Shopping for living room furniture

We've had our sofa for a really long time so this past weekend we went to a few places around town. The second store we visited was Rooms To Go and we found a sectional called the Bridgeport that we really like. We decided to sleep on it but after hearing some bad reviews from others about the store I am weary about buying it. I really like it and it is a great price but I don't want it to fall apart after just a couple of years. In my opinion a couch should last a long time. I'm really bummed because I was really excited about getting a new one but now I'm on the fence. My husband and I decided to wait a few days and then make our final decision.

A picture of the sectional

Veggie beef soup

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
2 cans beef broth
1/4 cup dry onion soup mix
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 can green beans
1 can corn
onion (as much as you like)
1 cup cut baby carrots
2 large potatoes cut into squares




DIRECTIONS
In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the ground beef for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Drain off excess fat.
Add vegetables and potatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes.

Twins hands

IMG_0597, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

This was taken on our last camping trip. I feel very fortunate that my twin sister and I can enjoy time outdoors with one another. We used to go camping with our mom when we were young and still love doing it.

If you click on the picture you can see it enlarged.

Camping trip

We took a small break away from the home and went camping this past weekend. It was really nice to get away and enjoy this cooler weather.

Camping trip photos here

The house is done

The house is done, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

It's done. Many pictures on my flickr page. (you can find my link on the right column)

They painted the doors green and we originally wanted them white

They painted the doors green and we originally wanted them white, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

So we have until tomorrow morning to decide what to do. We had said we wanted the french doors the color of the trim of the house but my husband kinda likes them green.

Gah, decisions....

This is what they were before.



I can't wait until that ugly baby blue trim color is gone! Tomorrow they should finish.

Oh, we have a blue door now. We need to replace the ugly lock and handle but for now this is a HUGE improvement.



EDIT: We are going to have them paint the french doors the cream color again.

Yard work weekend

Before I trimmed the bushes



After



And I have a question that hopefully someone knows the answer to. We have this monster vine on the side of the house that we want to get rid of. Anyone know the easiest way to do this. The thing is a monster and we hate it. It's always out of control and gets tangled in the crepe myrtles.

Sunday

We had a beautiful day. The weather is still very hot here so toes in the water are a must...



Thank you for the comments on my son's eczema. We are going to try out the suggestions and hopefully will see an improvement. Thankfully he was able to be outside and not scratch all day.

Help with eczema?

I love seeing my son outside playing sports but the poor little guys eczema is so bad. He scratches to the point that he breaks the skin. The entire game he stands on the field and just rips apart his legs.

I am going to set up a doctor appointment for him first thing Monday morning to see if there is anything else we can do about it. Right now he has two meds but they just don't help.

Anyone know of anything?? Maybe in a pill form?


During the game



\
After the game

My son's bed

This is the bed that was in the attic for 9 years.

More new lighting

We finally changed out the light above the kitchen table. We also bought a new dome light to replace this hideous florescent box but that hasn't been put up yet.

This is the light above the table before





And this is our new one






This shows the ugly box that we need to still take down. I really don't know why anyone would want florescent lighting in their kitchen. It's so harsh and ugly. It reminds me of the movie Joe Versus the Volcano when Tom Hanks is stuck at that really bad job.

I'm so ready to take this one down...



Our next small project will be to replace the blinds in the house. One of the first ones we need to replace is the kitchen. As you can see from these pictures we have a really old mini blind hanging and I'm thinking about a roller shade instead. I also need some ideas on how to use the wasted space on the windowsill. It's so big and right now it's not being used. Ideas? I thought about putting some baskets there but it may look too junky. Another idea would be to have it covered and padded.

His New Grill

new grill, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

We went to Lowes last night and bought his new grill. This picture was taken before it was completely put together but it has a tray on one side and a burner on the other. Of course it took around four hour to put together but now it's done. I look forward to many family BBQ's and lots of fun.

We also bought a new bench for the front patio to sit outside and read or watch the Stinker play outside. We don't like him to be outside alone and I never had anywhere to sit when he rode his skateboard or scooter. This is perfect.

(Took this last night)

Kitchen is painted!

Paint, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

It's drying! I'm still not used it it but hopefully it grows on me. Of course it's better then the old wallpaper. Now we need to get new lighting, paint cabinets, change harware. countertops, sinks. and appliances, ha!

The remodeling never ever ever ends....

PS. The rest of the kitchen photos are on my flickr account.

The hideous country style wallpaper is gone!

We have texture and all the wallpaper is gone. It was an ordeal keeping Johhnie Cat our of the kitchen last night and before the texture tried he got his paw prints on the all near the window. We fixed it as best we could and once he paints with primer today and then our light yellow I don't think you will be able to see the kitty prints. These are the time I wish we had outside cats!

A few shots for now and tonight I'll show one painted.

Before with wallpaper



With texture

Weekend recap and ideas on fixing up the kitchen

I think I've made a decision on what to do in the kitchen for now. Of course I would love to get all new cabinets and counter tops but we can't afford that right now so for now we will have the wallpaper removed, paint the walls a very light yellow, and then maybe paint the cabinets. I've read about painting cabinets a lot online but I am a little nervous about it. Of course the paint and new hardware would make a huge improvement on what's there now. Our kitchen looks so 80ish and drab. I still love the 80's music but not the styles that were in back then. How did our mom ever let us walk out of the house in parachute pants? EEK!

Anyway, that's my plan. I'm hoping we can have it painted before my birthday so we can have a party again this year.

Conan's pizza and Amy's ice cream = heaven

Conans pizza, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

Last night we spent our evening having one of the best slices of pizza and then ice cream for dessert. If you have never been to Conan's pizza you are totally missing out. Oh, and Amy's ice cream is the best ice cream ever. I always stick with the coffee with walnuts.

Valentines was spent with my two favorite guys and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Dinner

This was our dinner last Friday night. Of course now that the oven is broken our dinner this Friday will not be as scrumptious. We will have to be creative with the stovetop meals and microwave dishes. I'm trying to decide if purchasing a toaster oven is worth it. Do you use one for pizzas, tater tots and other kid friendly dishes in your home? Logan wanted a hot dog last night with tater tots but he had to settle for mac and cheese with the hot dogs since we can make that on the stove. I'm guessing that we should be able to buy a new oven in a week or so but I wonder how long it will take to arrive and install. Hopefully not too long because I want more Salmon on paper plates...

Lots of things planned for this weekend so I'm sure I will have many pictures to share on Sunday. Tonight we are going out with my sister and brother in law to see some bands play and then probably get some dinner. Tomorrow night we plan to celebrate Valentine's Day early. We don't exchange gifts but we do like to have a special dinner and spend time alone.

PS. My sister says that salmon looks gross but I ♥ it and my husband is great at cooking it just like I like! I don't eat red meat, seafood, or chicken but I will have salmon, boars head turkey deli meat (only boars head), and tuna. I guess you could say I'm picky.

Encyclopedia Brown books

Encyclopedia Brown books, originally uploaded by House on the Corner.

These books were my husband's when he was little and he loved them! Logan recently started reading them and he can't get enough. He is always so thrilled when Encyclopedia Brown solves the case. I'm so happy that he enjoys reading because in our home we have books everywhere!

Do they even make this series anymore? I have no idea. I always see Captain Underpants but no detective books for boys his age. I guess I'll have to pay closer attention when we go to the bookstore next time.

So many little boxes

I have always loved pretty little boxes. These are on the window set (which is really set to high to actually sit on) in my bathroom. I keep charms in one, rings in another, and so on. I probably need one large jewelry box but haven't seen one that I like as much as all these boxes. I love how they are all unique and they add some color to the room.

The Stinkers Bathroom aka my son's

Click on pictures to see full view


The master bathroom and my sons are the same (faucet, cabinet, paint) expect for the shower curtain and accessories. His bathroom has a jungle theme which he loves because his bedroom is an ocean theme so he gets both worlds!



I think the elephant without a brain is kinda weird but also cute. I'll try and take pictures of the trashcan (giraffe on it) and the shower curtain (monkeys) sometime this weekend. We rarely have guests over so there wasn't a need to make the bathroom an adult room. Logan uses it the most so I think having him decorate it with things he loves is really important.