. Just two weeks prior, I was painting 4 coats of white on my walls.

That's when I intended to not board the walls, but just place batten right on top of the existing walls. However, our walls were too textured and the battens on top of them didn't give the look or feel that I wanted. Therefore, I splurged and went ahead and bought the boards.

It's starting to come around, but taking a long time to do so. The boards are actually pieces of luan (5/8" thick) which is great because I could place them right on top of our existing baseboards instead of having to rip those off.

I got rid of the tiny seam with just a little caulk.

So, can you slowly see what my vision is?



Stay tuned! I'm totally exhausted, but I will get this done.

Sprinkled Fortune Cookies

I made these for my baby shower when I was carrying A. and it turned out great. When I saw the idea again on eighteen25, I knew it would be a cute idea for all the kid's teachers. All you need are some fortune cookies, almond bark and some sprinkles.

Melt the almond bark or you can use chocolate if you prefer and dip half of the fortune cookies into it.

Dunk the almond bark side into some sprinkles...

and voila, you are done! It is as simple as that.

I printed this label out from eighteen25. It says, "I'm so fortunate to have you as my teacher!"

Happy Valentine's everyone!

Banana Bread

Last week, we had yet another snow storm so I decided to bake up a storm. One major request from my hubby was banana bread. I know you aren't supposed to slice it until it cools, but I love warm bread, especially on a very cold day.

How long does does a loaf of banana bread last in our home? An hour if it's lucky.

Boarding the Board and Battan Project

The ice finally melted from the roads so I was able to pick up the boards for the walls. I can't wait to paint them white.

After I paint them, I will nail the battans onto the boards 12 inches apart to cover up the seams.



The hardest part was measuring out the holes for all the outlets.

If it weren't for these, I would be completely done with the boarding process already. I plan on painting the boards this weekend. I am so excited.

Valentine's Cards

I saw this cute idea on Valentine's cards on eighteen25 and had to duplicate it for my kids.

For the same price as store bought cards, they are a lot cuter and more personalized. I loved how they turned out.

Another Snow Day

I managed to make it to work yesterday. It took me twice as long, but it was nice to leave the house. Today, I planned on going to work, but my husband's attempt to leave has stopped all of us in our tracks.

This is my house right now:

I tried to walk outside before everyone's foot prints, but my hubby left two after attempting to leave for work.

His car got stuck and is currently at the end of the drive way...the driveway that is filled with a couple of inches of snow.

It looks like a few inches came down last night. We will be home bound again. At least today we can have some fun outside instead of being completely cooped up inside all day. I especially like the little rabbit tracks I see everywhere in my yard.

Yesterday was Chinese New Year's so Happy New Years! It's the year of the rabbit so perhaps they were running with joy? I am so ready for the roads to be clear again.

So much for making it into work today.

Another Wintery Day

We were home bound again today. Not being in school still meant reading and writing at home. The kiddos have been writing book reports every day they have been home. Surprisingly I got no complaints.

So, am I a mean mom?

R. worked on his letter writing. After piano practice and chores for the kids and after I finished filing my taxes, our neighbor invited us over for an ice-day party. I looked to my pantry to see what I could make. First thing I wanted to do was make some cake pops, but not enough ingredients. I decided to make some oatmeal butterscotch cookies. Here are the kiddos licking the batter.

Sugar, YUM!

I finished them moments before we delivered them. I told E. to go and wake A. from his nap. When I didn't see any of them come out, this is what I found when I checked up on them.

A. was laying directly on top of Ethan. Love is all I can say. I hope everyone is staying warm.

Snow + Sleet = Snow Day!

All the schools were cancelled so I stayed home to take care of the kiddos. It is definitely not like me to stay home from work because of weather. I have never missed a day of work because of snow or sleet, but here I am, missing my first day in 9 years.

You know what that means? Project! I bought the battans (for the board and batten project) after work yesterday and was planning on painting them after I placed them on the wall, but after reading several blogs saying it was a big mistake to not at least prime them beforehand, I decided to go ahead and paint them.

I started priming before the kiddos even woke up this morning (I'm an early bird where 6:00 is sleeping in for me).

It took about two coats of paint to get full coverage.

After painting what seemed like a million sticks, I was happy with the results. No dripping off the walls, no having to stand and squat, and no having to get paint into every single crevice. Painting beforehand was definitely a great idea.

I was hoping to pick up the boards for the walls today, but seeing how there is a nice layer of sleet and the wind chill making it feel like 3 degrees outside, I may just have to hold that thought for a warmer day.

Valentine's Chairbacker

Valentine's is around the corner.



Learn how to make my $1.75 chairbackers here.