SNEAK PEEK - BEDROOM 1

We've been talking for over a year about re-doing the room for the older boys. Talking is over.

We got to work Friday night and hopefully it will be completed by next weekend.

One of the first things on the to-do list was the ceiling. With all we have planned to do, getting a new bedroom fan wasn't in the budget, so we took the one that was in the room and painted it.

BEFORE - kiddie rainbow

AFTER - sophisticated silver

Here it is with the other sneak peek - the newly painted dark grey ceiling. We love it!

PICNIC TABLE TRANSFORMATION

Our neighbor gave us his old picnic table that has seen better days. Purple isn't our color, so I painted it Krylon Red Pepper.

The picnic table still shows it's 'better days' scars, but the $15.00 transformation is incredible and will look great under the dogwood tree I have yet to purchase.

BATHROOM UPDATES ON A BUDGET

We used Textile Grey on the walls and Brilliant White on the ceiling and molding. We had white paint left over from the baseboard project, so paint was 24.95. It would have been less, but I wasn't thinking and got a gallon.

The tub we took out was 28" wide and was replaced with a 30" wide. We would have loved to go wider and WAY deeper, but the super deep ones start at 32" and the tub space we had to work with couldn't go wider than 30".

We saved and purchased our tub last summer at 40% off. It's one that feels like cast iron but it isn't. The great thing about this tub is that it is insulated and keeps the bath water super warm for a long time. It also has a slanted back for a relaxing soak.

The new shower curtain was 26.99 and we installed our curved shower rod that we already had.
Larry changed out the plumbing so we wouldn't get scalded when someone flushes the toilet while you're showering. We got the new faucet/shower (and all the inside necessities) at 40% off.

We were thrilled to find subway tile at Lowes for .23 a tile. We tiled the surround up to the ceiling for 113.46.

Our floor was on sale for 1.58 a tile and was completed for 56.88.

A big expense was the behind the scene items needed to complete the projects: hardie backer, cement board, thin set, grout, sealer, caulk, etc... The 'etc..' came to just over 300.

Left on the bathroom TO-DO list:

-repaint the existing vanity brilliant white - cost .00

-paint and install baseboards - cost .00

-purchase and install new hardware

-make a new counter top (if this turns out like I hope, it will be rad!)

-purchase and install new sink

-purchase and install new sink faucet

-purchase a new bathroom door

When all the projects are complete, we will have transformed the bathroom, sub-floor to ceiling, for well under 1500.00

SOME PEOPLE CALL IT FLUBBER,

others call it gak - whatever you call it, it's super fun and super easy to make...Pour 1 cup Elmer's glue to a large glass or ceramic bowl - no plastic bowls or it will stick!
Add 1/2 cup water and mix with a fork until it is smooth.
Add 4 drops of food coloring and mix with fork until well combined.

Put 1/2 cup warm water and 1/2 tsp of borax in small bowl.

Let it sit until dissolved then pour into the large bowl.

You will see a chemical reaction and things start looking funky and sticking together. Slime is forming!

Mix with your fork and as it thickens use your hands.

It's a cheap, easy, fun science experiment for the whole family to do together.

It bounces, breaks if you pull fast, stretches if you pull slow, feels flubbery - it's great fun!

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

is one of my favorite breakfasts, either sprinkled over yogurt or in a bowl with ice cold milk....

I've been quite lazy with meal planning over the summer, but with the start of school creeping upon us, I've been getting my act together.

Thinking of quick, simple, inexpensive, delicious breakfasts for my man clan, granola was at the top of the list.

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup unsalted pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cups craisins
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

Put first five ingredients in a big bowl and stir them together.

In a separate bowl, stir together the oil, salt, maple syrup and honey.

In another separate bowl, stir together raisins.

Add the oil-honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until everything is coated.

Spread mixture onto two parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir the mixture after 10 minutes of cooking.

Mix in raisin mixture while it’s hot.

Let it cool and then break it into clumps. Store it in an airtight container.