I have a handful of posts left to write about on the renovation front, mostly because (a) there are a whole bunch of things that I know would make good blogging fodder and (b) I like to give credit where credit is due.
This is a short version of what’s on our to-do list:
- We’re still waiting for the installation of a couple major mirrors: (1) a biggie in the family bathroom and (2) in the mudroom bathroom. It is challenging to get ready in the morning I tell ya. For all I know I could be walking around with toothpaste dribbles down my shirt all day. Every day.
- Also under the Still To Come column: our breakfast bar. I can’t wait to tell you more about it because frankly, it’s going to be incredible. 106 inches of PURE AWESOME. (Here’s a hint in regards to where it is being sourced. Woot!)
- Also: I have some outstanding bits to shop around for, namely a few area rugs because HELLO, HARDWOOD FLOORS ECHO echo… echo…
- Also: there are still boxes that need to be unpacked and bits of paint that needs to be touched up.
- We still have a lot of art and photos to hang.
- Let’s not even talk about the basement.
So here’s where I’m going with the remainder of this series (which HAS been a doozy, hasn’t it?). I’m going to do a room-by room breakdown now that we’re almost at the finish line, and talk about what materials we used and our motivation for making the decisions we did. Sound like a plan?
And when EVERYTHING is said and done I’m going to celebrate with a big open house… a giant real life show n’ tell! Who wants to come? :)
I’ve talked about my issues with cookie baking here before. First, I lack some equipment that would make it easier and faster (er, like a fancy Kitchen Aid stand mixer… I’m SURE I’d bake more if I had one!) and then there’s the patience side of things. The mere thought of measuring mixing cutting placing baking cooling decorating is ALMOST too much for my poor brain to bear.
ANYWAY. Enter Sobeys. (You can read about my involvement with Sobeys here.) As part of this gig I was asked to participate in a cookie exchange. And here’s the best/worst part of it! Rebecca – who is surely a master baker because she seems to bake something almost Every Single Day – was my cookie swap partner.
Cue panic attack.
I had no choice but to bake up a batch. Here’s my post/recipe about it over on the Sobeys website. And below is a quick pic of the cookies we received from Rebecca. They were gone in a flash, mostly because my family is utterly starved of homemade cookies. Poor things.
Read the rest of this entry »
But first, a discovery! Did you know that if you tuck a wet piece of paper towel inside those plastic green containers that normally house baby greens they’ll stay crisper longer?
I’m VERY happy my package of baby kale and chard is looking so good!
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Awhile back on the Fishbowl Facebook page I asked readers to tell me one thing they’ve stopped buying and started making instead. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the answers were awesome. I was so impressed with the variety of things you people are making yourselves. (You can read the whole thread here if you like. And if you aren’t following the Fishbowl on Facebook.. DO IT. Because you’re missing stuff!)
Going the DIY route on most of these items doesn’t actually take a whole lot of extra effort. There are a few things that take more work in the grand scheme of things (I’m thinking specifically of lasagna – all that chopping – this is a labour-intensive dish!) but it doesn’t actually take long to make your own taco seasoning for example. Or salad dressing. And what’s more, if you make it yourself you are 100% in control of what goes into it… which is the best reason of all to make your own.
I thought I’d pull some reader ideas from the list and link out to some other websites in case someone was inspired to try to make their own… (I’ve left in a few quotes from the FB discussion.) Please note: some links go offsite and others go to my own previous posts.)
If you have a great recipe for any of the above, or would like to add your own thoughts about things you make instead of buy, please leave it in the comments below!
I’d love to issue a challenge! Would your consider trying to make ONE new item instead of buying it this week? e.g. Making your own popcorn in a pot instead of using the microwave variety? Or making your own taco and fajita seasoning? Or your own salad dressing? Let me know if you do! I will do the same. (I’m thinking I might try making almond butter. Hmm.)
