Hutch

Love this hutch from All Things Thrifty

Cabinet Knobs

The day we moved in one of the cabinet knobs in our kitchen broke off.  The screw broke in half, half in the knob, half on the floor.  Not a reusable knob.  They are unique so we figured we had to replace all the knobs in the kitchen (not that I am opposed to that just did not want to deal with it now).  Luckily today I was at the hardware store around the corner and found the knobs!  After looking online, Lowes, everywhere, they were right down the street.  Awesome!  I love Elliott's Hardware.

Here is the knob on our kitchen cabinets in burnished bronze, small wire frame knob from Atlas. 

July 4

We invited several close friends over to celebrate July 4 and swim.  Here is the menu, everyone gets bonus points if they bring something red, white, and blue.

Appetizers:  2 families are brining appetizers

Meal:  Hamburgers, corn with herb butter, and side from another family, watermelon

Dessert:  Marshmallow Sparklers, firecracker cookies, red, white, and blue strawberries, and smores bars

Drinks:  Lemonade, Tea, Strawberry margaritas

Love these "firecracker bites" from Hoosier Homemade

Photo from Hoosier Homemade

Ava and I will make these red, white, and blue strawberries from Baking Bits

Photo from Baking Bits

Marshmallow pops from Living Locurto

Picture from Living Locurto

Going to try this Smores bar recipe from AllRecipes.com.  I have a coupon for buy marshmallows get free hershey bars and graham crackers!  Great deal!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/smores-2/detail.aspx

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, combine butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs until well coated. Press half of crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with the chocolate chips, then the marshmallows. Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker mixture over the marshmallows and press down with a spatula.
3. Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes, until marshmallows are melted. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

What to do with a old armoire?

I have a cheap, old Ikea computer armoire.  We bought it at our last house to have in the breakfast room so we had a place for our desktop computer.  Pictures soon, but it looks more or less like this in white, and not a corner piece.

The old, small house is gone.  The old, outdated desktop computer is gone.  No need for the computer armoire anymore.  I need to find a new purpose for it or Craigslist it.  Today it sits in the downstairs playroom holding toys.  Not a bad spot for it.  Here are some options for the old armoire:

1)  Hold toys in playroom or game room
2)  Hold craft / art supplies in playroom or gameroom
3)  Act as a computer area in office
4)  Become a bar in the kitchen

All are good options, I am just not sure where it is needed yet.  Here are the problems with each option.

1)  No problem there. 
2)  No problem there.
4)  I would rather have a big open desk.  Not one where I stare at the wall.  I am finally out of a cubicle I do not want to go back to feeling like I am in one.
4)  Not sure I have room in the kitchen.  There is a wall for a console or bar, but I like it empty.  After selling our last house I have a appreciation for not overcrowding things.  However, we entertain a lot and it would be really nice to have a bar where people can go and get their drinks without having to go into the kitchen. 

One idea is from North Fork Staged To Sell  I like how they changed the old armoire into a bar.  I could paint the old white armoire a fun color, and put it in the kitchen as a bar.  I am still consdiering this option.  As soon as I get the dog crate out of the kitchen (thanks hubby) I will have room.

Stuff Animal Birthday Party

I saw a deal on Eversave Dallas today for $49 for a "Noah's Ark Birthday Package".  It included 8 stuffed animals made for each kid at the party at your house.  Kind of like a portable Build A Bear.  I am intrigued.  It looks a bit expensive for a huge party, but something to keep in mind.

http://www.noahsarkworkshop.com/

Cork board

A girl I went to school with has a blog about doing things around the house.  I saw a post she put on Facebook, followed it and found this.  I like the idea of making a cheap fun cork board for my office.  Thanks House of Hepworths.

Photo from House of Hepworths

Magnetic Memo Board

I like this idea for a magnetic memo board.  Would work great in the office, for a older kid (who you do not have to worry about swallowing magnets), or as a gift.  Thanks Always A Project.

Photo from Always A Project