A Quick and Easy DIY Cork Board

Since I posted about my inspirations for making over my home office space here I've been very motivated and focused to get the process started.  So far I've managed to collect the artwork I plan to hang, and I believe I may have finally found my storage solution (that will be saved for a later post though).  As I have been contemplating the functionality of this space, and planning the wall arrangement for my artwork and photos I realized I could really use a cork board on the wall as well to keep important items in plain sight.  I needed a long and skinny one, however, to hang just above the desk, but below everything else.  I searched around online and could not find anything quite the right shape or size.  

With inspiration from this Pottery Barn organization collection, as well as this Young House Love post in the back of my mind I realized I could easily make exactly what I wanted myself.  

I found the same 4 pack of square cork boards at Target used in the YHL post for about $7.  I also luckily had an old long, skinny, white picture frame hiding in the back of one of my closets, unused for several years.

I removed the mat and the glass from the frame.  Then, using the backing as my template I marked my cork squares to the correct width.

I could not find an exacto knife in my home, so I used regular scissors to cut the cork, which worked just fine.  I would recommend an exacto knife, though, if you have one for a cleaner cut.

I then placed the cork pieces inside the frame, and used the adhesive squares that came with the pack to adhere the frame backing.

And then VOILA!  An attractive, functional, custom cork board is born!

I still need to actually hang it, but you can get some idea of how it will look from this photo (and notice how much less cluttered it is since the photo from this post).  I can't wait to finish this makeover!

Have any of you made a custom cork board before?  What other small DIY projects have you tackled lately?

One Dish Fish

Fish can be an intimidating protein to cook.  If done well it will be a star dish, but if done wrong it can be disastrous.  I like to incorporate fish into my diet as much as healthily possible.  I also like to ensure I  am getting plenty of vegetables, and not just green ones.  So having a recipe that incorporates both of these elements, as well as being fast and easy, and only using one cooking dish is my own personal miracle.

I have to say up front this recipe is not 100% my own creation.  I found the base of this recipe years ago online.  I no longer remember where, in fact I have since thrown away the printed recipe.  Over the years, though, I have added my own modifications, mostly to include more vegetables.  This dish is a great simple, healthy meal that also makes for a quick clean-up.  The original recipe called for Tilapia, however I have found that any light white fish will work.  The photos in this post are using European Plaice which just happened to be the fish on sale at my store this week.

Ingredients:
1 Bag Ready to Eat Leaf Spinach (I do not recommend using frozen spinach)
3-4 White Fish Fillets (Tilapia or similar)
1 Can Petit Diced Tomatoes (you can dice your own, you would probably need 4-5 tomatoes)
1 Can Vacuum Packed Corn
3-4 Scallions
2 Tbs Vegetable or Chicken Stock
Cajun or Creole Seasoning
Onion Powder
Garlic Salt  

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Empty the bag of spinach into a large baking dish.  I use my large lasagna pan.  Sprinkle the spinach with onion powder and garlic salt.

Step 2:

Season the fillets with the Cajun or Creole seasoning to your liking.  If you prefer you may also skip this step, but I do recommend at least a little salt and pepper seasoning.

Step 3:

Drain the can of tomatoes and distribute the tomatoes and corn over the top of the fillets.

Step 4:

Dice the scallions and sprinkle on top of everything.

Step 5:

Add 2 Tbs of vegetable or chicken stock to the pan. It might seem like you should add more, but trust me this will be enough to create steam to wilt the spinach.

Step 6:

Cover your baking dish with foil and place in the oven for 20-30 minutes, when the fish flakes easily with a fork it is done.

Step 7:

Enjoy!  I like to serve with a couple pieces of garlic bread.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, if you try it please drop by and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!