Closet Office Project

My friend Jen posted a link to a "closet office" a few weeks ago and I was immediately inspired! I had been feeling kind of guilty about using an entire room for an office that was used for "work" only 10 hours a week and have also really wanting to have a guest bedroom (we lost our old guest room when we decided to have kids!). So, Jen provided us with the perfect solution! Bobby didn't take a whole lot of convincing, which isn't usually the case :), so we decided to change the office to a guest bedroom and part of our closet into an office! (apologies for the poor photo quality...)

We have a large closet (4 standard doors that fill up an entire wall of our bedroom) and really not a whole lot of clothes to fill it up.

The middle section had been used primarily as a linen closet and storage of a few other random items.

It was actually a pretty quick/easy project to make the transformation.
1. Found alternate storage for the linens (got under-the-bed storage bins)
2. Removed the clothing bars
3. Added an outlet 
4. Dropped the supports for the middle shelf down to desk height
5. Cut a deeper piece of wood for the desk
6. Put a grommet in the desk for cords
7. Painted the wood and wall with paint we already had on hand
8. Organized (and threw out :) existing office stuff to largely downsize in square-footage
9. Purchased a new lamp, new chair (I had always used a folding chair in the old office :), a few storage drawers, and scrapbook paper for decorating

Voila! So excited about my new space and the fact that we now have a place, besides our couch, for our guests to sleep!

Though it's not as cute as the closet that inspired us, it works for a not-so-crafty-nutrition-writer-type :)

A Day in the Life of Owen (in terms of food...)

Since I like to talk about food, and now also my little boy :), I thought I'd share what a day looks like for him at the table. Owen is a pretty good eater and has become much more adventurous over the past few weeks as far as what he will and won't eat. Lately this is what his daily dietary intake looks like:

Breakfast:
3 eggs, scrambled
1 c milk
1/2 c yogurt (1/2 plain, 1/2 vanilla)
2 strawberries cut up and added to yogurt
small handful of blueberries added to yogurt
~ 1/8 c granola to top of yogurt and fruit

Morning snack:
1 slice of peanut butter bread (cut into quarters, of course)
OR 2 more eggs, scrambled
1 c "coffee" aka. chocolate milk (warm or cold, depends on the day)

Lunch:
Banana
1/2 avocado
1 slice peanut butter bread (quartered)

Afternoon snack:
Animal crackers
apple

Dinner:
Whatever mom and dad are eating (hooray!), which could be lasagna, tostadas, grilled chicken and potatoes, etc. :)

He's quite the eater, but with as much energy as he burns through, he needs every single bite!

Mother's Day Kiss!

Since I hadn't shared any yet, here's a pic of Owen and Momma on Mother's Day! So sweet :)

Enjoy!

By Request: Amanda's White Rolls

I made Amanda's other dinner roll recipe (with a touch of "Maria") while cooking for the many at church and I know several you have been wanting the recipe. Turns out, Owen is a fan of this "bwed" too so I can tie him into this post :)

Owen is adjusting well, loves his papa and is starting to use a handful of English words regularly. We are quite positive he understands us almost 100% of the time so I'm guessing his English will just take off at some point. He is a very good little boy and is already learning how to use his sweet smile (and sometime whining) to his advantage!

Ok, here's the recipe:

2 c warm milk
1/2 c sugar
2 T yeast
3 eggs
1 t salt
7-8 cups flour

Combine ingredients in large bowl in order listed. Add enough flour to make a soft, sticky dough. Knead.
Let rise for 60-90 minutes. Make into rolls (~30) and place on parchment covered baking sheet.
Let rise again for about 30 min.
Bake at 350 degrees for 14-18 min or until light brown.

OWEN IS HERE!

Owen is here! We're loving being parents but feeling pretty exhausted after the first few days. I'm so glad Bobby is able to be at home this whole week and it's been so fun to watch the two of them interact.

Everything seems to be going really well. Made him chicken and rice tonight since that was what a friend suggested. I'm hoping he gets a little more adventurous with his eating. And soon!

More updates to come :)

Amanda's Sweet Potato Rolls

My sister-in-law, Amanda, always makes sweet potato rolls for Thanksgiving and she kindly provided me with the recipe for when I'm feeding a large group of church folk. They received many compliments this week :)

2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed
2 cups syrup from can, if not enough syrup, use milk- warmed
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tbs yeast
2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter
4 eggs
9-11 cups flour

Proof the yeast in the warmed juice/milk, and some of the sugar. While proofing, mix remaining ingredients together in order given, excluding flour. Mix well before adding yeast mixture. Add just enough flour to make
soft dough.  Knead on floured surface until the right consistency. Cover and let rise until double (about 60-90 minutes). Punch down, and make into rolls and let rise again for 30 mins. Bake at 350 15-20 minutes.

Makes 65 rolls.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

I'm doing some cooking for church stuff over the next few weeks, which is perfect for keeping me busy while I wait out the last stretch before the arrival of our oldest son (yes! that's right. we have a travel date!!!) and also because I love serving in this way :) One of my go-to desserts for such events are these bars. They're always a hit! You know it's going to be good when the first ingredient is 1 c butter :)

1 c butter
1 1/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 T molasses or maple syrup
2 t vanilla
3 c oats
1 c flour
1 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
2 c chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, beating after each. Add molasses and vanilla. Combine remaining ingredients, except chips, and add gradually to the butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.

Spread into greased 9 x 13 pan and bake 25-30 min at 350.