WooHoo Gal

How to freeze fresh corn from corn-on-the cob!

2011-07-24T00:26:00.002-04:00

There are few things better than good freshly picked corn, cooked and taken right off the cob! Delicious!

Since I was a little girl, we have taken summertime corn, and frozen some to enjoy during the dismal winter months when fresh vegetables are harder to come by. I had often been the helper in this task, but it wasn't until just a few years ago that I got step-by-step instructions, and tackled the task at my house, with my kid as helpers! (I guess I'm a grown-up!) If you are unsure of the specifics, I hope this post will help you out with all the little details that will lead to some great eats this winter!

Here's what you'll need...

freshly picked corn on the cob, and variety.
A large, deep pot for boiling
Ziploc freezer bags (regular Ziplocs are not sturdy enough, and your corn will be freezer burnt. Even better would be a FoodSaver or vacuum sealer.
some large bowls or containers
a good sharp knife
plenty of ice

1. Start with good quality corn, of any variety. There are many different types to choose from. Our favorite is "Cotton Candy", but we like "Silver Queen" as well. A perfectly ripe ear is not too bloated, but nice and full. You should be able to easily puncture the kernels, and the juice should run milky.

2. Using freshly picked corn is very important to preserving taste for longterm storage. Room temperatures begin to quickly breakdown the sugars in corn, so if you have a delay between harvest until you are ready to freeze, be sure and refrigerate the corn. Husk the corn and get off as many of the silks as possible. I usually use a soft-bristled vegetable brush. This is a great job for dad and the older kids to handle outside!

3. When the cleaned corn is ready, you can start by bring a large pot of water to a full rolling boil, so you can blanch the corn. You also need to have ready a large bowl or container of ice water. This is to stop the cooking process so that the corn is not overcooked. A disposable roasting pan is perfect for this job, and makes for easy clean-up too.

4. Now that the water is boiling add the corn in order to blanch it. Blanching kills the enzymes that will breakdown the flavor and change the textures over time. Corn needs to be blanched for about 5 minutes. As soon as you put the corn in the water begin counting. If it takes more than 30 seconds or so to return to a boil, you are using too much water, or maybe too large of a pot. Put the lid on the pot and boil for 4-5 minutes. (note: you can reuse the same blanching water for several batches)

5. As soon as the timer sounds, remove the corn with tongs, and place immediately into the icy bath. This will cool the corn down and stop the cooking process. You do not want cooked corn, only the enzymes that will damaged your stored corn to be eliminated. Cool the corn until it is cool to the touch. This usually takes about the same amount of time as the blanching does.

6. Remove the corn from the cob. Now, I'm sure books have been written on the correct procedure and tools necessary for this process. I will just share with you my way, with my tools... I hold my ear from the cob end, and remove about half of the kernel with the blade of a sharp knife. I then use the back of the blade to scrape down the ear and remove the juice and remaining kernel. . I just do this on a cutting board, and then scrape the corn into my large bowl after every 2-3 ears I scrape. You can also put the small end of the ear of corn into a bundt pan. The cutout holds the ear in place, and the pan serves as a catch for the kernels. If you prefer a corn scraper, you can get one at your local kitchen store, or Amazon.com, has several great corn scrapers to chose from.

7. Decide what size increments you want your corn stored in. I always use quart size freezer bags, since that is a perfect portion for my family a meal, but I always do a few gallon sized bags to have on hand for family gatherings such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, when I know I will be feeding a crowd. If you don't have a vacuum sealer (and I don't, although I would love one!), then be sure and use bags intended for the freezer. It's important to be sure and remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Use a measuring cup to scoop the kernels into the bag, remove the air, and seal.

8. Be sure and label the date on your bags with a Sharpie. Stack them flat, and put into the freezer as soon as possible. You're all finished! You've got a freezer filled with fresh vegetables for your family to enjoy for months ahead. All you need to do is remove the bags, defrost in microwave, and allow to cook until thoroughly heated.

Your hard work will pay off when you have a freezer shelves that look like this...

There it is... easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy! Let me hear from you! Questions or comments... hit me up! Thanks for reading.

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

I'm linking this up to the linky party at Momma Made It Look Easy. and at Raising Memories.

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Tips for Decorating Small Spaces - Bathroom Edition

2011-07-13T22:18:00.000-04:00

Decorating a small space is of course much more challenging. I have dreams of a fabulous, luxurious bathroom... one that's large enough to host a small dinner party, complete with a leopard-skin covered chaise lounge and a gorgeous chandelier!

You know something along this line...

Source: pics-site.com

Oh my goodness, I am drooling over this one!...

Source: samulco.com

My reality is actually more along the lines of finding a good spot to cram the extra rolls of toilet paper! Besides... who wants a dinner party in the bathroom?!

Good news! You can add style to your small space, and stay on budget WITHOUT having to buy this hideous leopard print toilet seat lid...

Source: Kmart.com

I have no words to tell how horrible I find that!

Do you have a small bathroom that needs your attention? Here are some decorating tips that will help you maximize your small space!

Clear out the clutter

NOTHING makes a room look smaller than clutter! If you haven't used things in your bathroom in over six months, its highly unlikely that you ever will! I recently put a large basket of barely used bath products, lotions, hair care products, etc. on the kitchen table and let my girls and their friends see if they wanted any of them. If you have a good amount of still decent products, you could donate them to a local homeless shelter. Get rid of those ratty, mismatched towels, and cut them up for rags. If your rag bag is running over, you can donate your old mismatched towels as well. Less is more! Better six new, matching towels, than twenty-six that look like they have been through the war!

Choose color wisely.

Color is one of your best tools for making a small space appear larger. Cream colors, sophisticated neutrals, and icy blues are just a few of the best color combinations that can open up a tiny room into a bigger living area.

Source: housebeautiful.com

Keep in mind that the use of color is all about illusion. Pale and cool colors can make your room look bigger and brighter, and of course, deeper darker tones will make your room cozier and more closed in. Light and brightly colored walls are more reflective which makes a space feel open and airy. Painting your trim and molding white, or lighter than the walls can give the illusion of the walls being further back, and thus more spacious.

Choose fixtures to scale

Be sure that cabinetry and accessories are scaled to meet the needs of a small room. Choosing larger items can cause the room to seem smaller and cramped. Using smaller throw rugs can give the feeling of more floor space. Notice how the smaller scale mirror, and sparse accessorizing make this small space seem uncluttered and comfortable.

Source: designideasworld.net

Clever use of space...

Being creative with your storage options can make all the difference when it comes to making your small bathroom work for your family. Don't forget to take advantage of your vertical space! Use walls to your full advantage! Look how the clever use of shelves and hooks can maximize your usable space!

Source: BHG.com

Create light...

Good lighting can help your bathroom avoid looking cramped or even depressing. Use bright overhead lighting as well as sconces, or wall-mounted lighting. The addition of a skylight in your bathroom might not be as difficult as you think, and is a wonderful addition of natural light. Make good use of mirrors to reflect the lighting in the space.

I hope these simple tips are helpful to you as you deal with your small bathroom, and learn how to get the most from your space. Decorating is not only for style, but for optimum functionality as well. Better Homes & Gardens has a wonderful section on their website for dealing with small bathrooms. You can check out more wonderful information from them here.

So, until you receive an invite for a dinner party in my new fancy, 1,000 square foot bathroom, I'll join you in this challenge, but let's try to "just say no" to leopard print toilet seats, but if you have to have one I'll love ya anyway!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Pantry Makeover Reveal...

2011-07-10T22:27:00.003-04:00

Okay, here it is! It may not be some super classy high-end design, but I finished my pantry project, and I
L-O-V-E it!

I started with this horrifying mess...

(Princess #1 is still mortified that I show you all this! She's fairly certain that Social Services will now come inspect our house and take away her little sisters!)

Next I emptied the entire pantry and washed down the walls, shelves and floor with a bleach solution so everything was nice and sanitized.

Then I had to make the tough decision not to paint and stencil like had wanted to do. The paint was not really in bad shape, and it would be a complete nightmare to take down all those brackets. I was "prewarned" by my Main Man that I would be own my own if I decided to tackle that job!

I decided to take the easy way out and add a little fun and color with some repositionable decals. You can find many different designs at craft & home stores. I found some multi-color geometric design tiles at Home Goods for only $9.99! Woo-hoo for bargains!

(Can I just pause here and give a word of testimony about TJ Maxx/Homegoods?

Love, love, LOVE that place!)

Aren't those cutie-patootie? Here, look closer...

My Home Goods only had one set of these tiles, but I think I'll look for another one.

Well, here it is, the finished product... A nice organized pantry!

Woo-hoo! I'm so happy with this! So, here's what's amazing, with the exception of a little purging I did, the same items are still in the pantry, but now they are orderly and in their place. And, no... I bought no new containers.

Let me show you.

Here are extra laundry supplies, tp, and paper towels...

Next is cleaning supplies...

The green basket and the one next to it are filled with extra stock of things already in my kitchen cabinets such as seasonings, salt, hot sauce, salad dressings, etc. The basket on the right is candy and cookie making supplies, like the cookie press, decorating bags, sprinkles, etc.

The top shelf is where I have some of my party supplies.

Beside them are some plastic platters and the picnic basket.

Here are the staples...sugars, Splenda, flour and cornmeal, and below that more back up food items, as well as a basket filled with light bulbs.

The next shelf has a basket for doggie supplies, the multi-color basket is kitty stuff, and the green container on the right is filled with candles and candle holders.

The bottom shelf is where I put my glass vases (in that container on the left) and then items I don't use every day, but frequently enough that I don't want them store away.

On the floor level there is a hand-held vac, lunch boxes & thermoses, and household tools.

I am just to happy with this, I could stand there and look at it for a while! By the way, the drawer unit on the right is filled with all my table linens and placemats.

Why did I wait so long to do this?... I have no clue, but I am so, so happy that I did! Nothing feels better than an organized house! I have one more finishing touch I'm going to add this week, but I didn't want to leave you hanging to show you what I had already finished. Since I kept my commitment of not buying new storage containers, this only cost of this makeover was $9.99 for the tile decals.

I hope you are inspired to get your clutter under control... you will be so glad you did it! Happy organizing!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

* You might like to read my previous post here Pantry Makeover.

Pantry Makeover

2011-07-10T01:40:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, will cruising through "Blogland", I was stopped in my tracks by the gorgeous pantry redo over at House of Smiths. Shelley has absolutely phenomenal taste, and I love anything she does, but this pantry redo blew me away!

I went and took a look at my pantry...

Just keeping it real here folks! Well... here it is in all its unorganized, messy horribleness. My oldest princess who is home from college this summer saw me taking this picture, and the convo went like this...

"Please tell me that is not going on the internet."

"Of course, it is baby, I'm a DIY/decorating blogger, and I have to keep it real."

"Have you no shame?"

"Yes, I wear the pantry 'cone of shame'."

I know, I know...it's downright awful. Now you know why my family sometimes laughs when I go to organize and design for others! This pantry is by far the most disorganized, messiest zone in our house. Now it's not nasty, just a jumbled mess and catch-all. I do have something to say in my defense... Our house is on a crawlspace = no basement, and we converted our attached garage to 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, so that leave one small outdoor shed for total storage for a family of six! But, despite that, I have to get this space under control. It makes me break out in hives just to find a ziploc bag!

First thing to do? Empty it. Oh. My. Word. There was a village of pygmies and a litter of chinchillas in there... it was awful. I made 874 trips out of there, BUT...

Yipee! There it is, all empty and scrubbed down, and a clean slate for designing!

My little heart was broken when I realize a painting and stenciling project like Shelley did wasn't very practical. As a matter a fact, it seemed a completely overwhelming tasks to remove all of those many, many screws & brackets that hold up wire shelving...not nearly as easy to paint as wooded ones. Well, I made a decision and moved on with a plan. I'm still adding a couple of final touches, but I'll post the end results very soon. My one rule...no going to Target or Ikea and spending a lot of money on containers. I wanted to make it nice using the things I already had.

Stay tuned... I can't wait to show you the reveal!

Keep Shining,

The Woo-Hoo Gal

All you need is a can of white spray paint!

2011-07-03T22:40:00.001-04:00

For the budget conscious DIYer like me, a can of spray paint can be your greatest tool! There aren't many things that don't look better when spruced up with a coat of white paint. I love the brand-new, clean feeling that white accents add to my spaces. I want to share a few simple projects I've done recently using my trusty can of white spray paint!

I took this old basket that I found in my mom's basement...

A little clean up and some white spray paint and turned it into this...

I love it! It's a great place to store some healthy snack options that the kids are welcome to anytime

I found these great metal art pieces on clearance at Target. They were perfect for Princess #2's bedroom, but the oil rubbed bronze was the wrong color...

Since these were so dark, they needed a coat of primer,

But in no time I had this great addition hanging on her wall! Isn't that pretty against those lavender walls? LOVE! I will take you on a "tour" of her room soon. It's almost finished, and oh, so cute!

In the entry closet, I have a stack of various frames that I am no longer using, so I decided to give a few of them a makeover.

(Look at that adorable, squishy little angel! That's Princess #3 who is now 11. sigh...)

I also decided to use these two...

Look at that... my styles are all over the place... Ornate & antique with sleek & contemporary! Well, a fresh coat of paint will help blend these styles.

Here they are after a coat of primer...

And now, they are like brand new!

I loaded the 8x10 with my new Independence Day printable from Pink Ink Doodle.

You can follow the link, and get your own printable! Tell her the Woo-Hoo Gal sent you!

The other 2 frames look great, but they haven't found new homes just yet...

Of course spray paint comes in handy for more complex projects, too. You can read here about an 80's brass light fixture, that I gave a modern PB Teen look with the use of white spray paint, and some grosgrain ribbon.

So if the budget is tight, but you're ready to see some changes all you need is some white spray paint, and to go "shopping" in your garage, basement or closets. Everyone has a treasure just waiting to be repurposed! If you're not using it anyway, what good is it doing stuck on a shelf in a basement? Don't be afraid to get out the paint and let the inner creative you loose!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Mama's Baked Squash

2011-07-01T21:07:00.001-04:00

Summertime is time to enjoy those fresh-from-the-garden vegetables, and fabulous dishes that can be made from those vegetables. One of our favorite veggies around here is yellow crookneck squash.

One of our squash plants in this year's garden.

Another all-time favorite at my house is Baked Squash. When I was a little girl, and Mama would make this for supper, my brothers and I literally fought over it! You know something is good when the kids are counting how many there are and how many are theirs! Just like we did as kids, my kids do the same when it comes to baked squash. It's super simple, and as usual I don't have exact measurements, but I'll do my best!

Here's what you need:

Fresh crookneck squash, about a dozen. (you want the "baby" ones, the big ones don't work well in this recipe.
a sleeve of saltine crackers
half of a white onion, minced
1/2 - 3/4 stick of BUTTER (not the same as margarine!)
one egg
a "dollop" of sour cream... how much is that? Well, I don't know, but till it looks right
bread crumbs
Salt, pepper & paprika to taste

First, after you have your fresh squash, give it a good bath...

Next put in a pot of boiling water and cook until fork tender (maybe 15 minutes). If a small knife or fork glides in easily, it's ready.

(By the way, that big one in the center I later ditched. It's just too large for this recipe.)

After the squash are fork tender, take a knife and trim the stems both ends.

The next step is to cut the squash lengthways. Go ahead and do all of them at once so they can begin to cool off, and to stop the cooking process.

And then open them up like this...

Use a teaspoon, and scoop out the squashes innards...ok, I hate that word too!

What shall we call them? Squash guts? No, that sounds disgusting!

Squash insides? Nah.

The yellow goop?

I'm open to suggestions here... (my lack of culinary expertise is showing...again!)

Anyhoo, moving on...

No, that is not my hand... I am not THAT hairy! My Main Man was helping me out because those things were so hot they were burning my little baby fingers!

(No eye-rolling, please!)

Now put all your {insert your term of choice here for the interior contents of the squash}, and add your butter first. The heat of the squash will begin to melt that yumminess...

Now lay your squash shells out on a cookie sheet (I spray mine with non-stick spray), and let's get working on that filling...

Add your minced onion...

Then your crumbled crackers...

Then the "dollop" of sour cream...

Next you need one egg...

Mix these ingredients all together, add a little salt & pepper, and it should look something like this...

Stuff the shells, top with a sprinkling of bread crumbs, and paprika, and put them on a cookie sheet...

Bake on 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, or until they look a little like this...

Enjoy this delicious, but simple side dish that everyone in your family is sure to love!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Speed Cleaning Your Kitchen!

2011-06-29T12:56:00.000-04:00

When I am feeling overwhelmed by an overload of housework, I always start in the kitchen. Our kitchens are the hearts of our homes, and usually serve as "command central", so they see the most activity & traffic. If my kitchen is neat and orderly, I always feel as though I have a better grasp on things. Even if you don't have time for a full deep cleaning, sometime a quick run through can make all the difference.

Let's go over some tips for a 10-15 minute Kitchen Speed-Clean to get you on the right path...

Start with a clean sink.

Deal with the dirty dishes. Are you familiar with The Flylady? She is the expert when it comes to getting a grip on organization and cleaning. She teaches that the first step in the process is to shine your sink. I adapted this practice a few years ago, and it's amazing the difference it makes! Last thing I do at night... make sure the sink is shining! It makes getting up so much easier when you don't have to face a dirty sink! About once a week I sanitize with bleach, as our kitchen sinks are breeding grounds for bacteria.

   2. Clear off the table & countertops.

If your table & countertops are free of dishes and clutter, you're well on your way! Take any clutter and put it in its proper place, put bills and mail in the office, or designated spot. and clear all dirty dishes. Wipe down the table, and add clean placemats, or a fresh tablecloth. Remember, less is more when it comes to what is on your countertops.

   3. Store any food or leftovers.

Put away pantry items, and put refrigerator foods away. Make sure leftovers are stored properly for safe storage. When you put the foods away, look for anything in the fridge that needs to be tossed.

   4. Look for strays.

Take a look around and check for any items that don't belong in the kitchen. Use a laundry basket to collect the items, then take them and put the in their respective places right away. It doesn't help to move items from one out of place location to another "wrong" spot!

   5. Make a garbage run.

Be sure the garbage cans are emptied. This eliminates any foul odors. Be sure the outside of your waste-can gets a wipe down with anti-bacterial spray.

   6. Floors.

Give the floors a good general sweeping, and then a quick run over with your mop or Swiffer. (I use my Swiffer Wet Jet for these quick clean-ups, and a Shark Steam Vac for a thorough cleaning.) Remember you're not deep cleaning or sanitizing your floors right now, just making sure that they are "clean" as for anyone can tell from glancing.

   7. Don't get distracted.

This one can be hard for me sometimes. I can intend to do a 10-15 minute speed-clean, and next thing I know I'm cleaning out the plastic wear, or alphabetizing soup cans! Stay focused, and if need be, follow a check list. It really can help!

Summertime is no time to be cooped up inside doing housework! Use this simple guideline for a daily "speed-clean", then your rainy day deep-clean will be much easier, and take less time.

My love of cleaning supplies is similar to my love of office supplies! A little weird, but fun! Here are a couple of my favorite cleaning products...

Pine-Sol

This has been my favorite cleaner since I was a little girl. I love to smell a house that has just been cleaned in Pine-Sol! When I was pregnant with Princess #1, I literally craved to smell this stuff... I cleaned like a mad woman, but THAT story is another post!

J.R. Watkins All-urpose Lemon Cleaner

This product has great fresh smell, and does a good job with quick clean-ups. I use it several times a day for quick clean-ups like wiping down cabinets, countertops, and light spills. It's perfect for the kitchen because it's an all-natural product.

Greased Lightning

I used Greased Lightning for everything from a laundry stain-remover, to cleaning the microwave and grill! Love this product!

Now, hit me up with some comments, and tell me your "can't-clean-without-it" products! I may need to go shopping for some new cleaning supplies! ;-)

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

WOO-HOO! We have a winner! Vol. 2

2011-06-28T19:35:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Jana in Texas.

She is the winner of the $20 Target giftcard!

Enjoy a little shopping spree on the Woo-Hoo Gal, Jana!

(Jana was chosen by randomnumber.org as #9)

Thanks to everyone who entered! There will be another giveaway when we reach 200 followers on Facebook, so post a link to our page and get your friends to "like" us! I am so happy to have you join me!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I really appreciate your concern...

2011-06-25T22:47:00.000-04:00

Some of my blogger friends have me interested in exposing my family to fewer chemicals. In the hope of not having to use a drain unclogging product, I decided to try a more organic method I read about this week ... Pour 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda into the drain, and then follow with a kettle of boiling water. Easy-peasy, right? Let's do it, cause I've been looking at this nastiness for several days now...

The girl's bathroom tub has had standing water, and since they, and my Main Man, are away this week, I've just overlooked it. Well, last night I decided to tackle my problem head on with this great "home-remedy".

Did I mention it has been this way several days? Did I mention that I had planned to call a plumber friend to check things out because really, a drain shouldn't be THAT clogged...

Well. Let me tell you another great, all-nautral, chemical-free, easy-peasy way to solve the problem of a tub that's holding water...

OPEN. THE. DRAIN.

Unplug the stopper. Push the little thingy down until it pops up. Pull the chain up. Whatever terminology blows your dress up. Yep... I did...seriously. I worked on unstopping a bathtub that had had water standing in it for days, and the stinkin' drain stopper was down! I am worried about me. I could be whack-o . Makes me wonder about the two lawn mowers and television that didn't make it to days end working properly. What in the world? ... Not sure yet. I appreciate your concern.

Trying to keep shining,

The Woo-Hoo Gal ;-)

I refuse to post photos of my stagnant water-filled tub.

You can be a winner, too!

2011-06-25T12:40:00.002-04:00

Being a winner is the best! I'm not often the winner of games & contests, but a couple of weeks ago I won a great new book, Fade to Blue, by author Julie Carobini, over at my friend, Anne's blog, Stuff & Nonsense.

Go check out S&N, because Anne is giving away another copy of this new release, plus you can read her interview with the author, Ms. Carobini.
That win was just enough to get me motivated that there are more winning possibilities out there for me!

Recently, one of my "charter readers", LLCinNC won herself a $25 Philosophy.com giftcard. On Tuesday, I'll announce the winner of my latest giveaway, a $20 Target giftcard. Want to win that? I love, love, love winning things, but it's so fun to host giveaways as well!

If you're new to the world of blog giveaways, I thought I would give you some tips on some great ones going on this weekend.

1. Erin over at the Humbled Homemaker, is having a giveaway for a wonderful all-natural product, Zarbee's Children's Cough Syrup.

2. Donna at Funky Junk Interiors is having a giving away for a darling vintage light kit!

3. The girls over at Mommy and Me Giveaways have several great giveaways currently going on, including a fabulous Schwinn Joyrider Jogging Stroller/Bike Trailer

4. Chris at Mama Bird's Blog is giving away a lovely party bucket from Willow House. Oh, I would love to win this one!

There's some great stuff out there, just waiting on you to win it! When you stop by these other sites, please leave them some love and tell them the Woo-Hoo Gal sent you over!
Do you know of another blog hosting a great giveaway? Tell us about it in the comments below. Good luck, gals!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Easy-Peasy Target Giveaway!

2011-06-24T14:25:00.002-04:00

Who doesn't love Target? best.store.ever

My rule is if I'm there to buy dog food and deodorant, it's Target.

If I'm looking for something for my house, or a great pair of shoes, it becomes Tar-Jay... you know, all French boutique sounding!

So, how would you like an extra $20 to blow at the fabulous Tar-Jay? Well, someone will win a $20 Target giftcard really soon! It's soooo easy to enter this giveaway, and you can have 3 entries...

1. Go to our Facebook page and "like", then leave me a comment here to tell me you did. Already liked? Tell me that too.

Click HERE for FB link!

2. Post a link to our FB page on your FB page (personal or business), and leave me another comment here and tell me.

3. Follow TheWooHooGal on Twitter, and then leave a comment here and tell me.

Click HERE for Twitter link.

See...it's that easy! You have 3 chances to win $20 for only a couple of minutes of effort. Sometimes life is good...

Rules: Comments must be left here to count as entries and entries taken until Monday, June 27th at midnight, est. Target card will be delivered via email as an e-card to the winner selected randomly by a number generator.

Keep Shining,

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Mango-Pineapple Salsa!

2011-06-23T22:21:00.001-04:00

If you haven't tried the amazing blend of sweet fruits blended with the flavors traditionally used in salsas, you're in for a treat! Make this today...seriously, it's that good! Best part of this recipe is that you can go from zero to eating in about 10 minutes flat!

Here's what you will need to whip up your own batch of Mango-Pineapple Salsa...
* One large, ripe mango
* fresh, cored pineapple (you will use about half) I suppooooose, you could use canned pineapple, but you would never do that, right?)
* bunch of cilantro
* one small white onion
* one lime
* half of a large bell pepper, any color
* one fresh jalapeño pepper
* Jane's Krazy Salt

Use a vegetable peeler, and peel the mango...

Slice into long strips, and then dice in small dices...

Yep, that's it! Just like this...

Next, finely dice the cilantro. It's difficult to use and exact measurement, but maybe about 1/4-1/3 of a cup. Of course, you can add more if you like, and less if you like. Shoot, you could even skip it all together, but why on earth would you do that? You love cilantro, right? I've found that with most people it's a love or hate thing...we happen to love at mi casa!

Next, cut your peeled, cored pineapple in half. Set one half aside (delish with your breakfast tomorrow), and then chop the other half into chunks and then dice. I used my handy-dandy little chopper dealio for that.

Next take a fresh jalapeño, and cap both ends. Don't be afraid of these, they are really not that hot, especially these larger ones. I like medium heat when it comes to spices, and these are just fine, especially when mixed with the sweetness of the fruit.

Cut the pepper longways and open it up...

Remove the pith and seeds...

Dice the pepper and to suit your taste...

Now, this is the part where you add a small, finely chopped onion...
What? Say you can't see the picture? Yeah, well, I forgot that part. Use your imagination! I mean seriously, you Reaaalllly need to SEE me do that? Sad.
Ok, moving on...
Squeeze in the juice of one lime, and add the Krazy Salt...

Mix together with a wooden spoon and you will have this awesomeness...

Serve with some blue corn tortilla chips and dive in! ¡Fabuloso!

Special thanks to my lovely assistant, Princess #3. Not only is she an amazing sous chef, she has some crazy good food photography skills for an almost 11 year old!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

In Praise of Purple...

2011-06-22T21:26:00.001-04:00

It bothers me that I don't have a favorite color. Never have.
I have favorite colors! I love color. Like really, really love color... all kinds of colors!
One of my favorite colors is purple. I love all shades of...

lilac...

periwinkle...

eggplant...

orchid...

amethyst...

All of these shades are gorgeous to me. I thought I would share some of my favorite things in ONE of my favorite colors!

Here's the link to my Pinterest board, "My Purple Passion"
pinterest.com/woohoogal/my-purple-passion
Check it out and see what you think!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Photo credits to Google

"Hello, my name is Beverly, and I'm a sweet tea-aholic."

2011-06-21T22:31:00.001-04:00

There is absolutely nothing I love anymore than a glass of perfectly brewed sweet tea.
Well... ok, there's a few things, but you know what I mean! In my struggle to lose weight, "drinking" my calories (aka, sweet tea) is probably my biggest habit to overcome. I LOVE my tea. I mean really really love it. Like IV drip love it...

"Hello, my name is Beverly, and I'm a sweet tea-aholic."

When I was a young newlywed, living about four hours from home, I remember calling my Mama, and having her walk me through the process of making tea. Mine didn't taste just right, so I went to the expert. I've tweaked Mama's method a little over the years, but the results are just as fabulous. There are many methods for making tea, many people I know make a simple syrup, and use that for making their tea, others boil the tea bags longer. Don't have your own tried & true recipe yet? No problem...I'll share my method with you for my favorite drink... ever!

Southern Sweet Tea
(Makes one gallon, or you can half for a 2 qt. pitcher)

* Bring about a 3-4 cups of water to a rolling boil.

* After the water is at a rolling boil, add 4 family size teabags. I use 4 Luzianne Family Size Tea Bags (and the decaf is good, if you prefer).

* Just a little tip, I tie my tea bags together like this, so that they are easier to remove later.

* Make sure the tea bags are throughly saturated, and move them around a little. After 60 seconds or so, remove the pot from the heat.

* Allow to steep for a good 10-12 minutes. If you don't steep your tea correctly, it will not be good! I know it's hard to wait, but STEEP the tea!

* In the meantime, add 2 cups of sugar to a gallon size pitcher. (and try to ignore that high-class manicure!)

* After the tea has finished steeping, pour over the sugar, carefully squeezing the liquid from the bags. (There are few things more frustrating than breaking a tea bag at this stage!)

* Quickly stir the sugar well while the tea is still very warm, until all the sugar is dissolved.

* Fill the pitcher with cold water until the one gallon level, and stir well. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint if you like. (I'm out of mint, or maybe to lazy/tired to go pick some in the herb garden) Delish!

One other tip, make a lower calorie treat, an "Arnold Palmer", by mixing equal parts of sweet tea with a sugar-free lemonade. These are favorites at my house, too.

I'm proud to say all three of my girls know very well how to make an awesome pitcher of tea...hope I still get some calls one day for something!

Keep Shining!
The Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I haven't shampooed my hair since last December!

2011-06-16T20:57:00.002-04:00

Say What?? That's right... no shampoo since last December! I have, however, conditioned and cleansed my hair with my Wen Cleansing Conditioner!

I'm a Wen convert! I don't think I'll ever go back to shampoo. The Wen has changed the health and texture of my hair for the better in many ways. It cleanses hair thoroughly but without lathering and all the harsh ingredients that may be found in ordinary shampoos—it is designed so it won't strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils. My hair has a tendency to be really oily, so I was afraid that the lack of detergents and lather would leave me feeling greasy, but the Wen cleanses thoroughly, and has made my hair feel healthier than ever.

I bought my first bottle of Wen in December of 2010, and I finished that same bottle in late May of 2011. That bottle was the Lavender, and my newest is the Sweet Almond Mint. Although I like both varieties, I think the Lavender is my favorite. Even though Wen is initially expensive when compared to other shampoos, when I compared the cost of the one 32 oz. bottle (about $48), it was just as affordable, if not more so, than the money I had previously been spending on shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatments. Now I had all three in one bottle and it lasts for months.

Check out www.wenhaircare.com and learn more about it! Have you tried Wen Haircare? Leave me a comment and tell me about your experience!

Keep Shining!
The Woo-Hoo Gal

*By the way, Chaz Dean, the creator of Wen products doesn't know me from Adam's house-cat, and I suspect he never will. I wasn't paid or compensated for this endorsement, but it is rather my own opinion. If by some chance you are out there, Chaz, and you want to send me a few gallons of your awesome stuff, and/or a sweet little check, I'm good with that! ;-)

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

It's a Blog Hop!

2011-06-15T00:45:00.000-04:00

'Haint Paint' for your porch!

2011-06-14T15:52:00.001-04:00

Occasionally, I take on projects for clients needed help with anything from home business organizational help to decorating to party planning. Recently, I was asked to help give a gorgeous, Southern-style front porch a "make-over", and I wanted to share the experience with my fun, creative readers. I'm sure you're going to really help me with decisions, and ideas! Here's a great front porch inspiration found...

I love all the greenery used on this porch!

Do you know about the old Southern tradition of a blue porch ceiling? I grew up in the South, where it was the very common to see porch ceiling painted various shades of blue. I always thought it was pretty, and made the porch ceiling look like the Carolina blue sky. Some say blue helps extend daylight as dusk begins to fall, and many believe it keeps the bugs away, as I had often heard. Mosquitos apparently don't like blue? Who knew!

I also heard it called "haint paint", and had no idea what that meant, until as a young teen, my family visited some of the South Carolina low-country's plantations, where it was explained that the people of the Gullah culture believed the blue paint kept away evil spirits. You can read more about the traditions of a blue porch ceiling here.

Front porch with a blue ceiling

I'm just getting started on this porch project, and so far I have cleared the porch, and have had the porch ceiling painted blue. I chose a beautiful pale grayish-blue by Sherwin Williams, Atmospheric

Atmospheric SW 6505

The home-owners are still making some decisions about their style choices. We've looked at many designs and inspirations, but they are looking at a Transitional/French Country/Shabby Chic look, and I am attempting to mesh those styles together for them. If you would like a look at some spaces that are inspiring this project take a look at my Pinterest board for porches. Don't know about Pinterest?

You're going to LOVE it ~ I promise!

I'll be posting some pictures soon, as we begin the porch makeover journey, but I wanted to tell you about it first, and give you some background and history on a great Southern tradition. Do you have a great front porch? I would love to see it!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

"Whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

WOO-HOO! We have a winner!

2011-06-13T09:27:00.001-04:00

Woo-Hoo! We have a winner!

Enter a lower limit:
Enter an upper limit:

Random Number:

The number generator chose #6. Follower number 6 is...

LAUREL

Laurel, please email me within 48 hours at woohoogal@gmail.com

to claim your prize, a $25 giftcard to philosophy.com!

Thank you so much for being a Woo-Hoo Gal Blog follower! I'm looking forward to many great things ahead!

Now head on over to FACEBOOK, and like our page there. You have a chance to win another great prize when we reach 200 "likes" on our page!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

* sorry the number generator shows up blank on the post...it said "6"! ;)

Clean out the fridge = lasagna?

2011-06-11T20:37:00.003-04:00

Saturdays are usually my clean out the fridge day. I must say, this is one of those jobs I loathe. It's right up there with ironing my girls cotton, pleated uniform skirts... YUCK!

My Main Man scores major points when he does this task for me, and bless him, he often does. Today I decided to take some of these ingredients that were well on their way to being yucky, and squeeze some supper out of it. See that wrinkly green pepper?... nothing can save it now but a hot skillet! The sour cream has 2 weeks left, so it needs to be used soon too.

I had enough of the right things to make my "Faux Lasagna". I call it "faux" because I think all "real" lasagna is required to have ricotta cheese. I don't hate ricotta, but I'm certainly not a fan, so I replace the ricotta with two things I do love... sour cream and cream cheese! I know, I know... sounds a little weird, but I promise, it really is delicious! I'll share my recipe. It's really simple!
(I know, I know... fattening!) I'll be healthy Monday...pinky swear!

Here's what you'll need:

ground beef
lasagna noodles
onion (I used green & white onion, because I had a little of each)
sweet peppers, any color (again, I had a little yellow & a little green)
one container of whipped cream cheese
Olive oil
a cup or so of sour cream (sorry, I just don't measure much)
a variety of shredded cheese (I used what I had some Italian mix, sharp cheddar)
grated parmesan cheese (Pah-leeze don't use that powder in the green bottle! If you don't have fresh grated, at least get some "real" cheese!)
a jar of your favorite tomato sauce (I love Bertoli, plus I had coupons for it. I make homemade sauce for usually, but its just not necessary for this recipe. Bertoli does a pretty good job!)
an extra fresh tomato
salt, pepper & Italian seasoning

I want to be sure you understand that this is what went into today's lasagna, but next time it might be a little different. It's all about what's in the fridge at the time.

Start by chopping the onion and peppers. I had never used green onions in this dish, but I had some leftover, so I used the tops and all, along with about a forth of a large white onion.

Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet, and get those veggies sauteing.

(Please note that awesome cool magenta pinky nail! I was trying out nail polish for church tomorrow, but THAT is another post!)

After your veggies have cooked and look something like this...

Add your ground beef and then it should look like this...

It will soon look like this...

Drain any excess oil from the meat, then add one jar of spaghetti sauce, and a diced tomato,

so it looks like this...

Let it simmer over medium low heat until it looks like this...

How did you like my mad time-lapsed photography skills?

Anyhoo, in the mean time you can mix together the sour cream, cream cheese. You could use a regular block of cream cheese, but you will get a sore shoulder from beating it! Lucky me. my chilins had not eaten all my whipped cream cheese on their Wheat Thins! Season this mixture with salt, pepper & Italian seasoning. It should resemble this...

Next, get your sassy, adorable, robin's egg blue, polka-dotted casserole dish ready.

WHAT? You cannot be serious! You have NO sassy, adorable, robin's egg blue, polka-dotted casserole dish? Ok, then, you can use that plain ole' white pyrex with the rust colored flowers that Grandma gave Aunt Myrtle in 1972, but be warned...

it won't taste as good!

Well, line whatever casserole dish you choose with the noodles.

I use Barilla no-cook noodles. They are always just perfect, and no boiling? Me likey!

Now, just line your casserole dish with the noodles, and spread a layer of your cream cheese mixture, and sprinkle with grated parmesan. So you should be at this stage...

Next you add a layer of sauce and the other shredded cheeses, top with a layer of noodles, and start over layering, It should look like this:

and then this...

Until you have this...

I had two boxes of noodles, so I was able to squeeze two pans out of my ingredients, but it didn't even take a second half of a box. Now I can run some dinner by to some friends, or I could wrap this well, and freeze it.

Pop this in a 350 degree oven, and cook until hot and bubbly. Mine cooked for about 45 minutes. I wanted to show you a picture of that beautiful pan of cheesy lasagna, but when I went back to take a picture, this is what I found...

Maybe that says it all, right? So, clean out the fridge, and don't be afraid to try something a little out of the ordinary. You may love it!

Thank you for all your support! My blog is now two weeks old, and I'm having a fabulous time. I've already met some really genuinely lovely people... those are my favorite kind!

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I now know that bloggers "live" for comments! Your responses mean so much. Don't forget to tell your friends to follow the blog. We're only 5 follows away from one of you winning a fabulous prize! Get the details here!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Meet my friends...

2011-06-10T19:13:00.001-04:00

I have some amazing friends, and I am so very excited to introduce you to them. These friends are people I know personally that are my blogging buddies. Some of them I haven't actually laid eyes on in years, yet our hearts are connect through the magic of the internet! I am so very thankful for technology!

Here are my Blogging Buddies in no particular order:

Ashley at Sweetpea Lifestyle - a wonderful mix of photography, lifestyle, culinary and more!
Anne at Stuff & Nonsense - book reviews, author interviews & great give-aways!
Heidi at My 2 Sonz - creative, fun tips for moms of young children, as well as yummy recipes!
Jean at Gomming & Yowing - my fabulous cousin who is an expert on all things "Ashevillian"! I want to have her writing skills when I grow up!
Libby at Libby Brady Photography - simply the best when it comes to portraiture of families, children and especially newborns!
Abby at Abby Leighanne Photography - gifted artist, graphic designer and natural-light photographer (Abby posted some gorgeous pictures of my Princess #3 today. Check out her gorgeous work here!

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my friends sights. Leave them a little love and tell them that the Woo-Hoo Gal sent you!

Do you have a blog? I would love to read it, and be a follower. Send me your blog address, and introduce yourself. In a post very soon I'll introduce you to some blogs that inspire me!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

* Check out my recipe at this link party at Paisley Passions!

Beautiful Basil

2011-06-09T22:36:00.000-04:00

Basil... I love to smell it... Such a clean fresh scent. Mmmm... can you smell it?

Ok, ok, I know this isn't a garden magazine worthy specimum, but it's my very own little basil plant...

In my very own little herb garden.

Didn't get your basil planted this year? No worries! You can buy fresh basil in most markets.

How to choose:

You want the leaves to be bright green, and whole. There should a nice fresh fragrance.

How to store:

If the roots are attached (that's great), but the bunch in a few inches of water in glass and leave at room temperature. Otherwise, wrap in a damp paper towel, put in a plastic bag, and store in the fridge. Should last 5-7 days.

How to prepare:

Basil tends to be sandy so be sure you rinse it very well. Use a sharp knife to cut. If you need to cut a bunch at one time, stack & roll them lengthwise (like a cigar) then slice.

So... what so I plan to do with my bounty of delicious, fresh basil? Well, for starters I made a delicious Caprese Salad. Here's what you'll need to make one too...

Caprese Salad
thick slices of tomatoes (about 3 med. tomatoes)
fresh Mozzarella cheese, sliced close to the same size as the tomatoes (about a pound)
20-25 leaves of fresh basil
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper

Arrange the tomato slices on a platter, alternating with slices of the cheese. Add a basil leaf to each slice of tomato & each slice of cheese. Drizzle with olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper to taste. I can't even begin to describe how easy-peasy and scrumptious this salad is! You're going to love it!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Gobble or Moo?

2011-06-08T19:59:00.001-04:00

Some good blogging buddies of mine pointed out to me that lean ground beef is actually lower in calorie in ground turkey, and they are absolutely correct!... Unless you are using all white meat ground turkey with no skin or dark meat included, then the turkey calories are a little lower. I should have pointed that fact out, since I called turkey a healthy alternative to ground beef. In my post, Sophie's Turkey Burgers, we mixed half regular ground turkey with half lean ground turkey. Actually, it depends on what nutritional value is more important to you which burger you should choose. My main goal in avoiding red meats is to to help a family member who is trying to lower their triglyceride numbers. If you are needing to increase iron levels, you may want to stick to beef.

Here's a nutritional breakdown of extra- lean turkey and extra-lean beef:

It's all about reading the labels and seeing what kind of product you are buying. Of course extra-lean of either type of these meats is the healthier option, so read your labels, do your research and make the best choice for your family!

Good stuff to know! Thanks Gals!

Keep Shining,

Woo-Hoo Gal

Sophie's Turkey Burgers

2011-06-07T23:23:00.001-04:00

I must admit, I am a lover of red-meat. There is absolutely NOTHING better in my humble opinion, than a dry-aged, bone-in, ribeye! Now that is some fine eatin' right there, but as with most things that are delicious, too much of a good thing, is well... too much! I've lost around 70 pounds (eek!) in the last 18 months (the hardest thing EVER), so I am always on the lookout for healthy, yet delicious meals for my family. Now don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of fried chicken, cobbler, and ribeyes around here, but I try to make those kinds of things the exception, rather than the rule.

Now my three princesses all have varied taste... one is a true carnivore like her Mama, one can't even bear the sight of red meat, and one is a month into an attempt at only eating fish and poultry. My Princess #3 dreams of being a chef someday, and she loves to create and execute her own recipes. When she first mentioned to me a few days ago that she wanted to make us turkey burgers, I think my nose snarled a little. I prefer some good ole' ground chuck on my bun, thank you very much! I relented, bought her ingredients, and tonight she prepared them for us, and they were...well... they were scrumptious! I have never been more surprised!

I thought I would share Sophie's Turkey Burger recipe with my readers, and maybe you can be pleasantly surprised as well!

Sophie's Grilled Turkey Burgers with Raspberry Mayonnaise
Here's what you'll need:

Grilled Turkey Burgers
2 lbs. ground turkey (we mixed 1 lb. regular with 1 lb. lean)
2 green onions, finely minced
1.5 tsp. paprika
.5 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to taste

Mince onions and add to ground turkey with spices

Pat out burgers and grill until done

Serve on Italian Crustini buns with lettuce, tomato and raspberry mayo... YUM!

Raspberry Mayo
Here's what you'll need:

1 cup mayo
2 T. raspberry jam
.5 cup mashed raspberries
1 tsp. lime juice
1 tsp. pomegranate juice

Mix all ingredients together, and serve with turkey burgers.

Sophie, you were right... these were very good, and I would be thrilled to have them anytime!

Keep Shining!

Woo-Hoo Gal

1980's Brass with 2011 PB Teen look!

2011-06-06T16:58:00.002-04:00

Remember the 80's? Parachute pants, earrings the size of hubcaps, Aqua-Net hairspray by the gallons...I graduated from high school in the 80's, and I remember them fondly! For home design in the 80's, the builder/designers choice was most often oak cabinetry and trim with brass fixtures and trim. Ah, brass... garish, ostentatious brass decor... we had a house full of it, did you?

Recently, my parents updated some light fixtures in their 80's era home. (finally!). The fixture that had hung over the kitchen table was put in a box and added to the "needs to go to Goodwill pile" that mom had gathering in the garage. I saw it sitting there, and decided it was too nice to just give away. It had great, classic lines, and was solid brass, not just brass-toned, so it was a quality fixture. I moved it to my "I'll get to that one day pile". Please tell me you have one too?

During this time, I was giving my son's (who is grown and moved out) former bedroom a facelift, so that Princess #2 could call it home now. We had painted the walls to her request, but there was one huge hurdle hanging right in the center of the room... A huge ceiling fan that we had purchased for her brother. Well, a ceiling fan is not so bad, but a rustic dark wood and black iron fan with silhouettes of pine trees, and moose...

Wait... what's the plural of moose? Mooses? Moosi? Moosen?

Hang in there, y'all will get used to me!

Anyhoo... it didn't really go with her lavender, shabby chic theme, so no doubt about it, the ceiling fan had to go. Princess liked this light fixture from our favorite, PB Teen, (with a different color trim on the shades), but at $169 for the fixture, and another $59 for a set of shades (not to mention shipping fees) it was just more than I was willing to spend.

I considered trying to remake the ceiling fan, but with the wilderness scene around the body of the fixture, that just wasn't an option. Enter "lightbulb" moment, and the thought of the old brass fixture from Mom's dining area. I had nothing to lose, so a transformation began.

First, after taking it apart as much as possible, I cleaned the fixture good with soap and water and dried it well. Next came the yucky part... sanding. I used some fine grit sand paper, and gave the entire thing a good going-over. There were lots of turns and rounded edges, so this took a while. As much as I dislike it, sanding is the key to a finished project with good results.
Then all the parts and the body of the fixture were given a coat of primer. I used Rust-oleum's American Accents. You can buy this at most craft stores, like AC Moore or Michael's

After a coat of primer, and some drying time, I then spray painted everything with a white lacquer paint. We wanted a bright, high gloss look, so we choose lacquer.

Next I removed the metal bands that were designed to hold the glass globes in place. I had gotten away with not removing them for the painting process, but in order to successfully add my decorative touch, I needed them to come off, but I should have done that to start with.

We chose a 7/8 inch grosgrain ribbon that complemented the color scheme of the room, and I carefully hot glued the ribbon around each of the four metal bands.

Don't use too much glue when working with grosgrain, or it will pucker like this did...

I had to take this ribbon off, and redo. That puckering just didn't suit me.

Yes, that's better...

I'm pleased as punch with our PB Teen knock-off, and Princess #2 is as well. The grosgrain ribbon and classic lines helps give it the look we wanted... in style, but not too trendy.

Total cost for this project:

Primer: $5.93

Spray Laquer: $8.99 - used my weekly 40% coupon in the Sunday paper, so $5.39

Ribbon: $3.75

Total costs: $15.07

Savings: $212.93 (+shipping, of course!)

Not too shabby! Get creative, and look around. you may have just what you need to transform your space into a place you LOVE! I'll share some more projects from this room re-do with you soon!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Time for a facelift!

2011-06-05T21:45:00.001-04:00

Not me! I know I just had another yucky birthday, but I'm not ready for a facelift myself just yet! My hall bathroom, however... now she needs one badly!

Here's the thing about this bathroom. It's tiny. I mean it's not just small, but a teensy-weensy, little-bitty, tiny bathroom! There is a full tub/shower combination, and a toilet (of course), and a small vanity cabinet/sink, but that's it... no storage, no linen closet, and did I mention...small!

Anyhoo, the builder grade features in our home (that we bought when it was 3 years old), are now beginning to show their builder-grade quality, and we are beginning to have to replace some various items. The latest victim is the medicine cabinet in the afore mention bathroom. It's literally falling apart at the seams, and has to be replaced or someone is going to be wearing it as a hat soon!

Well, as things often do in the world of renovating, one thing has lead to another, and I've decided to give this small, but oh so necessary space a much needed makeover. Right now it is only used as a guest bath, and the oldest princesses' bath when she's home from college. It has a youthful, casual look now, but I'm ready for something more sophisticated.

Here's what will stay:

1. white shower/tub combo

2. white toliet

3. white tile floor (or maybe not?)

Here's what will or can go:

1. color scheme

2. medicine cabinet

3. sink/vanity

As of now, I'm still looking, searching for just the right inspiration for my little bathroom's new decor. I always start my redecorating with an inspiration piece - one item that "speaks" to you and represents how you want a space to look. I'm still searching for mine for this room.

Here are some photos of bathrooms I love...

I love the combination of gray and yellow! Beautiful!

This vintage cottage feel is not my usual design, but I love this, too! I think wainscoting is classic and lovely.

This reminds somewhat of my master bathroom. I actually have some of the walls painted black, and I really like it! The chandelier and splashes of yellow make this space extra special!

These styles are all completely different, but I do notice the continuity of yellow in each space. I wonder if a little sunshine will show it's self when I reveal my choices? Hmmmm...

I would love to see your bathroom. Do you have a design question, want a suggestion for paint colors, or need some inspiration. Maybe the Woo-Hoo Gal can help! Maybe you've already created just the perfect space for you and your family, and you now have that bathroom you've always wanted. Send us some pics and let us share in your good fortune and be inspired by your creativity!

Keep Shining!
The Woo-Hoo Gal!

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.