Kitchen Valance

My kitchen needed some dressing up, so I decided to get creative and add a pretty little valance. Unfortunately, there aren't any valances that are my style, so I had to make my own! Ultimately I end up liking what I make myself better anyways, so I'm glad that the big box stores didn't have the perfect piece of fabric.

I used a dish towel, some binding tape and a spring rod to add a touch of soft fabric to my kitchen.

Here is the before,

and the lovely little after!

My computer is acting up tonight, but come back tomorrow to see how I converted this little dish towel into a pretty little valance! :-)

Kitchen Valance

My kitchen needed some dressing up, so I decided to get creative and add a pretty little valance. Unfortunately, there aren't any valances that are my style, so I had to make my own! Ultimately I end up liking what I make myself better anyways, so I'm glad that the big box stores didn't have the perfect piece of fabric.

I used a dish towel, some binding tape and a spring rod to add a touch of soft fabric to my kitchen.

Here is the before,

and the lovely little after!

My computer is acting up tonight, but come back tomorrow to see how I converted this little dish towel into a pretty little valance! :-)

Beautiful White Kitchen

I was looking through my inspiration files this morning, and this space grabbed me again, like it did the first time I saw it. Maybe it's because I am in the middle of a cleaning frenzy, but the simple fresh palette and cool colors of this kitchen are really speaking to me. Normally I like spaces that are a bit warmer, but this kitchen just sums up "sparkly clean" for me today.

Anyone know where I found this stunner of a kitchen?

Beautiful White Kitchen

I was looking through my inspiration files this morning, and this space grabbed me again, like it did the first time I saw it. Maybe it's because I am in the middle of a cleaning frenzy, but the simple fresh palette and cool colors of this kitchen are really speaking to me. Normally I like spaces that are a bit warmer, but this kitchen just sums up "sparkly clean" for me today.

Anyone know where I found this stunner of a kitchen?

Exhibit A: Vinegar + Baking Soda conquer stains

Remember how I told you a while back about my best friends vinegar and baking soda? I'm back to show you literal proof of how these two BFF's work like a charm.

The backstory:

I recently blogged about making strawberry freezer jam and gave you detailed instructions, should you wish to make your own. What I neglected to mention was how I left the strawberry containers on my white countertops for a couple of days before I had time to make the jam. The berries in the bottom were apparently running over with juiciness, and shared the love with my countertop. Hello bright red stain!

I, however, did not panic, as my dynamic duo had come to my rescue many times before. I simply sprayed the stained area with a solution of half vinegar/half water, and then sprinkled a generous amount of baking soda over the stained area. I let it sit for a few minutes, then wiped it off with a sponge. Normally that would kick anything, but apparently this was a stubborn stain. It couldn't resist after a second application though, and here is what my countertop looks like now. Restored to it's former beauty cleanliness!

So the next time a stain appears, never fear, just have at it with some vinegar and baking soda!

Exhibit A: Vinegar + Baking Soda conquer stains

Remember how I told you a while back about my best friends vinegar and baking soda? I'm back to show you literal proof of how these two BFF's work like a charm.

The backstory:

I recently blogged about making strawberry freezer jam and gave you detailed instructions, should you wish to make your own. What I neglected to mention was how I left the strawberry containers on my white countertops for a couple of days before I had time to make the jam. The berries in the bottom were apparently running over with juiciness, and shared the love with my countertop. Hello bright red stain!

I, however, did not panic, as my dynamic duo had come to my rescue many times before. I simply sprayed the stained area with a solution of half vinegar/half water, and then sprinkled a generous amount of baking soda over the stained area. I let it sit for a few minutes, then wiped it off with a sponge. Normally that would kick anything, but apparently this was a stubborn stain. It couldn't resist after a second application though, and here is what my countertop looks like now. Restored to it's former beauty cleanliness!

So the next time a stain appears, never fear, just have at it with some vinegar and baking soda!

Ball's Strawberry Freezer Jam

Have you ever wondered how to make freezer jam? Well, you won't have to anymore because I have come to your rescue! Starwberries are dirt cheap right now, so I thought I would take advantage of the sales and whip up a batch of freezer jam. And you get to benefit from my newfound knowledge!

Here's what you will need:

- Four pounds of strawberries, rinsed

- One package of Ball's Freezer Jam No Cook Pectin

- Sugar

- 4 cup glass bowl

- Large bowl

- Sharp Knife

-Strawberry Huller

- Mixing Spoon

-Potato masher

-4-5 Freezer jars

- 1/2 cup measuring cup

-Timer

-Ladle

First things first, wash out all your jars and set them out to dry

Hull and slice your strawberries into small, bite size pieces You don't need to have blurry vision for this :-) Put them in your four cup measuring bowl.

Once all your strawberries are cut up, use the potato masher to smush the strawberries into a nice consistency. The key here is personal taste. If you like your jelly with chunks, don't mush too much. I smushed mine until there were no large pieces left.

Add one and a half cups of sugar to the large bowl. Try not to be disgusted by the amount of sugar that this recipe calls for. :-)

Add the pectin to the sugar, then stir it all together.

Add the berries to the sugary pectin, being careful not to splash red berry juice on yourself.

Set timer for three minutes, stir berries, sugar and pectin together until timer goes off.

Carefully ladle the berry mixture into your clean jars up to the fill line, or fill to about 1/3 inch from the top of the jar. Once again, be careful of splashage.

Screw lids on securely, then label jars with contents and date. I used regular old masking tape, but you can get fancy, if you feel so inclined.

Set your timer for 30 mintues, and go relax and read a magazine or something. You've earned it!

When the timer goes off, put the jars in the freezer.

Voila! You have just made strawberry freezer jam!

Instructions courtesy of Ball No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin, with embellishment by me.

Ball's Strawberry Freezer Jam

Have you ever wondered how to make freezer jam? Well, you won't have to anymore because I have come to your rescue! Starwberries are dirt cheap right now, so I thought I would take advantage of the sales and whip up a batch of freezer jam. And you get to benefit from my newfound knowledge!

Here's what you will need:

- Four pounds of strawberries, rinsed

- One package of Ball's Freezer Jam No Cook Pectin

- Sugar

- 4 cup glass bowl

- Large bowl

- Sharp Knife

-Strawberry Huller

- Mixing Spoon

-Potato masher

-4-5 Freezer jars

- 1/2 cup measuring cup

-Timer

-Ladle

First things first, wash out all your jars and set them out to dry

Hull and slice your strawberries into small, bite size pieces You don't need to have blurry vision for this :-) Put them in your four cup measuring bowl.

Once all your strawberries are cut up, use the potato masher to smush the strawberries into a nice consistency. The key here is personal taste. If you like your jelly with chunks, don't mush too much. I smushed mine until there were no large pieces left.

Add one and a half cups of sugar to the large bowl. Try not to be disgusted by the amount of sugar that this recipe calls for. :-)

Add the pectin to the sugar, then stir it all together.

Add the berries to the sugary pectin, being careful not to splash red berry juice on yourself.

Set timer for three minutes, stir berries, sugar and pectin together until timer goes off.

Carefully ladle the berry mixture into your clean jars up to the fill line, or fill to about 1/3 inch from the top of the jar. Once again, be careful of splashage.

Screw lids on securely, then label jars with contents and date. I used regular old masking tape, but you can get fancy, if you feel so inclined.

Set your timer for 30 mintues, and go relax and read a magazine or something. You've earned it!

When the timer goes off, put the jars in the freezer.

Voila! You have just made strawberry freezer jam!

Instructions courtesy of Ball No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin, with embellishment by me.

The Easiest Way to Clean Your Microwave

Truthfully, the easiest way I have found to clean your microwave. 

Here is the culprit:

And the players:

You will need:

• A glass receptacle of some sort. I like using a one cup Pyrex. 
• A sponge
• A few drops of imitation vanilla extract.
• A cup of water

Fill your Pyrex with one cup of water, and add a few drops of vanilla. The vanilla helps eliminate any nasty odors that may be accompanying your messy microwave.  Place the Pyrex inside your microwave, and set the timer for 5 minutes. 

Essentially, the water is going to steam clean your microwave. While your microwave does the hard work, take the five minutes to do a little cleaning in your kitchen, for example, wipe down the front of your cabinets. In this instance I swept the floor and filled up a bucket for mopping. 

When the timer goes off, remove the Pyrex (hot!!!) from the microwave and pour the now boiling water down the drain of your kitchen sink. (The bonus is that the boiling water will clean your drain) Then, take a sponge and wipe up the now easily removeable gunk off your microwave. 

You're all set! Here's the before:

And the happy after:

Oh, your microwave doesn't have a smile on it? Hmm. Well, maybe mine's cooler :-D