The makings of a Gallery Wall

This post has literally been saved in my blog for a month. I have had half of the wall put together and it is just not turning out the way I wanted. It looks tired and not what I had in mind for the space at all.

I don't hate it, but I don't love it. I am frustrated that I spent time and money making this wall into something that I am not in love with walking by. Good news is a lot of the things were free, and in a color scheme that I do like, so it won't go completely to waste.

This is what I am thinking now.

Either stenciling on the whole wall 



Source:http://ourcitylights.org/2011/09/for-love-of-failing.html

Source:

 http://www.firsthomelovelife.com/2013/01/an-impatient-diyers-shortcut-to-stenciling.html

Or Stripes

 Source:

http://sidebysideblog.blogspot.com/search/label/home?updated-max=2010-11-19T09:00:00-05:00&max-results=20

Or  just a cluster of matching clean frames

 Source:

 http://interiors-designed.com/2013/06/27/use-michaels-5-12x12-frames-i-think-they-call-them-record-album-frames-black-and-white-photos-and-you-could-even-cut-12x12-scrapbook-paper-for-the-mat-effects/

What are your thoughts? I am leaning towards the stenciling. I have next weekend off of work, so I am hoping we can decide what to do by then, and get this area finished!

Menu Monday 11/11

Monday
Leftover Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
I adapted this Skinny Taste recipe. Basically the only thing I did different was add ground turkey and a jar tomato sauce instead of homemade. It was more of a baked pasta type dish instead of lasagna, but overall it was really yummy, and I am excited to eat it again tonight

We also got a new HUGE crock pot this weekend, Dan already put it to use making some pork and veggies. The other pictures are from my spaghetti squash adventure, they do not do it justice. I should have taken a picture after it was all bubbly after coming off of the broiler! Also, I did not like this sauce. I usually get Newman's Sock-a-rooni, but they were out. The peppers were good, but the sausage was very odd. I am glad we used our own ground turkey instead.

Tuesday
Beer Can Crock Pot Chicken
I am not drinking beer, so I might as well eat it. Something like that. I am following this recipe and adding some garlic, and to be extra special we are using some of the beer we brewed awhile back. I hope this turns out well.

Wednesday
Shrimp and Veggies

Thursday
Salmon Burgers
Our local grocery store has pre-made meals, and salmon burgers are one of them. We have been looking at getting them for a couple of weeks now, so I am pretty excited to try it out!

Friday
Pork Chops with Apples, Onions, and Spinach
This is a Dan speciality, I will post pictures afterwards, it is great!

First Timer: Egg White Muffins

I am starting to get bored with my breakfast options on my new nutrition program. I had just been microwaving two egg whites and a whole egg. But, I am not sure if you have ever microwaved eggs, but they stink, and children have no tact. Nobody wants to be the stinky teacher.

In comes egg white muffins. There are tons of recipes all over pinterest for this, but I chose this blog to base my recipe off. The best things about this is you can customize them however you want. You can make 12 different muffins if you want to.

We used chicken sausage from Trader Joes, and just removed the casings to make it easier to put into muffin cups. I also sauteed the spinach with the sausage to help the flavor. I had trouble putting raw spinach into the cups, so that made it easier.

Then we added the ingredients to the muffin cups. I used cupcake liners to make clean up easier, and add a little color, We added a little salt and pepper to each cup as well.

We also made some veggie cups with green and red onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Dan added some hot sauce to his, and I added a smidge (technical term) of cheese to mine.

The recipe called for two egg whites (three table spoons). I measured the first one out and then just eye balled it for the rest of the cups. Basically you just fill them like you would a regular muffin or cupcake.

Finished product!

REVIEW:

Lindsey: FINALLY, a wonderful, easy breakfast. These microwaved up so easy the next morning (and didn't smell) and they were delicious. I had two and it was the perfect size. I actually liked the ones with jalapeno in them, they cooked up nicely, and I usually do not like spicy things. I know these are going to be a weekly thing, because they were so easy and could be completely different each time.

Dan: The egg white muffins are pretty good reheated. I had the two veggie ones for breakfast, and honestly should have brought more. The jalapenos were pleasantly potent.

Menu Monday 11/4

 

Welcome to another super boring version of menu Menu Monday! Things are going well with my diet, I am thinking I am getting into the swing of things with everything. Never mind eating out and drinking last night, we won't talk about that.

Monday

Chicken and Veggies

Tuesday

Sweet Chili Salmon with Veggies

http://www.kitchenwitchmaven.com/2011/03/keeping-it-simple-salmon-in-sweet-chili.html

I plan on making the recipe as it us called for except for ginger. I forgot it at the store, and am not going back!

Wednesday

Lemon and Garlic Chicken

http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2012/06/easy-roasted-lemon-garlic-picnic-chicken.html

Using chicken breast, but looking forward to this one!

I only have a menu through Wednesday because my menu may change at any moment, and buying fresh meat and seafood is hard in advance. I guarantee the rest of the week will consist of a protein and a vegetable.  I am going to try to focus on making my recipes a little more exciting by adding seasonings so that I do not get burned out on what I am making. 

I also have a first timer post tomorrow,  egg white muffins!