If You've Ever Wondered.......

.....how to entertain an 18 month old during a hectic day of remodeling this post is for you. Here is a photo essay featuring my niece, The Beast.




First you paint on their belly....



then on their back...



Then on their face....



Then on their back again so that they can have a matching tattoo like their momma



And finally you just hand over the washable markers and let them at it.

Good times.
.....how to entertain an 18 month old during a hectic day of remodeling this post is for you.

Hodge Podge

This one is for Sippy...I had to post proof that Jared was was as tall as Grammy...notice the DH in the background...not getting any love. Just FYI...we had dinner outside that night because you couldn't even see the top of the kitchen table with the remodel mess.

This would be the above mentioned kitchen table...it did get cleaned off finally!!! The kids were able to eat dinner at the very table last night...progress!!!

Another benefit of remodeling...you get to write on the floors. I wanted to document the experience on the sub floor.

All the kids got a sharpie and doodled various stuff...Micah wrote the number 5 like a hundred times...don't ask me why. Anyway, I guess Jeff snatched the marker when I was unaware, and wrote the following message.

Can I just say, I totally cried my eyes out. You have no idea. When a husband tears down walls, lives in insanity, and generally is just superman through this whole ordeal-while working insane overtime at his REAL job, this simple note means the world. It goes without saying, that most of the headaches we encountered were from things that I specifically requested(expanding the kitchen which meant tearing down a wall, removing the popcorn from the ceiling, which was a total nightmare, removing the carpet and installing new hardwood floors, and sub floor too, removing the old bar, making a new one, painting every wall in the living and kitchen, and I could go on and on) it means the world.

Yummy Green Salsa

Wanted to share this super yummy salsa recipe....

Tomatillo Green Salsa Yield: 5 pints

5 cups chopped tomatillos or green tomatoes
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped long green chiles
1/2 cup seeded finely chopped jalapeños
4 cups chopped onions
1 cup bottled lemon juice
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp ground cumin
3 Tbsp oregano leaves
1 Tbsp salt 1 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and stir frequently over high heat until mixture begins to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle hot salsa into pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process in a boiling water canner 15 minutes at 0-1,000 feet altitude; 20 minutes at 1,001-6,000 feet; 25 minutes above 6,000 feet

The Best Part of Remodeling

Every once in a while you get to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This afternoon we saw the light in the form of graffiti. Why go through all the mess and hassle of remodeling your house if you can not paint your names on the wall.



Above: our real names
Below: our nick names

Here we go again...

Well friends, we are back in the grind. The remodeling is back in full swing. We have super busy the past week, and seem to have an even tougher week ahead of us.

I have family coming in next Tuesday, so the Hubby wants to buckle down and finish up all the loose ends. The good news is, we are actually doing really well. We had a contractor come out over the weekend and install a new support beam in the living room, to compensate for the fact that we removed a wall. We should be able to install the new floors this weekend. I have been painting the living room, and later today I should be able to re-texture the living room ceiling. The drywall work should get completed today or Thursday. And the list could go on and on. Thankfully, the process has not been as problem filled as the kitchen was, just a lot of hard work and long hours.

Once again, I have 4 or 5 entries, that I started, but could never get around to finish..so hopefully I can play catch up soon.

Fruits of our Labor

It's good to be home and back in the garden. Since I am new to gardening, I have no qualms with trying new or unusual varities. This year I grew YELLOW tomatoes and RED corn...both were so yummy. I personally, almost have a hard time eating this beautiful Ruby Red Sweet corn...it's almost too pretty to eat.




This is the Chubby Checker Sweet Corn.



Cucumbers and tomatos...soon to be pickles and salsa.


These are from Mr. Jimmy...our neighbor. My kids love to go over to his place...the boys were even shelling peas this morning with Ms. Hazel....somehow it's more fun to do garden work with the neighbors?!?!?!?! Go figure.



Yummy green beans...I am going to roast these tonight...I can not wait.



Well, I better run....I think the boys are still at Mr.Jimmy's...there is no telling what they have gotten into.

And just for the record, I have no issues with posting pics of my garden....but boy was that bathing suit shot a killer. That might end up being one of those "for a limited time" posts.

Poolside Fun

I am still working up my courage.....But I promise by this time tomorrow, mine will be posted.