New Front Door How-To

So by now you all know that there isn't much that Michael and I don't at least try to do ourselves first before going to the "professionals" and this time it was our front door.  After 20 years of wear and tear, it needed a little sprucing up.  The stain had faded and the wood needed some TLC.

The first thing to do is sand.  Yes, the most fun part of any job...sanding.  All the little cracks, curves, and crevasses.  I want to say, "Awww, but mom do we haaavvve to?"

Yes, you have to.  If you are painting or staining you have to give the new product something to hold on to.  Here is the door sanded.

We decided we wanted to stain the door instead of painting it.  We used a great product from Minwax called Polyshade.  It is a colored stain with a sealer in it.  I used foam brushes to apply and then you have to wait 6 hours to dry.  Here it is with the first coat.  Pretty color, but thin and not black.  Second coat is required.

 

After the six hours of drying you have to take a very soft steel wool and lightly sand the door, then apply second coat. I actually decided to apply a third coat also.  

During the drying time we were deciding whether or not to update our hardware.  It was a little dated and the color had faded.  Well, needless to say, doorhandles aren't cheap! Ugh!  Close to $100!!

No thank you.  So here is our knob sanded with 220 sandpaper ready for paint.

 So....for an $8 can of spray paint (Rust-Oleum Universal Paint & Primer in One Oil Rubbed Bronze) we had ourselves a brand new door handle.  Whew!

So there ya go!  Our new door.  Isn't she a beaut?

Fiber One Chewy Giveaway

 

How fun is this? And just in time for summer!!

We've just recently tried the new Fiber One Chewy bars and my whole family really liked them.  I think everyone's favorite was the Strawberry PB&J.  It's a healthy choice for my boys' lunch box.

General Mills is giving away this great gift pack pictured above!  Just leave a comment and make sure you check back Wednesday afternoon to see who won!  (Also, please make sure I have your email address to request your address for the prize)

Have fun and enjoy your week!

Kerrie

 

Disclosure:  The product, gift pack, information, and additional sample have all been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Remember our Teachers

As the end of the school year is quickly approaching, many of us will take the time to write a note or give a gift of appreciation to our children's teachers.  (Don't forget Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7th-11th this year)  These men and women take great pride in what they do, put up with a ton of "other" children, (not mine and yours of course), and don't get paid enough. My boys get very attached to them each year and the last day of school is bittersweet. 

I wanted to offer some ideas that have come directly from a top secret source that will remain nameless to protect the innocent. 

(A retired teacher)

This post is not a hard and fast rule of the do's and don'ts of teacher gift giving.  It is mainly for some of us who might be stuck, in need of a little idea, or the first time mom who has been thrown into the world of "she gave what? to her teacher???"

Don't get stressed.  Every teacher would say it is the thought that counts.  Seriously.  
(and don't take my post too seriously)

1. Please, no apples, ABC's, 123's, chalkboards, rulers, or any other old fashioned iconic image.  I've actually heard it termed "apple crapple."  The ONLY exception is if this gift is an iPod or iPad.  Then the said apple is totally appropriate.  :)

2. No scents.  (i.e. candles, lotions, etc) unless specified by the teacher.  Everyone is different and Ms. Allen might not like the lemon-berry-grape-vanilla-sea-musk lotion as much as you do.

3. No mugs, Christmas ornaments, or anything shaped like an apple.  They. have. it. already.

4. No knick-knacks or anything that would collect dust or be in the next garage sale.

5. Nothing that says "World's Greatest Teacher" or "#1 Teacher." 

 

So, now that I've totally been negative, let's focus on the positive.  

The number one thing teacher's love is...gift certificates.

They are useful, generic, and hey, who wouldn't love a gift card?

Where to?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  Lakeshore, Staples, Mardel, Office Max, etc.  I was amazed when I learned how much teachers spend of their own money on their classrooms!  Also gift cards to restaurants, Target, WalMart, or Hobby Lobby.

The second thing is classroom supplies.  Cute post-it notes, sharpies, pens, pencils, stickers (if age appropriate), paper, colors, red pens, paperclips, etc. Anything that your teacher runs out of during the year and has to replace with her own money. 

The third thing is something I've done over the years and has probably gotten the most response and a few tears over.  Write an appreciation letter to the principal. Give the original to the principal and a copy to the teacher.  These actually go in their files. One of my sons' second grade teacher said in the 20+ years she has taught, no one ever did that for her.  Wow.  

Ladies, we need to do this.

Again, don't get stressed out and think that if you find the perfect gift for the teacher you know like a sister, you can't give it to her.  Do!  It's the thought that counts.  Sometimes our thoughts just need a little help.  Speaking of a little help...Search teacher appreciation on Pinterest.  My, my.  People are so talented!!

Hope everyone has a great week and maybe even write your teachers a short, unexpected note of thanks.  I promise it will brighten his/her day.

Sincerely,

Kerrie

If you need a little extra to go along with above gifts, check out one of my Etsy sales that always gets a good laugh...

Keep Calm and...

Easy No-Bake Pie

For those that know me, I am not known for my splendid baking abilities.  In other words I'm baking challenged. My family encourages me to bring appetizers, snacks, or heck, make the whole dinner, but they know not to ask me to bring something baked.  I even had an Easy Bake Oven growing up.  Waste. Of. Money.

Here is one of my favorite don't-have-to-turn-my-oven-on dessert recipes.  It's Butterfinger Pie.  So easy and so great for the summer.

 First, the ingredients...

1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese

1 8 oz carton of cool whip

3 Butterfinger Candy Bars

1 pie crust

(I used the 9 oz today for some company but you can use the standard 6 oz)

 

 

I hit the candy bars with a spoon to crush them inside their wrappers.  I also save a little for the topping of the pie.

Mix all ingredients with mixer until combined.  If you make fun of my hand mixer, you will be removed from the blog.  If I got a beautiful red Kitchen Aid mixer it would be purely for decoration. I just can't shell out $300 for one decoration.

 

Pour into pie shell and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Enjoy!