design for home

EASY crockpot applesauce

What is up? Happy Friday to ya! So fall officially starts Sunday! It’s been “official” for me since the temps hit the 70’s around here, but whatev. Details. Last weekend we went apple picking, it’s a long-standing tradition for us. Most of the apple varieties weren’t ready (I thought it was pretty early to go picking!), but that just means we’ll have to go back. Darn. We just picked mostly Jonathan’s that day and ended up with 15 pounds of apples. I always go a little overboard. :) This year I wanted to try something I’ve always wanted to make. Of course I thought it would be a long laborious process involving smashing 25 apples by hand or something like that, but I was OH so wrong. When I mentioned that I was going to make applesauce earlier this week, my friend <a href="http://www.remodelandolacasa.com">Cristina</a> mentioned she was making some. I asked for her recipe and she was all, oh I just throw the apples in a pot with some cinnamon and it’s totally easy and MIND BLOWN. I had no idea! So I did a little research and found she was totally right. (Not that I didn’t believe her of course.) Here’s the recipe I used and of course I used my crockpot – I threw it all in and came home to applesauce. You can’t beat that. You only need three ingredients – ten to 12 apples (I grabbed 12 because some of mine were small, but ended up using 11), sugar and cinnamon: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8phZuRJcKzYlN0EpoGVBEgDrDwd7zO65v-8jkOTqijYhSfe7Q89CDzMaPGECPgegNyITC4kvzo7wq2rCKlyZj8si_8ADLLc9YieJujkrY_J33xk9H654uNyiqMVy4tffvKOdezScA9tY/s1600-h/crockpot-applesauce%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="crockpot applesauce" border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVIi2v5abAUigo_2FklVCpEEX3YZ3rj2y1jfHVNoBasbr13kWL8K5SPL0ZgcdLo8uu-jz0MhZkrrKfCKWa1rjSaEzGrusN6lfNi-OsqpZgt2wDRFLsKXI2JYV5XVThu0Syp05URv5fjs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="crockpot applesauce" width="450" /></a> The first step is the only one that takes time – you need to peel, core and cut up the apples. Thankfully I’ve had an apple peeler/corer/slicer for years: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CO3ucWIXOGjhXkGPDNiPo56eTeo101TYYr7QcQN-7BV19F_kuEcZ-XU33zVcM7An4Rkj69pLpD9aQvV2KFZu18vEVbtFTLr2VtuV8IDF8q5coSDHet11a7RIHCzj2OTqf0OLunB1UKo/s1600-h/apple-slicer-corer%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="apple peeler slicer corer" border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jadoFfBvEuomBNuiBkCkos8Gk0GMH8q4RdwgOxbpmw9FL8pHREPh-6sfG-gcIj7S44_j7ZxGtYQMTN3f1q-bR3vXq7yCVfPJTLgKhkeNj4HT7R-70lK8lWm0gjT4cNpaJnEPodWVsjo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="apple peeler slicer corer" width="550" /></a> I honestly think I’ve had this for about 12 years and I rarely use it. (It’s called Peelota. Har.) But it’s one of those things you don’t get rid of because when you need it, you really need it. This is one of those times. This doodad ROCKS: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4eElSPt5YlfX_LUte_ja-Lfxq0F6fmUSQ1OBMvxbEExgrzwhvXd0y-fgbekGSY3ItrglcsMWgk63jVdxJADU3kyOmTRAxzbh2XHUUdIxsmqxOsKHrsshM1BlAqv_j9-Rb2qvw0K064g/s1600-h/apple-corer-tool%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="apple slicer corer" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkmAOE2B__PRz_MFkXLeRDTd5EDw6i5kSC4H3xxw4HrWuE5IMsLkFji3GWIyUBgzA2MaLL9LJpp1nSLcJniNc1GjPsom1E_xwDAg1TdmXAzQ7rkAn3qROenwc3AbwP-k8Ny_3E9ISwYY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="apple slicer corer" width="400" /></a> It made quick work of getting them all ready to go. They looked like this when I was done: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLDb8W-WWhKHnSDtalhOWp7FI2BoUfAfWISXzvmtfNgtx4Ep_g6pydGl9G7M2CfQqOl9SlZarvHxharqifBIGrpc8c2NdMzPUtCJwEbJk1UGjKW88ieJ0vzQwGUJUm5dPxkXiSnb1Dr4/s1600-h/IMG_6612%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy crockpot applesauce" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclY-bKpqugbtUKUHMUg7G7egBo2ST5W11gbYA6jMQ__TQVCwoQUVAZ6zLVaXZGKBCAVAHa6atl-rr_7Eq0T6ZLPrdPfbR__Um5c46uybs4dwEKA2AI4gxPqBcoxuA-i3lwOVU-u1RvGw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy crockpot applesauce" width="550" /></a> I just cut the apples in half from the top. If you don’t have one of these you’ll want to slice them up or just cut them into chunks. I dumped them all in the crockpot and then added 1/2 cup of sugar and didn’t even measure the cinnamon, I just sprinkled (a lot): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7W_AJFXjkP7gSarXOfsrQxNxttwfkTEhSP6frssY_VRd4vB1ATIYDy6ZoDr0MdVxJPA2Y4wrwPQhIcK3cwljRkqNh5cRNqumJT1jrYBJ8YQI-c663al5bvpSDVYjvdSZHs9rdARxkcAM/s1600-h/simple-applesauce-recipe%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="simple crockpot applesauce" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh78qbpspS6ieEy3-LPZR-9rlu88qBFJzQ2SYguByfFWsvLhHvHpox5scjdld8K_yjpH4uYtO5lbH2cqAH54yI7vtNxG_4qs2aTiRsKWghoInsCCY48tdnza5-VQa8WIXv_T6om8zwM60/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="simple crockpot applesauce" width="550" /></a> I added a dash of nutmeg too – because I’m wild and crazy like that. I didn’t even stir – just left it as it was, put the lid on and set it to cook on high for four hours. We left the house for the evening, came home and could smell it…wow! I stirred it up a bit and was freaking (in a good way), because it looked SO GOOD: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn-mzeQV3zzMJA6KWFBB8PbG-8Ow9FdvqjTlLMAIlJw37tLpL0Dq-SpOIynuO48fCtjw3m_4hFb0q7CIWnRMSREWF85QJ4K5cU9zpiZJ6ulFJ19WFPfYqaDd7vjRiq6LZDPz6q7eZfUw/s1600-h/easy-crockpot-applesauce%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy applesauce recipe" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD4Lx2xaW8dgVdyyWuJa-Xv1L3yI4B-zUu998AGyNufuDJaCcjf1_Itczsz5_Yikgiuvlul2CjQDM2k6_dIq2zXQfM6WoAijJ2Yc6RvOLTef-cw6TWoWed7MABgFxHXVNhSVkajYjjQY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy applesauce recipe" width="550" /></a> Here’s the thing – I’ve never heated up applesauce at home. Have you? Uhh…it’s amazing! It was incredibly yummy. Like a dessert really – I like it chunky (name that movie) so I left it as is. Hubby and I both stood over our bowls in the kitchen and stuffed our faces with it. And then did it again later, and I’m doing it again right. now. SO GOOD, so stupid easy: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwNn9Mwd_8hxL4e33LOeVvVfqAUnkqnQJcZ_cF84ytNRSTIdUrImcxnJ0SpaoXdzsSvNwjlGU2CSYUWjgyPeTE1s2u0i4VErFkA-MOkay-YTK1EnKyMFonqhSDYSBLpGgnKESS2GJGi0/s1600-h/header%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Simple crockpot applesauce @ thriftydecorchick.com" border="0" height="698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96bonCSNWV4VIv8-d-hZNPrgjkoS_f5NKqBp3Q16e9zJ9JxP5NI6x1EfrGzaEGVHXnZBAi5mTVnCiTEfGjWw3gSY6bkmNrSc3JzcDEq-cgpTf_vbub47XvmO7SDDwuy5yMSnuUmDKcI0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Simple crockpot applesauce @ thriftydecorchick.com" width="500" /></a> And not too horrible for you either! This batch is almost gone already but I’ll be making more for sure and want to can it when I do. What a lovely little gift for the holidays, right? Next time I’m going to try it with just a 1/4 cup of sugar though – I really don’t think it needs half a cup. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Here’s the recipe for you again: 10-12 apples -- peeled, sliced, cored 1/2 cup sugar (less would be fine) sprinkle cinnamon on top – at least a teaspoon dash of nutmeg (not needed) There you go – have I blown your mind? Or all you all, duh Sarah…it’s totally easy. I really had no idea. Now go get some apples and cook it up! You will thank me. :) Have a GREAT weekend!

EASY crockpot applesauce

What is up? Happy Friday to ya! So fall officially starts Sunday! It’s been “official” for me since the temps hit the 70’s around here, but ...

7:04 AM

Insulatin’ and drywallin’

Yo. I’m back with another DIY project I finished up this weekend. This was a big one and although it’s not necessarily pretty…it’s pretty fantastic. ;) At least I think so. It’s awesome. For years now I’ve wanted to finish insulating and drywalling our garage. Most of it already is, but the exterior walls (those not touching the house) aren’t. We could have paid for the builder to do it but it was one of those, “OH we can SO do that ourselves”…and nine years later here we are. The thing is we have a bedroom above the garage and although it’s not too bad, it does get warm in there in the summer. The cold in the winter really isn't too bad, but in the warmer months it is definitely the hottest room in the house. Yes, the warmer months are about done, but the thing is – this job isn’t the most fun to do when it’s hot out. More on that later. :) But either way, it’s something I’ve wanted to start for a while. Have I mentioned I’ve never insulated or drywalled before? Yeah. Well, I’ve taken bits of insulation and filled in spots in our basement so there’s that. But the big roll and massive pieces of drywall? Nope. But I’m a DIYer and I’ve watched a lot of DIY shows so those two things together made me feel like I could totally do this. (Insert tool man grunt.) I figured it couldn’t be that hard…and for once that thought went through my head and I was actually right! Usually when I dare to think that it turns into a horrible day when doors fall and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/when-diy-goes-oh-so-wrong.html">I have a hole in my house</a>. Let’s start at the beginning. First things first – our garage is a DISASTER right now. I’m almost done decluttering the house and a lot of stuff has gone to live out there till I can figure out where to put it…out there. So really, it’s a mess. We can still park our cars in there so yay for us, that’s something! I decided to try out my insulating and drywalling skills on this wall: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugBgRtNvyHhJOiFwqGonGbXN8KhFzOFxoSJ-X294L83XEZtP4uBnF6YnE0OYKkaRdmK0RfSL6fZ2YmnNgmQZ3KYGxpzJ6WB3f4eP80t4KCwymeQmYiHtgyWh97KNv-AxT8qevs4meaAM/s1600-h/photo21.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJaG6ody_4UqzEgRkadyHg-w3O3RbtuE83dMWUz_7ec-DUDN43LsNWsJIf1lnToHq_u1ZOR_n0bJKqL9K1GiaCRxvI84KWczclWQAhORXdsgvMmtzyQGvDJg29vW1HH4XThuYMqm_Dq4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a> What wall you ask? Oh let me just move all the STUFF and I’ll show you: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj4jEBHATCF_UlINbEJHri8hEfLWJvK4TfVtRIW3PgPWorbDQfZMPJePMNBVM4PY2mU-IPsfH87HyjLYfKWGhfgVVtzEIo-1RS6tyURFbBbQC79uKVu_EYIWML9Smij5mibKi94Lv8Fc/s1600-h/photo31.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGwm96p-07B9lNjLvjBfmihxpw0gdeTm-eJZ0XAekyipl3vnRik2jzPEAZxb_F2zzqIMnXWyZK1TE9qK7PLiLr3vcBNLT1C13HqVBx9PQBf9FAbbDGcepCO04jihC0V7-5bYjwbFaoWA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a> There we go. For real, half the time I spend on projects is just moving stuff out of the way. Next, I geared UP. Insulation can make you itchy if you touch it, although I hear it depends on the person. If you have more sensitive skin it’s more likely to bother you. I don’t but the thought of getting itchy freaks me out so I wore long sleeves and gloves. And the mask and <a href="http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&hardwarianState=3&keyword=safety+glasses&x=-1070&y=-101">safety glasses</a> are a must: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMWi9yIxLLQq7tVFcSEy71b7tW1MtbK7pTaZAVCjZ02RLnWcgCY5RNi8QjHiS83z6WU0ZOMeP8dN4wBpVZeBj8boP-_usThw1uhfAAHO_LqbYHr5BaT0C3Z-lA53oPtxXzW2iz1h6tUc/s1600-h/DIYsafetygear.jpg"><img alt="DIY safety gear" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyELxmczKszVQ8NBH3mYTAaGgmDJfHsDY9cR8WdESvWBgPVAXk8qo6GRhmKM027U-IdFNIXThB_S8cJFsx_JN9uDEp-ja8lHElWUVimyviZ8kOC4ioom7u3lPuSV9gEZTCwEdNofASaZI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY safety gear" width="400" /></a> So pretty right? I know. THIS is why I waited till the hot weather broke. It was a beautiful, cool day and I still ended up sweating. And every time I breathed into the mask it fogged up my glasses and couldn’t see so those were fun times. Anyway, I went to my local True Value (check out locations near you <a href="http://www.truevalue.com/store_locator.jsp">here</a>) for the goodies for this project – they were SUPER helpful. I mean, I knew from my shows how to install it, but I was clueless on what kind to pick out. I found out you need to decide on a few things – faced or nonfaced (I went with faced which means it has a paper barrier), you need to know if your studs are 2x4’s or 2x6’s (the 6’s are usually only for a wall with plumbing) and what R-value you want. I’m not trying to heat and cool the garage or anything, I just want to keep it a little more protected from temps, so I went with the R-13, which is pretty standard: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2VMCwadr6ItgFfoTizMhJ3_HzvCq5BpucpqPT4pJ2FSOZLqjTzZ4Ie_O788nkBiNEsVdHFMzXCFQjcqNVwl4ikyh4j2_pW42koc4Ux4Wkl4Ug5m0URKj8CgtsHpJl92dqKs3NFbHvSI/s1600-h/photo4.jpg"><img alt="picking out insulation" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuJPXwKvF0LilFODkoXxkQJjsuhpFI__1pM8KAfHuox4ZQoubh43R_27tWXK_DybKqhCD3JrIaR3DEiziAI_COMKfNVbFef0mbtu_KI7IeUKKoqNS4AobeKJStHyf5RtT1YEMeZpvs7I/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="picking out insulation" width="400" /></a> Of course the section I wanted to do only had two areas that were the standard 15 inch width for the insulation to fit right into. Those were SUPER easy and fast to do. You just cut it down and then stuff it in. More on that in a bit. For the areas between studs that were a bit (or a lot less) than the standard opening, I had to cut them down. I measured: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SuBAo0drV13ySmL4AdtN-ZI7swYLTSQwisWrd997nOsAVvXSg6R3Uf9CeizWhtBtzSk6UlaankcLQ3x1rM4gHjhWZrJDg63PH9KkwPRvwrkHWSZZQ4uj8Stqv8XLj_-6jLt6xNrSCIk/s1600-h/howtoinstallinsulation1.jpg"><img alt="how-to-install-insulation" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBscZb_Vh6UFoJ-t3A4DpxX5Roa9HSxjdrDdSIdr1Vxn4srf-vOcU0omPzPOyl_GY642ZhhPktlXnHBQt92i7vBCRax-dlFrXH7d5-6HjdaEMjEscd8e1p9S3JYfIv_uOdXdrY1ZAkyo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how-to-install-insulation" width="450" /></a> And this is how I cut the insulation – I just laid down a straight edge (anything would work) and used a razor to slice next it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROB0cb216437lT2CDz7WF_2CLwUHuWHoh1F7EhFoIShke97wF6uVLIRe7N0vEjjfWX008iXgai22S_L1v2VFZpKHu3pWLd8RIRzeNA5fNk5ozGmX62yHUHMSbxRWFZ3MqzROuLQZExGo/s1600-h/howtoinstallinsulation21.jpg"><img alt="how to cut insulation" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu-NrKVdwjDlUGfGeAYpNo1cV3pSZl_7jc7JYNr9B0SgnxwlKgO_lG8K11hrF6CLUP_dOUwX2VMTsjf_MNX954BtzfmQ7_I-LhZjspgDXDXjOZmRflRCehyPbC166-4xdVe61skW7BuA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to cut insulation" width="450" /></a> I did that right on the cement so I went through a couple razors, but it worked great. When I had to cut the whole piece long ways I did the same thing – but didn’t worry about it being perfect. The beauty of this is that you’re able to kind of push it where it needs to be. I used the scraps from cutting them down in little spots like this: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mfdRihDfuuYy_s3AWtq04LtaoJkX6vh4rKv4AEbhRr-NLfaBv9Up7Aa5hyTs98OAtF6iTLlWK23fe-gSHnI3x9Lt9Kq6K9_n4ZeABGATs5iyDd9LC3i7-BJgMQ_y3epJ4DCzfAaE5s8/s1600-h/photo101.jpg"><img alt="how to insulate a wall" border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff7g3UdozixjJnioPnbQaoF3U8JlpOu2c2ch4XRK8yG1oOFMMQkFc8CEGrnxGphqf4oi9_YD8BVS2dhHce16LfvmrPobmI3ZXTLbY6BK-VTwVjZzrEWgIZQXz7wawFxRoBjSubJNsaDM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to insulate a wall" width="400" /></a> And this area along the bottom: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFZgfoaQvL-BVpGZGU3W7CcVbWUlrWi1qdvwveiTPHzRYIitJeiczfic3uFbJL7IoLIDNLqUQtviKWVcZ-l8Tn9-qicKDVoabh8jHQ3uOcQKc3wHigUm-Rji0jCOTLOeCHjBY8KaXceo/s1600-h/photo112.jpg"><img alt="how to insulate a wall" border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx3eZmnyMa9-shk4NfQVfJD5WJAx0vnP_Uz4rEOPFQ1FaaiViIz1rtDMwS5bzqXk45-YaaUJDfte7qfQnoYz-mlQ6GmngRp4X7nvaGpC_D9kB1gv9I84OsGeP1lUeshf42Pr4bVqePpg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to insulate a wall" width="500" /></a> Two things to note real quick -- you don’t want to smoosh insulation too much. I read that it reduces it’s insulating qualities if you flatten it. Also, I didn’t have to worry about light switches or electrical lines on this wall (but I will on others): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoANr_U_RIWGoXHjAKiBv0OoKYOLU3xckJInxl3f9i7XJtmg6HOmMO3oQNreowEDKvzlAZVlqJoj9MvrSOfPqROwcQ0w9aYMbMvqebZEN9IicHDGl2MGrwOa8Jyoi7u5lujRkQshU6w6c/s1600-h/installinginsulation1.jpg"><img alt="installing insulation" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopb55bLRgtLsNiqsAh089vRY4KTfcjfv_AL0QC_BhaUs_2vACQ8NuUrDPxhFzCqo22BV9oGRZ3AjzxPPj2I6pLRroJ6wBtNpDbt8lUc_qKa4v3RJjeEt7rEERzMCsH2wWeLXLbxNLtUs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="installing insulation" width="450" /></a> I did look up what to do with those and for light switches you’ll want to cut out around the switch so the insulation fits snug in there. And if you have a cord running through the middle of the wall I read you can “split” the insulation right up the middle. So take the front and back and pull them apart – put the back part behind the wiring and front in front of it (near the area that will be drywalled). I did read it doesn’t matter too much when it comes to wiring but this seemed like a good idea to me. So you need to secure the stuff to the studs – I always thought you just stick it in there (and it does stay on it’s own) but over time I can see that it would droop. I just used the stapler I use for upholstery projects for this: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWfqxlB47RwlS_poNO3gHuYWBDg3D4dphqKT3C1iaQvAs0lBpAk7gCw0v4xw-EX6RpZNykM6SXSGmL8LuZxPTzWqZnXROYTj6mhfpKZK4vg9SR9eOWWVru2e1msqHJ7Q4EMrMA1Xy7vQ/s1600-h/photo131.jpg"><img alt="how to install insulation" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYxXyjuvQPLEUe4pXmVveDZKD7UqTZSA4treAnslUUe3UioFRpC09em5ojFywP1fy1GySquqGQfMzkv1qkwG-8Ok-Ym9UAPvctds-v8uU0DtpOLDhg9VIJJ-qkUwLppJ7j_xcbN8Dxh8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to install insulation" width="450" /></a> I didn’t do a ton of staples – maybe five or six on each side? I was pretty darn pleased with myself when this was done: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72FMmHaNn5N4zlbVeMXxlyL0zHFvkrGSKcszOva0L70q0cy9eKbGLNCOT9GACMn7aMxbS1AJcoWpmFEmwwvXnSyzBh5r_T7yXuZswEcEdvDs_7ZWLfGtrO6PEUH0RUpcgUrUJ9rbAQn4/s1600-h/photo9.jpg"><img alt="insulated wall" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaxGhjzPY8xKKy2zojUFE6jEAfatS_gWDCotAuqj6ASn10XzZjOwYYXS3ta9LMZfLsmUlzzt2w6f3u1fLYyN7t1X7tGVtmWynVRQZw4KGmHdGajrI6vx09jlmVBjwGql8cg5Gb0d5_Dk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="insulated wall" width="450" /></a> I have to say this project was strangely satisfying – I really quite enjoyed it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me either. NOW it was time for the drywall. I was nervous about this part, not gonna lie. I’ve patched holes in the wall with drywall but never hung it. And man, it is HEAVY. My husband helped me and we started by installing one up high first. We set it on a ladder and then he held it up so I could get a few screws in. No pics of that part, but you get the gist. I knew where the studs where from the little bit of drywall that was installed up higher on that wall (not sure why the builder did that but not the lower parts?). The lower piece was too big by less than a half an inch, argh! It was all going SO well. :) So I did what they do on the DIY shows – held up my level, scored it with a razor and then knocked off the edge: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYhIqaUquBhpxObUVoLx-fhcV_m8zAJLZkuLwld02M0FyeemFYzMLPGB130m7iYMD0cdgf4nC4yLfRuOB-5hlnDvwXrBQGWU1ms2zs3uxKkYHmDk9_FWVkEIR3OvoDyrK5ZVSsVlNnVw/s1600-h/photo14.jpg"><img alt="cutting drywall" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnlTHer0uR8JoGr_ZBddeealN-2rW5GuQ-U8An6FFsqdlnQ_f8OBCDF2wXoHA4x-n4SfONADYPv7zIIlswgTanMyO1JMZYH4rKqBrYBO5yXkgVjxXU9WB5Ure6KGQi9_OfSvg43MHTo4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cutting drywall" width="450" /></a> On the shows they do this and it comes off clean, but this was such a small part. I had to use a wrench and just grab it and pop it off, piece by piece. I think that took longer than hanging the two sheets of drywall. I turned that drywall over so that rough edge was on the bottom and you wouldn’t see it. :) I did it! One wall done!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVyt-g1ZjtgYzcJD5fnkaVljBFeleKClAbNvYuHko65RylBFhtKWeKgxw7dRM55HLontZNLSMZs39ceqCK-8okyJPB79MUVJShZtfuyP3VNpeboz-bnIZTwa3gfq5exBEd3AP48jqMJk/s1600-h/howtoinsulateanddrywall3.jpg"><img alt="how to insulate and drywall" border="0" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIootEY5YK1I3EcvpvajvpZv5HVYMsJPQKA435QzzIkWTJAxYsX5dMdgvDAlXCLuRco4uG6c_j8rVBWCm7gOj3xggdtP687fX2I3pvkmWe7-wVEyO_FBrZwVyJR8gS_GfYOtAkLNr3jiI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to insulate and drywall" width="500" /></a> SO much better right? I mean, obviously all the junk is gone. The only items I put back were our folding chairs – I like having them right there so I can throw them in the back of my car when we need them. I put everything else away and I’ll decide after the rest of the garage is done if anything will go back. All along I wasn’t planning on even taping or mudding the new drywall in the garage, but now that I see it I think it will look even a million times better if I did. I already have both from a patching job, so I’ll get to that part soon. I’d love to paint our garage someday too – but for now it’s staying bare. I call it “drywall gray.” So hip. Here’s a another shot with a before and after to truly appreciate the GREATNESS: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZ7G1FFdwty_C6wgCSkD1O1_Ue05B9dVMSuOqSFPX3VHsjm-j4BLoxu7o6cRJtFLD9V1___Y9K7zuww1_BEhyphenhyphenO3-C0GDczF6rgz6ieDzhK9rOOdsFyFQOncT1DbtMxy3OJfoyInyN34I/s1600-h/photo141.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mc-Si95Y2aiPDjPw_aERI5iUyGLIALr-Sw54EUgFUg-IXx4WJnamhkUePlfVcwhMpK8N4qVSzegtXq_3wpzfFLopnpA_tdrxRTrQWl7uHNPMlKsv_vGjJZR8BU3swCRDPZEiTfJwKBw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MukCtb53ewFg0-jxowO4DAm4nKu-T8iz6UCq7s5og8GOVFny7W59MhBf_8zX0BCrE4sQTB5jx3NdcyRNVZsRuCiTJBB-AZufTdVLbSUpNUNmHODVKjrMAiFCQRPBhrXitJLG7CBsqP0/s1600-h/drywalledgarage4.jpg"><img alt="drywalled garage" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VpjY5JAViB_gReeT6kp8lDuJY7LHflV_a8Y2RrO5A1Cp8pLAoG8aNDOd7WpHAM_fhDjpnrX3jAOrxmkHRB0Xb6G6owmAc13GwdJvAgm2ZIDjbkW-ZhcHzwQOtIBQuHoMB-oE0tZVLMk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="drywalled garage" width="290" /></a>  It makes me want to wallpaper it or something. It’s hard for me to look at a large empty wall and not do something to it. I’m holding back though -- there is beauty in empty, at least in the garage. And the bonus is it forced me to clean out that spot so I now can successfully get in and out of my car! Have you ever tried insulating or drywalling? Overall it was way easier than I thought it would be, but we didn’t have to lift up much drywall either. Now to declutter, organize and drywall the rest of the garage. (I’m kind of excited.) For more tips on insulating and drywalling, check out more info <a href="http://www.startrightstarthere.com/maintenance_and_repair/basement/insulate_basement_walls.aspx">here</a>. I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Insulatin’ and drywallin’

Yo. I’m back with another DIY project I finished up this weekend. This was a big one and although it’s not necessarily pretty…it’s pretty fa...

6:13 AM

DIY roll out drawer

Hey hey! Thanks for all the comments on my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/09/glossy-navy-blue-love.html">navy blue lamps</a>. ;) Love them! Today I’m sharing a DIY I did a loooong time ago, but I added a little finishing touch yesterday and realized that I never shared it with you all. I didn’t take pics as I did it all that time ago because I honestly wasn’t sure it would work. ;) I think I’ll still be able to explain well enough how I put this together. My idea came from my desire to have these all over my kitchen: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcNFhqaeohJnIwTxCx2u8xLRrroS_6iivfoICSIrIlEnFPiVJ2BnkBhe-JL24AryrUl-FsAHIbWzJXasFfwWRwGkVfEf_I1RUiOFgJgZc4pMNo4yOcKnKuyNsnWEw4FOUDf5KbmOistw/s1600-h/MedRllOtCbntDrwrChrmK_xl%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="container store roll out drawer" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk3-lzqr_wLMH7XA66JOS2EtmvIYDzvIHoBykmDPxDKA7bpQ-EQZq1qUZn070aUBpcw9XgtqHYpYoBjJes8DjrmH2lPfEqCNS2IInVwLbTv5jpvGj6o9Qb-LCYqO9Y5XocsAB9f6KgvY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="container store roll out drawer" width="450" /></a> (<a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/cabinetOrganizers/lowerCabinets?productId=10017298">source</a>) Ah yes…making those deep dark cabinets easier to use. ‘Tis a dream. But that dream is expensive. Those up there are $45 each (for only 11 inches wide!), yowza. The organization in our kitchen island cabinets was nonexistent so I needed help -- but I didn’t want to spend that much to make them work. So I figured out my own way! I’ve since seen some different ways to make this by making a shallow box for the stuff to sit in. I’m going to attempt something similar for the other cabinets later. But my version (using mostly what I had in the garage) works great! I started with a set of drawer slides – you can find them at most hardware stores and they come in various lengths: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7KoH6Orxk7VivaPsMN26N7Wb_Zm-pnMp3bHT-8ISXY7uKsbqUcdMjF479HrkFpK0cHqlQOucIJqEXSSwzX62VZH2bf-TIe8luDQu1kX4gOWsGsfeHpfcjCsPY-3s_X6MdNN-OhI0gB4/s1600-h/773199331452%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="drawer slide" border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj-G6_zFD9NCF9yS9kIrl3vjgK41Kgw1x_K5b9qrkGR85u_o5c2XesoqXZetz1aI16DeRPRzo8wNbe9ljpFHhgV3bJ29Wcqyd4y83HIvJ6p3OS7Rvb9H7ZlBcOsJTAxkOKRwrTTbwKWQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="drawer slide" width="550" /></a> You’re supposed to install them on the sides of the cabinet and to the sides of a drawer, but instead I installed them on the bottom of the cabinet: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImKGewcAIAwGnkp2JsYogFGNSujQlpflD3k9pMc321D5tk1EoPhaeibZOy2Kzuple4cCQTKsBYY5tws9cFsWbj-SVCWyb_GWNmYxIJjjWyZBsXsbaJx-g165ghBk4tPoETO1FPVr1bts/s1600-h/dig-roll-out-drawer%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY roll out drawer slides" border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpCsEKHm_8FeBMOb7SDkhbUc1qjouKT2mTq-eSWeYlbpTLQM1YYOnIae2RStDfiATpGF1TP-Qjcd3UZicCK-8ZTJHE5E6F4cyoeynmq10P6nNsaIalMgiFEWJBo127Omi4BJ3xmwDkl0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY roll out drawer slides" width="536" /></a> You’ll see I had to nail down some scrap mdf first because I realized right off the bat that my DIY “drawer” wouldn’t clear the lip of the cabinet unless I raised this up a bit. I just secured the slides into the mdf using four screws – two at the front and two at the back: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrc6eTG1g5O8wAiPZQl-NsEo99xmKuhgIaetrGlvIC-xJXa2BCATEP5DxftZf-Q2eSjOFmEi9oXrs_6C8gagsjxmlUyKw9ddZdo6OJD7CZ5NvZY-FTJ6ziAh85Fsc0p1gE0My84EwOgs/s1600-h/dig-slide-out-drawer%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="diy slide out drawer" border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv38SDpmRQLgTSKFBiiWfKj_j34yTGBvnnLjB9mNG2evA8xVf-6gPI8oReGj6SBWfV8eSJRfDhZe_WSQFCCwj-LEJKW7UFrJk2sObL9upTT1DqKyfXYef4xH9hJVyZa2sLf0x7ADMN_ZQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="diy slide out drawer" width="550" /></a> Since the drawer is pulled out now you’re seeing the bottom part of the slide here. That part is covered when the slides are pushed back. I had a scrap piece of mdf I was planning on installing on top of the slides as my “drawer,” but I couldn’t figure out how to secure the two together. I couldn’t use screws because I couldn’t get to the bottom of everything, you know? I finally had an idea to use some heavy duty Velcro – I just stuck it to the top of each slider with the other part of the Velcro on top with the sticky side up. Then laid down my piece of mdf right on top, so the Velcro stuck to the bottom of it. Does that make sense? I hope! Here’s what I ended up with: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb1zVKKkRBN63MbUaZ10UweyUA6l8J-y1aSK-Lf3baWF-gO7Rdd1tOPzzWqtuM_XIz4MAzzcHx0EhXJjCioSENnojj11_tAqGo2QE4MyWs-VqpGZKffMkfOmSQKyuG1cVO0REz2TCt8I/s1600-h/Ikea-pot-lid-holder%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IKEA pot lid holder" border="0" height="714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mVltKc0BveRuSkTXj0r6myNt0ccqkYxbbzxkfR-WyP185RplP5idkFmteKp6trsrQj-0hAHIuCcHja3B7UGyG0Sgi00fsfMIUYqbWXvWueJ6VRpNIptSQQ_JCGfw01Cx2NjCqLKniMA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IKEA pot lid holder" width="450" /></a> The Velcro connects the mdf on top to the drawer slides underneath. It also makes it so I can take it off if needed (which I did have to do once) – but that Velcro is crazy strong. It’s a struggle to get it off! The reason I had to pull the wood board off was because the sides of it were scraping up against the screws that were used to put the island together on the sides of the cabinet. Just make sure you have plenty of clearance on each side before you install everything.  The expandable metal rack is really a <a href="http://m.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/art/70154800/">pot lid holder</a> from IKEA, but I use them for pans here (and plates in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/dining-room-pretty-organization.html">dining room built ins</a>): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDULNaIny2hdiXxTM2QQnYlKBJVy4ktQ_kDSqP7los54JOkwRCgj8CCVtMKLx7dIhS5axVDPvuqVW9tNF-1nTONW3gyc379ZOK7E_2d01QJfW5fK4TQwUP0tfm0O1uEeHGygBUFdpUAk/s1600-h/DIY-roll-out-drawer2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY roll out drawer organization" border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd30zcXedX72Kzmc14R3C3GFwj_pOJEziWHmJmrgNvH3qnSV9dd8873rpyhv2FFqrq43QV3k0XxSk03A4JGEEUpHB4AyudICLP2-h8w7Tm8HSiSLDDrsOHPAc59ChsD0XwuvdiUe_a180/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY roll out drawer organization" width="500" /></a> I didn’t want it to move around so I used some plastic holder thingamabobs to secure it to the wood. My last addition to this project was the handle I installed yesterday. I usually just pull it out by grabbing the IKEA organizer, but this will be much easier. My only purchase when I did this was the drawer slides – I had everything else on hand. So my version was $15 – much better than the $45 version. ;) Mine slides easily, even with all the weight of the pans on it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C_aNowEREFqRVUTDS7tomj59UgVDaX8XlO73dbMt0KuJbn2WthLoBHqm6fMtjXwLvfsIZ5GlohoolSL4NBdVAatoh3Wm9hTVz6D4Jpo4ZF7PuKOekHWrXUPlFv0X-uyMoBTlOpF4TKI/s1600-h/roll-out-drawer-in-cabinet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="roll out drawer in cabinet" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngQ0UWrkXUn_Bt5s1Fobq6gNu1e29wX69sDGFDYBsRx8PAcF1bERrA_BmdFV8XJuEIFMfwh-pu6zXQjx9jbguW9Vl1V1pLVtwphFgu__LJQLjCmiDHLD5vTUEE-G6lm2hCHFrAkNSF2Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="roll out drawer in cabinet" width="500" /></a> I forgot to mention – it pulls out SO far out of the cabinet:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYgluP5E3GDrRfy51DLmcpQjS2Q9iMY6dCW86iZr2Smm4A1oN-ba6Q2YF1EsBJGlX8WKICTU0lC7MdwFiS4K9zE0653GpuaO7Xw-rIDysHFF66G5baBO9KFCN0Mb2hAzcCMrg9V__hkw/s1600-h/header%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="do-it-yourself roll out drawer" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVaIoDtFiI0lAHZTLwghvQej3tGr7F9anwWKCj4SacI5tvD4fhaPrlLLnKeHaQIMvbQsalMSIYHGmCyhyphenhyphen__LBwooJrOhZt7fuLkHA5HuEksvagaTtyL6cduiXjaq6WjIPvcLtE4K-5h8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="do-it-yourself roll out drawer" width="560" /></a> Awesome!! (Ignore my ugly pans.) Oh and you’ll want to make sure your taller items are in front if you have that upper shelf inside the cabinet. Well there you go – my DIY roll out drawer. :) Sometimes when you want something bad enough you figure out how to make it work! Do you have any of these amazing contraptions (bought or DIY’d)? I love them – they make it so much easier to access everything in the cabinet!

DIY roll out drawer

Hey hey! Thanks for all the comments on my navy blue lamps . ;) Love them! Today I’m sharing a DIY I did a loooong time ago, but I added a...

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