Wanted: A Chef

It's tax season.  That means Nate is slaving away at the office and I am without a chef. Sad.

I hate cooking.  I get bored. 

I try to improvise when I can't. (Ex: You can't substitute water for milk in Kraft mac&cheese.)

I undercook/overcook things. (Ex: A panful of brownies that can be picked up by a fork stuck in the middle.)

So what do I eat during tax season?  Usually grilled cheese or waffles or Dora spaghettios.

This week it was apples and Banana Chocolate Chip loaf.  I'm sure all of the food groups are in there somewhere....


This bread is fantastic.  It's all I wanted to eat.  It's about all I did eat.
Do notice how it is sunk in the middle though because I failed to cook it long enough.
I told you.


I stole borrowed the recipe from here.  I originally found it at foodgawker.com.

Who has some quick and easy recipes that might be a little better for me? And when I say quick and easy...I mean under 20 minutes...that's my attention span...shorter than a gerbil's....

House Tour- Office

Friday equals "House Tour Time" here on DecorandtheDog. Get excited!

You have caught a few glimpses of our office throughout this week. 
This room contains a few of my favorite things...a glass paneled door, built-ins, and a double sided fireplace.
This room has definitely been furnished on a budget!

Let's start the tour...


Built-in cabinets.  Door leads to living room.

Double sided fireplace

Room Info
  • Wall Color- Down Home (Sherwin Williams)
  • Cabinets- Mid-Continent/Sullivan doors/Antique White finish
  • Curtains- Handmade (fabric from Joann's)
  • Pillow covers- Handmade (fabric from Joann's)
  • Ottoman- Target ottoman found at Salvation Army
  • Couch- Sleeper-sofa from college roommate
  • Frames- whatever I had laying around the house with a fresh coat of paint
  • Do you sense a theme for this room??

To Do List
  • Make the shelves more presentable. 
    • Maybe paint the backs a different color/do some kind of fabric background/stenciling?
  • Replace the curtains that I made a year ago. (yes, I have a problem...but I just don't love them)
  • Move the "map" picture to the right of the fireplace and find something to take it's place.
    • We're thinking a vintage map from e-bay with a vintage frame.
  • Replace dying plant with some kind of chair.
    • or water plant :)
  • Find a few more globes
Feel free to comment with suggestions!

We've Got the Whole World....

We've got the whole world...in our office!



I like globes. 
Awhile back I saw a picture in Better Homes and Gardens that has inspired my globe addiction.
(I can't seem to locate the "inspiration photo").

I am slowly adding to my "collection".  It's like a globe hunting adventure.

I found this one for $4.00 at my favorite store (aka Salvation Army) last week.
I don't like to pay over $10.00.


Ike eventually approved.

Just a few more and the collection will be complete!



Do you have any unique collections?