Kitchen Island

This project took quite a while to complete. I bought the dresser off Craigslist back in September for $35. I really wish I had a "Before" picture. However, just imagine a seafoam green painted dresser with a mosaic top of starfish and seashells, complete with green leaf drawer pulls. When I got the dresser home and looked inside the drawers, I saw it was stamped "Bassett," so I think I definitely got a solid, quality dresser.

I started by taking the ornate scalloped wood trim off the bottom and removing the top. I then attached a piece of plywood to the bottom of the dresser so I could attach the feet I purchased from Lowes. Then I bought a piece of bead board for the back and some pine boards for the sides. I gave the whole thing a coat of black paint. I purchased new hardware from eBay. I thought about using all 6 drawers but found these baskets @ Michael's that fit perfectly and thought it helped it look more like an island. And the final touch was the 2" butcher block top that we splurged on that a local cabinet maker built for us.

Total Cost
dresser - $35
paint - $10
wood/bead board - $25
baskets - $28
hardware - $14
butcher block - $138

So a total of $250 for a kitchen island that fits our space. We really needed the extra storage, so I'm super excited to have this project done.

I'm Back.....

This is the view from my front door... or, should I say, it was the view a few days ago.

Ok... not that anyone reads this blog, but I am back from a break. Let me just say that a combination of strep throat and the kids being out of school for 3 days last week (along with the snowstorm and deep freeze) has kept me from writing. However, this week should see us back on a more "normal" schedule. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The kids and I spent some time cooking some special foods (comfort, of course). This donut recipe was found on my favorite recipe site http://www.recipezaar.com/ (I highly recommend you check it out, if you haven't yet).

I started many new projects this weekend, but sadly have finished none. I think I may need to borrow/buy a couple of tools. We'll see. Hopefully, I have some projects by the end of this week. Check ya later!

A New Year... Full of Opportunities

Well, it's been a freezing last week or so here in the midwest and today was no different... I believe the temperature is hovering somewhere around zero. The good news is that I didn't have to leave the house today and the family spent one final day of Christmas vacation together before we all head back to our busy schedules.

As promised, I am back to post some goals (not resolutions) for this next year. While sifting through my ideas, it was hard to narrow them down to just five, so there will be a few more... please bare with me:

1. Save money for a basement remodel (it's currently unfinished)- this will take much dedication and discipline (especially from me... I'm the spender) and sacrifice on the part of the whole family to make this happen

2. Be better organized for daily living..... purge unnecessary items... build systems that will help our family be more efficient at getting out the door in the morning and maintaining a mostly clean and uncluttered living space (no small feat for a household with 4 children)

3. Track finances weekly and hold a monthly budget meeting with hubby

4. Spend more quality time with the kids.... right now, I'm thinking one child per month on a one-on-one "date"

5. Send out all birthday cards on time... I know this sounds ridiculous... but I have gotten seriously bad about doing this.... I have twelve neices and nephews...... maybe this goes back to being more organized, but, anyway...

6. Menu plan weekly or monthly.... haven't decided which.... this also goes back to organization... but perhaps, also to time conservation, in terms of less grocery store trips, etc.

7. Spend more quality time with hubby... go on a "date" at least every other month (maybe even a weekend getaway?)

8. Live in the moment.... and enjoy each and every day and know that in the words of Trace Adkins.... "You're Gonna Miss This" and if you haven't heard that song... here's a link:
nevermind, apparently, I can't figure out how to do that... darn all this complicated blogging stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG9XfJxMY8A
Maybe I just figured it out.... we'll see.

9. Oh, and I can't forget. I want to save for a new camera. As a matter of fact, I'd like to purchase the Canon Rebel XSI. I'm already half way there after saving Christmas money and some New Year's Eve earnings... maybe I'll post about that later.

Good night, all!

Happy New Year!

We had a great New Year's Eve night at the hubby's parents' house. We ate good food, played games and enjoyed the fellowship of family. Unfortunately, all that fun has taken it's toll on my body.............and I'm exhausted today. I just can't stay up until 3 a.m. like I used to and still function the next day.

Believe it or not, all the kids (including the youngest) were up at midnight to ring in the new year. And, again, unfortunately, they don't do well on very little sleep, either. So, hopefully, we will all get our much needed sleep so we can start accomplishing all those New Year's goals.

Tomorrow I will list 5 key goals for next year that I would like to accomplish! You'll be glad I waited.... I hope. Until then, I leave you with this quote:

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man (or woman). - Benjamin Franklin