Chris and Tammy..A Blog about Making Home Our Home

oh my! handmade has a giveaway...check them out at:

http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/2010/contributors/guest-contributors/megan-nutley/giveaway-silhouette-blue/

Tammy's Peppermint Bark

This has got to be the easiest holiday treat to make!  I use Ghirardelli Double Chocolate and Ghirardelli White Chocolate that I bought at Sam's Club for about $7 each.  For this mini-project, I didn't use the entire package of either flavor chocolate (and if you didn't know, white chocolate is not really chocolate).  All you have to do is melt the Double Chocolate in a double-boiler (if you don't have one, just use a glass bowl over a saucepan of simmering water).  Pour your melted double chocolate onto a sheet pan that is lined with either wax paper or aluminum foil.  Place in fridge for about 15 minutes then take out an pour on the melted white "chocolate" and at this time you will sprinkle with crushed/broken candy canes.  Put back into fridge for 15-20 more minutes or until hardened.  Break into pieces and put into cellophane treat bags and tie.  Share with friends and family!!

A small hodge-podge of BEFORE and AFTER

I'm posting a few BEFORE and AFTER pix from our home.  Most of the BEFORE photos will be those taken by the Realtor prior to us purchasing the home.

BEFORE:

 

We love all the cabinet and counter-top space in our kitchen.  Lots of potential!!

 

Just another view to show the ugly sink and faucet. (Those aren't the only "uglies" however in this kitchen).

 

The removal of this wallpaper and border was an utter nightmare.  I think it took me about 2 weeks to get all of it down.  Then we had to repair the walls because the walls weren't prepped for wallpaper before it was installed.  How do ya like that light fixture?

AFTER:
 

Here's the kitchen now with it's fresh coat of paint.  Future projects include new cabinet doors and hardware, hardwood flooring, new counter-tops,  under cabinet lighting, light fixtures, new sink, and new refrigerator.  Hopefully an island is in the near future too!

 

Plans are too refinish the dining set with a nice sanding and a couple of coats of black paint.  The bookshelf in the corner is a piece that Chris made for me to house all of my cookbooks and cooking magazines.  It's also giving Gregory (Jared's Beta) a much nicer view and less radiation. (He was sitting by the microwave).

Getting Started on Typepad

So, I'm trying to determine which blog site I like best.  I've used 3 different ones and I'm not sure yet which I will choose to stay. 

Typepad appears to be more simple than the other 2....we'll see.

For my first posting, I'm going to keep it easy and attach photos of what inspire me when it comes to making our home. 

I love the black counter-tops and the prints above the stove!

I adore the chandelier above but a $400+ Currey & Company is not in our budget for a light fixture.  We will be opting for one found at Lowe's or elsewhere for about $150...

www.lowes.com

This is awesome however, Chris says that a round light fixture won't work with a square or rectangular table..so, I will keep searching for a square or rectangular one.  :-)

Source: http://purestylehome.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-dads-kitchen-repeat.html

Love, love, love the table decor in this picture! 

 

We found 2 glass pillar candle holders at TJ Maxx this weekend for $7.99 each.  I took this pic with my camera phone so no justice is served for these sparkly beauties!  I love the silver ones pictured on the black table and I'm looking for others to use throughout our home.

 

This is similar to what Jared's bathroom will look like when we get it renovated. 
Source:  www.decorpad.com

Source: I believe I found this at decorpad.com as well.

I loved everything about this Christmas decor...especially the red furniture.

Source: http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=38753

Really like this kitchen.  It's laid out just opposite of ours.  We will take the dog too, I'm sure Bailey would love him!

Source:  www.potterybarn.com

We just bought this bedding last week and it is AWESOME!!!  350 thread count!  Oooooh!

 
Source:  I'm still searching.

Thinking we want a window seat like this in our dining room below the double window. A great place to store the doggies leashes and poopy bags.