First room done!

Remodel your house they said. It will be fun they said...

Taking on the challenge of remodeling your home, and landscaping your yard, by yourself in an effort to save on money is a commendable decision. However, be ready for stressful days where nothing seems to go your way, when every single task that you take on becomes ten times more difficult than it should have been, when you realize that you need to buy a new tool for every project (you will soon learn a great deal about tools by the way!), and you will learn that nothing is as simple as the Do-It-Yourself Youtube videos portray it to be.

In the end though, when the project is finished and you get to stand back and really acknowledge the work that you've done, you will feel a sense of satisfaction that is not really comparable to anything else. You will feel proud. You will feel accomplished. You will feel renewed with creative inspiration for your next project.

These are the things that my husband and I figured out when we decided to take on this enormous task. Our home was last renovated in the 1970's, needless to say the multi-colored shag carpets and faux-wood paneled walls desperately needed a change. We are not professional carpenters or painters of any sort. We decided to just wing it, learn as we go and just try to do the best job we could!

So this was our first project, thus far. Our guest room - previously, as seen, a very dark room with faux wood paneling, green shag carpet, and yellow and brown flowered wallpaper! First thing first was strip the wallpaper!

We bought a big tub of Killz water-based primer and had at it...

 

 

Chose Summer Green as the main wall color, pearl white for the trim.

I even painted the wooden windows, which I think updated the look of the room, and we bought a white metal paint to do the heater strip under the window (it was a dark beige before). 

We found a great deal on laminate wood (clip together) flooring, entire room for under $300!

We bought about $60 worth of heavy duty drape material at the craft store and I sewed together some beautiful drapes to match the color scheme of the room!

In the end, despite the seemingly endless issues that arose every other day while tackling this project, we are happy with the outcome. I think it turned out looking spectacular, and that beats out any difficulties that we along the way! I feel proud of my husband and I whenever I look at our hard work, and the best part is that I know we did it all ourselves, we didn't hire a crew for thousands of dollars. We did this entire room for under $1000.00 - probably less, but I don't have all the receipts!

Hopefully soon I can post on our next big project.... Our bedroom!

France: a way of life

My husband and I just recently returned from an amazing, whirlwind trip of France. This trip, having been something that we have talked about for years, was even more incredible than we had originally anticipated! We decided to take this trip as reason to, pardon the expression, kill two birds with one stone... With our five-year wedding anniversary quickly approaching, we wanted this to be partially an anniversary celebration. On the other hand, we have talked about moving to France for some time and we really wanted to go and see the country from which our dreams spring!

France really was incredible. Being back, I really realize how great they have it across "the pond." One of the things I really came to appreciate about the French was their commitment to a slower pace of life. I had always heard about the French and their long lunches and you know, it really is true! If we tried to hit up a town during the lunch hours, the only places open were cafes, restaurants, and bars/tabac shops. This really shows that even the working class get to have a  leisurely lunch, go home, perhaps even take a short siesta before returning to work. How wonderful!

People seem more relaxed over there. Maybe because they don't have to worry about healthcare costs in the same way that we do? Over here, with no insurance, forget about it. One medical emergency or even worse, a long-term sickness in the family, and you are ruined financially and emotionally. Maybe they are just healthier, did you know that GMO (or as the French call it OGM) crops are banned within Frances' borders? Considering how hard it is to acquire non-GMO foods in this country, it felt really awesome eating over there, where I had a degree of safety over my food! I know that there is controversy over whether or not it is safe to consume GMO foods, for now I am happy to omit as much of it from my diet as possible. I do not trust or support its largest backer, Monsanto. 

 

In any case, I cannot forget about the delectable food! I have to first say this, I wish that the bakeries in my area could create treats and breads even half as good as what we ate over in France! I kid you not, every single boulangerie that we entered was like walking into a pastry-laden dream! Pain aux raisins, pain au chocolats, croissants, tarte aux pommes, meringues, beignets and so on and so on... Every piece was delicately decorated and shaped. I wanted to buy one of everything! Only my lactose intolerance held me back! But oh, how I wanted to try those little cakes, the slices of mouth-watering flan and the custard-topped tarts. Every town seemed to have at least one of these boulangeries and some had multiple ones! In a culture where buying bread daily from your local baker is paramount, it makes sense that each and every ones of these bakeries is central to the life and happiness of its own village or city.

It was something in the air. It was something in the food. It was something in the sunsets. It was a certain je ne sais quoi. It was like returning to a place I had already known before, a certain sense of familiarity hung about me as I walked the cobblestone streets and glanced into the windows of the boulangeries. Sipping a cafe, chewing on a flaky, buttery croissant, and watching the people as they drift on by.

Going to France has spurred my desire to learn how to create delectable pastries and breads, as I write this I have four loaves of French bread rising in the kitchen. Tomorrow morning I hope to bake them and have some fresh baked bread alongside an omelet! Next project? Making the perfect, flaky croissant!

Bonne nuit!


- Night Owl

Throw together pasta sauce!

Our tomatoes are over flowing! After giving several bowls worth away to in-laws, co-workers, and friends we still have more than we know what to do with! We decided to make some home made pasta sauce with some ingredients that we had on hand, including a bunch of delicious tomatoes!

This dinner was extraordinarily delicious and to boot it only took about a half hour to finish! We had some local garlic, onions and carrots from the natural food store down the street. On top of which we used a couple pounds of our own home grown tomatoes and fresh basil from the back yard. A splash of organic olive oil, some pasta noodles and go!

Fresh pasta sauce 

about 4 carrots, these were small ones, diced

1 onion, diced

4-6 garlic cloves, diced

4-5 large tomatoes, diced

6 basil leaves

2 tbsp. olive oil

whatever pasta you prefer!

Saute your onions, garlic and carrots until tender.

 

Add the tomatoes... Toss in the chopped basil and allow to simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.

Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper and ENJOY!

You really won't be disappointed, it was scrumptious!

- Night Owl Gal

Quick weekday dinner

Sometimes you simply want a quick, under 20 minute dinner. I believe that Madame Rachel Ray would be proud of me here! A quick, healthy and Italian-inspired dinner! What fun! Plus, to top it off it is vegetarian friendly.

It was just one of those days...Hubby and I were not feeling 100% and we felt more like resting and playing some FFxiv than cooking all night. So we perused the cupboards and fridge and came up with tofu and cheese sandwiches!

We had some local whole wheat and brown rice bread, some firm tofu, pasta sauce, fresh basil from the garden and a bit of shredded cheddar cheese.

Try is out, it really is deelish!

Tofu sandwiches

block of firm tofu
marinara sauce
cheddar cheese
basil leaves
bread (whatever you prefer)

 

Start by slicing your tofu into 6-8 slabs. Heat up a couple tablespoons of coconut oil in a large frying pan. Cook the tofu for 10minutes on one side on med-high heat, don't mess with them or they will not cook evenly!  After 10 minutes turn them over and cook another 5 minutes, until they are golden brown. 

Toast your bread. Then take a slice of it and lather a bit of marinara sauce on it, sprinkle some cheese on that and then layer 2-4 pieces of fried tofu on top. 

Lather more sauce on top of the tofu and lay a few fresh basil leaves on that! Top your sandwich with your other slice of bread and cut in half. Serve with a salad or some other yummy vegetable dish and ENJOY!

- Night Owl Gal

Harvest

Fall is nigh.

There is a distinct crispness in the air. The nights are growing cooler. The tomatoes in the garden are busting off the plants. My favorite time of year has arrived at last! 

First signs of fall

Fall has always held a special place in my heart. My husband and I were married in the fall, on a beautiful October day five years ago. When the leaves start to change into a collage of reds, oranges, yellows and greens my heart sings! Fall implies an end to a crazy tourist season in my town, this is always a welcome change! Fall means I can binge watch Halloween movies! Fall brings pumpkin season and with it pumpkin muffins, breads and soups! Fall is apple season - my mouth is watering thinking about apple pie, fresh apple sauce, and apple cider! Fall means sweater weather, since I live in a northern climate most of my wardrobe consists of "fall weather" clothes, thus I cannot wait to start wearing my sweaters and stylish woolen skirts!

Fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden!

I welcome you, Fall!

Hearty boiled dinner

When I was a child, my mother used to make boiled dinners for us all. My husband's grandmother also used to make boiled dinners when he was younger. Needless to say, hubby and I both have fond memories of delicious, comforting boiled dinners from our youth. A few nights back we were at the supermarket and there, in the produce isle, was the entire contents of a vegan boiled dinner... and even better, all of the veggies were grown locally!  Carrots, cabbage, onions, baby potatoes, oh my!

There is really nothing simpler to make! You literally just chop up your vegetables and boil them until soft. Season to taste with salt, pepper, a little butter and some apple cider vinegar and enjoy!

Boiled Dinner

Approx. 15 baby potatoes chopped in half or quartered

6 carrots, chopped bite size

1 large onion, chopped bite size

1 head of cabbage, chopped up

Fill a large pot about half-way with water. Place your vegetables in the pot and allow to boil. Turn heat down to medium and let cook until vegetables are soft (about 20 minutes).

When the vegetables are soft, drain the liquid and serve up. Season with salt, pepper, butter and apple cider vinegar! So yummy, believe me!

The same night that we made this scrumptious meal, my hubby and I boiled up some locally-grown beets and made them into a grilled cheese and beets sandwiches! So delicious!

- Night Owl Gal

Tea time

My husband and I started our very first garden together this summer. In said garden, we planted some mint plants... I first thought that the mint would be a great adornment to my baking needs; mint brownies for example! However, I have recently learned how to make something deceptively simple, and incredibly delicious with mint as the star ingredient!

Got some fresh mint? Got some hot water? Well then! You, my friend, have fresh mint tea! I feel strange writing about something so simple on my blog, however I never realized, for whatever reason, how simple tea can be to make. I was definitely always the one to buy pre-packaged, pre-bagged tea from the supermarket - this summer, however, I am using more loose leaf tea and also dabbling in teas without tea leaves at all! Such as this mint tea.

Mint tea is great as a relaxing, caffeine-free drink. I am really shying away from caffeine in the evening hours and this makes a great hot beverage to sip before bed! Drink it unsweetened or add whatever sweetener you prefer, I think it is great alone or with a drop of agave nectar in it...Yum!

To make this tea get yourself a couple sprigs of mint, stem and leaves are fine! Boil a cup of water and mix the two into a mug or tea pot. Allow to rest at least 5 minutes, I just leave the sprigs in mine while I drink it, the flavor only gets better!

This summer I have been making a lot of home made iced tea and this mint tea will make an excellent addition to my ice tea roster! 

Enjoy and drink up! 

- Night Owl Gal