Fix 'er Upper: Laundry Room

We officially feel like homeowners now. We have gotten our hands dirty with the laundry room. Originally it had linoleum flooring and ugly white walls (that also had HOLES in them). We decided to also move the plumbing and hookups for the washer and dryer. ($$$$). We then started the hardest task..picking out PAINT COLORS. We went with this, Fern Wood Green.

Benjamin Moore Paint-BTW

Then the fun started.

Pat filled in the holes and laid dolwn the "backerboard". 

Then we started painting. Followed by adding the wood-like ceramic tile.

Closer shot of the tile-Cool huh?!

There was "mud" everywhere. That paint looks nice though!

Almost DONE!!!

I got to lay down the final tile. Just so I can say I helped! 

Today we clean up the tile and get it ready to grout. After 2 days of "settling" we will have the machines delivered and I will be in the laundry business!! WOOT. 

More pictures to come. 

-Liz and Pat

PS: And while we were working this is WHAT SIG WAS DOING. Little turd. 

Yup that is the cat food bucket. He has figured out how to open it.
I sealed it with packing tape. We will see how long that last. 

Happy Independence Day

Happy to be an American! Glad to have our new home, great family, and the American dream. Remember it takes all of us to protect these freedoms. Let's not take them for granted. God Bless America and all it's citizens!

All these Pins...

So I have been pretty much obsessed with Pinterest since last summer. I now have over 2000 pins and have tried several recipes, crafts and DIYs. I am definitely a believer. 

And now with a larger kitchen I feel myself wanting to try new foods (and eat better in general actually!) 

So here are a few recipes I would like to try in the next 2 weeks.... 

The 30 minute dinner roll, because these just look amazing! 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/09/30-minute-dinner-rolls.html

Homemade California Roll: I got Pat a sushi kit for his birthday. http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2012/03/california-rolls.html

Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies:

 http://oceanspray.com/Recipes/Corporate/Desserts---Snacks/Oatmeal-Cranberry-White-Chocolate-Chunk-Cookies.aspx#sm=fb

Well what do you think? And who wants to be my guinea pigs?!

Omg! This is rough!

Well the vacation blog didn't turn out as planned. I just wasn't dedicated enough. I'll be sure to post some vacation pictures soon.

Today is Memorial Day! Thanks to all the men and women who are serving or have served our great country! Thanks to you all preserving our freedom-Pat and I were able to buy a new home and plan for the future.

So far today we have been PACKING PACKING! Mostly the kitchen and some hanging pictures and it is TOUGH!! Why do we have so much? I am starting to worry if all of this will fit into the house. Pat assures me it will. We are getting rid of some things. So far a filing cabinet, bookshelf and some odds and ins. Today I put some things on the curb...I am excited to see if things go. HA!

We are on the way now to pick up some more boxes.

Moving motto: Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. -Phil Dunphy

Exploring Brevard

We are having a great time!

Today when Patrick guided a rafting trip I tagged along with some friends to explore Brevard, the little town the camp resides within. We mostly walked from shop to shop BUT we snuck in some sight seeing as well. Check out the view!! And I am talking about that GIANT BLOCK OF FUDGE!!

Here are some photos from the day.

Headed To Carolina!

Well we are finally taking a vacation! As I type we are riding in the Tiguan towards Brevard, NC! (with a return trip stop in HOTLANTA, GA!!)

I am going to try keep y'all posted here on the blog.

Can you believe I haven't taken pictures yet?! So far we have only stopped at 2 SAMs clubs. HAHA #buyitinbulk

Happy Saturday guys...and pray us safely to North Carolina.

When are we MOVING?!?!?

So I announced on last week's post that we are buying a house. Why didn't anyone tell us that the WAITING is agonizing! It seems like now and since we put down the first offer was a year ago. It is very frustrating.

Pat and I are trying to be proactive with packing and getting rid of things but it is difficult to focus when there isn't an official deadline. Sure we estimate the end of the month for closing BUT even our realtor thinks we could close as soon as next week!! That is just a "probability" not a "possibility" and YES there is a big difference in those words.

This is just the office. Ugh.

Have any of your experienced this? What did y'all do? I suppose we will just through everything in a box when we know. So who is coming to help us? LOL

And Stella is no help at all. She just sits on the bed and bathes. Lazy cat.

What? We're moving?   When?!?
I am asking the same question, cat!

Tasty Tuesday-LET'S EAT!

Here is a recipe I want to share! It is one of our favorites..and will most likely be PREPARED and EATEN this weekend.  It is a Grilled Chicken Soft Taco recipe from none other-RACHAEL RAY! We hope you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 head green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
• Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/2 cup)
• Salt and pepper
• 6 slices bacon
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 4 scallions
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 chicken cutlets (about 1 pound)
• 1 granny smith apple, peeled and cut into matchsticks
• Sour cream, for serving

Prep the apple just before using to prevent it from turning brown.


Marinate a seeded and finely chopped jalapeño in the lemon juice to add a kick to the slaw and dressing.


Skip the small tortillas and fill large wraps with the chicken, bacon, dressing and slaw.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat a grill to medium-high. In a bowl, toss the cabbage with half of the lemon juice and season with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Microwave the bacon on a paper towel- lined plate on high heat until crisp, about 4 minutes; crumble.
2. Grill the tortillas, turning once, until lightly charred, about 3 minutes; wrap in a kitchen towel to keep warm.
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the scallions with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning, until slightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes. Using the same bowl, toss the chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning once, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing along with the scallions.
4. In a small bowl, add the remaining lemon juice and slowly whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the sliced scallions and the apple. Divide the chicken among the tortillas and top with the vinaigrette and bacon. Serve with the sour cream and slaw.

You are looking at FUTURE HOME OWNERS!

Welcome back readers!


 I've missed you here in "blogville". Yes, yes I know I have not be a very dedicated blogger BUT I have been busy pinning things to Pinterest and updating my twitter feed. 
Which you can find links for HERE ------> http://pinterest.com/whisafaye/ AND https://twitter.com/#!/whisafaye (Click it. You know you want to!)


Today is a very special day! Today is the 3 year wedding anniversary! Congrats to Patrick and me! I am so blessed to have him in my life and SO FAR SO GOOD, PEOPLE. Looks like I'll keep em! Honestly, he is the best person I know. And I love him FOREVER AND EVER! 

May 8, 2009-Patrick and Elizabeth became ONE. 

On this special day we would also like to officially announce our BIG STEP into adulthood. We are buying a house! We are about halfway into all the paperwork and stuff, and are hoping to close toward the end of this month. Our realtor says we could close sooner! We are REALLY looking forward to moving in and starting this new chapter in our lives. 


Here are some pictures of our the new casa! 

I can already imagine our 3 fat cats in those windows. 

Look! A doggie door. EllieMae will love that!

Love this SINK!

Woot! Check out this deck, y'all! 

We are already making plans for an Ikea trip!

I can't wait to get all my plants and outdoor things on the deck. I am already having visions of awesome bbqs and PARTIES out there. 


If anyone wants to help me pack and/or move, JUST LET ME KNOW! 


Have a great week guys. And you come back now, ya hear!

Rainy Weather-Makes me Sleepy and HUNGRY

Well, Well..nothing like some rainy weather to put you in the mood for your pajamas and couch. On days like this I can NEVER get comfortable in the office. Everything is in my way, my clothes don't feel right, and the temperature is always off a little. ( I NEED A SOFA AND SLIPPERS, STAT!!) 

Sig knows how to get comfy. 

But besides wanting to feel comfy I also want to eat it ! The memories of comfort foods seem to creep up on my out of no where. I can taste and smell hints of them in my subconscious. I wouldn't mind going home right now and cooking at least 3 different meals. I would even do all the dishes afterwards (if I could leave work right now) !!!

So here a few comfort foods I would love make: 

Let's start with breakfast. There ain't NOTHING like pancakes and syrup! There is only one thing to make it better....BACON PANCAKES! 

http://duhlicious.com/2012/02/fat-tuesday-bacon-pancakes/ 

Put your cooked bacon down and then pour your pancake batter over it...SO AMAZINGLY EASY AND SO GOOD! I could eat my weight in this. 

I have always LOVED Chicken Pot Pie. My Momma would make it at least 2-3 times a month. I didn't mind! I can put a hurtin' on pot pie. My sister on the other hand, does not like it at all!

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/classic-chicken-pot-pie/1401d418-ac0b-4b50-ad09-c6f1243fb992/

And last but not least...we need a comfort food dessert. For me it is definitely peach cobbler with BlueBell Vanilla Ice Cream. (drooling now) 

http://mindingmynest.com/2011/07/fresh-peach-cobbler/

I am fairly certain that this is the dish that God and the angels feasted on while they rested on the Seventh Day. It is just TOO good to not come from heaven. :) 

Well there you have it, my favorite comfort foods. Links for recipes of these are located in the captions-make it and let me know if you liked it! And tell me YOUR favorite comfort foods!!

Y'all come back, ya here! 

Dear Lord, please deliver me...from Girl Scout Cookies.

It never fails. I finally got rid of the last Christmas candies, cookies, and baked goods. I've started my "new year's resolution" of eating healthy and staying active...when these little monsters start creeping their way into my life. 

WHY?!?!?!  They are truly irresistible..those little colored boxes with all those adorable names like "Tag-a-longs" " Samoas" and "Do-Si-Dos" SO KYOOT!! 

It's so bad that I even have a cookie supplier. I only talk to her this time of the year...and she delivers my cookies like a true dealer. Drives into my driveway, I RUN to meet her clutching my check for Troop #1234 and we make a quick swap. We make only the necessary pleasantries so that we do not look like weirdos and then she is off. And I go in as quietly as possible so I can try to eat an entire sleeve of Thin Mints before Patrick comes downstairs and finds me. It is WONDERFUL. (And kind of scary)

So I want to know...who else has this yearly addiction with Girl Scout Cookies? And how many of you actually have enough will power to store some away in the freezer? I have tried...but it only last for 2 hours. LOL

OH and which ones are your favorites?

I am back...for atleast today

Geez... I really sucked at keeping this blog going. Once recruiting season started I totally forgot about this blog. I have been keeping crafty though...I made lots of yummy things to eat, made some things and most recently got a  CRICUT MINI!!

I haven't played with it too much sense Christmas but I do have plans to make something AWESOME. 

Honestly the new craft room application is a little intimidating...I am confident that once I figure everything out..I won't be SKEERED anymore! LOL

This is all I have made so far..

A little thank you card to my hubby for the Cricut. THANKS