5 thing Friday - easy meals, painting, tired me, new couch, moving decor around

I've been doing fairly well at feeding myself reasonable meals lately. 

One night this week I made a noodle bowl with bowtie pasta, broccoli, lemon pesto, and a sauteed tilapia filet.  Easy, quick, and filling, with no leftovers.

Another fairly easy meal was smash burger quesadillas.  Not low cal by any means, but super delicious.

Bubbie has gotten into the swing of meal prepping again, now that he has his own kitchen.  Looks like he is focusing on veggies!  This makes my heart happy.  I know he was so ready to be out of my house and into his own space and I don't blame him one bit.  I should have him cook for me!

On Wednesday I tackled cleaning and painting the closet in the bonus room.  I also took all the switchplate covers off, removed the shelving system, patched nail holes, and bought the paint.

The color I picked is called Misty Surf and is a dusty greenish blue.

Once I painted the inside of the closet, I realized I needed to touch up the door frame and door.  (of course, because one project always spawns a few more)  I took loads of command hooks down and I may not replace them.  With 4 kids, I have purchased enough Command hooks to keep that company in business.

I felt so out of gas the first half of Thursday and I will admit, I was laying on my couch for most of the morning.  However, after lunch I rallied and painted the bonus room in record time - 2 hours.  It helps that I had already done all of the prep.  The color doesn't look all that different in this photo, but in person is so pretty and soothing.

I also made plans to paint this wall in the den  in the color "Blue Blood", which is from that same paint palette.  Because guess who bought herself a new couch?

It is being made now, in a gorgeous deep soft navy.  I am so looking forward to getting cozy on that chaise and read to my heart's content.  I'm going to look for a neutral rug and I have already moved some things around in the room.

Like a signed Pena print from 1988 (that I cannot part with), and these sconces which went to live in my bedroom temporarily (which will also get painted!).  I am shopping my house to change things up. But I am getting ahead of myself - got to work on the bonus room today and get ready for the work weekend.  Lots of plans, but all in good time.  I am definitely going to rest today!

Gina

5 thing Friday - paint storage, thrifting, dinner with Scout, salad weather, tree woes

I really meant to do more painting this week, and organize the paint that I still have so that it doesn't dry out and I can use it in future, if I need to. 

I got the idea to make up these touch up pots that I can keep in the cleaning closet.  Each one will have a mini blender ball and a label with the paint's specifics.  Maybe this will make touch ups easier and the paint less likely to dry to a rock.  

I did a bit of thrifting this week, mainly to leave the house.  But also because I have a running list in my head of things to be on the lookout for, none of which I found this week.

I bought 2 books, 2 new bath towels, a workout tank top, and a cute Old Navy dress.  Total spent was $20 and included a senior discount that the cashier begrudgingly gave me after telling me I didn't look old enough.  Thank you?

Hooray for me not getting lost when visiting Scout for the first time since his move in February.  I took him some dinner, a giant "brookie", and some beer.  I got to meet his cat, Oscar, who is a sweet purr machine.  It was nice to see Scout and I need to do that more often!

He loves thrifting, too.  He saw this mug and thought of me. Sweet!

Its going to be salad season here for a loooong time.  I am leaning into it as it doesn't involve the oven and encourages me to eat more veggies and fruit.  I'm trying to do a better job of  eating healthy and staying away from fast food.

Yesterday I walked onto the deck with my morning coffee and thought there was something different with the view.  Oh yeah - a giant portion of the neighbor's tree is not where its supposed to be!

I aimed my phone over the fence.  Oh, Lord.

A portion of it is right against the fence - I hope it has done no lasting damage.  I never even heard it fall and we had no storm or wind.  So, yeah, I don't know how that happened. But I refuse to get worked up over it.  Things happen. And it didn't hit my tree or house, and a fence is fixable.

Its been a slow news week here - how are things in your world?

Gina

Big project: painting the sewing room

Last week I spiffed up the walls in the sewing room, kinda like I did for the office.  Not using a terribly different color, just giving it a refresh. After a few years, all of my paint for touch ups had bit the dust.  But I wanted to keep a neutral color.

I settled on "Spiced Vinegar" by Glidden.  It didn't look all that different in the can, but it did dry a shade or so darker than the previous sandy color. Since my dental office rescheduled me, I figured no time like the present. 

 Within an hour I had the paint bought and the room as empty as it needed to be for the task.  One wall down and I was starting to question the color! (to the left is the new one)

As it dried it looked super blotchy, but I ignored that and pressed on!  I only put one coat of paint on since the color was so similar.  I used a roller for textured walls and got good coverage.

(I really need some daylight bulbs in here!)

The darker areas in this photo show the true color.

It evened out, but took a bit longer to dry for some reason.  Could be the high humidity we've been having.  But when it was mostly dry to the touch I went ahead and put the outlet covers back on, and moved furniture back in place.

I think it only looks like it has a yellow tint because of the lighting.  I could be wrong.  In any case, it took me less than 3 hours start to finish and around $40 and it's DONE.  No more nail holes or scuff marks.  Before I get the carpet replaced, I will go around in each room and spiff up the trim and baseboards.

With the overhead lights off, the walls are a soothing light brown.  This room looks fairly empty but it is the perfect space for creative projects!

Gina 

5 thing Friday - concert, deck, pastimes, music, paint plans

 At the end of June I went to another concert:

All three acts were so good!

{The Hip Abduction, Stephen Marley, Stick Figure}

The music had everyone dancing and singling along the whole time!

It was hot out, but we haven't hit those 100 degree days yet, so it was tolerably in the low 90s.  The Girl took me there AND picked me up with a snack and a bottle of water.  I still ended up walking what felt like miles and was on my feet most of the time.  I was pretty tired the next day but it was worth it!

This deck is the source of some aggravated shoulder issues recently.  I should have just power-washed it to begin with, but no, I scrubbed it TWICE with some deck cleaner, then sealed it.  It came out looking blotchy, even though it is clean.  Next June: power-washing, not scrubbing.  I gave the chairs and table a spiff with black spray paint, and called it done.  I am literally the only person who sees this.

Learning something new, too.  I've been catching up on my reading and focusing on eating more healthily.

Multiple attempts at getting the turntable hooked up just left me frustrated, so I scrapped that idea and bought something to listen to tapes and albums with.  {it also has a radio and CD player, but I will rarely use those} This is where the TV used to live - there are assorted stereo components down below.

I added a tap light on an auto shut-off timer, some command hooks for the album cover of what is playing, and some small baskets for 45s and record-cleaning supplies.

The sound quality is just OK, but I having fun tripping down memory lane with some of my old vinyl.  I just close up the cabinet when I'm done.  The TV went to live in a closet until I decide to get rid of it forever - I literally never watch TV.

I finished up puzzle #2 and am diligently working on #3 and meanwhile, found another three puzzles at Half Price Books. Its a nice calm activity while I listen to music and enjoy the A/C.

The next big project is painting the sewing room.  It should take me about 4 hours total, including moving things, painting, spiffing up the trim, and moving everything back.  The color I chose is about one shade darker than it is now, called Spiced Vinegar.  I also put up the memo board you see.  Its been a lovely space to craft some things lately.  The long hot afternoons were made for creative pursuits!

Gina

Big project: repairing the garage screen door

I got a wild hair last week and decided to tackle a project that's been on my list of things to do for months - repair the screen on the door leading into the garage. (Actually it was more like a year and some change.)  I had all of the supplies for it except the spray paint but I thought "well, why don't I see if I can take the door down first?".  Just do the first step, no pressure.

Ok, well I could.  Then I thought, Oh man, this is also going to have to be sanded and repainted. And the hardware needs repainting, too.

That flat bar across the screen was to keep the kids from pushing directly on the screen and it did a great job until the screen part just wore out. (its a 30 year old screen door!) That bar will have to be removed and cleaned up.

I removed the torn screen and the hardware, then scrubbed the whole thing.  Sanded some rough spots.  Then taped up the remaining screen to prevent overspray.

I set it on top of a big leftover piece of plywood out in the garage. 

I taped off the door sweep - I had replaced that not too long ago. Then I stopped here because I had to buy paint. And lately, it works better if I divide these kinds of projects into manageable chunks.

The next day the hardware got a fresh coat of black paint.  Then I sprayed the door, let dry, turned the door over, sprayed the other side.  It was tedious, but we had a 93% humidity day and I knew that painting was going to be the most time consuming part of this project.  Could I have just replaced the screen without spiffing up the door and hardware? Yes.  But not really.

Day three I got out here and started replacing the screen.  I had a new package of spline and found the tool plus a small roll of screen fabric out in the tool chest.  Hooray for saving those two things.

The hardest part was being on my old lady knees on concrete!  I used a flat head screw driver to make sure the spline was deep into the corners.  Then I trimmed it all up with a utility knife.

A break for lunch then I will do any needed paint touch ups and put the hardware back on. It was so hot out here I thought I might melt.

Re-hanging the door was HARD.  But I was home by my lonesome and as we know, it doesn't take whiskers.  You just have to think out what you're going to do, then calmly proceed.  I remind myself often that Mark wasn't born knowing how to do these things, and he learned them so I can too.

The solid door got a good scrub and I even painted the trim around the screen frame with leftover paint from painting the garage.  So clean and neat!

What a difference painting out here made, not to mention repair of the screen and previous purging of all the junk that was sitting near this door as you walked out of the house.  The screen door took three days of slow and steady work, but I'm very pleased that this project is crossed off the list! 

Gina

5 thing Friday - garage, switchplate covers, bumpers, crystal, cooking

Yesterday I came to the final stopping point with painting the garage.

I have scrubbed or painted or organized every single part of this garage.  I went through ALL of the tools, camping equipment, kids boxes, fishing poles, scrap wood, and etc.  Cleaned the floor.  Scrubbed the inside of the garage doors. Left to do is: 

*get rid of that propane tank

*deal with some scrap lumber

*hang a piece of art created by The Girl

*help Bubbie move

*get the ceilings retaped and painted

*get one garage opener replaced, dismantle the other

*replace the locks on the garage doors

Once Bubbie's things are gone, the wall above will be empty and I could throw a dance party in here!  I will show more of this later, I'm sure.  I mean doesn't every single woman obsess over her garage? Ha! 

For now, only one garage opener works - the other motor has been burned out for years.  But all of these switches can stay, so let's make them pretty.

I ordered some switch plate covers with a Talavera tiles print.  They're like tiny pieces of art.  I want to order some pretty ones for inside of the house, too.

This week I also did a quick project in the kitchen - replacing the bumpers on the inside of the cabinet doors.

I had to scrape off several different versions of bumpers.  The cork ones fall apart and the foam kind don't have enough cushion.  I had also used felt pads at one point.

Hopefully these will stay put - they do make the door quieter.

I do enjoy my outdated kitchen, though of course there are things I would like to change in here.  For one thing, the cooktop exhaust fan went out this week.  Also, some day I would like to lose this wallpaper.  Change out the light fixture.

I can envision using this space a little differently, too.  Maybe a tabletop bar?  A place to set a portable record player?  Ideas, please.

Recently I hauled out some of the crystal that belonged to Mark's parents.  I've been using it to drink out of because why not?  There is a complete set of pink martini, iced tea, and wine glasses and there are clear cut crystal tea glasses.  If I have them, I may as well use them.

I haven't done loads of cooking this week, unless you count ramen noodles, salads, or pancakes.  But tonight I am making Maple Glazed Salmon bites with cabbage slaw, and will pick up a few groceries.  I will also make time today to read, nap, and do a pedicure.  TGIF!

Gina