DIY - Pretty bedside table lamps

Recently I decided that I wanted to redo my bedroom. Actually I wanted to move my bedroom into one of the larger downstairs bedrooms but the idea of feeling like I was in the basement was not one I relished. However, after 6 months of tiny bedroom I'd had enough and decided I would find a way to move downstairs and like it.

The first thing was to pick some wall color that was bright but not too feminine since I didn't want to un-man my husband every time he hit the sack. 

I decided on teal with a dark grey accent wall. I have a teal and white flowered summer bedspread, and a grey and white winter duvet so it seemed like an inexpensive choice as far as accessories go. That was until I priced out bedside lamps (a must have if you need to pee in the middle of the night and your room is in the basement). 

I swear, lighting (at least really nice lighting) could potentially cost you your first born child! I was flabbergasted! So I took it upon myself to build my own.

It started with finding these great fantastic blue tinted glass jugs (they likely hold 2 gallons each). I found them at JSk for $16.00 each. 

Then I went over to Home Depot and picked up the DIY light kits ($17.00) as well as a glass and tile drill bit (this is important to have if you don't want your glass base to break).

Then I picked up 50 bags of glass pebbles and marbles from the dollaramma and some silk daisies ($55 altogether)

The shades are from Walmart and were $15.00 a piece.

I also had hot glue and my trusty glue gun.

To construct:

1. Drill a hole using the glass drill bit near the bottom of the jug. You must keep the bit wet (I had my dad drill the holes while I sprayed water from a squirt bottle at the bit). You must start on a 45 degree angle when you drill and straighten out to 90 degrees.

2. Fish the wire (from the lamp kit) through the hole and up through the top of your jug. Once you've done that put the lamp kit together and test it before you move on. Don't seal your jug yet, just leave the lamp bits loose for now.

3. Fill your jar with pebbles & marbles, finish off with your silk flowers on top.

4. Hot glue the top of the lamp to the bottle. I had to do 3 rounds on each to keep it secure. Do the first round holding the top in place until the first round is dry. Then pull the wire from the bottom so the wire it tight inside and do 2 more rounds of hot glue to ensure its secure. 

5. Once the glue is dry put your lampshades on and your set to go!

Cheesy Vegetable (Jalapeno) Soup

The cold weather always makes me want to eat warm comfort type foods. In particular casseroles and soups! With the ridiculous cold we've had I have been cranking up the heat in my food with Jalapeno's and other spicy type things and this recipe that I made up really hit the spot. 

Hope you like it as much as we did! 

Ingredients

4 large potatoes (cut in 1 inch cubes)

1 large onion (chopped)

4 jalapeno peppers (cored & chopped)

2 cups of sliced mushrooms

1  28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 500 g brick of cheddar cheese (grated)

1 jar of classico sun-dried tomato pesto sauce

4 tsp chicken stock

4 cups of water

2 cups of milk

1/3 cup of cornstarch

1 Tbsp. butter

In a Large pot (mine is a 16qt pot but you could use half that size) melt butter and sauté onions until clear.

Add Potatoes, water, chicken stock, canned tomatoes and half the jalapenos bring to a rolling boil and cook until the potatoes are tender

Then add cheese (stir until melted)

Mix milk and cornstarch together then pour into the soup and add mushrooms

Cook over low to medium heat (stirring occasionally to ensure the soup doesn’t burn)

Soup is ready when the mushrooms are cooked to your liking

Best Ever Meat Loaf!!

2 lbs hamburger
5 strips of bacon (cooked and chopped)
2 strips of bacon (cooked and left in strips)
1 Tbsp of olive oil 
1 sml onion (diced)
3 stalks of celery (finely chopped)
½ a green pepper (finely chopped)
½ cup of mushrooms (finely chopped)
1 Tbsp of minced garlic
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
2 eggs
2 cups of bread crumbs
1. Saute in oil - onion, green pepper, celery and mushrooms till soft and onion is almost clear
2. Mix hamburger, chopped bacon, sautéed vegtables, mushroom soup garlic, eggs and breadcrumbs together and place in bread pan
3. Put the 2 strips of bacon on top
4. Place in preheated oven (350 degrees) and bake for 2 hours