Designer's Challenge

I need some decorating help here. So all 3 of you that read this blog, let me know what you think:
I want to put some curtains in our bedroom. Not so much for privacy or light, but I just think they'd look nice. I was looking at the latest issue of Southern Living and I got curtain envy. What can I say?
Here's my problem...there is a window and a set of french doors with a transom. I want to put curtains on both. I want them to be a little above the actual window/door frame by a few inches. If I do that, I need curtains approximately 98 inches long. In my brief curtain shopping experience, They only come in 63, 84 and 95 inches. Do I go with the 95 inch and let them be short a few inches? Do I go with the 95 inch and add on some fabric myself? You know me...I am not paying for custom made curtains.

So, what do you think?

Le Gourmet Cracker Barrel

Taking a break from the visiting in-laws for a little bit. This time it's Steve dad, his step mom and her granddaughter here from IL. It's been a pleasant enough visit so far(all 48 hours of it), but they are just different. Even Steve thinks they are so don't go accusing me of being biased against the in-laws. They are nice people, but just...different. Case in point:
1. They considered stopping to eat at Cracker Barrel on the drive here, but step mom said it was expensive and so dad turned right around. Cracker Barrel!
2. The never heard of this "Rue 21" store and thought they'd check it out. To me, it's a teeny-bopper store and they have nothing for me. The in-laws loved it! They got $2, $3, and $4 items and are excited to find out they have one back home!
3. They've also never heard of capers, drinking bottled beer or putting chicken on pizza. OK, the part about the beer was an exaggeration, but they joked about buying a case of bottled beer, because that would be a splurge!

Slacker Cleaning

Now that I am unemployed, the first thing to go were the house cleaners. Steve was quite brutal, in my opinion. My last program day (last day with kids but not last day of work) was on a Tuesday. By Thursday, Steve had cancelled the services of the two lovely ladies that had been coming every two weeks to clean. So that jobs belongs to me again! I don't hate cleaning, I just hate making time to clean and having the energy to clean. That's all.
But here's a slacker tip for you...If you're like me there is constantly hair all over the bathroom floor. Sure you could hall out the vacuum but why bother? Most of us own and love our swifters! Really, this a fabulous product I have owned since they probably came out. The problem: those refills tend to run out and they aren't exactly cheap. My solution: used dryer sheets. Simply lay one on the floor and put the swifter head on top of it (mine are not big enough to "lock into" place, so just the pressure of pushing it around makes it stay under the head). Ta-da! It may not pick up the bigger pieces of trash/dirt, but it does a super job of getting up the hair! And last time I checked, I have plenty of used dryer sheets and hair.

Oops! I did it again

I swear, somebody take my temperature! I must be ill! This is what I made for lunch today:
An Asian salad very similar to what you'd get in a restaurant. It's lettuce, bagged coleslaw, canned mandarin oranges, chow mien noodles, Asian sesame dressing and chicken nuggets! It was very good. And the best part? It was all stuff I had on hand! When you live out in the sticks, you don't want to drive to the grocery store unless you have to (ie: beer run).
I also wanted to mention that I tried another version of the peach enchiladas. I don't keep soda on hand (see earlier mention RE: grocery store) and found another recipe that omits the soda, but uses water instead. It wasn't quite as golden, crispy on top, but still VERY GOOD! And I also use less butter, sugar and soda than

it calls for, but whatever suits your taste.

All this has pointed me in a new direction for my blog. I'll still tell you about things we've done or rant on my family once and a while, but I thought I'd do a little more lifestyle stuff: cooking, decorating, cleaning... all that good housewife stuff since I am officially unemployed now!

Stayed tuned and let me know what you think.

Call me Betty Crocker

Something must be wrong with me. Last week I made super-good shrimp and grits and there was enough to feed a small army! Then last night I made delicious banana bread and tonight I'm making peach enchiladas(pictured below)!
Please don't tell Steve. He's out of town and I don't want him to get the wrong idea...you know, that he'll think I actually plan to cook on a regular basis.