Bathroom Reveal - FINALLY

Our bathroom is done!.....almost. We need to install the closet door but THEN it's done. However, it's done enough to show pictures. Here's the before:

Keep in mind - when I say this bathroom was pink I am NOT kidding. It had pink tile EVERYWHERE! See what I'm talking about.....

(I wasn't even aware people tiled their countertops like that)

I think you get the point.

Now to the after......

Please excuse the foggy window. Nick just showered. Obviously, we still need blinds. What you are seeing here is a brand new floor, all new drywall - the tile removal process pretty much destroyed the walls, a new vanity, new shower (that was tiled pink as well), new rug and shower curtain, new toilet paper holder. Pretty much all new.

We bought the vanity from Home Depot (I'm hiding my head in shame) and the top from Lowe's. New mirror, hand towel holder, faucet and light fixture.

Here's a better look at the vanity. I absolutely L-O-V-E it!

AND Nick found a use for the frames from our wedding cardbox. Once he took it apart we added a couple wedding pictures and hung them on the wall.

Free Movie November 11th!

Donate 5 canned goods at a participating MJR Theatre on November 11th and see the movie of YOUR choice for FREE!! Offer good on November 11th from 4pm - 10pm.

Donations benefit Gleaners Food Bank. If you donate Kroger canned goods, Kroger will match the donation.

Participating theatres: Brighton, Chesterfield, Clinton Township, Southfield, Sterling Heights, or Waterford

source: Macomb Money Savers

Coupons!!

I took a coupon class from Laura, The Sharp Scissors Lady a few months ago and it has definitely paid off! I've started gathering my coupons and slowly started stockpiling some items. I made a trip to Super Kroger in Howell today and hit the jackpot!

My total was $110.77

THEN

The cashier started scanning my coupons.....

GRAND TOTAL = $25.49

The guy behind me said "wow! That's impressive. Is today some crazy coupon day?" Nope, just everyday at Super Kroger!

Day of Birthdays Part 2

We ended up having Ben's party on Nick's birthday so we just had to continue the festivities. After we wrapped up at The Hands on Museum we headed back to our house. My family and Nick's met us there for some Capri Bakery pepperoni rolls and more cake.

Caleb sat on the couch with Henry for awhile watching football

Then Scott and Charley joined in


I just had to include this picture....

Nick's Heath Bar cake....if enough people ask, I'll blog the recipe next ;)

Opening presents!

Day of Birthdays Part 1

(it took me awhile but here it is, Alyce)
Ben opted for The Hands On Museum as the party location. He made a great choice. We have a membership so we were able to get a discount on the party. They did just about everything. We were responsible for food and beverages. EVERYTHING else was supplied by the museum....right down to the goodie bags. Check out the party.........

12:30pm - Nick and I arrived to "setup". Really this involved dropping off our pop and cake. I then went to the lobby to greet our guests while Nick hung back in the room to greet the kids when they got to the room. Our party helper, Jennie had set up some crayons and paper for the kids to color while they waited.

1:00pm - Official party start time! We ate some pizza and Jennie led the kids in a project of Ben's choosing. His choices were make your own volcano and erupt it, make your own slime or build rockets and launch them. His choice......

The volcano, of course!

1:30pm - We began our guided tour of the museum. We visited 6 different rooms and had 10 minutes in each room. This was, by far the best part of the party! The adults were able to chat and the kids ran wild, perhaps learning a little something along the way!

2:30pm - We got back to the room and sang Happy Birthday! While I cut the cake, Nick supervised Ben opening his gifts. Another perk - Jennie wrote down who gave what gift for me! It was awesome!

3:15ish - The kids ate their cake and called it a day. Jennie helped load a cart and took it to our car for us. We loaded up the presents and headed home to continue our birthday party celebrations.......STAY TUNED

Ben's 7th Birthday Cake

I've done a Lego, Indiana Jones and now I attempted a robot. He decided to have his party at The Hands on Museum and it couldn't have turned out better. I would highly recommend them! Anyway, onto the cake....it's a Betty Crocker recipe.


Ingredients
1 box of cake mix - make according to package directions and bake in a 13x9 pan
container of frosting
Black food color
Blue food color
2 colorful licorice twists (7 inch)
2 large black gumdrops - I used DOTS, couldn't find gumdrops
2 soft fruit ring candies
2 blue m&ms
3 pull-apart red (cherry) licorice twists
20 m&ms - any color
1 roll Fruit by the Foot® (any variety from 4.5-oz box)
6 thin chocolate wafer cookies - I used chocolate covered graham crackers



Instructions
Tint frosting with black and blue food colors to make desired gray color. Using serrated knife, cut rounded top off cake to level surface; place cake cut side down. Cut cake as shown. On tray, arrange cake pieces as shown in template, attaching to tray with small amount of frosting. To “crumb-coat” cake, spread thin layer of frosting over top and sides to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze cake 30 to 60 minutes.

Frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Cut 1 colorful licorice twist into 2 (1-inch) pieces. Carefully insert licorice pieces between head and body.

Cut remaining colorful licorice twist in half. Using scissors, make several cuts in 1 end of each licorice piece to form antennae. Insert licorice pieces, antennae ends up, in top of head. Insert gumdrops into sides of head for ears. Arrange fruit rings on head for eyes; use 2 blue m&ms for pupils. Separate 1 pull-apart red licorice twist into single strands. Trim 1 strand to 3 inches; place on head for mouth. Use remaining strands to decorate base of robot as desired, trimming to fit.

Tie a knot in each remaining pull-apart red licorice twist. Insert knotted licorice twists in each side of body for arms. To decorate robot body, arrange 20 m&ms in desired pattern on body. Use fruit snack to form border around candy design, trimming to fit. For wheels, insert chocolate wafer cookies in base of cake.

Harvest Moon Macaroni

I was craving some serious comfort food and bored at work. The solution....search the internet for new recipes. I found this one on Food Network, courtesy of Rachael Ray. The critics (Nick and Ben) gave 2 thumbs up! I couldn't find frozen butternut squash so I bought a fresh one and baked it before using. I chopped it but I would suggest mashing it for a smoother texture.

Ingredients

1 lb macaroni (I used penne)

2 TBSP olive oil

1 onion - finely chopped

3 garlic cloves - finely chopped

2 TBSP fresh thyme - finely chopped (I used dried and just used less)

3 TBSP butter

3 TBSP flour

1 c. chicken stock

1 1/2 c. whole milk (I used low fat buttermilk to keep the creaminess but lessen the fat content)

salt and pepper

nutmeg

10 oz box frozen butternut squash - defrosted

hot sauce

1 c. grated Parmesan

1 c. extra sharp yellow chedder (I bought a block and grated it myself)

parsley

1 tsp sweet paprika

Instructions

Bring water to a boil. Season with salt and cook macaroni to al dente

Preheat broiler and place rack in middle of the oven

Heat the oil in a sauce pot over medium heat, saute onions and garlic until soft - 6-7 min and stir in the thyme

Scoot onions off to side of pan and melt butter, whisk flour into butter and combind whisk 1 minute then whisk in stock and milk, season sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes

Stir in butternut squash and a few dashes of hot sauce. Reduce heat. When sauce comes to a bubble, stir in parmesan. Combine the sauce and macaroni, transfer to a casserole dish and top with shredded yellow chedder, parsley and paprika. Brown the macaroni under broiler - 4-5 minutes until brown and bubbly.