It looks pretty... but for me, too much carrot and not enough oats!
This recipe isn't fooling me..
Monday, February 28, 2011
Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Tried a recipe I found for "Carrot Cake Oatmeal."
It looks pretty... but for me, too much carrot and not enough oats!
This recipe isn't fooling me..
It looks pretty... but for me, too much carrot and not enough oats!
This recipe isn't fooling me..
Monday, February 21, 2011
Gunstock 231
Last night I was reading over the Miniwax Stain directions again and I noticed at the bottom of the can it said to apply a second coat within 4 to 6 hours of the first stain (it had been 5 hours). I ran outside to decide what to do. I decided that just one coat made it look somewhat worn; I went for the second coat.
It was dark outside when I was trying to finish up the second coat. I'm sure it was a pretty humorous site to see me so frazzled. The worst part of this whole stain process (for me anyway) was the step where you lightly remove excess stain with a rag. I tried not to apply any pressure, but I always seemed to wind up removing a lot in one area and not as much in another. I'm really not sure how you would apply the same amount of pressure to the whole area you're wiping. That problem + no more daylight = very frazzled me skittering around the garage.
I can't seem to get a good photo of this without the light bouncing off in some strange way. That said, it is pretty red. It looks less like Gunstock 231 to me and more like Sedona Red or Red Chestnut.
But it's okay, I've come too far not to like it! I'll be waiting at least until later this afternoon to apply the protective top coat. My friend who knows wood and I are planning a date to build an apron and slap on some legs.. just a few more weeks!
Let's Recap:
We bought a beat-up door at the Habitat ReStore
I spent a long time cleaning it and sanding off the old stain and chipped pieces to reveal beautiful wood grain underneath
I applied a prestain conditioner
Then a first coat of Miniwax Gunstock 231
Then a second coat
What's left
- protective top coat
- legs!
It was dark outside when I was trying to finish up the second coat. I'm sure it was a pretty humorous site to see me so frazzled. The worst part of this whole stain process (for me anyway) was the step where you lightly remove excess stain with a rag. I tried not to apply any pressure, but I always seemed to wind up removing a lot in one area and not as much in another. I'm really not sure how you would apply the same amount of pressure to the whole area you're wiping. That problem + no more daylight = very frazzled me skittering around the garage.
I can't seem to get a good photo of this without the light bouncing off in some strange way. That said, it is pretty red. It looks less like Gunstock 231 to me and more like Sedona Red or Red Chestnut.
But it's okay, I've come too far not to like it! I'll be waiting at least until later this afternoon to apply the protective top coat. My friend who knows wood and I are planning a date to build an apron and slap on some legs.. just a few more weeks!
We bought a beat-up door at the Habitat ReStore
I spent a long time cleaning it and sanding off the old stain and chipped pieces to reveal beautiful wood grain underneath
I applied a prestain conditioner
Then a first coat of Miniwax Gunstock 231
Then a second coat
What's left
- protective top coat
- legs!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Stain!
My friend who knows wood came over yesterday and told me to stop being crazy and just stain the thing. So, I did!
We'll have to see when it dries, of course, but I'm wondering if I want to do a second coat. I liked the deep, rich color it had before I had to wipe the excess off. But I don't think this looks bad, and I don't want to push my luck either!
The stain needs at least 8 hours now to dry, so this is probably it until tomorrow when I can put on the protective top coat.
Almost done!
We'll have to see when it dries, of course, but I'm wondering if I want to do a second coat. I liked the deep, rich color it had before I had to wipe the excess off. But I don't think this looks bad, and I don't want to push my luck either!
The stain needs at least 8 hours now to dry, so this is probably it until tomorrow when I can put on the protective top coat.
Almost done!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Awesome Oatmeal Cookies
I have several magazine subscriptions... usually these magazines sit in a stack until I decide it's a good time to look through them. I tear out interesting articles and recipes and stash them in a folder, where I don't see it again for months (or more).
On Thursday night I decided to flip through my most recent Food Network magazine. A tiny recipe for Oatmeal Cookies caught my eye - it looked so simple (one bowl!) and healthy (only whole wheat flour, NO BUTTER, egg whites, lots of oats!), yet the picture made them look plump and delicious.
In an uncharacteristic turn of events, I decided to make the cookie right then and there. I didn't have wheat germ, so I substituted with ground flax. I also left out the raisins.
This cookie is awesome. I get a little fearful of whole wheat baked goods sometimes, thinking back on my grandmother's infamous bran muffins (they bounced like rubber balls). These cookies were a little bit salty, so I might cut down on the salt next time (not that I don't love salt..).
Please try these for yourself and be shocked at how delicious they are. They pretty much made my week!
You can grab the recipe here on foodnetwork.com
On Thursday night I decided to flip through my most recent Food Network magazine. A tiny recipe for Oatmeal Cookies caught my eye - it looked so simple (one bowl!) and healthy (only whole wheat flour, NO BUTTER, egg whites, lots of oats!), yet the picture made them look plump and delicious.
In an uncharacteristic turn of events, I decided to make the cookie right then and there. I didn't have wheat germ, so I substituted with ground flax. I also left out the raisins.
This cookie is awesome. I get a little fearful of whole wheat baked goods sometimes, thinking back on my grandmother's infamous bran muffins (they bounced like rubber balls). These cookies were a little bit salty, so I might cut down on the salt next time (not that I don't love salt..).
Please try these for yourself and be shocked at how delicious they are. They pretty much made my week!
You can grab the recipe here on foodnetwork.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
Confusion
I'm taking advantage of the beautiful weather today and working on my table/door. Remember that project? :-P
I thought I reached the end of sanding, and I put the prestain conditioner treatment on. The treatment is supposed to help the stain be more even and not splotchy.
So, then, I'm confused as to why the treatment seemed to actually make the wood splotchy where it wasn't before?
I don't understand... so now it's google time to figure this out before I put the stain on. Disappointment!
I thought I reached the end of sanding, and I put the prestain conditioner treatment on. The treatment is supposed to help the stain be more even and not splotchy.
So, then, I'm confused as to why the treatment seemed to actually make the wood splotchy where it wasn't before?
I don't understand... so now it's google time to figure this out before I put the stain on. Disappointment!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Doggie Day Camp
For a nice treat, I thought I'd send Biscuit to a day of Doggie Day Camp at Canine Campus.
I was told that he was excellent - played well with all the dogs and had a great attitude. "Basically," they said, "he played for 9 hours straight."
I brought him home at 5:30pm. Three hours later, not much has changed.
Biscuit is a very satisfied customer! Three cheers for doggie day camp!
I was told that he was excellent - played well with all the dogs and had a great attitude. "Basically," they said, "he played for 9 hours straight."
I brought him home at 5:30pm. Three hours later, not much has changed.
Biscuit is a very satisfied customer! Three cheers for doggie day camp!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A DinnerCakes Reunion
Yep, a DinnerCakes reunion featuring Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie, Courtesy of 101 Cookbooks.
The inside was a little less "done" than we wanted it to be, but that didn't stop us. The top was cooked perfectly and golden brown - a lower heat might have been better.
The inside was a little less "done" than we wanted it to be, but that didn't stop us. The top was cooked perfectly and golden brown - a lower heat might have been better.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Warby Parker
So, I heard a secret recently - you can get new, stylish frames and lenses for under $400.
Forget Lens Crafters or Pearl Vision and try online. There are lots of online sites popping up that sell glasses, but I found one that also sends you up to 5 pairs at a time to try on.. free! The site is called Warby Parker.
I haven't found frames I like enough to spend hundreds of dollars on, so I've had the same frames for 6 or 7 years. It gets a little boring, especially when I wear my glasses all the time in the hospital (eye shields... essential!).
Warby Parker encourages you to post photos of yourself in the try-on lenses and ask for feedback. This would be a great idea if you don't have a nosy dog.
It's just as well; I don't think any of the frames are really "me."
Bummer!
Forget Lens Crafters or Pearl Vision and try online. There are lots of online sites popping up that sell glasses, but I found one that also sends you up to 5 pairs at a time to try on.. free! The site is called Warby Parker.
I haven't found frames I like enough to spend hundreds of dollars on, so I've had the same frames for 6 or 7 years. It gets a little boring, especially when I wear my glasses all the time in the hospital (eye shields... essential!).
Warby Parker encourages you to post photos of yourself in the try-on lenses and ask for feedback. This would be a great idea if you don't have a nosy dog.
It's just as well; I don't think any of the frames are really "me."
Bummer!
Monday, February 7, 2011
More Reasons Not to Get a Golden Retriever
If Christmas wasn't enough to strike fear into your heart, check out this recently acquired "Valentine's Day Gift."
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Green Monster
Yesterday, lunch was green.
This is called a 'Green Monster' and it is again from ohsheglows.com.
A good friend recommended this drink. I was, of course, skeptical at first, being that it's a bright green drink filled with spinach. But, it was pretty tasty!
I'm still partial to my morning frozen cherry vanilla almond smoothies, but this is a nice, light change of pace.
This is called a 'Green Monster' and it is again from ohsheglows.com.
A good friend recommended this drink. I was, of course, skeptical at first, being that it's a bright green drink filled with spinach. But, it was pretty tasty!
I'm still partial to my morning frozen cherry vanilla almond smoothies, but this is a nice, light change of pace.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
What's Cooking?
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I've started the Cinch diet. Well, I'm still on it, and it's completely changed the way I think about eating and how I enjoy food. Really, it's been great.
Tonight I made a Cinch dinner with spaghetti squash, my first time cooking with it. It's strange, because it looks like spaghetti (hence the name), but tastes nothing like it. This combination of spaghetti squash, whole wheat pasta (penne and rigatoni), garlic, pesto, spinach and shrimp worked really well. It took a little bit to prepare - the squash needed to be hacked in half, placed cut side down in a glass pan with a little bit of water and microwaved for 6 minutes. I could only fit one half in the microwave at a time, and then my timing got a little wonky with the other ingredients. But, I'd call this dinner a success!
Then after dinner I allowed myself a rare indulgence off the Cinch plan (I've really been surprisingly good about not venturing off the plan.. I've even surprised myself!). I baked some Pumpkin Pie Banana Chunk Oatmeal Cookies from ohsheglows.com. I'm not usually a vegan baker, but these looked healthy, and full of roughage.. and, of course, my favorite things (pumpkin + bananas + oats!).
I'm interested to see how they do overnight, but fresh out of the oven they were great. It doesn't taste like a non-vegan cookie, so if you can get over the lack of crispy texture, and you like moist, wheaty cookies, give them a try!
Tonight I made a Cinch dinner with spaghetti squash, my first time cooking with it. It's strange, because it looks like spaghetti (hence the name), but tastes nothing like it. This combination of spaghetti squash, whole wheat pasta (penne and rigatoni), garlic, pesto, spinach and shrimp worked really well. It took a little bit to prepare - the squash needed to be hacked in half, placed cut side down in a glass pan with a little bit of water and microwaved for 6 minutes. I could only fit one half in the microwave at a time, and then my timing got a little wonky with the other ingredients. But, I'd call this dinner a success!
Then after dinner I allowed myself a rare indulgence off the Cinch plan (I've really been surprisingly good about not venturing off the plan.. I've even surprised myself!). I baked some Pumpkin Pie Banana Chunk Oatmeal Cookies from ohsheglows.com. I'm not usually a vegan baker, but these looked healthy, and full of roughage.. and, of course, my favorite things (pumpkin + bananas + oats!).
I'm interested to see how they do overnight, but fresh out of the oven they were great. It doesn't taste like a non-vegan cookie, so if you can get over the lack of crispy texture, and you like moist, wheaty cookies, give them a try!
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