Dream House: Guest Bedroom

I haven't been able to find inspiration photos of what I'm looking for for the master bedroom, so let's just jump ahead to the guest bedroom!  

I want something light and creamy.  I don't want a lot of dark colors... possibly light colored walls, floors, and bedding, but some darker chests?  I'm not entirely sure yet.  I want it to be neutral but warm.  Like these:

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: iheartshabbychic.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: shuttersscreensandmore.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: todayandyesterdaydesign.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: downtoearthstyle.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: downtoearthstyle.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Like I said earlier, I'm not sure if I want everything to be light or if I want dark furniture.  This might possibly be a happy medium:

Source: ikea.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: ikea.com via Tara on Pinterest

That's a matching set from Ikea.  It's even prettier in person.  :)  Anyway, those are my ideas and inspiration for now. 

Easy Black Bean Soup

It's no secret to my family and friends that I love black bean soup.  I'm not a huge fan of the stuff you can buy in the store, but I have a recipe that I could eat for days and days (and sometimes do!).  This recipe was a huge life saver for me when I was a beginner vegetarian.  It's easy, delicious, and has a bunch of protein (especially good in those early days when I wasn't sure what to eat to get protein).  

Easy Black Bean Soup

32 ounce container of vegetable broth

5 cans of black beans 

1 can of corn

1/2 cup salsa (more if you want it)

Cumin to taste

Crushed red pepper to taste

Chili powder to taste

I usually use my food processor to mash up one can of the black beans.  Then I put everything together in the pot and bring it to a boil.  Then I let it simmer for a while to let the spices soak in.  And then I devour it -- usually with some tortilla chips and sour cream.  Super tasty!  And now I might need to stop by Keene Market and grab the ingredients I'm missing.  ;)

Dream Home: Dining Room

I've had difficulty finding my ideal dining room.  Apparently I'm different than the crowd.  There is one thing that I want for the dining room that has been easy to find though:  wainscoting.  It's a must on my list for the dining room.  It's awesome.  

Source: chairrailideas.net via Tara on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: merchantcircle.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: ayscues.com via Tara on Pinterest

Aren't they so pretty!?  I love them.  As for the color above that wainscotting... no idea.  And the actual dining room furniture... I'm not so sure.  At first I wanted a light colored wall with dark furniture.  Then, this past weekend, we went to Ikea and I saw these awesome gray-brown (seriously, the color is called gray-brown) tables and I loved them. 

Source: ikea.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: ikea.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: ikea.com via Tara on Pinterest

So, maybe dark colored walls with light colored dining room furniture?  Eh, I don't know yet.  Good thing I have lots of time to figure it out.  And, hey, I might even let Philip help me decide.  ;)  

Work Update!

The person that we had in mind for my position has officially passed her drug test and background check.  It's a huge weight off my shoulders!  She will likely be starting next week.  And then I just have to train her how to do my job.  

::Sigh::

It's been incredibly crazy busy the past few weeks and my stress level is out of control (not sleeping, forgetting to eat, my face is broken out like a teenager, etc.), but I still love this job.  I really do hope I can find a job that I will like as much as this one when we move.  I'm not going to hold my breath though.

Only 5 weeks left of work.  And only about 5 1/2 weeks until my family gets here to move us out to Indiana.  I know it's going to fly by.  I guess that means I really need to get on that packing and cleaning stuff!

It's that time of year again...

Pink and red everything is plastered over every inch of department stores.  Jewelry commercials suddenly multiply like rats.  I get the question, "So what are you and Philip doing for Valentine's Day?" repeatedly.  

And the look of shock (or even disgust -- and sometimes jealousy from my male friends) when I explain that Philip and I don't actually celebrate is, at times, hilarious.  I see no reason to celebrate Valentine's Day.  

I love Philip every day, and I show him every day (and ditto for him to me).  Besides, I don't wear much jewelry, I'm not a big chocolate eater, and I'd rather go out to eat when every other couple on the face of the planet isn't crowded into a restaurant.  

Valentine's Day has no significance to me.  It's supposed to be about Christian martyrs... nothing romantic about it.  So, I don't really understand how it's a romance holiday.  And, Philip and I already celebrate our anniversaries (dating and wedding), so we don't really need a day that doesn't mean anything to either of us to celebrate our love.  We'll just continue to love each other (and show it) each and every day of our lives together.  :) 

Dream House: Mudroom

I know it's been a few weeks since I did a "dream home" post.  I've been swamped with getting things ready for the move (and just tired!).  But I have still been looking at some inspiration photos.  I know the order of these posts doesn't really make much sense... so why not just jump to the mudroom now?!  

The mudroom needs to be pretty, have a bench, and have lots of shelves and hooks and cabinets to keep things organized.  I don't really have any colors in mind... most that I've seen seem to be white, but I would think it would be hard to keep everything white in the mudroom.  

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: katherinebacon.com via Tara on Pinterest

 

Source: confessionsofacurbshopaholic.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: confessionsofacurbshopaholic.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

 

Source: confessionsofacurbshopaholic.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: californiaclosetsct.com via Tara on Pinterest

 

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Tara on Pinterest

I think like the last one the best.  Although, the one previous is a close second (I think it could use a pop of color on the bench though).  I also really like the one with the broom, but not much of the room is actually shown.  I want one with lots more space!

I bid you adieu...

No, not you, blog readers!  My job.  And our house.  And our Colorado friends.  Yes, I did it.  I put in my two month notice with work 2 weeks ago.  It actually went really well.  My boss was very understanding.  It's still not fun for me though.  I really do like this job.  I wish I didn't have to leave it.  

I put up an ad looking for potential replacements the very same day.  I received a TON of resumes in response.  Less than a tenth of them were actually any good.  Then we started narrowing down further.  I sent out emails to the candidates asking why they left/are leaving their previous/current job and what their pay requirements would be.  That knocked out a good chunk of the remaining candidates.  

Speaking of which, I've come to the conclusion that I am worth far more than what I'm paid!  That or these people are insane (seriously, a good chunk of them want double what I currently make!).  Either way, the economy in Colorado is apparently much better than I thought!  

We will most likely be starting interviews later this week.  Hopefully we will find the right person.  *fingers crossed*

And, as I said, we put in our notice with our landlord.  However, we had someone lined up for him before we even put in our notice.  Friends of ours are really interested in our place.  They met up with our landlord on Saturday and everything seems to be a go!  I'm so glad that it all went so well!  

It seems that everything is falling into place for our big move.  So, we will definitely be leaving that last week in March.  We've even got our two spare rooms (the spare bedroom/library and the Star Wars room) all packed up.  And our yard sale pile is growing by the day.  

I'm actually becoming less stressed the closer the end of March gets.  More things are getting crossed off of our list and things are still going well.  The only problem we've really run into is that we owe Uncle Sam a huge chunk of money (money that would have been used for our move or for holding us over until we find work).  But, we will get through all of that and it's all going to work out.  We will be just fine.  No fingers crossed about it.  It's just happening that way!  :)