Unicorns/Gosling/Fail

Today I’d like to share with you a project fail.  The wounds are a little fresh but I think I can make it through this post.  I want you all to know that things aren’t always unicorns and rainbows in this little world of mine.  I just like to keep the blog a happy place.

But not today.

I have this problem of not being able to visualize things very well.  And it stinks when you like to pretend like you are good at decorating your house.

Take, for instance, this empty spot next to the fridge. (And yes, good bloggers take photos during the day but this blogger has to work during the day to pay for this lovely kitchen.  Feel the unicorns being sucked out of this post already?).…



I came up with the brilliant idea that a big ol’ chalkboard would be a perfect thing for the space.
This is where I usually rely on Nate’s wonderful vision to squander moronic plans like this.  Unfortunately he is currently working 767 hours per work (not a typo) and is an accounting zombie. No, seriously.  I’m so concerned I started doing cardio.

I instead relied on my good friend Ryan Gosling…

via Handmade Ryan Gosling

You really get me Mr. Gosling.  Full steam ahead.

I got my board and slathered it with chalkpaint.  I got ready to have Nate hang it.  And…it looked weird….



It actually looks a little better in the photo than it did in person.  In person it looks all cheap and weird. Totally made the kitchen all red neck.  Did I mention that it looked weird?   I even tried to rationalize that maybe if we trimmed it out it would look better.  Luckily Nate had rested enough on Sunday to let me know that there was no saving this project. Better luck next time, kid.

I’ll save that lovely little chalkboard though. I’m sure it will find a loving place to live in this home of ours.

Who’s glad they didn’t have to see another darn chalkboard?  Any big failures on your end lately?  Chalkboard successes?  Anyone else find those Ryan Gosling photos a lot funnier than one should? 

Happy Birthday Ike!

Ike turned five on Friday!  He celebrated in style with bones and new toy.  They grow up so fast!

Happy birthday to the best little dog a boy and girl could ever wish for!

Swap This…Day Four

Welcome to day four of “The Honey-Do List” blog swap!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve teamed up with Erin @ His and Hers, Kelly @ View Along the Way, and Carrie @ Hazardous Design for four fun days in which we’ll be celebrating DIY life with our husbands.

Today’s topic over at Hazardous Design is “If My Husband Decorated My House.”  Head on over and check out what our house would look like if Nate was in charge…

Did you miss the posts at the beginning of the series…check them out here, here, and here!

What is your significant others decorating style?  Camo?  White walls?  Dorm furniture? Oak trim? 

I’ll hopefully have projects to share next week.  If I don’t get completely sucked into Downton Abbey.  I can’t guarantee anything at this point…

Blog Swap...Host Day!

Welcome to day three of “The Honey-Do List” blog swap!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve teamed up with Erin @ His and Hers, Kelly @ View Along the Way, and Carrie @ Hazardous Design for four fun days in which we’ll be celebrating DIY life with our husbands.

**Did you miss the first posts of the series?  Check them out here and here !** 

I am the host today and the topic is “What Home Improvement Would Be Like Without Our Husbands”.

***

Erin from His and Hers:  Home improvement on my own would no longer equal home improvement, I’m afraid. It would equal “home burning down” or “home wrecking” or “home going into debt because of all the professionals I’ve had to hire.” I can handle the sewing machine and a paint roller, but put power tools in my hands, and you’ve just handed Amelia Bedelia a weapon of mass destruction. And building things? Pfffft. There is no way I could have built our vanity, our desk, or our closet shelving without Rick. My attempts would have resulted in rickety furniture akin to that made by a careless Girl Scout who just wanted her woodworking badge because it had a cute beaver on it. Seriously. I’m slowly learning how to use power tools as Rick sees fit to teach me (in other words, as Rick sees fit to trust me with his expensive toys), but I am in no way ready to use them in the ways that he can.

 ***

Kelly from View Along the Way:  If I didn't have a husband who DIYs, I would eat ramen noodles for every meal and sell my firstborn child to pay for a professional carpenter to cater to my every whim. That's option 1. Option 2 is that I'd attempt the projects on my own. You guys can picture a crazy, wonky fun-house with no 90-degree angles, right? That would unintentionally be the end result of all my projects.

I'm thankful that my husband not only loves the DIY mentality, but he also cares that things turn out right, with right angles and other pesky inconveniences. As I like to say, sometimes it pays to be married to a math teacher. (Just usually not financially. Word.)

I'm grateful to have a husband who DIYs because it means I get to keep my firstborn, and I'm getting kind of attached to that kid.

***

Carrie from Hazardous Design:  My idea of DIY before I met Chris was pretty much limited to paint and no sew sewing projects. I like to think that eventually I'd work up the nerve to purchase and learn how to use some power tools on my own, but really, who are we kidding? That probably wouldn't happen. More likely I'd avoid power tools all together and attempt projects like hanging crown molding using a hand saw and adhesive. Or I'd go broke hiring someone else to do it. One way or another, projects around here would certainly be compromised if Chris wasn't a DIYer.

***

Michelle from here: It pains me to admit this publicly on this very popular and highly influential blog but here it goes...without Nate there would be very little home improvement going on at Decor and the Dog (other than some painted furniture).  I like to take credit when it isn't do.  I come up with the crazy ideas and drag my poor husband into my madness...and then make him do a lot of the work.  Don't feel too sorry for him though.  He likes it.  Seriously.  I think.  No, he does.

Without Nate there would be 100,000 partially completed projects.  I start projects thinking I am the queen of DIY and then fail miserably/have a melt down/get hangry (hungry + angry..it happens).  Nate then swoops in and saves the day.  Our powder room would be partially stenciled because I would still be bawling my eyes out under the sink.  Our guest bath would have a corner that was tan because I'm not tall enough to reach.  I wouldn't have a pretty farmhouse table to eat off of.  Our headboard would would definitely not be a West Elm knock off....more like a headboard after an earthquake knock off.  Man, I am going to kick myself for this post...let's hope Nate forgets to read today...

***

There you have it.  Home improvement just wouldn't be the same without the dudes in our lives.  Sorry feminists of the world.  We tried.

What would home improvement be like without your partner in crime?  Tell us all about it!  Seriously.  Tell us.  It's going to be a long day at work and I need entertainment on my lunch break...

Swap This…Day Two

Welcome to day two of “The Honey-Do List” blog swap!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve teamed up with Erin @ His and Hers, Kelly @ View Along the Way, and Carrie @ Hazardous Design for four fun days in which we’ll be celebrating DIY life with our husbands.

We all know that without them, we wouldn’t get very far in our quests for home improvement. (Unless you are Ana White.  Darn you Ana White.)  For their humor, their encouragement, and their patience in the face of questions like “Are you sure we can’t move those curtain rods a little higher…for a third time?”, we think they deserve a big fat round of applause. Or at least four days of blog posts in which we talk about them.

Today’s topic over at View Along the Way is “Working with Husbands: What We’ve Learned.”  Head on over and check out our thoughts!

Did you miss yesterday’s post on “Why We Make A Good Team”?  Check it out here!

What have you learned working with your significant other?

Swap This…Day 1

Welcome to day one of “The Honey-Do List” blog swap!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve teamed up with Erin @ His and Hers, Kelly @ View Along the Way, and Carrie @ Hazardous Design for four fun days in which we’ll be celebrating DIY life with our husbands.

We all know that without them, we wouldn’t get very far in our quests for home improvement. (Unless you are Ana White.  Darn you Ana White.)  For their humor, their encouragement, and their patience in the face of questions like “Are you sure we can’t move those curtain rods a little higher…for a third time?”, we think they deserve a big fat round of applause. Or at least four days of blog posts in which we talk about them.

Today’s topic over at His and Hers is “Why We Make a Good Team.”  Head on over and check out our deep thoughts.

 

Why do you and your DIY partner make a good team?  Or do you avoid the DIY stuff all together to avoid a divorce/break-up/etc?  Any big Valentine’s Day plans?  I think I’m snuggling with the dog while Nate is a slave to taxes.  Romantic.

I’m Hired

I neglected my house again this week-end. I headed home to the land of slow internet and bonded with the family. 

On Saturday night, my cow painting little brother got news that he was a homeowner.  Nate and I were unsure that day would ever come.  We’re very proud of him.

His new house is charming and full of potential…

Most of you would pass out if I told you what he paid for it.  (Not a lot of dinero.  We love Iowa.)

He hired me as his interior designer.  By hired, I mean that I get to help him pick things out that are masculine but not dorm-like.  And I have to do a lot of painting.  Something about owing him for helping me paint two houses. Details.

Here’s what he has to work with (photos courtesy of my mother)…

The living room needs a fresh coat of paint.  We are still arguing deciding on painting the trim.  I’m obviously pro painting.  Our father is very against painting.  It’s all up to little brother.  I’ll have a poll at the end to assist us in this decision.  (The family loves when I use the blog for these kind of things.  Who doesn’t love a good poll?)

I love the front door.  The purple ceiling, however, isn’t working for the brother.  I don’t get it.

The current plans for the kitchen include painting the walls and cabinets.  What possesses one to paint a ceiling bright yellow?

The dining room has a fancy striped flat/gloss paint treatment.  It could be worse.  At least the ceiling isn’t purple or yellow.

Little brother loves everything about this powder room.  He is lucky to have a bath on the first floor.  I’m not sure lucky is the word to describe this room though.

There are three bedrooms and a full bath upstairs.  He gets to keep that cast iron bedframe.  I’m drooling.

There will be no changes in the following room.  I kid, I kid.  I wish someone would have asked the former owner to step away from the primary colors and paint brush…

There you have it.  The first of many posts about my little brother’s house. 

My dad and I are thinking about pitching a show to HGTV.  We’re thinking the title could be “No, you can’t bleeping paint that.”

And because I love a poll…especially when it comes to the ever controversial topic…

What are your thoughts on the great paint vs. stain debate?  Have you painted stained trim?  Do you love it or regret it?  (Post a link if you have one!)

No Good Very Bad Day Cupcakes

Have you ever had one of those days?  You know, where you get out of bed and put on your favorite grey sweater.  You are all warm, looking cute, and ready to conquer the day.  Ten minutes later you realize your favorite sweater has purple stains…probably from your second favorite sweater.

Whatever.  You can handle this.

You then put on another sweater that has a new giant hole.  Gee.  This is stinky.  You finally find a sweater that will work (but isn’t nearly as cute as you’d like).  Bring it.

You go to work and are immediately bombarded with a million and twelve different annoying things.  This isn’t any different than normal but on this particular day you just can’t handle it.  So you sob at work in the storage room for 10 minutes. And then you sob some more because you are mad at yourself for sobbing in the storage room.

The day continues in the manner.  It is a full moon.  You have a headache from fighting back tears.  You decide after lunch that once 5:00 PM hits the world will become a better place….because you will make cupcakes. 

Not just any cupcakes.   Death by Oreo Cupcakes.  Seems like a good way to go.

Recipe adapted from Instructables…

Death by Oreo Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 package Oreo Cookies, regular size
• 1 package chocolate cake mix (mix according to directions on box)
  • I used Betty Crocker’s Super Moist Triple Chocolate.  I don’t mess around.
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • I’d probably use less cream cheese next time.  Only because I don’t love cream cheese. It’s growing on me.  Slowly.
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • I used 4 cups…to cover up some of that cream cheese.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix packaged cake mix according to directions (do not bake).

Line cupcake tins with liner, place a regular size Oreo cookie in the bottom of each liner. (Yes, you read that right.  The Oreo at the bottom is a fun little surprise.)

Take 1/2 of remaining cookies and chop coarsely and add to cake mix. Fill the cupcake tins.

Bake for according to box directions.

Frosting: Cream together butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla, then add powdered sugar slowly until blended well. Chop remaining regular-sized Oreos very fine (The original recipe said food processor.  I placed them in a Ziploc bag and rolling pinned the heck out of them.  Worked like a charm.) Add to frosting.

After cupcakes have cooled, frost.

Eat them.  A lot of them.  The world suddenly becomes an amazing place again.

Going to bed at 9:00PM doesn’t hurt either.

***Disclaimer.  As a medical professional, I don’t recommend feeding your emotions on a regular basis.  But sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do.***

What’s your go-to bad day vice?  Cupcakes?  Cookies?  Wine?  Apples?  Today is going to be much better.  I can feel it!

My Image Inspiration

Do you all remember when I introduced you to My Colortopia?  (If not, you can refresh your memory here!)



My Colortopia has this fun tool called My Image Inspiration.  You upload a photo of something that inspires you and the tool generates a selection of color palettes to browse through, print, share and paint!

Head on over to my ad free blog and check out what I’m doing with this…mmmm, houndstooth...

image via Rugs USA

Let me know what you think of the results!  I’d also love to see a screenshot of your upload.  Add it our newly created Flickr group! (I'm getting all fancy with this blog stuff.)

Ice Pack + Dog = Bad Idea

Today I would like to share with you how we spent part of our Super Bowl Sunday.

Did we attend a super rowdy party? Nope.

Am I going to share with you the amazing recipe we used to make mini-corn dogs?  Nope. (But you can find it here.)

I am going to tell you a story about how this cute face attacked an ice pack.

I get annoyed when people are like “Yeah, my dog ate “X”.”  Seriously people, pick up your crap so your dog can’t eat it. 

Karma gets me once again.

I iced my old lady hip, threw the ice pack on the floor, and started to write a blog post.  All of which I had been doing almost nightly for the past two weeks.

On this particular Super Bowl night, Ike decided to shred the ice pack.  Why? Because he was bored.  He’s not a football fan.  (And don’t send me hate mail.  We had taken him for a 1 hour walk earlier in the afternoon.  He gets plenty of exercise.)  I caught him after I heard a giant rip.  I thought it was his toy rabbit.  It wasn’t.  I immediately jumped up and grabbed the pack. It was ripped open but the majority of the contents were still in the bag. He generally doesn’t eat things.  Just shreds…but you never know.

I panic.  Are ice packs bad for dogs?  I’m sure they are.  Why didn’t I think of this 5 minutes ago when I tossed in on the ground?  I start Googling “dog eats ice pack”.  Because Google always has the answers.  Answers that include “My dog dies.”  “Dog dies.”  “Dog must got to emergency room within 1 hour to avoid kidney failure.”  I break into hysterics.  Nate is trying to be calm but I could tell he was extremely worried.  I make him call the vet because there is no way they would be able to under my hysterics.  “Dog. *sob* Ice pack. *sob* Dying.”

The vet takes almost 45 minutes to call back.  Usually they are very good but I guess they had trouble locating a vet that particular evening.  She recommends contacting Animal Poison Control.  She tells us that Animal Poison Control has the ingredients of most ice packs (which we could not find anywhere on the package or on-line). 

We call Animal Poison Control.  I didn’t know such a place existed.  They inform us of the $65 fee.  I DON’T CARE.  GIVE ME ANSWERS. (The fee ended up being waved because we have Ike micro-chipped through Home Again.)  They looked up the ingredients in the ice pack.  Luckily this brand contained only a small amount of propylene glycol which in small doses is not toxic to dogs (versus older packs that may contain ethylene glycol which is very toxic).  They recommend giving Ike a half slice of bread to soak up any of the propylene glycol in the case that he did ingest some. (They would have been more concerned if he ingested most of the contents.) We were to watch for any signs of vomiting or “drunkenness.”  Luckily he did not experience anything that we could tell. 

He was humping my leg while Nate was on the phone with poison control.  I fed him bread (which he loved because he very rarely gets human food).  Played with him.  Babied him.  Let him sleep in bed and kick me throughout the night. I also vowed never to leave an ice pack out…and spread the word so no one else does a dumb, dumb thing like I did.

What’s the worse thing your dog has eaten?