Harper Valley

Wordless Wednesday

A few shots from my recent trip to Colorado...

Bathroom Remodel #2

At last, the day has arrived.  The day my second bathroom is complete.  As you can see, this one has a similar feeling with the bead board and green tones.  The paint is two shades darker than the first bathroom, and I used pink and black as my accent colors.  I went for the Granny-Chic look.

I would love to just sit on my toilets all day tomorrow and soak in the goodness that radiates from both of my freshly remodeled bathrooms.  But....life must go on, and my office would probably worry about me.  So for now, I'll just enjoy my before and after shots and marinate in the new bathroom vibes when I can.  Enjoy!

The People of Wal-Mart

I was recently introduced to a fabulous form of free entertainment: The People of Wal-Mart.   Oh yeah.  You read it right.  This website features Wal-Mart's finest shoppers.  It was started by three friends who were inspired by a memorable WM trip.  They have nothing against WM, but like most of us..find lots of interesting people hanging out there.  So they started a blog in which anyone can submit photos of their favorite "Wal-Creatures."  The captions are even funnier than the photos.  Here's a sampling of what you'll find on your visit....

Britney Spears let herself go…….again.  -Kentucky

“These Keys looked bigger when I tried them on.”   -Washington

Just a goat shopping at Walmart…….I don’t see what’s so funny.  -Arizona

If you were wondering what this site is about, then here is your answer. This is the Holy Grail.  -California

I think he has a onesie on…like a gangster leotard. -Connecticut

No Excuses

This week unintentionally turned into a video series.  Hope you're diggin' them.  If this one doesn't smack you into reality, then I don't know what will.  I've used almost every one of these excuses for various uncomfortable situations throughout my life.  What excuses have you adopted that you are convinced to be truth?  

Cat Shower

This will make your day.  I laugh hysterically every time I watch it.  I love how the kitty keeps looking around to see if anyone's coming.  HAPPY TUESDAY!

Whitney Houston: I Look to You

Is anyone else as excited as I am about Whitney Houston's comeback?  After the years with Bobbaaaaay and witnessing train wreck after circus after freak show...it's so inspiring to see her back on track and using that gorgeous voice.  Sure, the vocals are not the same as they used to be, but I almost like them better.  They have a story to tell now.  More character.  More grit.  More truth.  I LOVE a good comeback story.  I'm rooting for you, Whitney!  May God bless your new season. 

Whitney Houston: I Look to You
As I lay me down,
heaven hear me now.
I'm lost without a cause
after giving it my all.

Winter storms have come
and darkened my sun.
After all that I've been through
Who on earth can I turn to?

[Refrain]
I look to you.
I look to you.
After all my strength is gone,
in you I can be strong
I look to you.
I look to you.
And when melodies are gone,
in you I hear a song.
I look to you.

About to lose my breathe,
there's no more fighting left,
Sinking to rise no more,
searching for that open door.

And every road that I've taken
lead to my regret.
And I don't know if I'm going to make it.
Nothing to do but lift my head

[Refrain]

My levees are broken
My walls have come
tumbling down on me

The rain is falling.
Defeat is calling.
I need you to set me free.

Take me far away from the battle.
I need you.
Shine on me.

[Refrain]

Pumpkin Ale Taste Test

Fall.  Seems to be a favorite time of year for many folks.  I adore Fall.  Maybe since I was born in October, I've always felt a strong connection to this season.  Weather cools off.  Holidays are in the near future.  The color orange is abundant.  Spicy smells are in the air.  Sweaters break free from the archives...well in every state except good ole Florida {{ I swear I'm moving some day }}.  And one of the most dandy things about Fall is ---- pumpkin ale.  Yahoo!  Giddyup. 

My favorite pumpkin ale has always been The Shipyard Brewing Company's Pumpkinhead Ale.  I can't get enough of it.  And knowing that I can only purchase this fine beverage for two months out of the year makes it even more of a treasure.

However, this year I said to myself... "I wonder if there's an even better pumpkin ale out there?  Surely, there must be some contenders."  You can see where this is going.  Next thing I knew, I was snatching up single bottles of Fall beers for my 'variety 6-pack' at Total Wine & More.  If you've never made the trip to Total Wine, I highly recommend the journey.  It's a bit like a miniature, alcoholic IKEA but without the screaming kids, funky carts, and meatballs in a cup. 

Anyhoo, after selecting a nice assortment of bevvies, I got right down to tasting.  Here are the results.

• Abita Pecan Harvest: Very earthy.  Smoky.  Some spice.  Pretty interesting.
• Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale: Perfume/floral flavor.  Didn't taste like beer.
• Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale: Tasted Fall-ish, but not very pumpkiny.  Nice flavor though.
• Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale: Perfect pumpkin spice flavor. Smooth.  Not bitter.
• Dogfish Head Punkin Ale: Decent flavor, pretty smooth.  Slightly bitter aftertaste.
• Post Road Pumpkin Ale: Very sweet fruity flavor.  Bitter aftertaste.
• Samuel Adams Octoberfest: Mild and smooth.  Not pumpkiny, but doesn't claim to be.
• Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale: Smelled rotten, literally.  Very bitter aftertaste.

And the winner is................Shipyard's Pumpkinhead Ale! 

I knew in my heart that nothing could compare.  But stuff like this is all subjective.  I'm sure you have your favorite too.  Here's a tip I discovered years ago while sipping my Shipyard ---> As you swallow your swig o' beer (or immediately after), keep your mouth closed, and breath out through your nose.  You'll experience the notes and the true flavor of the beer.  Aaaaah, I heart pumpkins.

Plum & Pepita Salad

If you want to wow your guests this Fall with a sassy, festive salad..then try this one.  It's from the Weight Watchers 'Hit the Spot' cookbook.  The recipe called for feta, but I subbed goat cheese because I thought it would taste better.  I could eat goat cheese  by the bowl full.   It's creamy and rich and divine.  Try this recipe and tell me your peeps don't love it.  Serves 4.  Points = 2 per serving (but possibly more for goat cheese sub???  Not sure, but WORTH IT).

Plum & Pepita Salad

• 3 small shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 TBSP + 2 tsp cider vinegar
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 tsp water
• 3/4 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp cayenne
• 2 small plums, halved, pitted, and cut into thin wedges
• 1-2 heads romaine lettuce, cut crosswise into 1-inch-wide strips (about 7 cups)
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1-1/2 TBSP pepitas, toasted (pumpkin seeds)

1. To make the dressing, whisk together the shallots, vinegar, oil, water, coriander, salt, and cayenne in a large bowl.
2. Add the plums to the dressing and gently toss to coat.  Let stand 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the lettuce and onion.  Gently toss to combine.
4. Sprinkle with goat cheese and pepitas.

* You can substitute nectarines for the plums, if you prefer.

Where Will You Run?

 

Bathroom Remodel #1

My name is Lisa and I survived a bathroom remodel.  Actually, I survived two of them.  At the same time.  I've always heard that home renovations are hectic, but somehow I just didn't think that rule would apply to me.  Boy was I wrong.  Looking back, there were no major catastrophes.  However there were almost daily trips to Lowe's for two weeks straight, a redonkulous amount of returns/exchanges, piles of ancient bathroom items in every cranny of my condo, and never ending beer runs.  But the temporary chaos was worth the reward.

I've always been SO embarrassed of my bathrooms.  I cringed every time my guests felt nature calling.  I tried to work with the 70s avocado green color scheme by adding colorful fabrics.  My inner decorating diva thought she could make a silk purse from a sow's ear.  Wrong again. 

How bout that heinous light fixture/medicine cabinet combo?  You can't tell in the pictures, but it was covered in a layer of permanent brown scum.  And don't even get me started on the tub.  If you've ever had an old tub...you know they are impossible to clean.  You scrub until you sweat, and it still looks vile.  I even stopped wearing my contacts in the shower so I couldn't see the filth I was standing in. 

Despite my tub hatred, I did keep the beast, and chose to refinish it instead of ripping it out.  I highly recommend tub refinishing by these guys at Avadco.  They showed up 10 minutes early for their appointment, and didn't make a mess.  Four hours and $400 later, I had a brand new tub/shower.   

Everything else was done by a friend of a friend.  He did an awesome job and I'm so proud to have non-skank bathrooms now.  Check out my before/after slide show below. The bathroom you're viewing here is my guest bath.  I'll post the master bath photos in a few weeks when my artwork is framed.