Bathroom Remodel

When we moved in this house over 1.5 years ago, our downstairs bathroom was top on my remodel list. It had a peachy tub and toilet, metallic butterfly wallpaper on the walls and what we found out during our remodel were tin wall tiles. We are lucky to have a family member who does amazing work and did this remodel for us. Originally I was going with a gray wall color, but fell in love with this color so changed it. Our first vanity we bought for this remodel we discovered was broken when we opened it, since we bought it months ago they no longer carried the same set. So since I needed a matching vanity, medicine cabinet and storage cabinet we changed to an espresso color instead of the black we were going to use.

Before Remodel:

 All cleared out

Remodel Complete:

 



Mini Apple Pies

Found this recipe while I was on pinterest, it's from http://www.littlebitfunky.com. These were easy to make and great for a party. You can make these with apples, cherries, etc the possibilities are endless.

• 8 apples, peeled and diced into small chunks
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• your favorite pie crust, or pillsbury pie crust
• 4 tbsp chilled butter, cut into 24 small equal squares

1. Combine the apples with flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, stirring well.
2. Unroll the pie crust and cut out circles ( I used the top of a wide mason jar)
3. Line each cupcake tin with the pie crust circles
4. Fill each crust with apple mixture.
5. Top each with the pieces of butter you cut up.
6. Cover with remaining dough - I used star cookie cutters.
7. Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes ( the blog I got this from baked at 400, I did 350 for about 20 minutes and they were perfect)
8. Makes 24 mini pies.



The things people say

So I haven't talked about my losses really on this blog. After dealing with unexplained infertility for years I got pg with IVF #2 with twins, but lost them at 19 weeks, IVF #3 I got pg again, but had an early loss. My most recent pregnancy we got pg naturally, but I had an ectopic and had to have lifesaving emergency surgery. What brought me to talk about my losses tonight was a hurtful comment I saw made by someone who has dealt with loss in the past. It seems once people get their take home baby (babies) after a loss (losses) they forget how painful certain comments are.

Here are some things not to say to someone who has had a loss:

"It was God's will." or "God's plan" - I don't know about you, but I don't believe god wanted me to lose 4 babies, but drug addicts, child abusers, etc have healthy children

"It was meant to be" or "it was for the best." Would you say this to someone who lost a parent? Probably not, so why does this suddenly become acceptable to say this to someone who lost a baby?

"Your baby is in a better place now." I like to think the best place would be with me, a caring parent who loves them.

"Time heals all wounds."

"I know just how you feel." (Unless you have personally experienced the loss of a baby.)

"It's been ___ amount of time and aren't you over it yet? It's time to get on with your life."

"At least you have other children" or "At least you can have other children." If a friend lost a grandparent, do you tell them at least you have other grandparents?

"Now you will have an angel in heaven."

"It could have been worse..." It could not have been worse. Not to the grieving parent.

Now here are some things to say or do:

• Saying I'm sorry for your loss and giving a hug really go a long way in showing support
• Keep checking on your friend, especially on her due date which will be very tough
• Understand that sometimes a grieving person may want to be alone
• Talk about the baby by his or her name
• Offer to help with cooking, housework, etc
• Send a card and let the family know you are thinking of them
• Understand that just because your friend or family member cries when you mention her baby it doesn't mean she doesn't want to talk about the baby.

Chocolate Gingerbread Drops

This is another recipe I got from Better Homes and Gardens.

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup dried pomogranates
• 3 oz bittersweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine shortening and brown sugar till combined.
3. Add baking soda, ginger, allspice and salt till combined.
4. Beat in molasses and egg till combined.
5. Beat in flour, stir in pomogranates and chocolate chips.
6. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheets.
7. Bake 8 minutes or until bottomw are light brown.
8. Transfer to wired racks till cooled.