Bathroom Reno: COMPLETE!

We made it! I've been sharing snippets here and there about us redoing our master bathroom. We actually finished it last weekend but my blog was giving me attitude this week and would not upload pictures. I digress. We have a very small master bath and we wanted to update it the best we could. Adding additional space was not an option for us but upgrading definitely was. So we opted to do some painting and replace our fiberglass insert shower with a nice new tiled shower. 

The before picture does not do justice to what we were working with since the shower curtain is closed, but you get the idea at least. Just needed some TLC.

A while back we had painted the vanity cabinets in both of our bathrooms a dark grey- from their original wood. So when looking at tile colors and wall color we wanted something that would compliment it well. So we went with a solid grey oversized subway tile and a very light grey for the walls. We could not be happier with the outcome! A new shower curtain, that was more suited to the new color scheme was added and we feel like we have a whole new bathroom! 

And of course...why paint one bathroom on a Sunday afternoon when you could paint TWO! We matched the guest bathroom with the new paint color and everything feels just wonderfully fresh and updated. 

Two weeks. A day for demo (my hubby is very handy), a few days for the plumber and tile guy and one Sunday afternoon with my man in two tiny bathrooms taping, painting and smiling. Totally worth it! 

Catching You Up

Whew! Where did the last week go? I feel like things have been going a million miles a minute...although I don't feel like I have all that much to say to show for it HAH! So even though I missed the hodgepodge questions this week from my mom's blog...I present to you a hodgepodge of my life right now. 

Over the weekend, hubby and I enjoyed some delightful weather and a delicious lunch out! We had the yummiest fried chicken sandwiches complete with a hot honey drizzle. I have determined that I need to be better at taking pictures of my life so I have better images to go with my blogging words. But for today I will leave you with this picture of our yummy lunch...with a few bites taken out of it because I remembered to snap a pic only after I dove in! 

It is finally warm here! So what did I do on Monday? Made soup hah! Because why not? I love soup and can eat it year round even though it feels more "fall/winter". This particular soup was a new recipe and it is 100% one I will be trying again! I've linked the recipe I used and I followed it almost exactly. It's full of italian sausage, creamy tomato sauce, tortellini and kale (which I swapped for a kale/spinach combo). It was a big hit for both me and my hubby. And it made the perfect amount! Each of us had 2 bowls for dinner and then we had just enough for leftover bowls for lunch the next day. So do yourself a favor and pretend its 30 degrees out and curl up with a bowl of this deliciousness! 

Gemma...sweet Gemma. Last week I mentioned that she was having some trouble with her foot. We did go to the vet and had a corn removed and had a little sore on her foot treated. Well a week later and we were back at the vet today...some more yucky boo boos had developed and I noticed them last night. Why do things with pets always seem to happen after vet hours? But nevertheless we managed to squeeze in for an afternoon appointment. Only to be told that these new booboos were actually a result of her foot being bandaged from the previous injuries. Maddening! So I feel like a horribly neglectful puppy parent that I allowed them to develop but she's gotten treats and snuggles and I think she's forgiven me. 

And I will leave you with a story from yesterday. I am a teacher, for those that didn't know. And in these warm weather days some of us enjoy eating our lunch outside to soak up that sunshine. So yesterday as we're enjoying our lunch, we heard a yell. And we all kind of looked at each other because you just knew this was not a "playing with my friends/being silly" scream. This was a a hurt/scared scream. So we stand up and look over in that direction, not really seeing much and then all of a sudden I spot it...

"That kid is stuck in that tree!" And lo and behold we heard the scream again. And this time I was sure..it was coming from this boy who had climbed up a tree one leg on each side of a y shaped branch only to decide he in fact did NOT want to be up there, and was very scared. So I ran. Yep I RAN. And let me tell you I do not run. Should you see me running, know something important is going on. But myself and another teacher got moving because it seemed like he might fall any minute and was going to need a grown up pronto. Luckily, he decided as we came skidding to the base of the tree that he could attempt to jump down and he made it to the ground with no injuries and only a few more tears. 

One thing is for sure...there is never a dull moment. 

It's Hodgepodge Time

Joining up with my mom on this week's hodgepodge. Head on over to her blog to join in the fun! 

1. It's like my mama always said, "______________________________________________." 

My momma says a lot of things, she's definitely one with the words. If you read her blog you know this and she often says it herself. She likes words. So choosing one thing seems hard. I'm not sure why this was the first thing to pop in my head, and truthfully I'm not sure my momma says it "always" or even often for that matter. But she said it at a time when my life felt impossibly difficult and unfair and while that season of my life is long past, I periodically think of her saying this to me, when I face struggles or things just don't go the way I thought they would. I hear my momma with her arms around me telling me that "This is not a surprise to God."  And I'm immediately comforted with the knowledge that God is in control and that I have a momma who reminds me of it. So even though she may not say it out loud always, she says it in my head and that's a good place for a momma's words to stay don't you think? 

2. May 11th is National Eat What You Want Day. What will you be having by way of celebration? 

Well we'll be having the Home Chef meal I ordered this week.... but if I WAS having an "eat what I want" meal it would definitely involve french fries- super crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside fries. There would also probably be a super cheesy dish, perhaps a cream-based pasta and there would be some yummy dessert too, preferably cheesecake! And I would end that meal oh so satisfied but certainly with a stomachache as well. 

3. Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.

SUNSHINE! That's really all I'm looking for these days. If you read my blog yesterday you'd know that it was a high of 42 and rainy this past weekend here... But once I've got some sunshine I also want to be able to sit out on our porch with my husband and have a drink while we listen to some music and just relax while getting some vitamin D. 

4. Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement...pick one and tell us how it relates to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by. 

I'm going to go with growth. And specifically for today spiritual growth.  I decided that this year would be the year I would read through the bible. I've attempted it several times- reading it cover to cover in a year and always get lost somewhere along the way. I get behind and give up and lets be real it usually around Leviticus. BUT this year, I've been reading through it with the help of "The Bible Recap" which provides a reading plan along with a short podcast that "recaps" each days reading. And I cannot tell you how much it has helped with my spiritual growth. I learn something new about the Lord every day. Even on the days when I think...what could this passage really show me? There is always something. And there is definitely something to be said about reading the bible every single day. With purpose. And yes, I've definitely missed a couple days and had to read double other days but I'm committed and the growth I'm feeling in my own heart fills me with joy. 

5. I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it would be fun to answer here. The last thing you bought on Amazon is your weapon in battle. How will you wield it?  (if you're not an Amazon shopper, then the last thing you bought online anywhere)

I had to go back and look because we order so many things its hard to keep track. But the last thing I ordered was a book- titled "Growing Boldly". And I suppose if I needed to use it in battle I would whack people over the head with it! (It's a decent sized hardback) .

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A shower update...we're having our master shower tiled for a more updated work and the tile part finally started today! So exciting to see it start to take some shape. I already love it!

Tuesday Rambling

Not much has been happening in my neck of the woods, hence the lack of blogging. Without the commitment or accountability of a challenge, writing when there isn't too much to write about can be tricky! So here is an assortment of the everyday I've been living! 

This past weekend here was  mucky, rainy and  grey so it was spent mostly indoors. Although, Saturday we did venture out to the gym, followed by some Mexican food (because balance) and managed to go to both Lowes and Home Depot. Because apparently they have different things... Anybody else's husband particular like that? Apparently Home Depot has the better selection of valves needed for a few leaky pipes, but Lowes has the paint selection we want.  So both it is! Conveniently, they are literally right across from one another which I find rather curious. 

Speaking of paint...we were picking out some samples for the "master" bathroom. Why is that in quotes you ask? Because our master is itty bitty, so itty bitty I actually use the guest bath instead, so calling it a master seems a bit silly. Nevertheless it's getting a facelift which hubby and I are both super excited about! I posted the demo picture in a previous post but we've pulled out the fiberglass insert shower and are having the shower walls tiled with a lovely grey oversized subway tile. And so, we decided to also go ahead and paint since the current color doesn't fit the color scheme we're going for. So we went to Lowes (after Home Depot) and picked up about 20 color swatches - whoops! We essentially picked up all of their light grey shades, particularly the ones with a blueish undertone to bring home and examine closely. We've narrowed it down to 6 which feels like good progress. We won't do any actual painting until the tile is up, so stay tuned! 

Also on Saturday, I received this fun package of earrings! A sweet friend of mine from college has started a business selling these beautiful, fun, unique handmade earrings. I gifted several to family members for Christmas (and myself!) and these lovely stud packs were from the newer release. If you're looking for some new earrings or a great gift her shop is called Mixed Off Main.

Sunday was of course Mother's Day but hubby and I unfortunately couldn't be with either of our moms. So instead we made several phone calls and Facetimes. We talked to my mom, hubby's mom, and all the grandmothers. It's hard not to be with your mom on Mother's Day, particularly when you're someone like me who is so close to their mom, but its those days when I am extra thankful for the invention of Facetime! My momma sure is extra special and I gifted her this picture of us on my wedding day. Having my mom with my on my wedding day was the most precious and special thing. Many loved ones were unable to attend due to travel restrictions, including my sister, so having my mom by my side every step of the day was exactly what I needed. And that's who she is, someone who is there for me every step of every season of life. 

And outside of all the phone calls we managed to squeeze in a grocery run, some sushi for lunch and several episodes of the new show we've been watching. Which is definitely not a new show, but it IS new for us. Boardwalk Empire- all about the men who "ran" Atlantic City in the prohibition era. 

And this little one here...has something going on with her foot. She's been limping around for several days, just looking absolutely pitiful! I've got her a vet appointment for tomorrow to hopefully figure out what's going on. She is the world's sweetest dog, and I sure do hate it when she's not feeling like her cheerful, lovey self. 

The last thing I will leave you with is my favorite summer pasta recipe...it is not summer here. It's May and this weekend was a high of 42. But I am working on some serious wishful thinking to get summer to show up soon! I made this veggie side dish last week and then the following day put it over pasta- with a little extra liquid added. It's always been a favorite both ways- on it's own or with pasta. And in the summer when squash, zucchini and tomatoes are ripe and readily available it's the best! I don't have an exact recipe but roughly...

Ingredients: 

• 3 (ish) yellow squash/zucchini- quartered 
• 1/2 yellow onion or a whole one if your onion is small- diced
• 1 cup (ish) fresh tomatoes- chopped (I prefer grape or cherry tomatoes but whatever you have will be great!) 
• salt/pepper
• garlic
• Mozzerella cheese- shredded, or fresh whatever you have!
• pasta (optional)

Directions: 

1. Put about a tablespoon of olive oil in a saute pan- I prefer one with high sides particularly if you're going to go the pasta route. 

2. Let the onions, and squash saute by themselves for about 5 minutes and start to soften. 

3. Add the tomatoes and let them begin to blister and release their juices- most of the "sauce" element comes from how much tomatoes you add. If I'm doing pasta I typically add a few more tomatoes than if I'm just doing a side dish. 

4. Give everything a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. 

5. Let everything saute together for about 10-12 minutes until the squash is soft, and the tomatoes have released their juices but aren't total mush. 

6. While the squash is cooking, boil your pasta if you plan  to use it.

7. After everything has cooked- add in your mozzerella. Fresh is great in this, because it gets really stretchy and you end up with these gobs of cheese throughout. But shredded works just fine. 

8. If using pasta, drain it and add directly to the squash mixture and toss. If needed, add in some pasta water for extra moisture- I don't typically find this necessary. 

9. If not using pasta, then just spoon up and serve alongside some grilled chicken, steak, whatever you want and enjoy! 

Unfortunately this is the only picture I took and while it's not great you can definitely see the glorious summer colors of this delightfully flavorful, chunky dish/pasta sauce. Enjoy! 

It's Wednesday

 Hanging out with my momma at the hodgepodge today! Head on over to her blog to join in the fun! 

1. What's something you 'may' do this month? 

Hm...I may finally get wedding photos all downloaded and organized. I may finally learn how to keep a plant alive (fingers crossed on this one). I may countdown the minutes to summer break. Actually on second thought...that last one is a definite! 

2. Last time you literally or figuratively shouted mayday!? 

Driving to Atlantic City last weekend. Mostly if we're in the car together hubby drives but he needed to take a work call on his iPad so I drove the last little bit. The part where we actually drove into the city with a bunch of lanes and I wasn't sure where I was going and I couldn't have hubby help because he was on the phone so I was silently shouting mayday to myself. 

It all turned out ok though...mayday aside I managed to get us to the resort and parked :) 

3. Let the chips fall where they may, come what may, maybe, Cape May, mayflies, devil may care, you may now kiss the bride,  much to our dismay, mayhem, mayonnaise...choose a 'may' word or phrase from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way right now. 

I will obviously be choosing "You MAY now kiss the bride". If you missed all my wedding recap posts, I recently got married so how could I not choose this one?! And right here is the moment we became husband and wife and he was told you May now kiss the bride. 

4. If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this weekend, what would you like to see on the menu?

Well I don't anticipate this happening this weekend...but if it were I think I would opt for chocolate chip pancakes which are always a favorite of mine. With some homefries and sausage on the side. OR eggs benedict= a deliciously rich breakfast that you can't go wrong with. 

5. Tell me one true thing you believe about motherhood. 

That it requires more selflessness than seems possible. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We're getting the master shower retiled in our bathroom this week...well the plumber is at least coming so yay! We have a very small master bathroom and while we can't add anymore square footage we thought changing the fiberglass insert out for some classic, clean tile would be a better look and make it feel a bit more upscale. I shall keep you posted. But the current state of it looks like this...so it can only get better hah! 

Weekend Recap

 Anyone else feeling stir crazy these days? I know it's not just us! Hubby and I were both itching for a little mini vacation- we have our (belated) honeymoon coming up in mid-June but it wasn't quite soon enough! And hubby has been working so hard the last few months so we decided to find somewhere we could spend the weekend. Somewhere that wasn't too far, driving distance. And we landed on Atlantic City. Neither of us had been and it seemed like a fun weekend adventure for us. So this past weekend we found a Rover for the dog, loaded up the car and headed out for 2 nights away. 

Before I get into the actual trip, let me tell you the best extra detail we were able to work out. We happen to have to drive right past where my aunt, uncle and Mema live. This would be my momma's mom and her sister's family. I haven't seen this family in so long- I worked it out that I'd seen my Mema in the summer of 2019 and even longer since I'd seen my aunt. AND they had never met my husband! So this was extra special. We didn't stay long- but long enough for some long awaited introductions, hugs and some catch up time. 

After getting checked in and settled, we headed down to the casino to check things out. I had never been to a casino before so I was enthralled with everything- SO MUCH people watching to be done at a casino let me tell you. And in general it is sensory overload but definitely a fun vibe. 

The 2021 Casino look...let me tell you. A mask selfie is tricky!

After checking out the casino we headed out to do a little exploring on the boardwalk and walk to our early dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant. I wish you could tell how truly unbelievably windy it was in this picture here. There was a wind advisory Friday night, with projected gusts up to 50 -60mph. It was wild.  Still, it was a beautiful sunshiny evening at the beach so I was a happy camper!

We went to dinner at Dock's Oyster House and should you find yourself in Atlantic City, you should definitely plan to eat here. It's a super fun spot with delicious food! The restaurant is nearly 120 years old (opening in 1897) which I think is so incredible. And they serve some seriously delicious seafood. They did have some non seafood items, but I'm of the belief that when I'm at the beach I want seafood. So we started with some of their broiled oysters- two ways. Rockefeller and Champagne Leek. Both of which were amazing! And we added a chilled lobster to our appetizer selection because why not? We're on vacation! 

And that was followed with a delightful main course of scallops for me and halibut for hubby. No one was unhappy.  

We also ordered dessert but ate it before I remembered to snag a picture...key lime pie. Which is one of my all time favorites! Besides the delicious food, the atmosphere was really fun! They even had someone playing some live music on the piano.

We ended the evening, spending a little more time at the casino- not being lucky...and walked on the boardwalk. Saturday after a quick morning stop at the casino we spent most of the day up and down the boardwalk. We strolled down to the ferris wheel at one end...

                

...and then back the other way, checking out the views, doing some serious people watching and popping in to some restaurants for snacks, lunch, drinks- the works. 

                

The evening included another yummy dinner at Guy Fieri's Chophouse over at a nearby resort. It was great! Although, not as impressive as Dock's in my opinion. And we capped off the night with some gelato. Overall the weekend was relaxing, full of sunshine, quality time with my hubby, time for him to disconnect from work, hand holding down the boardwalk, toasts to the first 3 months of marriage and just enjoying life together. 

And then it was time to get those pups and head home...I'd say based on the pictures they had a good time too :)