Making a Tufted Bench

I scored this awesome bench for free!  A neighbor (Hi Heather!) gave me the heads up that a bunch of stuff was getting dumped and I could see the potential the minute I laid eyes on it.  I had originally thought of a non-storage bench with curvy legs, but I couldn't beat the price and actually really like the way it all came together.  

And wa-lah, the vision has come to life!  This was a fast project and I did it right in my bedroom (for the most part).  The fabric for the bench was a leftover Ikea Ritva curtain panel - the other one I used for my Tufted Headboard.  You really can't beat $25 for fabric that covers two significant projects!

Bean Salad with Lemon Dressing

This past week seemed unusually whirwindish.  It might have been because I decided to put in a new shelf in the laundry room, rip the entire contents of our office closet out and back in, going through the kitchen cupboards and weeding out the unwanted, reorganizing my cookbooks, and putting in a new microwave.

The garage is a disaster.  I kinda use it as a dumping grounds when I'm in house organizing mode.  I'll know I'm done with organizing for a while once I clean the garage.  For some people, that's left to the men, not around here.  Sure, Tyler will help out, but I think I use the garage more than he does (minus the pull up bar).

So I think it's safe to say I'm feeling spring cleaning, only about a month early.  Really though, I just want to minimize.

MASTER BEDROOM TRANSFORMATION

I've had quite a few visitors from pinterest to see my bedroom. We're closer now that I've shown you where I sleep, right? :) It makes me happy that you're here and I hope you are inspired to make your home just the way you want it. 

I'd love to have you visit me at my food blog Carrot Bowl, where I eat mostly veggies with a few indulgences (yes to Cherry Chocolate Chip Bars!), and showcase regular people who are inspiring (think 74-year-old woman who runs 4 miles everyday at the track). 

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The day has officially arrived to reveal our master bedroom!  I'm really excited and love what we've been able to do.  It's definitely been a process, but I kinda love that part of decorating.  

I'm sure it will continue to change in small ways, but I feel like the bulk of things is done for now.  Just as a before and after, here's what our room looked like before we moved in.  Nice and blank.  Well, nice except for the wall color.  In case you're wondering, that is Camelback by Sherwin Williams.

39.3 Miles for Emma - will you help?

As you might recall, on Christmas day my brother Nathan and his wife Sharlynn had a sweet baby girl, Emma Rae.  She was born 5 weeks early.  That morning came with contractions and all Christmas gift opening was postponed as everyone gathered in the hospital bright and early.

Mango-Coconut Chia Pudding

I enjoy hosting things at my house.  I like being with friends and gleaning knowledge from other people.  I'm a true extrovert.  For me, even thinking that someone might be coming over helps me keep the dishes at bay and bathroom wiped down.  Well, that and my own peace of mind.

However, I recently had a conversation with a good friend about her stress of inviting people over.  She doesn't feel confident in her hosting or her house for hosting.  She sees all the projects that need to get done before she would feel content, unable to see the good in her place, her hosting skills, or the way she can carry a conversation making you feel #1.   

My advice came in parts.  What would yours be?

White Bean Hominy Chili

Today marks 5th day my little buddy has had a fever.  As a first grader, he's pretty cute to have around the house and easy since he just wants to hang on the couch and play the kindle.  We've gotten some good reading and drawing time in, too.  Seriously, winter sicknesses have knocked us out hard this year!

So I'm going to warm up with another soup.  I'm hungry right now and wish I had some leftovers to heat up.  

White Bean Hominy Chili

1 onion, diced

1 jalepeño, seeded, deveined, and diced

2 poblanos, diced OR 1 can green chilies

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tsp cumin

1/4 cup lime juice OR 2 limes, juiced

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

3 cups broth

1 (29 oz) can hominy, drained and rinsed

3 (15 oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed

salt and pepper to taste

Add onion, jalepeño, and (if using) poblanos to chili pot and sauté.  Once onions are translucent, add garlic and sauté for another minute.  Add green chilies (if not using poblanos), cumin, lime juice, cilantro, broth, hominy, and beans.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Get out blender and pureé half the chili and then add back to the pot.  Heat and eat!

As a random side note, I recently found "100 Days of Real Food" and I love it!  She lists the definition of "healthy food" and I think it's spot on.

Southwestern Veggie Pasta Salad

So what do I feed my ravenous children?  I have been asked this several times, so here's some of our ideas.  I'd love to hear what healthy snacks you have for your little'uns.  

Snacks:

apples and peanut butter

carrots and hummus (sometimes I'll throw in the multi-grain chips from costco, the ones with flax seeds in them, hexagon shape)

peppers

homemade granola bars

granola

fresh fruit of all kinds

fruit leather

dried fruit

peanut butter blondies

cans of beans (I'll rinse them and they'll eat them with no additional ingredients or heating)

smoothies

peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (preferably Adams natural peanut butter, homemade jelly, and homemade bread - but we work with what we can do)

applesauce

nuts

occasional yogurt