Lots of Projects!

I'm finally trying to get back into the swing of posting once a week. It's amazing how fast the days are flying by while we are trying to live life and get ready for our new addition! So this beautiful, sunny morning good ol' Thump and I are just chillin' around the house drinking coffee (for me) and taking care of our domestic administrative duties.

Here are a few pics of the on going projects at the Isley abode:

 

This is the start of the tree Jeremy is working on. He's still doing the taping. The crib will go on the wall where the boy is hanging from one of the limbs- like he could fall into the crib. Jeremy's dad is in the process of making the crib from red oak. He enjoys working with wood and wanted to do something special for his grandson! I'm really excited about it! We saw some of what he is doing, and it looks great! 

Below is a picture of one of the nursery rhymes that we have framed and put on the wall. It took a lot of time to find a nursery rhyme book that wasn't pink and purple! I wanted to use nursery rhymes in the baby room after I taught last year and realized how many young children have never heard them! I couldn't believe it! So here is one of my favorites:

 

 As we do more updating, I'll add pictures! I guess we need to get on it, only 6 1/2 weeks left!

We are also, finally, getting the master bathroom finished! We started it over the Christmas break, but have yet to complete it. Right now the shower is finished, the counter top is good to go, and the walls have been prepared for paint (which was no small feat)! I really hope we can pull it off before the end of January! (Pictures coming soon.)

In other news, the Christmas decorations are put away! Hallelujah! It's always so fun dragging them out, but putting them up is such a drag! We thought about just leaving the Christmas tree up and using it as a holiday tree for each month...kinda like the people who never take down their Christmas lights. Luckily, we changed our mind (that's one mind- the Isley mind).

Now I'm getting ready to do some batch cooking with my good friend Ashley and her little one! I'm excited to have someone come over, hang out, and help me cook! We are aiming to make the following recipes:

Morning Glory Muffins- very hardy and great for a quick breakfast or snack.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-morning-glory-muffins/detail.aspx

Apple Baked Oatmeal

2 2/3 cups old fashioned oats (not instant)
1/2 cup raisins
4 cups milk, 1%
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp butter or margarine, melted
1/2 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 medium apples, unpeeled and chopped

Heat oven to 350. Mix everything together and pour into a 9 x 13 pan coated with cooking spray. Bake uncovered 40 - 45 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Serve with additional milk if desired.  Cut into eight squares, wrap each in plastic wrap and place in gallon freezer bag.  To serve, unwrap plastic wrap and warm in microwave for 45 sec to 1min or until hot.  Serve with extra milk if desired.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

1 8oz can pineapple tidbits in juice

1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 cups frozen bell pepper and onion stir-fry mix

1tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp vinegar

Drain pineapple, reserving juice.  Heat skillet over medium-high and coat with cooking spray.  Cook chicken 5 minutes or until browned.  Rinse stir fry mix, add to pan and cook 2 minutes.  Combine last four ingredients and pour into pan when chicken is almost cooked.  Bring mixture to boil and cook 3 minutes or until sauce is thickened and chicken is done.  Serve over rice.

It's always fun to try out some new food! Plus we will be loading up the freezer before baby Isley arrives!