2014 Toyota Tundra Preview
Like a Kid in a Candy Store

    Bear with me, here. Do you remember when Charlie Bucket went on the tour of Willy Wonka’s amazing chocolate factory? Remember all the choices and options there were? Lickable, flavored wall paper. Everlasting Gobstoppers. Chewing gum that packed a 3-course meal into one delicious treat. Then, at the end, there was the great glass elevator with hundreds of buttons that took you not just up and down, but sideways, and frontways, and diagonal, too. 
    I think Tundra’s designers took a cue from Mr. Wonka himself. Tundra is now offered in five trim levels, with a slew of options available within each grade. Flavored wallpaper (darn it) is not one of them. What is offered, however, is the opportunity for every Tundra consumer to get exactly the pick-up truck they need. With three engine choices, various cab configurations, and a host of bells and whistles, the American-built 2014 Tundra should give Ford, Chevy, and Ram a run for their money.
    I had a chance to take the 2014 Tundra for spin through Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I spent time behind the wheel of an SR5, a Limited, and a 1794 Edition Tundra.
    Toyota engineers listened to their customers when it came to designing this latest iteration of the 1/2-ton pick-up. Owners wanted a less bubble-like look and designers answered with stronger horizontal lines, a more chiseled body, and a front fascia that looks like it means business. The hitch connector was moved next to the license plate light, where it is both easier to see and access. The front bumper is now a 3-piece modular outfit, which should help out the guys who are always pulling something out of both the proverbial and literal ditch.
    Inside, soft-touch materials give the SR and SR5 versions a more refined feel. Leather options deck out the interiors of the Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. All trucks I tested were double cabs, which offered spaciousness and comfort; as well as plenty of room to stretch out in back. One innovative feature is the “tip-up” back seat, which sounds exactly like it is. When you need to secure something within the interior of the truck, the back seats tip up and out of the way, meaning lower load height and increased cargo capacity.
    The Tundra handled beautifully on hills, highways, and off road. The cabin remained quiet. It accelerated with little effort. Depending on which model you choose, the Tundra is capable of towing up to 10,500 pounds. I towed a 5000-pound trailer, and while it was a little slow to reach cruising speed, it did so easily and smoothly. It was absolutely no effort to steer, maneuver, or turn -- even on unpaved surfaces.
    The 1794 Edition is definitely the star of the line-up, though not any more or less capable than any of the other trim levels. Its name pays homage to the founding year of the ranch that the San Antonio Toyota Plant now calls home. With special badging, 20-inch wheels, and Lexus-quality leather, the 1794 Edition is a workhorse in show horse clothing. Toyota designers wanted the 1794 to reflect the truly American truck it is. The Tundra is designed, engineered, and built entirely in the U.S. and is mostly made from American-made components.
    With so many choices, features, and options, when it comes to the Tundra, you might just find yourself feeling like a kid in a candy store. Pricing ranges from $25,920 for SR to $47,320 for Platinum and 1794 Editions. 

2014 Toyota 4Runner

Happy Labor Day, everybody!
Have I mentioned that I like cars? Have I also mentioned that I sometimes get to write about cars? When you're taking care of house-related projects, you often find yourself in need of a reliable car to haul your project materials. Last week, I got to go to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to check out the new Toyota 4Runner. Here's my take:

2014 Toyota 4Runner Preview
The Can-Do SUV

    I can’t believe I’m typing this, but the mid-size SUV segment is shrinking. I’m talking about the solid, hard-core, high-riding, go-anywhere SUV. I mean, what happened? Wasn’t the mid-size SUV the bread and butter of the SUV world? Sure, they’re still out there, but in name only. Most of them have been transformed into unitized crossovers, great for getting to soccer practice, found in suburbanite garages all across America. But what about the rock climbers? The mud boggers? The mountain men (and women)? In other words, what’s left for the real adventurers?
    Though the segment may be shrinking, the new Toyota 4Runner is here to answer the call. I got a little taste test recently, during a whirl wind trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Set against the backdrop of the Grand Tetons, I was given a small peek at the can-do 2014 Runner.
    But first, a little history: the 4Runner first rolled off the assembly line in 1984. Since then, nearly two million units of this iconic SUV have been sold. Even more astounding, of those nearly two million, a whopping 75% of them are still on the road today. To say the 4Runner is the can-do SUV is just the tip of iceberg.
    I started out with an on-road test, driving a 4Runner Limited 4X2 in and around Grand Teton National Park. The first thing you notice when sitting behind the wheel is visibility. With a nearly vertical windshield and generously proportioned windows all around, the 4Runner offers that rare combination of ride height and nearly unobstructed views all around. The ride is solid and the cabin is quiet, with just the right amount of road feedback coming back at you through the easy-to-hold steering wheel. Handling feels good, though on gravel roads, the steering seems to loosen up somewhat. The 4.0-liter engine remains unchanged and offers plenty of get-up-go when you need/want it. The 4Runner does come equipped with a new trailer sway control, which used various sensors to detect and therefore suppress trailer sway -- which is a definite plus when towing high-profile trailers in windy conditions.
    Later, I was taken for a ride in a Trail edition 4X4 at the famous Diamond Cross Ranch. If the 4Runner is the can-do SUV, the Trail is the can-do SUV that takes names. We came in at angles steep enough to make your mother swoon -- especially with 2-3 wheels in the air. We pulled up muddy climbs. We rocked our way down jagged crags. Multi Terrain Select, a control knob located over the rearview mirror, allows the driver to input the type of terrain you are approaching. From slippery, muddy surfaces to rocks, dial the knob to select, and the 4Runner does the rest. There are also selectors for crawl control, vehicle skid control, and traction control. And should you decide you need to lock your rear differential, there’s a button for that, too. Needless to say, it would be mighty difficult to get this car stuck.
    4Runner’s new look is much more rugged, much more chiseled, with stronger, better defined lines. The 4Runner is offered in three design grades: SR5, Trail, and Limited. Within each grade is offered an array of options for both inside and out. Of note, my Limited 4X2 came equipped with automatic running boards, a feature to which I have always been partial.
    Inside, soft-touch materials abound, giving it a rugged, yet refined feel. Also new this year is the Entune entertainment system, featuring all the connectivity you could imagine, with apps like iHeartRadio and Pandora. However, I think the 4Runner itself provides plenty of entertainment without the electronic pomp.
    So yes, my first impression of the 2014 Toyota 4Runner is a good one. It’s the last body-on-frame design left in the segment. It looks tough, it’s strong, and it will go anywhere. It’s the can-do SUV.

For more information, visit www.car-data.com.

Back to School

If you're like me, you're probably asking me yourself, "Where did the summer go?" I took a little time off from house projects and blogging to do some other things. Like turning 40. And going to the movies. And submitting my novel to literary agents. And going on T.V. And going in search of the best shaved ice in Utah!

My kids went back to school yesterday, so I thought I'd share a little post on how we do lunch. My kids don't especially care for school lunch, and I would much rather send them off with something healthier (and cheaper) besides.

Have you noticed all the Bento-style lunches on Pinterest? I like them for two reasons:
1. They save us on all those plastic baggies!
2. Bento boxes allow us to get creative with what to eat for lunch - beyond a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

I found a couple of divided-compartment containers at Walmart last year, and while it has taken some time, my kids have gotten used to using them and are even having some fun coming up with things to eat for lunch.

Here's what my 9th grader took today:

She took some diced mango, pretzel sticks, and a chicken-bacon salad with grape tomatoes. When I was cooking dinner the other night, I grilled some extra chicken on my trusty little George Foreman grill, chopped it up, and stashed it in the fridge for lunch. This is actually the second day in a row she's asked for that salad!


And here's what my 5th grader took to school:

He took some diced mango, a mini multi-grain bagel with strawberry cream cheese spread, and hummus with baked pita chips. I've never seen a kid who loves hummus more than he does! Just FYI, Costco sells a box of 16 2-oz single serve packs for the same price as the 32-oz tub that never gets finished before getting all icky. Score!

I think the possibilities for bento-style lunches are pretty much unlimited. If you've got bento lunch ideas of your own, I'd love to hear them!

How To Paint a Door

Between the first and second floors of House No. 3, I have painted 12 doors so far! Pantry doors, laundry room doors, bedroom doors...doors, doors, doors!

With all of those doors, I have developed a technique that works for me. Some people like to remove the doors from the hinges, drive nails into the tops and bottoms, and use saw horses in the garage to paint them. I don't have that kind of time, patience, or space, so I leave the doors hanging right where they are. I usually end up painting 2 doors at a time. I paint the first coat on one door and then, while it's drying, I paint the first coat on the second door. Then, while that's drying, I put a second coat on the first door. You get the idea.

First, gather your supplies: you'll need a good brush (I can't stress the importance of a good-quality brush)! You'll also need tape, a smooth-surface roller, a paint tray, painter's plastic (to protect the floor) and of course, paint! I used semi-gloss.

My husband had already painted the trim, so then it was my turn to tackle the doors. Tape off the hinges and knobs.

I like to start out by painting the sides, rolling the paint on straight up and down.

Then I cover the horizontal parts.

Next, I move on to the middle of the door.

Take your brush and get into the grooves! I've found that if you really load it up with paint (not quite dripping -- but almost) you can get a really smooth look. Pull the brush straight down in one long stroke. If you run out of paint before you run out of door, reload and start about an inch above where you ran out. When I do it this way, I avoid brush/bristle marks in the paint.

Don't forget the sides! Keep a damp cloth handy to wipe off the hardware if you get paint on it -- and I always do! Once the first coat dries, go back and add a second coat.

I learned a neat little trick from the guys at the paint store. If you're done painting for the time being, simply wrap your roller and paint brush in plastic wrap. This is a great little time saver! It always takes me a good 10 minutes to wash everything out, so by doing this, I'm saving time and paint. When I unwrap them, they're good to go again. I've left them like this for as long as 24 hours and didn't have a problem.

Once you're all done, stand back and admire your handiwork!

The first door I did took me a few hours -- I'm a bit of perfectionist when it comes to painting. But once I got my own little system worked out, I cut that time significantly! Waiting for the coats to dry is the most time-consuming part, which is why I paint two doors at a time.

There are lots of ways and techniques on how to paint doors out there, but I hope you'll find this one somewhat useful! Let me know how it works out for you!

Homemade Salsa

One of  my favorite summertime (or anytime) snacks is chips and salsa. I especially love homemade salsa made with fresh tomatoes and cilantro! I'm sure there are as many versions of homemade salsa out there as there are fireworks for the Fourth of July. This is one I've made up over the years. It's really easy and so refreshing! By the way, I like chopping up everything by hand. I know you can make quicker work of it by using a food processor, but I prefer the way it all turns out hand-chopped.

First, dice up 3-4 fresh tomatoes. 

 Then, add  in 1/2 of a small onion, diced. If they're available, the Vidalia sweet onions are the best!

 Squeeze in the juice of one lime.

Add in some salt and garlic powder to taste. 

 Chop up a bunch of cilantro. Chop up a green chile (I forgot to snap a picture of that part).

Stir it up and enjoy!

Pinterest Monday: DIY Welcome Sign

Hi Everybody! I hope your Fourth was as fun as mine! I got to see my daughter perform in The Music Man, we spent time with friends and family, and we ate lots of good food! The highlight for me was celebrating our first Fourth at House No. 3! Is that a mouthful or what? Our back patio offers the perfect view for all the fireworks displays in the valley where we live, so the hubby and I pulled up some deck chairs, cuddled up under a quilt and watched the fireworks with the kids. Maybe next year I'll remember to snap a picture, but this year I was too busy enjoying the moment!

SO...It's another Pinterest Monday, and I thought I'd share something I made a while ago. I was inspired by this pin right here:

It's an easy project, as the instructions are simple to follow, and don't require a lot of tools beyond a saw and a drill. Here is what I did:

 

Yeah, I steal like an artist. I'm much better at taking an idea and making it my own, as opposed to coming up with an original idea. If you're skeptical of that philosophy, just think of all the Hollywood movie remakes out there! 

I'm really in love with all things turquoise lately. I like how it stands out, yet seems to go with everything! I added a crystal doorknob (purchased at Home Depot) instead of a hook, just to give it a little sparkle.

 

Above, you can see I spent some time distressing the paint with a little sandpaper. I slapped some green over the turquoise and then sanded it off to give it a really aged look. The fence post I used came with all those little marks already made -- I think they really add some character!

I was so pleased with the way it turned out, I made one for my mother-in-law for her birthday last year. So there it is. I hope this inspires you to take a project and make it your own! Remember, just steal like an artist!

A Patriotic Pinterest Monday

Hello, Everybody! If I haven't told you before, summertime is my absolute favorite! Sunshine, watermelon, and flip-flops -- what's not to love? With the Fourth of July coming up this week, I thought I'd share a pin in honor of the holiday.

And here is what it looks like after I printed it:

I printed them on regular, plain white paper and stuck them in frames from the dollar store. How nice of Martta over at HMH designs to offer these cute printables for FREE! What a quick, easy, and affordable way to add a little patriotic pride to your house this week! I will definitely have these on display in House No. 3 this week! Happy Independence Day!