Kitchen Re-do In Progress

I finally did it.  I tackled my kitchen.  While re-doing the kitchen has been something I've wanted to do since we moved in, it was always such a daunting task that I've just kept pushing it and pushing it.  At the beginning of the year, I made a list of goals for our house that I hoped to accomplish before the end of the year and the kitchen was on it.  With Khloe's birthday party being only a month away, I decided it was a good deadline to set for myself to have it done before the party.  

The re-do is in no way finished.  Really all I've done so far is paint the trim and the cabinets.  But wow, does it make a difference.

Here are the way befores.

Then we replaced the lighting and painted the trim.

Then it was time for the cabinets.  I used Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations kit in Pure White.  Last year I used this kit to paint my bathroom cabinet here.  I followed the same process this time except for a few changes.  This time I used a roller.  The kit advises to only use a brush, but the last time I had a horrible time trying to get rid of the brushstrokes.  So, I opted for a 4" foam roller for ultra-smooth surfaces.  I still used a brush for the grooves in the cabinet doors, but used the roller for everything else.  Another change from last time- I didn't use the decorative glaze this time.  I used it in the bathroom and it feels a bit dirty-looking to me.  I'll probably end up re-doing it at some point.  Also, since this was a kitchen, I felt like the cabinets were extra grimy from grease.  So, before I even began the steps outlined in the kit, I scrubbed everything down with soap and water.  Seems to have worked great.  Keep in mind, same as last time, it took me 4 coats of the base coat.  The box says it will only take 2.  Here are some of the in-progress pics.

Oh.... it was a mess.  It messed with my OCD so much that I ended up finishing it in 3 days so I could put everything back together.  

Without further adieu.... here she is all cleaned up.

It's so much brighter; it feels like we added about 17 lights.

I still have a lot to do.  Here's the checklist for now.

• Find and install a new pantry door
• DIY a backsplash of some kind
• Add a laundry room door (this is on the dining room side of the room)
• DIY wall art
• Replace curtains?? Maybe, maybe not.....
• Repaint cookbook holders ORB
• New faucet?
• Add accessories

I'll keep you updated with the progress!

- Brooke

Camping Series: Part 3- Campfire Cooking

When we go camping, we always go with a non-electric site.  This means all of our cooking is either over an open fire or on a portable charcoal grill.  Truth is, we bought the charcoal grill but have yet to use it.  Campfire cooking is both the most intimidating and the most enjoyable part of camping for me.  I like the challenge of it, but am always scared I’m going to burn everything.... that's only happened a couple times....  

Every time we go camping we try new recipes, but here are a few of our favorite campfire meals so far.

• Hash browns and Southwestern Egg Beaters- Brown shredded hash browns in a little canola oil (maybe 2 or 3 tablespoons) and the pour the Egg Beaters over top.  Stir until eggs are done.
• Waffles- Just use basic waffle mix and follow the directions on the box.  Pour into a waffle iron like this one.  You can find a link to buy this in this post.

• Chicken Fajitas- Recipe below
• Dutch Oven Ravioli- Recipe below

• Dutch Oven Chili- My super quick and simple recipe is below or just use your favorite chili recipe.
• Campfire Calzones- Press biscuit dough into a greased pie iron.  Put in any toppings you like and seal the edges of the biscuit dough to cover toppings.  Cook over campfire until the dough is cooked through.
• Grilled Cheese- Easy idea for the pie iron.
• S’mores- You gotta have these!!

I try to keep the recipes as simple as possible to make things easier.

Here are a few tips for campfire cooking.

• Instead of bringing eggs, bring Egg Beaters.  They have flavored ones that add a lot to a meal and you don’t have to worry about the eggs breaking in your cooler.
• Don’t forget the non-stick cooking spray!
• Cooking over an open fire takes longer than cooking at home.  Start dinner earlier than usual.
• Watch food closely.  It quickly goes from done to burnt.
• Do as much prep work at home as possible.  Chop up veggies and meats then freeze them in gallon baggies.  They’ll thaw in the cooler and then all you have to do is dump it in your skillet or dutch oven.  I even cooked the ground beef for my chili at home and brought it in a baggie.

   Here are the recipes as promised!

Chicken Fajitas

1-2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips)

Cut peppers and onions (as many as you like)

1-2 Tbsp canola oil

Lemon pepper seasoning (to taste)

4 Large flour tortillas

Toppings-

Cheddar cheese

Fresh diced tomato

Shredded lettuce

Sour cream

Sauté chicken peppers and onions in oil in a cast iron skillet over the open fire.  Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning over chicken and peppers while cooking.  Once chicken is no longer pink, put on tortillas and top with whatever toppings you like!

Campfire Ravioli

1 bag frozen cheese ravioli

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 jar spaghetti sauce

Dump ravioli and sauce in dutch oven, top with cheese.  Put the lid on and let her cook.  Cook time varies depending on your fire.  Just keep checking.  Once the cheese is bubbly on top, the ravioli should be heated through.

Chili

1 lb. hamburger (pre-cooked at home)

2 cans kidney beans

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 packet chili seasoning

Put it all in your dutch oven and cook until heated through.  Serve with cornbread, shredded cheese and crackers.

-Brooke