Are we a DIY couple??????

Look at how happy they are in their DIY bliss? Can me and my hubby have that same DIY glow?

photo courtesy of awarmhome.com

Since we have decided to hold off on selling our home, we have decided to do a minor renovation to our bathroom.  Since initially buying the house 6 years ago I've wanted to put in a new tile floor and replace the vanity and fixtures. I was mainly inspired to finally tackle it by seeing other couples in the blogsphere do theirs. For example, Sherry and John over on Young House Love are in the midst of a total gut and redo of their bathroom and Jenny over at Anything Pretty did a fab redo of her guest bath. But it has me wondering are we a DIY couple?

The decision to redo our bathroom ourselves was not something we came to overnight. While my husband has done DIY projects in previous homes he owned, I have done nothing major other than slap a few coats of paint on the wall. I've always hired professionals to do everything for me. In this house I've hired professionals to do the landscaping, build our backyard deck, refinish the basement, redo the half bath, lay hardwood floors, and the list goes on. So the whole DIY thing is completely new territory for me. And its scary. I try to give myself a boost of confidence and say "how hard can it be if everyone is doing it?". But the question I really ask myself is "Can I do it right and will my results look as good as a professional?" (Its the perfectionist in me coming out.)

The other worry I have is whether or not my husband and I can survive a large DIY project. See I'm bossy and anal and picky on top of that. (At least I can admit my flaws) And on projects I tend to want to  direct everything. When we first moved in together and painted the guest bedroom, it was not the smoothest of projects, namely because of my bossy disposition and my pickiness for perfection. My husband has agreed to undertake the bathroom project with the stipulation that I have to curb the bossiness and nit picking and really trust him and work as a team.

I think if we survive this, this will be an opportunity for growth not only in our relationship but also in me as a person. Yes, I will pick up some new DIY skills but  more importantly I will also learn how to trust in my partner and work better as a team.

Did anyone else have to learn how to let go and let their partner take control on projects? How have others done in doing DIY with their spouses?

Read more...

Impromptu Mexican Food

Right before the holidays I had a craving for Mexican food. I hadn't eaten all day except for a bowl of oatmeal and by quitting time I was starving. Usually I consult my cookbooks to thoroughly research a recipe, however, my hunger pangs was not cooperating with my usual MO. I had to get to the supermarket pronto and just wing it.

I was able to cobble together some really tasty burritos using the following ingredients.

• Beef (cut for stir fry)
• Goya Sofrito
• Cilantro
• Red Onions
• Can of Black Beans
• Tomatoes
• Cheese (packaged shredded Mexican blend)
• Brown Rice
• Flour Burrito tortillas
• Sour Cream 
• Salsa

I have never cooked with Sofritio before but it looked like it would make an awesome marinade. It is a tomato cooking base flavored with  peppers, onions, and garlic. I marinated the meat in the sofrito for about 20 minutes then added the meat to a pan with sautéed onions.  While the meat and onions cooked I diced some fresh tomatos and added some cilantro for a simple salsa.

I then created by burrito with my sautéed meat, brown rice, cooked black beans, my simple salsa, and cheese.  I will be the first to admit that I am not the best at rolling burritos but they held together. After rolling I placed them on the grill for about 10 minutes flipping halfway thorough. Then I served with a topping of salsa and sour cream.

They were so simple and tasty.

I am definitely making these again and this time really taking my time to make a great salsa.

Read more...

This Winter is Wreaking Havoc on my Hands

A pic of my kitchen window sill where I keep my hand lotion and ring bowl for when I'm cooking.

I have noticed that this winter unlike any before I am having problems with dry skin on my hands. Its probably a combination of the fact that I do a ton of dishes without wearing latex gloves,  fear of H1N1 has me washing my hands even more, and I am in my mid-thirties and my skin may not be as naturally moisturized as it used to be. One habit that I definitely picked up from my mother is the excessive use of hand lotion. I have a small container of hand lotion in almost every room and I fanatically apply it throughout the day. But my favorite lotion especially in the winter is the Hemp Hand Protector from the Body Shop. I have been using this lotion for well over 5 years and outside of vaseline it is the best moisturizer I have ever come across for my hands. The smell at first took some getting used to for me, especially  since I was used to the slightly floral scents that are common in hand lotions. It's definitely not unpleasant just different.  But everyone I give this lotion to gets hooked to it and swears by it as the best.

Are there any lotions or creams that others can recommend that help in combatting winter dryness?

Read more...

Did I Not Get the Memo?

Did I somehow not get the memo about how kick "A" fantastic and additive the Twilight series is?

I saw the first movie and thought it was fairly entertaining but it didn't knock my socks off.  I mean I am not completely living under a rock, though sometimes I do feel that way, but I knew there were millions of fans going gaga crazy over Bella and Edmund but just couldn't understand why.

So I decided to finally break down last week and pick up Twilight to figure out all the hoopla. And I must say this is addictive!!!!! I am halfway through book two and already I am trying to see if I can get through the series by month end.

I just hope that I don't loose steam and that the level of writing of the first two is maintained throughout the series. That was my biggest complaint with the Sookie Stackhouse "True Blood" novels. The level of writing just went downhill around book 4 or 5.

Did anyone else jump on the Twilight bandwagon waaaaay late?

Read more...

Our Little Buddy

I was debating whether to go out to Valley Green in Fairmont Park or Chestnut Hill to take photos today but it was just to darn cold. (And as I type this I am not feeling my best - I just hope I am not catching something.) So I resigned myself to it being a photo-less day, since I am tired of snapping pics indoors.

When I was laying on my bed enjoying my new Kindle, my faithful old companion crawled up next to me and he looked oh so cute that I couldn't help myself and I had to capture a few shots.

Donnie has been with me for over 12 years and I have had him since he was 1. Despite my allergies to cats I got him from the DC SPCA one summer in graduate school. He is one of my best friends and he has stood by me in some of my darkest hours as a faithful and loyal companion. He is really more like a dog than a cat. He loves people and greets everyone at the door We call him a "cat whore" since he wants attention from any and everybody. I am so happy that Roosevelt is an animal lover and that him and Donnie have formed a special bond. You can find them together curled up most nights watching TV or cruising the internet. He is even talking about getting him a little Eagles jersey for game nights. Now that I want to see. LOL!

Unfortunately my little guy is getting old, he is the equivalent of human 70 year old, and it's starting to show. Some days he is stiff, he can't jump like he used to, he definitely is starting to sleep more, and he has a little "Kitty mole" on his nose (just like humans may get more moles as we get older). But he is still as gentle and loving as ever. He is forever our little Buddy.

Read more...

2009 Rocked!!!!

In the midst of all the craziness of 2009, the economic meltdown, the continued war in Iraq and Afghanistan, massive layoffs, .....  Roosevelt and I were truly blessed in 2009.  Everyday we rejoice in the gift of life, health, and the opportunity to share our lives together but it seemed as though 09 was just truly bountiful in the blessings from the Creator.

In 2009 we:

• Got married ! Yes I am now a "Married Lady" After 35 years of being single I truly feel it's a blessing to have found that special someone to walk through this life with.
• Went to Vegas twice. We love Vegas that much that we took a trip in January and this past November. Vegas rocks!
• Honeymooned in Savannah. The reaction we usually got when we told people where we was honeymooning was "Yawn" and the sound of crickets chirping. But Savannah is one of the most beautiful relaxing cities you could ever visit in the US. It has an old world charm, a laid back pace, the people are all so welcoming, and the food will knock your socks off. What more could you want on a vacation.
• Took up photography as a hobby. 
• Had hardwood laid in the stairwell and upstairs hallway of our home. Now we have hardwood throughout the house.
• Got to visit with my 98 year old uncle in Georgia. My uncle is such a joy to be around and so sharp. He can recount stories from when he was 4!  I hope that we can both have longevity and a life as rich as his.
• Canned a ton of strawberry jam and apple sauce (well I did), which turned me onto seasonal canning. Now I am hooked
• Got to meet a ton of wonderful people in the process of planning our wedding. Like Kathy Bado of the Wedding Factor and Bola of Onada Photography.
• Launched a business.
• Feed alligators. How many people get to do that?
• Lived to see a man of color sworn in as president.  This is monumental considering both of our parents grew up in a segregated society and we were one of the first generations that experienced integration. I remember still hearing as a girl in school from my guidance counselor"Well you can't attend that school because you are a black female and bound to fail". Yeah well I went on to graduate from Cornell and we have an African American president. What progress!
• Visited one of the man made wonders of the modern world - Hoover Damn.
• Got to enjoy the company of our wonderful family and friends yet another year.

I wonder what 2010 has in store???

Read more...

Fab Necklace

Photo J Crew

This is a fabulous necklace , but $295 is just a little to steep or is it just me? Am I being the cheapo? It is designed by FENTON-FALLON and is J Crew's offering of the necklace worn by Michelle Obama on the recent cover of Glamour. (Please bear with me in my Michelle obsession.)

I am wondering if I can find a similar piece for less on etsy or somewhere else on the internet.

The hunt is on!

Read more...