Einkorn Banana Bread ~ Slippery Elm Throat Lozenges

 

Crazy stuff here.  I could have sworn, that I had a banana-blueberry bread recipe some where.  If I did, I cannot find it.  Not with Einkorn flour.  I searched Jovial's recipes too.  I ended up making banana bread. 

Does anyone have an Einkorn flour bread recipe with bananas and blueberries?

I made a short road trip to the health store. I am still dealing with hoarseness.  I'm getting better, just not all the way yet.  The owner recommended slippery elm lozenges.  

I did some research and you can make these at home.  I found a recipe with Learning Herbs:  HERE  They are pretty inexpensive, so I'm not sure if buying all the ingredients, making them myself, is worth it.  I am wondering if they would be better for my throat if they were homemade.  

I also found a recipe for making them, and using my dehydrator.  They do have to dry out a bit after making them.

Has anyone made these lozenges?   I just hate to pay the high shipping costs from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Update on the home repairs/renovations:  Hallway is cleaned up and ready to paint trim.  I have the entrance way trim into the kitchen cleaned and wiped down, ready to prime.  We are still waiting on the solution for the pet urine (to clean wood floors), and I started another donation box.

We both decided to put the office off for now.  It is jam packed with book shelves, and more boxed up stuff from other jobs we did.  We still have other rooms, and the upstairs to keep us busy.  Spring is just coming too fast.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

The hot pepper seeds have arrived, and are now started in seed trays.  I am still waiting on my carrot seeds (back ordered for some reason).  I have limited space to start seeds, hence why I have asked for a greenhouse in the future, but these two are new to the garden.  The Datil are similar to a habanero, but more of a "sweet" taste, according to my research.  Seeds for Datil were sent free too.

Replacement part has been ordered for our stove. I will update on that once we see if that was the issue.  My husband almost burned down the stove Sunday at breakfast.  He forgot and used the burner.  I have removed the knob, so neither of us use that burner until the part arrives.

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today.

I will link up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Warmer that usual, and possibly in the lower 60's mid-week (crazy).

As I look outside my window . . .

It's still pitch dark.

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee, deciding on what to bake for breakfast today.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Trying to find a way to sell off my crochet/knit, craft inventory.  I have more than I thought.  I have 16 sets of crocheted pot holder sets alone.  I am just trying to make more room upstairs.

On my bedside table . . .

I cleaned it off!  Just my clock, photos, water and throat lozenges (yeah, still dealing with that).

On  my TV . . .

The Secret: Dare to Dream

Listening to . . .

80's

On the lunch plate . . .

-have no idea yet

On the dinner plate . . .

Four beans and sausage (crock pot meal)

On the menu . . .

-Four beans and sausage, recipe is:  HERE
-Chicken, veggie sheet pan dinner
-leftovers

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing this week.

On the To-Do List. . .

-check paypal, order pet urine solution (will update if it works on the wood floors when it arrives).  They only take paypal, so it has delayed cleaning upstairs floors 
-laundry
-make a breakfast, do dishes
-clean roosts

-run dishwasher
-work on another box of paperwork left from last room move
-make a phone call (if my voice is up to it)
-pay bills

Plans for this week . . .

Start cleaning up the mess we left in the hallway downstairs.  The shoe/boot pile has a mess of tools, gloves and what not.  It's been driving me nuts.  If successful, I may be painting trim in that hallway.  Plant Swiss Chard indoors.

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating. . .

I was cleaning clutter, and got distracted by leftover balls of yarn.  There is a pile of it at the base of the stairs to go back up now.  Any, I sat at the computer and whipped up one of these.   I have no idea why, other than I was curious and it was over loaded cuteness!

 I noticed that when I sew in the first black line, then go over to start a second (up and down), you can see the black yarn behind it.  I may work up another and work on hiding more of that, but they turn out super cute just using what ever worsted weight yarn I had (her suggestion of yarn does look better).  I used a smaller hook for the hearts.  The link again for the pattern is:  HERE.

Yes, I got distracted, but it was a nice break.  I got back to work, and then later found more unfinished projects.

I worked a bit on this scarf, while my blanket continued to air dry (see story on that in Saturday's post, ha ha!).  To stay on task, I have a dedicated bin for "unfinished" projects.  I am working on balancing declutter, repairs, renovations etc with crochet time.

My simple pleasure . . .

I'm stumped on this one today.  Maybe I need more coffee to think this morning, ha ha!

I got one now....going to the library for random books.  I have not been to the library since Feb. 2020.

Looking around the house . . .

I had good intentions on clearing another area of the house, but we sort of took a break from stuff on Sunday.

From the camera. . .

I finally looked over my items I brought back home from the museum gift shop.  It's no wonder nothing was selling this year.  They marked up the prices way too high.  Sigh.

Bible Verse, Devotional . . .

Continued prayers for our friend Hope and her family, as she lost her husband.

Lack of Supplies ~ Tidbits

Shopping frustrations - errand days.  We finally got some wood returned to Menards, picked up trim to finish the final bit in the living room, bought a new light bulb socket for the stairway (kids ripped the pull chain completely off years ago), restocked some things we were out of, picked up new outlet covers and what not.  

We also made another donation drop. Woohoo to that.

I went looking for 1/4inch ribbon at Wal-mart for $.47/roll vs. $1.99/roll at our local Meijer.  I have looked at two stores now for this.

However, they were completely out of white, baby blue, pink, and almost all other colors I need.  I will have to check other locations.  I guess I have all year to look for it.  My total focus this year is the house/outdoor projects.  

I ruined my slippers in the washing machine, and had trouble finding a new pair (affordable) in my size.  I'm sure Kohl's had some nice ones, but I'm not paying $30 and up for slippers.  Our grocery store had some really nice ones, but again, out of my big foot size.  I found a gray pair at Wal-Mart that will do for now.

Speaking of lack of supply, we had to go to 3 stores to find organic tahini (in fact tahini at all), two stores to find organic canned mushrooms, and two stores to find organic yellow onions.

The weather here is fantastic!  We are in the upper 50's and the chickens are loving it. We are getting eggs again thankfully.

Snow Storm

The snow is starting to blow.  Many schools closed even as early as yesterday, but there is just a dusting out there so far.

I got around to trying a cake recipe I printed back in (gulp) 2019 and it over baked.  I went online and read the comments.  Sure enough someone posted the bake time was incorrect.  It was not what I was looking for in a go-to cake either.  

When our grandson passed away at 4 months old, someone brought a butterscotch chip topped cake.  I could not get the recipe, so I wanted to try this one.  Nope.  It's not the same.  

Anyway, I'm still on the hunt for this particular cake.  It was one that would be great to take to help out a family or friend dealing with loss of family.

By the way, thank you if you prayed for our friend Hope.  Her husband passed away.

Our handyman has started to remove the carpet upstairs.  It's not looking that good as far as saving the original flooring.  I'm going up there today to take a look.  We may have to sand it down, but the most important part was getting rid of the ruined carpet up there.

My seeds have all arrived.  I'm still trying to put the house back together, and I still have laryngitis.  I did manage to clean the chicken's roosts and give them fresh straw before all this snow (if it does) arrives.

Do you have a "go to" cake for taking to grieving families?

Chit Chat

 My jars finally arrived.  These are different, but perfect for my homemade salves.  I had plans to make one this week, but wow, my house is in a work of progress right now.

One complete box of donations left the kitchen floor.  It's one less box and one more step towards an organized house.

I'm feeling slightly better, but I picked up some lemons to add to my ginger root tea.  I'd like nothing other, than to sit and crochet today.

My chicken sitter stopped by and we paid him.  He is also our handy man, so we may be paying him to remove all the upstairs carpet soon.  There is no question that the carpet has to go.  We have no plans for the upstairs, other than we may need to paint the floor with kilz (for now, due to the animals ruining the carpet up there).  Daughter K had 2 dogs, a cat and a rabbit up there.

It looks like rain is moving in, so that changes the outdoor to-do list.  As far as the indoor to-do list, it is long right now.  It is sort of overwhelming, but getting checked off none the less.

Egg Soufflé ~ Couch Moved and Other Ramblings

 

It doesn't look like much, but I only make it once a year.  I got the recipe from a co-worker many years ago, when I was a Certified Travel Agent.  It's called Egg Soufflé, but we also call it "Christmas morning casserole."  Once our youngest found out I baked it, she was over with her boyfriend to get some.  I made it the day after Christmas this year.

Thankfully, while they were here....

They helped move the couch to the living room.  We are so happy to finally have it back where it belongs.  There is so much more work to do, to get everything back in it's home, and we are still waiting on the flooring transition piece to finish that and the rest of the trim.

The storm is over, and we are predicted to be up in the upper 40's or low 50's by later this week, but rain moves in.

I don't like to go out a lot during winter, so I attempted to purchase a desk top file holder for my office area.  Well, it was delivered and returned.  It had mold on it, and may have been opened and gotten wet.  Anyway, I will just add that to my shopping list for the next trip to town.

I was greatly disappointed.  It was a wooden handmade one, and matched the desk.  I will just keep looking for one to get that area organized.

I am all stocked up for what I sell at the museum gift shop.  They close for a month for winter, so I am ahead of taking them more.  I sell my dish scrubbies, jar openers and soap saver bags there.  I'm glad I am ahead of that, as I have no place to cut more netting to make more. 

I will be very busy over the next few months, sorting, and purging what goes back to where it came from.  I still need to print photos for the home journal, as we'll need those records of what we repaired in the living room.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.  It's always a crazy time for our family, and we are not done with repairs.  

Winter Storm ~ Blizzard Conditions

 

My afternoon delight most days now - homemade hot chocolate and mini marshmallows we picked up in Amish country.

You may see blips in posts now.  Meaning, more chances of power outages, loss of internet (like this morning), etc.

This morning there was a car accident nearby, which took out power, and I am sure I heard life flight fly over.  Praying for all involved.

No, the heaters are not on yet. and the temps will drop to 0°F tonight (so frustrated with getting this done).  Experts have been called in at this point.  Delivery on our flooring transition piece is a month from now.  We will fire up the woodstove, but I sure hope we saved our fireproof rug from the pellet stove.  I went to the farm store to buy a new one, and they told me they never got any shipped in this year.

I made an attempt to have the sofa moved back to the living room, but we could not get anyone in the family to help move them.  We literally have about an hour of daylight after my husband gets home from work. 

The winter storm is moving in now.  Rain turns to snow, then icy roads and blizzard conditions.  I believe we will be snowed in for a few days.  Stay safe my friends.

This and That

 

To our surprise, guess who showed up?  Yep. Our handyman showed up, took all of the flooring out and started to put it back in.  It is looking so much better though.

Two kiddos came out for a visit.  I made a batch of hummus, and it did not last long.  I'm glad they showed up, as one was needed for some work on the computer.  I had to link up late, as it was doing many updates (see yesterday's post for an update on the living room).

Bad weather is heading our way, and we are down to one vehicle due to broken down parts.  Lovely.  I think I can hitch a ride with one of the kids for groceries this week (so I don't have to do it after dinner). Just to be sure we are stocked up good for a few days.

They are predicting snow, 50 mph winds, possible power outages and more.  I stocked up on extra oil for the oil lamps and wicking as well, so that is off the list.  I do need to fill water jugs for the chickens (just in case).  If the power goes out, we will not have water (pump runs on electric).

Just say a prayer our handyman has the flooring in, and the propane heater hooked up and running before Friday.  It will dip to 5°F.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Busy weekend....we met up with Daughter E (hair stylist) and she gave us hair cuts on her day off at the salon.  It was nice to be there without other people, and we re-stocked her groceries.  She was very happy about that.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Will link up later when she posts.

The weather . . .

31/23°F today, and we dip down to 5°F by the weekend.  Snow moves in just before Christmas.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's cloudy and dreary.

Right now I am . . .

Getting ready to make a breakfast, brewing more coffee, as Daughter E is coming over to do laundry.

Thinking and pondering . . .

An antique store we often visit has those shade for oil lamps.  They suggested I bring my glass piece in to be properly fitted for one.  I guess I thought they were all standard size.  I'm thinking of doing that for the one on the kitchen table.

How I am feeling . . .

Frustrated - see "from the camera"

Listening to. . .

Rock station on the radio.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Working on that.

What I am wearing . . .

Sweatshirt, sweatpants and slippers.

On my reading pile . . .

It's been halted for now.

On the TV . . .

Mystery channel.

On the menu . . .

-chicken with a home canned sauce, veggie

-literally have no idea yet.

Looking around the house. . .

Still a hot mess.

To-do list . . .

-make breakfast

-put dinner in the crock pot

-pay bills

-unload dishwasher

-do other dishes

-write up menu

-mail in another rebate

-work on crocheted blanket.

From the camera . . .

We had a very, very busy weekend, and we didn't see this until we got home Saturday, could not sleep and woke up Sunday with another busy day intended on taking out this flooring (again).  It is hard to show you with out a close up, but our handy man apparently doesn't know how to do flooring.  He literally lined up the seams with full planks in between.  It looks terrible.  The seams need to be staggered (he did all 6 inches), looking like a real wood floor.  The more we looked at it over the weekend, the more we hated it, and with the cost of flooring we were not going to leave it that way.

Our handyman declared more money to take it out and do it right.  Guess who got fired and guess who is putting the floor in every night my husband is home from work?  Yeah, us.  

Out with the old....it came with the house about 14 years about, globe missing, just ugly and hangs low....lights didn't work right...

In with the new....remote control too.  Simple, farmstead style, and we can control the fan for winter or summer (will work either direction).  My husband and I took the old one out, put together the new one, and he re-wired it. The top still needs hooked to the ceiling, but it's in working order.

There is much work to do yet in the living room, and now we are behind getting the heat hooked up, but spending that much on flooring we want to enjoy the new room as well.  It's a head shaker for sure.

What I am creating . . .

Devotional, Bible Verse, Prayers . . .

-prayers for Jim, a brother to a good friend of ours with MS.  He was life flighted to a hospital due to half his body not functioning.  No update on if it was a stroke or not yet.

 

Flooring Snafu and Tidbits

 

I caught a short glimpse of another beautiful sunrise.

I spent most of my morning making a breakfast casserole with dandelion greens, but guess what while it was baking?

The new flooring did not work with our floor.  As well as a new level floor was, this flooring was not working (thin, and locking side would not stay locked).

It was all taken out, and our handy man went home.  New flooring was picked up, so we will find out this weekend if it will work better.  It's thicker, and actually less expensive.

The rain arrived last night as expected, and it's is to rain all day long.  The weatherman says, "do not let this rain fool you."  A winter storm is on the way.

My few outdoor tasks today are halted, but I have plenty to do inside today.  It's still not feeling like Christmas at all.  I can say though, I'm glad I'm not running around crazy busy baking and cooking this year.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

 The weekend was a long work weekend.  The walls in the living room are completely painted, the trim is almost done (we literally ran out of steam and time on Sunday), and the gas heater line goes in this week.

The walls are a light gray, and the floor trim is not getting painted to match the windows.

We put grave pillows on Mom and Dad's graves.  We picked up salt for the water softener, and I could not believe how high the price is right now.

My husband was called away for several hours, so that put us behind in painting the floor trim.  A nephew is having electrical issues, and he went to help.  However, for the family's safety, he plans to go back and re-wire their house.

It doesn't even feel like Christmas here.  We've already told our broke kids to not buy us anything for Christmas. Once the house is in order (could be late January at this rate), we will have them over for a meal.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather. . .

39/28°F, and we dip down to the 20's this weekend.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's the same gloomy skies.

Right now I am . . .

Making another pot of coffee, getting ready to fry some eggs.  I'm thinking egg/cheese/bacon breakfast sandwiches.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Wondering when we'll finally get done with the living room ha ha!

How I am feeling . . .

A bit frustrated.  The hardware store sold our flooring, but no matching transition pieces.  We had to order it online, and that puts us, once again behind.

Listening too. . .

Radio.

On the breakfast plate. . .

Ezekiel bread with peanut butter, coffee.

What I am wearing . . .

Painting clothes for now.

On the reading pile . . . 

Nothing. It's halted for now.

On the TV . . .

Whatever we find on regular TV.

On the menu . . .

For once, I have no idea.  Possibly thawing some fish.

Looking around the house . . . 

The same - hot mess.

On the to-do list . . .

-paint the last of the floor trim
-make a breakfast
-figure out dinner and menu
-laundry

-write up grocery list

-clean chicken roosts and put fresh straw in them

-put trash out

From the camera . . .

When we drove to the cemeteries, a passing truck threw a rock up and cracked our windshield.  One more thing to repair now.  It's about a 5 inch circle.  We are thankful it did not go all the way thru, as it would have hit me most likely.

What I am creating . . .

I started the blanket order.  I am just waiting on one more yarn order.

Devotional, Bible Verse. . .

I literally can't get into my books, and I cannot wait until everything is back in it's place. Prayers for my friend Dean, whose mother fell and broke her hip.  She has had surgery, so prayers for a quick and healthy recovery.

Weather ~ Yarn Prices ~ Painting Update

 The weather is moving colder again, and the entire week has been nothing but gloomy days.  It's been dark, cloudy, rainy, and now snow showers.

Unfortunately, all the resources for yarn online, have once again raised their prices.  I'm holding off for a sale, but geeze, this is getting ridiculous.

Windows are now painted, other than the very tippy top.  Those will be finished today.

I checked in at the Museum gift shop (where some of my handiwork is sold), and they are pretty well stocked.  I found out they are closing at the end of December for a month.  I will have plenty of winter time to restock items.

We also picked up grave pillows I had someone make. We did a barter for that, which was nice.  Not sure when we can deliver those yet.  The weather is an issue as well, and we are on a time line to get the rest of the painting done.  

Oh, and as far as the flooring goes for the living room, we found out (should have checked sooner), that our hardware store does not carry the transition piece to match the flooring.  So now we are delayed even longer.  The flooring can go in, but seriously, why carry flooring with no matching transition piece?  She even checked a sister store.  Nope.

December is a pretty busy month for us - our baby girl turns 21 this year, we are approaching our wedding anniversary, then there is Christmas, followed by New Year's Eve party.  Goodness, life needs to slow down right now.  

Ornament Idea and other ramblings....

 

I saw this ornament for sale the other day.  I thought it was so cute, but look at how small that is.  You'd almost have to knit with toothpicks to create one, ha ha!  Just thought I'd share.

One window and office door trim is completely done.  In the spring, I will take that door off and paint it.  It's just not on the to-do list right now.  Anyway, I later removed all the paint tape and started on the next window.  I'm so glad we decided last minute to paint the trim.  No better time than now with the flooring not in yet.  It really brightened up the room.

I can tell you, that is has not been fun.  I never knew how many muscles were used for painting.  I have to climb the tall ladder to paint the top of the windows, and literally lay down on the floor to paint the bottoms of the windows.

The only reason I have not painted the trim around the stairway, is that our handyman ran staples into the trim to hold plastic up, so I'm waiting on the spackle to dry.  Oh, he put 4 or 5 staples in the wall to hold up wires, so I have to spackle that today too.  Just a what were you thinking moment....

I got a tall order for a crocheted blanket.  I'm hoping for some holiday sales for the yarn.

This and That

 

These finally arrived, but I have very little time to make them right now.  I have to put this on the to-do list, as I have one tube left and winter is here (lip balm tubes).

The living room is moving along, but it feels like it's taking forever.  We did pick up the gas heater for our alternative heat source for the living room. 

It was nice to be out at dark and see so many beautiful Christmas lights.  I don't think we have been out at dark in a long time recently.

I have been pretty good at making sure I stop working, so that I can take time to decompress/rest.  I am rotating my crocheted blanket with re-stocking baby booties.

It was a tough moment when I dug out the pattern for these.  Mom was my inspiration for just about every thing I made. She was so positive and motivational when it came to making new things, and she always gave me ideas that were great sellers at craft shows.  She would also bring me the best customers.

As I read over my pattern, I realized I forgot to write down my hook size.  Then I realized at that moment I could not call my Mom.  I broke down missing her. 

She is the reason I crochet these booties.  Her friend that worked at the bank with her would gift me booties when my kids were born.  When this special woman could not make them anymore, she gifted me her pattern.

I think I will start a journal, where I have "talks" with Mom, to get me thru this difficult holiday season.  She was the glue that held us all together.  I miss her excitement when she'd call or share a new crochet project for me too.

I still had the gifted baby booties in a storage bin, so I dug one out to examine and start creating.

Thanks for listening to my story....meanwhile my husband is cracking the whip on the work in the living room.  I don't think he realizes how long it takes to paint, prep work, or washing down walls takes.  He will find out this weekend though.

By the way, thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers on the arrival of our heater and flooring.  The flooring is in now and ready to pick up (a day earlier than expected).

Priming the Trim and other ramblings. . .

 

I wasn't even going to paint the trim in the living room, but after we talked about it, we decided it would brighten up the room.  I have started to prime the trim, which is slow going.  I decided to use a tool to paint edges vs. using expensive paint tape.  It is slower, but works for the job.  You can see the room is already brighter with the trim white vs. dark wood.

Good news!  I got an email and a text.  The flooring will be in this week, and the gas heater is ready to be picked up.  I guess that means I better get these windows done, so we can get the walls painted next.  I never expected to do that either, but since we had to replace the entire floor, and it hasn't been painted in 14 years, we decided to do it.

I have been a bit depressed, and not feeling like it's even Christmas time right now, but glad this project is keeping my mind busy.  I'm just used to baking, and making homemade gifts this time of year, and I am not.  Heck, I'm not even sure where my Christmas cards are, that I bought a few years ago.

I am having grave pillows made for Mom and Dad's grave.  I will post a picture of them when I pick them up.

I am rotating crochet projects again.  I think it's just because I get bored doing the same blanket every night (although I am very happy with my color rotation).  I dug out baby yarn to re-stock baby booties.  I'm working on finding a nice, but inexpensive way to package them.

I'm also looking for inexpensive clear (with zipper) blanket storage bags.  I would like to have them for when I donate the lap afghans.  I found some on Amazon, but the per-piece price is a bit higher than I would like.  I will keep searching.  Wal-mart is more expensive and their bags are a bit too big.

I haven't had time, but there is a new crochet venture I am going to start making, as this living room project comes to an end.  It will keep my spirits up for selling stuff next year.

Today will be interesting.  Balancing house work while painting is a true hot mess, ha ha!

Sunrise ~ This and That

 

I took these photos of the sunrise yesterday.  There won't be many left to view as winter is rolling in.  So beautiful.

This is what the view from the porch looks like this morning.  Foggy and raining today.  No sunny sky today.

I got so side tracked on my to-do list.  I started in the living room, but realized I need a taller ladder, so that was brought in.  I took more yarn back upstairs, but brought more down, and completely got off track with the living room.  I did however, put a roast in the crock pot, so tonight it's easy leftovers.

We are so frustrated with ordering supplies for the living room.  The delivery date on our heater (fireplace) was Nov. 30th.  We've called two times, and each time they say they'll send an email to get more information on why it's not been shipped yet (and they never followed up/called us back).  I have brought in our small electric heaters we used to use in the pop-up camper.  It's taking the chill out and heating up the room for painting (for now).

Our flooring should be in by the end of the week, but we need the gas line hooked up before we can put that down.  Just a lot of "ugh" moments.

The nail polish ornaments got hangers attached, and were delivered to the salon.  I hope to sell them, as it feels so depressing not to participate in a craft show this year.

The chickens are not liking this weather, but are let out every day so far.  The egg laying is definitely on the slow-down.  I'm still trying to convince my husband to let me get a donkey.  We are him-hawing on putting some sort of meat animal in the barn (in the future).

I used to pick up note paper at the dollar store for my daily lists, but have not seen it there lately, and I am running low.  I still cannot get into my office.  I found one notebook to use for now, so I am hoping to stay on track today.

It sure doesn't feel like Christmas in our house.  We are hoping to have a tree up before Christmas, but with all the things slowing us down, I'm not sure that will even happen.

Daughter K is sick.  I felt bad that she is so far away, and had to care for her dogs while sick.  We called to check in on her last night.  Today I will send her my recipe for homemade ginger-ale, in hopes that her boyfriend will make it for her.

Blanket update and other ramblings

 

Here is an update on the new blanket for us.  It's been a long time since I have made anything for ourselves. 

The weather is miserable today.  Very windy and a cold front on the way.  It's a full blown work weekend for us.  We plan to make some progress in the living room.

I looked into selling my handiwork at a location one hour away.  They have a waiting list, but want $90 to 225.00/month and a 3 month commitment.  I will now look into another location.