Area Rug Update

Hey girls!  I have an update (and I am sure you've been waiting with baited breath!) on the whole nursery rug decision.  I read each and every piece of advice you gave me about this post, and there were good points for buying the knockoff rug and for waiting for something I liked more.  In the end, as with most things, I listened to my mother.  :)  She thought I should wait.

I am glad I did!  Here's my thought process: the curtains, which you may remember were originally orange and navy (but are now red and navy, see this post), may go back to orange and navy someday.  So do I want to commit to a rug that has red in it?  Maybe not.  Because then I will always have to have red in the room.  Get me?

So I opted for a simple navy rug, knowing that it will be much more flexible for decorating in the future.  I have had luck with chenille rugs from Home Decorator's Collection in the past.  Nina's room in our old house had gorgeous hardwood floors, and we had a pretty cream-colored chenille rug that went perfectly in there.  So I took my little self over to check out these rugs, and $99 later I had a navy 5x8 chenille rug that actually instructs you to machine wash it when it gets dirty.  Isn't that GREAT for a kid's room anyway?

I totally love how it anchors the whole room.  Of course this photo just makes me think about how I still need a crib skirt, and some more stuff for those poor sad walls.  Oh, well.  One thing at a time!

So thanks again for all the advice!  It really made me think long and hard, rather than make a snap decision just because I am Little Miss Impatient.  And I am so happy with the way things turned out!  

Something New: The Simple Woman's Daybook

I have seen this type of post multiple places, but most recently at Kelli's blog, Outside My Kitchen Window.  Every time I read a post like this, it's like a little sigh of relaxation for me! Something about slowing down long enough to take stock of how you are feeling, what is going on around you, and other simple things.  Not sure if this will become a regular feature here or not, but I thought it would be a good way to start this week.  I'd love to hear what you're thinking too!

For Today

Outside my window: it's sunny, after a weekend of cold, dreary rain. (Happy Easter!  Did you have a good one?)

I am thinking: about Nina, who woke up with the throw up bug on Easter morning...fun!

I am thankful for: my freshly-brewed Starbucks Cafe Verona, sitting here next to me.

 
From the kitchen: I better cook some healthy meals this week, after the Easter goodies I inhaled over the weekend!

I am wearing: my black sweat suit that I bought as a gift for myself when Henry was born.  Hey, I just totally gave into the knowledge that there would be many glamour-less days for me!

I am reading: "Dry" by Augusten Burroughs, sequel to "Running with Scissors."

I am hoping: to get some good bargains when I redeem my Gymboree "Gym Bucks" this week!

I am creating: a few little arty prints to hang in Henry's room.  One of these days I will be done and will show them off! 

I am hearing: Sesame Street in the background, and Henry's cooing, telling me it's almost time to eat!

Around the house: the laundry is piled high but the dust bunnies are gone.  Small victories!

One of my favorite things: is having a morning at home like this after a busy weekend.  I might shower by noon, who knows?  :)

A few plans for the rest of the week: A night out with my sister and our kids, doctor's appointment, shopping, dinner with friends, a trip to the Colorado Railroad Museum this weekend.

Boy, reading this makes me realize how boring my life sounds!  What's on your mind?

Remember that Mistreatment I Mentioned?

A while back, I told you that I was planning on seriously mistreating some curtains for Henry's room.  Well, it took me awhile, but I actually did it!  Thought I would show you the results...

The curtains are these adorable Rugby Stripe Grommet ones from Pottery Barn Kids.  The price tag was steep enough that I was really scared to mistreat them in a permanent way; and plus, I thought that I might want to revert back to the original version when Henry gets older.

I actually love the navy and orange together, but Henry's room is navy and red.  See where I'm going with this?

Enter some red grosgrain ribbon from eBay and my newest discovery, Res-Q-Tape.

It only took me about 30 minutes to affix the red ribbon on top of the orange trim.  Res-Q-Tape promises not to leave any sticky residue on the fabric, so I am hoping that if and when I want the orange trim back, the red ribbon will come off easily.

In the meantime, Henry's curtains now match his adorable red crib bumper!  (You know, for the crib that he has yet to sleep in.  But he will, once he starts sleeping through the night and I don't have to stumble down the hall at 4 am to get him, I promise!) 

What do you think?  :) 

Snow Day!

Yesterday at my house, it started to do this:

So I decided to make a big pot of this (recipe follows...oh my gosh, YUM!):

I hung out with my most favorite people in the world (who had just come in from a little romp in the snow!):

And watched as this little guy turned on the charm:

I just love snow days!  

Another reason it was so great to be in my house were the yummy smells coming from my kitchen!  I found a recipe for Cincinnati-style chili in Cooking Light magazine, and since I am a displaced person who misses Cincinnati's Skyline Chili greatly, I had to make it.  I am so glad I did!  Even if you have a regular chili recipe that you love, the spices in this one make it a unique addition to your repertoire, something totally different than the traditional chili flavors.  I highly recommend it!

Cincinnati Chili

Ingredients:

cooking spray

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin (although I used ground turkey and it was great)

1 1/2 cups diced onions

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 teaspoons garam masala (an Indian spice I found in my local grocery store spice aisle)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup water

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (I used Muir Glen fire roasted)

2 (15.5 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans, drained

1 (15.5 ounce) can light red kidney beans, drained

Directions:

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Coat with cooking spray.  Add ground beef or turkey to pan with 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until meat is browned, stirring to crumble.  Transfer beef to a small bowl.

Reduce heat to medium and recoat pan with more cooking spray.  Add onions and cook for 4 minutes or until softened.  Add garlic and cook for one more minute, stirring constantly.  Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, canola oil, and the next 4 ingredients (through nutmeg).  Cook one minute or until fragrant, stirring constantly.  Add tomato paste and cook one minute.  Add 1 cup water, red wine vinegar, and tomatoes and bring to a boil.  Then add ground beef and the drained kidney beans.  Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes.  (We always find that if you can let the dish sit overnight the flavors are even better the next day!)

To serve, top with more chopped onions, drained kidney beans, or shredded cheese.  For this Cincinnati girl, it tasted almost like a Skyline Chili 3-Way, oh yeah!

And because some of us (ah...me!) are battling the post-baby weight, I am going to include some nutritional information, in case anyone else wants to see how this dish stacks up.  Serving size is 1 1/4 cup per person, and each serving is 276 calories, 6 grams of fat and 9.1 grams of fiber.  Not bad!

Have a great weekend!

Area Rug Advice!

Hey girls!  Happy Wednesday!

I am just checking in because I need a little advice from my decorating consultants, i.e., you!

Working on Henry's nursery, I have run into a problem.  The area rug that I really love, pictured below from Pottery Barn Kids, is a whopping $299 for a 5x8 size.  Since I would like to be able to send Henry to college (or heck, buy him a Happy Meal when he gets some teeth!), this option is out.  But let's take a minute and ogle it, shall we?

How cute is that?!  I've been looking for inexpensive alternative rugs, and I have come up with this one, shown below.  It is also a 5x8, and is significantly less expensive than the Pottery Barn Kids model.  Even including shipping costs, this rug is only $69!

The only problem is that, if you look at the colors up close, the stripes are actually black and red, with a light blue border.  Henry's room is comprised of red and navy, not black, so I worry this will clash.

What would you do?  Get the cheaper rug and hope for the best, or keep looking?  Keep in mind I have been searching for something similar since he was born, with no luck, so I am not sure where else to look.

I am still working on a few other projects for Henry's room!  I ran into some glitches and needed to order a few materials from eBay, which has slowed the process down a little bit.  Soon, though...soon I hope to have some stuff to show you! 

Thank you for your advice!

Pee-Pee Teepee, Anyone?

Hi everyone!

I think that JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby and Michael's must certainly be hurting financially because of my 6 week absence.  Hopefully you all are picking up my slack out there!

Thankfully, Jamie at Right at Home has tagged me, and I will take it on since my home projects are all half-finished at the moment.  :)  Thanks, Jamie!  

Eight Random Things About Me:

1. The nuances of having two males in my house are abundant!  Who knew that a 6-week-old boy would rival his father in terms of his, ah, nocturnal noises?  Toots, burps, and grunts are the norm in my life these days!  

2. I am a sucker for my DVR.  Since we are house-bound, we have gotten into Friday Night Lights, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and, of course, Lost.  Can anyone relate?

3. I love being an auntie!  Baby Caroline is such a joy, even in the two short weeks she has been here.  I can't wait for all the girlie-girl times to come!  Here's a recent photo of me, my daughter Nina, and sweet niece Caroline:

4. My latest obsession: Cookies and cream ice cream.  I figure that the baby needs the calories to grow big and strong, right? 

5. My dad and his wife are visiting this week from Ohio to meet the two new grandbabies!  He just celebrated his 60th birthday, and my sister and I are flying them out as a birthday gift.  I can't wait!

6. Just had my six-week checkup at my "lady doctor."  Things are all good...and I got the approval to start working out again.  Oh goodie!  (Sense the sarcasm.)  I wonder what this will do to my ice cream habits?

7. Two words: Pee-Pee Teepee.  Am I the only one who hadn't heard of this?

8. Baby Henry is cuter every day and is now weighing over 8 pounds!  Not bad for a little 5lb. 13 oz. peanut!  Check out his little chubby cheeks!

 

Finally, Some Nursery Photos!

Like I mentioned last week, I just haven't had the energy to get Henry's nursery completed! Maybe it's because he's still sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom, and we really only go in there to change his diapers.  And why does a 5 week old baby need a fancy nursery just to bare his bum?  :)

Nevertheless, here are a few little things that we have done.  I love this crib bumper, the vintage look of the stars, and the red color with the rich wood of the crib.

My favorite neighbor and friend, Aimee (remember how I showed you her house?), lent me these lamp shades from her daughter, Lulu's, nursery.  Lulu is now four years old and isn't missing them!  This lamp sits on a dresser that used to be in my husband's room as a child, and the mirror frame is made from reclaimed boards from an antique wagon.  It was a fun little shopping purchase from the days before Brent and I were married...you know, when we had time to leisurely wander the antique shops and hold hands!

Below is my next project.  The current curtains in the nursery are a little girly-girl for Master Henry, so we will be changing them out just as soon as I can get my act together.  I love the look of these, but Henry might not appreciate lilies of the valley as he gets older!

So, next I will be tackling the window treatments, and I will tell you for sure that it will involve a serious mistreatment of some fancy-schmancy curtains.  The Nester would be proud.  I'll be showing them to you soon!