Monday, May 20, 2013

Donating Hair!

Two years ago the wife chopped off most of her hair with the intention of donating it.
Yeah...the key phrase being intent.
So, this year the wife chopped it off again.
This time it's going in the mail!

Here's the damage:
It was so long!

My stylist did an awesome job!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Creamy Soy Alfredo Sauce

The two peas love Alfredo sauce, 
but not the fact that a serving (1/2 cup with noodles) is usually 600+ calories. 
So, the wife whipped up this version instead, and it tastes pretty good.




Ingredients:
  • 2 Cups Light Original Soy Silk (you can try using almond milk)
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 6-8 tbsp Parmesan Cheese (based on using the powder kind; you can also grate your own)
  • 2 tbsp corn starch (thoroughly mixed with 2 tbsp cold water)
  • Black pepper, salt, and garlic to taste
  • Dash of ground nutmeg

Instructions:
  1. Sautee 1-2 cloves of garlic in butter. (You can use garlic salt or garlic powder to flavor the sauce instead).
  2. Add soy milk to pan with butter, and heat it until the milk starts bubbling. 
  3. Add parmesan cheese one tablespoon at a time and mix thoroughly with a wisk into the milk. 
  4. Add the corn starch mixture and thoroughly mix into the milk and cheese sauce immediately.
  5. Allow sauce to thicken and simmer over medium to low heat for about 3-5 minutes. 
  6. Add seasonings to taste and the dash of nutmeg.

The recipe serves 4 people. 
With a serving of noodles, the total calorie count is about 400-440 (depending on whether you use 6 or 8 tbsp of parmesan cheese).

Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

An Easter to Remember

Easter is beautiful
with its promise of new life,
and every year the earth seems to celebrate
with blossoms, fresh foliage, and baby animals.

This year it took on a new, more personal meaning for the two peas. 
They had hoped to welcome a third pea to their pod by year's end,
but alas, it was not to be.

A beautiful set of lilies graced the living room,
and then a candle.

Sometimes the promise and joy of life is experienced in its blessed renewal. 

Thanks to Ma and Pa H. for the beautiful flowers.





Thursday, February 14, 2013

A Valentine's Project

It's taken a while, a couple of years, but the two peas finally got their bedroom looking a little more beautiful. For Valentine's Day they hung curtains, which also means the wife can sleep because the street lights aren't pouring blinding, sleep-depriving...
eh, you get the point.
It turned out pretty well.
Here's some before and after pics:

Before....
After....


Ta-da!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Crafts for the Home

 The wife got a little crafty with some old items lying around collecting dust.
These include two candle/tea-light holders for the table, 
a table runner, 
and a display for the very first flowers hubby ever gave to her.
Here's the details in case you'd like to give them a try.

For the tea-light holders:
1. Clean two Prego jars (or other jars for jam and such)
2. Pour in a wonderful color of mixed potpourri
3. Add tea-lights or candles to your jar
4. Add a ribbon to the top of your jars
5. Display however desired on your table

For the table runner:
1. Buy burlap fabric (enough to cover the length of your table)
2. Cross-stitch a border
3. Lay out on your table
(you can also add a border of blanket tape to prevent unraveling)

For the Flower/Candle Display:
1. Buy a glass candle holder
2. Place a layer of glass pebbles in the bottom
3. Place a votive candle holder in the center
4. Display flowers around the votive candle holder
5. Tie a ribbon around the center of the glass
6. Display where you so desire
 


 


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

When you want something really bad....

Behold the wife's new night-stand!
Complete with drawer and shelf for some books and things.
 
No; this particular piece of furniture is not the final product of this duo's wooden night-stand project. 
This one was hewn out of cardboard, careful measurements, hot glue, tape, and an intense desire to free the bedroom floor of books and other articles that should be in the aforementioned and unfinished wooden night-stand....  


 Where did this cardboard come from?

Amazon just happened to have an awesome deal on toilet paper before the duo left for Christmas vacation. When the wife came back she felt the cardboard could be put to good use instead of sitting in the living room.

And so it was...ta-da!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Designing on a Whim

Whilst visiting my (the wife's) family, my mom and I decided to clean up and rearrange the boys old bedroom. The designers in us then suddenly exploded and we went all out making a study/guest room.
Here's the damage:
We spend money on two new pillows and some fabric to cover the old push-pin boards. We felt it added a nice touch.

A close up of the fabric. It has a french travel theme.