Mission Repaint Dining Room: Accomplished

I must say that I am infinitely proud of myself for my newest house project. Ok, so it really only involved a very simple paint job, but our dining room now looks 1,000 times better. Goodbye putrid mauve circa 1991; hello gorgeous Patina Blue (Valspar Signature color with the primer already in it - fabulous!).

I’m gonna take my self-aggrandizement a step further. Huzbo and I finished the whole project in two and a half hours. And yes, I actually convinced him to sacrifice part of his weekend for another home improvement project. I’ve got mad persuasive skills. Snap!

Ugly, horrid before:

Gorgeous, calming after:


Now, while the room obviously is not completed, I think it's still a hell of a lot better than it was before. I'm on the lookout for some larger scale artwork (on the cheaps) and a fabulous mid-century modern buffet piece or china display. Holla if you hear of any.

You must be thinking to yourself, “Wow, Ragan, this must have been the absolute highlight of your weekend.” Well, adoring masses, you’d be wrong. The only thing that could top such an accomplishment: Food.

You know you’re old when you consider a perfect weekend eating and home improvement projects…

Dirty Little Secret

I am a wedding registry stalker and I can’t control it. The first step is admitting you have a problem, right?

I can’t explain why I find it so interesting to creep on acquaintances’ wedding registries, but if you’re getting married or have recently done so, I probably have a pretty good idea as to what you new kitchen is going to look like.

I like to think that this strange mini-obsession comes from a good, healthy place. Maybe it’s that I don’t feel quite comfortable squeezing you for details about your huge life events, but I still care. And a little part of me feels like I’ve participated in your happiness just a bit when I check out what you’re hoping people get you. Or maybe I’m just jealous that I can’t have all of your presents. Bet these folks would really appreciate it if I purchase something from their registry, rather than just perusing.

Now that I’ve gone off the creep end, I’ll close this little post down. But really, it’s not as weird as it seems, right?

Maybe it’s a Southern Thing…

I recently came upon a post on Apartment Therapy (http://ht.ly/2e631) about a particularly considerate house guest and the author requested comments on other lovely, considerate things that readers’ house guests had done for them. Reading through the comments, I was struck with an idea so foreign to me that I didn’t know how to comprehend it. Some people despise and even forbid houseguests. What?!

Like I said, maybe it’s a Southern thing, or maybe I’m an overly hospitable freak, but I simply don’t understand why someone would turn away a friend in need of a place to stay, or even a non homicidal looking stranger, from their home. I mean, I can sort of see how one can be inconvenienced or mildly uncomfortable with the cleaning, preparing and grocery shopping bit, but it is inconceivable to me that one would not derive some satisfaction from enjoying the company of their friends and helping to make their travels more comfortable. Its called karma, bitches.

Am I too Southern? Too trusting? Too much of a homebody? Is it weird that I genuinely enjoy making sure that my house is as comfortable as possible for my family, friends and friends of friends that need a free place to stay? Maybe I’ve just travelled a lot and have had to rely on others’ hospitality. Or maybe I am a little too maternal for my own good. Or maybe it’s just that I’m not an asshole like those grumpy commenters.

Granted, sometimes people aren’t the best guests – they don’t make the bed or leave like 20 peppermint wrappers scattered across the room (same guest) or eat my last chocolate-coconut Kashi bar (really I don’t mind, it was just an example) – but I am nonetheless pleased that I was able to provide them with the same comfort and friendship that so many others have shown me. I don’t know, maybe I just know how to share.

So, friends, family and non homicidal strangers: You are always welcome at my home. I have no problem washing the sheets before and after your stay, making sure that you have clean towels and preparing a meal for you. Do try to make the bed, though; this Southern girl appreciates your manners. And just for the record, I also like iced tea and football.

Dining Room SOS

It's probably no surprise that my decorating sense of style is a little different. Maybe it's my mother's aforementioned hoarding, but I prefer an eclectic, vintage and modern decor to the out of the box, prefab and pre-coordinated look any day. The upside is that when you're able to achieve that perfect balance, your living spaces are cozy, comfortable, fashionable and sentimental. The downside is that if you lack the funds, creativity, time or any combination of the three, your rooms look dumpy, sloppy and cluttered. This is my struggle.

My current room of focus is my oddly laid out, very chartreuse kitchen and eat in dining room. I’ve found a photo of the casual dining look that I want and I’ve even purchased the most perfect 1950s wooden movie theater seats, but I just don’t know where to go for the table (modern-looking chairs are easy thanks to Tracy's fantastic West Elm wedding gift). I’ve scoured Craigslist and local flea markets, but when I describe to people that I want a beat up, but solid barn work table, I get the craziest looks. Am I off on my description? Anyone have any ideas of where to go with this? Or maybe you have one of these in your garage and would like to drive over and drop off on my doorstep? I would like that a lot.

Here’s the look that I’m going for:


(photo from http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/)

Good Goddess of Deliciousness - Crispy Creamy Avacado Fries!?!

I just came across this post on thekitchn.com and had to pass it on. This just might prove once and for all that everything is better fried (as if Oreo hadn't already cleared up that arguement).

Check it out here.

I'm so making these sometime this week and I'll get to keep them all to myself, as Huzbo is an irrational avacado hater. Sometimes I just don't get him...

Arkansas Summer Staycation

With holes still in our bank accounts from one expensive spring of nuptials and home buying, Huzbo and I are trying to tame our travel bug and find delights a little closer to home. I can’t promise that I’ll make ever event on my list, but making a list is really the first step to accomplishing things, right?

Here’s my See Arkansas First travel to do list (descriptions come from their respective websites):

27th Annual Altus Grape Fest - Friday, July 30th & Saturday July 31st, 2009
http://www.altusgrapefest.com/

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks - http://www.bgozarks.org/events/

Farmer's Market - Sunday, May 2nd 9am to 2pm

The Fayetteville Farmers Market will begin on May 2nd at 9am. There will be a variety of vendors located in the Botanical Garden Parking Lot. The Market will occur every Sunday until the end of October. Please visit http://www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org/ for more details including vendors and other items of interest.

Firefly Fling THE Festival for Families - Saturday, July 24th 7pm - 10pm
Come join us as daylight turns into night as we celebrate nature with art, music, food and play. We will have hands on activities for children of all ages including lots of water play! Dress up as your favorite woodland creature and critters and build a fairy house in the woods. This event will provide down-to-earth experiences that will reawaken our sense of belonging to the larger community of life, and ignite deep caring and concern for the Earth.
$6 for Individuals , $20 for a Family of 4

Cocktails in the Garden - Thursday, August 12th 6:00pm
Enjoy Moonflowers & Margaritas at Cocktails in the Garden, a fundraiser for the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Come casually dressed and wind down with a drink and light appetizers as you stroll through eight acres of paradise while listening to surprise entertainment.
Enter the number of tickets that you would like to buy in the boxes below:
» Member tickets @ $15 each
» Non Member tickets @ $20 each

Backyard Bluegrass Concert - Friday, August 27th Begins at 7pm
Join us for a night full of fun, food and music! This free concert will feature Lonesome Road. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and a picnic basket or reserve a gourmet box dinner from The Event Group. No carry-in wine or other alcoholic beverage allowed. Soda, water, beer, and wine will be sold. This concert is the second in the Summer Concert Series.

Mozart and Beethoven in the Garden - Sunday, September 19th 5pm
The Lyrique Quintette features the music of Mozart and Beethoven. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and a picnic basket or reserve a gourmet box dinner from The Event Group. No carry-in wine or other alcoholic beverage allowed. Soda, water, beer, and wine will be sold. This concert is the third and last in the Summer Concert Series.

34th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival - Thursday, August 12, 2010 - Saturday, August 14, 2010
http://www.hopemelonfest.com/

Also, don’t judge me for taking a tiny little trip or two to Kansas City. It certainly doesn’t qualify under my Arkansas Summer Staycation, but it’s still close and you can find amazing hotel deals on Priceline or by sweet talking a certain BFF employed by Hilton. And…I’m helping to plan the BFF’s bachelorette party there, so a little recon mission is totally justified, right?

So Decadent You Can Feel Your Ass Grow Just Reading This

As promised, here is the super simple recipe for my sister's birthday cake:

Chocolate Orange Cake

1. Box of your favorite chocolate cake mix – Brandy (the sister) chose double fudge cake, but I’ve also used Devil’s Food
2. Prepare as directed on box instructions, but sub orange juice for water
3. Bake as directed in two round pans – mine are 9 inch pans, but I’m sure 8 inch ones would also work, your cake would just be a bit taller
4. Let cool completely
5. Once cool – don’t get all excited and jump the gun, your icing will melt off - gently level the top of one cake layer by slicing off the rounded top. Nom the leftover top part as you see fit, just make sure that the cake is level so that the second layer doesn’t slide off or look crazy.
6. Cover bottom layer (the one you just cut the top off of) with the toffee cream filling.
7. Plop the second layer on top of the bottom
8. Cover with icing and enjoy
9. If you wanted to be really cute, you could add little candied oranges to the top

Toffee Cream Filling

1. Take one regular-sized can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk and plop it in a medium saucepan (do not open the can), ensuring that the water just barely covers the can.
2. Bring the water to a boil and keep it boiling for four hours, ensuring that the water always comes to the top of the can (you’ll have to add water).
3. Open can and find toffee cream filling

It’s seriously that easy (thanks Brandy for the recipe)

Orange and Limóncello Icing

1. Buy a container of your favorite cream cheese icing
2. Plop it into a small-medium sized bowl
3. Zest 1 orange into the icing
4. Add ½ teaspoon of orange juice
5. Add 1 teaspoon of Limóncello, an Italian lemon liqueur
6. Mix together with rubber spatula and set in freezer to stiffen for approx 30 minutes
7. Spread on cake and enjoy

I suggest enjoying this treat with a glass of champagne, because, well, everything should be enjoyed with a glass of champagne. Don't concern yourself with the quality of the bubbly, your taste buds will be so busy with the sweetness of the cake that they won't care anyway.