The Dining Room Makeover Begins

After finishing the Kitchen Transformation the dining room looked even worse by comparison. So instead of taking a break in between projects, I decided to just keep going. Here is what the dining room looked like when I first showed it to you last fall: And this is what it currently looks like! :

Grown Up Sloppy Joes

These are seriously the best Sloppy Joes I have ever had! Its your old comfort food with a grown up flavor. It can even be made ahead and frozen. This is the only sloppy joe recipe I will ever use!

Preserve Flowers with Borax

I wanted to decorate the shelf above our tv with some flowers but I hate fake flowers. Fresh flowers were out since you constantly have to replace them and water filled glasses directly above the tv are a bad idea.

Complete Kitchen Makeover for $800

After working off and on for almost a year - the kitchen makeover is finally done! The sun hasn't been very cooperative lately so the pictures aren't as good as I had hoped but I just couldn't wait any longer to show you the finished project!
Check out some of these before and afters:

$3 Sample Paint

While redecorating and remodeling this house, I have learned a lot of lessons the hard way. One of those lessons is how important it is to buy the $3 sample can of paint before committing to a paint color.

The picture on the left is the color that we were originally going for. A nice gray with a hint of blue. The one on the right is what we actually ended up with the first time around. A baby blue that looks almost lavender. Blech!

How To Paint Edges Freehand

I few months ago I learned how to paint edges freehand instead of taping them off and it has made a HUGE difference! I think it is also called "cutting in" the paint? I don't really know what the technical term is - I just know that I will never use painter's tape again!

How To: Use a Caulk Gun

The crown moulding in the kitchen is finally complete! It was the only room on the main floor that didn't come with crown moulding so I like how it ties in to the rest of the house. It also just makes the room feel more finished and put together. I love it! It didn't start out that way though....

Kitchen Flooring

I was going to take a break from the kitchen makeover and show you all of the changes that we have made in the living room but today is the first time all week that it has been clean enough to take a picture of and of course it is completely overcast. So you are stuck with yet another update on the kitchen. :p As promised, here is the new flooring that we chose!

Chicken Stuffing Bake

The timing of this recipe may be a little late now that grilling season has begun but I just couldn't wait until fall to share it. It has instantly become a family favorite and we have it at least once a week. It's so yummy that it is hard to believe that it is low fat!

Cheapo Curtain Rod Finials

When we decided to brighten things up in the living room, one of the first things to go were the dark burgundy curtains. I love them but they made the room a bit dark and depressing.