A table and some bread

We love having people at our house. 

We love food.

And we love cooking food for people! 

Our current dining room table can seat 6-7 people but we wanted to have a place to fit more of our friends. Michael decided he wanted to build a huge table for the deck. 

He had to build it on the deck because there is no way we could get a 10 foot table up there. 

This is before we stained the benches. I love the lights! 

We can now seat 14 people around the table!

Here is the first big group of people enjoying the table. 

Our one regret is making the table right before winter! It is a little too cold to enjoy now but come spring, we will be out here all the time!

Another recent project for me is bread making. 

I, by no means, have a clue what I am doing. I have friends who are becoming experts in the bread making world. They know all the tricks and secrets. They can make bread that is gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, vegetarian, pescatarian...(Ok, a little sarcasm ;) I am not one of them, maybe one day. I just wanted to see if I could make a simple loaf in the oven. So here is what I did:

- Package of Yeast

- 1.5 Tablespoons of salt

- 3 cups of water

- 6.5 cups of flour (I used all purpose, but I have also blended this recipe with whole wheat and bread flour)

1. Mix all the ingredients together. I mixed it all in a big pot because I needed something with a lid and big enough for the dough to rise. 

It will look something like this...

2. Place the lid on the pot/container but make sure you have a little gap to let air out or a lid with a hole in it.
3. Let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours.

(This is in the refrigerator. After I let it sit out for 2 hours I refrigerated the extra dough - just showing you how I loosely placed the lid)

This was the texture of the dough after sitting for a few hours. If you use different types of flour it won't  look like this!

4. Ok, some websites say use scissors and cut a big piece of the dough. I found it easier to use my hands. Pull/Cut off about 1 pound of dough

5. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
6. While it is preheating, spray a pan and place the dough on the pan. It is suggested to let the dough sit on the pan for 40 ish minutes before cooking.
7. You can cut knotches on the top if you like.

8. I placed the pan on the top rack and then put a brownie pan full of water on the bottom rack. 

8. Cook for 30-35 minutes

Ta-da! Some tasty bread. 

Here is my first whole wheat loaf. I used a loaf pan for this dough. I also added honey to make a honey wheat loaf. It was not as 'slimy' as the all-purpose dough so it as a lot easier to cut the notches at the top. You could also brush egg whites on the top before backing. Or dust some flour on top. 

So now it is time to experiment with honey, wheat flour, all-purpose, bakers flour, rosemary, etc. 

It is amazing that all you need is flour, yeast and water to make bread. 

We'll see if I can perfect it.

It is so simple. 

Go make a loaf and your house will smell delicious! 

Our Backyard Update

Well the garden is taking off. I still have no clue what I am doing. And it is so dry and hot here. I was anti-pesticide when I started the garden but now I am trying to decide if there are organic ways I can protect the cabbage, tomatoes and peppers. Bugs are attacking! 

I have also learned that leafy veggies, like cabbage, arugula, lettuce and spinach are not really worth the work, or at least not worth it without pesticide. Plants growing in the ground and veggies like corn, beans, and tomatoes, are easier because even if the bugs devour the plant, you don't eat the leaves. I also didn't realize that arugula is a fall veggie. The leaves were so bitter. 

I have learned a lot the past few months and now I know what will and won't work in my garden next year. 

Here is our first harvest! Some green beans, lettuce, basil and arugula. The fresh herbs we get daily has paid for all the expenses that went into the garden, easily. 

Now time for the coop!

Michael and I built a coop from scratch. We used a lot of scrap wood but had to buy the chicken wire and tin roof.

 We built a little hatch on the back so we could pull the eggs out once they start laying.

The inside of the coop has two perching ladders and nesting boxes for them to lay eggs.

Coop before I painted it. 

Michael putting together the chicken run. Not pictured, but we added a gate to the side of the run so I can replace the water and food. 

Ya... I went a little overboard with color. We had a lot of extra house paint laying around from our tenants and our painting projects. I added a faux window too. I might make a flower box, we will see :)

The chickens are outside! I am so happy to not have chickens inside my house anymore. They are not very loud but they are stinky! 

                                                                       Jean is so cute. 

Doris learning how to use the ramp. 

I love these cute chickens. 

If you want to know how to start raising chickens from chicks, read my previous blog!

So much work, but so rewarding. I love waking up and feeding the chickens and watering the garden. And when I get home I weed the garden and watch the chickens run around and fight over the top ledge of the coop. They make me laugh, such great pets. And this is before they are even laying eggs!

My DIY Office

Visiting Orphans moved offices! I was so excited to get my own space to decorate. Now that I have a cozy space I feel like I can focus so much better! Although transition and change can be really tough, a fresh start is just as rewarding. I have definitely learned to be patient trying to figure out new phone, printer and email systems and my old computer completely died in the middle of a work day. But after 3 weeks of transition and more change than I thought I could handle, I am embracing and enjoying the this new season. It is starting to feel like the perfect "office home"!

Here are some pictures: 

Before: Grey walls and carpet

After: So much warmer with beige walls and brown carpet

I couldn't afford new furniture, so Michael and I built a bench out of some shipping pallets. 

Before stain: 

After stain: 

I made the cushion out of thrift store pillows and fabric I got while in Rwanda. 

I went to Goodwill, Ikea and Home Depot and got everything for $60. 

-3 curtains that I made into 2 massive curtains: $10

-5 frames that I spray painted black: $10

-4 pillows: $8

-Lamp: $2

-Grey Rug from Ikea: $20

-Stain for the bench: $10

I filled my frames with some art that I made and 2 beautiful photographs that Alison (from my December Africa trip) took. 

My office would not be complete without my favorite Anthropologie candle, wedding photos, and my pen holder made out of pretty fabric and a bean can!

Paint chip art! But seriously, if you want a cheap (free) and interesting medium for art, go to Home Depot, Lowes or Walmart and grab some paint chips. I am working on an entire post dedicated to paint chip art. I love using them!

Some more of my pen and ink drawings (I am a little obsessed with trees).

Side note: Happy early National Arbor Day! Every state celebrates it on different days, but the national day is tomorrow, April 27th! Michael and I will be celebrating this weekend :) I love that there is holiday dedicated to trees!

That vase will soon hold red fabric poppy flowers. 

 Thanks Urban Outfitters for my office motto :) 

 I had to combine three curtains to make one that was tall enough for the window. I love the texture of the deep purple curtain paired with the blue and brown patterned fabric.

I really like it here.