weekend project: rock fountain

tools and materials:

• submersible fountain pump with 2 feet of tubing
• square galvanized tub
• several clay pots
• several large rocks
• galvanized bucket
• drill + metal bit
• file
• small rocks
• gazing ball

1. place the pump, with tubing attached, in the tub. fill the bottom with upside-down clay pots.
2. place a layer of rocks on the pots. the tubing should be positioned where you want the bucket. run the power cord out of the tub.
3. drill a hole near the edge of the bucket's bottom. file sharp points.
4. run the tubing from the pump through the hole, making sure it extends above the top of the bucket.
5. keep the tubing in place while filling the rest of the tub and bucket with rocks. set the gazing ball in the bucket and run the tubing behind it.
6. add water; plug in pump.

weekend project: chic industrial desk

tools and materials:

• old sheet or pieces of cardboard (to protect your work surface)
• two sawhorses
• metallic spray paint
• hollow-core door (preferably without a hole for doorhandle)
• sandpaper
• tack cloth

1. protect your work surface. spray-paint the saw horses. let dry.
2. lightly sand the door (remove any hinge or handle hardware, if necessary), then wipe clean with a tack cloth.
3. spray-paint the face of the door, making light, lengthwise passes that slightly overlap. also paint all edges. you may want to rest the door on the sawhorses while you paint. let dry. repeat on the opposite face. let dry. apply a second coat if desired and let dry.
4. rest the door over the equally spaced sawhorses. if desired, use construction adhesive to permanently attach the door.

weekend project: coffee sack headboard

tools and materials:

• six large coffee bean sacks
• six 15x18" pieces of 2 inch thick foam
• six 15x18" plywood boards
• stapler
• utility knife
• picture hangers or other fasteners

1. on a flat surface, lay one coffee bean sack, design side down.
2. place one piece of foam over the coffee sack. if there is a logo on the sack, make sure it is centered.
3. position a plywood board over the foam.
4. pull up one side of the sack and staple it to the back of the plywood. pull up and staple the opposite side; repeat with remaining two sides. use the utility knife to trim any excess fabric. repeat for the other sacks.
5. use picture hangers to attach the boards to the wall. slide the bed against the headboard.

weekend project: luminous candleholders

tools and materials:

• glass candleholders
• flat-sided glass stones
• clear china/glass cement

1. wash and dry the candleholders before you begin.
2. starting from the top, attach glass stones in a row with the china/glass cement. polyurethane adhesive also will bond glass to glass but requires you to clamp the stones in place (use masking tape, which will contour to the curves) while the adhesive cures. note: hot glue is faster to use and requires no clamping but provides only a temporary bond.
3. offset the next row of glass stones and continue until the container is covered. let the adhesive cure as recommended by the manufacturer.

weight watchers equation

calories / 50

+

fat / 12

-

fiber / 5

=

weight watchers points value

speed cleaning

living room

6 mins daily

let gravity work for you. dust from top to bottom, and save the vacuuming for last.

• pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with a handheld vacuum (1 min)
• fluff cushions and fold throws after use (2 mins)
• wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (1 min)
• straighten coffee-table books and magazines. throw out newspapers. put away cds and dvds (2 mins)

kitchen

4.5 mins daily

in the time it takes to brew a pot of coffee, you can get through your everyday list.

• always start with the sink. wipe down after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 secs)
• wipe down the stove top (1 min)
• wipe down the counters (1 min)
• sweep, swiffer, or vacuum the floor (2 mins)

bathroom

2 mins daily

cleaning the bathroom each day should take no more time than flossing your teeth.

• wipe out the sink (30 secs)
• wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 secs)
• swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 secs)
• wipe the mirror and faucet (15 secs)
• squeegee the shower door (30 secs)
• spray the entire shower and curtain liner with shower mist (15 secs)

bedroom

6.5 mins daily

make your bed right before or after your morning shower. a neat bed will inspire you.

• make the bed (2 mins)
• fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (4 mins)
• straighten out the night table surface (30 secs)

lasagna-style baked ziti

hands-on time: 20 mins / total time: 45 mins / makes 4 servings

ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh oregano (optional)
• 1 26 oz jar pasta sauce
• 1 15 oz container ricotta
• 1 10 oz box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove liquid
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan (2 oz)
• 1 cup grated mozzarella

recipe:

heat oven to 400 deg F. cook the pasta according to package directions. heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. add the onion, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 6-8 mins. add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until no longer pink, 5-7 mins. add the garlic and oregano and cook for 2 mins. add the pasta sauce and cooked pasta and toss to coat. add the ricotta, spinach, and parmesan, and toss to combine. transfer to a 9"x13" baking dish or individual ramekins and sprinkle with the mozzarella. bake until the mozzarella melts, about 15 mins.