Kiss the Cook~Our New Kitchen

Hi! I'm back. I do realize and am a little embarrassed that it has been almost a year since I last posted. I really fell off the wagon and didn't really think I had a lot to post about or rather wasn't ready to post(talk) about. I could have filled my blog with stories of my kids and their activities, but most of us are doing the same sort of things and quite frankly isn't that what Facebook is for? My little family has been through a lot and I "think" I am ready to share our story. I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do on many levels and will bring you up to speed in the coming weeks. However, I didn't want to miss Kelly's Tour of Homes this go around as we are in a new home. We sold our previous home extremely quickly and are now "renters". We have never been renters in our 19 years of marriage, but here we are. Let me say the phrase "Less is More" speaks volumes to me these days.

Isn't that island to die for?? When I walked into "the rental" I just held my breath and prayed that our Big Daddy would go for this house and think that "the rent" was something we could manage. One of the things that I am most proud of is that I have not purchased much for our new place. I have actually only purchased 2 things for this kitchen and that was the barstools. I knew that we would really put them to use and bought them 50% off at I O Metro.

This little hutch was something that I bought ages ago in Canton. It was made out of old fence pieces and was supposed to be a potting table, but I bought it, painted it, had a cute cushion made for it and used it as a changing table for my boys in their nursery. I had still had it in my youngest room and we had games and toys on it. One of the fun things about moving is getting to use your stuff in different area. Some people are really great about moving their stuff around in their house, me not so much. It takes a move for me to shake things up!!
BONUS!!! It had a desk for me!!! I was so excited!!! Big Daddy knew he couldn't say no!!!

This rug was the "other" purchase that I made for the kitchen. Clearance at Target for $20.00. It's not perfect colors, but works for me!!! You can also see on through to the butlers pantry, pantry, and dining room. I am going to post the dining room and family room in the next couple of days. Like I said, I have a lot of catching up to do!

Looking into the butler's pantry. I have a ton of dishes and love to see them all displayed in the doors. I especially love the plate in the top window. It is from the church that I grew up in.

We used to use these at our monthly fellowship dinners. A couple of years ago when my sister and I started to really collect white dishes our mom was able to get us each one of these from our church. My sister Cindy and I were both married at 1st Christian Church.

OK, I now have to preface the next part of this post...It is all about the pantry. I would not normally post about my pantry, but my sister worked like a dog to make this little closet of heaven look so cute! All along this journey of selling, moving, etc...I could see God's hand on every aspect of this basket turn over!!! (Literally if you could see the baskets I have and "HAD".) THAT is another post!! Anyway I was blog stalking one night during the weeks of our move and right before we moved all the pantry items I ran across a blog where a very clever girl had "re-mixed" her pantry and WAS INSPIRED!!!!!!!! I don't dare tell you her blog until the end, because mine pales to her's!!!

The crazy thing has a glass door. I am thinking I want to get a vinyl monogram for my door to soften things a bit. Plus since it is a rental I can easily remove it. My inspiring blogger also has a vinyl lettering business as well. Maybe I will figure it out and get something ordered.

One of the things that she suggested was putting things that you would use together, together. All the baking things in one basket, all the spices together, all the coffee/tea/filters together. Another tip was putting heavy things like cans down low. I thought that was clever!!! I would have thought to put my can goods more at eye level, but they are cute!! Basket of food are cute!!

One thing I wish I could have done was paint the walls, but I am thinking I might paper the back walls with scrap booking paper and double sided tape. If I get around to it, I will do another post on it!!! I promise!!

You would think it is hard to keep it all straight and looking cute, but not so much. The only thing I see that happens is that when I unload the groceries it takes just a few extra minutes to empty the snack like items into the basket. I used to just dump them into my baskets.

I use the picnic baskets and other baskets to store things in as well like koozies and lunch boxes.

OK, this is a little bit of a kitchen tip that I have learned during my move. Did you know that if your facet is the American Standard that they have a LIFETIME WARRANTY??? SO if your sprayer button doesn't work any longer on your sink then they will send you new facet for free!!??? If your facet is all torqued like this one, they will send you another one for FREE??? HOT DOG!!! I'm sorry they won't replace your "gold package" just because it went out of style, but they will replace something that is broken.

I also dig the little sponge holder thing that I got at Target. I was used to having one of those tilt door things in front of my sink to hide the sponge, but didn't have one here. Plus I was getting grossed out with it just laying in the sink all the time. It's a good thing!!!

That is about all I have about all of this for now. I am already 3 days late on this post, but I do want to give a shout out to my sister and niece for all their hard work getting us moved and organized.

OK, as promised check out House of Smiths and see Shelley's amazing pantry re-mix!

A Day of Silence for...

Show Us Your Life~Holiday Traditions~Advent Mailbox

I have been away from blogging for several weeks, but I just couldn't resist doing a post about holiday traditions the Kelly at Kelly's Korner is doing. Probably like many of you, our family has a ton of traditions, but a favorite tradition for my boys is one that my sister started for them several years ago and they look forward to it every year when they see the little red mailbox come out of storage. We have an Advent Mailbox.



This little mailbox sits at the foot of the stairs and each morning there is an envelope inside that contains a single piece from...


this nativity scene. This is the sweetest little clay nativity scene every. I think my sister got it from the Cokesbury Bookstore. They look so forward to seeing what is in the mailbox each day and adding it to the Creche. (This picture was made from the Santa's Secure Workshop Location... aka...my bathroom. )


This little insert tells you what piece is for each day There are a couple of days that it wants you to make paper things like a road, etc... However, on these different days I on put a surprise treat in the mailbox to make it special for the boys. This year I am planning on putting the fixins for s'mores and homemade hot chocolate mix. We have an outdoor fireplace and they LoVe to make s'mores and hot chocolate. I thought this would be better than candy. I think that will give me something extra for four days.

On Christmas Day is when Baby Jesus goes into the mailbox. I have him nestled into a pretty gift box on a bed of raffia, for our most precious gift from above. They are so excited amongst the hub bub and excitement of Christmas Day to finally get the baby Jesus and add him to the scene.

Since my boys are getting older and they still "Believe" I want them to "believe" that Big Daddy and I have nothing to do with the advent mailbox. We hide the envelopes and put them in the mailbox after they go to bed at night. I have also wrapped up the actual creche and am going to have my neighbor put it on our doorstep and ring the doorbell this year. A little mystery for this magical time of year.

Day one will start with Mary...

"But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." Luke 1:30-32

This is such a fun way to get the Christmas season going and to remind us daily the real reason for the season. Thanks Aunt Cindy for starting this wonderful tradition for the boys. I have a feeling I will be doing this one for a long time.

DipTacular!~Bleu Cheese Chips

BooMoma is hosting this week DipTacular in honor of the return of college football!! Oh Yea baby!!! We love football, it doesn't matter what it is PeeWee, City League, Big 12, SEC, WAC, or even high school. Like I said "We love football!!" Go Red Raiders and Allen Eagles!!! Anyway, she was wanting suggestions for your favorite dip to munch on while rooting for your favorite teams or tailgates. My go to dip is called "Bleu Cheese Chips" and is a total pour and go. Three very simple ingredients...

Kettle Chips, Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper.
+PLUS+

Prepared Pico de Gallo from your produce section.

+PLUS+

Small Container of Bleu Cheese Crumbles.

= HeAvEn!!!!

Here is the process...Get a nice size serving bowl like a pasta bowl. Pour chips into bowl. (Tip: cut the bottom of the bag and pour out of the bottom where all the "Uglies"(crumbles and broken chips) are first, that way they are in the bottom of your bowl). Then pour your prepared pico de gallo over the the top of chips and sort of spread it out. (No need to drain) Then sprinkle the small container of bleu cheese crumbles on top. Don't mix it up, it sort of looks like a pile of nachos. Put a nice large serving spoon to the side. Viola!!! It holds up well because the chips are so thick. If you want to you can pop it in the oven and melt the cheese a bit to add a twist to it. You will be the HIT of the party. It looks like something so special, but it sooo easy!!! I get giddy thinking about someone else trying this because it is so delicious!!! CrAzY SiMpLe ToO!!!

Show Us Your Life~School Pictures

This week on Kelly's Korner she is having everyone show their old school pictures. I don't really have access to old school pictures from "the good old days" since my mom has all of those at her house so I thought I would show pics of my boys and the first days of school this year. I have been wanting to post about the first day of school, but time has just escaped me and plus I have just been just too tired from starting as a school nurse at the brand new elementary school here. WHEW!!! I'm tired!!

One of the biggest traditions of starting school is getting in the mail a letter from your new teacher. This is the way that the kids find out whose class they are going to be in. I will never forget when Big Boy got his first letter for Kindergarten. I started crying because Mrs. English had told the class to wear something red, white, or blue for the first day of school since it was the school's colors and we had just bought a cute red and white polo shirt for the first day. I thought that was just precious and that was when I knew I would be in a heck of a mess the first day of school if I was already crying over the teacher letter!!!

Since I am a school nurse I had to go back to work when the teachers did. So my mom came and stayed with us and the boys during my while I was back at work. I made her PROMISE me that she would take a picture of the boys opening their teacher letters. They had been stalking the mailman and I knew there was NO way they would wait until Big Daddy and I got home from work.

WhooHooo!!! We got the teachers we were hoping for!! Big Boy got Mrs. Angie Butler and Little Man has Mrs. Laura Gongos. Both are some of my favorite teachers at their school. We are already off to a great start!

The next big event was Meet The Teacher night. This is the Thursday night before school starts and the students get to meet their teachers, bring their school supplies, buy spirit wear, put money in lunch accounts, and sign up for tons of volunteer opportunities. Of course, I couldn't go with the boys because I had to be at my new school this year. Big Daddy was on his own with some help from my mom. He did manage to get a few pictures for me. Thanks Memommie!!

My baby is starting Kindergarten this year and he is so excited. I made for each teacher chalkboard painted buckets with goodies like Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer(the nurse in me), extra school supplies, bottle of Smart Water, and snacks from my boys. Little Man is giving his to his sweet new teacher.

Unwrapping the school supplies that we bought LAST MARCH!!! Yes!! At Kindergarten Registration Round-up. I LOVE LOVE the wrap packs!!! No driving around town looking for that special sized construction paper, plus it all goes in a community stack anyway.


WHOA!!! Third grade!! Our school is two-story and it is a BIG DEAL moving to the second floor. 3rd-6th are upstairs.

Big Boy had to go right out the back doors of the school after a quick Meet The Teacher to get to football practice. Poor thing had to wear his football pads/pants and cleats to Meet The Teacher. So much for looking cute and dressed up!!



Little Man checking out what it feels like to sit in Big Bros. 3rd grade desk. I think he likes it!

Big Boy and Mrs. Butler

On the first day of school I make signs for the boys to hold that shows their grade, year, and teacher's name. It is a tradition that we stole from my neighbor Judi and her family.

The boys are sporting their new red, white, and blue school spirit wear shirts. Yes!! Both boy's letters told them again to wear the school's colors. I swear I didn't cry this year!!

I tried real hard not to think about not being with my boys on the first day of school. My mom was a teacher and she was never there at my school with me. My dad had to do all the duty on the first day of school. I don't think I am warped or was emotionally disturbed by it, so I think they will survive without their Momma there.

Big Boy is looking like he is the only one who has a parent snapping pictures!!
Come on DUDE!!! Just one more with a smile for your Momma, and I'll get out of here and leave you alone!!!

I can't believe my big boy is a third grader!!!

I also wanted to show you my entry way table and iron tree. I love to decorate it for back to school. It starts out the fall decorations and this means the pumpkins and fall leaves are not too far away...



I put their pictures from the first day of school in the little school house picture frames.




I found these ornaments at Hobby Lobby this year. I have been looking for those little paper mache' apple ornaments that come by the dozen and can't find them anymore. You would think Hobby Lobby would have them since they have had Christmas decorations since May.

I looked forever for a school garden flag. I don't love this one, but it works! We have gotten off to a wonderful start to school. Now its time to get down to work!!