Well my hair is the same color 
But I’ve had a lot of highs and lows today.
HIGHLIGHT
The entire crockpot pot fits in my extra long sink! This might seem like a small thing, but boy is cleaning easier when it’s not at a diagonal in a 2-compartment
I’m a’makin’ beans!
LOWLIGHT
Our couch did not fit 🙁 🙁 🙁
I am so very sad.
All that keeps coming to mind is “My parents went to Disney World and all they brought me was this big ottoman” shirts…
The couch was 88” long and just would not make the curves of the basement. Or down the stairs. HUGE bummer!!!!!!! Luckily Grand Home Furnishings rocks and they took it back to exchange for free (we knew this when we bought the couch from them because we knew the basement mighttttt be tight). So instead of an 88” long couch we are getting a 72” long loveseat. It’s slightly wider than our ottoman and should fit two for movie nights well. We just can’t have a third person join our marriage! [Actually we can because we do have the arm chair!] Loveseat should be arriving on Friday.
HIGHLIGHT
The steam mop did not ruin our laminate wood basement floors. WHEW!
LOWLIGHT
There was a huge spider that must have been a stowaway on the ottoman that I found just after they left.
HIGHLIGHT
Storage!!!!!!!!! SO many empty shelves to fill!
LOWLIGHT
Damaged wall from couch delivery
HIGHLIGHT
Getting numerous projects done. A clean inbox. A safe backup of KERF.
LOWLIGHT
Hitting my foot really hard on our steps : (
HIGHLIGHT
Sunshine and a nice warm day!
LOWLIGHT
Soggy next-day croutons that simply would not re-crisp
HIGHLIGHT
My new closet is being built!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
{Knock on wood} there is no lowlight associated with this project yet!
Next up is bookcases!
And now let’s end on a high – a delicious lunch salad!!
While I soaked my beans last night, I also soaked some wheatberries and boiled them this morning.
Once they were finished cooking, I drained them and topped with spinach to wilt
And tossed in some of this new oil – anything with rosemary wins my heart and this is one of the best-tasting, fruitiest olive oils I’ve ever had
I seared up some radicchio in the herby oil in a pot until it began to brown
And tossed that in
Plus bleu cheese crumbles and pecans
And a drizzle of maple syrup to balance the bitter radicchio [about 1/4 a cup accidentally poured in during the making of this photograph!]
Lastly, I tossed in one sliced apple! I have missed apples so much!! So glad fall season is here
Served up on a plate and we have a nice lunch salad that’s quick to access for lunches and side dishes all week long
Radicchio + Wheatberry Salad
Serves 4-6.
Mix and match any fruits, nuts or veggies you might like into this salad.
Ingredients
- 1 cup wheatberries, cooked
- 1 small head radicchio, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1/3 cup bleu cheese
- 2 tbsp herby olive oil (or olive oil + rosemary)
- Sprinkle of kosher salt
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Method
- Toss cooked wheatberries in a bowl with spinach, apple, pecans, cheese, olive oil, salt and syrup.
- Meanwhile, heat a pot to medium high and add radicchio and cook until brown.
- Toss together.
Served with a cuppa yogurt for some extra protein. Fig butter for dessert!
Have a highlightful day!
You have sunshine in C-ville? Very jealous! We’re on our second straight week of nothing but rain and clouds here in DC, just a little north of you.
I LOOOOOVE wheatberries! I really need to get my hands on some to throw into yogurts, oats and salads. I just adore their chewy texture 🙂
Sorry for the lows in your day but at least the highs were good ones!! It’s the absolute worst when furniture doesn’t fit…I totally feel for you. We’re moving this weekend and I have a strong suspicion we’re going to be the in the exact same boat with a lot of our stuff!
You salad looks delish! I bet it taste wonderful with the Rosemary, Garlic & Herb oil. Sounds like a great pairing with the radicchio in the salad.
Sorry to hear the couch didn’t fit. But looking forward to new house updates. Loving your style. 🙂
Eww….spiders. I was looking for it in your pictures. 🙂
I love your new closets! Wow! I’m afraid to go to IKEA. (haha) I would want so many things.
I was wondering if a steam mop would work on the fake stuff! Our apt advertised wood floors, but it’s def not real wood…I’ve been wanting to get a steam mop, but wasn’t sure if the steam would cause damage.
So sad that the couch didn’t fit!
I am glad I know that steam mops do not ruin the floors. We have laminite flooring.. and need a better way to clean them. What kind of steam mop is it?
I have a Shark Vac then Steam. Works wel!
That salad looks so fresh and yummy! I am not good at creating salads. 🙂
Ah life…a rollercoaster.
Ughhh hate when that happens to the corners of the walls!!
I think I am so creative with salads until I read about some of yours. All those flavors sound great. I’ve never thought to cook radicchio, thanks for the ideas.
Funny enough while on my drive home from school this afternoon, I found a spider on my neck!!!!!! Once I flung it down onto the floorboard, I had to ride with my left foot up in my seat b/c I didn’t know where it had gone. As soon as I arrived home, I jumped out of my car & looked for it & was thankfully able to get it out. Ick! On a HIGHLIGHT (=]), your post & lunch, as always were awesome!!! =D
ahhhh!
Wow your house is coming along sooo well. It’s beautiful, Kath! Sorry to hear about the couch not fitting and the subsequently beatup wall from the failed attempts. I have actually had both happen. With a california king mattress.
The wheatberry salad looks delish too!
I just love how your house is coming along! You all are doing such a nice job! That salad looks fantastic! Happy Tuesday!
Kath, where did you get your printed chairs and couch? I love them!
They were inherited from Karen from the 90s 🙂
What a fun post! I am glad you had MORE highlights 🙂
I love spinach in salads!!
Such a cute post 🙂 Bummer about the sofa, at least you are getting a new one!
I am glad that you were able to take the sofa for exchange – it’s a bummer when things don’t fit, though! I love your ottoman!
You have to have the “lowlights” so you can appreciate the “highlights” so much more. 🙂
That’s such a happy salad.
Yay for all the highs!! Huge bummer about the couch, but who needs a 3rd person in the marriage anyway? hehe I’m sure the loveseat will be great.
LOVE your finished basement! That is primo 😀
Your salad is calling my name! It looks outta this world good. I love all the highlights and lowlights. Such a fun post 🙂
Man, it’s such a bummer when furniture doesn’t fit. It’s definitely best not to force it though– we knocked off a pretty sizeable chunk of wall when we were trying to get our bed into our bedroom in our old house!! Whoops!
The lowlights in our lives just help us appreciate the highlights even more! 🙂
Love that salad idea.. so creative 🙂 I tend to steer clear of really bitter greens but I really love your maple syrup tip. I will have give it a go! I bet the maple syrup was heavenly with the blue cheese crumbles 🙂
I do not think I have ever had radicchio.
I am always looking for a new, awesome olive oil, and will have to add this one to my to-try list.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Oh I would love one big sink!! Small two compartment ones are really inconvenient.
That salad recipe looks amazing! Just like the weather outside 🙂 I am having similar weater and LOVING it!
Where did all your wire shelving come from? Suitable for heavy loads?
Lowes and absolutely!
I needs to try wheatberries, they look amazing 🙂
hi kath i like your food and i like your place so mush
Bummer on the couch! (And the matching damaged wall…) Here’s to an evening of highs to make up for it! 😉
here’s hoping ther highlights outweighed the low lights! It certainly looks like a productive day 🙂
I did a lot of research on the steam mops.. I have engineered hardwood flooring. They’re hard wood glued to fake stuff that allows them to snap together. Mine aren’t sealed… meaning the cracks between the floorboards aren’t sealed shut. I purchased the house with the floors installed. Most mfgs say NOT to use the steam mop because the heat and steam can get in between the boards and warp the stuff underneath. So I would use caution with the steam mop if the floorboards aren’t sealed together.
I do have a steam mop and have used it on the floors, but I only do so like once every 6 months or so. Most the time I use a hardwood laminate spray and swiffer-like mop with a washable microfiber cloth..most mfgs recommend this.
Oh dear. I will just be conservative!
OH I hate spiders! I always scream and run away! I love the chair that is in your basement and the curtains to your storage shelves!
Ha, I just posted my own highlights and lowlights yesterday and yelled at the red squiggly line telling me that “lowlights” isn’t a word. It definitely is.
wow looks awesomely yummy!!!! 😉
Did you guys chose that green paint color? I love it and would love to know the name of it!
Thanks!
Yep – it’s a look alike of Benjamin Moore Veranda View
Highlight: Pizza for lunch (yes, really).
Lowlight: Class from 7-9:30. Grad school needs to be over, like, now.
I’m addicted to apple butter. I imagine fig butter could match it – good thing it’s not available here!
I love how bright your house is..even the basement/lower level!
I feel your pain, Kath! My boyfriend and I had a couch delivered and we encountered the exact same problem. I was so sad to send it back because it was such a nice couch–we still haven’t had a chance to go pick out another one!
well, you should feel good about yourself because I am eating YOUR kale chip recipe (complete with the catchup!) with spaghetti squash (with butter, tomato sauce and shaved parm) – two things I wouldn’t have ever considered dinner until reading your blog. You are just stellar at the old blogging thing! I had highs and lows today too… it must be in the air!
😉
Wheatberries are my favorite. I just found a hidden plastic bag of them in the pantry. I thought for the longest time they were steel cut oats from a quick glance and then just realized they were wheatberries! So excited to have some on hand now for quick salads. They have the best chew factor 🙂
I love that room!!! The little amount of furniture actually makes it super comfy looking!
Ack, spiders are NOT OK! I would have freaked out. Julia & bugs do not get along….
You’re house is so pretty. Please come to mine and decorate for me, thanks! 😀
I am so jealous of your basement storage area! I’m one of those “special” people who get overly excited about organizational knick-knacks and spaces. Love yours!
I’m excited about fall apples too! I just had a really similar salad. Fennel, blue cheese, pecans, arugula, red onion and lovely EVOO with a truly delicious balsamic vinegar. The radicchio sounds so amazing though. I have to try it next!
What a beautiful lunch. I love wheatberries, and don’t think of cooking them up as often as I should.
Glad to hear your steam mop worked on the laminate wood floor. We are moving into a house that has that same flooring in the living room next month. I LOVE my steam mop, and would hate to not be able to use it. Yay!
~
Your basement looks so light and airy! Very rare for a basement, how nice! Where did you find your fig butter? That sounds delish. 🙂 Maybe it’s easy to make too? Have a fabulous day!
It’s Trader Joe’s – was a blog reader gift
That’s too bad about the couch, but you seemed to have some really great highlights! And that salad lpoke like heaven, I’m practically drooling over my phone on the bus home.
that salad looks fantastic! do you find that the oil/maple dressing makes the soggy salad while you use it up during the week… or is it light enough that it stays fresh? this is a perfect make-ahead fancy-ish lunch!
Since it’s not a lettuce-based salad, it seems to be fine
What a nice bright basement you have…love the light oaky wood flooring throughout the house. And, awesome food photography…your salad creation looks positively yum! Wishing you a “highlightful” eve too, Kath!
I am just so amazed you guys were able to buy this beautiful house
during the same year you opened a new business-that is pretty
unheard of for a young couple like you!
Won’t ask how you did it,but I am a wee bit jealous for sure!
Happy housewarming!
I wish I had your eye! The house looks great! Here’s to more highlights for you guys. 🙂
haha had to laugh at the third person joining the marriage. I think a loveseat will look just perfect in that location! I’m just in awe of the finished basement I think it will look gorgeous once all put together.
I’ve had a few spiders in my lower level too. Its the time of year *gasp*. I actually had a professional come and spray for them today but found out shortly after he left that he used Suspend SC which is available on Amazon for 1/3 the cost of what he did today.
Why am I poisoning the earth? Because the spiders I find are large enough to have personality. I think the other-day one of them asked me if I was going to finish my sandwich.
Have you thought about buying a sofa that you could assemble in the basement?–like an Ikea sofa perhaps? Not sure if that still wouldn’t fit in deconstructed form down the stairs…
Yeah, but we really wanted something that was really, really comfy with a very deep seat and a big ottoman…hard to find!
Awwww, that is sooooo sad about the couch! I can totally relate to the lowlights and highlights today… my lowlight was a rug that I’m in love with on overstock sold out 🙁 highlight was my barney butter arriving! 🙂
Your lunch looks gorgeous! Shame about the couch though. I’d be super excited about the closet though, looks perfect!
cool basement!
I love the closets! That’s one mistake we made when buying our house, not enough closet space! I love,love, love your basement!!
I love the optimism behind this post- glad you can see the silver lining!
I love reading your blog for healthy eats inspiration. I have some wheatberries in my freezer. I just might have to find a way to enjoy them today!! The new house looks amazing!! I feel inspired to organize mine, too 🙂
We had the couch problem at our old house. We ended up buying a couch that the back came off in 3 sections. The two outside seats recline too.
Love your new home – Where oh where did you find the amazing curtains covering your storage racks??????????????????????/
Lowes!
Thank you!!! (she types, grabbing her keys and heading to the car…)
I love the highlight vs. lowlights, and love that there are more highlights than lows! Bummer about the couch (and the spider), but hopefully that means there’s a BETTER couch in the future!
We’ve got lots of bookcases from IKEA and they go together really well once you get the hang of it. Very sad about the couch…darn stairwells/hallways in basements!
That salad looks delicious!
Where is your closet? In another room? In California there are not many houses that have basements. This may be a dumb questions, but if you and Matt are downstairs watching tv, can you hear someone knocking at your front door?
It’s in the master bedroom.
If the TV is loud, then no, but if it’s not we can. We always keep that door locked though
MMM that salad looks AMAZING!