Home Improvement!

We finally got through all the prep and updated the look of our house. It's only taken 2 years to get it done, but I think it's AWESOME!

This is 'BEFORE' ... way before. This was taken the day we got the keys to the house - about 6 years ago. Note the clean garage. Wow, that's been gone for years! hee, hee!

Here is the AFTER! Taa Daa! Isn't the color pretty? I like how clean and sharp it looks.


Ok, this is my favorite part. I got a red door. Yay! It's totally against the HOA rules for us to have a red door, but I'm hoping it is so far back away from the street that they won't notice. Shhh! Don't tell.

Why, you may ask, would one want a red door? I'm not really sure. I've always wanted one and decided to check online to see what the story was behind it. Here's my little teaching moment for the day. Remember, I found this online so it all must be true.

Did you know ...

• In early America a red door was a sign of "welcome." When people had to travel by horse and buggy they had to stop often. If they came upon a house with a red door that usually meant they would be able to spend the night. There is even rumor that a red front door was used in the under ground railroad as a sign for the slaves traveling north that that house was a safe house.

• In old Catholicism the doors of a church were painted red to represent the blood of Christ and other Martyrs and once you passed thru the doors the ground (church floor) was holy ground.
  

• The Feng Shui aspect of painting your door Red is that the front door is considered the "Mouth of Chi" where all good energy enters a space. Red is considered to be the most auspicious color in Feng Shui. So it's done to attract luck and good energy.
  

• In Scotland when you paid off your mortgage you painted your door red.
  

Ok, so that last one will not be our reality for a really long time, but it all sounds positive. My red door is certainly welcoming to me. And the first reason, you know, the one about welcoming travelers is definitely true! Hotel Wetzker is pretty much always open. Call for Reservations!

Sicky Cup Day

Today is a not so good, horrible day for my kidlets. All three of them are sick, you know, the throwing up feeling icky type of sick. We've never had all three sick at one time. Since my kids were little they all have requested the "Sicky Cup" (instead of sippy cup) when they are sick. Now they are big and don't use the sippy cup, unless they are sick. Today 2 of them have asked for it ... and we only have one cup left (the most favorite Sponge Bob cup). B is too big for such childish things, but he's glad I'm home with them. I love the funny traditions of kids. Here's hoping they get better soon!

Random Ramblings

This past week has been a cruel sort of torture for my kids. Our close friends (Rick & Eileen) came over from Arizona to visit. Their kids have Spring Break while ours still had classes. To hear how their kids were going to Sea World, the Light House, the tide pools, etc .... man, the groans and justification for not going to school were never ending. I have to say, I almost went for it on Friday, but we stayed strong and our kids went to school.

Brandon got some good babysitting practice as we left the entire brood of kids under his watchful eye on Saturday night. He is 12 now and has been wanting to get more experience with babysitting. He did really well keeping the kids entertained, feeding them dinner, and even changing a diaper. We got the biggest kick when we got home and found that he put the diaper on backwards. Ha! Every experience is for our learning, right?!

While he babysat, the adults went to walk the streets of La Jolla to check out the art galleries. That is one of my favorite things to do. This time we seemed to steer more towards the photography than the painting. That may have something to do with Brian's new photography group that he's been working with. Didn't find anything that tempted us to spend money, but we did see some amazing talent that inspired me.

This month Brian and I have been really searching for some direction about a particular opportunity that has come up. After praying, talking for hours, fighting (a little) and coming to a decision I have been really surprised with the calm I've felt. (As you can guess, the decision didn't go the way I was hoping). This week the 2 answers that came to me were: 1. for as long as we can afford to stay in San Diego, I need to enjoy every minute of it. This is such a beautiful place and the people we know are so amazing! After thinking about it, we are really living in a paradise here and I don't think there is any other place that I would enjoy more. (I'm a bit of a weather wimp). And 2. though we live so far from family, we are creating a family of our own choosing as we deepen the friendships that we have with those here in San Diego and those who come to visit. Moral to the story: Stop Whining!!!

Nothing Says Loving Like a Home Cooked Meal

Ok, so this isn't a food blog, I promise. I still don't have a camera, so I have to steal pictures from other people. Since I am stealing recipes from other sites too, I might as well share. Ha!

After reading about these "Amazing Grilled Cheese Sandwiches" on Taste Buds blog, I thought I had to try them. I'm sure they are horrible on points, but after being sick 2 weeks, not being able to exercise (I hate lung issues), and still losing a few pounds (small perk for being sick) I thought it would be okay!


They were SO GOOD! The kids worried about the apple, but they lost all concern after just one bite!

Let's face it, you can't really have a grilled cheese without tomato soup. I have been known to open a can and just enjoy the simple version, but for a special sandwich you need special soup. I perused the blogs and websites and went for the Barefoot Cantessa's "Roasted Tomato Basil Soup" from Food Network.


I used an immersion blender and made my soup a little chunkier. Also, when I make it again I won't use so much of the red pepper flakes. It didn't turn out really spicey, but the kids didn't like the "kick" at the back of the throat. The soup was very good and I am grateful for the left overs!

PAY IT FORWARD!

How it works: The FIRST THREE people to leave a comment on this post will receive at some point during this year a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive will be a total surprise--to both of us.

The CATCH is that YOU MUST PLAY TOO! Before you leave your comment here, write a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (you can cut and paste these instructions). Then come back and let me know that you are going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift. It's THAT easy!

Remember, only the FIRST THREE comments will qualify. Good luck!

When Comfort Comes from Pie

Sometimes life goes along fine, and then it just don't. I've been sick for about 2 weeks now. I went to the doctor just to be told I have a cold, "go home, drink lots of water, you'll feel better in (get this) 6-8 weeks". Yay!!! Such hope he gives. I guess this coughing thing doesn't let up like it used to.

During this sick time, I lost my camera. This shouldn't be a big deal, but somehow I feel lost without it. I haven't had much energy to really hunt for it, but it's not where it should be. I even had a dream last night about it being in some obscure place. I was on a lot of codeine at the time so I can't remember this morning where I should be looking. I'll never make a good druggie!

And then Brandon is away at 6th grade camp. He'll be gone all week. No letters, no phone calls. One mom warned me that things would just feel a little off. And they do. I keep looking to count him in on everything (like setting the table, scripture study time, etc). I think of all kinds of things I want to tell him. Things he'd really laugh at (like the cat bringing home a lizard and a bird). What kind of mess will I be when he's gone on a mission??? Eeks! Poor kid will never be allowed out of the house again after this week. Ha! (ok, it's not that bad).

Yesterday was the first day I've felt a little bit better. I decided I needed a comfort dinner, and dang it, no one in my family was cooking so I had to do it myself. I've always heard of people making shepherd's pie, and theoretically it seems like something I would like. I've only eaten one and it was very tomato-y, and very icky! I tried this one from foodnetwork:


The family all agreed it was a winner (hint: I did add a little more Worcestershire sauce and a bit more of tomato paste than the recipe called for) ... overall, it was really simple. I also made the homemade whole-wheat biscuits that were part of this episode. Very yummy night. Not sure how many points, but I only ate a "jon-jon" sized portion, so I should be good.

"Worth the Points" Brownies

Brandon is heading off to a week long 6th Grade Camp. We are celebrating in our typical fashion ... with yummy food. He picked a family favorite crock pot dinner: French Dip Sandwiches (thanks, Alisa). And then for dessert I had to come up with something new. It's just a hobby of mine I can't seem to give up. Check these out!!!


It has fresh ginger, cinnamon, ancho chile pepper powder, and they come together in a really unexpected way. Nothing too spicey, just a little accent of flavor! I found this recipe from the Recipe Girl blog. She's fabulous! It's only 4 points per brownie, and so worth it for this yummy treat.