And the final project of the week

This is the view from the doorway leading into my kitchen. Notice how there are NO cabinets on one whole wall of my kitchen. I never understood that. My only thought is that they would have closed up the kitchen too much. So, I have no cabinet space, like literally, NONE.

To combat the need for more cabinet space, Mr. Dunbar made these shelves for me.


The inspiration being the cafe shelves from Ballard's. (Which are $99 each plus tax and shipping at $20.95. They would have cost almost $250.)

But a little of Mr. Dunbar's time, okay an entire Sunday afternoon, and this is what I got for around $45. (Directions are from Beneath My Heart.)


I think he did a pretty darn good job.

And to end this post on a cute note with bed head.

You are four!!

And I'm the one who scored!

Happy Birthday Monkey!!

Let's take a brief look at your past year...

Watching the Globetrotters with Daddy.

Valentine's Day with Mrs. J the best pre-school teacher ever.
Monkeying around with your brother.
Fun in the tub.
Look at that face.
Easter egg hunting.
Binoculars at Elephant Bar.

Climbing on the school playground.
Playing at the beach...
With a smile that melts my heart.

(If you leave a comment for him, I'm sure he'd be delighted.

XOXO everyone.)

Just to continue the saga...

So I couldn't just paint the bathroom, I had to clean the closet as well.

Then I took these frames and painted them.
So now they look like this.
The bottom one actually, I still need to sand the edges a bit more.

I've also been using this...
and this...
to press these. (Curtains) Because your friends will know whether or not your kitchen curtains are pressed and starched. Right?

This post is totally like airing out your dirty laundry. I feel liberated. Ha.

I blame my mother

Over the next seven weeks we are having a few different events at our house. Which I am super excited about and they are going to be good times, memorable experiences for everyone. (Hopefully.)

But I have issues.

About having people at my house.

And I blame my mother. Because it all began with her.

Let me just give you one example and then you'll understand my issue. One month before I graduated with my BA and my graduation party invitations had already been sent out, my mom decided that the downstairs needed to be re-done. So she had it painted, ripped out the carpet, put in new carpet and tile, had the downstairs bathroom re-done, and had the office and living rooms re-decorated. My dad was moving couches on the morning of the party!!

So, I vowed to never be as bad as mother. (I lied.) Poor Mr. Dunbar has been working frantically and faithfully over the past two weekends to get as many "home improvement" items marked off of my list.

Here are the before pictures of the bathroom:

White bathroom.

No accessories except for this picture hanging above the toilet.

There is this huge mirror that had those old fashioned (dirty) brackets holding it up.

Probably since 1960, at least.

We put this light fixture in, and yes it usually has all of the votives,

I just re-hung this one for the picture.

After pictures:
We added moulding to the mirror.
Just like Rhoda from Southern Hospitality.

And I painted the bathroom to match the tile.

With the white walls the moulding just didn't POP.

Now I think it does.

And I added a few accesories.
A little " The Loo" sign, a fluer-de-lis, and a tip towel.

So the bathroom is complete, now I've got to tackle the rest of the house.

Am I the only one with this issue?

(Love you Mom!)

Veteran's Day

Dear Veteran's,

Thank you for your service, your dedication, and your sacrifice. Thank you for putting your country ahead of yourself. Thank you, family members, of servicemen for your sacrifice and support of these spectacular individuals. I pray that God will keep you all safe.

Most Sincerely,

Mrs. Dunbar and Men

PS Here's a funny picture for you!

Have a bright and cheerful Veteran's Day everyone!

One more PS: I told Monkey to remember to wish Papa a "Happy Veteran's Day". When he saw Papa this morning he ran up to him with a flag and said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Papa. "

Because the camera was in the kitchen

I snapped a few shots of the process of making the best, and I mean yummiest apple sauce/ topping, ever.

Originally made to go on top of pork chops (you know Pork Chops and Applesauce?)

This stuff is good, like really good.

It can go on top of pork chops, pork tenderloin, ice cream, or just eat all on its own.

I like to add whipped cream.

First take 4 Gala apples and slice with apple slicer.

Then dice into bite size pieces.

Get out the golden raisins.
You'll also need a lemon.

(Mine was already zested for the pork tenderloin.)

Toss apples into sauce pan.

Add the juice from the lemon, 1/2 cup golden raisins and 3-4 tbs. of brown sugar, and a cup and half of apple cider.

Next add a tsp. of cinnamon and half tsp. of nutmeg.
Over medium to medium high heat, let it boil for almost 10 minutes.

At this point your house will smell divine. Did you ever make apple sauce in school? Have an apple day? Remember that scrumptious smell? Yup, now your home can have that same aroma.

Eaten as a treat with whipped cream and cinnamon.
But again, its original purpose was for the top of pork tenderloin.
Seriously, this is good stuff.

I'm sure it'd be even better with chilly weather out, but I wouldn't know about that.

(Recipe is adapted from Racheal Ray.)

Finally, Baking Weather

Today the boys and I had a relaxing day at home. The weather was about 80 degrees.

You know that's "baking weather" in November for SoCal, don't you? (It's as good as its gonna get.)

So, we seized the opportunity to bake some chocolate-chip oatmeal cookies.

My sues chefs hard at work.

These are my favorite cookies to bake.
And our final product:

Just in case you'd like to make these deliciously easy cookies:

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3 cups quick cooking oats

1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. In large bowl cream butter, brown sugar, white sugar.

3. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

4. Then stir in vanilla extract.

5. Combine flour, baking soda, salt. Then stir into creamed mixture.

6. Mix in oats and chocolate chips.

7. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

8. Bake for 11 minutes.

(Recipe from allrecipes.com.)

YUMM-EEE!!

Hot Topic Re-Post

I first posted the following about a year ago and as we head into the holiday season, All of the fa-la-la-la-la's and chai latte's can go out the window if I'm sulking about money, so I thought I'd just put this thought out there now.

Money seems to be a hot topic these days. Or at least the lack of money seems to be a hot topic.

I don't like the word "budget". I think it should be considered a four-letter word (aka bad word.)

I like to spend money, well I like new things. I just do.

When Mr. Dunbar and I got married he put me on a budget. Talk about a source of contention. I was so angry and frustrated. We were on a dual income with no kids and a small house. I wanted to do what I wanted when I wanted. ( Because that's how marriage works, right?) Mr. Dunbar stuck to his guns and didn't let me waiver on what money would be allocated where. I was still sore about the whole budget thing. But you know what, it gave me boundaries, it gave him a sense of leadership, and it put money in the bank. Hence, I am at home now. I wish I would have gotten to read this article five years ago.

Did you read the article? What'd you think?

For the past few years we've set a budget for the holidays. It seems to have worked out pretty well for us. I make a list of who we need to buy presents for, estimate a cost, run my list by Mr. Dunbar, he either okay's it or vetoes some things, and then I go shopping!!

(Because that's the fun part.)

Do do you have a budget for the holidays or do you wait until January's statements come in before you figure out how much you spent? I'd like to start 2010 in the positive not in the red, how about you? In trying to keep the costs of the holidays down,

Edie is hosting 12 days of Handmade Christmas. I think I may use a few of the ideas for the Sunday School and Pre-School teachers and maybe a few neighbors.

Here's the link:

Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Almost WW (Hott-ee for Halloween)

I know I'm a little overdue but...

These are the arms of my hott-ee for Halloween.

I know exactly what Pioneer Woman is talking about every time she mentions Marlboro Man's forearms, since Mr. Dunbar has a set of awesome arms, and chest, and legs.

Those 4:45am trips to the gym every morning pay off for my benefit.

Do you see the little pairs of arms in training...

Aren't they cute?

Things to know about the Flu 2009

Mr.Dunbar sent me this email yesterday that was sent out by his work which was sent to them via the CDC. (When you work for a government entity they just do not want you showing up sick.) I have gone through and shortened the article. I found it to be pretty interesting.

How does 2009 H1N1 virus spread?
Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea.

How severe is illness associated with 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
Illness with 2009 H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe.
Hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.

Young children are also at high risk of serious complications from 2009 H1N1, just as they are from seasonal flu. CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus.

How does 2009 H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates?
With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.

However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after.
Prevention & Treatment
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

•Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
•Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
•If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Other important actions that you can take are:
•Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs * (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.* You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands

One thing we teach our boys is "Oh please cover that sneeze!" They must use a tissue or sneeze into their elbow (bent arm), sneezing into your hands only spreads germs.

I hope you all stay well and healthy!!