Meal Planning & Menu Board {tutorial}

I decided about 6 months ago to start meal planning in an effort to save money at the grocery store (and loose weight!). It also keeps us from eating out too often. When we know what we are having for dinner and something is planned, there isn't temptation to just grab something quick out. Here, I will share my process for how I meal plan.

First, I went through the mess that was my "recipe cabinet". I got all my cookbooks, ripped-out-magazine pages, recipes I have scribbled down, etc. and I wrote down the recipes that we liked/looked good on index cards. It took a lot of time and several hand cramps to get everything down, but now I have a nice stash of recipes that are easy to look through and uniform. (Have I ever mentioned I'm an organization junkie? No?) Now everytime I get a recipe, I write it down on a index card and stash it in the recipe box and everything is in one place. No more looking through books, papers and pages for good recipes. There were a few things we like to eat that don't require a recipe (tacos, breakfast, ect) and for these I just wrote them down on a colored card stock.

Now that I had all my recipes in one place, it was easier to decide what we want for dinners every week. I do all of my grocery shopping on Sundays. So, Sunday morning Chad and I go through the recipe cards and choose what we want to have for dinner that week.

Then, I make my grocery list based on our meals. I have all the ingredients written on the index cards. I go through my pantry and fridge and then whatever I don't have goes on the list.

I take the index cards and put them on my awesome Menu Board that I made (see below). I don't necessarily plan what we are having each night specifically. That night, depending on what is thawed out, any time constraints and what we feel like, I decide what to make.

Menu Board:

In January, I saw this really cute menu board on pinterest and decided it would fit perfectly into my menu planning. It was super simple to make and it's adorable. Here's how I made it.

Supplies:

1)1 piece of canvas (or anything large and flat: cookie sheet, piece of wood, etc)
2) Hot glue gun
3) 7 Clothes pins
4) Markers
5) 1 piece of fabric large enough to fit over the canvas
6) Nails (to hang)
7) Card stock

Steps:

1. Hot glue the fabric to the canvas.

2. Cut out your card stock and write your days of the week on them and make a cute "menu" title.

3. Hot glue the clothes pins evenly down the side of the canvas.

4. Hot glue the card stock letters to the clothes pins

5. I covered a small box in card stock and hot glued the box to the board to keep pens and misc papers in.

6. Glue the "menu" title on.

Enjoy!

I love having this in the kitchen. I can just look at the board and see what's for dinner that night and it's decorative!

Basement Renovation: Windows and Framing

This week we tightened up and finished off a lot of loose ends. We started out by moving all of the water lines from the middle of the room, where they were below the ceiling, to inside the drop. We were able to reuse some of the old copper but also had to buy new for a few places. 

As you can see, no more pipes in the middle of our ceiling! Yay!

We also had to move the a/c line into the drop. We were thankful that when we unscrewed the bracket holding the a/c line in place it moved on its own far enough to fit under the drop. This meant that we didn't have to hire someone to move the line for us, which saved us money!

The last line to move was the gas line. In order to do this, we had to turn our gas off. Trust me, you work fast with no heat when it's 40 degrees outside! Instead of re-running the gas lines to fit under the drop we just decided to run the line through the floor boards in the ceiling. I found out you are able to cut holes in the MIDDLE of these boards but not in the BOTTOM, that would compromise the integrity of the ceiling.

Moving the gas line required buying new iron lines and also re-threading old ones that we were able to reuse. Re-threading the line requires a special tool (threader) that my dad had. It's a tough job that took two people with strong muscles! After they were reconnected and sealed (with iron cement), we turned the gas back on. We placed a mixture of soap and water around each place the pipes connected to see if it was leaking. Bubbles would form if there were any leaks. I thought this was clever!

We unexpectedly realized that one of our pipes was in the middle of the window so we had to move that, too (below). 

After everything was moved to it's proper place it was time for the new windows to be installed. We decided on block windows. These are typical for basement windows because they are very save. They do not open, although there is the option to buy block windows with a vent that will allow fresh air in. We didn't get any with a vent, just regular block style windows. 

The windows that we used to have were extremely...flimsy...for lack of a better word. They would pop in and out from the inside or outside which was extremely unsafe. When the installers came to put in the new windows, he was telling us that he does so many homes that have been broken into with the same "flimsy" windows we had. Anyways, the new windows are much more attractive than the old ones and they were installed with concrete. So, no one is getting in our basement! Also, I think they let in a lot more natural light. 

Once all of this was done we were able to finish all of our framing. We finished framing the drop, the two side walls, the HVAC room and the door for the playroom. As well as framed in all the (new) windows. Then I cleaned, which involved a lot of dust-sweeping and coughing. It wasn't fun...

Here is a lovely montage of all the completed framing. 

(Above) If you can see the bump out to the right, that is going to be some built-in glass shelving and wine racks. 

(Above) The drop that extends the length of the basement. 

(Above) The HVAC room and a little of the hallway.

(Above) The door to the playroom.

(Above) This is the playroom (and all the extra wood we are returning, yay). The closet is in the middle-left of this picture and the very left is the other door. 

(Above) This is also the playroom (different angle). You can see (from left to right), the door to the bar area, the HVAC access & the door to the stairs.

(Above) The stairs with the new landing.

(Above) The hallway.

Although this week was about finishing up everything, it took longer than I thought. It was a good 2 full days of work to get all that done. It's really exciting that it is actually looking like the individual rooms now! 

The last thing we did this weekend was tape off where the bar will go and where our couches will go. This was so we could decide where we want the lights and outlets to go. We were told to put more lights in than we think we need. You can always turn them off, but if you don't put them in you can't make it brighter. Most of our lighting, we decided, will be can lights. Also, the playroom will be wired for a fan/light, just in case we decide later we want a fan in there. The only other lighting will be a track light in the bar area, some stair lighting, and some small lights in the built-ins and near the TV.

This Weeks Costs

PVC - $45

Copper pipes  - $74

Gas line pipes, unions & couplings -  $85

Solder (welds the copper pipes together) - $30

4 Glass block windows & installation - $376

Free Things that were we already had

Nail gun

Nails

Table saw

Hand saw

Level

Square

Threader

Vice grips

Drill & bits

Hammer

Some  of the Copper pipes

Tape Measure 

Sledge hammer

Labor

This weeks total - $610

Project total - $1,966

Things I learned this week - When you turn your gas off, you also turn your hot water heater's pilot light off. When you turn your gas back on, the pilot light needs to be re-lit. If you don't re-light it, and then you need to take a quick shower to get ready to go out, the water will be cold and it doesn't get warm quickly. This means that you take a very cold shower, trust me, it was painful! It takes a good 4-5 hours for the hot water heater to start producing hot water again. So, plan accordingly.

This weeks plans: This is more like the plan for the next two (or three?) weeks.... 1) We have to prepare for dry wall. This requires nailing in blocks (small pieces of wood) on corners and ceilings so the dry wall has something to be nailed to. 2) Return all the extra wood we have. This requires carrying it all BACK up the stairs... I can't wait. #sarcasm 3) Start running electric (lights and outlets). 4) Run the two heat ducts we are putting in. 5) Run the water lines that will go to the toilet, sink and bar. 6) Decide on our plan/design for the secret bookshelf-door and frame it. 7) Anchor the new copper pipes and the a/c line so they don't rattle.

I am not a professional and all my advice and tips are purely from my own experiences. 

2012 Book List: Recap

If you know anything about me, you know I love to read. So I thought I would share, for those who are looking for a good book (or one to stay away from). Today I'm going to post the books I read in 2012 with a small review. For 2013 I will try to post the reviews as I finish the books. I have a HUGE book list for 2013. And although I'm so excited to read them all that I can't decide what to read next, it can be a little overwhelming with all those books on my shelf! So having this little forum will keep me motivated and reading!

I read 11 books last year (that I can remember). As you will see, I love series books. Especially ones that were made into movies. Don't worry there are NO SPOILERS!

(Not pictured: Bossypants by Tina Fey)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

   This book was recommended to my by a couple of friends and with the movie It is a mystery novel, originally written in Swedish. I was absolutely consumed by the story and read the book in nearly 4 days. Although confusing at times, (a friend of mine actually took notes so she could remember who everyone was), this was an amazing book. There are many characters to keep straight, many with confusing and unusual names (again it is originally a Swedish book). If you can get past the hard to pronounce names and places, the story line is riveting! The story line: A journalist (Mikael) gets commissioned to investigate a rich man's family mystery. Along the way he meets a woman (Lisbeth) and they develop an unusual relationship while delving deeper into the mystery of a missing girl. You literally can't put it down, you need to know what happens next.

Overall: highly recommend

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

This is the sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was anxious to read this book after reading the first one and loving it. Again, you have to get past the hard to pronounce names and places. I did like this book. However, it was my least favorite book of the trilogy. This book involved a lot of back story that is needed for the third book. There wasn't much action until the very end of the book. You finally get to the climax of the book and it ends! Although it involves the same characters as the first book, it is a completely new story. Storyline: Lisbeth is suspected of murder and she goes on the run. Mikael believes her innocent and works to prove it. In the meantime, he uncovers some secrets about Lisbeth's past. It is a very well written book and like I said it's necessary for the series. It keeps you on your toes, although there is not much action, you can't put it down waiting to find out what will happen next.

Overall: Recommended

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

Obviously, this is the third book in the trilogy. This was also my FAVORITE book of the series. As mentioned before, the names and places are confusing and hard to keep track of, but by now you've come up with nicknames for them all (Mike and Liz?). The entire book has you on the edge of your seat and the end is A-MAZ-ING! The story line: This book picks up where the last one leaves off. Mikael works with police and secret services to prove Lisbeth is innocent and also bring down a corrupt government agency. It keeps you reading and you are so in love with the characters you are rooting for them the whole time!  It is chalked full of action, suspense and MANY surprises!
Overall: Highly recommend

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Are you sensing a theme that I like books that are made into movies? This book was actually recommended to me by a friend and I didn't know it was made into a movie until I bought the book (actually a Christmas gift) and saw the cover. This was such a sweet book. Its a romance/drama but nothing like those grocery store romances. Storyline: A boy runs away from veterinary school (Jacob) and joins the circus where he meets Marlena. They have to train a new elephant that the circus has acquired. Jacob, being a vet student, is required to take care of the animal. Marlena is the talent. He and Marlena try to hide their romance from her abusive husband. The narrator is elderly Jacob. It often flashes back and forth between him as an old man in a nursing home and his younger self. It's a really cute story and well written.

Overall: Highly recommend 

I am Legend by Richard Matheson

This is one of the few books that I read AFTER seeing the movie. Only because I didn't know it was a book until recently. I absolutely LOVE the movie. Therefore, I could not get through this book. I, honestly, don't know how they could say the movie was based on the book when they are NOTHING alike. I got about 5 chapters in and I couldn't go any further. I probably didn't read enough to give this a review but I did not like it. The vampires are like real people, they talk and interact with the main character (Dr. Neville). The women vampires even seduce him. It was all very weird. I probably couldn't get into it because I liked the movie so much and wanted it to be like that. (See this is why I like to read the book first!) Storyline: Dr. Neville is the last remaining human after disease turns everyone into a vampire.

Overall: I didn't get more than 5 chapters in before I knew I didn't like it.

 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The next series that I decided to read was the Hunger Games. The upcoming (at the time) movie release also prompted me to read this. So, I hurried to read this one before it came out in theatres, too. The story line in this series is a little difficult to swallow. It's set in future America (called Panem) where wars have torn the country apart. It is now separated into the Capital where all the well off people live and The Districts where those that caused the unrest live in poverty. Every year, 1 boy and 1 girl are selected from each district to compete in the Hunger Games, which is a fight to the death. It is put on TV where all of the country can watch, as a lesson to the Districts. The premise is hard to get past if you really think about it (kids killing kids on live TV). But, if you can get past it and look at it as purely fiction, it is a great book. You can't help but root for Katniss and Peeta as they play out their fate in "the games". You find yourself feeling all the emotions that Katniss feels.

Overall: Highly recommend

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This is the second installment in the Hunger Games series. Catching Fire picks up where The Hunger Games left off.  This was probably my favorite book of the series. I read this book in about 4 days while on vacation. Storyline: On the verge of another uprising, Katniss is challenged with another Hunger Games appearance. Here she meets all kinds of new people. Katniss is more knowledgeable about what actually goes on in The Capital and the districts now. She struggles with wanting to be apart of the uprising and knowing that that would cause harm to her family and friends. This novel is full of action and strategy and surprises! You have to keep reading to find out what happens next, so you can't put it down.
Overall: Highly recommend

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Obviously this is the last book in the Hunger Games trilogy. This was my least favorite book. I didn't care for how it ended. Storyline: Katniss and Peeta have been separated. He was taken by the Capital, while Katniss was rescued other rebels. Katniss tries to rescue Peeta while The Capital is trying to plot Peeta against Katniss. There is a battle/fight scene and some action. All in all I was underwhelmed and I hated the ending. It definitely kept you reading because you needed to know what happens next but then you get there and your disappointed (at least I was). Overall: You have to read it to finish the trilogy but you should just make up your own ending and be happier! =)

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

I was really excited to read this books in hopes of seeing the musical someday. I have heard amazing things about the musical and I love the songs (that I've heard on Glee). So, I started this book with high expectations. I was seriously disappointed. Storyline: Extremely boring Life story of the wicked witch. Don't get me wrong it's written well. But it drags on and on. There is no action what so ever. I read about 3/4 of the book and I literally couldn't keep my eyes open, so I put it back on the shelf. I read some other reviews of this book and most people felt the way that I did. There were a few that liked it based on how well it was written. But, for me if it's not at least a little interesting, I don't care how well it's written.

Overall: Really boring

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This book (another book made into a movie) was recommended by several friends. It was a quick read. It's very inspirational and definitely a story about the underdog. The characters are witty and fun to learn about. Storyline: A journalist (Skeeter) in Mississippi in the 60s is trying to get a job at a big NYC journal. She is told to write about what she knows. So, she decides to interview the help (the black women that the white families hire to watch their children and clean their house). She uncovers the real people behind the help and works toward justice for them during a time of injustice. It's definitely a feel good story. Overall: Highly Recommend

Bossypants by Tina Fey

I love Tina Fey. I think she is hilarious! This is a semi-life story/semi-advice book she wrote. It is super funny. Full of one liners and good humored advice. It's also a kind-of biography which is cool to learn her background. It's good for a laugh or two. I'll leave you with this quote: "Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes."

Overall: Read it, it's funny!

So my taste in books varies from mystery, inspirational, teen-drama, non-fiction and biography. I really will try anything (except grocery store romances, vomit). It just has to be able to keep my attention or I will give up and not want to read it. I have started reading my 2013 books! I'm really into the one I'm reading now, you'll have to wait for that post to find out! Yay for books! Let me know if you read any of the books above, and what you thought. Or if you have any book suggestions for me! =)



Basement Renovation: Framing

We are back to working on the basement this weekend. It was a weekend full of progress you can actually SEE! Framing was on the agenda.

We had wood delivered (as you can see on a SNOWY day!). 302 studs 2x4x92(5/8), 25 treated 2x4x12s, and 25 regular 2x4x12s were nicely stacked and delivered to our garage. We had the PLEASURE of carrying ALL of this wood down a flight of stairs to the basement and stacking it again nice and neatly.... 

Chad and my dad started bright and early on Saturday morning and worked a full 8 hour day framing. They got so much accomplished! This was the first time Chad or I had done any framing. We picked it up quickly. Chad was much better at it than me. I learned I don't know how to read a tape measure and I'm better at making lunch and handing people things! =) 

The stairs were difficult to frame because we took out two steps and made a landing (out of 2x10 and floor boarding.) We also knocked out the dry wall and opened up the stairs. It makes the basement much more open, especially because that hallway will be a little tight at times.

Here is the new landing! Caution: If you are really tall, don't hit your head! It's a mere 6'4'' clearing! We probably should have measured that first! Whoops...

We decided to angle the wall (above) cutting down our storage space under the stairs but this opens up the hall way and makes the space look larger!

Then we were back at it Sunday for another 8 hours to finish it. 

There are a few tweaks here and there still but for the most part we are all framed in. We aren't able to frame in the windows until our new block windows are installed (hopefully in the next week.) And we weren't able to do the side wall until the pipes, gas line and a/c line are moved (which is the plan this weekend).

It is becoming much easier to visualize all the rooms now that they have walls (kind-of). This is especially true for the spare room/playroom. We decided to add a closet in this room after much coaxing from my dad. He said when we have kids we will want somewhere to hide all their stuff. (He's probably right.) The only concern we had was this making the room too small. But really the room is a lot bigger than we thought, and that is much easier to see now with walls!

We had to build a "drop" in the ceiling for all of our duct-work and lines (which you can see above and below)

The bathroom was another tricky room to frame. This was because of all the pipes we had to frame around.There will be some built in shelving in one of the walls in the bathroom because there was a lot of dead space lost because of some of the pipes. We thought this would give us some design and storage space. 

This Weeks Costs

302 studs 2x4x92(5/8) - $810

25 treated 2x4x12 - $130

25 regular 2x4x12 - $120

Delivery fee- $80

2x10x8 - $9

2x10x12 - $13

Floor boarding - $23

Concrete Screws - $17

Free Things that were we already had

Nail gun

Nails

Table saw

Hand saw

Level

Square

Drill & bits

Hammer

Tape Measure 

Sledge hammer

Labor

This weeks total - $1,202

Project total - $1,356

Side note - We have a lot of studs leftover so we will probably be returning some of them, but we are waiting to make sure we don't need it!

My amateur advice this week Things I learned this week -  Measure twice, cut once! Seriously! You might even want to measure three times! Make sure that your boards aren't twisted or warped. Use warped boards for when you have to cut smaller pieces. If you use warped boards the wall won't be square. Crown the boards to the wall; this means make sure all the boards are bending the same way, that way you only have one bow in the wall. As opposed to having the wall bowing in and out all over the place. 

This weeks plans: 1) Move the a/c line into the drop. 2) Move the water lines into the drop. 3) Move the gas line into the drop. 4) Glass block windows measured and installed (this will probably be more like next week) 5) Frame the remaining 2 walls and the windows. 6) Decide where we want lights and outlets (and what kind of lights). 

I am not a professional and all my advice and tips are purely from my own experiences. 

50 "First" Dates Restaurant Guide

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥ I have to admit I'm not one to make a big deal about Valentine's Day in the past. This year Chad and I decided that with the money being spent on the basement we wouldn't get each other gifts. So it worked out prefectly when I thought of a great "homemade" gift: A Restaurant Guide!

Chad and I LOVE to eat out at different restaurants. We have our favorites that we frequent often but we also love to try new places we have never been. I thought that it would be nice to have a book full of places around the city we have never been to eat. I put together a book "50 'first' dates" (credit to our friend Ben for coming up with the name). There are 50 places to eat in the book and they range from fast-food-type burgers and fries to extremely fancy steakhouses with everything in between.

I started by asking our friends for suggestions of really good restuarants they have eaten at around town that they would recommend. Boy did they respond. I got some amazing suggestions. It was important that these were all places that we have never eaten before. (This seriously slimmed down our options, but that's what makes it fun!)

After that I had about 25 places our friends had suggested. (I was only half way!). I researched on cincyusa.com and Yelp for local places that have good reviews. I found another 15 places that were highly recommended. The last thing I did was look on GoogleMaps for "food" near our house. I found another 5-6 places close to our house that we have been wanting to try/looked good. I thought this was important because most of the time when we go out to eat we don't really want to travel far. So having a good portion of the places close to our house was crucial.

Then I had 46 places to eat. 4 more to go! It took me longer to find the last 4 places than it did to find the first 46. I had exhausted all my options! I am pretty sure I had gone through every restaurant in the city! Either it was on the list already, we have eaten there before, I knew Chad would not eat the food they served (i.e Thai, French, ...etc) or it was way too far away. Finally, after going back through our friends and the websites again and again I had reached my goal of 50!

Once I had all the restaurants in a list. I put the restaurant logo at the top of the page with the name, location (what part of town), what kind of food they have, any description/saying/fun facts, price range and who recommended it to us all listed below. I sorted the binder by price range and then by location. I put a set of instructions on the front and we were good to go!

The idea is that on "date nights" when we can't decide where to eat, we will go to the binder and choose a place (based on price, location...etc). I got a set of stickers (green, orange and pink) and once we went and ate at a restaurant, we would use the binder to mark whether we loved it (green), it was okay (orange) or we would never return (pink)! I left a spot on each page for "opinion" with a box for the sticker to go.

Over the years we can add to the binder and I think it will be a fun keepsake. If nothing else, it will help with the hour long battle of "where do you want to eat tonight?" "I don't care, where do you want to eat?"

He gets a recycled Victoria's Secret bag....

I had to buy the 1/2 inch binder $3, dividers $1 and colored stickers $2 for a total of $6.  It was a cheap, cute and personal Valentine's day gift! Those are my favorite.

He loved it!

I also made him some Valentine's day cake pops out of his favorite cake (Marble Fudge) and icing (cream cheese). I colored my chocolate a festive pink and added sprinkles for fun and flare!

Recipe:

1 box cake mix (egg, oil, water)

1 jar icing

Bake cake according to box. Allow to cool. Then cut up cake into small pieces. Place cake bits in mixer with jar of icing and mix away! Put remaining cake/icing mixture back into cake pan and cool in refridgerator over night (at least 2 hours). Form mixture into balls.

These are cake balls, not meatballs..... I got 50 cake balls out of my recipe but it depends on the size ball you make.

Melt chocolate in microwave (add coloring of choice). I used Crisco to thin out the chocolate, when you add the coloring it tends to thicken up. Also you will have to microwave your chocolate several times thoughout the process because it will harden up on you. Dip balls into chocolate, I used some candy sticks to dip the chocolate with, a toothpick will not work, it's not strong enough. You can use nothing but its REALLY messy that way. I recommend the candy (lollipop) sticks. Add sprinkles or design and allow to dry!

They were super easy and amazingly cute! Enjoy!

I'll leave you with my Valentine's Day Chalkboard design! I hope you all have a 

♥ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! ♥