Our Home Transformation.......Jodi the Decor Coach

Joe and I both wanted to move out of Durham.  Our home is fairly old and in need of upgrade in all areas.  Our back yard is a muddy mess and needs much work.  The interior needs new flooring and paint in every room.  The kitchen needs new countertops and a backsplash...(years ago Joe attempted to surprise me with  a tile backsplash.  He went to a place in Durham that had been in business for years and put 50% down.  To make a long story short they went out of business and we lost the deposit.  Sad but true.  So we put up wall paper instead.  It was nice but has gotten shabby over the years) After much thought we decided we just did not have the money to buy a new house but instead we would fix up what we have.  Plus we have plenty of space and a nice size back yard so we have a perfect blank slate.

Having no design experience I had no idea where to start.  How about an interior designer?  They could do the entire house for me and I would not have to lift a finger. Did a bit of research.....$$$$$....way out of our price range.  What to do? Consulted Google for hours and found my answer...Jodie The Decor Coach. For $160 she would come to my home and coach me for 3 hours.  I called her and set up the appointment.  (I had already saved hundreds of inspiration pictures on my new favorite site Pinterest to help me in this process)
So the day for Jodi to visit had arrived.  I was nervous and excited about this learning experience. Door bell rang....it was Jodie (picture from her website)

She was so nice put me right at ease.  We got right down to business.  Our main focus was the kitchen, living room and stairway.  We discussed granite vs quartz countertops, we discussed lighting, hardwood flooring and gas logs for the living room.  She shared vendors with me that she highly recommended.  The 3 hours flew.  I learned so much from her.  After our meeting I had a plan of action in this process, I felt that I had the needed information to get started on our home transformation adventure.
I decided to start in the kitchen.....(more to follow:-)
After I get the kitchen countertops and backsplash in and the hard wood floors and fireplace completed I plan on calling Jodie again.  I will need to get a handle on paint colors and other home improvement details.
"Thanks for your help Jodie! It may take me a while to meet my goals but I hope to be calling you again soon:-)"
If you are working on a home project and you need some advice I highly recommend Jodie the Decor Coach.
Enjoy your world:-)

Our Home Transformation.......The Kitchen Table

Well, I did not mention it before, but the same time we bought our new couch we decided it was high time for a kitchen table.  The one we had was older then our adult children. It had many scars common with years of wear and tear.  It served us well but now was our chance to get something nice....
We choose a farmhouse style table at Broyhill in Blowing Rock....

It is soooo pretty.  Rustic feel with nice warm tones.  Matches well with our existing chairs (glad we did not have to buy new chairs:-) It can be extended on both ends for those special occasions when we need more space.

 I wanted something pretty for my table top so I decided to check out my favorite garden center, The Garden Supply Company in Cary NC.  As luck would have it I  found a nice container at 50% off and selected my favorite flower to fill it, Primrose...beautiful!

We are thrilled with our new table and I am enjoying the Primrose too!  Roxy and Brodie told me they are glad to be seeing the bottom of a new table.  They said it was about time:-)

Enjoy Your World:-)

Recipe Review..."Philadelphia Fruit Pizza"

I don't know if you have been on Pinterest yet but it is an amazing site.  On my personal site I have boards of various topics....travel, fashion, dogs, decorating the list goes on and on.  One of my boards I have titled "Recipes I Want to Try".  I save recipes that look good to me on this site and pick one from time to time to try.  Well this week I decided to attempt Philadelphia Fruit Pizza.

I studied the recipe...

what you need

1

pkg. (16.5 oz.) refrigerated sliceable sugar cookies, sliced

1

pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/4

cup sugar

1/2

tsp. vanilla

4

cups assorted cut-up fruit (kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, drained canned mandarin oranges)

1/4

cup apricot preserves, pressed through sieve to remove lumps (after adding the water:-)

1

Tbsp. water (I added a bit more)

make it

HEAT oven to 375°F.

LINE 12-inch pizza pan with foil; spray with cooking spray. Arrange cookie dough slices in single layer in prepared pan; press together to form crust. Bake 14 min.; cool completely. Invert onto plate; carefully remove foil. Turn crust over.

BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Spread over crust. (I added a bit of milk for a better spreading consistency )

TOP with fruit. Mix preserves and water; brush over fruit. Refrigerate 2 hours.

kraft kitchens tips

SIZE-WISEHOW TO SOFTEN CREAM CHEESE

Place completely unwrapped package of cream cheese on microwaveable plate. Microwave on HIGH for 10 to 15 sec. or until slightly softened.

I gathered my ingredients....

 I picked up the pizza plate at Harris Teeter and also the Cooks Brut, a little toast to the cook:-)

Lined my pizza plate with foil...then sliced my dough and placed it on the foil.  Then I pressed it out to form the crust.  When I was about half way through forming the crust it started sticking to my hands.  I figured it was because it was getting to warm, so I put it in the fridge for about 10 minutes and started again.  Much better:-)

Finished giant cookie.  Now to let it cool....

Whipped up my cream cheese mixture.  (I did add a bit of milk for easier spreading.Not to much though:-)

Love Cream Cheese!

Now to gather and wash my fruit...

Lacking artistic skill made this the hardest part for me...How to arrange my fruit???

Ok I am happy with that!

Now for the glaze....

 Ok it says to press the preserves through a sieve to remove lumps.  Well I tried that.  I pressed and only got a drop.  Even though the recipe does not specifically state this I think you are suppose to mix the preserves with water and then push through the sieve.  That is what I did and it worked perfectly.  I can't tell you how much water I added but it was more then called for.

I brushed on my glaze....

Very nice.  I would have to give it a 9.5/10.  Easy and delicious.  Would make a nice dessert any time of year.

Happy Cooking Everyone.....

Caleb says "Hi!" Enjoy Your World:-)

Our Home Transformation.......The Couch

We have lived in our house for over 20 years.  I really can't tell you how old it is but it has been around a while.  To say it needs work is an understatement.  Every room needs much tender loving care.  We need things in every catagory. (Luckily I have some of my parents furniture which filled in many empty spots in our home.  Thanks to my brother Dave who told me to take the furniture I could use after Mom and Dad passed.  He said no one else needed it and that I should consider it a gift and reminder of their love.  Thanks Mom and Dad and thanks Dave.  I miss you guys!)
So we need paint, drywall to fill in holes, new carpet or hardwood floors, the list seems endless. How do I start?  I need to slow down and not get overwhelmed.  I guess I will begin with the greatest need.....the couch.

Horror of horrors....this poor couch has seen better days but not many.  It took a turn south the day we got it and it is not that old.  It was and always has been comfy the problem is, the fabric. It was so loosely woven that it snagged as soon as we got it and has not stopped, it snagged on everything...

There were so many snags that I turned the cushions around, and though you can see the zippers, sadly it looks better this way.
We only allow one of our family dogs on the couch.  That would be Capt Morgan, the pack leader of us all.  He too helped with the snagging process. Notice the picture below. See where Morgan is sitting? Yep on the couch...Will he be on the new couch? Yep, he is the top dog:-)
We are going to cover the couch when Morgan comes over for a visit.  Even though it is Microfiber we want to protect it as long as we can.

The other problem was in the construction.  We all lean on the back cushion, ( Joe:-), and in the process we/he have pulled the cushion away from the back of the couch....

In January we were in Blowing Rock NC for Winter Fest. There is a beautiful furniture shop on the outskirts of town, Broyhill Furniture. The building itself is amazing, lots of wood and stone. We have never gone in.  We thought with a building like that we could never afford the furniture. Well we went in and fell in love with a microfiber, leather look sofa.  The price was right, we found many good deals,  we bit the bullet and bought it.  A few weeks later it arrived at home.

Our beautiful new couch.  So nice, no snags, no holes, just comfort.  I guess the couch will be our living room inspiration piece.  We hope to get hard woods and then paint.  I will keep you posted.

Exploring Kathiey's Not So Local World..."Williamsburg Va" Part One...

Stephanie, Erica, and I decided we needed a Girls Getaway Weekend.  It has been awhile since we have vacationed together.  The last time was several years ago when we went to the Turks and Caicos (blog post pending:-). Where should we go?  This will be Stephanie's first time away from Caleb since his birth in July. Has to be a close and easy drive for her just in case she has beautiful baby withdrawal and has to zoom home.  How about Williamsburg?  I have always wanted to visit Colonial Williamsburg and this was our chance.  Where should we stay?  How about a Bed and Breakfast?  I consulted Google and found the perfect place A Williamsburg Whitehouse.

This is how they describe themselves on their website...
"This majestic Williamsburg Bed and Breakfast offers unique Presidential suites, beautiful sitting rooms and a wonderful JFK Library with hundreds of books to enjoy. A Full breakfast is served daily in the Reagan Dining Room or in the JFK Library at a table for two. Wood burning fireplaces roar in the Diplomatic Reception Room as you enjoy afternoon baked goods, wines, ports and sherries."
It was a wonderful place to stay.  The rooms were comfortable, the sheets amazing, the food delicious and our hosts friendly and welcoming.  I would love to return someday. Maybe take Joe:-)
Here are a few pictures from our stay...

Every morning we woke up to a delicious breakfast...

This picture is from their website.  This was our huge king sized bed
So comfy!

Nightcap anyone?...Yes Please:-) 

Nightly Treats

Had a wonderful time with my girls!  I suggest if you are visiting Colonial Williamsburg and you want to stay at a delightful bed and breakfast that you stay at "A Williamsburg White House" I know they would love to see you.
Get out and travel!
Enjoy Your World!
Kathiey:-)

Monday Morning Motivation

Happy Monday Everyone!

Enjoy Your World:-)

Pop-Up Pizza Casserole from Hometown Cooking 2002

Returned home from a great weekend with Steph and Erica in Williamsburg and decided to throw an easy meal together. I needed something fairly quick and easy, for me, the tired traveler:-)
I went through some old recipe files and found Pop Up Pizza Casserole.

POP UP PIZZA Casserole

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped green pepper 1 clove garlic, minced (I used garlic powder) 1 1.5 oz envelope of spaghetti sauce mix 1/2 tsp of dried oregano crushed 1  15oz can of tomato sauce 1/2 cup of water 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (I suggest 2 cups) POPOVER BATTER: 1 cup  milk 1 Tablespoon cooking oil 2 eggs 1 cup flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I suggest a bit more) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. *Brown ground beef, drain. Add onion, garlic, pepper,spaghetti sauce mix, oregano, tomato sauce and water. Heat to boiling. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour hot meat mixture into bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan.  Cover with Mozzarella cheese. Popover batter: Combine milk, oil and eggs. Beat 1 minute. Add flour and salt, beat 2 minutes. Pour evenly over meat mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until puffed and a deep golden brown. Serves 6-8.

I gathered my ingredients....

Meat and egg mixture...

Sprinkle with Mozz. Cheese, next time I would use more...

Golden Brown.....

It was easy.  It was good, but not great.  I like the concept and I would try it again. Next time I would spice up the meat mixture a bit and add more cheese.  Have I already said that:-)  I guess I would give it a low 8/10 on my cooking scale.....

 ....Brodie gave it a 10/10!....:-)

Happy Cooking Everyone!

Enjoy Your World:-)

The Best Cellar Restaurant, Blowing Rock NC

Several weeks ago Joe and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at "The Best Cellar Restaurant" at the Inn at Ragged Gardens in Blowing Rock NC.  What a wonderful dinning experience.

Here is how they describe themselves on their website...
"The Best Cellar Restaurant in Blowing Rock, North Carolina was established in 1975. The original location was in a basement on Main Street, where previous owners sold soups, sandwiches and new and used books. The name was derived from the fact that the restaurant sold books in a basement, hence The Best Cellar. Over the years, the menu evolved from sandwiches and soups to the freshest of meats and seafood.

The Best Cellar prides itself on having provided its customers with the finest of food, wine, and service for 30 years. All dishes, including bread and desserts, are prepared each day on site. Many of our dishes have been favorites for years, but we always have daily specials to satisfy those customers looking for something new."

You will now find the Best Cellar Restaurant inside the beautiful Inn at Ragged Gardens, a lovely bed and breakfast just off main street in Blowing Rock.  I love the rustic turn of the century home.  Hopefully someday we can stay there.  On our budget we usually stay at the Holiday Inn Express which is nice too, but in a different way:-)

I ordered the Roast Duckling....yummy:-)

Joe had the Almond Encrusted NC Black Grouper
He loved it!!!

We had a great evening out at the Best Cellar Restaurant.  I suggest if you are in Blowing Rock and you want a nice romantic evening out, or just a really good meal in an environment of rustic elegance, that you give The Best Cellar a try.  You won't be disappointed.  The service was excellent and the food delicious.
Get out and try a new restaurant.
Enjoy Your World:-)