Ruby Sipes

Yum Quinoa

2012-01-08T17:12:00.000-08:00

The company I work for has a demo department in all of their stores. I like when they introduce something that I want to make at home. This is my version of their Green Quinoa Salad.

1 1/2 cup red or white or mixed quinoa

2 cups of water

1/2 cup of broccoli cut small

1/2 cup asparagus

3 stalk green onions chopped

8 oz pesto

1tbl olive oil

pinch of salt

Rinse quinoa add to a pot with the water and salt on med/high. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low cover and let simmer about 15 min, or until all of the water is gone. Let quinoa cool. Saute asparagus in olive oil until tender. When ready to mix together. Enjoy!

House Project List 2012

2012-01-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

So it is a new year and it is time to finish old projects and plan new ones.

Attic Floor we have about 30% left
Organize the attic
Semi- finish Basement
Front yard fence
Landscape Backyard

Seems like a short list but it sounds exhausting to me. I will post as things get finished. This is most likely the order of operation. Hopefully the attic floor will be done this weekend.

Holiday Baking

2011-12-19T12:14:00.000-08:00

Shane and I got some baking done yesterday and here are some of the results.

Rum Balls

These are really easy to make and here is the recipe. They are very tasty.

Buffalo Chip Cookies and The Cranberry White Chocolate Orange Option.

This is my cookie cheat one recipe many options.

1/2c Butter

1/2c Shortening

1c Brown Sugar

1c White Sugar

2 Large Eggs

2c All Purpose Flour

1t Baking Soda

1t Baking Powder

1t Vanilla

1t Salt

1t Cinnamon or (zest of an orange)

1c Old Fashion Oats

1c Corn Flake Cereal

1c Chocolate Chips or (white chocolate chips)

1/2c Flaked Coconut

1/2c Chopped Walnuts or (dried cranberries)

(these items you swap for the orange white chocolate cranberry cookies)

There should be about 32 cookies. Bake at 350 degrees 13-15 min.

English Toffee

This was really easy. Here is the link for the recipe.

Love this site.

Bavarian Style Pretzels

This was the first attempt and I think I will try a different recipe next time. They are still edible.

Shane also made his lovely rye bread but I failed at taking pictures of it and knowing where he got the recipe. I can tell you it is delicious. I guess I should start the beirocks for today.

A Newly Painted Front door and Pumpkins...

2011-11-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to painting the front door.

The pumpkin seeds were delicious.

Our First Thanksgiving

2011-10-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

So realistically this is not our first Thanksgiving together. It is number 17 or 18 it has been so long I don't remember if we spent Thanksgiving together the first year. This is however our first Thanksgiving where we are preparing the food.

I am not going to pretend to recreate the lovely food our families have prepared over the years but we will create our own versions of traditional favorites. Probably with a lot of help from the web.

I think the real magic is picking the right combinations so the food is ready at the same time. Getting things done in advanced so there is time to relax too. I think there will be only 4 of us.

Here is my initial thoughts on the food. I am sure things will change but I like to plan.

Pre-meal snackage: The foods hanging out while preparing for the main gorge.
*Spinach Artichoke Dip
*Olive Tapenade
*Hummus
*Cheese Selection
*Veggies and bread for Dipping

The Dinner:
*Turkey
*Stuffing/Dressing
*Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Toasted Almonds
*Garlic Mashed Potatoes
*Roasted Beet, Walnut, and Feta Salad
*Vegan Roast or some sort of protein for me

Dessert:
*Homemade Pumpkin Pie with spiced whipped cream.

To some it looks like overkill but what is the point of Thanksgiving really... It is the meal!
Be thankful everyday and enjoy the season.

New Puppy and a Day at the Beach.

2011-10-02T17:53:00.001-07:00

Meet Astrid. She is a German Shepard/Corgie mix and totally loveable. We had a great day at the beach. Oliver and Astrid got their run on.

And More Fun with Tomatoes

2011-09-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Some of the tomatoes I picked today...

So yesterday I made salsa. And it is delicious.
3 cups tomatoes
1/4 cup diced red onion
5 garlic cloves chopped
1 jalapeno pepper
juice of 1 lime
salt

A little more added to the bathroom...

2011-09-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

I really do like these graphics. I like the idea that when I am bored with them they are removable.

Why Hello Tomato

2011-09-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

So after three months of patiently waiting for the tomatoes to turn red the have... all of them. I think we are going to have a very tomato full couple of weeks. This is what I picked this morning. None of them are very large but there are plenty.

I think I will take the sweet 100's to work.

Roma, Beefsteak, and Black Krim

Sweet 100's (too sweet for me), Chocolate Cherry these are delicious.
We will be growing them again next year.

Breakfast... Yum
Everything Bagel with Better Than Cream Cheese, sliced tomatoes and salt and pepper

Holy Garden!

2011-08-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

So because of everything going on this year we kept the garden to a minimum. We did get a few different types of tomatoes. As well as some zucchini, dill, cilantro, leeks, and cucumbers. The tomatoes have exploded hundreds of green tomatoes cover the plants here are our first red ones.

Black Krim, Beefsteak, Roma, Sweet 100

Mega Zucchini... mmm zucchini bread.

Some More Progress Made

2011-07-27T17:31:00.001-07:00

So we really have continued to work. Thanks to a lovely donation from my Mom and Gary we have made real progress on the fence in the backyard. When I say we I really mean Shane he has spent a lot of time on it. We are 2/3's done at this point.

Oliver is working hard...

The finished product.

The fence makes the yard looks bad.

The Tomato Plants are Five Feet Tall

2011-07-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

No tomatoes yet but there are plenty of blossoms...

And it Begins...

2011-06-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

Just so everyone can see the tragedy that is our fence. We are working on getting it finished. My Mom and her husband Gary are coming and helping. Shane is digging the post holes before they get here. One Post is in and another hole has been dug.

Shane hard at work each hole is supposed to be 3ft deep.... sooo keep digging Shane.

"Why exactly are we still outside?"

A Little Time Away

2011-06-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

We finally had our first real vacation away from the house since May 2010. We went to Lake Quinault for a few days. It was great not needing to think about things...

Some Finishing Touches

2011-06-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Well the effort in the home has slowed down. Six months of heavy work has brought a sluggishness to our mindset. I know typically I wouldn't do a theme but it is fun and the entire room is 5ft x 8ft...

In case you can't find your way out...

Lentil Koftas

2011-05-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Now that the house is a little more under control I can return to doing some of the things I enjoy and cooking is one of my favorite things. This is a recipe that my Friend Yesim gave me and I made some alterations. This is a tasty little treat even vegans can enjoy.

1 cup red lentils
1/2 cup bulgar
2 cups water
1 lemon
1 medium onion
1/2 bunch green onion
1/3 Italian parsley
1-2 cloves garlic
1 tbs tomato paste or mixture of tomato paste and red pepper paste
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin

Boil water and lentils together until the water is almost gone. Take off the heat. Add the bulgar and stir. Cover and let it rest. Heat oil and medium onion until onion is soft. Add garlic, salt, cumin, and tomato paste stir and heat for about 2 min. Combine onion mixture with lentil mix let cool (make it cool enough to touch). Add green onion, parsley, and half the lemon. Stir if mixture seems wet let it rest a little longer it firms up. Make palm sized footballs. I make them in my hand, you can also use spoons. I like to slice up the rest of the lemon to add more while eating.
Enjoy!

The Back Yard Lives!!!

2011-04-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

So after spending most of the winter using the backyard as a dumping ground, we have started the clean up process. We still need to get new fencing but we got the grass trimmed and moved the planters that were here where the sun will actually shine. Shane planted his blueberries and I planted our tomatoes. Soon we will have a couple more planters and a fruit tree.

MMM... Tomatoes...

Time to Start on the Garden

2011-04-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

So now that the house is basically done. I am not sure if a home is ever really complete but for now no major projects inside. I decided to start on the front yard. It is lacking in curb appeal...
So I used the broken pieces of concrete chimney/vent to create a tiered flower bed.

I guess I am going for an English garden feel. Sticking to purples, whites, reds, and some pinks, for color. I did get a couple of ferns. I also planted Shane's silly fern he rescued from the gutter from our last rental.

Pretty...

The Exterior has Changed

2011-04-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

What we started with....

Drum roll please...
Ta da

The trim still needs to be painted as well the porch.
Oh and the door.

The cherry tree is beautiful.

We have our Bedroom!!!

2011-03-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

After 5 months we are finally sleeping in our room. There are still a couple of things we need to finish. The crown molding, and the ceiling light are the last things in the room. We need to finish the crown molding in the living room and hall. Then our closet is the next project.

It is small. The lighting changed the wall color in this shot.

The view from my side of the bed.

The actual wall color.

Our only themed room...
The London Bathroom

The large clock is definitely a statement in this tiny bathroom and I love it!

Tube map shower curtain and wainscoting.

No more towel folding just hang it.

The Bathroom this Weekend or Else!!!

2011-03-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

We started the bathroom Jan 21st and today is March 4th. It has been functioning as a bathroom since the 25th I need this room to be finished. the is the goal room this weekend. The walls have the final coat of mud on. The final sand can be done when the mud is dry. Then it can be primed than painted and all of the lighting can be reinstalled. That leaves the molding, window and door frame to be put up and painted. Can it be done? I hope so. Oh and then I can decorate. It is our only themed room... London is the theme.

This is the shower curtain...

Finished Kitchen....

2011-02-26T16:58:00.000-08:00

Well I am calling it done. I am sure things will change over time but for now we are done.

Look a finished kitchen.

Interior Temp

New Sill

Cool Faucet

Stuff

Newish art? OK an old painting cut up and framed.

Same doggie door cleaned up. I know but it is funny.

He Smiles.

I am Just so excited!!!

2011-02-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

The kitchen is 97% done and should be complete this week. Tile finished and grouted and now all we need is the molding finished and the final coat of paint.

Just a reminder of how bad it was... I will post the final pictures when complete.

We Are Getting closer

2011-02-12T20:17:00.000-08:00

We had a productive weekend. Doug And Stephen got the roof finished. No leaks so far. Shane has a Shower and the backsplash in the kitchen is almost done.

Ignore the mess it is hard living in a construction zone. Just needs grout. Stephen did a lovely job creating my new window sill.

New molding around the windows and doors in kitchen just need the baseboards and cabinet kick-plates installed and the final coat of paint and the kitchen will be done.

See I told you Shane has a shower.

We have a sink too.
Look accent tiles.

List of things needed to be done in the bathroom. Door wall still needs Sheetrock. Tape and mud the walls. Paint walls. Install chair molding, crown molding and baseboards. Complete tile to crown molding. And the heat lamp needs to be installed. Wiring still needs to be finished

Bathroom Progress Slow and Steady

2011-01-26T18:05:00.000-08:00

So our 4 days off to do the bathroom was not enough. We have one of the three fixtures working but there is a floor and we do have the trailer.

*Day 1: Gut the room. Remove cast iron piping. Find out the floor was not stable. Doug and Stephen repair the floor.

*Day 2: Plumbing installed and the floor gets tiled.

*Day 3: Tub gets fixed in place.

*Day 4: Shane's Birthday. Trying to rest but obsessing and the walls start coming down and start getting replaced.

*Day 5: We have a toilet. Indoor plumbing is the way to go really.

*Day 6: Floor finally grouted. Gray grout with white tiles.

I do think this floor is what most people remove from their bathrooms but I like it.

Oh The bathroom...

2011-01-22T08:51:00.000-08:00

So we have started the bathroom. It is gutted and we found our first problem. As problems go it really isn't that bad. The people who built the house didn't care that the floor could fall in around the toilet. No floor support, and the last time the toilet was replaced the toilet wasn't bolted down so it leaked... MMM delicious. Here are a couple of before and during shots. hoping buy Monday to show you a more or less finished bathroom.

Before

Toilet rot... The new plumbing getting installed is cool. It it tubing that feels like a hula hoop.

Vent hole no support from below...Danger

What I am envisioning...We will see how close we get.

The Kitchen is more than just a dream.

2011-01-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

So it is slow work but it does look good when it gets finished. We are still not real sure on the backsplash hence the lack of one.

It is a little more country than I like but we are on a budget. Painting is cheaper than replacement. The same with the butcher block counter. Ooooo shiny knobs.

Creating Shane's hot drink station. Going to add a mug shelf. We are probably going to do a white subway tile back splash.

Hello 2011!!!

2011-01-01T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have a good feeling about this year. 2010 was a bit rough but we have high hopes for this year. Main goal for the year is to finish the house. At least to a comfortable level. Take a few trips and see more of our dear friends and family.

More Pictures

2010-12-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

A Few more progress pictures

Staining the floor.

Varnish the floor

Oliver surprised at the furnishings

Still need to finish the art for the walls. New house new life.

I like the calm colors for the house.
The crazy green in the hall is the only pop of color.

The dining room is in the kitchen, much better for us.

The Livingroom Lives

2010-12-18T12:25:00.001-08:00

Just in time for the new year we have made a claim on most of the house. Just got the living room built. Still needs the art on the walls and the crown molding but it is very nearly finished. As you can see Oliver is thrilled.

The kitchen is functional. I still need to paint the cabinets, the molding needs to go up, and new countertops. But at least it looks like a kitchen at the moment.

First Mortgage Payment Made

2010-12-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

Yes, it does feel better than rent. This week I hope to get the floor prepared for staining. There is still about a third of the glue floor to chip away. I will have my Christmas tree this year. I am hoping this will include a living room too. The windows should be ready soon. Once they are installed the house will be even more efficient. Did I mention that it costs us about $40 a month to keep the house at 68 degrees. The floor does look better stripped.

It's a hard life for Oliver...

Well it has been a while for the update...

2010-11-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

Things have been busy around here even if it isn't obvious. We have walls (well mostly) and they are mostly the color they should be. The animals are feeling more comfortable too.
I did the floor myself and it doesn't even look bad... Look appliances... Still need to finish the trim, the pantry, the lighting, the floor, and paint the cabinets... OK so a lot to get done, but I can use this kitchen

Pandora would not quit moving...animals

The Progress

2010-10-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

Totally exhausted but progress is being made.

We are taking it a pone ourselves to insulate the parts of the house that are not already. Luckily it is only 2 rooms. The living room and what will be our room.

Since we discovered the office is insulated I get to finish the room... Remember this?

Bye bye Christmas tree, hello white wall... Today the final color will be painted. The primer KILLZ does work.

We finally closed on the House!!!

2010-10-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

We Survived!!!

On 10/12/2010 we finally closed.
And immediately go to work here is some of the progress.

The therapy started... Ripping down the walls in our bedroom.

The mess on the floor... I guess I will get this.

Yeah now we can look into the bathroom from our bed.

Well a girl has got to eat... MMM vegan nachos!!!
No I couldn't finish it.

Oliver hard at work figuring out his back yard.

What is left of the chimney above the roof...
Shane's dad is a lifesaver.

All the walls are bare in the bedroom just need to
rewire, insulate, sheetrock, paint, and move in the bed.
Really is that all?

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2010-09-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

I woke up hoping to not stress about the house but that was unsuccessful. Today Shane, Oliver and myself are going to the coast. Please let the sunshine and warm come. I hope I can find the beach blanket... I hate living out of boxes. So happy thoughts and ice cream here I come.

Potentially homeless...

2010-09-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

Because our lender lead us to believe we were on track and good to go, we gave notice in our rental giving ourselves 40 days to move. Here we are 20 days from when we need to move and still no home. Our rental has been rented so now what? We are waiting to see if the new tenants want to wait. If not... I am renting a storage unit. Stressed!!!

You will never guess what....

2010-09-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Oh, Prospect Mortgage Lied!!! Clear to close my ass. They want more documentation... again. HUD wants more money again... When do we give up? When do you say I am a renter? I wasted a summer dreaming of my own home and I wasted $3000. The worst part I feel lied to and cheated. I don't know? Shane is still trying I am ready to quit!

Bathroom Ideas

2010-09-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

So the bathroom in our home is tiny... but going to be redone. I actually found a bathroom that looks a lot like I was planing. We did already purchase an accent tile. I am not sure how we will use it yet. Probably a band around the shower maybe shoulder height. Also I am going to use the below tile on the floor and incorporating some of the accent tiles in place of some of the square tiles. I did get a Big Ben decal wall clock for this room and I am planing on going with a London theme with the art. Probably black and white images we took while on vacation.

I can almost feel the keys in my grubby little hands!!!!

2010-09-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

After months of waiting the day is here... well almost. I figure it will be Monday September 2oth, 2010 we get the keys but they are trying today. Friday September 17th we have been given the clear to close. No more document hunting, resigning documents that were filled out wrong, thinking the lender is completely incompetent (OK this hasn't changed). The home will be a reality soon and the stress of getting things ready and moved. We will make it happen.

Still waiting... Still frustrated.

2010-09-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

It has been 79 days since our bid was accepted. I know that once this is behind us we will enjoy our new home but right now it is just frustrating. I think we are at the stage we can feel secure that we are getting our loan. But our lender cannot get their act together and continues to need more information causing delay after delay. And HUD is charging $25 a day, despite they had us sign an extension till 9/20. I do not see why this is fair. On vacation to get the house started but we are spending all of our time trying to get the house. I am hoping they give us the keys this week.

The Backyard: Boring but has potential

The Living room: A good size but all surfaces need refinishing.

The Kitchen: Big ugly getting a temporary face lift.

Decideing on paint is not that easy

2010-08-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

We are getting closer. I think this is the final choices for all rooms but our bedroom. We are trying to bring color into the home but have a nice flow to everything. I think the goal is to keep permanent things neutral and change the art and accessories. The kitchen will have stainless appliances and butcher block counters with slate back splash.

This has gone a little too far....

2010-08-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

OK so now I am dreaming about tiling. And worst of all I am tiling badly. Trying to decide what furniture goes in what room. The art on the walls. The color of the walls. All the work that needs to get done and who is going to do it. I think escrow exists to drive people insane. The neurotic thoughts just won't stop and we have 3-5 more weeks of waiting.
So my brain hurts...

New House Old Look?

2010-07-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

So all our money is correctly designated for upgrades to the house but after 10 years of the same furniture is it possible to change the look you have using he same furniture.

Paint is included in the budget I could rearrange the painting/prints (there are a lot).

I see the house in grays and greens. The kitchen will be stainless steel appliances, butcher block counters and a slate back splash. I am re-purposing the current cabinets and painting the much to my Mother in laws dismay gray. I am hoping to uncover the wood floors. They are there but covered with several layers of linoleum/vinyl. I am still unsure of the wall color but I think it will be light.

The bathroom will be very traditional. It is small so we are replacing all of the fixtures. The shower/bath will be tiled with mostly white subway tiles. I think we will add some green mosaic tiles. Faucets will be a modern take on traditional styles.

So Now What?

2010-07-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well HUD signed and we are in escrow. September 5th is the official closing date. We need to come up with a plan for the rehab loan.

Things we want:

Gas brought into the home. Currently heated by an oil furnace and a small wood stove. This will also include a gas water heater and gas line for the kitchen.

New windows. There are five windows that need to be replaced due to being single pane and/or being damaged.

A new fence in the backyard. Oliver really needs a place to go. We have had him for 2 years and it is time for him to get a yard

Insulation and sheet-rock the house. We are really trying to make the home more energy efficient.

A new load center. Currently there are 2 ancient breaker boxes.

Paint on the exterior. HUD is putting funds in an account for us to do some required repairs. The house next door burnt down last year and the heat from the fire has caused the paint to peel. HUD is requiring that we fix this. So I am painting the whole house.

New bathroom. Another HUD fix is a leak from the bathroom. Since this is the smallest room in the home we have decided to completely remodel this room. I get to learn how to tile.

There is a leak in the roof at a vent and some moss as well so these need to be fixed.

If you saw the earlier posts the kitchen is hideous. But we do not have a budget to replace everything so for the time being we are going to fake it. There will be new appliances. I am very excited about a dishwasher. So I am painting the woodwork gray. I hate oak. And creating a new counter. Thanks IKEA cheap butcher block counters and a slate tile back splash. And I am hoping the wood floors under the laminate will be salvageable. This room will be the most work for me.

Paint and molding for all rooms. You know I am tired just typing this list.

Why does the goverment want to delay?

2010-07-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

So the current news is there is no news. HUD is currently in negotiations with a title company so we (Shane and myself as well as anyone else waiting for a HUD purchase) must wait. Here are some more pictures to laugh at.

So here is a better look at our new home.

2010-07-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

The previous owners had their own ideas on interior design. I guess the devil is in the details.

Our First Home

2010-07-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

So I am going to use this space to update the process of our new home. We are currently in escrow and trying to get our initial home inspection done. I need to get in and get more photos for everyone to truly appreciate this home. The previous owners had their own unique ideas on home decorating. So here are a couple of pictures to start. Here is the front of the house, the kitchen and the studio... We will be doing some minor upgrades, the windows, the walls, paint, new bathroom, insulation, fence, and probably more.

True Blood Season 2 Last Episode

2009-09-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

So I am both excited and saddened by the last episode airing in a couple of hours. I will have to wait 9 months for season three. What is a girl to do? Been making images today.