tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53644632817398439442024-03-13T20:20:40.656-07:0018 PrestonMeg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-29735107694844949192014-07-06T06:49:00.001-07:002014-07-06T06:49:40.059-07:00California Wine Country (Spit) Bucket List<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">18 Preston was never meant to be a travel blog. We’d like it to be a place where we can share
our lifestyle which is heavily focused on home improvement and cooking great
food. Lately though, where we’ve
traveled has been on our minds. So we bring
you Our California Wine Country (Spit) Bucket List. (See what we did
there?)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFZa-QromRcJ8aIl5dHDvNl3VlffFBSa5eaJLlJ7viU2G3g5jnlE4g2A0T_EiGgfttfCBwBXVUtTCfhaD9SiOUXQO3WJsGe1s6Uh-VwkbHaaqF-DQiEmbay6O9BYwjCyFReKaDSSGHr0/s1600/1+picnic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFZa-QromRcJ8aIl5dHDvNl3VlffFBSa5eaJLlJ7viU2G3g5jnlE4g2A0T_EiGgfttfCBwBXVUtTCfhaD9SiOUXQO3WJsGe1s6Uh-VwkbHaaqF-DQiEmbay6O9BYwjCyFReKaDSSGHr0/s1600/1+picnic.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We packed a lunch just about every day.</td></tr>
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<ol>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Enjoy a
picnic lunch in a vineyard – </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">This can really be done just about anywhere.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Either make your own or pick up a boxed
lunch.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">About halfway through your wine
tasting day enjoy a picnic at one of your stops.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Be sure to ask permission first. We found
most vineyards were happy to have you and will sell either a glass or bottle of
wine for you to enjoy.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.gunbun.com/index.cfm">Gundlach Bundschu</a>
was just one of the vineyards we’re picnicked at.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6oedkIvLhVv13a8_LELp6HWCs3rn_4bDQBM5tIZyHAdLBQKkHgS4tFc5v8UYAXChUVcEn-Z-2uggTetxO8mvtL06vsqBGKCrKVkfBQG-Vvk8JPEHmm_1Prr9PVv09G2TSnC-nYGewcs/s1600/2+cab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6oedkIvLhVv13a8_LELp6HWCs3rn_4bDQBM5tIZyHAdLBQKkHgS4tFc5v8UYAXChUVcEn-Z-2uggTetxO8mvtL06vsqBGKCrKVkfBQG-Vvk8JPEHmm_1Prr9PVv09G2TSnC-nYGewcs/s1600/2+cab.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;">
View at Sequoia Grove Vineyard.</blockquote>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Try a
really expensive cabernet –</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Although all the wine is good, California
Northern Wine Country is known for two varietals.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Cabernet Sauvignon is one of them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tasting fees can add up, but try plan one
splurge and taste something in one of those crazy price points for a
comparison.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">We checked this off our list
at <a href="http://www.sequoiagrove.com/">Sequoia Grove Vineyard.</a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1CIueUky-WIkkW-0wefB0sq_W-P3ysZxzZGEOqK1L2pREIQN5fJ5m5LwrZy3zNJof1gaZw806NysNklNO3jUWmEf2NyxOQlMzN-mFC7bEhAUJ2yXoUvZlsuUxWDuWHa24KOP2ZHxbrA/s1600/2+chardonay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1CIueUky-WIkkW-0wefB0sq_W-P3ysZxzZGEOqK1L2pREIQN5fJ5m5LwrZy3zNJof1gaZw806NysNklNO3jUWmEf2NyxOQlMzN-mFC7bEhAUJ2yXoUvZlsuUxWDuWHa24KOP2ZHxbrA/s1600/2+chardonay.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This chardonnay was from Tricycle winery.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.sequoiagrove.com/"></a></div>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Find a Chardonnay
that tastes like butter </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– Chardonnay is the other grape Sonoma and Napa
grow a lot of, especially in the Carneros region at the bottom of the two
valleys.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">We never order Chardonnay because
it has such a large range of flavor.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The
spectrum starts off very light and can end up where you feel like you just
licked an oak tree.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The trick is finding
that perfect taste when the oak tastes just like butter. We found it at
<a href="http://www.bouchaine.com/Home">Bouchaine</a>, tasting their Bouche D’Or.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl47i_pObgSXtKle6bVn3eMkqd7yktOxdYL26kmlS-tvtQcnI_kly0CHrs7hsK9pK0DGzIPO12IfXd2DRbytjthBr26jCaA4eEYFtNZSXcuwqA2T5fD0qax9abBJ674_k6g2g_L3hG9Ig/s1600/4+champagne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl47i_pObgSXtKle6bVn3eMkqd7yktOxdYL26kmlS-tvtQcnI_kly0CHrs7hsK9pK0DGzIPO12IfXd2DRbytjthBr26jCaA4eEYFtNZSXcuwqA2T5fD0qax9abBJ674_k6g2g_L3hG9Ig/s1600/4+champagne.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying champagne during our honeymoon in 2009.</td></tr>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tour a
Champagne Cellar </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– Yes, Champagne is not just made in France!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Take some time to learn what Champagne really
is.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s a region of France, but it’s
also a very specific method of making sparkling wine.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">We recommend the tour at<a href="http://www.gloriaferrer.com/"> Gloria Ferrer </a>in
Sonoma.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">(We’re even club members!)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEuXf-AaSdJFFerGICzNfTfxzWtWO7tAyI0ZlFmK-_ql8Jg1Vd34CSU0rjCB-J8zLUN9ibWJcCTrYXcJxW6ckiC79n84VxqwK-fivDAqFUpmknlu1Wc3UGbo7Te-s-Pd6TrBepAZwK6Y/s1600/5+dine+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEuXf-AaSdJFFerGICzNfTfxzWtWO7tAyI0ZlFmK-_ql8Jg1Vd34CSU0rjCB-J8zLUN9ibWJcCTrYXcJxW6ckiC79n84VxqwK-fivDAqFUpmknlu1Wc3UGbo7Te-s-Pd6TrBepAZwK6Y/s1600/5+dine+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another must stop restaurant is the Fremont Diner.</td></tr>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Dine at
an amazing restaurant </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– And it doesn’t have to be The French Laundry,
unless you’re rich.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">In that case please
dine there and report back on how it is.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">We’ll likely post again since we found so many awesome spots!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">But since this post is very Sonoma inspired
why don’t you start at <a href="http://www.eldoradosonoma.com/">El Dorado Kitchen.</a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-nOKDQtE0BZLfVlPtUn9fjX9ydaClJWRaTO296A4Xxrkg7rPPHMVza6zwKiaE6m_p_IOsmY8reOnKtK7iEdgDQGZUwr50LuVQwaD56kkIxzi20mt-bu5-fedkIF00gxAePKpB-qKuks/s1600/6+Silverado+Trail+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-nOKDQtE0BZLfVlPtUn9fjX9ydaClJWRaTO296A4Xxrkg7rPPHMVza6zwKiaE6m_p_IOsmY8reOnKtK7iEdgDQGZUwr50LuVQwaD56kkIxzi20mt-bu5-fedkIF00gxAePKpB-qKuks/s1600/6+Silverado+Trail+.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#nofilter #unedited #Napaisbeautiful</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.eldoradosonoma.com/"></a></div>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Drive the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverado_Trail">Silverado Trail</a> </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– we happened upon this by accident while killing some time
before a dinner reservation in Yountville.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The lighting ended up being magical.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">I could have just watched forever from the spot we pulled over to take
in the view.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E4Mzg_wMc043ViH_AnB9Jq1B5ba47abmBxwbB7YsVZrpDZkIIyLXV-012bm0WfgqP-7NU7jIFkYg89NeGHm5Ex-SKdrwkLpQ8XWtNzpk8TFFiZeJeZQ9kIHtcuebeC47KMbdgf7A68U/s1600/7+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2E4Mzg_wMc043ViH_AnB9Jq1B5ba47abmBxwbB7YsVZrpDZkIIyLXV-012bm0WfgqP-7NU7jIFkYg89NeGHm5Ex-SKdrwkLpQ8XWtNzpk8TFFiZeJeZQ9kIHtcuebeC47KMbdgf7A68U/s1600/7+bike.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rented bikes on our own and rode to a vineyard for lunch.</td></tr>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Visit the
wineries by bike </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– we’ve logged three vineyard trips by bike in our visits
to wine country and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://sonomavalleybiketours.com/">Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley bike tours</a>
offers perfect group excursions which all include the most amazing picnic
lunch.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdMYVDohaq8XO3VKrkjoHeYqoHmV-CTgmzQbb3QDaurkANCSWHZUY-_8DnFKA_7zA-ouSszq1KFIpIVkVgxgzoQjPWCdr9qIhG6gUqodSVR_gGTzPrkIBwdpK98CmajnOdzj_hnjTFEg/s1600/8+farmers+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdMYVDohaq8XO3VKrkjoHeYqoHmV-CTgmzQbb3QDaurkANCSWHZUY-_8DnFKA_7zA-ouSszq1KFIpIVkVgxgzoQjPWCdr9qIhG6gUqodSVR_gGTzPrkIBwdpK98CmajnOdzj_hnjTFEg/s1600/8+farmers+market.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our snacks enjoyed at the farmer's market.</td></tr>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Experience
the <a href="http://www.vomcfm.com/">Sonoma Farmer’s Market</a> </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– Sonoma square is kind of like Vegas, you’re
allowed to drink in public! Ok, other than that, it's nothing like Vegas.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The locals
know how to do it right.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you’re
visiting grab a blanket from</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">your hotel
(we won’t tell!) a bottle of wine (glasses optional) and head to the square to
gather dinner during the farmer’s market.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxc_EiisVNpcjeF5R6jEoSx4869og1C23ntPriTODxw82ieg3qBcQqG_7z4b9TnHhRuhJxmO6O0qVnYpujbJ0CrB9GhqQe7qRrITTTMt_W0UFPOrvYBTq5d6_CkVkZ7QVrv3zgEJjWKE/s1600/9+bring+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxc_EiisVNpcjeF5R6jEoSx4869og1C23ntPriTODxw82ieg3qBcQqG_7z4b9TnHhRuhJxmO6O0qVnYpujbJ0CrB9GhqQe7qRrITTTMt_W0UFPOrvYBTq5d6_CkVkZ7QVrv3zgEJjWKE/s1600/9+bring+home.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These grapes are just about ready for harvest in August.</td></tr>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Bring
home some wine </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– Depending on where you live this will either be super easy
or a bit more of a project.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Being from
Massachusetts it is very expensive to have wine shipped home.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Instead, we collected 12 bottles and purchased
a shipping box and checked it as luggage on the flight home.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">We’ve done this twice without incident.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z5K3YhctUCajIVDCJHfnaDnfy75Wk_N0FmgRf_FH8kmi4mjefjLoNY30KZsTnZP3x0W9-EqHvDdaFqkwDxPma5WuqmolBp1HuSaFuGcmW_FAfA4ygzrZ-CKRYF9unpGO5XW-KL0be-Q/s1600/10+drink+beer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z5K3YhctUCajIVDCJHfnaDnfy75Wk_N0FmgRf_FH8kmi4mjefjLoNY30KZsTnZP3x0W9-EqHvDdaFqkwDxPma5WuqmolBp1HuSaFuGcmW_FAfA4ygzrZ-CKRYF9unpGO5XW-KL0be-Q/s1600/10+drink+beer.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt loved the tour at Lagunitas.</td></tr>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Drink
beer in wine country </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– Do you know what makes good wine?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Great beer! Take a day (or two!) to scope out
the craft breweries in the California wine region.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Or just hop on the bus and they will find
them for you!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Can’t say enough good
things about <a href="http://northbaybrewerytours.com/">North Bay Brewery Tours</a>.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">We’ll
follow up with another post more specific to #drinkingbeerinwinecountry<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cKSo1mhP_tfWfCR47zETH8v3isZHB2g2tZSHELo4fNEj_19KApmXgzQbsRYGBNMbbgz49fBNNGVnoBxuGMewWK-iLLr5SA1q6I1ETj2hGlAvGNmKIjSmcWJgQMPmqwg4E67FKLzO0jc/s1600/11+lazy+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cKSo1mhP_tfWfCR47zETH8v3isZHB2g2tZSHELo4fNEj_19KApmXgzQbsRYGBNMbbgz49fBNNGVnoBxuGMewWK-iLLr5SA1q6I1ETj2hGlAvGNmKIjSmcWJgQMPmqwg4E67FKLzO0jc/s1600/11+lazy+day.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another #nofilter #unedited #Napaisbeautiful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Spend a
lazy day on the river – </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you have some time during your wine country trip
and love the outdoors, make a point to boat down the Russian River.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s very lazy and a fun way to relax. Don’t
forget your picnic lunch and beer!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">These
guys have great boats for those new to boating. <a href="http://russianriveradventures.com/">Russian River Adventures.</a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvPN8clvBR1rAhjgjHPhn8qH6yXlqxK6PziTzPaeCraALKRoKyMCZhbCb_73FZWBg_XrgvO6GErNkDOdIJhHNAESygW1XoqoxWx7NrNzrmrmr80vHItyW0OhlWRXc_soaBpjuUkV08u8/s1600/12+meet+winemaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvPN8clvBR1rAhjgjHPhn8qH6yXlqxK6PziTzPaeCraALKRoKyMCZhbCb_73FZWBg_XrgvO6GErNkDOdIJhHNAESygW1XoqoxWx7NrNzrmrmr80vHItyW0OhlWRXc_soaBpjuUkV08u8/s1600/12+meet+winemaker.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive wine cellar at Robert Mondavi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://russianriveradventures.com/"></a></div>
</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Meet a
wine maker </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">– Either make a point to attend a special dinner hosted at a
vineyard or stop by a very small place and meet the people who make the magic
happen.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">One of our bike tours brought us
to <a href="http://www.mckenziemueller.com/index.html">McKenzie-Mueller </a>where we met Samantha Mueller.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">She hosts the tastings, bottles the wine,
drives the tractor, and of course helps with quality control!</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Number 13 and 14 are two things that are still on our
California Wine Country (spit) bucket list.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next time we visit (after saving lots and lots of pennies) we really
hope to take the iconic hot air balloon ride and actually spend our time
staying in a room on a vineyard.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">13. </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Take a
hot air balloon ride</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">14.</span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Stay on a
vineyard</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you even been to Napa or Sonoma? or another reigion's wine country? Anything we missed?</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-59080591767469242612014-06-02T18:41:00.001-07:002014-06-02T18:45:34.385-07:00Meg gets a Craft Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQd9M8IWHmBOGu05CN_kpta7iweecvqeCDo3kM-luiqMG-pGVijbRDBTLyo3vPxC2j6O19yRam2SzU5IWephUdb96uxuLqVB3qWgiW9FFZdMB5cpVyChyZyDwJG_jMw-vsO7QyT0lJQI/s1600/Meg+gets+a+craft+room.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQd9M8IWHmBOGu05CN_kpta7iweecvqeCDo3kM-luiqMG-pGVijbRDBTLyo3vPxC2j6O19yRam2SzU5IWephUdb96uxuLqVB3qWgiW9FFZdMB5cpVyChyZyDwJG_jMw-vsO7QyT0lJQI/s1600/Meg+gets+a+craft+room.png" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
We may not blog often, but I hope you at least enjoy when we do. Today is the story of how Meg gets a craft room. We updated one of the <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/09/guest-bedroom-done.html">upstairs bedrooms</a> last year and began tacking the second upstairs bedroom (there are two) over the winter. This was a particular fun project for me because I didn't have to consider Matt's tastes at all. When your someones partner, the majority of your home reflects you as a couple. And when you combine a lumberjack and a contractor, girly details become very lost. The craft room became s a place I could share my feminine side.<br />
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Enter the first obstacle: #oldhouseproblems<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrYBfoLFTW2UfwPhA6v1YiHh_UsfoMHWZ0558SO-2tpKRdF8SIWs5ecDhz8_1TS2K4ZtsZGOvKagayJLkpcIEIGvpQRES0IvepTkbhyBPqbzranyf3jzGIHovclcbmIESunPEUSi0OCQ/s1600/How+we+started.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrYBfoLFTW2UfwPhA6v1YiHh_UsfoMHWZ0558SO-2tpKRdF8SIWs5ecDhz8_1TS2K4ZtsZGOvKagayJLkpcIEIGvpQRES0IvepTkbhyBPqbzranyf3jzGIHovclcbmIESunPEUSi0OCQ/s1600/How+we+started.png" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the major design components for my new crafting space was the utilization of this flat file we scored for free due to Matt's office moving. People would kill for this piece! It had to be used. at 4' x 5' this monster did not want to play nice getting up our old house stairs. After these photos were taken all the carpet was ripped out, TWO stair risers and treads were removed, the door frame was taken off, the flat file was cut, and the walls received some pretty big holes. But - it made it to the craft room.<br />
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And now... some before and after shots of the almost finished space:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrvGAAGropvmjl4N5YAPil4TqFgtroB64dti3khuEKnVEDwDe-MkJXpjh0c6RzYG_RzI0Sb6REqSxvVCfNW6Yw1hgSMwRmV8R7S4OxApreLho8nPlTmSXo9kGrloRaGj-bKDszmGNs4Q/s1600/front+left.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrvGAAGropvmjl4N5YAPil4TqFgtroB64dti3khuEKnVEDwDe-MkJXpjh0c6RzYG_RzI0Sb6REqSxvVCfNW6Yw1hgSMwRmV8R7S4OxApreLho8nPlTmSXo9kGrloRaGj-bKDszmGNs4Q/s1600/front+left.png" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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The big changes included lots and lots of paint! A coat of primer, two of wall cover, and three different colors for the stencil which we'll get to in a minute. I still need to find a good replacement light fixtures for this spot and possibly add some curtains to the windows. </div>
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Sources: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/dolce-upholstered-accent-arm-chair-orange-white-grid/-/A-14431134#prodSlot=medium_1_8">Chair: Target</a>, <a href="http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials-ottoman-dark-grey/-/A-14741588#prodSlot=medium_1_51&term=ottoman">Ottoman:Target</a>, Pillows: HomeGoods</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvQbHpQMSHyRj4cTu3bka4-EGXIsPxP2WZ6J5HqGmgudVy5YMjE7tBiX53GZfUKonBfy9jFiO4bZc35pwW8M42GVCoIX_oKj1mlT63RSLFTxwPrjDmzn-Q6gxy5nQs6Gm6LQO3Be7MlM/s1600/front+right.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvQbHpQMSHyRj4cTu3bka4-EGXIsPxP2WZ6J5HqGmgudVy5YMjE7tBiX53GZfUKonBfy9jFiO4bZc35pwW8M42GVCoIX_oKj1mlT63RSLFTxwPrjDmzn-Q6gxy5nQs6Gm6LQO3Be7MlM/s1600/front+right.png" height="640" width="490" /></a></div>
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I told you the flat file made it! I probably should have included a photo of the amazingness that is the storage of that thing. Maybe another day. And yes, that's a 48" paper cutter also scored for free. Gotta love engineering offices. We added a sanded and urethaned piece of plywood to the top. I liked using plywood and even picked out a sheet with the stamps still on the wood.</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-White-2-in-Faux-Wood-Blind-64-in-Length-Price-Varies-by-Size-10793478068289/100139932?N=5yc1vZbc8b">Blinds: HomeDepot</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFBzuodrB-wfpNBkksqop38kiO9JGACbChBpd0JFeJhx2RxeqgH8jDdkao_tPSg7SVpDzcxzlHvHxtZ5ROD03XL0rpJQLzgNig-HvZhPfls3rXCpkIp183rfcJDjRD82l8bzS78BPO2A/s1600/doorways.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFBzuodrB-wfpNBkksqop38kiO9JGACbChBpd0JFeJhx2RxeqgH8jDdkao_tPSg7SVpDzcxzlHvHxtZ5ROD03XL0rpJQLzgNig-HvZhPfls3rXCpkIp183rfcJDjRD82l8bzS78BPO2A/s1600/doorways.png" height="640" width="474" /></a></div>
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Ah! My little triangles, I love them. I've always loved orange and thought the dark minty green was a fun vintage way to add a second color to the otherwise very neutral room. Let's talk colors:</div>
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Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Lacey Pearl in eggshell finish</div>
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Trim & White Triangle Color: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace in semi-gloss finish</div>
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Orange Triangles & Closet: Glidden Juicy Cantaloupe in Satin</div>
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Green/Blue Triangles: Martha Stewart Duck's Egg Blue</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/194620207">Stencil: Etsy </a> (we can talk more about how to another day)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDDsc-we10tJC5Cn67vXM_VnQtDAhM7e_2XHA16IP0bJ9cLPeDzUkrqf_0L_Ngd8yhBlgmpvx4CRRVFySvwcnKH5-as8IYaKlv56VD6Z3LvbpYECUubZj2XDSy6BSLXzw8MNmvT2yNHs/s1600/final+photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDDsc-we10tJC5Cn67vXM_VnQtDAhM7e_2XHA16IP0bJ9cLPeDzUkrqf_0L_Ngd8yhBlgmpvx4CRRVFySvwcnKH5-as8IYaKlv56VD6Z3LvbpYECUubZj2XDSy6BSLXzw8MNmvT2yNHs/s1600/final+photo.png" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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I got so much storage out of this place! The closet renovation was a huge transformation. I don't have any before photos, but I basically took a closet that hasn't been touched since 1950, cleaned it, painted it, and added<a href="http://www.flor.com/?gclid=CjkKEQjwwbCcBRCxvJn9-N6dorwBEiQAVriOiuiVDrp4_ZtLrRG7zi1rErt6sM6dteOIa3R6I-Y-Oi_w_wcB"> carpet</a>. To the left in that image, the closet it actually about 2' deep and Matt added shelves and I organized my supplies in tons of storage boxes. Though I think they are a bit expensive, I added the obligatory Raskog cart in this craft room. I'm using it for my sewing needs. When it's time to sew I can put that right next to my work table.</div>
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I'm in love with this space, and have already not had many chances to use it. Have you ever had the rare opportunity in your adult life to design a room just for you? Any favorite parts out there? My favorite are the triangles. I also love that though this is a craft room, the storage I'm using puts everything away. I feel craft rooms often look cluttered. Confession: I only have 2 rolls of washi tape... so maybe that explains it.</div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-3346781451036609092014-05-05T16:18:00.000-07:002014-05-05T16:18:28.087-07:00Growing Hops in New EnglandIf you follow <strike>us</strike> Meg on <a href="http://instagram.com/p/nlc28RCbbr/">Instagram</a> you've recently seen an update on our hop vines. I'm hoping that if you're reading this post, we don't have to explain what hops are - just that we live in New England and we have a few growing on the side of our house. As home brewers and gardeners, growing our own hops was a natural progression in the "farm to <strike>table</strike> glass" movement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IbzyP_755gFStnnt8CXp3LgCr9cUrIzUL5UmEhZnR8xNam1FUYhqi-TrMASUiOXNG9hbusBJnvvFCK6jG378qRE525Wt8fLfZWLPuhVIkJsCBl7SihWtCs-fu3W3gozzSU_UUXV0uh0/s1600/growing+hops+in+New+England.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IbzyP_755gFStnnt8CXp3LgCr9cUrIzUL5UmEhZnR8xNam1FUYhqi-TrMASUiOXNG9hbusBJnvvFCK6jG378qRE525Wt8fLfZWLPuhVIkJsCBl7SihWtCs-fu3W3gozzSU_UUXV0uh0/s1600/growing+hops+in+New+England.png" height="640" width="530" /></a></div>
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We've asked many people, and read many articles about growing hops, and wanted to take some time to share what we've learned along the way in our now five year hop growing adventure. This post is not a tutorial on how to grow hops. We just want to provide honest answers to help you in your own hop growing process. </div>
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<b>"In New England, hops rhizomes must be started indoors" - BUSTED</b></div>
<div>
During our five year hops adventure we started the rhizomes inside twice. We started them inside perfect 2 gallon buckets, just like the home brew store told us to. We lost all of these hop vines after transplanting them outside. Just get them outside - our third attempt we went directly outside, and those are the hop vines we still have growing today. Also - see below at the speed these guys grow. Do you have room in your house for "seedlings" that are 7 feet tall?!</div>
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<b>"Rhizomes need to be ordered ahead of time" - PLAUSIBLE</b></div>
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We've ordered Rhizomes twice, and just picked them up once. This all depends on your home brew store and how they like to run the show. Since the rhizomes need to be refrigerated until planted, most will only order what they know their customers will purchase. To be on the safe side, put a reminder in your phone to call your home brew store the end for <b>FEBRUARY </b>and ask.</div>
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<b>"You have to start hop Rhizomes in March" - BUSTED</b></div>
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Early March is typically when home brew stores receive their rhizome orders. And then they will likely tell you to start them indoors as soon as you get home, see above. After picking up your rhizomes keep them in your refrigerator in a zip lock with a wet paper towel and plant directly outdoors once all chances of frost are gone. Again, this could be April, and that's OK.</div>
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<b>"You can watch hop vines grow, they grow so fast" - CONFIRMED</b></div>
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After your hop shoots peek up from the soil they will grow fast! Sometimes 1" - 3" a day! Which is just about fast enough to watch them grow. Or at least measure them ever hour and see a noticeable change.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr2yYMflYOIOcY18Qli0EbOZAE3YETciRXumMHNqW5sR2yvHUTqtNTWiyUlQHDWd5_O32x8LgB84ajPz0mA2MDADlDlMP0IjGCW9PZ5AEP_Tnmny_Yvo2GKJ0iKSsc3ZLLx4i9cy_fMc/s1600/DSC03732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr2yYMflYOIOcY18Qli0EbOZAE3YETciRXumMHNqW5sR2yvHUTqtNTWiyUlQHDWd5_O32x8LgB84ajPz0mA2MDADlDlMP0IjGCW9PZ5AEP_Tnmny_Yvo2GKJ0iKSsc3ZLLx4i9cy_fMc/s1600/DSC03732.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the hops are looking like right now - early May.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>"After three years, we can finally use the crop to make our own beer" - PLAUSIBLE</b></div>
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We're on year three, so we can't confirm this quite yet. What we can confirm is that year one and two didn't yield much. We enjoyed them as an ornamental plant and hope to see a bigger yield this year.</div>
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<b>"They must smell amazing in your garden" - BUSTED</b></div>
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This our favorite one. Hops only smell great when the oils in the cones are crushed up and they only get crushed up when you pick them to make beer. So no, our garden does not smell like a brewery. (At least not until we add spent grain to the compost bin.)</div>
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<b>"Hop vines love and need lots of sun" - CONFIRMED</b></div>
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If you're going to grow these guys and want to eventually make some beer with them, give them the love they deserve. Hop vines should get the spot on your property that gets sun all day long; tomatoes and basil will have to take a back seat. Our vines get shade half the day, but we plan to move them once we can add a pergola and believe that will increase the yield once they can finally have their full sun.</div>
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<b>"Hop vines can grow up to 20' tall!" - CONFIRMED</b></div>
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Be prepared for this. Hop vines will travel clockwise around a twine guide - we attach ours to the roof.</div>
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So are you going to do it?! or do you already have hop vines growing in your own garden? I'd love for you to share your own hop growing myths either confirmed or busted. Especially if your are a New England hop gardener. Cheers!</div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-74122518789973530182014-04-23T17:18:00.001-07:002014-04-23T17:18:35.646-07:00Travel - A Weekend in Newport, RI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just about every March/April Matt and I get "the itch." Our New England winter has been long, work has kept us away from each other much more than 50 hours a week, and we desperately need a way to recharge. Last year we took a long weekend in Vermont after "the itch." This year we headed back to a familiar favorite, Newport, Rhode Island.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matt and I met in college at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI. And though we don't visit there often, we still enjoy coming back to one of our favorite Rhode Island towns. We've also discovered that the off season is a great time to travel here to beat the Newport summer crowds of popped collar, Sperry wearing, tourists. You can also score some excellent rates on hotels, and we timed it with restaurant week to try more of Newport's great restaurants at more competitive prices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We want to share our travel stories more often - to share what we like (possibly don't like) and hope you can take some of our tips on your own trip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Where to Stay</u>: </b>So far we have two favorites from our stays in Newport, and once learned the Best Western is a no go! Don't do it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.theattwater.com/">The Attwater</a>: </b>This trip was our first time at The Attwater, a Boutique Lark Hotel close to downtown Newport and we're in love! We scored 30% off their regular rates by spotting the Hotel on <a href="http://www.jetsetter.com/invite/113606799azcvje7thhn">jetsetter.com</a>. This place is a blogger's dream! The room was large and everything was spotless and so comfortable. They include a small breakfast which was just enough to get our day going and not spoil a restaurant week lunch. We also took full advantage of the mid afternoon treats and lattes. Another win for Newport - this hotel includes parking! Year round!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.hotelviking.com/newport-hotel-deals?gclid=CJGO2b274L0CFZFcfgodPyEA6w#bn/?_vsrefdom=hotelviking-ppc">The Hotel Viking</a>: </b>We've stayed here in the past, but only if we could find a discounted rate. They are also part of a Boutique Hotel group - Noble House Hotels & Resorts. We like the Viking, it is a very historic part of Newport. Hanging out at the hotel bar makes us feel part of the swanky Newport. If you're staying here, we recommend the newer hotels rooms, and not the historic suites. They also don't commonly include parking or breakfast, but you can ask!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>What to Do</u>: </b> There are so many great things to do in Newport, the beaches, Cliff Walk, the mansion tours but we don't want to overwhelm anyone headed there just for a weekend so we'll share our favorite highlights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.newportstorm.com/index2.php">Newport Storm Brewery & Newport Distilling Co</a>: </b>Our relationship was built on Friday night dates to Newport Storm Brewery for beer tastings in college. They are Rhode Island's only microbrewery and make some extremely great beer in their new facility. If you're not into beer, they also offer a Rum tasting - distilled in house! AND featured on Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe! If you go ask for Brent and tell him Meg and Matt sent you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.newportvineyards.com/">Newport Vineyards</a>: </b>I don't know what it is about vineyards, but we just love to visit them. Newport Vineyard is nothing like what you'll see in a big wine country, but it's pretty impressive that they grow all of their own grapes for their wines. It's worth a stop for a tasting and perhaps a tour. They have a wine variety for everyone, and they are excellent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://armoryantiquesnewport.com/">The Armory Antiques</a>: </b>A trip to Newport is not complete for us without a stop in The Armory Antique store. Most of their goods are nautical because of the location. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Thames Street Shopping: </b>Downtown Newport is full of both main stream (Banana Republic) and eclectic shopping. And if you're in town before May 1st, all of the metered parking is free!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://normanbirdsanctuary.org/">Norman Bird Sanctuary</a>: </b>We didn't stop here on this past trip, but if you have a hike in your schedule, the Norman Bird Sanctuary is nearby and you can hike to some pretty amazing views of the beaches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ocean Drive & <a href="http://www.fortadams.org/">Fort Adams</a>: </b>Looking for your dream home? Exploring Ocean Drive and Fort Adams is a quiet drive, perfect for Sunday morning before you need to head home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Where to Eat</u>:</b> There must be over 100 restaurants in Newport and the surrounding area and honestly, about 75% of them are really good. We're highlighting our favorites:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://perrosalado.com/">Perro Salado</a>: </b>Open for dinner, Perro Salado is located in an old home and serves rustic mexican. This is a great spot for a romantic dinner if you like spicy food and amazing cocktails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://midtownoyster.com/">Midtown Oyster</a>: </b>We ended up here for lunch, where we had the Midtown Burger, a quality cheeseburger with fried oysters. If fried seafood or a classic pub burger is what you're craving head here. The beer list is extensive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.flukewinebar.com/">Fluke wine bar & kitchen</a>: </b>If you looking for something romantic, but don't want to end up with the "yuppie" crowd at Bowen's, try Fluke. The menu was extremely eclectic and worth the trip if you want to eat something you'd never attempt cooking at home. Fluke also has a great wine list and cocktail menu including some great non alcoholic options.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://brickalley.com/">Brick Alley Pub</a>: </b>This would be the pub to visit with a crowd! The menu has lots of variety and everyone loves the salad bar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://aidanspub.com/">Aidan's</a>: </b>Now we're venturing outside of Newport. Aidan's is located downtown Bristol and as long as you avoid it after 10pm you won't run into too much of a college crowd. Aidan's is always full of locals who just want some great Irish pub grub. And again - they feature an extensive beer menu and long tap list. (do you see a trend?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.westmainpizzari.com/">West Main Pizza</a>: </b>In between Newport and Bristol you'll find West Main Pizza. They won't tell me the recipe, but the crust makes this pizza the best we've ever had. Even when we're not hungry we stop because nobody else does it like them. Our favorite is the Blue Cow Pizza - topped with hamburger, bacon and blue cheese sauce.</span></div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-41855969209118138222014-04-09T09:18:00.003-07:002014-04-09T09:18:44.223-07:002014 Goals Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">The first three months of 2014 have come and gone. And I'm completely fine with that because they have been COLD! I know winters are cold and snowy in New England, but I feel like the winter of 2014 was colder for a longer period of time and I think everyone is ready for sun, warmth, and good old New England humidity! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">I wanted to do a three month check in on our goals. Mostly to keep us accountable, but to share in case you follow our blog and are curious. You'll see we haven't made progress on everything, but I'm OK with that. We've been through some "stuff" these past three months that I'd categorize as "big life stuff." And through it all, we're still standing and happy, and that's an accomplishment that I'm very proud of. Add to that the goals we were able to start and I'd say we're going to have a very strong 2014.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">18 Preston Goals</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Complete our exterior painting project - <b>We're still waiting on the weather. Hopefully we'll get started mid to late April.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Hire an electrician (and our first official contractor) - <b>Another item waiting on the weather. We haven't tackled many big home improvement projects in these first few months of 2014.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Share 52 blog posts this year (anyone notice the little face lift!) - <b>We've been pretty slow on this one, but have lots of great ideas in the pipeline. Now is just time and motivation to share them with all of you!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Matt's Goals</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Complete an obstacle race - <b>Hasn't signed up yet, but boot camp starts soon!</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Finish a basement overhaul - <b>Began the planning phase. Once it warms up and we can move items to the garage for staging during the basement overhaul we'll get started on the execution phase.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Have our first Tag Sale - <b>Another item waiting on that warm weather, but we're super excited for a yard sale to purge!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Workout every weekend - <b>Been on a few runs, but again, the weather the beginning of 2014 hasn't been very motivating.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Meg's Goals</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Practice Yoga - <b>Excited to stay this is on track. Got off to a slow start, but now that I "get it" I practice 2-3 times per week.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Finish converting the upstairs room to a craft/office space - </span></span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Excited to also confirm this is pretty much done! Some small items are left, but for the most part the room is completely redone and functioning as a beautiful crafting space. </span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Have our first Yard Sale (for those of your who didn't grow up in Connecticut) - </span><b style="color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Another item waiting on that warm weather, but we're super excited for a yard sale to purge!</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">- Workout every weekend - <b>This didn't start in January, but my yoga practice has me at the yoga studio every weekend and now that nice weather is starting to peek out here and there we've managed a few long neighborhood walks.</b></span></span>Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-47557456171290028312014-03-12T16:39:00.002-07:002014-03-12T16:39:30.042-07:002014 Vegetable Garden Planning<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone else has said it, so I will chime in too. This winter has been awful and I think it's taking a toll on myself and everyone I love. Everyone is so cranky!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, in the spirit of looking forward I started my vegetable garden planning this week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This will be the third year for our vegetable garden and so far we've gotten mixed results. 2012 was amazing! The garden just flourished and we were eating tomatoes, zucchini, and squash for weeks. Last year the tomatoes and peppers did pretty well, but everything else completely crapped out. Gardening takes work, so I change the game plan slightly each year in an effort in making my hard work to go good use.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Vegetable Garden</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Garden Bed</u>: I garden in a 4' x 10' raised bed built from landscape timbers that usually go on sale at Home Depot in March or April. They are fastened together with some pieces of rebar that go through and into the ground. The bottom of the bed is lined with chicken wire and landscape fabric. The first year we had the dirt delivered (and of course the truck just couldn't reach to dump in right in the garden bed,) and each year we now add compost and fertilizer in the spring and till the soil frequently until we can plant.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Seeds or Plants?</u> I start just about everything by seed. It's worked in the past, it's cheap and easy, and honestly, the process of seed to plant to fruit to belly is as close as I've had the chance to get to the miracle of child birth. And it's magical.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepper plants - 2013</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Planning</u>: Year one was a free for all, whatever fit where is what I went with. At times the garden may have looked a bit overgrown, (see above) but it did so well! Last year I tried the square foot gardening technique and swapped everything around since (apparently) rotation is important and we had a less than stellar year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In 2014 I happened across this little online planning tool, <a href="http://www.smartgardner.com/">smartgardener.com </a> and I'm going to go with some of their suggestions, specifically with my timing. We are a Zone 6 area (to get technical on you) and their website does a great job visually showing me when to start what and where.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I totally would have started the basil indoors too soon, and transplanted way too early. Because we had such a crappy winter I'm likely going to stay on the end of each scale provided. So in the basil example, I'll seed mid April and plan on transplanting to the garden the first week of June.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>What are you planting</u>?! This year I'm sticking to what has been easy for me in the past, plus a few experiments. Below is a rough idea of the plan in the space I have. I have a large perennial (aka, low maintenance!) herb garden somewhere else that we'll talk about in another post. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 Garden Plan</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><b>Tomatoes</b></u>: who doesn't plant tomatoes in a home garden?! I've gone both the plant and seed route with these guys before. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Cherry Tomatoes</u>: I will likely buy a plant, so I can eat them very very quickly!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Sweet Grape Tomatoes</u>: I've had great success with seed, so going that way again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Yellow Pearl Tomatoes</u>: </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've had great success with seed, so going that way again</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Notice I stuck to the small varieties. We'll eat them the most, and I know then ripen quickly and produce all summer with proper pruning. I don't want to waste space with big guys that take all summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Greens</u>: I've done all kinds including romaine, mixed greens, rainbow chard, (literally just for it's looks) and arugula.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year I'm only going to plant what we eat - <u>Mixed Greens, Kale, and Arugula</u>. Greens are super easy and fast growing, I'll start from seed directly in the garden in May. <b><i> The sun in my garden faces from the top of that diagram, just about all day. It's good to know where your sun is. In my plan I know my tomatoes will block that sun and create shade for my greens! Greens to best in the spring when it's still cool around here and with partial shade during the day!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Carrots</u>: I've failed at these twice so far, but I'm not a wimp and I'm hoping the third time is the charm. (Does anyone have any carrot growing tips?!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Annual Herbs</u>: </b>I love perennials because they are low maintenance and lots of herbs are actually perennials in our zone. For annual herbs I typically only plant the basics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Basil</u>: This the only herb I'll start indoors. Since it will eventually have a big stock like a tomato I will give it a head start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Cilantro</u>: Last year I discovered this lasts through the first frost?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Parsley</u>: I'm really just hoping it's going to serve me well through a frost like the cilantro!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Cucumbers</u>: pickling variety only. These have been a struggle for me. Though, I got new seeds and I'm going to make another effort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><b>Squash</b>:</u> Year one I picked squash the size of my leg out of my garden! Last year, I think I got two, total! We can make entire meals of this veggie during the summer. I'm really hoping they do well. I think I'll start them inside and then milk carton green house them just after the transplant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>Beans</u>: </b>Last year I planted these just so my neighbor's daughter could have something to take care of. They love my garden. But they were so delicious and I'm really just planting them to be a snack during all my hard work.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic - 2013</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that was a long winded post! Who hung in there? Let's do an ice breaker, <u>if you could plant one veggie and be guaranteed it would flourish, what would it be?</u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please at least take away the tip of finding your sun and playing with it and different height veggies to make a small garden work for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I pick giant pumpkin!</span></div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-72438970316929238462014-03-10T15:52:00.000-07:002014-03-10T16:08:07.975-07:002014 House Update - Dining Room<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Continuing some of our home updates in celebration our 2 year homeiversary. We shared our <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-house-update-kitchen.html">kitchen updates</a> a few weeks ago and we're moving onto the dining room. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">First, the inspiration for the room started on Pinterest, of course!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while it is still quite the work in progress, we've certainly come a long way from our <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2012/04/dining-room-progress.html">yellow walls</a> with nine paint pot samples to pick from!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebC3g1LYjsdApewWl3U8ltuDzZvbX9v-k9Bn7O-jLJLD_by4i2uiu5MP8pUQXMj9jjAaNtubOSFkm3FQvKQzZcc8VUaRYapRG3uAZ4VLb-T17nxiQd61iptuJE3ohCcaH_q1EHI1Tbzo/s1600/DSC05653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebC3g1LYjsdApewWl3U8ltuDzZvbX9v-k9Bn7O-jLJLD_by4i2uiu5MP8pUQXMj9jjAaNtubOSFkm3FQvKQzZcc8VUaRYapRG3uAZ4VLb-T17nxiQd61iptuJE3ohCcaH_q1EHI1Tbzo/s1600/DSC05653.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moving the coffee and espresso machines was another Pinterest inspiration. Matt has quite the collection of coffee brewing methods including the espresso machine percolator, french press, and his current favorite, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW">Cold Brew Tody system</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Let's run down the list of goals for the dining room and take note of where we've come in the past two years:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dining Room</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strike style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Paint walls</strike><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> - We used Behr Scotland Road</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strike style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2012/07/dining-room-art-update.html"><span style="color: #222222;">D</span>ining Room Gallery Art Wall</a></strike><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> - we're still switching out the art about twice a year</span></span><br />
<strike style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add Coffee bar with hanging hooks for mugs</span></strike><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><strike>Find a rug</strike> - we went with <a href="http://www.flor.com/?gclid=CMen3YKKib0CFfNxOgodwXcA0A">FLOR</a> tiles</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">New Chandelier</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Upholster</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> the inside fabric panels of the china cabinet (I even bought the fabric!)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Extend the china cabinet into the kitchen so it's two sided</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Purchase new kegorator (current would move to future deck)</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add custom millwork surrounding kegorator with wine storage. Similar to <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/kitchen/design-ideas-for-kitchen-shelving-and-racks/pictures/page-5.html">this idea</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">And after all of these updates, we hardly even use this room!!! Does anyone else just walk by the dining room and never actually eat in in? The plus side is that this is the cleanest room in the house!</span></span>Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-87918108523554282142014-01-26T17:00:00.000-08:002014-01-26T17:00:03.605-08:002014 House Update - KitchenNow that we've passed our 2 year homeiversary, we thought it would be fun to share where each of our rooms have come since moving in and where we are headed. Over the next few months (remember, we usually only blog about once a week) we'll be sharing a room update.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2014 House Update - Kitchen</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxVfUMdh-HL5sJ3YPXkNSnnBtERG9HqNmbSYrERPIy2kBdc-iX_wZbHRQyQdJNceReFToEuZU9BRFvNYJg8KhdBM5WubQfs0wprTgC1m1S7dj06SxDjbQvroY0p8CNJLFuZZmFcDXDOI/s1600/DSC05630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxVfUMdh-HL5sJ3YPXkNSnnBtERG9HqNmbSYrERPIy2kBdc-iX_wZbHRQyQdJNceReFToEuZU9BRFvNYJg8KhdBM5WubQfs0wprTgC1m1S7dj06SxDjbQvroY0p8CNJLFuZZmFcDXDOI/s1600/DSC05630.JPG" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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There were actually lots of kitchen updates this past fall. Above you can see a sneak peak of some new stools in the bottom right, some very colorful artwork, and if you're good maybe you spotted the new oven! Below is the other corner of the kitchen where the new island is!!!! Forget what the kitchen looked like before? <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2012/04/house-tour-continued.html">Check out our kitchen in 2012 here!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Tnc5VWAJ_n5ziJE54sgV3ktgoc0OYJKB3pn4MDW8AIhrT0y_1pnK8pvvs5pYpSj9Ql4f8Bn_Y6XUcyzYeGHmRV0pBKrG_Quc3LdZSLrWaU9P8z18-BZ2dSlzlIeIlfBdbQw9sO9bV4M/s1600/DSC05635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Tnc5VWAJ_n5ziJE54sgV3ktgoc0OYJKB3pn4MDW8AIhrT0y_1pnK8pvvs5pYpSj9Ql4f8Bn_Y6XUcyzYeGHmRV0pBKrG_Quc3LdZSLrWaU9P8z18-BZ2dSlzlIeIlfBdbQw9sO9bV4M/s1600/DSC05635.JPG" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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Let's run down the list of goals for the kitchen and take note of where we've come in the past two years:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kitchen</span><br />
<strike>Paint walls</strike> - We used Benjamin Moore Gray Owl<br />
<strike><a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2012/05/command-center.html">Kitchen command center</a></strike> - You'll see in the photos, this is still going strong and we love it.<br />
- Add in wall charges for iPhone docks<br />
<strike><a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2012/05/closet-make-over.html">Mini mudroom</a></strike><br />
- Paint/finish bottom framed portion of mudroom<br />
<strike>Artwork for wall</strike>s - love my large framed kitchen towel! and clipboard art<br />
<strike>New range</strike><br />
<strike>Add more counter space or island with new kitchen stools</strike><br />
<strike>Tile Backsplash</strike><br />
Install new light fixtures, possibly add recessed lighting<br />
Update other appliances in the future, primarily the refrigerator and adding a hood above stove<br />
Update sink faucet and possibly add hospital pedals<br />
Extend the china cabinet into the kitchen so it's two sided<br />
Replace the granite counter tops<br />
Replace the kitchen floor tile<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm1383m1GF_pfShWOHChIH3Ap_L5d7bLrWhRFtNY_hAWBLFYoD7Lwx5mZgNsZCHwtiQjV4E-sSuZPN2mMBve2EF8xUSccQk5IY5ZkAKzLU_4pNzQhYJi_LNjNzgd1JJIpDrAr491P88w/s1600/artwork.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm1383m1GF_pfShWOHChIH3Ap_L5d7bLrWhRFtNY_hAWBLFYoD7Lwx5mZgNsZCHwtiQjV4E-sSuZPN2mMBve2EF8xUSccQk5IY5ZkAKzLU_4pNzQhYJi_LNjNzgd1JJIpDrAr491P88w/s1600/artwork.png" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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The artwork is new this year. The large poster frame I scored at Michael's at a buy one, get one sale. It was originally black, but was spray painted a gloss white. The print inside is actually a dish towel from Crate and Barrel! The clip board where I mount recipes I'm going to make now has a permanent print for when I'm not cooking. This is a Meg Kearney original.</div>
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The command center is still going strong and we use it all the time! The cell phones still don't actually have built in charges yet, which is a good think, because we would have needed to change it for the 5's!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrmyYA5aREvuMaLlNwKQByoPNpbZ7veTE5K-87mLVjokPM2EEFhMYbVVe3dRM8nacJYmExxn0I3v18Urmz9AG8ltB00Z4TQmy2cSl_vOlb49fBqFRYQoAWfLYk3s0rhUPS0ua5KFk0H4/s1600/DSC05639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrmyYA5aREvuMaLlNwKQByoPNpbZ7veTE5K-87mLVjokPM2EEFhMYbVVe3dRM8nacJYmExxn0I3v18Urmz9AG8ltB00Z4TQmy2cSl_vOlb49fBqFRYQoAWfLYk3s0rhUPS0ua5KFk0H4/s1600/DSC05639.JPG" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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Well, hello there GE Cafe Series Range. I'm a bit obsessed and secretly (or not so secretly! <strike>< </strike> edited by Matt) was so excited when our old range finally kicked the bucket. It was on the list from the beginning to upgrade the Frigidaire range to something a bit higher end. This GE ended up in our price ranges and I couldn't be happier. There is a large center burner and this is also the dual fuel model. I love how consistent the electric oven is and the gas top is a joy to cook on. You can also see the new backsplash in this shot! This is new since move in, but I don't think we've shared it yet. It's a stainless steel subway tile from Lowe's.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaf2yLaQaa7VMjmsw_icKFId01QuzaReTUUBYGaQKodl7z70rkw2WTPWsjj4IVLfpFC8fd_SWdfSalK1uvHjfrmtxEF6rcjXXkCmMDbmG6Awn1aEMApRYPj_8f-KaUqQtCnp-JANNgiU/s1600/DSC05637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaf2yLaQaa7VMjmsw_icKFId01QuzaReTUUBYGaQKodl7z70rkw2WTPWsjj4IVLfpFC8fd_SWdfSalK1uvHjfrmtxEF6rcjXXkCmMDbmG6Awn1aEMApRYPj_8f-KaUqQtCnp-JANNgiU/s1600/DSC05637.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last but not least the new island. We used to have a pub height hand me down table in here, but it was awkward, and certainly not helpful for cooking. We're hoping to share more on the island build - Matt did it all himself! He's become quite the carpenter. It's built of precut/prethreaded black pipe ($200) for the frame. A butcher block top leftover from an IKEA table my parents had ($0) and the shelves Matt built from reclaimed barn board out of my grandmother's basement ($0.)<br />
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There you have it - our updated kitchen two years later. I have to say that I'm very happy. The rest of our list involves a bit more complicated and expensive items (new floors and counter!) so I'm sure those will be much further down the line.<br />
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Have you updated your kitchen? What's your favorite part? What was your money well spent?</div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-92209736140259747352014-01-20T04:00:00.000-08:002014-01-20T03:38:09.773-08:00Progress on the Exterior - Primed before Winter<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can't believe we never shared where we left off before our lovely New England winter on the exterior painting project. As much as it would have felt great to get color on the house, we stopped at fully priming the back side of the house. Priming before winter was a must, thought we will need to do it again in the spring before color because exterior primer is only good for 90 days before a final paint coat is applied. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienN6OBcwZWqljQyJMdn8e4XWApC7t5V4FbHG_PX_e95uCcZnhmkFK57Wr3nipsPoaVvYveQQDhjTV_lKzWrRMKi5bBRVLIyPYeusxUCvcs6ZagpG38hf7EYFJzhUpvIBJO92PaMv3cZI/s1600/DSC04996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienN6OBcwZWqljQyJMdn8e4XWApC7t5V4FbHG_PX_e95uCcZnhmkFK57Wr3nipsPoaVvYveQQDhjTV_lKzWrRMKi5bBRVLIyPYeusxUCvcs6ZagpG38hf7EYFJzhUpvIBJO92PaMv3cZI/s1600/DSC04996.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is the updated to do list broken down:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><u>Project List</u>:</span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scrape any old paint that will come off</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">New paint colors selected</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finish the never ending scraping</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Replace any broken shingles</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">New flashing above lower window</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">New PVC window trim</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sand all cedar shingles</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Flash AC unit</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wash, brush, dry house</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prime everything - 75% complete as of 11/11</span></strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Correct bad flashing job on porch roof (wait until spring when we hire a pro and do a new roof here anyway)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Final coat of paint (if this can't happen, we'll need to prime again in the spring)</span></li>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Remainder of the Exterior Paint Project List for 2014:</span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Continue with Side 2 (scrape/strip paint, repair, sand, clean, prime, paint</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Continue with Side 3 (scrape/strip paint, repair, sand, clean, prime, paint</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Continue with Side 4 (scrape/strip paint, repair, sand, clean, prime, paint</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Paint all trim</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">New fascia boards along eaves</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Install faux eave brackets</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Accent trim and eave bracket detail with third trim color</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Stain front railing (completed in 2012!)</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Below is a reminder if our choice tools on this side of the house and we've added information on the painting products we went with:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><u>Scraping Tools</u>:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Allway-3-in-Bent-Extendable-Scraper-BS3HD/202251540#.UoAHRPmshJw">Huskey bend scraper</a> - Matt's choice </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-14-in-1-Painter-s-Tool-DSX-G14/202038673#.UoAHPPmshJw">Huskey 14 in 1 tool</a> - Meg's choice</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_50631-98-90703-80025_0__?productId=3102447&Ntt=safety+glasses&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dsafety%2Bglasses&facetInfo=">Safety Glasses</a> - we wear safety glasses alot around here, splurge and get yourself a good pair. These are Meg's favorite.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Scraping Update: </b><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Scraping was the hardest of the three main tasks (scraping, sanding, painting) for this project. We read about an environmentally safe paint stripping product that we are planning on trying this spring. Honestly, even it if doesn't work we can't skip at least trying to possible save us from this grueling task again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><u>Sanding Tools:</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-5-in-Random-Orbit-Sander-D26451K/100076641#.UoAIGfmshJw">DeWalt orbiting sander</a> - best sander for the job!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-Mouse-Detail-Sander-MS800B/100671602#.UoAIOPmshJw">The Mouse</a> - only used for the hard to reach spots</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Dry Brush</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Safety Masks & of course safety glasses again - we're using protective respirators rated for harmful dust.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><b>Sanding Notes: </b>sanding honestly wasn't that bad and only took a day for two of us to complete. I think the care we took to sand well, and then clean up all the dust and debris after will help out paint job last a very long time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><u><br /></u></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><u>Priming/Painting Tools:</u></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.californiapaints.com/Find-a-Product/Exterior-Products/Exterior-Paints/2010.aspx">California Paint 2010 Acrylic Exterior Paint</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.californiapaints.com/Find-a-Product/Exterior-Products/Exterior-Primers/Troubleshooter-100-Acrylic-Latex-Primer.aspx">California Paint Trouble Shooter acrylic primer</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">4" wide synthetic brushes</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Safety Glasses & Hats: when working with paint on something as awkward as a house, safety glasses and a hat to protect your hair is a very good idea. This gets just about as messy as painting a ceiling.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><b>Painting Notes: </b>So far we've only primed which is a MUST before winter to protect the home from excess moisture. We will prime it again in the spring, but we were able to complete one side with two people in a 10 hour day. Why aren't we spraying? So many people have asked us this question. For one, our house is not very big and honestly the time it would take to tape everything off would almost equal the handwork we did. Second, some sprayers would need us to thin the paint and we didn't buy the best just to add water to it. And third, with our old and textured cedar shakes we'd need to back brush the entire thing anyway.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">If you liked this post, check out the others regarding our Exterior Paint Project:</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">-<a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/10/biggest-diy-yet.html"> Getting Started</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">- <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/11/progress-on-exterior-sanding-scraping.html">Scraping</a></span></div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-70393658722030522652014-01-12T16:13:00.000-08:002014-01-12T16:13:11.143-08:00One Little Word & 2014 GoalsThis year I've decided to join the folks who do "One Little Word" as a new years resolution kind of goal and then focus their entire year on that word. Many of my goals fit into the word already and it's something that I need to work on for myself. The One Little Word I chose is:<br />
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I plan on using opportunities throughout this year to work on balance at home, at work, and with my health and happiness. I already started with rescheduling my flight home during our trip to San Diego so I could stay one more day and visit Disneyland with my family. <br />
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Matt and I have other goals for 2014, both individually and as a team, but as you'll see, we're keeping the list short, and attainable.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">18 Preston Goals</span><br />
- Complete our exterior painting project<br />
- Hire an electrician (and our first official contractor)<br />
- Share 52 blog posts this year (anyone notice the little face lift!)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Matt's Goals</span><br />
- Complete an obstacle race<br />
- Finish a basement overhaul<br />
- Have our first Tag Sale<br />
- Workout every weekend<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meg's Goals</span><br />
- Practice Yoga<br />
- Finish converting the upstairs room to a craft/office space<br />
- Have our first Yard Sale (for those of your who didn't grow up in Connecticut)<br />
- Workout every weekend<br />
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<br />Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-23305780592164605102013-11-24T16:58:00.004-08:002013-11-24T16:58:52.810-08:00Thanksgiving 2013!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving 2013 is only a few days away!!! This is my Christmas and Super Bowl wrapped into one day, I couldn't be more excited. Is any one else hosting? Or will you get to bring a side dish to somewhere? Keep reading for some great ideas and to find out what we'll be devouring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><u>The Plan</u>: 9 guests - A little bit smaller crowd than last year</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><u>The Place</u>: We have 5 place settings in the dining room and another 4 on a table we have set up on one half of the living room. You do what you have to do.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><u>The Time</u>: honesly, I still haven't planned my day of time line, maybe 2? but they'll be apps in case it ends up being 3</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><u>The Bird</u>: we've ordered a fresh turkey from Whole Foods which I'll be picking up tomorrow after work to start the dry brine!</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><u>To brine or not to brine</u>: dry brining the bird!</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC'; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 40px;">The Menu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">§<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cheese Plate with Walnut Loaf</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">§<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://foodietale.com/?p=378#more-378">Kale Artichoke Dip</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">§<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2013/11/how-to-make-savory-monkey-bread/?soc=fnmsocialpinterest">"Monkey" Bread Rolls</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">§<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Rosemary Lemon & Orange Turkey</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">§<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Traditional Mashed Potatoes<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">§<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/11/bacon-and-bourbon-stuffing-1.html">Bacon and Bourbon Stuffing</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">§<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Dad's Potato Stuffing</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"> The plan this year was to keep things simple and traditional and ask for help where we need it. Mom and Dad are helping with the potato stuffing and they'll be </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">bringing</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"> the cheese for the cheese plate. Grammy and Uncle Mike are in charge or the mixed nuts for the cheese plate, white wine, and brownies. And Jenny and Joe will hopefully bring some beer and the Apple Pie. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4k42DFSWU5SsJ81febw_HiA2sHQgvsQ-3i3FSooG7S_NAHMo5cfHVLvJV-0P-mOHaKupzsklJ1LH15uJeSHielTNYhW8fJzqy-5R_VkMI0RtGBBAfjgE2w1PiX2Ky6kOM9kfAiropMM/s1600/DSC03007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4k42DFSWU5SsJ81febw_HiA2sHQgvsQ-3i3FSooG7S_NAHMo5cfHVLvJV-0P-mOHaKupzsklJ1LH15uJeSHielTNYhW8fJzqy-5R_VkMI0RtGBBAfjgE2w1PiX2Ky6kOM9kfAiropMM/s400/DSC03007.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">How do you split up the meal? I like to do the side dishes as well as the Turkey to keep all the flavors balanced. But I sure love the help of appetizers, dessert, and drinks. I'm hoping with this menu of very traditional items there will be a little less work in the kitchen, and more chatting and family time. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 14px;">What's your favorite part about the holiday? Do you like to host? I'm also looking forward to this years after dinner craft. Last year was candy turkeys!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAh3dmsRkph5KSWGQ1JgVP1K4AcAvJG7KtmJwpadZU5tHmjbLF-MRQr2G8IvPfY11Uz628bNwi7GT83kYe6_m2edeCCbq3cUvQubIlrlWoFntQdLTBD1StdeWXwCgbd8835JfIa3h-CU/s1600/DSC03032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAh3dmsRkph5KSWGQ1JgVP1K4AcAvJG7KtmJwpadZU5tHmjbLF-MRQr2G8IvPfY11Uz628bNwi7GT83kYe6_m2edeCCbq3cUvQubIlrlWoFntQdLTBD1StdeWXwCgbd8835JfIa3h-CU/s400/DSC03032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-1249976735162690882013-11-18T16:24:00.001-08:002014-01-11T16:35:37.593-08:00Yard Sale Flip!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because we're not busy enough with the<a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/11/progress-on-exterior-sanding-scraping.html"> biggest DIY ever</a> I finally refinished one of our yard sale finds last weekend. It was my first soup to nuts furniture renovation and now I'm hooked. I did renovate the $5 Ethan Allen side table we featured in <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/09/guest-bedroom-done.html">the completed guest bedroom</a>, but now I realize spray paint isn't for everything. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiSDQcmHtbMrFUEiRQI68z6tXrUlbpXiHJ3TfkfhMhGwyZPE7oLmSfOISGki-V5OJTKrI_HdFxVnghc_tg7chkNj3965_QTq95dFzZPmrRvtXBF6zLBiOhmL8W_tNIpP7f9MuwJUreOY/s1600/DSC04976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiSDQcmHtbMrFUEiRQI68z6tXrUlbpXiHJ3TfkfhMhGwyZPE7oLmSfOISGki-V5OJTKrI_HdFxVnghc_tg7chkNj3965_QTq95dFzZPmrRvtXBF6zLBiOhmL8W_tNIpP7f9MuwJUreOY/s400/DSC04976.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We found this very basic and very beat up oak coffee table at a yard sale around the corner. And after paying our new neighbor $10 to take it off his hands Matt carried it home. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRcts_Q5gF7XzMdvBqsHXBZ1BfRa4QyCLcNXQaQwvn9mXxFYP8dKXQ3TJkW4f4fO-L6KdyN-18bJKdbygrAeLXzh7fYbjArKiRlPEaNSII8oc46VcaaHzik7grUxYawDXZGxDjbvLmgU/s1600/DSC03730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRcts_Q5gF7XzMdvBqsHXBZ1BfRa4QyCLcNXQaQwvn9mXxFYP8dKXQ3TJkW4f4fO-L6KdyN-18bJKdbygrAeLXzh7fYbjArKiRlPEaNSII8oc46VcaaHzik7grUxYawDXZGxDjbvLmgU/s640/DSC03730.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbHtAQPbhucsLScSkEpYzXdWfhx9gJgmGBgcLTj6dtef_TiMLfZ5e2k5Zgp4EbcohGfh4ctSuJ4BGRNdqPlvk8CaTnFw-4NgRDwg6a94WdlJzL6BHYFFWmH5TCT-LfvqY4hjIAt14wYY/s1600/DSC03728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbHtAQPbhucsLScSkEpYzXdWfhx9gJgmGBgcLTj6dtef_TiMLfZ5e2k5Zgp4EbcohGfh4ctSuJ4BGRNdqPlvk8CaTnFw-4NgRDwg6a94WdlJzL6BHYFFWmH5TCT-LfvqY4hjIAt14wYY/s640/DSC03728.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some quality prep work (</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">which we've become quite good at thanks to having to prep and entire House!) and patience during the painting gave us a beautiful result.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5ovh_4ofCgLnkrh9KhZQ4asiaGLCe6rc4gJVT0DwYA4_dgMTpygUyQKjU_xVTzl9csUjonQpkC_SEjdVaajzi5XzJGh9CQD5lQ3fiA0JW7Jcs5uRj22TfkAwLj-UOZ0cQDnsk1zPpcY/s1600/DSC04978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5ovh_4ofCgLnkrh9KhZQ4asiaGLCe6rc4gJVT0DwYA4_dgMTpygUyQKjU_xVTzl9csUjonQpkC_SEjdVaajzi5XzJGh9CQD5lQ3fiA0JW7Jcs5uRj22TfkAwLj-UOZ0cQDnsk1zPpcY/s640/DSC04978.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmqj3iT-NG0CCdhjp7gd-DuHkdlzm4AJqksu4Podw-piv4JlxuhJqYhM4lbW98RPwHbsSuNvrVxsXRAjhT2ZfA2XLi8dU2LTtUgfMGLD_jKMqtXxNwmHrRs4UYtglMB0tIrMut1zn7Sk/s1600/DSC04980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmqj3iT-NG0CCdhjp7gd-DuHkdlzm4AJqksu4Podw-piv4JlxuhJqYhM4lbW98RPwHbsSuNvrVxsXRAjhT2ZfA2XLi8dU2LTtUgfMGLD_jKMqtXxNwmHrRs4UYtglMB0tIrMut1zn7Sk/s640/DSC04980.JPG" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Though I'd LOVE a coffee table more like <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/origami-coffee-table-g672/?pkey=ccoffee-side-tables&cm_src=coffee-side-tables||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">this one from West Elm</a>, we realize if we'd like to have a family soonish it's completely impractical and will be beat on ferociously. A yard sale find painted with the addition of chalkboard paint will be fun for that time, but until then it will be super fun to label food when we entertain!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The project broke down like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Time</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Hours - sand all surfaces</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 Hour - prime</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Hours - one coat of color and a few coats of chalkboard paint. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Cost:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coffee Table: $10</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Primer: $1 (we had some Gildden Gripper left over, we probably used less than a dollars work.) A gallon is $22</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paint: $15 - we bought a quart of semi-gloss Behr Premium Ultra in BM Adam's Gold. Hardly used any of it - but we did buy the paint just for the project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chalkboard Paint: $2 (again, used leftover)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Total: 5 hours and $28</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you flipped anything scored at a yard sale lately?! We have lots of wooden furniture items we've now collected in the basement, ready for a make over!</span></div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-40013801458535190402013-11-11T05:12:00.000-08:002014-01-11T16:36:33.837-08:00Progress on the Exterior - Sanding & Scraping<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We said it <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/10/biggest-diy-yet.html">once before</a> - this is the biggest and hardest DIY we've taken on yet. The past few weekends we've devoted every daylight hour to our exterior paint job project. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I took our last to do list on this project and combined all the steps so you can see everything all at once.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA1gZ47FK_fUcqOADih8GPbQu4WWiybQgmnY9okaEZsJsgG3Mhj_36hzFFknCukqj7R0W5HAUn5xZbG7mHg_aWg-isXFfFnFxKobC4hXysO6m1JD5Vj-nKf67w170zlz-g21Dr6d8Mk4/s1600/post+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA1gZ47FK_fUcqOADih8GPbQu4WWiybQgmnY9okaEZsJsgG3Mhj_36hzFFknCukqj7R0W5HAUn5xZbG7mHg_aWg-isXFfFnFxKobC4hXysO6m1JD5Vj-nKf67w170zlz-g21Dr6d8Mk4/s640/post+2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of house - fully scraped</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><u>Project List</u>:</span><br />
<ul style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0.5em 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2em; text-align: justify;">
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike>Scrape any old paint that will come off</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike>New paint colors selected</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike>Finish the never ending scraping</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike>Replace any broken shingles</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike>New flashing above lower window</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike>New PVC window trim</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><strike>Sand all cedar shingles</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Prime everything - 75% complete as of 11/11</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Flash AC unit</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Correct bad flashing job on porch roof (wait until spring when we hire a pro and do a new roof here anyway)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Final coat of paint (if this can't happen, we'll need to prime again in the spring)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">New fascia boards along eave (waiting until spring)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f5hTPIvefdgXS7va44gPusLa3zcr1OQEephTCd6iu6vG_fc-wbgolq63gOsBqi3To7HfNw07432G9NKwDUyY0n9p3Hi__Hu_hhFdfdnh-Lvvyt-2-nwmNn09D3XmzkFKkph0EOPqCz0/s1600/little+help.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f5hTPIvefdgXS7va44gPusLa3zcr1OQEephTCd6iu6vG_fc-wbgolq63gOsBqi3To7HfNw07432G9NKwDUyY0n9p3Hi__Hu_hhFdfdnh-Lvvyt-2-nwmNn09D3XmzkFKkph0EOPqCz0/s640/little+help.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad flashes an exterior window the right way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Luckily we've been getting a bit of help from my Dad. Between the three of us I've estimated we've logged about 150 man hours of very difficult labor. </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvAky9SuFnHXWvmTVnhDZYq7oAYOd5iWxofXUo-AnaVyTn0yAdY1IH06HelkoNfPjRgq2TeSolt1aLEYQko0pDosSUrrOg8fifaoxYxfa5ke7y_eZQqxa12kELEYNvMh1DADat0Da1l4/s1600/sanding+like+crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvAky9SuFnHXWvmTVnhDZYq7oAYOd5iWxofXUo-AnaVyTn0yAdY1IH06HelkoNfPjRgq2TeSolt1aLEYQko0pDosSUrrOg8fifaoxYxfa5ke7y_eZQqxa12kELEYNvMh1DADat0Da1l4/s400/sanding+like+crazy.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt finishing sanding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">We also wanted to take this post to share with you the tools we've liked the most while tacking this project.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><u>Scraping Tools</u>:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Allway-3-in-Bent-Extendable-Scraper-BS3HD/202251540#.UoAHRPmshJw">Huskey bend scraper</a> - Matt's choice </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-14-in-1-Painter-s-Tool-DSX-G14/202038673#.UoAHPPmshJw">Huskey 14 in 1 tool</a> - Meg's choice</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_50631-98-90703-80025_0__?productId=3102447&Ntt=safety+glasses&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dsafety%2Bglasses&facetInfo=">Safety Glasses</a> - we wear safety glasses alot around here, splurge and get yourself a good pair. These are Meg's favorite.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><u>Sanding Tools:</u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-5-in-Random-Orbit-Sander-D26451K/100076641#.UoAIGfmshJw">DeWalt orbiting sander</a> - best sander for the job!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DECKER-Mouse-Detail-Sander-MS800B/100671602#.UoAIOPmshJw">The Mouse</a> - only used for the hard to reach spots</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Dry Brush</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Safety Masks - we're using protective respirators rated for harmful dust.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Oh yeah - and though we're trying to forget about it, we are only finishing one of the 4 sides of the house this year...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span></div>
</div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-14081696884206364042013-11-03T17:50:00.005-08:002013-11-03T17:54:25.023-08:00Blogger Pizza Party!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is <a href="http://www.littlenostalgia.blogspot.com/">Paige's</a> third installment of blogger food parties and I've loved everyone of them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Remember the <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/07/shrimp-tacos-wred-cabbage-cilantro-slaw.html">tacos?</a> and <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/09/blogger-chili-party.html">chili?</a> Today Paige asked us to have a party for a food that's had a party about it for a long time - Pizza!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t4JpIOnn6uNfwrHwnSYmZYmB_4et-mn9_BF4w241f5mu6TGRe1_VskFYPIZDCYVsoMhAosDTFaqbMZF1rf6pmYQC54JIEGs-suhNOYQycwwTajAxhyphenhyphen8wN6PIfbiNM14DAQV9u6Q4VRQ/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3t4JpIOnn6uNfwrHwnSYmZYmB_4et-mn9_BF4w241f5mu6TGRe1_VskFYPIZDCYVsoMhAosDTFaqbMZF1rf6pmYQC54JIEGs-suhNOYQycwwTajAxhyphenhyphen8wN6PIfbiNM14DAQV9u6Q4VRQ/s400/pizza.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BBQ Chicken Pizza with
Arugula</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So,
this recipe is only half mine. The BBQ
pulled chicken is something I saw on Food Network by <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/pulled-bbq-chicken-sandwiches-recipe/index.html">Ellie Krieger</a>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We love the BBQ sauce from
this recipe and that is uses a store bought roasted chicken, great when you
have very little time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another great
part is that if you get a large chicken you’ll get at least two meals out of
this for a family of four.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(We’re not a
family of four yet, we just eat like one!)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So make the BBQ pulled
chicken sandwiches and save your left overs for this great pizza!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">BBQ Chicken Pizza with Arugula Salad<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep time: 10 min<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cook Time: 15-20 min<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cups of leftover BBQ
pulled chicken <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/pulled-bbq-chicken-sandwiches-recipe/index.html">(recipe here)</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 ½ - 2 cups of smoked mozzarella
cheese, shredded<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 premade pizza dough such
as buttoni<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup Arugula<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">pinch of salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Juice of ¼ a lime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive
Oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preheat your oven to 400
degrees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We use the premade pizza
dough here instead of raw dough because it stands up better to the loads of BBQ
chicken we add on. Top pizza dough with
BBQ chicken, then smoked mozzarella and cook for about 15-20 minutes. While
the pizza cooks, prepare the arugula salad.
Combine salt, lime juice, and oil in the bottom of a bowl, toss with arugula. Top the pizza with Arugula salad before
slicing. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT6aFXqmFlc1GFH-QumzP0aQUWA04e8KEWaTg01Ak7_lHX8GKa6MV2cDMuU1vhJjYrd-o_d6YpzeD1tR54lAzUTr7Q4l3dKWvGF2-1QIOQq4qRtEG7vWCYXNbo2xrnCG5w6zzDwc0UXg/s1600/Arugula+salas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT6aFXqmFlc1GFH-QumzP0aQUWA04e8KEWaTg01Ak7_lHX8GKa6MV2cDMuU1vhJjYrd-o_d6YpzeD1tR54lAzUTr7Q4l3dKWvGF2-1QIOQq4qRtEG7vWCYXNbo2xrnCG5w6zzDwc0UXg/s400/Arugula+salas.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make sure you check out the Pizza's our blogger friends made in honor of today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paige from <a href="http://www.littlenostalgia.blogspot.com/">Little Nostalgia</a></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kristen from <a href="http://www.miloandmolly.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Milo and Molly</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heidi from <a href="http://www.rowhouse14.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Rowhouse14</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Marilyn from <a href="http://pulpsushi.typepad.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Pulp Sushi</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Meg from <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">18 Preston</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kelsey from <a href="http://www.belikethefox.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Be Like the Fox</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And just to remind you one more time - the sandwiches are delicious as well! Enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-LN6KRvCCijKjBBWkjc-Ic_xl8v4prw5LPs2OLu7rUqEd9X_y5yy20yqR3JcD2kjdUkJR3LPw5tV0hJpUwRTnlX599_JXPjH-HdhqN8dpd5hK1tCpgWa3YOEAGMDbNZVl6CqPswmFGA/s1600/sandwiches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-LN6KRvCCijKjBBWkjc-Ic_xl8v4prw5LPs2OLu7rUqEd9X_y5yy20yqR3JcD2kjdUkJR3LPw5tV0hJpUwRTnlX599_JXPjH-HdhqN8dpd5hK1tCpgWa3YOEAGMDbNZVl6CqPswmFGA/s640/sandwiches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-27760183389824486682013-10-14T16:29:00.002-07:002014-01-11T16:36:56.017-08:00Biggest DIY yet!Yes - you're seeing that correctly. We have taken on a full exterior paint job as a do it yourself project. I can't say we won't hire a professional before this whole thing is done - but for now we are seeing what we can do. We've started on the back side of the house and hope (NEED) to finish this side before our New England Winter shows up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAj0uNIlY1__KGYl6ehzdCVNUhMrWpKPgpxPRJO2W5W6ebfX8yPIQsXly1gqBgqWv-m-xO0thBDKMRfP119ADgSF4xfs3K4ED8Smz1BFNqGCGpdz5jxp63FMTDwydEnmMOqWVxL9shP4/s1600/DSC04808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAj0uNIlY1__KGYl6ehzdCVNUhMrWpKPgpxPRJO2W5W6ebfX8yPIQsXly1gqBgqWv-m-xO0thBDKMRfP119ADgSF4xfs3K4ED8Smz1BFNqGCGpdz5jxp63FMTDwydEnmMOqWVxL9shP4/s1600/DSC04808.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Steps taken so far:<br />
<ul>
<li>Scrape any old paint that will come off</li>
<li>New paint colors selected</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
Steps needed before winter:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Finish the never ending scraping</li>
<li>Sand all cedar shingles</li>
<li>Prime everything</li>
<li>New PVC window trim</li>
<li>Flash AC unit</li>
<li>Correct bad flashing job on porch roof</li>
<li>Final coat of paint (if this can't happen, we'll need to prime again in the spring)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br />
What we've learned so far:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Residing a house is expensive! We've priced out DIY options of just stripping the whole house and starting fresh with new shingles but we have red cedar (which are the best you can buy) and the cost to replace would be crazy.</li>
<li>Don't caulk between every single shingle. Sealing up the whole house with caulk = a house that can't breathe. And a house that can't breathe = bubbling paint everywhere.</li>
<li>A pressure washer cannot replace human scraping.... bummer.</li>
<li>You get killer calf muscles when you're on a ladder all weekend.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROvO-pFcS1uymQZxSFIQy_ZxZabOkGBgWmQh-wqERAvWoeSeReFwDb2HYurx4IX2jt5i8xdXobQ-nZR9q1xctghWdgEYIG64vls_aor-tb74Zy7i5xGZjmo2U2aVIqJ0oPuaqfb-yd38/s1600/DSC04809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROvO-pFcS1uymQZxSFIQy_ZxZabOkGBgWmQh-wqERAvWoeSeReFwDb2HYurx4IX2jt5i8xdXobQ-nZR9q1xctghWdgEYIG64vls_aor-tb74Zy7i5xGZjmo2U2aVIqJ0oPuaqfb-yd38/s1600/DSC04809.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scraping supply bucket: safety glasses, variety of scrapers, bee spray!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We have a decent routine now for set up, clean up, and take down each night so that we're not spending too much time setting up our work space each day. We'll keep you updated as we progress and what else we learn in the process.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrry-7M6ZQyHSg8ZogfAIXJN9XJQp-6E7RoX7VAjmyZUMudtyrN9-32tmkMLKZQcUdPz7Cayz5fPPXsFj1kpX6OjJy17_aPv8AiGowH12K0opHx6HlcpuOcqONuwRYPTQnuUibgRmAVtg/s1600/DSC04811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrry-7M6ZQyHSg8ZogfAIXJN9XJQp-6E7RoX7VAjmyZUMudtyrN9-32tmkMLKZQcUdPz7Cayz5fPPXsFj1kpX6OjJy17_aPv8AiGowH12K0opHx6HlcpuOcqONuwRYPTQnuUibgRmAVtg/s1600/DSC04811.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-59146600934569877632013-10-04T05:10:00.000-07:002014-01-11T16:37:30.628-08:00Smoked Garlic Mushrooms<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smoked Garlic
Mushrooms<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: start;">We eat these as just a side dish; they also go great as steak, chicken, or burger toppings</span><span style="text-align: start;">.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoRXZQYVb1uN7gL1EIZcLkyVXdFZwyqA9rjdC8_y3e_JuizSZx-XLsER_zQ9dRpPY7vB2fGspNSe6cWG8Be9fSjZJlqdYnY3FhJwiXJK1qOKCaAf6WfyOVXBo3_RKromqWwzn8qARwdw/s1600/Smoked+Garlic+Mushrooms.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoRXZQYVb1uN7gL1EIZcLkyVXdFZwyqA9rjdC8_y3e_JuizSZx-XLsER_zQ9dRpPY7vB2fGspNSe6cWG8Be9fSjZJlqdYnY3FhJwiXJK1qOKCaAf6WfyOVXBo3_RKromqWwzn8qARwdw/s640/Smoked+Garlic+Mushrooms.png" height="640" width="638" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep Time: 10 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cook Time: 20 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1lb Baby Bella Mushrooms – sliced (you can use button
mushrooms, but bellas are the best)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Garlic Cloves – minced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tbsp Unsalted Butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp. smoked paprika <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ cup Parsley - chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Salt & Pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instructions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Melt butter in a sauté pan (or on the grill in any grill
safe cooking vessel) on medium heat.
When the butter is melted, add mushrooms, salt and pepper (a good 1/4
tsp of salt) and about a ½ tsp of smoked paprika, depending on how smoky you
like it. Sauté mushrooms until soft. When mushrooms are done toss with parsley.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pRJzPYm0-5ADf_hZ9iSFy-raNTuMiE_RVmJgx4a99gNJmfnYcBkpxkwh5mA_khJRC9PniGfjWXzajsUonTQDqUopjFz8SFMGybMQc4-cpmUw5KDTtTmBoAwyI-h_ynGbyi1y-NcAj7o/s1600/DSC03836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pRJzPYm0-5ADf_hZ9iSFy-raNTuMiE_RVmJgx4a99gNJmfnYcBkpxkwh5mA_khJRC9PniGfjWXzajsUonTQDqUopjFz8SFMGybMQc4-cpmUw5KDTtTmBoAwyI-h_ynGbyi1y-NcAj7o/s640/DSC03836.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smoked Garlic Mushrooms top an 80/20 all beer burger with smoked Gouda cheese on a wheat bun. The </span><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Patron</u></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Smoked%20Garlic%20Mushrooms%20top%20an%2080/20%20all%20beer%20burger%20with%20smoked%20gouda%20cheese%20on%20a%20wheat%20bun.%20%20The%20Parton%20tiki%20torch%20bottle%20project%20can%20be%20found%20here:" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> tiki torch bottle project can be found here.</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-82459478402030560602013-09-15T10:04:00.000-07:002014-01-11T16:37:52.739-08:00Deli Mustard Chicken and Summer Salad Bar<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deli Mustard Chicken
and Summer Salad Bar<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQ_FI5LGeohyphenhyphenK3ZhCxtHK6fDkSfOfo1QlukFN6_9BwILkTwz8cgIC5aQ_rxhgn03gdQVKWuiml59SmvSvTUVT2gi1xkfoPOu6_kJ02fnEVKPwzLngW_VismZeox51O2oNN-HyZumHKG8/s1600/Summer+Salad+Bar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQ_FI5LGeohyphenhyphenK3ZhCxtHK6fDkSfOfo1QlukFN6_9BwILkTwz8cgIC5aQ_rxhgn03gdQVKWuiml59SmvSvTUVT2gi1xkfoPOu6_kJ02fnEVKPwzLngW_VismZeox51O2oNN-HyZumHKG8/s640/Summer+Salad+Bar.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Challenge: </b>got
home from a 2 week vacation the night before, having parents over for dinner to
view vacation photos, and Mom is on a lean and green diet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Challenges are my favorite way to come up with new things to
cook. It forces me to think more creatively
and try something new based on the challenge restrictions. In this case a lean and green meal was
required, and something I didn't have to slave over considering there wasn't any food in the house and the humidity was killing us. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And time couldn't</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> have been better because a Whole Foods
opened about 1 mile from our house that I wanted to explore anyway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Plan:</b> Chicken
was my first thought because it takes a quick marinade well and I can grill it
in no time. And I wasn't quite sure
about all of my mom’s diet restrictions so I went with a deconstructed salad,
or salad bar with some special ingredients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deli Mustard Chicken<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep time: 5 min<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cook Time: 10 min<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 chicken breasts – butterflied into two thin pieces each
and 4 large boneless skinless chicken thighs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ cup deli mustard – or Dijon with whole mustard in it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 tbsp olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 tbsp white wine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instructions: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whisk together mustard, oil, and wine in a large bowl. Toss chicken to coat and leave covered in the
fridge until ready to grill. I recommend about an hour, and no more than three hours. When your
dinner guests arrive you just need about 10 minutes to grill the chicken over
medium high heat. I grill 7 minutes on
one side, flip and finish for about 3 minutes on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Summer Salad Bar<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep each of the different elements before dinner, cover and refrigerate in separate serving bowls. When your guests arrive; set out
the different items for a build your own salad bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Greens</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep Time: 5 min</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cups baby kale</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cup of baby spinach</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cup of mixed
greens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Toss greens together and they can be refrigerated in a serving bowl. Most people are used to mixed
greens and baby spinach, but this mix is a great way to get the healthy kale
hidden in there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Assorted Tomatoes</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep Time: 5 min</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup cherry tomatoes halved</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup yellow pear tomatoes halved (or 2 cups of whatever tomatoes you'd like.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tbsp Olive Oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Salt & Pepper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whisk
together 1 tbsp. of good olive oil and 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar, salt and
pepper, in the bottom of a serving bowl.
Toss the tomatoes and refrigerate up to 1 hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Pickled Vegetables</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep Time: 15 min</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cucumber - sliced in half moons</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 small zucchini - sliced in half moons</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 red onion - quartered then thinly sliced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 cup white vinegar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 cup water</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/8 cup of pickling spice - Ball Kosher Dill Pickling Mix</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stuff the cut vegetables into a 1 quart jar – or you a large
bowl. Prepare the pickling
liquid by combining water, white vinegar and pickling spice in a small sauce
pan. Heat to a boil over the stove. Pour hot liquid over the vegetables.
Let vegetables cool on the counter for a half hour then move to the
fridge for at least an hour and up to three weeks. Strain
before serving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Herb Goat Cheese</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep Time: 5 min</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 oz of plain goat cheese</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">pinch of salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">pinch of pepper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp. red pepper flake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp. of dried rosemary</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp. of dried parsley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Combine all ingredients thoroughly with a fork, refrigerate until ready to serve.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Mustard Vinaigrette</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep Time: 5 min</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tbsp. of mustard</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">pinch of salt and pepper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/8 cup of white wine</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ cup of good olive oil for the dressing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I like to shake up my dressing in a ½ pint jar or whisk in a
bowl. Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-44080008343804609752013-09-08T18:10:00.001-07:002013-09-08T19:21:19.695-07:00Blogger Chili Party!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you remember the <a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/07/shrimp-tacos-wred-cabbage-cilantro-slaw.html">blogger taco party</a>? Well, it's football season and what better way to kick it off than with a blogger chili party? My Turkey Pumpkin chili is still a bit of a work in progress (recipe perfection takes time my friends) but I still had to share what I made. Also - please excuse the sub-par iphone photos. I totally forgot I lent my camera to my sister this past weekend!</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAOLsh51HFncw_z-5JJG0pdzZq1jzyrqNjNloVZ_wQdk3Tgp3AQNXqF5JuyokDf5kqXML8ymjHE0Hl2OxUaUz2zMn1QkbFpPI5FUVGdA66wu7LPcs4xqLaKqtLcN4wQ__ZhGnxRHLjSk/s1600/turkey+pumpkin+chili.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAOLsh51HFncw_z-5JJG0pdzZq1jzyrqNjNloVZ_wQdk3Tgp3AQNXqF5JuyokDf5kqXML8ymjHE0Hl2OxUaUz2zMn1QkbFpPI5FUVGdA66wu7LPcs4xqLaKqtLcN4wQ__ZhGnxRHLjSk/s400/turkey+pumpkin+chili.png" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This recipe is inspired by the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pork-and-pumpkin-chili-recipe/index.html">Pork-and-Pumpkin Chili</a> from Food Network Magazine - though I've made plenty of modifications that its hardly the same. I actually wasn't able to eat this the first few times I made it because the original recipe was so spicy! The biggest change was switching to turkey from pork, and I do not add the chipolte peppers in the chili - instead I added about 1/2 tsp of just the sauce to the pumpkin sour cream. I also choose kale instead of mustard greens because it's easier to find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I always start with roasting the poblano peppers (and another random hot pepper) over my gas stove. You can also do this under the broiler in the oven, just keep a really close eye on them. It takes about 5 minutes to really char the whole pepper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then wrap them up tightly in aluminum foil. You're going to want them to hang there for a good 20 minutes so this is a perfect do ahead while prepping everything else. This foil packet will let them steam, after 20 minutes, or when cool enough to handle, rub off the skin with a paper towel. No need to go nuts here, just rub of what you can - it should be about 75% of the skins and dice the peppers for the chili - throwing out the seeds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most soups, stocks, and slow cooking stews like a chili have some kind of holy trinity of starter veggies - these are mine. One big white onion diced, 3 cloves of garlic minces, and the 2 hot roasted peppers diced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These guys go in the pot with chili seasoned turkey tips, 2 tbsp of tomato paste and 2 tbsp of flour before adding in a can of chick peas, a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes, all but 1/4 cup of the pumpkin puree and a bottle of beer. I recommend a brown ale or American Oktoberfest. Once you're about a half hour into the chili doing it's simmering thing - I add in ribbon sliced kale. Don't forget to de-rib the kale!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kale needs about 5 minutes to cook down into the chili. Then serve with a sour cream mixture of 1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup of pumpkin, and 1/2 or 1 tsp (depending on your spice tollerance, mine is low) of the chipolte sauce. A lime wedge is also a nice touch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Now who's ready for some football! Go Pats!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Sorry for an imperfect recipe - an update will be available in the near future - in time for many more fall football games!)</span>Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-62992489469033005882013-09-03T16:01:00.005-07:002013-09-03T16:01:38.417-07:00Please Excuse the weird post - setting up Bloglovin<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5064107/?claim=5bg9mn88bgb">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
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<br />Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-34963904652571881872013-09-02T10:09:00.002-07:002014-01-11T16:38:36.432-08:00Guest Bedroom - DONE!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Does anyone remember our little story about using our<a href="http://18preston.blogspot.com/2013/05/three-day-weekend.html"> three day Memorial Day weekend</a> to bust out a guest bedroom renovation? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Does this before photo jog your memory?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What about this gorgeous inspiration board that <a href="http://littlenostalgia.blogspot.com/2013/02/affordable-style-megs-guest-room.html">Paige at Little Nostalgia put together for us</a>? Paige is currently studying interior design and she couldn't have been a more perfect designer to work with. We have similar taste, and she has the skills to put everything together and provide a cohesive look for a space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you caught on yet that I said Memorial Day weekend and here we are at the next three day weekend of the year in September? Have you found the irony in the print Paige picked out above and provided us February 21st? So this projected ended up being a bit more complicated than planned - and we added a bit more scope than what Paige gave us. (Matt's working on installing new recessed lighting as I put this post together. But I couldn't wait any longer to share this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm going to break down this room using Paige's list of suggestions. We did purchase a few new tools for the project, but since they are investment items and the only way I could get Matt's buy in to help me, those aren't included in the pricing below.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-- Since Meg and her husband are into DIY, I think they should go for the wood ceiling!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> I would go with white, since the room needs the illusion of height.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>This was the hardest part of the whole project -</b> but we are so glad we went for it. There will be no how-to on this, because it's not perfect. The beadboard comes primed, and we did make the mistake of using the semi-gloss trim paint we used on the ceiling... this will unfortunately need a coat or flat paint to hide the non perfect spots.<b> $350 </b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-- As for the walls, I'd do a pale blue to keep the open feel while adding a touch of color. It's hard to pick one online, but </span><a href="http://www.olympic.com/color/paint-colors/breathless-a57-1" style="background-color: white; color: #749466; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Breathless</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> from Olympic could be a starting point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>We went with Behr <a href="http://www.behr.com/colorsmart4/colorsmart/main.jsp">Wave Crest</a> in eggshell on the walls - </b>an almost perfect match to Paige's suggestion. It's a personal preference but I prefer Behr Premium Plus paint. We also needed primer and I updated all the trim to a fresh new white coat matching Behr semi-gloss to a <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/chantillylace">BM Chantilly Lace</a>. <b>$76</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-- Some dark </span><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203269355/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=70%22+bamboo+shade&storeId=10051&superSkuId=203360000#.UR5llVqY5pw" style="background-color: white; color: #749466; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">bamboo shades</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> from Home Depot ($37/ea.) will add contrast and keep the room from feeling too light. Keeping the existing wicker chair and dresser and spraying them dark brown to match would also provide some richness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Check and Check </b>- we went with some <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/204122274?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=204122274&R=204122274#.UiS_aTashJw">faux wood shades</a> in espresso (<b>$61 </b>for both) and spray painted the chair and dresser with Rustolem 2X in Satin Espresso. <b>$12</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-- I would center the double bed under the window and add a simple </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90121234/#/70121230" style="background-color: white; color: #749466; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">nightstand</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> from IKEA ($70) on the left to balance out the AC unit. And keep that metal lamp, too! It's cute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I really enjoy the look of the one bed in the center - </b>much more than the two mismatches sizes. I scored the night stand at a yard sale for $5! It was dark wood and from Ethan Allen. I'm sure wood purists would freak out (that's like a $250 night stand) but I sanded it down and sprayed it with Rustoleum 2X in satin Lagoon. <b>$17</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-- A turquoise </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20236634/" style="background-color: white; color: #749466; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">throw pillow</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> also from IKEA ($7) would work well in the chair. If a guest gets cold, a simple </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30162637/" style="background-color: white; color: #749466; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">white quilt</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> ($40) would be nice at the foot of the bed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I'm so glad my mom taught me how to sew! - </b>I purchased white and light blue linen fabric and made the simple cafe curtain and all the pillow covers. The pillow inserts came from the craft supply stash. <b>$20</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-- Meg already has some colorful art, but if she needs more </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104668582/typography-poster-digital-art" style="background-color: white; color: #749466; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">this print</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> from Etsy would be fun ($18).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>We actually haven't hung the art yet - </b>but I decided to also include a print on the nightstand. This one was also from an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maechevrette?ref=l2-shop-info-name">Etsy seller</a>! And she happens to be local to where I work in Boston. <b>$30 </b>including the frame.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HNXN-zrjDP4SZNztE9MkoAZ7vgS_01Rxbm3LYULiijVEgnsZpI8q6e-s52g_niWGitJdsNCiVjMOa_1qyuMPpxdYB6_ZEbVq6jrbsrBGbIvFWoGcM5iD9cjBHHh2ydXH1VsUnpH7Os4/s1600/DSC03964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HNXN-zrjDP4SZNztE9MkoAZ7vgS_01Rxbm3LYULiijVEgnsZpI8q6e-s52g_niWGitJdsNCiVjMOa_1qyuMPpxdYB6_ZEbVq6jrbsrBGbIvFWoGcM5iD9cjBHHh2ydXH1VsUnpH7Os4/s640/DSC03964.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last piece of scope we added was to replace a low ceiling mount light fixture with three energy efficient recessed lights. <b>$133</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Grand Total: </b>about <b>$700. </b>We're happy with that number. We got to it because of the DIY curtains and pillows, already owning all the bedding, accessories, and small light fixtures, and the super steal on the nightstand. Not a bad transformation.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp6LfHz5UyCThec4rqUcxcvqUcC7WfVT_B_C0cVKuyUggj_R8OIzgCQKRsKGAFYU55hrbqKBAlbE0KdgJ-EzA1lS7sfVtQkvJBtZtVABxTZBr1FEDnNivujKj-z-4A4VqUS2dDyUyg20/s1600/guestroom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp6LfHz5UyCThec4rqUcxcvqUcC7WfVT_B_C0cVKuyUggj_R8OIzgCQKRsKGAFYU55hrbqKBAlbE0KdgJ-EzA1lS7sfVtQkvJBtZtVABxTZBr1FEDnNivujKj-z-4A4VqUS2dDyUyg20/s640/guestroom.png" height="640" width="477" /></a></div>
<br />Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-25759770382743014792013-07-28T16:46:00.001-07:002014-01-11T16:39:02.243-08:00Shrimp Tacos w/Red Cabbage Cilantro Slaw and Chipolte Sour Cream<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Paige mention the possibility of a taco blog party I was in! Who doesn't love tacos? They are incredibly easy to prepare and relatively healthy. My version of a shrimp taco is also gluten free because of my current needs. Corn tortillas are naturally gluten free, but since they are a soft taco I add a bright red cabbage cilantro slaw for the crunch in a perfectly textured taco.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shrimp Tacos w/ Red
Cabbage Cilantro Slaw and Chipolte Sour Cream<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prep Time: 20 minutes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cook Time: 10 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Makes 6-8 tacos<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ head of red cabbage, thinly sliced<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj3FSjRVHKlsddTijMMfIESvyRLGufKZEae68-Y2DT0nFN2N9pQeVMYZosXwLK0slf29A8MftJdsv64Tmt63uAO_BezkD8frXqSG4FJZBr3xk_1rHuMv_wQ_YSScDcR17sOsyBSTYzAk/s1600/DSC03938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj3FSjRVHKlsddTijMMfIESvyRLGufKZEae68-Y2DT0nFN2N9pQeVMYZosXwLK0slf29A8MftJdsv64Tmt63uAO_BezkD8frXqSG4FJZBr3xk_1rHuMv_wQ_YSScDcR17sOsyBSTYzAk/s320/DSC03938.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Small handful of cilantro, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ tbsp. apple cider vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tbsp. olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ cup sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp. sauce from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">18 – 24 shrimp, peeled and deveined<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Juice from 1 lime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6-8 corn flour tortillas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instructions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Cabbage Slaw</u>: combine cabbage, cilantro, vinegar, and
½ tbsp. of olive oil in a bowl. Season
with salt and pepper. Keep refrigerated
until ready to serve, can be made ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Chipotle Sour
Cream</u>: combine sour cream and adobo sauce. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve, can
be made ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-91Wsu-ma6BPf8I4MvLF4gyc91uJMOg_Kr7hQj0f7zP7BRdjhWo62a504KLwYwr-rlwOOE57diO2ZbfkgDZygZ89b6-gqcbui_gbgoRLYgoVHHHZOEK4OVaVr2nxbdsdpQJabUdtsTM/s1600/DSC03949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-91Wsu-ma6BPf8I4MvLF4gyc91uJMOg_Kr7hQj0f7zP7BRdjhWo62a504KLwYwr-rlwOOE57diO2ZbfkgDZygZ89b6-gqcbui_gbgoRLYgoVHHHZOEK4OVaVr2nxbdsdpQJabUdtsTM/s320/DSC03949.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Shrimp and Tortillas</u>: marinate shrimp in the juice of
½ a lime and ½ tbsp. of olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper. Can
marinate up to ½ an hour in the fridge.
While the shrimp is marinating, toast the tortillas in a dry skillet one
at a time until just small bits are golden brown. Transfer warmed tortillas inside aluminum foil
to keep warm until ready to serve. Saute
shrimp in skillet, about 3-5 minute per side.
Assemble tacos with slaw first, shrimp, and chipotle sour cream.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-4983134936870965272013-07-19T05:10:00.000-07:002013-09-02T11:26:53.985-07:00Summer Vegetable and Goat Cheese Pasta<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Summer Vegetable and Goat Cheese Pasta</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Prep Time</b>: 10 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Cook Time</b>: 30 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Shallots - chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Garlic Cloves - chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 Large Orange Pepper – cut in matchstick pieces<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 medium Zucchini – cut in match stick pieces<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Optional) 1 small summer squash – cut in match stick pieces<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tbsp olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Salt & Pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 tbsps. chicken stock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 can of San Marzano Tomatoes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 oz Plain Goat Cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 cups of pasta – recommend orchetti<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instructions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta to el dente following the instructions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, using a medium dutch oven, heat oil to a medium heat and add shallots, pepper, zucchini and squash. Season with salt and pepper and sauté about 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften. Add garlic and cook another 2 minutes until garlic is just fragrant. Add chicken stock and entire can of tomatoes including juices, break up tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Just before the pasta is ready, melt the goat cheese into the vegetable mixture – the sauce will turn a beautiful orange color. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drain pasta and combine with sauce. Serve garnished with a bit of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if available.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-69361807452383677452013-07-17T15:55:00.002-07:002013-09-02T11:27:24.956-07:00Tomato Watermelon Salad<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Tomato Watermelon Salad</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This summer time recipe was inspired by our first trip to California's wine country. The Girl in the Fig restaurant downtown Sonoma was a favorite, and a tomato watermelon salad was on their price fix menu that night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Serves 4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prep Time: 10 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Large Tomatoes - Sliced
in large rounds (need 12 slices)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ Seedless Watermelon - Sliced
in thin wedges or cut round with cookie cutter to match tomatoes (need 12
slices)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">¼ Cup Feta Cheese - Crumbled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 tsp. Balsamic Vinegar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instructions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stack tomatoes and watermelon in an alternating pattern using
3 slices of each. Sprinkle each stack
with ¼ of the feta cheese then drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and season
with salt to taste. Serve chilled on a
hot summer day.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-68524959854465903612013-07-15T17:29:00.000-07:002013-07-17T17:11:51.670-07:00The Liquor Bottle Tiki Torch<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many of our summer nights are spent outdoors, however around here, that means mosquitos. We inherited a bug zapper in the move, but wanted something a little less...weird. I love tiki torches. Like, an oddly obsessive amount. Another thing I love is good tequila. I usually have a bottle of Parton Silver on hand. Not only does the tequila taste great, but the bottle looks pretty cool too. We found a pretty sweet way to upcycle the bottle and kill bugs at the same time. (To be fair, the idea did come from a Lowe's catalog, we just made it better.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZsN13W7XfiuN-G4hK6-3rBb0qa5K27cDs2nfnHNMf1wG1wX1WKAQdLR2yCrGr_saUmzYXEkGlUvqY-NCvVqs7rmNV6JVXFUyBTdRGR7vn8WDkPhrM3e_YXcTQdlJwmT0t8lDgnmxoI8/s1600/tiki+torch+finished.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZsN13W7XfiuN-G4hK6-3rBb0qa5K27cDs2nfnHNMf1wG1wX1WKAQdLR2yCrGr_saUmzYXEkGlUvqY-NCvVqs7rmNV6JVXFUyBTdRGR7vn8WDkPhrM3e_YXcTQdlJwmT0t8lDgnmxoI8/s640/tiki+torch+finished.png" width="534" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is what you'll need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One empty bottle of Patron</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tiki Torch fluid</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spare tiki torch wick (they sell these to 2-packs at Home Depot)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Washers</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic_4gYnTmP1GdpBFFCAe-vRB7MZ3YXgZ3BDHDWnVC4MmhhEjeovYOayN7Poruj4sE-7QGaqydUdkdJFHaiT9Gz4e_zlYS_iGzZIx989Y-42yU39-qZvAmi3y7vX3bCXu4DtdVJ8x_yMQ/s1600/Supplies+for+tiki+torch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic_4gYnTmP1GdpBFFCAe-vRB7MZ3YXgZ3BDHDWnVC4MmhhEjeovYOayN7Poruj4sE-7QGaqydUdkdJFHaiT9Gz4e_zlYS_iGzZIx989Y-42yU39-qZvAmi3y7vX3bCXu4DtdVJ8x_yMQ/s640/Supplies+for+tiki+torch.png" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The actual assembly is straight forward. Trim the wick so there is about an inch above the bottle opening. We used two washers, one at the top of the bottle and the other set a bit higher to raise the flame from the top of the bottle, we didn't want to lignite the whole thing! Please don't use this around children or clumsy adult though - the torch fluid could spill since there isn't a good seal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now go make some margaritas so you can make a Patron Bottle Tiki Torch too!</span></div>
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Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364463281739843944.post-17962058641010449742013-05-26T05:22:00.001-07:002013-05-26T05:22:40.172-07:00Three Day Weekend: Day 2!We still did quite a bit of running around yesterday. One more Home Depot stop to get the rest of our supplies, Dunks for our energy, Michael's for a gift, Target to poke around, and a good friends house warming party.<br />
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Despite that long list though, we were able to get all the materials and tools upstairs so we can start this morning. We also got all the walls that will be painted primed. Goodbye Terracotta walls!<br />
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It's freezing here this morning! Time for a hardy breakfast and a long day of work. But the more we get done - the more we can enjoy seasonal May weather tomorrow. Back in the 70s New England!Meg Kearneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13967727658308494371noreply@blogger.com0