We Bought a House...

We bought a house in February and I have been hesitant to post pictures because I wanted to have some 'after' pictures so everyone didn't think we were absolutely crazy! We have quite the project on our hands, and my VERY hardworking husband has been working all day and night to get this house ready for move-in. There's still so much to do, but SO MUCH progress made as well! This is the front of the house (pictured above), however we are focusing our time and money on the inside first. You will see why as you scroll down! The house was a foreclosure in poor condition and filled with junk! It is a basement home located in downtown Gilbert.

This is the huge side yard that the kids are going to love playing in. The yard has a garden that is already starting to come back... citrus trees, an apple tree, pomegranate tree, a vineyard, and 8 raised garden beds! There's also a chicken coup in the back corner.

This grapevine already has tons of blossoms coming back since I took this picture!

Here are the raised beds...Excited to start gardening!

Now are you ready to see a very dirty house???

Kitchen sink view

Kitchen sink view after demo

 Kitchen sink view

Cabinets are going in now!

This was a large hidden pantry that we removed to open the kitchen up to the family room. 

Kitchen view from where the hidden pantry was.

Family Room view to front door

Family Room view to front door

(Opened up the front room, which will become formal dining, to the family room)

View to family room and front door from the kitchen.

Canned lighting in and dry wall going up.

We have filled 4 dumpsters and are finally coming out of the messy demo stages. 

 My sister and I working in the basement.

 My brother-in-law, Kyle helping paint the basement.

My sister, Wesley removing wallpaper on the ceiling! 

View down hallway to bedrooms.

View down hallway to bedrooms.

New texture on walls, paint, and floors going in now!

Lots of progress happening everyday and we are so very grateful for all the help from our family that has gotten us this far! I will be posting more pictures soon. We are hoping to be moving in by the end of April with most major projects done. 

Peanut Butter Apple Snack

Lately it feels like all my boys want to do is snack! They are constantly coming into the kitchen saying that they're hungry. I have been getting bored with giving them the same few things to snack on, so I thought I would turn to Pinterest. I found a recipe like this by Kids Kubby. I slightly modified it based on what I had on hand. It's a quick, easy, healthy, and fun snack that the kids will love!

Ingredients:

-Apples

-Peanut butter

-Unsweetened coconut flakes

-Dark chocolate chips

-Cinnamon

Directions:

Slice the apple in thin slices as shown above. Then using a small heart shaped cookie cutter, or a pairing knife cut the core of the apple out in a heart shape on half of the slices. On the other halves I removed the core by cutting a smaller hole. Then spread the peanut butter on these halves. Top with coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Then cover each with the slices that have the heart shapes in the center. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy!

This is an easy snack to mix up with your favorite ingredients. Here are some other ideas: 

Almond butter

Honey

Granola

Nutella

Oats

Yogurt

Nuts

Raisins

Homemade Tortilla Chips

These are homemade baked tortilla chips that are super easy to make. Great for a party to go with a dip, because you can serve them warm out of the oven! They are light, flaky, and can be seasoned however you'd like.

Ingredients:
-5 raw flour tortillas (i buy mine at Costco, and freeze one pack until ready to use)
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-Salt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stack your raw tortillas on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife slice them into triangles. Lay a single layer of triangles on a baking sheet. They can overlap slightly. Next drizzle with olive oil and season with salt (or your favorite seasoning). Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until bubbling up and golden brown. Repeat with another batch, until all of your tortillas chips are cooked.

DIY Water Bombs

Hudson has been asking to play with water all winter long and this week it is in the 90's, so I finally said yes! I looked on Pinterest for some ideas and decided we would make some water bombs. I found a tutorial HERE from House of Hepworths. These are really easy to make and the boys enjoyed helping.

Supplies:
-Basic sponges, in a variety of colors
-Small elastic hair ties
-Scissors

Step 1: cut all the sponges into fouths, lengthwise.
Step 2: Stack the sponges into 2 rows of 4. Hudson liked choosing the colors and creating patterns.
Step 3: Wrap the 2 rows with a small elastic hair tie or you could tie it tight at the center with fishing line.
*You will use 2 sponges to create 1 water bomb.

Water Bomb Game Ideas:

-Create a target with chalk on pavement and toss water bombs.
-Line up different size buckets worth different points and toss bombs into buckets. Keep score.
-Water bomb toss
-Water bomb tag

Albion Fit Giveaway

I recently came into contact with Albion Fit, they sell women's fitness clothing and stylish swimwear. I love my Classic Racerback tank. It has a snug fit that is very flattering and comfortable.

Albion Fit would like to offer a Free Classic Racerback tank (shown below) to one lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway you must first "Like" Albion Fit on Facebook HERE.

Next visit Albion Fit and pin your favorite item onto one of your Pinterest boards.

Leave a comment below, in this blogpost, with the link to your pin.
Giveaway ends Friday, February 22nd, 2013.

Albion Fit is also offering an exclusive promotional code for all of you!

Save $15 on any purchase of $50 or more!

Use code: domesticcharm15

Offer expires 2/25/13

Tilapia with Black Bean Salsa

This is a quick and easy dinner to make. I love cooking tilapia! We eat it for dinner a lot so I always have a bag of fillets from Costco in the freezer. The fillets thaw really fast, so it can make a great last minute dinner. I got this recipe from my mom, she is always thinking up great recipes!

Ingredients:

• 2 to 4 tilapia fillets
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic, diced
• 1 red or orange bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• seasoning for tilapia

Saute the garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeno in the olive oil until tender. Add the can of tomatoes and the can of black beans. Season the tilapia fillets with either salt and pepper, or I sometimes use the recipe below. Place the fillets in the pan and let it cook in the simmering juices for about 8 to 10 minutes flipping the fillets halfway through. Once the fish is cooked through remove from the heat and add the cilantro.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Yield: 2/3 cup

Wesley's Nursing Party

We celebrated my sister Wesley last month as she graduated Nursing School. I am so proud of her and so excited for her to begin her new career. She is going to be an amazing nurse! 

I themed the desserts in the colors mint green and red. I made a variety of nurse themed fondant cupcake toppers. Some with pills, scrubs, band aids, red crosses, and stethoscopes. I topped the mini cupcakes (below) with small red fondant hearts.

The cupcakes were Wesley's favorite; Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting and a Peanut Butter Filling.

We made a Dirty Shirley Punch.

 

I made heart sugar cookies and frosted them with royal icing designs of heart shaped stethoscopes and EKG patterns. The recipe for the sugar cookies is by Sweetopia, you can find the recipe HERE. It is great for cut out cookies that you plan to frost because the cookies come out nice and smooth.

I placed this nurses prayer on a canvas for my sister to take home.

Found the nurses prayer via Pinterest.

Congratulations Nurse Wesley!!!

Salmon with Cucumber Pineapple Salsa

I typically make a mango salsa with salmon, however tonight i had fresh pineapple on hand, so I decided to try something new. I adapted this recipe from one of Martha Stewart's here. Her original recipe looks really good, however I did not have all of the ingredients. I'm also trying to stay away from anything spicy in my diet while breastfeeding and her recipe called for a jalapeno. I added some spice to the salmon instead, using Emeril Lagasse's Essence seasoning. It's easier to control the spiciness this way. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cucumbers, finely diced
• 1 cup fresh pineapple, finely diced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper
• 3-4 salmon fillets
• Olive oil
• Essence seasoning

Directions:

In a bowl whisk together the lime juice, honey, and vegetable oil. Add the cucumber, pineapple, and green onion. Stir together and season with salt and pepper.

Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with the essence seasoning. Broil the salmon in the oven for about 12-15 minutes. Serve over rice or quinoa and top with the salsa. 

Granola with Coconut, Pistachios, and Cranberries

I saw a recipe for Toasted Muesli in my Whole Living magazine and was excited to try it. However, I was unable to find the millet that it called for when I was at the store, so I improvised. You can find the original recipe here. I left out the millet and added wheat germ, flax seed, chia seed, and cinnamon. This makes a great healthy breakfast or snack. Eat is plain or serve with yogurt, milk, or fresh fruit.
I was originally unsure the difference between Muesli and Granola, however I believe that most muesli is not sweetened with honey and toasted. So I am just going to call mine granola...

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup shelled pistachios
• 1/3 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup flax seed
• 1/4 cup chia seed
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl toss together the oats, coconut, pistachios, wheat germ, and seeds. Then is a small saucepan over medium high heat whisk together honey, coconut oil, salt, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Pour over the granola mixture and toss to coat. Spread the granola onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. I tossed my granola halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool. Toss in the dried cranberries. Store in an airtight container.

This is a great basic recipe that can be altered to create new granola recipes. You could replace the pistachios with any other kind of nut or even chocolate.

Vegetarian Chili with Avocado Salsa

I realize it is still 110 degrees outside... but I still made chili for dinner tonight. I am ready for some cooler weather and all the Fall food that comes along with it. This is a really yummy chili recipe that is different then most. It's a vegetarian chili topped with a fresh avocado salsa. I got the recipe from my Mom, who always made this for us. However, I think it originally came from Cooking Light. This time I made it I added some corn to the recipe.

Ingredients:

-2 teaspoons canola oil
-1 cup onion, chopped
-1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
-2 teaspoons chili powder
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-1 teaspoon dried oregano
-3 garlic cloves, minced
-1 4.5oz can diced green chiles
-2/3 cup uncooked quick-cooking barley
-1/4 cup water
-1 15oz can black beans, drained
-1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
-1/2 cup frozen corn
-1 14oz can vegetable broth
-3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
-1 lime, cut into wedges
-Tortilla chips
-Avocado salsa (recipe below)

Directions:

Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion and bell pepper and saute until tender. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and green chiles. Saute 1 minutes. Stir in the barley, water, tomatoes, corn and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer. Cook about 20 minutes or until barley is tender. Stir in cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, chips, and avocado salsa.

Avocado Salsa

-1 avocado, cubed
-1/3 cup tomato, seeded and chopped
-1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
-1 tablespoon jalapeno, seeded and diced
-1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
-1/8 teaspoon sea salt

 Toss together in a bowl and serve over the chili.