MISC – Page 356 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

Camera Critters ~ Ying and Yang declare Boredom!!

In the midst of our home remodel these 2 declare boredom because it’s too cold to go outside. I wish they had thumbs, I’d give them paint brushes!!

NOON

1PM

2PM

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House Update ~ Chronicles of a Bungled Real Estate Deal ~ Overall This & That Update

We’ve been working what seems like night and day to finish up around here. And even though we have accomplished a TON, it seems like the list is never finished! One of the biggest issues (or so we thought) was a pipe in the basement that was supposed to be fixed before the previous owner ever moved out, but they failed to do any of the conditions for the purchase of the house and now when confronted say, oh well, sue the inspector, he’s bonded. Nice people. Yeah right. Well, we’ve tried talking to the real estate people, we’ve tried being nice, we’ve tried arbitration and now we’re just going to get tough and sue them ALL. The home warranty didn’t cover it because of their fraud, the new insurance didn’t cover it because it was pre-existing and the mortgage insurance didn’t cover it because there isn’t a mortgage. Each person we’ve contacted has outright said that this particular county doesn’t enforce anything. So, before this is all over we WILL be contacting the appropriate agencies and filing complaints all the way up to the federal housing authority. What if we were a young couple just starting out with a HUGE mortgage? The laws, rules and codes SHOULD BE enforced everywhere!

So to bring you up to date:
The coat closet: I love this closet. It’s 6×6 feet and well located. It turns out though that it wasn’t original to the house. It was added on at some point using a portion of the front porch. Which is great, but it was never insulated, walls or floor, so we started by insulating the walls and floor and then building new walls and floor over the insulation. I wish I had a before picture, but oh well. It also had a single paned window. Who puts a window in a closet? So we eliminated the window, changed the direction of the clothes rod and built in a shoe rack for all the winter boots. Hubby added hooks for the frequently worn jackets. We also added a great rack for all the games so they are easily accessible and there is room for all the luggage too. Then I painted it the Oklahoma Wheat color and Voile we have an insulated Mud room.

The storm door: We had to replace the original one when we remodeled the kitchen and had never gotten around to it. We had installed the insulated new regular door and figured we’d get around to the storm door eventually. We were at my favorite place, The Habitat for Humanity Restore and found the perfect door for $15.00

The kitchen cabinets & counter tops: We installed the last cabinet and its counter top. Then I stained the cabinet and sealed the counter top.

The baking center counter top has now had 3 coats of mineral oil and is looking good!

The Basement drain clean out: This is one of the items the previous owner was supposed to take care of, but failed to do. At some point someone couldn’t get the plug off and they broke a hole into the rear of the pipe. So we hired a plumber to give us a hand. He melted out the old lead and was able to break off the old cap. The inside was then cleaned out and a new PVC pipe and cap were glued together and sealed in place to prevent further sewer gas from escaping.

The Downstairs Bathroom: The first part of this bathroom was here. Today we finished the down stairs bathroom. It had been a butler’s pantry originally and a cold storage room. We finally finished converting the cold storage part into a set of cabinets and finished the molding and paint.

The window at the rear was from my cousins house and will eventually be a mirror.

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Aloha Friday

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would participate and take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Today’s question: What flavor jam/jelly do you eat on your toast? What is your favorite flavor overall?

I haven’t been able to eat grape jelly since I was a kid. It was the ONLY flavor I was allowed and I really outgrew it!! I can’t handle mixed fruit either. It never really tasted like anything, but a mass of jiggly stuff. I choose strawberry or blackberry usually. It seems like in the recent past EVERY restaurant I go to serves only grape or mixed fruit.

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Friday Fill Ins

1. Please don’t tell me there is going to be 6 more weeks of winter. I hear Punxsatawney Phil is only right 28% of the time. Please let this be a year he’s wrong!

2. Can you function in the morning before coffee?

3. The color avocado makes me want to puke!

4. I have a craving for a Starbucks Caramel Mocha Frappacinno, a Round Table Italian garlic lovers supreme and a Red Robin Pot Roast Burger.

5. If my life had a pause button, I’d have paused it in 1985 and made a different choice.

6. Eyes are the something I could never do without.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing since it has been a very physically stressful week, tomorrow my plans include sorting through and paring down the studio and Sunday, I want to do some sewing!

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I think I’m done, but you tell me.

As many of you know I have been changing template fairly regularly lately. My good friend Barbara had made me these wonderful labels on my sidebar last year that I absolutely love and wanted to incorporate into my blog on a permanent basis. I was having trouble coordinating colors and themes (at least to my liking), but think I’m finally happy and satisfied. So now I’m interested in what y’all think about the template, header and colors?? Be honest, I can take it!!

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Favorite Ingredient Friday ~ Salted Chocolate Cookie Drops

Hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy
This recipe was inspired by my good friend Barbara’s candy recipe for Salted Chocolate over at Kitchen Comforts.

SALTED CHOCOLATE COOKIE DROPS

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Hershey’s cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups (packed) brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 Heath bar, chopped into bits
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 ounces milk chocolate, chopped into small chips

Sift the flour, cocoa and baking soda together.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add the sugars, salt and vanilla extract and beat for 2 minutes more.
Add the flour mixture and mix just until well blended.
Add chocolate pieces and mix only to incorporate.
Line baking sheets with silicone mats.
Roll into 1 inch balls.
Press down slightly as you place them on the baking mat about an inch apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.
If needed press down slightly with the back of the spatula as you remove them from the oven.
Cool for 5 minutes before removing from mats.

Makes about 4-6 dozen cookies.

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Slow Cooking Thursday ~ Sweet & Sour Pork

Slow Cooking Thursday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

SWEET & SOUR PORK

2 pounds boneless pork chops cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tablespoons peanut oil
15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 large can crushed pineapple
2 cups sliced carrots
1 large Vidalia onion, wedged
1/2 cup Grandma’s molasses
2/3 cup Apple Cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoon tapioca beads
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoon salt

Heat peanut oil in a skillet.
Brown the pork pieces.
In your slow cooker whisk together the tomato sauce, molasses, vinegar, brown sugar, paprika and salt.
Add carrots and onion wedges.
Stir to coat well.
Add browned pork pieces and stir until well coated.
Cook on low 7-8 hours until meat is tender.
Serve over rice or pasta.

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Thursday Thirteen ~ Children Learn What They Live

http://www.thursday-13.com/
Thank you Janet and Megan for resurrecting it!

Children Learn What They Live
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
Dorothy Law Nolte 1972

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TWD ~ World Peace Cookies

Laurie of Quirky Cupcake formed Tuesdays With Dorie as a form of accountability for baking at least once a week using the cookbook, Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan.

Today Jessica of cookbookhabit chose World Peace Cookies, page 138-139. I had tried salted chocolate for the first time this past holiday season so I was very excited about this recipe and wasn’t disappointed. I did use semi-sweet instead of bitter chocolate though trying to work with what was in my cabinet.

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Menu Plan Monday

I’m following suit with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and will only be posting my menus every other week. Because of the distance we lived to base we only shopped once a month so I always have the entire month’s menu made in advance, but I have only been posting it weekly for Menu Plan Monday. This will be another effort to save me on posts. This one is an update/revision to get on schedule.

Weekday breakfasts are always either toast, scrambled eggs or cereal so I don’t post those. Working from home, lunch is “whatever” so it isn’t definitive either, but weekends are usually a brunch and I will start posting those along with the dinners.

Monday ~ CORN!!
Tuesday ~ CORN!!
Wednesday ~ CORN!!
Thursday ~ Beef Stroganoff
Friday ~ Meatloaf Muffins & Salad
Saturday ~ Quiche Lorraine & Pot Roast & Veggies
Sunday ~ S.O.S. aka S@#$ on a Shingle & Swedish Meatballs
Monday ~ Crockpot Pork Chops & Scalloped Potatoes
Tuesday ~ Ortega Chile Bake
Wednesday ~ Chicken Enchiladas Suiza
Thursday ~ Shepherd’s Pie
Friday ~ Peach Pork Chops & Potatoes
Saturday ~ Cinnamon Raisin Maple Oatmeal & Creamy Tomato Soup
Sunday ~ Huevos con Yummy & Chinese Chicken Salad

I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, $5 Dinners is hosted by Erin at $5 DInners and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!