How's That Bathroom Remodel Comin' Along?

 Hi everyone!

The answer to the $10,000 question about our bathroom remodeling progress is:  slow, very slow.  We have been taking our time picking out the paint and other finishes, and we also slipped in a vacation along the way.  It's all good though, because things are on the move again.

I finished caulking and painting all of the floor trim yesterday. Not a fun job, but so worth it!  The walls are all prepped and ready for painting, so I am shooting to get that done in the next few days. After that, things are going to slow down a bit, as I had a "brainstorm" about what to do with the linen closet in the room and that is going to take some time to complete.  We also are installing farmhouse trim around the linen closet and the window. Oy!  It's always something!

 In the meantime, I can show you a few pretty pictures of what is on the horizon for our humble master bath.  First up, my totally awesome faucet - loving the clean lines and the modern, yet farmhouse, feel.  We also have our new sink and counter waiting to be installed, but I am saving that for the "big reveal" just because I can!

I found this really cute vintage washboard at my local antique mall and I am considering using it as art in the bathroom.  I just love the graphics on it, especially the side with the chicken on it. For some reason, the "Top Notch" just cracks me up!

Here's a peek of some of the things I purchased with my $100 Wal-Mart gift card that I received from my employers as a Christmas gift.  I thought it would be fun to see how far I could stretch that hundred bucks and if I could find things that don't look like they came from Wal-Mart. The silver plated items are headed for a spray coat of oil rubbed bronze paint. I am very pleased with all that I found and I can't wait to reveal how they look in the finished room. Even the braided rug will be used - it's indoor/outdoor so it can withstand all of the water.

I've shown you the vintage tin wall tiles I will be using, along with the pretty hooks from Hobby Lobby in this post. The soap dispenser is from Target.

I'm hoping to use this Billy Jacobs print in the room (mine is in a different style frame), but we will have to see.  I am trying to keep this room very simple, so not everything will make the cut.  I am obsessed with all things Billy Jacobs lately.

As you can see, our bathroom re-do is currently more dreams that reality - but I promise you it is getting there! My target finish date is the end of this month.  Fingers crossed!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Hi everyone!

Tomorrow is opening day for our major league team, the Milwaukee Brewers!  In typical opening day fashion, it is going to be a cold and windy 38 degrees for a high during the game. In Wisco we have some pretty hardy fans and it will definitely be a sell out with  lots of tailgating before the game. And tailgating in Wisconsin means grilling out and Miller beer!

Mr. Bluebird's office always does a workday cookout for opening day.  He and his partners grill up bratwurst, hot dogs and burgers for their staff members, along with all the yummy fixings that one would typically have at the game.  (Of course, they will have to forgo the Miller beer since it is during the workday, lol!) This year I am sending along a super easy "poke" cake  for the sweet tooths of the bunch and I am excited to share the recipe with you.

In his younger days, Mr. Bluebird was an avid softball player and I think when Baby Bluebird was born he had high hopes of her becoming a player as well.  These are pictures of her t-ball glove and a fly ball she caught at Brewer game when she was younger. That tiny glove is the sweetest thing.

Alas, she was to become a dancer - and a wonderful one at that.  However, she did inherit her dad's love for watching the sport!

And now for the yummy, yummy - but super easy - cake!

Salted Caramel Turtle Poke Cake

Prepare your favorite box mix per package directions in a 9x13 cake pan.
Remove from oven and immediately, using the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake.
Drizzle on 3/4 bottle of caramel ice cream topping on top of the cake.
Refrigerate one hour to let the caramel work it's magic.
When the cake is cooled, frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.
Top with a large bag of nuts - I used walnuts, but pecans, peanuts or cashews would also be delish.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup coarsely crushed pretzels on top of the nuts.
Drizzle with the remaining caramel topping.
Sprinkle generously with sea salt.
Refrigerate overnight.

After using the treadmill for 5 - 7 days, enjoy a small forkful of cake! Moist and decadent, sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Simple and oh so yum!  There are a gazillion poke cake recipes out there and they are fun to make and always taste wonderfully.

Opening day is a big deal around here and for me, it always signals the beginning of spring and the promise of warming weather.  We are blessed to have an amazing ball park (Miller Park) and a major league team to root for.  Lot of good memories there with family and friends.

How about you? Are you a baseball fan?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Join me at these fun parties:
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