Family Room - Sliding Barn Doors

It is happening.... We are finally back to working on the family room. This past week the weather here in Northern Michigan was calm which gave Ed some downtime and in turn time to work on basement family room remodel. When we last updated you we had finished up the back wall unit.

Here is a link to phase 1.

The fireplace has been wonderful and really helps to make the space feel warm and inviting but the space was far from finished and we knew we wanted to complete the space and really give our family staying here from out of town a private space to sleep at night. We already have a guest room so this space is more of an over flow space so it will act primarily as a family room but since we are over flowing with children and adult children and now grand children, I anticipate this space getting plenty of overnight guest as well. 

Our current phase of this project is to build a wall enclosing the space off from the rest of the basement. We also wanted to add insulation to the ceiling and new wall for some much needed sound proofing. Of course the major transformation part of this phase of the project is the addition of sliding barn doors. 

The wall wasn't as bad as I thought it would be to build. Ed is so handy and really knows what he is doing so it took all of one day to build. We sat in the space for awhile after the wall went up and really thought through what all we wanted to have in this space. First thing that came to mind was adding some more outlets.  The basement has always lacked in outlets so this was the perfect time to wire some up. I wanted to make sure that we allowed our guest ease of charging phone so we used the same outlets that we used in some other spaces in our home.  

Why not wire up some additional lighting while you are at it. We decided that rather than manually turn on each of the custom wall unit lights one by one.. why not put them all on a switch?! But, I didn't want the wall unit to come on with the overhead lights so why not put them on separate switches? so that is what we did. We wired up some recess canless lights in the ceiling on one dimmer switch and put the whole back wall unit on another. Genius!! 

Now it was time to insulate the ceiling and walls and put up the barn door slider unit. wait.... we can't insult the whole ceiling as we found a couple small projects before we can finish it up.. but that is a story for another day... 

Here is the current view from inside the room. 

View outside room with doors closed. 

View outside with doors open. 

We bought a couple items used to build the barn doors. After looking at all the options we decided to by premade doors. Lowes carries 36-84 Zpine Barn Door kits. Each kit was on sale for $89.50, bought 2. The kit came with door, track and hardware. The only thing I don't like about the doors is that they are Z shape and I want X so we bought (4) 3/8-4-36 pine boards for $3.40 each and will make our own X. Stay tune for door update in my next update. Total door cost less stain which we have on hand is $192.60. Of course this does not include the cost to building the wall but for most the wall is already in place. 

We are now able to provide our guest a place to sleep in private.

Fudgy Mint Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies

·         1/2 cup butter

·         2 cups granulated sugar

·         1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1/2 cup milk

·         1 teaspoon vanilla

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         3 1/2 cups oats I use quick

·         2 1/2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut

Frosting

·         1/2 cup butter room temperature

·         1 1/2 cups icing sugar

·         1 tbsp milk

·         1/2 tsp mint extract

·         green food coloring

Ganache

·         3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

·         1 tbsp milk

·         1 tbsp butter

Instructions

1.             Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper.

2.             In a large pot, combine butter, sugar, cocoa and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, and boil 1-2 minutes.

3.             Stir in vanilla and salt. Add oats and coconut and stir to combine.

4.             Drop into 24 spoonful’s onto wax paper. Refrigerate until set.

5.             Meanwhile, make the frosting. To a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer), add butter, icing sugar and milk and beat until creamy and blended. Add in mint extract and food coloring. If necessary, add an extra tbsp sugar or milk to achieve the right consistency — you do not want the icing runny.

6.             Remove cookies from the fridge and spread with frosting. Return to the fridge to let the frosting set.

7.             Make the ganache: In a small pot, combine chocolate, milk and butter over very low heat. Cook and stir constantly until chocolate is smooth. Set aside to cool 5-10 minutes. Spread on cooled cookies, and return to the refrigerator to allow chocolate to set.

8.             Because they are slightly gooey, I like to store them in the fridge or freezer with wax paper between layers so they don’t stick together.

Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini

Photo credit: https://www.instrupix.com

Easy Cheese Baked Tortellini 

Ingredients

• 1 (20oz) container of refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (24oz) jar of pasta sauce
• 8 (ounces) cream cheese (cubed)
• 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated or shredded parmesan
• seasoning to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta a la dente according to the package directions; drain and set aside.

2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish.

3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the seasoning of your choice (I use salt, garlic powder, pepper & Italian seasoning).

4. Remove the excess grease from the browned beef and then stir in your tomato sauce and cream cheese. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is well incorporated.

5. Gently toss your cooked tortellini in with the sauce mixture and then pour it into your casserole dish; Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and parmesan.

6. Bake uncovered in the center rack of your oven for about 20 minutes. Switch the oven to broil and continue baking for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.

7. Enjoy with garlic bread, salad and/or veggies!

I can't take credit. Pinterest find and so worth pinning. 

Binzebo - Construction Part 2 of 4

If you have been following along we did it!!! We purchased a Pinterest inspired item that I thought was just a dream project that would stay pinned in the land of things I wish I could... and never turn into a how lucky and I to have item. We purchased a 1950's grain bin with hopes of turning it into an outdoor bar/lounge aka Binzebo.

Grain Bin On Original Farm Site

In part 1 of this 4 part series I talked about the cost and process of obtaining this beauty. Make sure to check it out: Part 1

Part 1 Total $1450.00

Construction process was a long one even though we had the installation manual we felt very overwhelmed. We started out by laying all the pieces out and deciding which ones we planned to use and where. The original setup was far shorter than our planned design so we had to figure out how to increase height. After ordering all new bolts we began the reconstruction process. The farmer that we purchased from had informed us that the top had to be constructed first then lifted with walls being built as it was slowly lifted up. 

It was a slow process. We worked on a couple pieces at a time, pressure washing as we went. With full time jobs, side jobs and other home constrconstruction projects it took us 2 months to get the top constructed. We set 7 post at 12 feet. We chose 12 feet because we wanted 9 foot plus head room and post went right to top along the almost 3 foot side wall. 

As you can the yard is sloped so we had to take that into consideration when putting the post in. Don't worry, yard will be leveled during landscaping phase. The next step was to get top onto 7 preset post. 

It was time to get to lifting. We hunted and hunted for heavy equipment without any luck. we had no chose but to hire some big guns and hire a crane truck. 

This was the most exciting day ever. The work was far from over but we could now start to see it coming together. We spent several late nights putting up the back wall.

But man doesn't it look fabulous?!! 

Ed climbed up and put on the cap and we were ready to start painting post, adding a fun touch and deciding where the fire ring would go. 

The next step will be level the area and then add the fire bar under the BUTLER logo.

P.s. Having BUTLER painted in was a special project. I had to have it, and since our grain bin is generic it was not originally on it. 

Part 2 cost:

- $175 bolts

- $280 Post and concrete 

- $150 crane

- $30 paint

- $50 BUTLER logo 

Part 2 Total = $685 

Project Total (so far) = $2035

Binzebo - The Big Purchase Part 1 of 4

Yee Haw!!! It has started. Have you ever been browsing Pinterest and come across something fabulous and thought to yourself I would love to have that but man we could never afford it or construct it? This was/is one of those items. About a year ago I came across this picture of a farm grain bin that had been turned into a gazebo and it was love at first sight. I pinned it for later.. aka never going to happen but I don't want to lose it. A couple months later it popped up again and again I thought man I really want. Knowing that Ed would say umm no I showed him and to my surprise he said let's make it happen. Dang! That is all I needed to hear to start the planning juices flowing. I don't normally get a yes so fast and when he does I don't normally get planning participation but this was different... secretly I think he was also experiencing love at first sight. 😍

Pinterest Inspiration Picture

Additional Pinterest Inspiration Picture

Excitement set in and the ideas started flowing. We both agreed that we wanted it near our current firepit and maybe even have it where you could sit at the bar and firepit at the same time. We also knew right away we wanted a solid back wall with a TV mounted (much like inspiration picture). With excitement flowing through my fingertips I started planning. Location and style were set but there is so much more to putting up such a huge structure then that. We started hunting for the perfect yet inexpensive grain bin to buy. After months of hunting online we found one. Perfect size of 14' in diameter. Great condition for age. Grain bin was set on family farm in 1950's and has been used by 3 generations. The only downfall was distance from home and the big one... how are we going to get this huge grain bin disassembled and hauled home. The farmer was amazing he offered to disassemble for us and had the original setup manual. First nice day in February we headed the 7 hours south and out of state and loaded it up in the truck and trailer and brought it home. The pile was heavy and huge but home.. now the real fun could begin. How are we going to assemble this beast?! **Being the sorta person I am; all I could think of is how will I decorate it. 😂**

Purchased Grain Bin Original Site

Loaded up and heading home.

How much did it cost? Keeping with my moto of keeping life transparent here you go. 

• Grain Bin $1000
• Extra for Farmer to take down $100
• Travel cost $350; (truck/trailer rental and gas) 

This makes running total $1450

9 Week Challenge

What is it going to take to get motivated, to get off my butt and take my health seriously? Maybe a 9 week weight loss challenge?! 

November 1st it starts. My work place started a 9 week weight loss challenge. The basic challenge premise is as follows:

- $20

- Lose 4% of starting weight

- Split winners pot

Okay so there is more to it then that but I am sure you get the point. Because I believe is putting myself out there and being honest to myself and to you here it goes... it is weigh-in day.

Wow 225.0 pounds, how embarrassing. I am going to try not to pout and cry over it. I did it to myself. I ate the extra candy bar (s). I sat on the couch when I should have been working out. If I was giving myself a pep talk;  I'd tell myself to suck it up, get off my butt, put the candy bar down and do what I need to do to drop the weight and regain my healthy happy body. The comfortable couch girl doesn't even know where to start. This week I plan to research, meal prep and shoot to workout 30 mins 3 times this week. 

I have 9 pounds to lose by end of the year and it starts with week 1. 

Buffalo Chicken Burrito's

Grab your chicken and chop it into small pieces. I use rotisserie, canned, or even Tyson frozen chicken cooked up. I used Tyson fajita chicken. 

INGREDIENTS FOR TWO:

• 4 oz cooked chicken breast (about one cup) shredded - any chicken you want. 
• 1 Light Laughing Cow Wedges
• 1 Tbsp Franks Buffalo Hot Sauce – I cannot stress the importance here that you MUST use the Buffalo sauce not just the Franks Hot Sauce here. It’s completely different and you’ll love it more if you use Buffalo sauce!
• 1/2 tsp Hidden Valley ranch dressing seasoning powder or 1/4 tsp garlic salt- Honestly, either one. I go back and forth all the time. I found the spicy ranch packet and used it for an additional kick. 
• 2 Tbsp nonfat Greek Yogurt - used Fage lactose free non fat. 

* could add lettuce or celery or really anything else you enjoy with buffalo chicken. 

Stir it all together and microwave for about 45 seconds. Divide dip among 2 Low point/low carb tortillas fold into a burrito and crisp in heated pan with olive oil spray. 

Eat one now and enjoy the other for lunch following day. Could enjoy it with zucchini fries or simple fresh fruit salad. 

Support System

 Good evening,

Just like so many others I have restarted my diet or "life style change" so many times that I have lost count. As I restart my diet again I think about why I have to. I read all the articles, research some great recipes, stock fridge, pull out workout videos and give myself a pep talk. Monday comes, I'm strong and succeed. Tuesday comes; start strong and darn bad lunch choice. Shoot this day is shot so guess I should give up and try to restart Wednesday. Wednesday morning, you are not feeling it... Maybe Thursday. A couple weeks later I restart the same thinking as before. So what went wrong? 

Things happen. You get invited to lunch. Kids sporting event goes long and quick dinner is needed. You wake up not feeling good, no workout that night. Life happens, so dang now what?!

Mentally I know when life happens, roll, pick up and push on. One bad meal does not need to turn into a week of bad meals or worse yet a month of them. But, even though mentally I know what to do I just don't do. Which leads me full circle.

As I exam all the attempts and fails I have made over the years one thing I have found to be true I can not do this alone. The key to successful weight loss is having a strong support team. This doesn't mean you have to hire trainers, nutritionist and if you don't have a supportive household you can't do it. What this means is you need to build a support system that works for you. Support system can include local support like spouse, friends, coworkers or groups like weight watchers etc. Or support systems can be made up of online friends, groups or a hybrid of both. Once you establish your support use it; lean on it and you will find that bad days can stay as bad days and less likely to become bad months.

Reflecting (Early) on the 30's

 As I was reflecting back on this past year I started looking back further and further until I reached my 30th birthday. I had so many big plans to make my 30's amazing. See I had spent my 20's making babies, learning how to adult and fine tuning career options and vowed to wow myself in my 30's finding myself. Looking at my 30 things in my 30's list I find myself wondering if I accomplished my goal or if I managed to get further lost in life and if I am still searching for myself. 

Let's look at that list and see what still needs done in the next 10 years and maybe some of those items really are less important then they were 10 years ago. 

1. Go roller skating with my kids (Kiddos are not interested in this and I am sure we can find something better.)
2. Have family photo's done (I have taken several)
3. Run a 5K (Memorial Day 2013) adding back to list. Run a 5K
4. Walk around the lake (7 miles) (Summer 2013) adding back to list. Walk around the lake. 
5. Run a race of any sort in every state. (ya lets cross this one off as it doesn't excite any longer.)
6. Go Ziplining
7. Wear shorts in public (all summer walking the lake 2013)
8. Buy something sexy to wear
9. Get a body massage
10. Build a 90 day emergency savings fund
11. Volunteer More
12. Start a retirement plan
13. Take a class or lesson
14. Go Skiing (ya not my thing)
15. Get my passport
16. Purchase a new home (we have a home so yup off the list)
17. Send a message in a bottle
18. Go hiking
19. Make something new out of something old
20. Watch the sunrise and set in the same day from the same location
21. Read 1 book every month for a year.
22. Start recycling
23. Pay off my car
24. Go on a woman's retreat
25. Attend the canoe trip with friends
26. Take my kids on an airplane (Took kids to Disney World in April 2012)
27. Graduate from college (Done June 8th, 2012)
28. Plant a garden (Summer 2013 with sister)
29. Lose all my child gained weight
30. Complete this list

Alright, Alright, Alright! With a couple updates and adds; we have a new list. 

1. Run a 5K
2. Walk around the lake. 
3. Go Ziplining
4. Noodle
5. Buy something sexy to wear and wear it.
6. Build a 90 day emergency savings fund
7. Volunteer More
8. Take a class or lesson
9. Get my passport
10. Send a message in a bottle
11. Watch the sunrise and set in the same day from the same location
12. Go on a woman's retreat
13. Attend the canoe trip with friends or river trip period.
14. Lose all my child gained weight
15. Get married
16. Complete this list
17. 
    

If you notice I am leaving the list open. I do not want to close off the opportunity to try something new or accomplish something wonderful because I am constantly changing and growing. So here is to the next many years... 

Family Room - Custom Wall Unit

 Here in Northern Michigan it is not uncommon for homes to have basements and unfinished ones are the most common. When I moved in I found just that.. a beautiful unfinished basement just asking to be finished. The main problem I would find is that when Ed built the home he never really planned to do anything with the basement so shorter ceilings and exposed well... everything is what I had to work with. 

Our basement is setup in a way that it encourages me to want to finish it. The major question is how. Ed had previously finished or sorta finished three spaces; gun room, utility space and guestroom. Another space was sorta mapped out as a family room but longs to be finished and used as such. This space will be my first of many I will get my hands on and turn into a great space for our big beautiful family to use and enjoy. 

As with all my projects I did not want to spend a ton of money. Ed is so handy but asking him to build something from nothing is not something I wanted to do... so I got onto Facebook marketplace and started shopping. What I found were two entertainment systems, solid oak with similar styles. Both have lights and both were $75 each. The next item I found was an electric fireplace insert for $10. We loaded everything up in the truck and took my finds home where Ed was left to put the puzzle together. See I strongly feel the best tool one can have in a family room is a main wall unit with plenty of storage. With a ton of games, video game systems and toys we need a ton of storage. Plus, I want a space with room to setup an air mattress for extra sleeping space when kids come home so I don't want big bulky storage solutions here and there rather one big beautiful wall unit. 

Slowly piece by piece my wall unit went up. 

Ed build sides walls to connect the first set. Then it was time to add set two; securing the pieces together as he went. 

I don't have a picture of it but we had this small entertainment center before that was had storage below the tv and one cabinet along the side. The lower part would also be used as center portion of structure and where the fireplace insert would placed. 

With some framing and stone work a custom fireplace would be added. 

Wire up the lights from both units to work as one.. 

and what you are left with is a beautiful custom build wall unit for under $250. Man look at all the storage.. I am in love.

Now onto painting walls, adding some wood accents, drywall the ceiling and add some awesome barn door for privacy. Stay tune...