Painted Granite Countertops

A few months ago, Giani offered me the opportunity to try their countertop painting kit.  I jumped at the chance!  While I want to replace my kitchen countertops with true granite, the counters in our upstairs bathrooms will likely never get replaced.  They're not even on the project list.  They're not terrible but they're plain and they have a few marks and they're just not great.  Giving them a granite look sounded like a fun update.

When my kit arrived, I read through the directions and I was quite surprised at how simple it all sounded.

I had expected something rather complex and was happy to learn it wasn't a process requiring insane amounts of brainwork or time.  Everything was laid out very clearly and the individual paint cans were all well labelled.

I chose to paint my countertop in Sicilian Sand.  I scrubbed the countertop {I guess you can't paint over gobs of toothpaste left by young children} then taped the counter edges.

My sink and countertop are all one piece but I just chose a line around the edge of the sink and taped it off.  I have to admit, I was a bit worried about how that might look in the end but, as you'll see, it looks fine.

The biggest surprise in the entire process came when I opened the can of primer.  I wasn't expecting black primer and I may have panicked just a little.  However, I painted it on and decided there was no turning back.

I allowed much more than the recommended drying time between each of my layers, mostly because I was working around the schedules and routines of seven people.  Still, I decided more drying time was much better than less and allowed ample time.
Once the primer was dry, I started sponging on my colors.  The kit included three different colors, two that were applied in large amounts, and one that was applied very sparingly, just to add a small amount of accent color.

The sponging was fun and also a bit hard for a person {like me} who likes exact processes.  I dabbed the colors on and just continually kept at it until I got the final appearance I wanted.  Getting into the corners and curves proved a bit tricky.  I cut the sponge into small pieces as recommended but still found it a bit tough to get right into the edges.  Still, once finished, I think it looked fine.

The final step is a topcoat that seals it.  Easy to apply and it added a bit of a sheen, which I liked.

The difference in my bathroom is huge and I'm so pleased with the look of the painted countertop.  So pleased that I plan to do Kennedy's bathroom counter with my leftover paint.  It really is a fun and affordable solution to a plain or ugly countertop.
What do you think?  Would you ever paint your countertops?
*see my blog disclosure

Cookie of the Month :: Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

We're more than halfway through February ... time to get baking my Cookie of the Month.  It would really be bad if I messed it up in the second month, wouldn't it?

This month I made Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies.  February is like a month of chocolate overload and I decided to go with it.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip CookiesFrom Aces Makes 3 dozen
1 3/4 cups flour3/4 teaspoon baking soda1 cup butter1 teaspoon vanilla1 cup sugar1/2 cup packed brown sugar1 egg1/3 cup cocoa2 tablespoons milk1 cup chocolate chips {I used a combination of dark chocolate chunks and mini chocolate chips}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour and baking soda.  Set aside.  Cream butter, add vanilla and sugars.  Beat until fluffy.  Beat in egg, then cocoa, then milk.  Mix in flour until just blended.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheets and bake for 12 minutes.  Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet.

The Color Run

This morning I ran my first 5K!

Last year, I decided it was time to start working out and get back in shape.  At the beginning of the summer, I started running and doing weights, dropped about thirty pounds, and ended up in the best cardio shape I've been in for a while.  Maybe ever.

Although I've never run a race of any kind, I decided this year I'd like to run a 5K.  A number of my friends signed up to run The Color Run and it sounded like a lot of fun.

This morning we headed down to Fair Park {downtown Dallas} for the race.  We started out with white shirts ...

... but after being nailed with a different color at every kilometer ...

... we finished like this.

My personal goal was to run the entire 5K.  This particular race made that a bit difficult since everyone walked through the color stations and there was no way to run through them but I ran every bit that I could and ended strong.

At the end, they celebrate with a color storm ... all the participants throw bags of powder up in the air.  We celebrated among our friends with our own little color storm.

It was such a fun morning and I'm already thinking about the next 5K.

Playing with Food {and a Giveaway}

Yesterday, Tate's little friend, Jacob, came over.  Remember our last Earth's Best playdate?  I decided to put out some Earth's Best snacks again and this time I encouraged them to play with their food.

When Tate saw the snacks she said, "Elmo!".  Those Earth's Best folks know who they're selling to, huh?

I served Organic Fruit Yogurt Smoothies in a mix of flavors, Organic Snackin' Fruit Rings {banana ... yum!}, and Organic Yogurt Rice Crisp Bars.  The Yogurt Smoothies are popular in my house.  Made from organic fruit and real organic yogurt, they're an excellent source of calcium for those growing bones.  Each serving provides one full serving of fruit and, although my kids like them best when they're cold, they don't require refrigeration so they're great for school lunches or a mess-free snack in the car.

This was our first time trying the Yogurt Rice Crisp Bars and they were really delicious.  I may have munched away on a few snacks while the kiddos played.

Alongside the Snackin' Fruit Rings, I also put out a few chenille stems and encouraged the little ones to string the rings while snacking.  Just working on those fine motor skills.

Tate loved stringing the rings ...

... but Jacob just wanted to eat them.

Want to eat some too?  You'll have to buy your own Snackin' Rings but Earth's Best is giving one of my readers the chance to try their Organic Fruit Yogurt Smoothies.  Is your baby too young for smoothies?  You can win an Infant Puree Pouch Sample Package instead.
To win, leave me a comment telling me whether you'd like to try Yogurt Smoothies or Infant Puree.  That's it.  Easy, huh?
I'll draw a winner using random.org on February 25th, 2012, and announce it here.
In the spirit of full-disclosure, I've partnered with Earth's Best as part of the "Earth's Best Blogger" program.  Throughout the year I'll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways, and promotions.  However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

An Etsy Shop Blog Swap

I am thrilled to be swapping blogs with Randi today!    Not only is she one crafty momma but also a truly kind and lovely person.   And she makes me want to learn to knit ~ I mean really?!!  How fabulous was her Upcycled Market Bag?

I'm Heather and I blog over at Twin Dragonfly Designs.

Today Randi and I are sharing highlights from our Etsy Shops with you!  Stop by my blog to learn more about Randi's shop.

I would love to have you visit Twin Dragonfly Designs on Etsy!

In my shop you will find:

 Custom Party Murals

 Friendly Monster Dolls

and my latest edition,

Crochet Coffee Cozies.

I am always open to custom orders.  

Almost anything that you see on my blog can be re-created just for you!

I would love for you to follow my learn-to-crochet journey on Facebook 

or stop by to check out my weekly Linky Party. 

Thanks for the swap Randi!  

Have an awesome day!

Thanks for sharing your shop, Heather!  I hope you'll go check it out.  And stop by Heather's blog while you're at it ... she's got some fun Canadian, twin-loving stuff going on over there!

A Simple {and Lovely} Breakfast

When I saw this cute cocoa and toast post at Jacolyn Murphy the other day, I loved it!  It made me think how cute heart shaped toast would be sitting on a mug of scrambled eggs.  What a great breakfast to serve before a special day at school or on a birthday or anniversary.  And it's so quick to make that it won't even cause a glitch in the schedule.

To make eggs in a mug:  whisk together two eggs, a dollop of milk or cream {my dollop is about 1-2 tablespoons}, and salt and pepper to taste.  You could get adventurous and stir in a bit of cheese or even a bit of flavored cream cheese.  Microwave for one minute {this may vary depending on your microwave}.
While the egg is cooking, pop a piece of toast in the toaster.  Once toasted, use a heart shaped cookie cutter to shape it, then cut a small rectangle out of the bottom so it can sit on the cup.

A hearty breakfast for the ones you love the most.

I'm linking to Every Creative Endeavor, Sassy Sites, Tatertots and Jello

A Knit Robe for a Doll

My latest knitting project is finished and I love the way it turned out.  As a birthday gift, I knit a little robe and slippers for Lila's American Girl.  The pattern came from the book Fun-to-Knit Doll Clothes, a book my mom owns.  I was really impressed with the pattern ... it knit up easily but had fun little details to it.  Perfect evening knitting.

The slippers are my favorite part.  Aren't those pom poms just too cute?

I can't wait to give it to Lila but I have a bit more birthday creating to do first.

I'm linking to Nifty Thrifty Things