RetroTread Installation Feedback

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At first we thought we could make what was underneath the carpet work and save the money from having to purchase the RetroTreads, which are $27.98 each at Lowes.  That did not work out!  After sanding for what seemed like forever and removing more carpet from the stairs, we realized there was too much damage to the existing treads.

After a little trial, error, and a Google search we were on our way to installing the RetroTreads!

CLICK HERE for the video tutorial we followed.

  These are the few things I noted that might be helpful to someone else embarking on the same project.  First off, you MUST remove the lip that is hanging over on your existing treads...do not think that you can skip this step and have the RetroTread look right.  Just ask my husband. ;)  Second, they tell you that you may need to install new risers.  We found that if we were careful about removing the lip and didn't damage the existing riser, we were able to skip that step.

Overall, we are beyond pleased with the result and like that the RetroTread already has the decorative molding on the edge, which our existing treads did not have.  However, it was definitely a little more involved than they make it seem on the packaging.  But really, what isn't?!

Recipe Review

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Tonight I tried a new recipe from Pinterest, called Bourbon Chicken.

It was easy, tasty, and the whole family gave it two thumbs up.  We added broccoli to our rice and topped with with the chicken and extra sauce.  Yummo!

CLICK HERE for step by step directions.

Bourbon Chicken

Time: 15 min. prep + 30-40 min. cooking time
Yield: 5 servings
Recipe from Big Oven via Pinterest

5 chicken breasts
2 T oil
1 t garlic
1/4 C apple or pineapple juice
1/3 C brown sugar
2 T ketchup
1 T apple cider vinegar
1/2 C water
1/3 C soy sauce
pinch red pepper flakes
1 T cornstarch

1. Cut your chicken into small 1-2 inch pieces with some kitchen scissors. 
2. Heat up a large skillet over medium high heat. Once it is hot, pour 2 T Olive Oil into it. 
3. Add your chicken pieces to the pan and let them cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. The chicken will start to get a bit juicy and bubbly. Put the lid on the pan, slightly tilted and drain the juices out into the sink. Return the pan to the stove top and continue cooking over medium high heat. 
5. Into a medium sized mixing bowl combine 1 t garlic, 1/4 C apple or pineapple juice, 1/3 C brown sugar, 2 T ketchup, 1 T apple cider vinegar, 1/2 C water, 1/3 C soy sauce, a pinch of red pepper flakes and 1 T cornstarch. Whisk it all together until the cornstarch is dissolved and all ingredients are well combined. 
6. When your chicken has a nice brown sear on some of the pieces...
pour the sauce into the pan. Stir it around to cover all the chicken pieces. 
7. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover the pan with the lid at an angle to allow some of the steam to escape. Let this baby simmer away for about 20 minutes, stirring a couple of times during the cooking period. 
8. Serve over white or brown rice. 

Stairway - After

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 Here are the pictures of the new stairway that I have been promising!  There are a few little finishing touches (trim) that need to be finished, but so far I am very happy with how they look.

 

This column at the end of the stairs is the one thing I most dislike about my house.  :(  Aside from thousands of dollars of structural changes...it's here to stay.

However, after I saw this picture on Pinterest, I got excited about trimming out the column with a woodwork treatment and painting it white.

Tomorrow, I will post the pictures I took of the install process and my tips/feedback on the using the RetroTreads.

Hello, How Are You Today?

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I know I promised pictures of the stairs...I haven't taken them yet.

Being Saturday, I don't see it happening today either!  Our grand weekend plans consist of cleaning out the garage.  First things first...the kids are watching cartoons, hubby is sleeping in after working overnight, and I am catching up on some tunes while I browse Pinterest.

I just heard this song from Mindy Gledhill and it was one that I just had to smile about.

We are huge James Bond fans in this house so I've been loving this song lately!

Lighting Issues

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This is definitely a first world problem...but I am having lighting stress!

The other day, my hubby took me to Home Depot.  He knows me all to well, for when I could not decide on which pendants I liked he bought one of each for us to take home and hold up.  Sigh...that's love.

While I like aspects of each light, I felt like none of them were exactly what I was really wanting.

Back to Home Depot to return the lights.

The online search began and I found what I was looking for on Amazon for $144.  More than I was wanting to spend.  However, for $96, there were two used, but like new, from Amazon Warehouse deals. No tax, free two day shipping...SOLD!  They came in ONE day!

However, when Todd went to install them today the socket on one was crooked and no amount of adjusting could fix the problem.  :(  So back in the mail they go and I am still at square one.

My sisters have affectionately dubbed me, Bessie, after my Grandma.  She was known to buy and return things many times before she settled on her choice!

  Honestly, I am getting a little frustrated with myself.  Lately, I can't make a decorating choice until I have exhausted every single option.  On the same hand, when you are spending your hard earned money on something you will have to look at every day for years...there's some pressure! lol  I am definitely a visual person and need to see everything together in the room, I am just glad my husband understands.  And it's ok, you can laugh at me...I have been laughing at myself a lot!

I won't even tell you about my couch issues today...

What about you, can you make decisions easily?  Can you visualize what something will look like in your home before you purchase?

Stair Project ~ Before

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My husband already had the carpet removed off half of the stairs before I could grab my camera! Here were our stairs with carpeting.

  Stay tuned tomorrow for the after picture and my review of RetroTreads.

Thinking About Staircases

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One of those home projects I mentioned the other day has been our stairway.

  We knew when we moved in that we eventually wanted to replace the carpet with wood treads.  We probably wouldn't have done it this soon, but I am ashamed to say that my kids had already gotten a bunch of spots on the carpet!  It just seemed easier to go ahead with the project now than cleaning the carpet...famous last words.

Anyway, I promise I will have more details on that later this week.

For now, I am debating how I would like to finish out the stairway wall.  I honestly don't know the correct term?!  Woodwork?

Here are several options I have seen on Pinterest and liked.

Planked wall ending halfway up the stairs, this is my favorite option...but I worry it is too trendy.  I must really like this though because I just noticed I pinned it twice!  heehee

variation on the plank wall, slightly more traditional look.

matching the slant of the staircase

matching the woodwork down the entryway walls

board and batten look

Nothing New

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We had a very uneventful Christmas vacation...which was fine by me!

I wish I had something thought provoking or interesting to share, but the last few weeks have involved lots of sleeping in and playing with new Christmas toys.  I hardly had the energy to drag my camera out for Christmas pictures, let alone any other pictures...

The kids are back to school today and I am happy to try and get back into a routine.  Hopefully in the coming weeks I can share a few of the small home changes we have been working on.  Isn't the new year just the greatest time to freshen things up?!  I hear a lot of people say they appreciate the clean slate, both in little stuff and deep life stuff.  I am no different!