Thursday, April 21, 2011

Hardwood Floor Resurfacing

So we decided to resurface our hardwood floors that were under our carpet. The carpet has had it's turn in our home with 4 kids. So in it's tired state it was off to the dump. We have a friend that is a Hardwood Floor expert and he graciously (with some prodding) agreed to help.

This is after the rough sanding.









 
 This is after the finish sanding.







This is applying the water dye.



After the stain was applied.







Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Best Lemon Bars -EVA!

I should have taken a picture of these sweet treats, but I'll do it next time.  I'm sure you all know what lemon bars look like anyway.  But seriously...these are stinkin' awesome!

Lemon-Butter Bars
Crust
1 1/3 c flour
1/4 c sugar
1/2 c butter, softened

Filling
3/4 c sugar
2 eggs
2 T flour
1/4 t baking powder
3 T lemon juice, please juice your own lemons here!

powdered sugar

Directions
Heat oven to 350.

Combine all crust ingredients.  Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is crumbly ~ about 2-3 minutes.  Press on bottom on 8" square baking pan.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Meanwhile, combine all filling ingredients.  Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.  Pour filling over hot crust.  Continue baking for 18-20 minutes or until filling is set.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cool.  Cut into 16 bars.

"Spring"ing it up!

Feeling sad and blue?
 Add FLOWERS!!!
I was at Dollar Tree today getting birthday supplies for my son's party this weekend, when some other items caught my eye... (I already had the spray paint)
 I sprayed 5 pots white.
 Then used the overspray circles as a guide...
 ...and cut them out...
 ...to fit down on the inner lip of the pot.
 I went outside and scooped me up some dirt to cover the cardboard.  I started with the regular nozzle on my glue gun but switched to the wide flat nozzle instead and it worked SO much better!
 Just work in small sections so the glue doesn't dry before you can get it pressed in the dirt.
 I cut the foam blocks in half and put a piece in each pot.
 The flower bunches had 7 stems so I used a skewer to poke 7 holes through the back side of the cardboard.
 Now, put the cardboard in the pot and poke the stems through so it goes into the foam and voila! A super lightweight kinda real looking pot of flowers!
 Repeat 5 times and hang with super long twist ties.
I also hot glued a light green polka dot ribbon under the lip of the pot.  
Now that's my kind of makeover!
From drab to fab! Not bad for $11!  What do you think?  What projects are you working on to bring on the Spring?