Kitchen Remodel Last Chapter

This is my last installment of our Kitchen Remodel (Face Lift)!
What an improvement!
Some of the things I learned:
1) There is a sentence every homeowner says when doing a project. They are "Well, while we're at it, we might as well..... Add more into your budget than you think you will spend. You will probably come up with other things that you want or need to do. We hadn't planned on replacing the microwave but, well you know what we said, so a new microwave was added.

2) Take you time in picking out your colors. Paint can easily be changed but cabinet tops, backsplash and floors can not. Get samples of flooring, tiles etc and place somewhere that can be viewed in different lighting. Look thru magazines, watch remodel shows, see what appeals to you.
3) Don't do a major remodel close to a major holiday.
You don't need more stress!
We  had the cabinet tops installed the day before Christmas Eve!

Also, add a week or two longer than you think it will take. 

4) Prepare and freeze some casseroles. There are just so many times you can have sandwiches or take out. Have some things ready that can go in the crock pot. On the day they installed the floors I had my crock pot going in the dining room. We couldn't be in the kitchen and we didn't want to leave, but we were able to have a hot meal. Also, have disposable paper plates/bowls/utensils on hand. There were several times I just couldn't use my sink.

5) Take before pictures. It is always interesting to look back to see how things looked.
6) Invest in quality materials, such as paint brushes, rollers and paint. It will make a big difference in your quality of work and how it is applied.

7) Remodeling is a perfect time to organize/clean cabinets. I cleaned inside each drawer and cabinet, got rid of items, I just didn't need or use and replaced  the shelf paper

8) Keep a notebook of your ideas, pages out of magazines, paint samples etc. I started planning this remodel at least a year before we actually did it.

9) Do as much of the work you can yourself. It will save you a lot of money. My husband and son did all the demolition, electrical and plumbing and  I did all the painting and  wallpaper.
10) Remember it is just a remodel job and it will get completed. Enjoy!
Kitchen Remodel Chapter One
Kitchen Remodel Chapter Two
Kitchen Remodel Chapter Three
Next I will be sharing "Death of an Ugly Bathroom"
I will be posting this to: Gold Star Wednesday, Frugal Friday, Thrifty Thursday, Skip to My Lou

Take Along Recipe Planner

Have you ever found a grocery item on sale and wanted to make a favorite dish, bought the item, got home and realized you forgot another item the recipe called for. Or had a family member call you while you at the store having a craving for a special dessert, think you remember everything you need to buy only to get home and find out you didn't remember everything. Well I have and it's frustrating!

 I came up with a solution. 

I use a index card binder, which I covered with scrapbook paper. I don't write down the recipes but the ingredients I need for favorite recipes. Then if I find pumpkin on sale and want to make Pumpkin Crunch, I can make sure that I have all the ingredients when I get home. 

It has 4 different colored sections, I use one section for desserts, one for meat dishes, one for vegetable dishes and one for misc. So if I am at the store and develop a craving for Stromboli I can go over my list to make sure I have all the ingredients. I even go thru my cards and make my menu for a week and use it to do my grocery shopping. 

I will be sharing this post on these blog parties: Gold Star Wednesday, Thrifty Thursday, 

Foodie Friday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Mouthwatering Monday's, 

Full Plate Thursdays, Tuesdays at the Table, Gluten Free Wednesdays, 

What's Cooking Wednesday,Frugal Friday, Skip to My Lou

Mississippi Mud Cake

This cake takes me back a lot of years! I got this recipe from a friend's mother over 30 years ago.
 I loved it then and I love it  now. It has a wonderful combination of chocolate, pecans, coconut, and marshmallow fluff!

Cake Ingredients:

2 cup sugar

1 cup butter

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons cocoa

1 1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup coconut

1 1/2 cup chopped pecans

 Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, (one at a time) cream well, add vanilla. Add cocoa and flour, mix. Stir in pecans and coconut. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until done.

While cake is warm, spread one large jar of marshmallow creme over cake. Let Cool.

Icing Ingredients:

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup condensed milk

1 box sifted powdered sugar

1/3 cup cocoa

Mix vanilla, butter and condensed milk. Add powdered sugar and cocoa. Spread over cooled cake.

I will be posting this to these Blog Parties: Gold Star Wednesday, This Week's Cravings,
Sweets for a Saturday, Foodie Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday,
Mouthwatering Mondays, It's a Keeper Thursday

Bacon and Eggs Look-a-Like

How easy of a treat to make are these, very!
These treats use three ingredients, not much time and easy enough for kids to help!

White Chocolate, stick pretzels and yellow M & M's.

Line up three pretzels sticks on wax paper.

Melt one or two sections of white chocolate.
 I melted my in the microwave.
Spoon a small amount in the middle of your pretzels.

Place your M & M in the middle of your chocolate. Put in refrigerator until firm.

I will post this to these blog parties: Gold Star Wednesday, Foodie Friday, Full Plate Thursday, Sweets for a Saturday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Made by You Monday, Tuesdays at the Table,
Friday Potluck, For the Kids Friday, Local Fun for Kids

Irish Stew

My youngest daughter started making this when she still lived at home. She was researching meals from other countries and trying new recipes, this is one she tried and I have kept on making. I usually assemble it the night before and put it in the oven to bake in the morning.
It goes great with homemade bread such as Cottage Cheese Bread or rolls.

Traditionally Irish Stew was made with lamb-mutton. I use beef either stew meat or I cube a roast, this time I used a Top Round Roast. You can make a little or alot,  I fill up my 3 quart dish.

Layer chunks of meat, peeled and sliced potatoes, and chopped onion. Add 2 beef bouillon cubes, one clove of chopped garlic and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for 2 -2 1/2 hours, or until potatoes and meat are tender.

Ingredients:

cubed meat

peeled/sliced potatoes

chopped garlic

chopped onion

2 beef bouillon cubes

pepper

This recipe will be posted to these blog parties:
This Week's Cravings, Gold Star Wednesdays, Tuesdays at the Table, Full Plate Thursdays,
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Foodie Friday, Mouthwatering Monday's
What's Cooking Wednesday

Fried Chicken Sandwich

This is one of the best sandwiches I have ever made! I started making these a few weeks ago and my husband and son love them! I buy a large package of boneless/skinless chicken breast, take half and prepare them for frying and use the rest for another time. I prepare enough breasts for several sandwiches and with the prep work done all I have to do is fry the chicken and assemble the sandwich.  

Butterfly and pound  your chicken breasts. You want it to be fairly thin. One chicken breast will make one to one and half sandwiches, depending on how big the breast is.

Put one egg and small amount of milk in large baggie, mix and add your chicken. Crush saltine crackers and pour into deep dish. Place one breast in the crackers and season, I use salt, pepper, seasoning salt and garlic powder. Coat both sides well with the crackers.

Fry until golden brown, only turning over once.

Assemble sandwich, I use hoagie bread, mayo, mustard, lettuce and tomatoes, ranch dressing is also very good. Cut in half and enjoy.

I will be posting this to these blog parties: Gold Star Wednesday, 

Foodie Friday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Full Plate Thursday, Tuesdays at the Table, Mouthwatering Monday's