America's Test Kitchen

I have to say this is my new favorite show. I know it's in the tenth season, and there is a 'Cook's Country' edition as well. Just a week ago I was given The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook. It includes every recipe from all ten seasons, plus equipment ratings, and taste testing as featured on the show.

I've made a handful of recipes from this cookbook so far, and let me tell you they've been amazing. Sure, some of them look like they may be a lot of work, but after making it once, somehow the time is cut in half.

My favorite recipe is the Baked Ziti so far. It's simple, delicious, and probably the only meatless dish I made that my husband loves (okay so he was raised on a hog farm).

You should try the book, or any of their others for that matter. America's Test Kitchen, along with their companion show, Cook's Country air on PBS.  

But that's a door!

I was looking for a coat rack after my last one broke. Well, the top broke, but we'll get to the bottom half later. So, that put me in the market for something crafty. I decided to visit my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

For anyone who doesn't know, this place is amazing. They are all over the country and growing. Their sales go directly to building houses for the Habitat for Humanity program. It's kind of like a thirft store with lots of furniture, building goods, and amazing things you thought you would only be able to get at Home Depot. They even have an online store now!

Thinking about what style of coat rack I wanted, I was looking through the Pottery Barn website and always admired the hallway coat racks with benches. I knew the bench style wouldn't work because I have a floor vent right in the middle of the wall, but I wanted the big wall part so there is plenty of room for big, chunky coats.  I found a solid wood panel closet door at the ReStore for $15. Amazing right? 

I took it home, sanded it (this was before I became privy to paint stripper) and primed it. I decided to hang this horizontally. I used a black latex paint and attached two L brackets to the top.

**Caution: This is a solid wood door, and it will have the weight of several winter coats. You will need to attach the door to wall studs so it does not fall off of your wall. That would be bad.**

There is also the hole for the door knob. My husband (who is much faster and safer with his power tools than I am) made a wood disk to fit in the whole. I then filled around it with wood putty, waited until it dried, and then sanded. Ah, I don't like sanding.

I also added a small ledge to the top of the door (added support for the L brackets) and for a small ledge to set sunglasses on. I bought 8 brushed steel coat hooks from the HD and attached those down the middle of the door. 

I had my husband help with hanging the door since it was a little heavy and also very bulky. We've had lots of compliments on it. When we're not in the winter, I hang my purse and rain jacket on it. Instant love.