tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67087981907159280872024-03-06T00:19:49.918-05:00Life in the ReinekingdomIngrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-33024090741577547292015-06-17T20:31:00.003-04:002015-06-17T20:31:41.169-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Summer Bucket List 2015</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Watch a sunset</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Pick berries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Listen to live music</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Run up and down a sand dune</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have a party</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Grill something new</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Go on a boat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Catch a firefly</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Go a day without technology</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Invite someone new over for dinner</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Swim in Lake Michigan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Bike as a family</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Go to Mackinac Island</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Play baseball in the backyard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Feed the ducks</span></li>
</ol>
Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-54786307542332864822014-01-28T15:43:00.001-05:002017-01-24T14:09:19.226-05:00The 80s were fun for growing up, but not fun in my kitchen; how I got a new kitchen for under $400<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How did I live with this for 4 1/2 years?!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we bought our house in 2009, I loved everything but the
kitchen. It is small and filled with “good
quality” oak cabinets. I’ve spent 4
years trying to get the energy to paint them.
I finally decided this was the year to do it. I priced out getting them professionally done
($1800), but instead decided I’d try this on my own. I talked to my “sister from another mista”,
Jill (my sister-in-law’s sister), who is an avid DIY-er and she convinced me I
could do it using chalk paint. Chalk
Paint was invented about 20 years ago by a woman named Annie Sloan. Although there is a limited color palette and
the cans are pricey, I still thought it would be less expensive than hiring the
$1800 lady. I did a little research on
Pinterest and found a blog from a woman who made her own. She gave wonderful detail on all her research
and her list of do’s and don’ts. During the painting process, I posted pictures
on Facebook and ended up with a little following of people cheering me on. I promised a blog post to explain how I
turned my 80s “gag me with a spoon” kitchen into a 2014 beauty.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlOeUHMJTJH50Pd5NyC85D6IL1KReKRMGiCTM7Jc8retiUHSgQs-k5wzuPvQbAntFbEe1Yp2xZ4gMxh7e0AWyTUz179zXjH_PxunFiIkqbfQYlnIyGVy7h47HATufLDDPLUWNbtwUx0kO/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" closure_lm_111277="null" cua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlOeUHMJTJH50Pd5NyC85D6IL1KReKRMGiCTM7Jc8retiUHSgQs-k5wzuPvQbAntFbEe1Yp2xZ4gMxh7e0AWyTUz179zXjH_PxunFiIkqbfQYlnIyGVy7h47HATufLDDPLUWNbtwUx0kO/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+4.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "Gray Matters" from Sherwin-Williams</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9N4hDypr7PVLpm_Ck7Hj-zwbCtTrjwVp8y6k8qMHvbuZbrku0OpPAG4rGgRN79gRbNCChr_so0Az2rFjzXKppnjQNVgenRESK5wTu-xUGmdwIohOyvD0t_nvXP0IUODdwlle0buCD_3y/s1600/kitchen+before+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" closure_lm_745261="null" cua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9N4hDypr7PVLpm_Ck7Hj-zwbCtTrjwVp8y6k8qMHvbuZbrku0OpPAG4rGgRN79gRbNCChr_so0Az2rFjzXKppnjQNVgenRESK5wTu-xUGmdwIohOyvD0t_nvXP0IUODdwlle0buCD_3y/s1600/kitchen+before+1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The color I chose was “Gray Matters” from Sherwin-Williams
(flat finish), though I had it color matched in Behr paint at Home Depot. The “recipe”
for Chalk Paint is 1:3 ratio of Plaster of Paris to flat paint. Buy a plastic container or use something from
around the house. The first night I
mixed too much and by the next night, the plaster started to harden. I learned to make small batches with only the
paint I needed for that night. This
paint goes far, so a small amount will cover quite a bit. I used an angled 1” brush for the edges and grooves
and a 2 1/2” brush for the flat surfaces.
Quality brushes really do matter.
I spent $14 on the large brush… well worth it!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ539EZztrGEjKqW3efUTMOavRBvZ_eoc59T8ikvpP4fqqfU4I_R65W6ORAeq9Asgoj-6CsklwPZEeSfvW7bBuz8aWpADfng_Wnu1uoVvyGD6XiXVSWVLuM-gaMSYjfQxAmwNhrMe-UOvg/s1600/kitchen+before+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" closure_lm_745261="null" cua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ539EZztrGEjKqW3efUTMOavRBvZ_eoc59T8ikvpP4fqqfU4I_R65W6ORAeq9Asgoj-6CsklwPZEeSfvW7bBuz8aWpADfng_Wnu1uoVvyGD6XiXVSWVLuM-gaMSYjfQxAmwNhrMe-UOvg/s1600/kitchen+before+2.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">80s Splendor!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since I work full time, I had to work in the evenings and
weekend. I started on a Monday, removing
door fronts, pulls and hinges and giving them all a thorough cleaning with
Murphy’s Oil Soap. I numbered them with post it notes and created a map of the kitchen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My husband helped by washing the cabinet frames.
He said, “I’m trying to be as helpful as possible without actually
painting”. I’m the perfectionist when it
comes to painting, so I was ok with that statement! I got the first coat on a few doors the first
night while my husband and a friend installed a new range hood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Night 2: I got the first coat on the cabinet frames and the
rest of the doors done. It felt so good to get rid of the oak!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Night 3: The cabinet frames got a second coat and about 1/3
of the cabinet fronts had a 2<sup>nd</sup> coat.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeocg1LcqqsXGHg-Fd2qUHHzgdMYwK8oxLEMMDeBizh6P0wLsmOe1ctHB2Dx83KbDom7bwLCcG9fKM-pNTes88WSJueXHUg9sRFfEXcGSmS0ApSBA2DplauBSGOfBSVKkoKri6P8aEMTa/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeocg1LcqqsXGHg-Fd2qUHHzgdMYwK8oxLEMMDeBizh6P0wLsmOe1ctHB2Dx83KbDom7bwLCcG9fKM-pNTes88WSJueXHUg9sRFfEXcGSmS0ApSBA2DplauBSGOfBSVKkoKri6P8aEMTa/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My house was taken over by cabinets</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY2yj4jzGlP96GA1V1T2TxjwRMPOGN53on7GsUEc7hugMPIUCTreSB1MkYG_jlb5vBp-6aUYOZSCKBmLd4ssm38PfOjHYM-VTy9hNUrOptWhFDxATuWQtnEgGYZtITeHOSXlLr8_5-myx/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" closure_lm_111277="null" cua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY2yj4jzGlP96GA1V1T2TxjwRMPOGN53on7GsUEc7hugMPIUCTreSB1MkYG_jlb5vBp-6aUYOZSCKBmLd4ssm38PfOjHYM-VTy9hNUrOptWhFDxATuWQtnEgGYZtITeHOSXlLr8_5-myx/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+3.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I used Red Solo Cups to prop up my doors!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr11jTfH87Pq1FDnk0ufco6kaHjLy41ApCV4K3oyiMRaYAQktAU9SVbfEsu0iCK1qzGv2Aih0v__dcIA0FFeaJ4oVX9NxonWyxIsgg1REuQQkFA_Pxgq1T703P77YXE6rO9g1q3wNGkgcq/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+drawers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr11jTfH87Pq1FDnk0ufco6kaHjLy41ApCV4K3oyiMRaYAQktAU9SVbfEsu0iCK1qzGv2Aih0v__dcIA0FFeaJ4oVX9NxonWyxIsgg1REuQQkFA_Pxgq1T703P77YXE6rO9g1q3wNGkgcq/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+drawers.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I should mention that I did this all during the 2<sup>nd</sup>
"Polar Vortex” of 2014. I painted in my
living room/dining room because I had nowhere else to go. My husband was ice fishing during most of the
work and my kids ate mainly from the fats/grains portion of the food
pyramid. Without a table, they got to
eat their beige meals in front of the TV on the coffee table. They left me alone and had a blast breaking all the rules! We were also dog sitting a Yellow Lab along
with our 100 lb. black furball. I had a
little extra work to keep the “Furricane” from ruining my paint job, but it was worth it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Night 4: I was getting a little weary, but my Facebook
friends cheered me on. I had enough done
on a set of drawers that I could install the pulls. That inspired me. I knew I was going to LOVE this
transformation. I managed to get a 2<sup>nd</sup>
coat on most of the cabinets as well. I have to give a big thanks to my friend Kim Wilson who has an amazing website, www.sandandsisal.com. She is an amazing DIY-er and offered wonderful advice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Night 5: I visited my cute neighborhood hardware store, Ada
Godwin Hardware and talked to the paint man about what kind of sealer to
use. He was very helpful and recommended
a product by Minwax called “Polycrylic” in the satin finish. Score one for the local hardware store. It turned out to be the perfect sealer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG83CChdJXKFJzAXVpbaE-ivExuwuUtNNhSb53Iy299M4kg5TgjV2qt1AKT0Eug8HMnj_lcq_nDj2YY2rgiFb2eAEcYVZM0IhNn7L70W5uI2pXy13TGRP-GqpOSkBjCIQfSK5coMUlXnRH/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG83CChdJXKFJzAXVpbaE-ivExuwuUtNNhSb53Iy299M4kg5TgjV2qt1AKT0Eug8HMnj_lcq_nDj2YY2rgiFb2eAEcYVZM0IhNn7L70W5uI2pXy13TGRP-GqpOSkBjCIQfSK5coMUlXnRH/s1600/kitchen+in+progress+2.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Days 6 and 7: I didn’t plan it this way, but I was quite
thankful to be doing the final coats and sealer during the daylight. I saw flaws that weren’t visible by the light
of my dining room. The sealer was easy
to use and I really liked the satin finish.
I used foam brushes and worked very carefully so that there weren’t any
drips or bubbles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I really love my new range hood. It's a silly thing, but the halogen lights cast a really nice glow in the kitchen. I'm an interior designer, so I'm all about the right lighting!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xPr9sCSfGFAL0P7QQpCJar62AqCMU6FsPkcBKAH5TqjDDOsxmir2LOkue1Zw85qVFKZUUn3bDxnp5BU6dCZliT36_Vb3NhxT5utUNYagk6BxXlct4SrA7_VUBj95h94Ob9TrcgGkMz03/s1600/almost+done+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xPr9sCSfGFAL0P7QQpCJar62AqCMU6FsPkcBKAH5TqjDDOsxmir2LOkue1Zw85qVFKZUUn3bDxnp5BU6dCZliT36_Vb3NhxT5utUNYagk6BxXlct4SrA7_VUBj95h94Ob9TrcgGkMz03/s1600/almost+done+1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBQCbFTf1zVbGus1guhu_V0f773J4T300G8h6NpCEMRpoTSo3beBW-f-ejR2iJWkn9yJC2sTHTujNG4nnCfN4NefB7wVf_nzimxEQoyOz_KAqCNhTxa68TXKQfR8P-x61SgAQWF_8kWh0/s1600/almost+done+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBQCbFTf1zVbGus1guhu_V0f773J4T300G8h6NpCEMRpoTSo3beBW-f-ejR2iJWkn9yJC2sTHTujNG4nnCfN4NefB7wVf_nzimxEQoyOz_KAqCNhTxa68TXKQfR8P-x61SgAQWF_8kWh0/s1600/almost+done+2.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the end of Night 7,
I had about 2/3 of the doors with 2 coats of sealer, so I reattached hardware
and the new pulls and started the re-installation. It was starting to look so good… worth all
the work, for sure! I wasn’t sure what
to do about the hinges, since they were an 80s brushed brass. I was going to get an oil rubbed bronze spray
paint for them, but with the bad weather and the fact I’d have to spray paint
in my 10 degree garage, I decided to embrace the hinges. They actually look OK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We're going to need a new refrigerator soon. I was thinking about stainless, but I really love the contrast of the black stove against the grey cabinets. I think we'll go with black!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Night 8: Almost done! I had 11 door fronts to seal</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Day 9: DONE! I still need to add sealer to the insides of the cabinets, but for all intents and purposes, it's complete. I love it. It was worth every second. I tried to go slow and be very careful with my painting & sealing. They're not perfect, but then, neither am I. Am I'm OK with that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">THE BIG REVEAL:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Breakdown of expenses:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pulls - from www.knobs4less.com - Amerock 3" oil-rubbed bronze - $97.90 for 35 pulls</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Range hood (approx. $200), gallon of paint, Plaster of Paris and $14 brush - $258</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sealer - $20 pint of Minwax "Polycrylic" and 4 foam brushes ($2.40)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grand total: $378.10</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not bad for a kitchen renovation! I won a $400 award at work last month which gave me the incentive to get this project going. I came in under budget! I'll spend the rest on accessories... I'm thinking yellow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next up... paint the oak trim. Maybe during the next Polar Vortex.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">January 2017 update: The cabinets have held up really well. There are a few little dings on the drawers we open the most. I just mix up a little touch up paint once in a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We also got a new black stove & dishwasher which look great next to the grey cabinets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've painted both bathrooms in chalk paint, too . I LOVE it!</span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-_TxZUqHrydg%2FUuLTie-T9gI%2FAAAAAAAAAGw%2FOph6zBtOf_E%2Fs1600%2Fkitchen%2Bbefore%2B1.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9N4hDypr7PVLpm_Ck7Hj-zwbCtTrjwVp8y6k8qMHvbuZbrku0OpPAG4rGgRN79gRbNCChr_so0Az2rFjzXKppnjQNVgenRESK5wTu-xUGmdwIohOyvD0t_nvXP0IUODdwlle0buCD_3y/s1600/kitchen+before+1.jpg" -->Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-40736291906682771722012-01-05T17:21:00.000-05:002012-01-05T17:21:58.136-05:004. Cook with and Learn to Love a New Vegetable <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhXq-WXlSWdNnU07lvqCy2MyXSmZhjmEDsTwEY4m6KRAQmSxrfSo1X3_fJokM9HSRuZYifJ8ED3nMEtNKbnl6nqfnqdyAn6nowowYNGPDA5sLsOk-cXgCmrmVCynNQmg4KsqN8qR5kiu6/s1600/DSCF0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhXq-WXlSWdNnU07lvqCy2MyXSmZhjmEDsTwEY4m6KRAQmSxrfSo1X3_fJokM9HSRuZYifJ8ED3nMEtNKbnl6nqfnqdyAn6nowowYNGPDA5sLsOk-cXgCmrmVCynNQmg4KsqN8qR5kiu6/s200/DSCF0025.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting up the Squash</td></tr>
</tbody></table> As a child, I had an intense hatred of all things "SQUASH". My mom would make Acorn Squash and I would sit at the table gagging it down. So, as a 40 yr old, I still consider myself a hater of squash. However, I've had butternut squash bisque and liked it. Hmm... maybe all squashes are not created equally. Then, I bravely tried acorn squash with maple syrup mixed in. SHOCKING! I actually liked it and had seconds. As part of my goals for 2012, I decided it was time to be a big girl and try some new vegetables and incorporate them into my diet. So, I'm starting with Butternut Squash. I found a recipe in the Jan/Feb issue of Cooking Light magazine and decided to give it a whirl. I went shopping for the squash and couldn't find them. Finally, I reached the squash department. Luckily, they come with stickers for people like me who have never purchased such vegetable, and therefore have no idea what they look like. I made the recipe, Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash soup (recipe posted on my food blog: The Swedish Chef and Friends), and I must say... it's delicious. Next on my journey with my new friend Butternut Squash... mac & cheese!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product (lovely photo courtesy of Cooking Light)</td></tr>
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</div>Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-15382375820816071472012-01-05T16:55:00.000-05:002012-01-05T16:55:03.062-05:00Bring on 2012I'm a list maker. Something about writing it down, and more importantly, crossing it off the list makes me feel like I've really accomplished something. I was inspired to not just create a resolution for 2012, but to make a list of things to do from a book I just read. I finished <u>The Next Thing on My List</u> by Jill Smolenski on New Year's Eve. It's about a woman who was in a car accident and her passenger was killed. The passenger had created a list of things she wanted to accomplish before she turned 25. The driver felt like she should finish it to honor her memory. Thus, my list of things to accomplish in 2012 was born. I tried not to make my goals too lofty so that I can actually cross them off the list. Today I tried 4.) Cook with and learn to love a new vegetable. After I try the soup I made, I'll report back on my success. I found a friend to walk a 5K with me in May and I'm 5/5 on praying every day and reading <u>Jesus Calling</u>. Here's to crossing everything off the list by December 31, 2012.Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-83925963000356729902011-06-15T22:17:00.000-04:002011-06-15T22:17:47.617-04:00Summer Bucket List 2011 #1 - checkThis year, I made a bucket list. Basically, it's stuff I want to do this summer so I don't get to Labor Day and think, "I wish we had...". List item #1 was to watch our friend Rob & the guys from our church play softball. Rob and his family vacation "way up north" with us in the UP every year and Rob is always sporting his latest team championship t-shirt. The joke is that Rob ONLY packs shirts that say "Softball Team Champs" 2008, 2009, 2010... etc. I wanted to see him win the 2011 t-shirt in person.<br />
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I decided (as part of my rigorous exercise regime) that I would bike the more-or-less 2 miles to the park with my daughter in the bike seat while my hubby & son met us there via the Ford Freestyle. The game started at 8 and we were pushing the bedtime meltdown time, but willing to tempt tantrum fate. I started putting Lena in the bike seat, but only to her protests: "No, mommy. I no ride on yo bike. I ride with daddy". Then Sam, my newly empowered biking-without-training wheels 6 yr old say, "I'll ride with you!!". I love my kids, but I know what to expect from this kind of proclamation... "I'm tired". "This hill is too big". "Can we go home?". "I can't do this". So, with a sigh and a bit of dread, I said in my super-encouraging mom voice, "OK, bud... let's go!!" while giving my husband a look and grabbing my cell phone just in case.<br />
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What a joy it was to ride with Sam as he biked over and across the hills of Ada. He didn't complain, he trucked along and did just great. I try to remind myself that a) summer is fleeting and b) my childrens' childhood is even faster fleeting so... c) savor the moment. I took a deep breath and smelled the summer air and really seered the memory of bike riding on a beautiful, not too hot summer evening with my best boy. It was lovely!<br />
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The game was fun, even though the TECC boys lost on a "mercy score" of being 10 points under the other team. It was a beautiful evening with a full moon coming on and a special time with my little family of 4.<br />
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Sam biked back home without complaints and got to pet a lost baby raccoon as a fellow biker (the serious type that wears bike shorts) tried to get the little fella back into the woods.<br />
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Bucket list item 1 - done. check. Plus I got some really special time with the boy I love the most.Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-58061551333021335712011-06-04T08:39:00.000-04:002011-06-04T08:39:43.316-04:00Summer 2011, here we comeThe summer of 1992 was the best summer of my life. I signed up to be a camp counselor in Scotts Valley, CA (near Santa Cruz). I hopped on a plane and took off for quite the adventure. I met some amazing people, served God and led a few kids to accept Jesus. The reason that summer was so great (besides not having a mortgage) was that we spent the summer PLAYING! We sang silly songs, went swimming, rode horses, went to the beach every weekend, made s'mores, slept in sleeping bags outisde on a big field and created the world's largest slip and slide. I can't truly recreate that feeling of freedom, but I can do my best to recreate the magic for my kids.<br />
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For that reason, I've created a summer bucket list of things to do. I used to tease my mom for doing the same, but you know we all evenutally become our mothers. Stay tuned for photos & updates as we attempt to fully embrace summer in Michigan and all its splendor. We spend the other 9 months inside with colds & flaky skin, so you better believe in June, July & August we CARPE DIEM!<br />
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First on the agenda is to set up our slip & slide. It may not be the world's largest (it came from a box from Target), but my kids will love it just the same.<br />
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Summer, we're glad you're here. Welcome to Michigan.Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-41595028888845983762010-07-16T19:01:00.000-04:002010-07-16T19:26:41.475-04:00Lake Michigan how I love you. Let me count the ways.Today, I spent the day at Lake Michigan with my kids. Seeing my son Sam jump in the waves and let the water crash over him filled my heart with joy. He loves my lake as much as me. I grew up a bike <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ride</span> distance from the most beautiful beaches in the world, as far as I'm concerned. I grew up in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Muskegon</span>, Michigan, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, not realizing how lucky I was to have such a beautiful place to call home.<br /><br />Summers during my childhood were filled with weekly (or more) visits to the beach. We sometimes ate breakfast there. Other times, we had bonfires at night. But mostly, we spent the day there, jumping in the waves until we could barely stand up. I knew how strong and dangerous (but fun) the undertow could be. I remember how hot that sand could be on my tender feet. I knew my mom would always remind us to "brush off the sand before getting back in the car". I'm the 3rd generation to spend my summers at Lake Michigan. My grandpa was a lifeguard in the 30's and met my grandma there when they were teenagers. My mom & aunts love recalling stories about summers at the Lake and my parents were engaged there. It's as much of my family history as eating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lutefisk</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">potatiskorv</span> at Christmas.<br /><br />After moving away from the "big lake" as an adult, I realized how much it was in my blood. I like living in Grand Rapids, but we're land locked here. When I'm driving to the beach and see the first glimpse of the vast blue water and the swaying beach grass, I think, "I'm home". I feel a certain unexplainable peace. There's just something about the sounds - the crashing waves, the sound of the seagulls, the roar of a jet ski's motor and the sound of children laughing that makes me want to bottle it up to take out in January when we're waist high in snow.<br /><br />It gives me such joy to see my children share this love for a big lake. I know it will never leave them. If they grow up and move away, they'll always have wonderful memories of jumping over the waves and building sand castles.Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-84145822814323165162010-06-25T19:02:00.000-04:002010-06-25T19:26:01.287-04:00My life without high fructose corn syrupSo, I've been hearing a lot about how bad this high fructose corn syrup is. Yeah, yeah... it's in everything. How can I avoid it? Well, for reasons I don't really remember, I decided to challenge myself to go all summer without buying anything containing HFCS. I have made an exception (OK, two) - red vines/Twizzlers and Slurpees. I really need those once in a while. Anyway, since I started this experiment in the beginning of June, I have 1) survived!! 2) really started eating better 3) learned a lot more about the food industry (trickery! deceipt! jerks!).<br /><br />I'm reading a great book - <u>Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</u> by Barbara Kingsolver. She and her family made a commitment to eat foods they grew on their farm or could buy locally for 1 year. She mixes their year in review with recipes, what vegetables and fruits they ate in each season with interesting facts and statistics about the food industry. I'm now convinced that I need to eat locally (thank goodness I have a fabulous farmers market in town) and buy organic meat. I never knew chickens grown for our consumption don't get to see the light of day. Poor feathery friends...<br /><br />I'm not going to throw away my cute heels for Berkenstocks or stop washing my hair, but I am making a commitment to eat "whole" foods, read labels, avoid anything made with HFCS and not eat anything containing ingredients I can't pronouce. Am I sad? Do I miss monosodiumgludamate rednumber 40? Nope. And neither do my intestines. I feel SO much better.<br /><br />I'm new at this, but here's what I've found without HFCS:<br /><br />1. Hamburger buns - Aunt Millie's Honey hamburger buns<br />2. Hotdog & hamburger buns - Arnie's (if you live in the W Michigan area)<br />3. Crackers - Meijer Naturals Baked 12 grain crackers. They are so buttery & delicious, you'd never know they were good for you<br />4. Cereal - read labels... most of the "healthy" cereals don't have it<br />5. Ketchup - Heinz now makes "Heinz Free" (I think that's what it's called)<br />6. BBQ sauce -good luck. Tastefully Simple (<a href="http://www.tastefullysimple.c0m/">www.tastefullysimple.c0m</a>) has quite a few sauces without HFCS. I happen to sell this product, so call me if you want to place an order :)<br />7. Ice Cream - Breyers!<br />8. Jam/Jelly - Costco has an organic variety or make your own! Freezer jam is EASY and fruit is in season now. Tap into your inner Laura Ingalls Wilder and start canning! Your grandma will be so proud.<br /><br />In general, organic food is going to be your best choice. I love Costco for this reason... they have lots of affordable organic food and meats.<br /><br />Are you challenged to kick the HFCS habit? Go for it! Your body will thank you for it. <br /><br />I've gotta go make some granola.Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-50606041243754365492010-03-15T20:58:00.001-04:002010-03-15T20:58:32.043-04:00Trust and Obey<span xmlns=''><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>My Grandpa Wes was an amazing guy. I was his only granddaughter and he was one of my favorite people in the whole world. When I was a little girl, I loved to help him in his workroom, take bike rides to the beach, learn about nature or watch Cubs games together. He took me to Cubs games and taught me not only how to keep score, but also how to be a die hard fan for a team that hasn't won a World Series in over 100 years!<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>I truly admired my grandparents, especially how they lived out their walks with Christ. They trusted God in all aspects of their life and always gave Him the glory for all the blessings that came their way.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>While I was still dating my husband, he was lucky enough to get to know my grandpa. When Grandpa was in the hospital during his last days, he said, "I want to talk to Alex about Jesus". When Alex visited him, his strength was failing. He couldn't say the words to share Jesus with Alex, he could only hum an old tune. <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>As my family was gathered in the hospital corridor, my grandma came out and said, "Alex, Grandpa wanted me to sing this song for you. He wants you to remember these words as a guide for your life". She sang 3 verses of "Trust and Obey" from memory.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>Alex accepted Christ into his heart after my grandpa's funeral and we've been living by the words of Trust and Obey ever since. We sang it at our wedding and I sing it to our children every night before bed.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>I recently made the decision to quit my job and stay home with my kids. My hope is to develop my Interior Design "side job" into a more profitable business venture. When I sit back and trust God, I feel at peace. I am truly taking a leap of faith and blindly jumping into unchartered territory. I know in my heart that God loves me and He'll provide for my family, but I still have moments of sheer panic, like "will we have enough money to eat?" or "will my business completely fail?" <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>Like my grandparents' example, I'm putting my faith in the God who never fails us and I'm going to obey his commands. I know that if I trust Him and follow His ways, He'll never fail me.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'><em>TRUST AND OBEY<br /></em></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'><em>When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.<br /></em></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'><em> Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey .<br /></em></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'><em>Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.<br /></em></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'><em>Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief of a loss, not a frown or a cross but is blessed if we trust and obey.<br /></em></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'><em>Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, or we'll walk by His side in the way. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey</em>.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Lucida Sans; font-size:9pt'>Words by John Sammis, 1887. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:9pt'>Copywright: Public Domain</span><span style='font-size:10pt'><br /> </span></p></span>Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6708798190715928087.post-40559602083084992042010-03-10T22:00:00.000-05:002010-03-10T22:05:20.985-05:0021st Century, here I come!I've always been a little slow to catch on to trends, so here we are 10 years into the 21st century and I'm just learning how to blog. At first I didn't get it. But after reading other friends' blogs (I thank Heidi for inspiring me!), I realize this might be the best my kids get to remember their childhood. My son has a scrapbook from the 1st year of his life, and the rest of his life's photographed moments are still on the computer. Sorry, Sam, and sorry, Lena who as a 16 mo. old only has one framed photo hanging in our house. And no scrapbooks. <br /><br />So, as a record of my childrens' lives and as a way to ramble on about how great they are and how much I love being a mom, I am now a blogger. Here I go!Ingrid Reinekinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17421277977208870444noreply@blogger.com2