The Hallway Collage

Our main drain backed up (AKA flooded) in the basement a couple of days ago, so we're airing out the house...which means no A/C. Lucky for us, it's not blazing hot like it is back home. But it's definitely not cool here either. The worst part of the flooded sewer basement is that the house now smells like mildew.

I think there are few things worse than the smell of mildew. 

We are working on getting the smell out and contemplating replacing all of the carpet downstairs. Replacing carpet=moola that we'd rather not spend. Boooo.

The reason why I'm telling you this is that this here post is my attempt at forgetting about the nasty smell and things I should be doing to fix the flooded basement. I'm pretending that the only thing I'm thinking about now it hallway collages! And it's working!

I love me some wall collages.

We have a very tiny wall in our hallway that I've deemed the collage wall. 

It is ever-changing, and I have about a million new ideas of what to add and change, but this is it now!

I love keys, and really want a collection.

But since I've only found a few so far, I decided to spray paint two of them to change it up a bit.

That's all folks!

Off to a fun-filled birthday weekend! And yes, I most definitely plan on forgetting about the nasty smell and water-soaked basement this weekend. I'll show that carpet who's boss!

The Shutter Project

I saw this shutter on Pintrest (my new favorite website)

Adorable, huh?!

I just so happened to buy two shutters at a garage sale the day before I saw this!

I had to make it.

Has anyone seen this crackle paint by Martha Stewart? It's genius! You should try it.

I got mine at Home Depot, but I'm sure it's sold elsewhere.

You have to apply it with a putty knife, so don't try it with a brush! It will be a disaster.

I applied mine very lightly in the beginning, and then went back over it when I wasn't satisfied with the amount of crackle.

This is an up-close look at the crackle. Pretty cool!

 

P.S.- That card is an invitation to our friend's son's third birthday! So cute :)

The Easy Pillowcase

A friend in college made me a cute purse from fabric that I picked out.

I no longer use that purse, so I had to put the fabric to use.

And what better use than a pillowcase!

In my opinion, you can never have too many pillows.

I used my magical iron-on seam to make it. It took a total of about 30 minutes and was totally free!

I essentially just cut the fabric in three places to fit the pillow that I was stuffing inside of the case.

Then I used the iron seam to "sew" it together. I'm so lazy, it's true.

Note: this was pre-(awesome) headboard.

I think it jazzes up the bed with some much needed color.

Tada.

Pillow in a flash

The Old Barn Door

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted an

old barn door for a headboard.

I'm not sure where this vision came from, but I can tell you that it hasn't left my mind in years.

I've looked around for the perfect door for the longest time. Remember those treasures that Eric got from his coworker's garage? The PERFECT door was one of those treasures!

So, my dream came true. I have an old barn door for a headboard!!

Here's the reveal:

It was originally a deep red, so I white-washed it so make it fit in better with our bedroom.

Eric went to work putting 2x4 boards on the back of the bed and attaching them to the bedframe.

So handy!

Our room is by no means huge, so although the door fits perfectly with the actual bed, it does go over the window a bit. We'll just have to live with it.

I'm so in love with it!!

I now have a vision for what I'll put on the wall above the bed.

That will have to come another day, sigh...

 

This is the bed just 2 days ago...

And sidenote- there will be a post coming soon with instructions on how to make that cute pillow in the middle.

Barkley, now and then

This is what a typical Saturday night in the Rinehart

household looks like.

Dog training.

Ok, maybe not every Saturday night. 

 But it's not rare to find us using training as entertainment. 

You gotta do whatcha gotta do in this town!

Barkley, shake.

This is just crude and rude. We are trying to teach Barkley to "leave it", meaning a treat,  or something else that he wants. 

This has taken a while because Barkley won't take his eyes off the treat to be told what to do next! I think he's worried it'll run off, so he needs to keep an eye on it.  

And this is sweet Barkley just a year ago!

We have been through a lot with Barkley and his (once) aggressive ways, but it has all been worth it!

I'm sure we were given a difficult dog for a reason, because I know that Eric and I have definitely grown as a couple in the process.
 Dogs sure do teach us humans a lot!

Trash to Treasure

Eric's coworker is getting ready to move, so she asked if we would like anything from her garage. He went one night to check it all out and came home with a trunk load of tools....and pictures of these amazing trunks and an old barn door. My hubby knows me well. 

I was completely ecstatic when I saw this barn door! I have had a vision for years and years of having an old barn door as a headboard.

We don't have a headboard on our bed now, so it couldn't be more perfect!!
(pictures of that coming later)

And here are the trunks!

 

One of the trunks in now a coffee table!

There's some yellow paint on the top and side that I have to figure out how to get off.

But, part of me wants to keep it there because it gives it character! We'll see.

This was quite a find at TJ Maxx the other day for $2.50!

It looks like it's from pottery barn. Sshh, don't tell.

These rope handles make me happy

And I got two of these shutters at a garage sale.

There are SO many cute things you can do with these!

I can't wait to fix them up.

And I got this awesome mirror from my friend, Kristy, who was selling it at our joint garage sale.
I will be painting it to match our decor. That will come later also! Hold your horses.

My Take on Spicy Chicken Corn Chowder

One rainy night last week, I was in the mood for homemade soup. What is it about the rain that makes a person want soup? I never crave it otherwise. 

Anyhow, I decided to make some good ol' chowda. 

I say this as if I've ever made chowder. 

It was my first try, but I'll tell you right now it won't be my last.

 What makes you think that I'm a messy cook? 

 Do you remember that commercial for beggin' strips? Every time I make bacon, that commercial plays over and over in my head....and sometimes out loud.

This is when it gets scary- after you add in the flour. It looks like you've royally screwed up. But you haven't! When you add the liquid, it becomes chowder! Just don't let this mixture burn, then you've royally screwed up. 

 See, I told you.

 Enjoy!

Recipe
4 Slices of Bacon
2 Boneless Chicken Breasts
2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 Yellow Onion
About 10 Sliced Jalapenos, Finely Chopped
1 clove garlic, or a couple tsps of minced garlic
1/4 cup Flour
3 cups Chicken Broth
1 large Potato
1 can Sweet Corn
1 cup Whipping Cream
1 cup (or more if your name is Kelli) Cheddar Cheese
1 tsp salt and pepper
Chives and Parsley to taste

1. In a large pot, cook bacon until crisp. Set aside and keep drippings in pan.
2. Add chicken to the pan and cook on medium-high heat until done. Add red pepper flakes and onion. Cook until onion is tender. Add jalapenos and garlic. Cook about 3 minutes. Stir in flour, cook for one minute. Add broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cook, uncovered for about 10 minutes. Stir in bacon, corn, cheese, and cream. Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occassionally.
3. Top with parsley and chives


*this recipe was derived from a recipe in Better Homes and Gardens magazine

The Exterior- Before and After

I love me some before and after shots.

I was outside watering plants the other day and realized how very different the outside of our house looks now. It's incredible what a little bit of paint will do!

This is us on move-in day. I'll tell you what, we were so excited to have our own home that we sure as heck didn't see any flaws in it. I remember thinking for the first 6 months that I won't change a thing, it's just perfect! And it still is perfect, don't get me wrong...it's just that the newness has worn off and some changes needed to be made.

 Hmmm, look at that gorgeous brick red color, the chic lattice, and of course, the perfectly crafted X's. I know what you're thinking..."why on earth don't you like this beautiful porch?". Call me crazy.

And here it is now! Well, yesterday. 

Yes, I have a slight obsession with pots. I'll get it under control. 

THE Mirror

This is one of the most exciting projects I've done!! 

You have no idea how exciting this is.

I've had my eye on this particular mirror at Hobby Lobby for a long time now. 

And then I saw this THIS.

Magical.

So, I went to work on making one of my own!!

 Spray painted all of the wooden shims

Handy dandy hot glue gun

Eric cut me a wooden circle to adhere all of the shims to

  

Are you ready?

I'm not sure you're ready.

This project was about $6 total and took me about an hour to do (including waiting patiently for the glue to dry)!