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Foodie for a Minute

3/30/2015

4 Comments

 
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I have a friend, Kimberly, who has a linky (Merry Mondays) over at her site, HelpingtheHomeMaker. 

Now, typically, I'm not a recipe maker nor am I a foodie BUT, I love Kimberly's blog, I love to eat, I love to cook, and I wanted to contribute to her linky, desperately!

Consequently, last week, I asked her to give me a heads up hint about what the next theme would be for Merry Monday! 

She did! Then, she changed it on me! ☺ That's okay, I'm pretty good in a pinch and I'm determined to do this with her. Not to mention, it'll be a bonus for my blog readers too!

There is one disclaimer though, most of my shares will be links to people who do the foodie thing for real and whose recipes I have tried, shared with my family, and loved or hated. 

Sort of a review if you will!

Without further ado...here is my recipe share for Kimberly's Merry Monday Linky: Healthy Vegetables!

Trisha Yearwood's Strawberry Salad with Red Wine Vinegrette
Salad:
1 package ramen noodles, crushed, flavor packet discarded
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 head romaine lettuce, washed and dried
One 5-ounce bag baby spinach
1 pint strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1 cup grated Parmesan
Dressing:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions
For the salad: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix the ramen noodles, almonds, sunflower seeds and melted butter. Transfer to a baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Tear the lettuce and combine with the spinach, strawberries and cheese in a large salad bowl.

For the dressing: Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar. Combine the oil, paprika, salt and garlic and then add to the sugar-vinegar mixture. Mix well and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Just before serving, sprinkle the crunchy topping over the salad green and toss the salad with enough dressing to coat the greens.

Recipe adapted from Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood (c) Clarkson Potter 2010


Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/strawberry-salad-recipe.html?oc=linkback
This was a BIG hit with my family and the dressing is to die for!!

Don't forget my hint for next week Kimberly!! ☺
4 Comments

Zero Decorating Budget? Join Change-a-Room-aholics!

10/23/2014

2 Comments

 
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This is me:
...Type type type type "this room looks tired" type type type type type type type type "I really need a change" type type type type type "are you tired of how this room looks?" type type type type type type ok I can't take it anymore! 

Suddenly, I'm on my feet, staring at my family room like a teacher stares down a cheating student. 

My family room is cowering in it's corners.
The chairs are slipping into their covers.
The clock is hiding behind its hands.
The dog is trying to hide himself instead of his bone.
Mr. Right is slinking up the stairs so as to be invisible.

Oh No!! She's going to move things, AGAIN!

Hi! My name's Robyn and I'm a a Change-a-Room-aholic. 

Don't panic! I don't think it's contagious. Nor does it seem to be hereditary. My mama can leave things alone for YEARS!!!

Oh, I guess I should clarify just one more thing; I can't move just one item or one room. 

Wait! Wait! Let me explain! Usually when I start moving things around, my mind starts thinking crazy things like: 

"oh this would totally work in the _________ as a ________" 

Voila, every room is instantly thrown into chaos!! 

Mr. Right loves it! NOT

What? That sounds like a bad thing? No! that's a GOOD thing!

I don't know what it is, this need to change things up so frequently, perhaps the change keeps things fresh. Maybe it's a way to keep things really clean! Either way it's taught me some valuable lessons and maybe my 'sickness' can help someone else. 

Someone....like.....

YOU!!!

You're the WINNER! WINNER! WINNER!

So, no budget for redecorating? (yeah, me either ☹)

No Worries! Here are 6 simple ways to become a
 Change-a-Room-aholic

✿ Start Looking for Looks You Like: I'm always looking at room designs. When I visit friends, in magazines (I just look at em in line at the store), on TV, doctor's office, on Pinterest, and more! Inspiration is everywhere! The odds are good you can closely recreate a look with things you already have.

 ✿ Do a Walk through: Take a stroll through your house with a different view point. Pretend you are visiting your home for the first time. What is your first impressions? What would you do differently? This takes practice and a little imagination. I sometimes pretend I am walking through my house as an open house. FUN!

✿ Play in Your Rooms: I draw my rooms walls, windows, doors,etc. Remember paper dolls? Well I do something similar. I use cut outs for my furniture placement. Doesn't have to be accurate, just close! I play with the layouts, put furniture from one room into another. Rearrange, Rearrange, and oh yeah, rearrange without ever actually moving anything.  
✿ Think Outside the Box: Look at things in new ways. Moving the furniture is great fun.  Could that old paper towel holder collecting dust hold hairbands or toilet paper? The hutch in the kitchen, could it be used as the TV stand or a dresser? Put a tray on that footstool and use it has a bedside table. Try things in new roles. Most things usually step up and do a great job as something new!

✿ Work Through Being Afraid: Don't be afraid! Anything you do, can be undone if you don't like it. Start small. Use something small in a different way or in a new room. Even changing where a photo hangs can make a difference. It's refreshing and new! Try one piece of furniture or one item in a new place. I bet ya can't move just one!

✿ Not Everything has to Stay: Don't be afraid to put things away for awhile. There's nothing better than something being 'gone' for a bit and then getting it out again. It's like a new item all over!
That's how you do it!

That's how you become a Change-a-room-aholic!

Ready to Join? 

GO!



I'd love to hear how you're doing as a Change-a Room-aholic! Oo, Oo, Oo, I know, I know....pictures! 
Share your Change-a-Room Pictures!! 

Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,
                                                            Robyn
2 Comments

5 Things You Need to Know Before Remodeling

9/7/2014

0 Comments

 
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This past week I said good-bye to an old, dear friend.

We'd been together for over five years.

There was comfort and warmth in the relationship; I could always count on my friend to support me every step of the way.

Alas not all things last forever.

Their ability to uphold their end of our relationship wavered.

I just couldn't keep them around any longer without causing harm to myself and/or my family. 

So, I cut them out of my life.

No!

No, I won't change my mind...forever is what I said and forever is what I meant.

What? How could I be so cold? Just throw a long term relationship away so easily?

Oh, I'm sorry! I'm afraid I've misled you into thinking I'm talking about a person....oops! <giggle>

No, no, this past week I said good-bye to my poor old worn out carpet, in the living and dining room, who had started growing mold. <said with an 'oh that's icky' face>

Even after years of good care, Mr. Carpet was just too worn out to continue. 

So...

Good-bye Mr. Carpet! Thanks for all you gave during our time together. I hope you understand, I have to move on. Try new things. It's not you, it's me....okay,wait! No, it is you!

Now...

I have my eye on Hardwood flooring! I dream of it. I have visions of grandeur. Life will be so easy with Ms. Hardwood Floors around.<dreamy eyed>
  
NO MORE VACUUMING!

Sweeping? Okay,Sure! Dust mop? You betcha!

I can handle both of those as long as I don't have to drag that nasty vacuum out every day! 

Yes, every day...Oh, did I forget to mention I am OCD about my house and the cleanliness of it. Yep I am a Martha, not a Mary (Luke 10:38-42). God and I are working on that because perfectionism stinks! 

Hmm, I think I just stumbled onto another post altogether. 
<thinking to self thoughtfully>

Oh, sorry, I got all caught up in that for a moment! <embarrassed>

Anywhoo...

I was really looking forward to never having to push that ol' vacuum ever again! Well at least not for quite some time anyway.

My Mr. Right and I started the search after talking with our landlord, who told us to find what we wanted.
<she's always been great about stuff like this>

HOLY MOLY! Hardwood flooring is expensive!

I had to face the truth, we needed to get something very cost effective because the expenses were not our own.

I wasn't sure hardwood was going to be that something. 

Finally, after weeks of looking, the landlord found the flooring!! 

HOORAY!

The hunt was now about finding an installer! 

Can I just say, HOLY MOLY!?

Okay, HOLY MOLY!!

Installation is expensive!

Are you getting the picture here?

This project could have cost an arm and a leg, 

But through determination and lots of leg work and letting our fingers do the walking (aka phone work) we found ways to make it work for our landlord's finances.

Sharing is caring

and...

I'd like to share what I've learned through this process (you know, just in case you need it at some point) 

☛ Don't Give Up & Don't Settle! You may not find what you can afford or what you want right away. Hang in there. It's usually out there, you just have to be determined enough to find it at the price you want or can afford! Do a little extra leg work or phone work and you may just surprise yourself! It is worth it in the end when you have what you dream of and at a cost you can live with! 

☛ Get at Least Three Estimates: We found, through the magic of Google, several local 'handymen' and a couple of big name flooring companies. It's amazing how competitive folks can be. If you mention you've had other estimates, suddenly prices can change or they have a special. In the end, we ended up hiring a local guy who owned his own construction company. Don't be afraid to shop around or mention that you have done so.

☛ Know Exactly What You're Paying For: Through the estimate process, we discovered installers charge for everything! Everything: removing old flooring, disposal, nails, equipment, lunch time, helpers, clean up afterwards, everything! One guy was going to charge us for his mileage. So ask about charges and get it in writing!

☛ Do What You Can Do: Demolition is FUN!! I would recommend doing your own removal when and if possible. I know there are some things I wouldn't be comfortable removing, plumbing for instance, But old carpet? I got this!! It didn't take us long and it saved us about $400 (Yep, that's what our guy charged to remove it! I know, right?). However, since we decided to remove it, our contractor offered to dispose of it free of charge (BONUS)!

☛You Get What You Pay For: This old adage definitely applies in most remodeling circumstances. This applies to materials as well as labor. If you buy the 'cheapest' the quality may suffer and you could end up remodeling the same thing over again in just a few years. You don't have to break the bank to get good quality for materials or labor. Just use your best discretion!


In the end, I love my new hardwood floors! They look beautiful and feel way better than that nasty old Mr. Carpet! <apologetically>. 


Our contractor did an amazing job, even though he went over budget just a little. <I forgive him>

Remodeling doesn't have to be break-the-bank expensive. Just have a plan and take your time.


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*Have you done any remodeling? What lessons did you learn that could help others?*

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    Robyn

    I am always looking for ways to be frugal! Whether that's using what we have in new ways or finding ways to cut costs on things we need! This is how I do frugal!

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