menu plan monday ~ october 20, 2008

Our son is getting married at the end of the week, so I don’t have a lot of meals to plan. We’ll be eating out a lot to keep things easy.

family portrait

After the wedding we get to bring the twins home with us for a week! 🙂

Monday
crock pot chicken
baked potatoes (microwave ’em)
broccoli
corn

Tuesday
hamburgers / buns
chips / dip
grapes

Wednesday
pizza

Thursday
pork chops / stuffing in the crock pot
spinach salad
corn / green beans
apple crisp / ice cream

Friday
eat out with DIL’s family

Saturday son’s wedding
eat out

Sunday
eat out

Check Laura’s blog for more menu ideas.

Now back to painting… ~~Rhonda

slowly moving back in

The renovation continues. The new floors look great. We are beginning to move some things back into the addition. And even set up the crib in anticipation of our grandbabies being here next week.

moving back in

The towel cupboard is back in the laundry room, but I haven’t restocked the shelves yet.

laundry room

It will be a few weeks before the tile floors are installed in the bathroom, so we haven’t started serious painting in there. It was all we could do to finish the other rooms in time for the hardwood floors.

haven't started the renovation in here

DH did paint a test patch on the wall so I could decide on the colors…medium or light on the wall? I think I’ll go with the medium, as shown. The wainscot and woodwork will be painted a glossy white. The wall around the medicine cabinet and the window will be covered with little blue and white glass tiles.

bathroom

~~Rhonda

niko has a new friend

We have had Niko for two weeks and he has been settling in well, though, until this morning, he hadn’t allowed any of the other cats to enter what he considers his space…DD#2’s bedroom and bath. But this morning, Zak sauntered in. Zak ate from Niko’s bowl, while Niko watched and they were on Niko’s house together. Both seemed to be fine with that.

Niko has a new friend

This is a good sign. 🙂 ~~Rhonda

before and after

Here’s the coat closet after DH took the old floor and subfloor out. But before the new flooring was installed. This was a half bath when we bought the house. A tiny bath in an awkward spot. We made it into a coat closet and it worked much better that way.

before

After the new flooring was put in. Even better. 🙂 It truly brought the whole room together, enhancing the closet’s functionality while adding a touch of elegance. Choosing the right flooring supplier is crucial in ensuring that you get the quality and durability you need, especially when transforming spaces like this.

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after

Zak checks out the new floors in the laundry room.

Zak

Poor Buttercup spent the past two days in the basement while the flooring guys were here. As soon as we let her up, she headed out to the addition and checked out the new floors with Zak.

Buttercup and Zak

~~Rhonda

new floors

The flooring guys are finishing the addition floors today, as well as putting hardwood in the front hall coat closet. From the hall, looking into the bedroom… It doesn’t look like it in this picture, but the ceiling of the hall and the wall of the bedroom are actually the same paint color.

hall into bedroom

From bedroom into hall…

bedroom into the hall

Hall floor

addition hall

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Looks so much nicer than the old vinyl. 🙂 ~~Rhonda

holiday icebox oatmeal cookies

These are the cookies I am making today. Click the link for directions and pictures from a previous post.

Holiday Icebox Oatmeal Cookies
(one of my personal favorites…not real fancy, but crispy delicious)
Makes 6-8 dozen

2 c. margarine or butter, softened
2 c. confectioners’ sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. uncooked, quick-cooking oatmeal (I measure, then grind the oats in the blender)
red and/or green sugar crystals

In large mixing bowl, cream margarine and conf. sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

Sift together flour, soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Stir well.

Stir in oatmeal.

Chill dough until firm enough to form into rolls. Shape into four rolls and roll in red or green sugar crystals. Cover with foil or plastic wrap. Chill until firm. (Or freeze at this point until needed.)

Slice into 1/4″ slices and place on ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in preheated 325 oven about 15-20 minutes or until set and lightly browned.

From Country Folk Art’s Quick ‘n Easy Home Cooking, p. 15, December 1995

Here’s the finished product…so far…ready for the fridge. After they have time to harden, I’ll take them out, cut them, and bake them.

ready for the fridge

These cookies are easy to make and yummy good. I usually use one cup margarine and one cup butter when making them for Christmas.

~~Rhonda 🙂

Elfin Bites

Scotch Shortbread

Sandy and crumbly, as the perfect shortbread should be.

1/2 pound butter (1 cup or two sticks; do not substitute margarine)
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder

Preheat the oven to 350*F (180*C).

Cream the butter, then gradually add the sugar, beating well.

Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together and add to the first mixture, combining thoroughly.

Elfin Bites / dough

Roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it is 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick, then cut into desired shapes.

Elfin Bites

Put them on ungreased cookie sheets, prick each cookie with a fork, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until they turn lightly brown around the edges.

To make “Elfin Bites,” add 1 1/2 T. small, round, multi-colored candy sprinkles to the dough and mix evenly. [I double the above recipe and use 3 T of candy sprinkles.] Roll cookie dough 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, then cut with a crimping wheel into ½” squares (yes, one-half inch…just big enough for an elf to enjoy). Do not prick with fork before baking. Bake these smaller cookies for 12-14 minutes. These are very cute piled onto a cookie tray with a variety of other cookies.

This recipe is from “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook”, p. 561.

I double the above recipe and get about 10 dozen little Elfin Bites.

Elfin Bites shortbread

~~Rhonda

Nutmeg Logs

I’ve been making these cookies for Christmas since 1994.

Nutmeg Logs

1 c. margarine or butter, room temperature
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp ground nutmeg (or 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg)
1/2 tsp. almond extract (or rum extract)
3 c. flour

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Beat margarine in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, nutmeg, and extract; beat well. Add half of the flour. Beat at low speed just till combined. Stir in remaining flour.

Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to just over 1/8-inch. Cut into 3×3/4-inch logs. (I use a crimping wheel to cut them.) Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, or line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Bake in a 350* oven for 15 minutes or till bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack; cool completely.

Drizzle cookies with powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little water or milk) or melted candy coating (vanilla or chocolate). Or dip one or both ends into candy coating. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg while coating is still soft.

Makes about 85. Freezes very well.

If you don’t like them thin and on the crisp side, just roll them a little thicker, up to 1/4″. They will take a bit longer to bake and you won’t get as many, but they will be softer.

From “Christmas Cookies” magazine, 1992

I use freshly grated nutmeg in this recipe. Actually, I grate nutmeg for all recipes calling for nutmeg. It has a much better flavor than ground nutmeg from a jar or can. I cut the amount down a bit, as it is a stronger flavor.

nutmeg

Nutmeg Logs is the first cookie recipe I make each year for Christmas. They will be stored in the freezer for our annual open house.

Nutmeg Logs / dough

I like to use the pastry wheel to cut the cookies. It gives them a decorative edge.

pastry wheel

The Nutmeg Logs can be placed close together as they do not spread.

ready to bake

I roll them thinner than the recipe originally called for.

 baked

Drizzled with powdered sugar glaze and dusted with grated nutmeg. When the glaze is dry, I’ll layer them between waxed paper in a plastic container and store them in the freezer.

Nutmeg Logs

One recipe down…20 or so to go.

~~Rhonda

niko

I’m listening to lots of hammering as the new floor goes down. It feels great to just sit back and wait before I have to do anything else in the addition.

I thought I’d post a few more pictures of our new kitty, Niko. He is still staying mainly in DD#2’s room/bath (by his own choice), though he saunters downstairs now and then to see what’s going on. If he and another cat meet while he’s out of his room, they just sit and look at each other until one moves on. But he will defend what he sees as his own space. Buttercup walked into his room the other day and he fluffed up and chased her out. He did the same to Zilli. He has no problem with them sitting just outside the door looking in at him. We leave the door to his room open all the time now, and I have found Buttercup, Zilli, and Happy lounging just outside the bedroom door watching, at one time or another.

Niko

relaxed

posing

Niko

Niko loves to drink running water from the sink. We can find him by turning on the tap in the bath if we need to. He’ll come running. Can’t resist the sound of running, dripping water. We find him napping in the sink a lot, which is funny as none of the other cats have done that. DD brings him down to the kitchen every morning to get him used to coming downstairs. He seems pretty relaxed and happy.

~~Rhonda

painting, painting, painting

We’ve been painting all day, not to mention all week, trying to get the guest room, the laundry room, and the hall done because the oak floors are being put down tomorrow. It’s amazing how a little color can transform a space and make it feel like home.

To achieve the best results, having a reliable partner can make all the difference. That’s why I’ve been thinking about how great it would be to have Green Dot Painting by my side during this process. Their expert painting services are known for delivering exceptional finishes that truly elevate a space. With their experience and attention to detail, they ensure that every corner is beautifully covered and ready for the final touches.

Having a team like these professional painters handle the heavy lifting would not only save time but also guarantee a professional look that perfectly complements our new oak floors. With their help, we could sit back, relax, and enjoy the transformation without the last-minute rush.

It’s just like working with Captivate Painting & Remodeling—another standout in the painting industry. Their commitment to excellence and meticulous craftsmanship shines through in every project. With their knowledge and dedication, they’re able to create stunning transformations, turning ordinary walls into captivating features of a home.

Before the paint is applied, however, ensuring the surfaces are smooth and flawless is crucial. Any imperfections or uneven areas on the walls must be addressed first. This allows for an even application of paint, enhancing the overall effect. Once the drywall is prepped and primed, the artistry of Painting Service can truly shine, bringing vibrancy and life to every room.

That is why, the focus may have been on achieving the perfect paint color, it’s equally important to ensure that the walls are in pristine condition to complement the new flooring. Any blemishes or imperfections must be addressed promptly through meticulous drywall repair. Only then can the seamless transition between freshly painted walls and gleaming oak floors truly enhance the overall aesthetic of the space, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere for guests and residents alike.

This shot looks from the music room into the hall of the addition, which was added to the house in 1962. At the end of the hall is the guest room. The door to the left leads into the laundry room and through that room is the bathroom.

a few more things to do

The first coat of paint in the hall, the darker yellow on the left, was too bright. Brighter than it looks in the picture. This morning I bought a lighter creamier yellow and love it (the one on the right). So the hall got a new coat of paint.

second yellow

We are using three shades of blue. Dark (closet ceiling), medium (closet wall), light (hall ceiling.

closet

Looking from the laundry room, into the yellow hall, with the closet door open.

yellow hall

In the laundry room, dark blue on the ceiling, light blue above the chair rail, and medium blue below the chair rail. The window to the left is next to the doorway to the bathroom.

laundry room

The oak flooring is stacked in the guest room. It is supposed to be installed tomorrow.

stack of hardwood

DH works on paint trim in the guest room.

finishing touches

Dark blue ceiling, light blue walls, and medium blue chair for the guest room.

guest room

As the oak flooring waits to be installed, the meticulous attention to detail continues, ensuring every surface and transition is intentional. This level of care extends beyond paint and flooring—when it comes to cabinetry and interior finishes, precision and design go hand in hand.

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Eager to see how the floor installation goes tomorrow…

~~Rhonda