Kitchen Remodel

About two years ago we bought a 1972 trailer house on a beautiful piece of property with ocean and mountain views.  Someday we plan to tear down the trailer and build our dream home!  For now though we are fixing it up a little at a time, mind you this place was a wreck!  We don't want to put a lot of money into something we are going to tear down in a couple years, so we are DIYing it and trying to put as little money as possible into it.  The kitchen was by far the worst!  So thats what we tackled first. Here are some befor and after photos.  The whole kitchen remodel cost less that $600.00  and that included a new stove!

BEFORE

AFTER

Since this photo we have added a few things.  We made the shelf lower above the stove, to fit the microwave, added a knife magnet and spruced up the table and chairs.

We bought the stove on sale for $400.00, got the counter top for free from a friend in the construction biz and bought flooring at .79 a square foot. I painted the existing cabinets with paint from the "miss tint " section, as well as the paint for the walls.  We already had the stainless steel table just sitting outside, so we moved it in. All in all , I think it turned out pretty good!

Poppers

Jalapeno, ham, and cream cheese poppers

So good, so NOT good for you.  Oh well, live a little!

1 package egg roll wrappers

1 block cream cheese

jalapenos 

deli ham

 I cut the egg roll wrappers in half diagonally ( so you end up with 2 triangles).  Cut a slice of ham in half and lay it on the wide part of the wrapper.  Add a slice of cream cheese and a jalapeno.  Roll up tucking the sides in and fry for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown.  Mmmmm! 

Hot Chocolate and heart marshmallow Valentine

Hot Chocolate Valentine!  Oh won't you be mine?

Super cute, super easy and not the same ol' Valentine!  

All you need is a bag of heart shaped marshmallows ( got mine at Walmart), hot chocolate, construction paper, zip lock or cello bags, and embellishments. 

 I put 5 marshmallows in each bag, cut a piece of construction paper as wide as the bag and folded it over.

  Stapled it to the bag and slid the hot chocolate in between the staples! 

 Easy! 

Baked heart shaped peanut butter, jelly, and banana sandwiches!!

A mouth full, I know but so good and your kids will be sooo excited!!

The cool thing about these is there is no sugar in the dough!  I use Adams natural peanut butter (no sugar there) and homemade jam (OK...lots of sugar there) but you get the point. 

Dough

1/2 cup whole wheat flout

1/4 white flour

1 dash baking soda

1/2 Tbs. water

3 Tbs plain yogurt

and a pinch of salt.

Combine ingredients in mixer with dough hook and mix until it forms a soft ball.  Roll out very thin (1/16 of an inch or so?)

Using cookie cutters cut your shapes.  Add a dallop of peanut butter, some jelly and a slice or 2 of banana on top. 

 Lay the other piece on top and close with a fork. 

 Pre heat oven to 400 degrees, lightly spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and bake for about 8 minutes. (This will all depend on how big of cookie cutters you use)

Sprinkles optional!

Cilantro pesto with chicken, tomato, and feta

     My oh my, it sure has been awhile.  I wish I had a good excuse for my long absence, but the truth is I just don't.  Lets leave it at that and get back to cookin'!  

     I made homemade ravioli last night and to go with it I made a delicious pesto using cilantro and peanuts.  Way cheaper than basil and pine nuts and just as good if not better!

1 whole bunch of cilantro

1 clove garlic

1 mini bag of peanuts (the ones that are 2 for a dollar at gas stations...I know classy rite?)

about 3 TBS of Parmesan cheese

about 1/4 cup of olive oil

1 large tomato
feta cheese
2 chicken breasts

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. 

As for the chicken....I just put salt, pepper and Mrs. Dash on it and  fried it up. I than cut it into strips and tossed it with pasta, tomato and the pesto.  Rite before serving I sprinkled on some feta. Quick, easy , cheap. Just how I like it!

Peanut butter O bars

Such an easy recipe and you don't need a ton of ingredients.  The only thing I think these were missing was a drizzle of chocolate

Crust

2 cups Cheerios

1 stick softened butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup flour

Mix together and press into a greased cake pan

Filling

1/4 cup peanut butter

2 eggs

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

Mix together and pour over crust. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes!! Mmmm!  So these went so fast I didnt even get a picture :(

Pallet reading nook with book storage!

Such a cheap and easy reading nook, and Ira LOVES it!

Cut two pallets in half and stack on top of each other, add cushions, pillows, ect.  I sewed pillow cases and stuffed them with all of Ira's old baby blankets! Put yor books in the little cubbies and enjoy!