Our Cozy Creative Life: July 2014

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Building a Decorative Wood Ladder

Downstairs we have a small bathroom with a stall shower. There is a towel bar along the wall near where you stand for the sink. I can't tell you how many times I have whacked my elbow on the towel bar. It had to come down. But what to put in its place? I also wanted something that would give me room to display a few things, but still be out of the way since the room is a bit small. A ladder was the perfect solution.

It was easy to make too! Here’s how…

First, I bought 2 - 2″ x 2″ x 6 and 2 - 1" x 2" x 6' pine boards from Home Depot (I only ended up using 1 - 1" x 2" x 6" board). The pine has a rougher finish, which is what I was looking for. I didn’t want the ladder to look brand new. I love the grain and dents in the wood.

I cut the 1 x 2 down into 17″ wide rungs.

I did not cut the 2 x 2's as I wanted the ladder 6 feet tall.

I stained all the pieces first with Miniwax Wood Finish in Dark Walnut 2716.

And let dry overnight.

Now it was time to assemble.
I put my first rung at 36" and using my square and the nail gun secured the first rung in place.
Using a blog of wood that was 10" I spaced out the other rungs. Using the block of wood and square as a guide I continued spacing and nailing each rung into place.

There you have it, a cute ladder for a small bathroom!

And it’s perfect to hang things off of…Like an extra towel…

Have a terrific day!

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Monday, July 28, 2014

Something Yummy for the Tummy

Hi There!
I have one of my Hubby's favorite recipes for you. Sausage & Peppers.
I made him up a batch this weekend and he was in heaven.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian sausage links
4 bell peppers, sliced (I used 2 red and 2 green)
1 large sweet onion, sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 8oz can tomato sauce

Directions:
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown on both sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain.

Keeping the pan over medium heat, add the peppers, onions, salt, pepper, and cook until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the parsley and garlic and cook 2 more minutes.

Add the tomato sauce and stir. Cut the sausages into 6 pieces each, about 1-inch cubes. Add the sausage back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.

Serve in bowls or, my Hubby's favorite way, as a sandwich. Split the roll in half lengthwise, I hollow out the bread from the top side of the roll, being careful not to puncture the crust. Fill the roll with sausage and peppers and top with shredded mozzarella. Pop it in the oven to toast and get the cheese all bubbly. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Friday's Fancy

Wait to you see what these will become.

Do you have any idea?

Time to break out the power tools!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Front Porch Musings

Hey There!

I must admit I have a love for front porches.

There is something about a front porch that says "welcome, come sit awhile and chat."

I guess my love for porches goes back to my childhood. My grandma and grandpa had a front porch, which was screened in. It was a favorite spot in the whole house. As kids we would play board games out on the porch and sometimes if we were lucky during the holidays the "kids table" would be on the front porch. Oh that was living, we felt like kings.

Sunday dinners were usually at grandma and grandpa's and after the meal we would make our way to the front porch. It was a place where you could just sit and watch the world go by. A place where life slowed down and you could appreciate your time together. Conversations just happened and an occasionally neighbor might stop by to chat. Back when I was a kid there wasn't all these handheld electronics, you visited, you spent quality time with each other. My best memories are sitting around on that front porch listening to my grandparents tell stories of the old days. Of how they met, their courtship, and what life was like back then. I wouldn't trade those times for a million dollars, they helped instill in me family love and values that have made me the person I am today.

I guess that is why the front porch holds such a special place in my heart, so many warm and happy memories. One day I hope when my Hubby And I buy our forever home it is Blessed with a Front Porch. Until then, I can remember and I can dream of the times spent on a front porch.

Here are a few porches that make me sigh...

source

This is a back porch, but it is magnificent

source

Can you just see yourself sitting on one of these porches drinking some sweet tea?
I sure can!

Monday, July 21, 2014

North Haven Flea & Farmers Market

We have a new flea & farmers market trying to get off the ground. It has been open since May, this year. They advertise that they have a variety of vendors and in the weeks to come there will be local farms selling fruits and vegetables. They are hoping to get more and more vendors as the summer progresses.

Last weekend I decided to check it out. I found vendors selling new items like Avon, Pampered Chef, metal signs and handmade items. While others seemed to be selling tag sale items. But there were a few vendors that had antiques and hand-painted furniture. There are also a few food trucks where you can get a bite to eat, Spud Stud , Mini Donuts, and DiSorbo's Bakery.

I was able to score some cool items.

An old create from a soda company in Ansonia, CT

Metal signs of guitars for the Hubby's music room

and an old washboard.

I love when I can find a treasure. It's like hitting the jackpot.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Friday's Fancy

Happiness is... using my Dad's leg as a pillow.

Wishing you a great weekend!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Rain Upon the Roof

Hi All! We had some strong thunderstorms come through last night. Here is what our weather report looked like. See that red section, that was right over us. Boy did that rain come down hard, lightening was bright and thunder was roaring.

When I was a kid thunderstorms scared me. I even had a stuffed pillow people called Thunder Cloud. Ok, if I am going to be honest I got him in my late teens. As a matter of fact he is one of the things I have saved from my childhood and he is stored in a trunk in my attic.

I would lay in bed hugging him and counting the time between the lightening and the thunder to see if the storm was moving away. Did you do that as a kid? I remember seeing that tip in Poltergeist, tho it didn't turn out to well for Robbie. Stupid clown… why are clowns so scary? But I digress.

Nowadays there is something soothing about a thunderstorm (tho sometimes still scary). Like the one that came through last night. I get to cuddle on the couch with my Hubby and Puppy, watching some tv, listening to the rhythmic sound of the rain hitting the roof.

It causes me to reflect upon how blessed I am and how fortune I am to be in this moment.

Which reminds me of a song we played at our wedding, here is just the first verse...

EDWIN MCCAIN - I Could Not Ask For More
Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

Hope the sun is shining in your next of the woods!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls... YUM!

Oh Boy do I have a tasty recipe just for you that is also kid friendly. Yummy Cheeseburger Egg Rolls.
They are so easy to make, you can make a bunch of these because they freeze well and can be reheated in a toaster oven. They are also great to server at a party, they are always a hit at my parties.

Here is what you will need:

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 cup chopped dill pickles or sweet pickles
1-2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (depends on how cheesy you like them)
1 tablespoon each of prepared yellow mustard and ketchup, or to taste
1 (16 ounce) package egg roll wrappers
1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions

Place the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir for about 10 minutes, breaking up the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Drain the meat and transfer to a bowl.
Stir in the chopped pickles, shredded cheese, and mustard, and mix together well.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a bowl of water next to your work surface. Remove an egg roll wrapper from the stack, and cover the remaining wrappers with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.
Place the wrapper on the work surface with a corner facing towards you. Place about 1/4 cup of filling on the wrapper, and fold the bottom corner up over the filling. Tightly roll the wrapper into a cylinder, tucking in the corners as you roll, until the wrapper completely encloses the filling. Moisten the last corner with a little water, and finish wrapping so the moistened corner tightly seals to the egg roll, and there are no gaps to let the filling leak out. Place filled egg rolls on the parchment-lined baking sheet, covered with a slightly damp paper towel, while you finish making the egg rolls.
Heat the oil in a deep saucepan or deep fryer until a thermometer registers 365 degrees F. Carefully place 2 or 3 egg rolls at a time into the hot oil, and fry for about 4 or 5 minutes, turning the egg rolls over once, until golden brown. Remove the egg rolls with a tongs, and drain on paper towels.